First BanCorp Reports Financial Results for the Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2009

February 1, 2010

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First BanCorp (the "Corporation") (NYSE:FBP), the bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico ("FirstBank"), today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. The net loss for the quarter totaled $53.2 million, or $(0.64) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $165.2 million, or $(1.89) per diluted share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. As previously reported, the net loss for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 included a non-cash charge of $152.2 million, or $(1.65) per share, for an increase in the valuation allowance against the Corporation's deferred tax assets. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $275.2 million, or $(3.48) per diluted share, compared to net income of $109.9 million, or $0.75 per diluted share for 2008.

Total assets decreased by $452.7 million to $19.6 billion as of December 31, 2009 from $20.1 billion as of September 30, 2009. Non-performing loans increased by $25.0 million, or 2%, to $1.56 billion as of December 31, 2009 from $1.54 billion as of September 30, 2009. Meanwhile, the allowance to total loans ratio increased to 3.8% as of December 31, 2009 from 3.4% as of September 30, 2009.

This press release should be read in conjunction with the accompanying tables (Exhibit A), which are an integral part of this press release.

Aurelio Aleman, Chief Executive Officer of First BanCorp commented, "First BanCorp's results in the fourth quarter reflect the management team's concerted efforts towards stabilizing the credit portfolios, as seen in the slowdown in growth of non-performing loans and slight improvements in both net charge-offs and provision for loan losses, while the Puerto Rico and United States economies remain pressured. Our core business continued to progress as evidenced by net interest margin expansion and controllable expense reduction."

Mr. Aleman continued, "Results for 2009 were mostly driven by the high level of reserves on our loan portfolios taken during the year. However, during 2009 the Corporation was very successful in its core deposit growth initiatives, as evidenced by a 10% growth in non-brokered deposits in 2009, while reducing funding costs. Furthermore, non-interest income increased and we achieved reductions in controllable expenses. The difficult economic environment continued throughout all of 2009 and is expected to persist in Puerto Rico for most of 2010; therefore, we expect to see continued pressure on credit quality. Our markets have suffered decreasing real estate values and low absorption of housing units that demanded incremental reserves primarily in our construction and mortgage portfolios."

"The First BanCorp management team is focused on improving the financial performance of the Corporation. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the Management Team and the Board of Directors realigned the strategic focus of the Corporation and defined the key strategies to achieve a turnaround in financial results. The focus is primarily on: reducing loan portfolio risk to improve asset quality while increasing loan spreads; expanding initiatives for greater core deposit growth; increasing non-interest income including deployment of identified opportunities in transaction banking services; continuing reduction of expenses by expanding our business rationalization initiative; improving overall efficiency and enhancing our technological infrastructure through targeted investments. In line with market trends and conditions, the Corporation is beginning to execute strategies to reduce the balance sheet into 2010. The revised strategies are aligned with the fundamental objective of improving our capital position to successfully overcome anticipated challenges in 2010. To achieve these objectives, we will continue to develop and retain the best human capital, while restructuring the organization as needed to compete in the markets we serve," said Mr. Aleman.

"First BanCorp continues to exceed well-capitalized thresholds with Tier 1 and Total risk-based capital ratios of approximately 12.2% and 13.5%, respectively. Our Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets ratio is approximately 4.16%. Given the present economic outlook, the Corporation must enhance its capital structure to absorb potential future credit losses, maintain a leadership position, and situate the Corporation to benefit from the expected consolidation of the Puerto Rico banking industry. Therefore, we are taking actions to fortify our common capital levels and will evaluate other capital improvement alternatives as needed," concluded Mr. Aleman.

In a separate press release, the Corporation announced today actions intended to improve its capital position.

2009 Fourth Quarter versus 2009 Third Quarter

Net Interest Income

Compared with the third quarter of 2009, net interest income, excluding fair value adjustments ("valuations") on derivatives and financial liabilities measured at fair value, increased $2.6 million, or 2%. This reflected a 9 basis point increase in the net interest margin to 2.77% from 2.68% last quarter. Net interest income excluding valuations on derivative instruments and financial liabilities and net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis are non-GAAP measures. (See Basis of Presentation below for additional information.) The following table reconciles net interest income in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) to net interest income, excluding valuations, and to net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis and net interest spread and net interest margin on a GAAP basis to these items excluding valuations and on a tax-equivalent basis.

