-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, REXzZYPIhULUQDZY54iPPYP20DS3Egc/jxbzXDNSyCDkAu1uN2JB+Oy6uiAEDHxb aqmBNqbCmqYrMUa8pnTeqw== 0000950144-07-007565.txt : 20070809 0000950144-07-007565.hdr.sgml : 20070809 20070809124213 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950144-07-007565 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-8 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070809 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070809 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20070809 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: POPULAR INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000763901 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022] IRS NUMBER: 660667416 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-8 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-145272 FILM NUMBER: 071038887 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 209 MUNOZ RIVERA AVE STREET 2: POPULAR CENTER BUILDING CITY: HATO REY STATE: PR ZIP: 00918 BUSINESS PHONE: 7877659800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P.O. BOX 362708 CITY: SAN JUAN STATE: PR ZIP: 00936-2708 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BANPONCE CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 S-8 1 g08872sv8.htm POPULAR, INC. POLULAR, INC.
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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 9, 2007
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
and
POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
Popular, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Puerto Rico   66-0667416
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
organization)    
     
Popular Center Building    
209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue    
San Juan, Puerto Rico   00918
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
POPULAR, INC. PUERTO RICO SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN
POPULAR, INC. USA 401(K) SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

(Full title of the plan)
 
Jorge A. Junquera
Senior Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer

209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
(Name and address of agent for service)
(787) 765-9800
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 
Copies to:
Brunilda Santos de Alvarez
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                             
 
              Proposed     Proposed        
        Amount     maximum     maximum     Amount of  
        to be     offering price     aggregate -     registration  
  Title of each class of securities to be registered     Registered (1)(2)(3)     per unit (4)     offering price     fee  
 
Popular, Inc. Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan
                         
 
Common Stock, par value $6.00 per share
    6,000,000     $12.575     $75,450,000     $2,316.32  
 
Popular, Inc. USA 401(K) Savings and Investment Plan
                         
 
Common Stock, par value $6.00 per share
    5,000,000     $12.575     $62,875,000     $1,930.26  
 
(1)   The amount being registered also includes an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends and antidilution provisions and other terms, in accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act.
 
(2)   In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered and sold pursuant to the employee benefits plans described herein.
 
(3)   This Registration Statement also covers the associated rights to purchase fractional shares of preferred stock of the Registrant issuable pursuant to a Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of August 13, 1998. Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, none of which has occurred, the rights are not exercisable, are attached to the certificates representing the Common Stock and will be transferred only with the Common Stock.
 
(4)   Computed pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for purpose of determining the registration fee, based upon an assumed price of $12.575 per share, which was the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on August 6, 2007, as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market.
 
 

 


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EXPLANATORY NOTE
     This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed for the purpose of registering (i) 6,000,000 additional shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $6.00 per share (the “Common Stock”), that may be issued in connection with the Popular Inc. Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan (the “Puerto Rico Plan”); and (ii) 5,000,000 additional shares of the Common Stock that may be issued in connection with the Popular Inc. USA 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan (the “U.S. Plan”). In accordance with Instruction E of the General Instructions to Form S-8, the Registration Statements on Form S-8 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to (a) the Puerto Rico Plan (File No. 333-53114) and (b) the U.S. Plan (File No. 333-80167) are incorporated by reference herein.
     Effective July 1, 2006, the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Employees’ Stock Plan (Puerto Rico) was merged with and into the Puerto Rico Plan and, effective April 1, 2006, the Popular Financial Holdings, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan (formerly known as the Equity One, Inc. Savings & Retirement Plan) was merged with and into the U.S. Plan (collectively, the “Terminated Plans”). This Registration Statement also constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the following Form S-8 Registration Statements (indicated by File No.), to remove from registration all of the shares of Common Stock that remain unsold and that are not subject to awards currently outstanding under the Terminated Plans: 333-80169, 333-94703, 33-58373 and 333-100999.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part II
Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5.1 OPINION OF PIETRANTONI MENDEZ & ALVAREZ LLP
EX-5.2 OPINION OF FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
EX-23.3 CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


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Part II —
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
     The following documents previously filed with the Commission by Popular, Inc. (the “Company”) are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
          a) The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Commission on March 1, 2007;
          b) The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007;
          c) The Company’s Current Report(s) on Form 8-K dated as of January 9, 2007 and January 25, 2007 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable. The Company’s Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
     None.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
          (a) Article ELEVENTH of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation of provides the following:
               (1) The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
               (2) The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company to procure a

