Popular, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Popular, Inc. (the “Corporation,” “Popular,” “we,” “us,” “our”) (NASDAQ: BPOP)

The financial information in this earnings release includes non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are intended to supplement, and should not be considered a substitute for, GAAP results. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section for additional information; and Table R - Reconciliation to GAAP Financial Measures. All financial information in this release, including the accompanying tables, is unaudited.

Javier D. Ferrer, President and Chief Executive Officer, said:

"We are pleased to report another solid quarter. Net income reached $278 million, 13% higher than the first quarter of this year and 32% higher than the same quarter a year ago. Our results reflect higher net interest income, solid fee generation, continued balance sheet growth, and strong capital generation. Our ROTCE improved to 17% from 15.5% in the previous quarter, as we remain focused on delivering sustainable, through-the-cycle shareholder returns."

"We continued to return capital to shareholders during the quarter, repurchasing $125 million of common stock, exhausting our previous $500 million authorization, and paying our quarterly dividend of $0.75 per share. We also announced additional capital actions, including a 20% increase in our quarterly dividend to $0.90 per share, subject to Board approval, and a new $1.0 billion share repurchase authorization."

"At the same time, we continued to advance our strategic priorities – to be the number one bank for our customers, to be simple and efficient, and to be a top-performing bank. It is most rewarding to see how the organization has embraced our objectives. A growing number of initiatives are gaining traction simultaneously, and the pace of execution is accelerating."

"With the satisfaction of seeing Popular solid, united, and moving forward with a clear purpose and strategy, I'm announcing my retirement, effective August 31, 2026. As I begin this next chapter, I look forward to focusing on my health and spending meaningful time with my family and close friends."

"It has been an honor to serve Popular and work alongside a team so deeply committed to our clients, communities and shareholders. I am especially grateful to our employees for their support, trust and dedication throughout my years at Popular. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and the momentum it creates for Popular’s future. I also want to thank Jorge for his partnership over the years. I know his leadership will guide Popular forward with strength, purpose and care."

Significant Events

Capital Actions

On July 23, 2026, the Corporation announced the following capital actions:

• an increase in the Corporation’s quarterly common stock dividend from $0.75 to $0.90 per share, commencing with the dividend payable in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the approval of the Corporation’s Board of Directors; and
• a new common stock repurchase authorization of up to $1 billion.

The Corporation’s planned common stock repurchases may be executed in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or any other manner determined by the Corporation. The Corporation has repurchased approximately $280 million in common stock to date in 2026 and, as of June 30, 2026, had fully utilized the $500 million common stock repurchase authorization approved in 2025. The timing, quantity and price of the Corporation's common stock repurchases will be subject to various factors, including market conditions, the Corporation’s capital position, liquidity and financial performance, the capital impact of strategic initiatives and tax and regulatory considerations, including regulatory approvals for subsidiary dividends. The common stock repurchase authorization does not require the Corporation to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

Popular, Inc. – Net interest income of $693 million increased $23 million, or 3.5%, from Q1 2026. The increase was primarily driven by higher income from investment securities, and by higher income on loans driven by commercial loan growth, as well as one additional day in the quarter. These were partially offset by higher interest expense on deposits, mainly due to higher average balances of P.R. public deposits, as well as commercial deposits at both banks. Average earning assets increased by $1.8 billion, driven by U.S. Treasury securities, which increased QoQ by $1.4 billion. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $1.8 billion driven by P.R. public deposits which increased $1.1 billion when compared to Q1 2026 while non-interest bearing demand deposits increased by $167 million.

Net interest margin was unchanged at 3.66%. Deposit costs increased by one basis point to 1.57%. The additional day in the quarter represented $5 million in incremental income in Q2 2026.

NII fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") and NIM FTE (Non-GAAP)- NII FTE of $789 million increased $31 million, or 4.1%, from Q1 2026. NIM on a taxable equivalent basis expanded three basis points to 4.17%. Money market and investment securities yields FTE increased by 15 basis points, mainly driven by purchases and re-investment of maturities into higher yielding U.S. Treasury securities.

Interest income on a taxable equivalent basis includes interest income on U.S. Treasury securities, certain GNMA securities and certain loans in BPPR's portfolios, that are tax exempt in Puerto Rico.

