<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.(A)
<SEQUENCE>8
<FILENAME>g86179a1exv23wxay.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EX-23(A) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
<TEXT>
<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)


                         [PricewaterhouseCoopers LOGO]


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-73242) of Popular Inc. of our report dated
February 28, 2003 relating to the financial statements, which appears on page 36
of the 2002 Financial Review and Supplementary Information to Stockholders of
Popular, Inc., which is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
------------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


San Juan, Puerto Rico
December 23, 2003

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>