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judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the Company unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.
               (3) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraph 1 or 2 of this Article ELEVENTH, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
               (4) Any indemnification under paragraph 1 or 2 of this Article ELEVENTH (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Company only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth therein. Such determination shall be made (a) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (b) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (c) by the stockholders.
               (5) Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized in this Article ELEVENTH.
               (6) The indemnification provided by this Article ELEVENTH shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any statute, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
               (7) By action of its Board of Directors, notwithstanding any interest of the directors in the action, the Company may purchase and maintain insurance, in such amounts as the Board of Directors deems appropriate, on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the written request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power or would be required to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article ELEVENTH or of the General Corporation Law of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or of any other state of the United States or foreign country as may be applicable.
          (b) Article 1.02(B)(6) of the Puerto Rico General Corporation Act (the “PR-GCA”) provides that a corporation may include in its certificate of incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of members of its board of directors or governing body for breach of a director’s fiduciary duty of care. However, no such provision may eliminate or limit the liability of a director for breaching his duty of loyalty, failing to act in good faith, engaging in intentional misconduct or knowingly violating a law, paying an unlawful dividend or approving an unlawful stock repurchase or obtaining an improper personal benefit.
          (c) Article 4.08 of the PR-GCA authorizes a Puerto Rico Corporation to indemnify its officers and directors against liabilities arising out of pending or threatened actions, suits or proceedings to which such officers and directors may be made parties by reason of being officers or directors. Such rights of indemnification are not exclusive of any other rights to which such officers or directors may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or otherwise.

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               (d) The Company maintains a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The Exhibits accompanying this Registration Statement are listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
          (i)To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);
          (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and
          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
               provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or

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controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES
     The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Juan, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on the 9th day of August, 2007.
         
  POPULAR, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Jorge A. Junquera    
  Name:   Jorge A. Junquera     
  Title:   Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
   
 
     The Plans. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plans) have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Juan, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on the 9th day of August, 2007.
         
  POPULAR, INC. PUERTO RICO SAVINGS AND
INVESTMENT PLAN

 
 
  By:   /s/ Tere Loubriel    
  Name:   Tere Loubriel   
  Title:   Authorized Representative     
 
  POPULAR, INC. USA 401(K) SAVINGS AND
INVESTMENT PLAN

 
 
  By:   /s/ Tere Loubriel    
  Name:   Tere Loubriel     
  Title:   Authorized Representative     
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Richard L. Carrion, David H. Chafey, Jr., Jorge A. Junquera and Brunilda Santos de Alvarez, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power and in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file such Registration Statement and all such amendments or supplements, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

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Table of Contents

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on this 9th day of August, 2007.
         
Signature   Title   Date
 
       
/s/ Richard L. Carrión
       
         
Richard L. Carrión
  Chairman of the Board, President and   August 9, 2007
 
  Chief Executive Officer    
 
       
/s/ Juan J. Bermúdez
       
         
Juan J. Bermúdez
  Director   August 9, 2007
/s/ Maria Luisa Ferré
       
         
María Luisa Ferré
  Director   August 9, 2007
 
       
         
Michael Masin
  Director  
 
       
/s/ Manuel Morales, Jr.
       
         
Manuel Morales, Jr.
  Director   August 9, 2007
 
       
         
Francisco M. Rexach, Jr.
  Director  
 
       
/s/ Frederic V. Salerno
       
         
Frederic V. Salerno
  Director   August 9, 2007
 
       
/s/ William J. Teuber, Jr.
       
         
William J. Teuber, Jr.
  Director   August 9, 2007
 
       
/s/ José R. Vizcarrondo
       
         
José R. Vizcarrondo
  Director   August 9, 2007
 
       
/s/ Jorge A. Junquera
       
         
Jorge A. Junquera
  Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   August 9, 2007
 
  (Principal Financial Officer)    
 
       
/s/ Ileana González
       
         
Ileana González
  Senior Vice President and Comptroller   August 9, 2007
 
  (Principal Accounting Officer)    

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit       Description
 
       
4.1
    Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as currently in effect, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2006 (File No. 000-13818)
 
       
4.2
    By-laws of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-80169) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 1999.
 
       
4.3
    Specimen of Certificate of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $6 per share, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 033-61601).
 
       
4.4
    Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of August 13, 1998, between Popular, Inc. and Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, as Rights Agent, including form of Rights Certificate attached as Exhibit B thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Popular, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 13, 1998 and filed on August 21, 1998 (File No. 000-13818).
 
       
5.1
    Opinion of Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvarez LLP with respect to the Popular, Inc. Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan, regarding compliance with ERISA.
 