Refer to tables D, E and F for more details on the components of NII and NIM on a taxable equivalent basis.

BPPR Segment – NII of $590 million increased $22 million, or 3.9%, from Q1 2026. Higher NII was driven by a $22 million or 10 basis points increase in money market and investment securities income, resulting from higher average balances and investment securities yields and a $9 million increase in loan income, mainly driven by higher average balances in the commercial, construction and mortgage portfolios. Higher interest expense on deposits of $9 million, mainly due to a $1.1 billion increase in average Puerto Rico public deposit balances and higher commercial deposits. NIM was stable at 3.85%. Deposit costs increased by one basis point to 1.32%, including the costs of public deposits of 2.61% or five basis points lower than last quarter.

Popular Bank Segment – NII of $113 million increased $1 million, or 1.2%, from Q1 2026. The increase was primarily driven by higher commercial loan income by $4 million and higher yields by seven basis points, attributable to the re-pricing of commercial loans and new originations carrying higher yields, as well as the impact of one additional day in the quarter, partially offset by higher interest expense on deposits by $2 million or six basis points attributable to higher costs of commercial deposits. NIM expanded by two basis points to 3.17%. Deposit costs increased by 4 basis points to 2.73%.

Non-interest income of $181 million increased $15 million or 8% from Q1 2026.

Key drivers: Banking fees increased $6 million to $117 million, driven by credit and debit card fees, which increased by $3 million and $2 million, respectively, supported by strong transaction activity and higher purchase volumes, including from commercial credit cards. Other operating income increased by $7 million to $26 million, mainly driven by higher income from investments accounted for under the equity method by $4 million, that benefited from an unrealized gain of $3 million in the valuation of an investment.

Refer to Table B for further details.

Total operating expenses of $484 million increased $17 million, or 3%, from Q1 2026.

Key drivers: Total personnel costs increased by $13 million, or 6%, primarily reflecting higher performance-based compensation, including approximately $10 million related to the employee profit-sharing plan and additional accruals for short-term incentive compensation by $5 million, both of which are tied to the Corporation’s financial performance. Full-time equivalent employees were 9,203 as of June 30, 2026, compared to 9,191 as of March 31, 2026.

Business promotion expenses increased $5 million driven by an increase in transaction activity in Q2 2026, tied to our credit card business rewards program and a benefit in Q1 2026 from the expiration of unclaimed customer rewards points.

For a breakdown of operating expenses by category in the consolidated statement of operations refer to Table B.

For the second quarter of 2026, the Corporation recorded an income tax expense of $46 million, compared to $47 million for the previous quarter.

The Corporation's effective tax rate ("ETR") is impacted by the composition and source of its taxable income and tax credit activities. The ETR for the second quarter of 2026 was 14.1%, compared to 16.0% for the previous quarter, mainly driven by higher exempt income and the impact of other tax benefits, including the purchase of tax credits and income with preferential tax rates.

During the second quarter of 2026, the Corporation’s overall credit quality metrics remained stable. The quarter included the resolution of a significant commercial non-performing relationship, which resulted in a $71 million charge-off and the transfer of the remaining $84 million carrying amount to loans held-for-sale. Consumer credit performance continued to improve, supported by lower losses in the auto portfolio. Commercial NPL inflows increased during the quarter, driven by borrower-specific issues that management does not view as indicative of broader credit deterioration.

Non-Performing Loans Held-in-Portfolio ("NPLs") and Net Charge Offs ("NCOs")

Total NPLs decreased $45 million to $413 million during Q2 2026. Excluding consumer loans, inflows of NPLs held-in-portfolio increased $137 million in the second quarter of 2026. The ratio of NPLs to total loans held in the portfolio was 1.04% for the second quarter of 2026, compared to 1.17% for the previous quarter. NCO Ratio of 1.05% increased 44 basis points when compared to the previous quarter. Excluding the $71 million charge-off, the NCO Ratio was 0.33% for the quarter.

