EXHIBIT 32.2

                                  CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C.sec.1350, the undersigned officer of First BanCorp. (the
"Company") hereby certifies, to such officer's knowledge, that the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 (the "Report") fully
complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report
fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results
of operations of the Company.

Date: August 9, 2004                      /s/ Annie Astor-Carbonell
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                                              Annie Astor-Carbonell
                                              Senior Executive Vice President
                                              and Chief Financial Officer