       
5.2
    Opinion of Foley & Lardner LLP with respect to the Popular, Inc. USA 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan, regarding compliance with ERISA.
 
       
23.1
    Consent of Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1 above).
 
       
23.2
    Consent of Foley & Lardner LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.2 above).
 
       
23.3
    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
 
       
24.1
    Powers of Attorney (included on pages II-5 through II-6).

 

EX-5.1 2 g08872exv5w1.htm EX-5.1 OPINION OF PIETRANTONI MENDEZ & ALVAREZ LLP EX-5.1 OPINION OF PIETRANTONI MENDEZ & ALVAREZ
 

Exhibit 5.1
August 9, 2007
Popular, Inc.
209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
     Re:      Popular, Inc. Form S-8 Registration Statement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
     We are counsel to Popular, Inc. (the “Company”) and have acted as such in connection with the filing by the Company of its registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Rules and Regulations”). The Registration Statement relates to six million (6,000,000) shares of the common stock, par value $6 per share of the Company (the “Company Stock”), which may be allocated to the accounts of eligible employees of the Puerto Rico subsidiaries of the Company who by action of their Board of Directors have adopted the Popular, Inc. Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan (formerly the Popular, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan for Puerto Rico Subsidiaries, the “Plan”), and interests therein. The Plan is subject to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).
     This opinion, given as of the date hereof, is based upon facts and conditions presently known and laws and regulations presently in effect, and is being delivered pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K under the Act as required by Item 8 of the Registration Statement.
     As counsel of the Company and in rendering this opinion we have examined the Plan documents and other related written documentation as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to provide a basis for the opinion set forth below. In our examination, we have assumed the conformity to original documents submitted to us as photostatic copies, the genuineness of all signatures and the taking of all required corporate action in relation with the Plan.

 


 

Popular, Inc.
August 9, 2007
Page 2
     On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the provisions of the written documents constituting the Plan are in compliance with the requirements of ERISA pertaining to such provisions.
     We are members of the bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the opinion set forth herein is limited to matters governed by the federal laws of the United States of America. This opinion is being furnished to you solely for your benefit in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement pursuant to the Act and the Rules and Regulations and is not to be used, circulated, quoted, relied upon or otherwise referred to for any other purpose, without our prior written consent. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvarez LLP

 

EX-5.2 3 g08872exv5w2.htm EX-5.2 OPINION OF FOLEY & LARDNER LLP EX-5.2 OPINION OF FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
 

Exhibit 5.2
     
 
  ATTORNEYS AT LAW
 
   
 
  777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
 
  MILWAUKEE, WI 53202-5306 
 
  414.271.2400 TEL 
 
  414.297.4900 FAX 
 
  www.foley.com
 
   
 
  WRITER’S DIRECT LINE
 
  414.297.5846 
 
   
 
  CLIENT/MATTER NUMBER
 
  026375-0167 
August 9, 2007
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Popular, Inc.
P.O. Box 362708 (Mail Stop 914)
San Juan, PR 00936-2708
Ladies and Gentlemen:
     We are counsel to Popular, Inc. (the “Company”), and have acted as co-counsel in conjunction with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $6.00 par value (the “Common Stock”), which may be issued or acquired pursuant to the Popular, Inc. USA 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan (the “Plan”).
     As such counsel, we have examined the Plan (including any amendments thereto), as submitted to the Internal Revenue Service and all amendments to the Plan that, to our knowledge, the Company has adopted subsequent to the date the Plan was filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion the Plan, as amended, complies with the applicable requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as and to the extent that ERISA applies to such Plan.
     This opinion is for the limited purpose of facilitating the Company’s Registration Statement, and we consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we are “experts” within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act. The opinion is not to be used for any other purpose.
         
  Very truly yours,

FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
 
 
  By:   /s/ Leigh C. Riley    
    Leigh C. Riley   
       
 
             
BOSTON
  LOS ANGELES   SACRAMENTO    
BRUSSELS
  MADISON   SAN DIEGO   TALLAHASSEE
CHICAGO
  MILWAUKEE   SAN DIEGO/DEL MAR   TAMPA
DETROIT
  NEW YORK   SAN FRANCISCO   TOKYO
JACKSONVILLE
  ORLANDO   SILICON VALLEY   WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

EX-23.3 4 g08872exv23w3.htm EX-23.3 CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP EX-23.3 CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 

Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 28, 2007 relating to the financial statements, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in Popular, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Juan, Puerto Rico
August 9, 2007

 

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