(Dollars in       Quarter Ended                                   Year ended
thousands)

                  December 31,    September 30,   December 31,    December 31,    December 31,

                    2009            2009            2008            2009            2008

Net interest      $ 137,297       $ 129,133       $ 124,196       $ 519,042       $ 527,881
income - GAAP

Unrealized loss
(gain) on
derivative
instruments and     (2,517     )    3,074           5,261           (5,474     )    (5,177     )
liabilities
measured at fair
value

Net interest
income excluding    134,780         132,207         129,457         513,568         522,704
valuations

Tax-equivalent      12,311          12,925          15,706          53,617          56,408
adjustment

Net interest
income on a
tax-equivalent    $ 147,091       $ 145,132       $ 145,163       $ 567,185       $ 579,112
basis excluding
valuations

Average
interest-earning  $ 19,283,455    $ 19,541,256    $ 18,853,837    $ 19,326,224    $ 18,082,806
assets

Net interest        2.55       %    2.32       %    2.27       %    2.36       %    2.55       %
spread - GAAP

Net interest
spread excluding    2.50       %    2.39       %    2.37       %    2.34       %    2.52       %
valuations

Net interest
spread on a
tax-equivalent      2.75       %    2.66       %    2.71       %    2.62       %    2.83       %
basis excluding
valuations

Net interest        2.82       %    2.62       %    2.62       %    2.69       %    2.92       %
margin - GAAP

Net interest
margin excluding    2.77       %    2.68       %    2.73       %    2.66       %    2.89       %
valuations

Net interest
margin on a
tax-equivalent      3.03       %    2.95       %    3.06       %    2.93       %    3.20       %
basis excluding
valuations



The increase in the net interest margin, excluding valuations, resulted from lower funding costs, continuing measures taken to improve loan pricing and spreads and a lower volume of loans entering into non-accrual status.

The decrease in the Corporation's average cost of funds is related to the continued low level of interest rates and changes in the mix of financing sources. The current low interest rate levels is reflected in the pricing of newly issued brokered CDs at rates significantly lower than those that matured during the quarter. The average cost of brokered CDs decreased by 27 basis points from 2.79% for the third quarter to 2.52% for the fourth quarter. Also, the Corporation was able to reduce the average cost of its core deposits from 2.07% for the third quarter to 1.95% for the fourth quarter.

Partially offsetting the aforementioned positive factors was a decline in the average volume of interest-earning assets. This includes a decrease of $714.6 million in the average volume of investment securities, driven by the sale of approximately $460 million of U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") during the fourth quarter and the full impact of $456 million of MBS sold in the last week of the third quarter. The decrease in the average volume of investments more than offset the $456.8 million increase in the average volume of loans resulting mainly from additional credit facilities extended to the Government of Puerto Rico.

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

The provision for loan and lease losses for the fourth quarter declined by $10.9 million to $137.2 million compared to a provision of $148.1 million in the third quarter. (See the Credit Quality Performance section below for a full discussion.)

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income decreased $11.2 million to $38.8 million in the fourth quarter largely driven by a $24.4 million gain on the sale of U.S. Agency MBS versus a realized gain on the sale of MBS of $28.3 million in the third quarter. The recent drop in mortgage pre-payments, as well as future pre-payment estimates, could result in the extension of the MBS portfolio's average life, which in turn would shift the balance sheet's interest rate gap position. In an effort to manage such risk, and taking advantage of market opportunities, approximately $460 million of U.S. Agency MBS (mainly 30 and 15 Year fixed rate MBS with an aggregate weighted average yield of 5.33%) were sold in the fourth quarter, compared to approximately $613 million of 30 Year U.S. Agency MBS sold in the third quarter. Also, results for the third quarter of 2009 were impacted by gains of $5.7 million on the sale of U.S. Treasury Notes and VISA shares.

Non-interest income was further impacted by a $0.6 million decrease in income from insurance activities and a $0.6 million decrease in gains from mortgage banking activities as a result of a lower amount of loan sales and securitizations.

Non-Interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses increased $6.0 million to $88.8 million in the fourth quarter primarily reflecting:

    --  A $7.0 million increase in the federal deposit insurance premium,
    --  A $1.4 million increase in business promotion expenses, due to a higher
        seasonal level of marketing and advertising activities for the
        Corporation's deposit and loan products,
    --  A $1.1 million increase in professional service fees, and
    --  A $1.3 million increase in the reserve for probable losses on
        outstanding unfunded loan commitments.

The aforementioned increases were partially offset by a decline in certain controllable expenses as management continued to reduce costs through its corporate-wide Business Rationalization initiative. Compared to the third quarter, employee compensation and benefit expenses decreased $4.8 million, mainly due to reductions in bonuses and incentive compensation as well as a lower headcount. The number of full-time equivalent employees decreased by approximately 57, or 2%, in the fourth quarter and occupancy costs decreased by $0.5 million.

Income Taxes

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, the Corporation recognized income tax expense of $3.3 million, mainly related to the operations of profitable subsidiaries. As previously reported, the third quarter income tax expense of $113.5 million included a non-cash charge of $152.2 million for an increase in the valuation allowance against the Corporation's deferred tax asset. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $35 million related to deferred tax assets created during the fourth quarter. (See Full Year 2009 Compared to 2008 - Income Taxes discussion below for additional information.)

Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Earnings

One performance metric that management believes is useful in analyzing performance in times of economic stress is the level of pre-tax earnings adjusted to exclude the provision for loan and lease losses and certain other items. (See Pre-tax, Pre-Provision earnings in Basis of Presentation for a full description of this non-GAAP financial measure.)

The following table shows pre-tax, pre-provision earnings of $62.9 million in fourth quarter of 2009, up $0.6 million from the prior quarter.

(In            Quarter Ended                           Year ended
thousands)

               December     September     December     December 31,  December
               31,          30,           31,                        31,

                 2009         2009          2008         2009          2008

Net (loss)     $ (53,202 )  $ (165,218 )  $ 18,808     $ (275,187 )  $ 109,937
income - GAAP

Less: Income
tax expense      3,311        113,473       (10,780 )    4,534         (31,732 )
(benefit)

Add:
Provision for    137,187      148,090       48,513       579,858       190,948
loan and
lease losses

Net (gain)
loss on sale
and OTTI of      (24,387 )    (30,281  )    (6,243  )    (81,362  )    (11,719 )
investment
securities

Gain on VISA
shares and       -            (3,784   )    -            (3,784   )    (9,474  )
related
proceeds

FDIC special     -            -             -            8,894         -
assessment

Core deposit     -            -             -            3,988         -
impairment

Pre-tax,
pre-provision  $ 62,909     $ 62,280      $ 50,298     $ 236,941     $ 247,960
earnings



This improvement primarily reflects higher net interest margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses as well as lower income from insurance, rental and mortgage banking activities.

Full Year 2009 Compared to 2008

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $275.2 million, or $(3.48) per diluted share, compared to net income of $109.9 million, or $0.75 per diluted share for 2008.

Significant income statement items for 2009 include:

    --  A provision for loan and lease losses of $579.9 million, an increase of
        $388.9 million, as compared to $190.9 million for 2008, mainly due to
        sustained weak economic conditions which have resulted in higher
        non-performing loan levels, declines in collateral values and increases
        in charge-offs.
    --  An income tax expense of $4.5 million compared to an income tax benefit
        of $31.7 million for 2008, mainly due to a non-cash charge of $152.2
        million to increase the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.
    --  An increase of $18.7 million in non-interest expenses, driven by
        non-controllable expenses such as increases in the deposit insurance
        premium and impairment charges to intangible assets.
    --  A decrease of $8.8 million in net interest income, reflecting
        significant increases in non-performing loans.
    --  An increase of $67.6 million in non-interest income, driven by gains on
        sale of investment securities and higher gains from mortgage banking
        activities.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, excluding valuations on derivative instruments and financial liabilities, decreased 2% to $513.6 million for 2009 from $522.7 million for 2008. This resulted in net interest margin of 2.66%, compared to 2.89% for 2008. The decrease is mainly associated with a significant increase in non-performing loans and the repricing of floating-rate commercial and construction loans at lower rates due to decreases in market interest rates such as three-month LIBOR and the Prime rate, even though the Corporation is actively increasing spreads on loan renewals. Lower loan yields more than offset the benefit of lower short-term rates in the average cost of funding and the increase in average interest-earning assets. The lower average cost of funding was primarily reflected by a 103 basis points decreased in the average cost of brokered CDs while the volume of brokered CDs significantly decreased during 2009. The Corporation was able to decrease brokered deposits by $868.4 million since December 31, 2008 while the average volume of brokered CDs decreased by $1.1 billion and $370.4 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the corresponding periods in 2008.

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

For 2009, the Corporation recorded a provision for loan and lease losses of $579.9 million, compared to $190.9 million in 2008. The increase is mainly attributable to:

    --  The significant increase in the level of non-performing loans.
    --  The migration of loans to higher risk categories, thus requiring higher
        general or specific reserves (if also considered impaired).
    --  The continued weak economic conditions and declines in collateral values
        that contributed to a surge in net charge-offs and resulted in changes
        to reserve factors used to determine the general reserve, and
    --  The overall growth of the loan portfolio.

