BPOP Popular Inc

Native Puerto Rican singer Jorge N��ez, finalist in an internationally known reality television singing competition this year, will perform on the Banco Popular float at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York, beginning at 11:00 AM, Sunday, June 14, on Fifth Avenue, between 44th and 86th streets. The celebration in New York, along with festivities throughout the United States, draws more than two million participants. This is the 47th year that Banco Popular celebrates the spirit and culture of the Puerto Rican community during this special event.

"We are especially excited this year to have Jorge on our float. In a recent television interview Jorge expressed the desire to perform in the Parade. We are glad to make his dream come true and to share his tremendous talent during this spectacular celebration," said Michele Imbasciani, Banco Popular's New York Metro Region Executive. "We remain firmly committed to supporting the many beneficial activities associated with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. This annual celebration allows us to honor the spirit, passion and culture of the Puerto Rican community."

"I am thrilled to be able to perform in front of my community and this truly is a dream come true for me," said Jorge N��ez. "This year has been amazing and the opportunity to share my pride and love for my fellow Puerto Ricans and celebrate our culture is incredible."

Jorge started in music when he was 10 years old and was part of his church kid's choir known as Ni�itos del Ave Maria. At 16, he entered a special school program known as C.A.B.A. (Centro de Adiestramiento y Bellas Artes) located in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. He developed a love for choral music. He was in the choir of the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras for part of his third and fourth year, and took a leave of absence in order to participate in a widely recognized U.S. music competition and reality show. While on the program, he was the first Puerto Rican to progress to the top 13 candidates and a finalist. Currently Jorge N��ez is focusing on furthering his solo career and finishing his degree in Comparative Literature.

As part of the Parade festivities and in keeping with the Bank's mission to nurture, educate and prepare tomorrow's Puerto Rican leaders, in April the bank awarded $20,000 in scholarships to 20 of New York's brightest scholars pursuing post-secondary education.

Banco Popular was the first corporate sponsor of the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

About Banco Popular:

As a premier community bank, Banco Popular North America (BPNA) provides sound lending and financial opportunities to a diverse group of consumer and business customers across the United States.

First established in the United States in 1961, Banco Popular North America has for the past 48 years continued to grow its core banking services and today operates more than 100 branches across five states: New York, New Jersey, Illinois, California, and Florida. BPNA also markets online deposit accounts through its subsidiary E-LOAN, which also offers loan customers the option of being referred to a trusted consumer lending partner. Banco Popular North America is part of Popular, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed (NASDAQ: BPOP), full-service financial services provider with operations in Puerto Rico, the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. For more information about Banco Popular North America, visit the company's Web site at www.bancopopular.com.

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