EXHIBIT 32.1

                                 CERTIFICATION

          Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, the undersigned officer of Popular,
Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certifies that the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 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.


Dated: May 10, 2004
       ------------

                                           By: /s/ Richard L. Carrion
                                              ---------------------------------
                                           Name: Richard L. Carrion
                                           Title: Chief Executive Officer



         The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18
U.S.C. ss. 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report.

         A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906
has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.