Even though deterioration in credit quality was observed in all of the Corporation's portfolios, it was more significant in the construction and commercial loan portfolios, which were affected by both the stagnant housing market and further weakening in the economies of the markets served during most of 2009.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income increased $67.6 million to $142.3 million for 2009, primarily reflecting:

    --  A $59.6 million increase in realized gains on the sale of investment
        securities, primarily reflecting a $79.9 million gain on the sale of MBS
        (mainly U.S. agency fixed-rate MBS), compared to realized gains on the
        sale of MBS of $17.7 million in 2008. In an effort to manage interest
        rate risk, and taking advantage of favorable market valuations,
        approximately $1.8 billion of U.S. agency MBS (mainly 30 and 15 Year
        fixed-rate U.S. agency MBS) were sold in 2009, compared to approximately
        $526 million of U.S. agency MBS sold in 2008.
    --  A $5.3 million increase in gains from mortgage banking activities, due
        to the increased volume of loan sales and securitizations. Servicing
        assets recorded at the time of sale amounted to $6.1 million for 2009
        compared to $1.6 million for 2008. The increase is mainly related to
        $4.6 million of capitalized servicing assets in connection with the
        securitization of approximately $305 million FHA/VA mortgage loans into
        GNMA MBS. For the first time in several years, the Corporation has been
        engaged in the securitization of mortgage loans in 2009.
    --  A $5.6 million decrease in other-than-temporary impairment charges
        (OTTI) to equity securities, partially offset by OTTI charges through
        earnings of $1.3 million in 2009 related to the credit loss portion of
        available-for-sale private label MBS.

Also contributing to the increase in non-interest income was higher fee income, mainly fees on loans and service charges on deposit accounts offset by lower income from insurance activities and a reduction in income from vehicle rental activities. During the first three quarters of 2009, income from rental activities decreased by $0.5 million due to a lower volume of business. A further reduction of $0.4 million was observed in the fourth quarter of 2009, as compared to the comparable period in 2008, mainly related to the disposition of the Corporation's vehicle rental business early in the quarter that was partially offset by a $0.2 million gain recorded for the disposition of the business. As part of its Business Rationalization strategies, the Corporation divested its short-term rental business during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Non-Interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses increased $18.7 million to $352.1 million for 2009 primarily reflecting:

    --  An increase of $30.5 million in the FDIC deposit insurance premium,
        including $8.9 million for the special assessment levied by the FDIC in
        2009 and increases in regular assessment rates.
    --  A $4.0 million core deposit intangible impairment charge in 2009.
    --  A $1.8 million increase in the reserve for probable losses on
        outstanding unfunded loan commitments.

The aforementioned increases were partially offset by decreases in certain controllable expenses such as:

    --  A $9.1 million decrease in employees' compensation and benefit expenses,
        mainly due to a lower headcount and reductions in bonuses, incentive
        compensation and overtime costs. The number of full time equivalent
        employees decreased by 163, or 6%, during 2009.
    --  A $3.4 million decrease in business promotion expenses due to a lower
        level of marketing activities.
    --  A $1.1 million decrease in taxes, other than income taxes, mainly driven
        by a decrease in municipal taxes which are assessed based on taxable
        gross revenues.

Income Taxes

For 2009, the Corporation recorded income tax expense of $4.5 million compared to an income tax benefit of $31.7 million for 2008. The income tax expense for 2009 mainly resulted from the aforementioned $152.2 million non-cash increase of the valuation allowance for the Corporation's deferred tax asset. The increase in the valuation allowance does not have any impact on the Corporation's liquidity or cash flow, nor does such an allowance preclude the Corporation from using tax losses, tax credits or other deferred tax assets in the future. As of December 31, 2009, the deferred tax asset, net of a valuation allowance of $191.7 million, amounted to $109.2 million compared to $128.0 million as of December 31, 2008.

Accounting for income taxes requires that companies assess whether a valuation allowance should be recorded against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence, using a "more likely than not" realization standard. In making such assessment, significant weight is to be given to evidence that can be objectively verified, including both positive and negative evidence. The accounting for income taxes guidance requires the consideration of all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, taxable income in carryback years and tax planning strategies. As previously reported, in assessing the weight of positive and negative evidence, a significant negative factor that resulted in the increase of the valuation allowance was that FirstBank was in a three-year historical cumulative loss as of the end of the third quarter of 2009, mainly as a result of charges to the provision for loan and lease losses resulting from the economic downturn. However, as of December 31, 2009, management concluded that $109.2 million of the deferred tax assets will be realized. In assessing the likelihood of realizing the deferred tax assets, management has considered all four sources of taxable income mentioned above and has identified tax planning strategies as the main source of taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset amount. Management will continue monitoring the likelihood of realizing the deferred tax assets in future periods. If future events differ from management's December 31, 2009 assessment, an additional valuation allowance may need to be established which may have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's results of operations. Similarly, to the extent the realization of a portion, or all, of the tax asset becomes "more likely than not" based on changes in circumstances (such as improved earnings, changes in tax laws or other relevant changes), a reversal of that portion of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance will then be recorded.

Credit Quality

Credit quality showed some positive signs in the fourth quarter of 2009 reflected by a slower growth rate in non-performing assets and reductions in net charge-offs and the provision for loan and lease losses.

