Certain Relationships and Transactions
We may be party to transactions, arrangements or relationships with our directors, director nominees, executive officers, shareholders owning more than 5% of the Corporation’s voting securities, or their immediate family members (each, a “Related Party”). We have adopted a written Policy on Related Party Transactions (the “Related Party Policy”) to identify and evaluate potential conflicts of interest, independence factors and disclosure obligations arising out of transactions, arrangements or relationships between Related Parties and us.
Transactions covered by the Related Party Policy may also be subject to restrictions pursuant to the Federal Reserve Board’s regulation on Loans to Executive Officers, Directors, and Principal Shareholders of Member Banks (Regulation O), which is the subject of a separate policy.
Our Policy on Related Party Transactions
The Related Party Policy governs the review, approval or ratification of transactions, arrangements or relationships: (i) in which Popular or any of its subsidiaries is a participant; (ii) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000; and (iii) a Related Party has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. These transactions must be submitted to the Audit Committee for their review, evaluation and approval, unless pre-approved under the Related Party Policy.
Directors and executive officers must notify Popular’s Chief Legal Officer (“CLO”) of any transaction with a related party in which they, or their immediate family members, have a material interest. Any unit or division proposing a transaction with a related party must also notify the CLO, the Corporate Comptroller and the General Auditor by completing a Related Party Transaction Request Form. After review by the CLO, the form is submitted for consideration and approval of the Audit Committee of the Board. The form must contain, among other things, a description of the proposed transaction, its benefits to Popular and an assessment of whether the proposed transaction with a related party is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to an unrelated third party or to employees generally. Only disinterested members of the Audit Committee of the Board participate in the review and determination of whether a transaction with a related party is approved. The Audit Committee of the Board will approve or ratify transactions with Related Parties when the transaction is deemed to be in, or is not inconsistent with, the best interest of Popular.
Pre-Approved Categories of Related Party Transactions
In accordance with the terms of the Related Party Policy, certain types of transactions are pre-approved and certain recurring transactions are approved annually, without the need to submit the corresponding form to the Audit Committee. Pre-approved transactions include certain banking-related services and transactions in the ordinary course of business involving financial products and services provided by, or to, Popular, including loans, provided such transactions comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Regulation O and other applicable laws and regulations. Other pre-approved instances include transactions in which the rate or charges involved in the transaction are determined by competitive bids. In the event Popular becomes aware of a transaction with a Related Party that has not been approved under the terms of the Related Party Policy, the Audit Committee considers all relevant facts and circumstances regarding the transaction with the Related Party and evaluates all options available to Popular, including ratification, revision or termination. The Audit Committee of the Board also examines the facts and circumstances pertaining to the failure of reporting such transaction with a related party to the Audit Committee, as required by the Related Party Policy, and may take such actions as it deems appropriate.
Related Party Transactions
In 2024, Popular and its subsidiaries contributed approximately $1.1 million to Fundación Banco Popular, Inc. (the “BPPR Foundation”) through the matching of employee contributions. During 2024, Popular also contributed an additional $1 million to the BPPR Foundation. Popular also provided human and operational resources to support the activities of the BPPR Foundation, which during 2024 amounted to approximately $1.6 million, including maintenance and the amortization of leasehold improvements for the BPPR Foundation’s headquarters. BPPR and the Puerto Rico employees of Popular, through voluntary personal donations, are a significant source of funds for the BPPR Foundation. The BPPR Foundation is a Puerto Rico not-for-profit corporation created to improve the quality of life in Puerto Rico. As BPPR’s philanthropic arm, it provides a scholarship fund for employees’ children and supports education and community development projects. The Board of Trustees of the BPPR Foundation appoints its twelve members. Mr. Carrión is the Chairman, while Messrs. Alvarez and Negrón and Ms. Burckhart are members, of the Board of Trustees of the BPPR Foundation.
During 2024, Popular Bank contributed approximately $241,000 to the Popular Foundation through the matching of employee contributions. During 2024, Popular also contributed an additional $55,000 to the Popular Foundation. In addition, Popular provides human resources to support the activities of the Popular