BPPR segment- NPLs decreased $52 million, primarily driven by a $47 million reduction in commercial NPLs. The decline reflects the resolution of a $155 million relationship, where our intent to sell resulted in a $71 million charge-off and the transfer of the remaining $84 million to loans held for sale (“LHFS”). The loan was subsequently sold on July 2, 2026. The decrease resulting from the reclassification of the loan previously mentioned was partially offset by the inflows to commercial NPLs of two unrelated commercial and industrial relationships of $129 million in the aggregate. These inflows to commercial NPLs stemmed from issues specific to the individual borrowers and are not indicative of a broader decline in portfolio credit quality or the industries in which the borrowers operate. Excluding consumer loans, BPPR segment NPL inflows increased $123 million compared to the prior quarter.

NCOs increased $43 million, primarily reflecting the previously mentioned commercial credit resolution, partially offset by a $10 million improvement in consumer NCOs, mostly due to lower losses in the auto portfolio. NCO Ratio of 1.46%, increased 61 basis points driven by the $71 million charge off during the quarter.

PB segment- NPLs increased $8 million, primarily driven by commercial NPLs. Excluding consumer loans, inflows to NPLs increased $14 million compared to the previous quarter. NCO Ratio of 0.08%, increased 4 basis points during the quarter.

Refer to table L for a breakdown of Non-Performing Assets.

Allowance for loan losses ("ACL")

The ACL as of June 30, 2026 amounted to $785 million, a decrease of $39 million when compared to the first quarter of 2026. The decline primarily reflects the resolution of the commercial non-performing credit moved to LHFS, improving consumer credit performance, and favorable portfolio and macroeconomic developments.

BPPR segment- The ACL decreased by $40 million compared to the previous quarter, mostly driven by a $22 million decrease in reserves for commercial loans. This decrease was primarily due to the transfer to LHFS of the $155 million NPL and related charge-off, as well as favorable changes in the credit quality of the portfolio and the macroeconomic scenario, partially offset by higher reserves associated with NPL inflows during the quarter and loan growth. Additionally, the ACL for consumer loans decreased by $12 million, primarily in the auto and credit card portfolios, reflecting improvements in credit quality.

PB segment- The ACL remained stable quarter-over-quarter at $93 million.

Provision for credit losses

Provision for loan losses of $65 million for the second quarter of 2026. The decrease of $10 million compared to the prior quarter was primarily driven by a lower provision expense in the BPPR segment by $12 million, reflecting improved credit quality in the consumer portfolio, higher recovery activity, and a more favorable macroeconomic outlook supporting the mortgage portfolio. These favorable trends were partially offset by higher reserve requirements associated with commercial NPL inflows during the quarter.

Including the provision for unfunded loan commitments and the provision related to the Corporation’s investment portfolio, the provision for credit losses for the second quarter was $66 million.

Total assets- Total assets increased $2.8 billion from the first quarter of 2026, primarily driven by an increase of $2.3 billion in investment securities. Loans held-in-portfolio increased $460 million, mainly due to an increase of $300 million in the BPPR segment across most portfolios and an increase of $160 million in the PB segment, primarily in commercial loans. Loans held-for-sale ("LHFS") also increased $83 million, mainly due to the loan reclassified as LHFS during the quarter.

Total liabilities- Total liabilities increased $2.7 billion from the first quarter of 2026, mainly reflecting a $2.6 billion increase in deposits, including growth in P.R. public deposits of $3.0 billion, coupled with a $325 million increase in short-term borrowings due to higher FHLB advances at PB. This was partially offset by a $246 million decline in other liabilities, primarily from lower unsettled U.S. Treasury purchases outstanding at period end.

Stockholders’ equity- Stockholders' equity increased $122 million when compared to the first quarter of 2026, driven by $278 million of net income and $35 million of amortization of unrealized losses on securities previously reclassified to held-to- maturity ("HTM"), net of tax, and a favorable variance in foreign currency translation adjustments of $22 million from our investment in BHD. These increases were partially offset by $125 million of common share repurchases, $49 million in common and preferred dividends declared, and a $50 million increase in unrealized losses on available-for-sale ("AFS") securities.

Popular, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Paul J. Cardillo, 212-417-6721
Senior Vice President and Investor Relations Officer
pcardillo@popular.com
or
Media Relations:
MC González Noguera, 917-804-5253
Executive Vice President and Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer
mc.gonzalez@popular.com