Non-Performing Assets

Total non-performing assets increased by $26.4 million to $1.71 billion as of December 31, 2009. The increase in non-performing assets was mainly related to the construction loan portfolio in Puerto Rico adversely impacted by reduced absorption rates and weak economic conditions. However, there was a slower growth rate in the amount of loans entering into non-accrual status during the fourth quarter as compared to the trailing quarter. Partially offsetting the migration of loans to non-accrual status was the result of actions taken by the Corporation to reduce its non-performing credits including note sales, restructuring of loans into two separate agreements (loan splitting) and restructured loans restored to accrual status after a sustained period of repayment and that have been deemed collectible.

Total non-performing construction loans increased by $24.5 million, or 4% from the prior quarter. The non-performing construction loan portfolio for Puerto Rico increased by $133.1 million in the fourth quarter. Approximately 63% of the increase was concentrated on two relationships dedicated to the development of residential projects.

Non-performing construction loans in Florida decreased by $108.7 million from the end of the third quarter of 2009 due to note sales, loans restructured into two notes and loans that were brought current. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Corporation completed the sales of non-performing construction loans in Florida totaling approximately $40.4 million and also completed the restructuring of condo-conversion loans with an aggregate book value of $38.1 million. Also contributing to the decrease in non-performing construction loans in Florida, were other construction projects amounting to approximately $19.5 million that were brought current during the fourth quarter and are expected to be fully collectible.

Non-performing commercial mortgage loans in Florida decreased by $6.6 million, spread across several industries. These are primarily related to restructured loans restored to accrual status after a sustained period of repayment and that have been deemed collectible. The decrease was partially offset by an increase of $6.0 million and $0.4 million in non-performing commercial mortgage loans in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, respectively, for a net decrease in total non-performing commercial mortgage loans of $0.2 million.

The commercial and industrial (C&I) non-performing loan portfolio remained stable with a slight net increase of $0.9 million during the fourth quarter resulting from a $1.0 million increase in Puerto Rico and a $0.1 million decrease in the Virgin Islands.

At the close of 2009, approximately $229.4 million of loans placed in non-accrual status, mainly construction and commercial loans, were current or had delinquencies less than 90 days in their interest payments. Further, collections are being recorded on a cash basis through earnings, or on a cost-recovery basis, as conditions warrant. In Florida, as sales of units within condo-conversion projects continue to lag, some borrowers reverted to rental projects. For several of these loans, cash collections cover interest, property taxes, insurance and other operating costs associated with the projects.

During the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009, interest income of approximately $3.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively, related to $761.5 million of non-performing loans, mainly non-performing construction and commercial loans, was applied against the related principal balances under the cost-recovery method. The Corporation will continue to evaluate restructuring alternatives to mitigate losses and enable borrowers to repay their loans under revised terms in an effort to preserve the value of the Corporation's interests over the long-term.

Non-performing residential mortgage loans increased by $1.9 million during the fourth quarter, mainly attributable to the Puerto Rico portfolio, which has been adversely affected by the continued trend of higher unemployment rates affecting consumers. The non-performing residential mortgage loan portfolio in Puerto Rico increased by $10.3 million during the fourth quarter, which was 44% lower than the $23.2 million increase observed in the third quarter. The Corporation continues to address loss mitigation and loan modifications by offering alternatives to avoid foreclosures through internal programs and programs sponsored by the Federal Government. In Florida, non-performing residential mortgage loans decreased by $10.3 million, of which $7.4 million is related to modified loans that have been restored to accrual status after a sustained repayment performance and are deemed collectible. During the fourth quarter, the non-performing residential mortgage loan portfolio in the Virgin Islands increased by $1.9 million.

The levels of non-performing consumer loans and finance leases also remained stable showing a $2.1 million decrease during the fourth quarter.

As of December 31, 2009, approximately $517.7 million, or 33%, of total non-performing loans have been charged-off to their net realizable value. (See Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses discussion below for additional information.)

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The following table sets forth an analysis of the allowance for loan and lease losses during the periods indicated:

               Quarter Ended                          Year ended

(Dollars in    December     September    December     December 31,  December 31,
thousands)     31,          30,          31,

                 2009         2009         2008         2009          2008

Allowance for
loan and
lease losses,  $ 471,484    $ 407,746    $ 261,170    $ 281,526     $ 190,168
beginning of
period

Provision for
loan and
lease losses:

 Residential     8,206        6,896        4,231        45,010        13,032
 mortgage

 Commercial      22,406       19,432       6,463        71,401        7,740
 mortgage

 Commercial
 and             28,003       44,609       2,135        146,157       35,561
 Industrial

 Construction    64,196       56,883       11,917       264,246       53,109

 Consumer and
 finance         14,376       20,270       23,767       53,044        81,506
 leases

Total
provision for    137,187      148,090      48,513       579,858       190,948
loan and
lease losses

Loans net
charge-offs:

 Residential     (7,488  )    (10,882 )    (2,239  )    (28,861  )    (6,256   )
 mortgage

 Commercial      (5,221  )    (5,263  )    (1,766  )    (25,204  )    (3,664   )
 mortgage

 Commercial
 and             (7,739  )    (5,615  )    (4,800  )    (34,508  )    (24,233  )
 Industrial

 Construction    (44,906 )    (47,324 )    (402    )    (183,600 )    (7,735   )

 Consumer and
 finance         (15,197 )    (15,268 )    (18,950 )    (61,091  )    (66,433  )
 leases

Net              (80,551 )    (84,352 )    (28,157 )    (333,264 )    (108,321 )
charge-offs

Other
adjustments      -            -            -            -             8,731
(1)

Allowance for
loan and       $ 528,120    $ 471,484    $ 281,526    $ 528,120     $ 281,526
lease losses,
end of period

Allowance for
loan and
lease losses     3.79    %    3.43    %    2.15    %    3.79     %    2.15     %
to period end
total loans
receivable

Net
charge-offs
(annualized)
to average       2.34    %    2.53    %    0.87    %    2.48     %    0.87     %
loans
outstanding
during the
period

Provision for
loan and
lease losses
to net         1.70x        1.76x        1.72x        1.74x         1.76x
charge-offs
during the
period

(1) Carryover of the allowance for loan losses related to the $218 million auto
loan portfolio acquired from Chrysler.



Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

The provision for loan and lease losses decreased $10.9 million to $137.2 million, or by 7%, compared to the provision recorded for the third quarter of 2009. The decrease is mainly related to:

    --  The lower charges to specific reserves for C&I impaired loans in Puerto
        Rico.
    --  Some positive trends in non-performing and net charge-off levels.
    --  A smaller increase in the overall loan portfolio, compared to the
        increase in the third quarter, due to lower loan originations. (See
        Financial Condition and Operating Data discussion below for additional
        information about loan originations.)

The Corporation recorded a $79.1 million provision in the fourth quarter for its loan portfolio in Puerto Rico compared to $107.4 million recorded for the third quarter, a decrease of $28.3 million mainly related to the C&I and construction loans portfolio. The provision for C&I loans in Puerto Rico decreased by $15.4 million because the Corporation experienced a slowdown in the growth rate of impaired C&I loans. Meanwhile, the provision for construction loans in Puerto Rico decreased by $9.4 million, as general reserves for non-classified construction loans increased at a slower rate, compared to the third quarter, driven by lower net charge-offs. In addition, the provision for consumer loans in Puerto Rico decreased by $4.7 million also driven by positive trends in loss rates.

With respect to the United States loan portfolio, the Corporation recorded a $55.5 million provision for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $32.3 million provision for the third quarter of 2009, an increase of $23.2 million mainly related to the construction loan portfolio. The increase was largely driven by a provision of $21.9 million charged against specific reserves of two construction projects. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 89%, or $265.1 million of the total exposure to construction loans in Florida was individually measured for impairment.

The provision recorded for the loan portfolio in the Virgin Islands amounted to $2.5 million in the fourth quarter, a decrease of $5.9 million compared to the third quarter mainly related to the construction loan portfolio.

The Corporation has consistently added to its reserves across the entire loan portfolio during a weak economic environment. Negative trends in charge-offs and the sustained deterioration of economic conditions have caused increases in reserve factors for criticized loans during 2009. As loans are assigned to higher risk categories, the calculated reserve increases accordingly, consistent with the Corporation's reserving methodology.

The allowance for loans and lease losses increased to $528.1 million, or 3.79% of total loans receivable, as of December 31, 2009 from $471.5 million, or 3.43% of total loans receivable as of September 30, 2009. The allowance to non-performing loans ratio as of December 31, 2009 was 33.77%, compared to 30.64% as of September 30, 2009. The increase in the ratio is attributable in part to increases in reserve factors for classified loans and additional charges to specific reserves.

The following table sets forth information concerning the ratio of the allowance to non-performing loans as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009 by loan category:

                                                                     Consumer
(Dollars in     Residential  Commercial                Construction  and
thousands)      Mortgage     Mortgage     C&I Loans    Loans                     Total
                Loans        Loans                                   Finance
                                                                     Leases

As of December
31, 2009

Non-performing
loans
charged-off to  $ 320,224    $ 38,421     $ 19,244     $ 139,787     $ -         $ 517,676
realizable
value

Other
non-performing    121,418      158,114      222,072      494,542       50,041      1,046,187
loans

Total
non-performing  $ 441,642    $ 196,535    $ 241,316    $ 634,329     $ 50,041    $ 1,563,863
loans

Allowance to
non-performing    7.06    %    32.55   %    77.08   %    25.87   %     165.56 %    33.77     %
loans

Allowance to
non-performing
loans,
excluding
non-performing    25.67   %    40.46   %    83.76   %    33.19   %     165.56 %    50.48     %
loans
charged-off to
realizable
value

As of
September 30,
2009

Non-performing
loans
charged-off to  $ 291,520    $ 23,214     $ 22,045     $ 287,400     $ -         $ 624,179
realizable
value

Other
non-performing    148,200      173,494      218,379      322,465       52,104      914,642
loans

Total
non-performing  $ 439,720    $ 196,708    $ 240,424    $ 609,865     $ 52,104    $ 1,538,821
loans

Allowance to
non-performing    6.92    %    23.79   %    68.94   %    23.75   %     160.58 %    30.64     %
loans

Allowance to
non-performing
loans,
excluding
non-performing    20.54   %    26.97   %    75.90   %    44.92   %     160.58 %    51.55     %
loans
charged-off to
realizable
value



The following table sets forth information concerning the composition of the Corporation's allowance for loan and lease losses as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009 by loan category and by whether the allowance and related provisions were calculated individually for impairment purposes or through a general valuation allowance.

             Residential    Commercial                                   Consumer and
(Dollars in  Mortgage       Mortgage       C&I Loans      Construction                  Total
thousands)   Loans          Loans                         Loans          Finance
                                                                         Leases

As of
December
31, 2009

Impaired
loans
without
specific
reserves:

Principal
balance of
loans, net   $ 384,285      $ 62,920       $ 48,943       $ 100,028      $ -            $ 596,176
of
charge-offs

Impaired
loans with
specific
reserves:

Principal
balance of
loans, net     60,040         159,284        243,123        597,641        -              1,060,088
of
charge-offs

Allowance
for loan       2,616          30,945         62,491         86,093         -              182,145
and lease
losses

Allowance
for loan
and lease      4.36      %    19.43     %    25.70     %    14.41     %    0.00      %    17.18      %
losses to
principal
balance

Loans with
general
allowance:

Principal
balance of     3,151,183      1,368,617      5,059,363      794,920        1,898,104      12,272,187
loans

Allowance
for loan       28,548         33,030         123,513        78,035         82,849         345,975
and lease
losses

Allowance
for loan
and lease      0.91      %    2.41      %    2.44      %    9.82      %    4.36      %    2.82       %
losses to
principal
balance

Total
portfolio,
excluding
loans held
for sale:

Principal
balance of   $ 3,595,508    $ 1,590,821    $ 5,351,429    $ 1,492,589    $ 1,898,104    $ 13,928,451
loans

Allowance
for loan       31,164         63,975         186,004        164,128        82,849         528,120
and lease
losses

Allowance
for loan
and lease      0.87      %    4.02      %    3.48      %    11.00     %    4.36      %    3.79       %
losses to
principal
balance

As of
September
30, 2009

Impaired
loans
without
specific
reserves:

Principal
balance of
loans, net   $ 330,917      $ 64,102       $ 51,087       $ 160,163      $ -            $ 606,269
of
charge-offs

Impaired
loans with
specific
reserves:

Principal
balance of
loans, net     63,271         123,034        231,739        501,268        -              919,312
of
charge-offs

Allowance
for loan       2,488          20,929         60,663         65,876         -              149,956
and lease
losses

Allowance
for loan
and lease      3.93      %    17.01     %    26.18     %    13.14     %    0.00      %    16.31      %
losses to
principal
balance

Loans with
general
allowance:

Principal
balance of     3,199,965      1,355,798      4,784,746      909,020        1,955,161      12,204,690
loans

Allowance
for loan       27,958         25,861         105,077        78,962         83,670         321,528
and lease
losses

Allowance
for loan
and lease      0.87      %    1.91      %    2.20      %    8.69      %    4.28      %    2.63       %
losses to
principal
balance

Total
portfolio,
excluding
loans held
for sale:

Principal
balance of   $ 3,594,153    $ 1,542,934    $ 5,067,572    $ 1,570,451    $ 1,955,161    $ 13,730,271
loans

Allowance
for loan       30,446         46,790         165,740        144,838        83,670         471,484
and lease
losses

Allowance
for loan
and lease      0.85      %    3.03      %    3.27      %    9.22      %    4.28      %    3.43       %
losses to
principal
balance



Net Charge-Offs

Total net charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $80.6 million or 2.34% of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to $84.4 million or an annualized 2.53% of average loans for the third quarter of 2009.

Construction loans net charge-offs in the fourth quarter were $44.9 million, or an annualized 11.34%, down from $47.3 million, or an annualized 11.80% of related loans, in the third quarter of 2009. Condo-conversion and residential development projects in Florida continued to represent a significant portion of the losses. There were $29.1 million and $13.9 million in net charge-offs during the fourth quarter of 2009 related to condo-conversion and residential construction projects in Florida, respectively. The Corporation is engaged in continuous efforts to identify alternatives that enable borrowers to repay their loans while protecting the Corporation's investments. Approximately $24.4 million of the charge-offs for the fourth quarter was recorded in connection with loans sold and loans restructured during the fourth quarter. Net charge-offs of $1.9 million were recorded in connection with the construction loan portfolio in Puerto Rico, mainly on a single residential housing project.

Commercial mortgage loans net charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2009 were $5.2 million, or an annualized 1.35%, relatively unchanged from the third quarter of 2009. The charge-offs for the fourth quarter were spread over several loans across our geographic markets.

C&I loans net charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2009 were $7.7 million, or an annualized 0.60%, up from $5.6 million, or an annualized 0.49% of related loans, in the 2009 third quarter. C&I loans net charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2009 were distributed across several industries, principally in Puerto Rico, and the largest individual charge-off amounted to $2.5 million.

Residential mortgage net charge-offs were $7.5 million, or an annualized 0.84% of related average loans. This was down from $10.9 million, or an annualized 1.21% of related average balances in the third quarter of 2009. The lower loss level compared with the prior quarter was a result of positive trends in delinquency levels. Approximately $4.3 million in charge-offs for the fourth quarter ($1.8 million in Puerto Rico and $2.5 million in Florida) resulted from valuations, for impairment purposes, of residential mortgage loan portfolios considered homogeneous given high delinquency and loan-to-value levels, compared to $8.4 million recorded in the third quarter. Total residential mortgage loan portfolios evaluated for impairment purposes amounted to $320.2 million as of December 31, 2009 and have been charged-off to their net realizable value, representing approximately 73% of the total non-performing residential mortgage loan portfolio outstanding as of December 31, 2009. Net charge-offs for residential mortgage loans also includes $3.0 million related to loans foreclosed during the fourth quarter, up from $1.8 million recorded for loans foreclosed in the third quarter. Consistent with the Corporation's assessment of the value of properties, current and future market conditions, management is executing strategies to accelerate the sale of the real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt (REO). The ratio of net charge-offs to average loans on the Corporation's residential mortgage loan portfolio of 0.84% for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 is lower than the approximately 2.4% average charge-off rate for commercial banks in the U.S. mainland for the third quarter of 2009 as per statistical releases published by the Federal Reserve on its website.

Net charge-offs of consumer loans and finance leases in the fourth quarter of 2009 were $15.2 million compared to net charge-offs of $15.3 million for the third quarter of 2009. Net charge-offs for the fourth quarter were down on an absolute basis from net charge-offs for the third quarter. However, as a result of a 3% decline in average loans, annualized net charge-offs as a percent of related loans increased to 3.16% from 3.09% for the third quarter.

The following table presents annualized net charge-offs to average loans held-in-portfolio:

                Quarter Ended

                December 31,  September 30,  June 30,  March 31,  December 31,

                2009          2009           2009      2009       2008

Residential     0.84  %       1.21  %        0.39  %   0.82 %     0.26 %
mortgage

Commercial      1.35  %       1.35  %        3.71  %   0.13 %     0.47 %
mortgage

Commercial and  0.60  %       0.49  %        1.12  %   0.65 %     0.31 %
Industrial

Construction    11.34 %       11.80 %        20.38 %   2.21 %     0.11 %

Consumer and    3.16  %       3.09  %        3.12  %   2.84 %     3.54 %
finance leases

Total loans     2.34  %       2.53  %        3.85  %   1.16 %     0.87 %



The following table presents net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans held-in-portfolio by geographic segment:

               Quarter Ended                          Year Ended

               December 31,  September  December 31,  December 31,  December 31,
                             30,

               2009          2009       2008          2009          2008

PUERTO RICO:

 Residential   0.62  %       0.66  %    0.24  %       0.64  %       0.20 %
 mortgage

 Commercial    0.80  %       1.15  %    0.58  %       0.82  %       0.37 %
 mortgage

 Commercial
 and           0.63  %       0.54  %    0.31  %       0.72  %       0.32 %
 Industrial

 Construction  0.76  %       7.23  %    0.13  %       4.88  %       0.19 %

 Consumer and
 finance       3.05  %       2.97  %    3.32  %       2.93  %       3.10 %
 leases

 Total loans   1.03  %       1.64  %    0.87  %       1.44  %       0.82 %

VIRGIN
ISLANDS:

 Residential   0.00  %       0.10  %    -0.01 %       0.08  %       0.02 %
 mortgage (1)

 Commercial    0.00  %       0.00  %    0.00  %       2.79  %       0.00 %
 mortgage

 Commercial
 and           0.06  %       -0.69 %    0.03  %       0.59  %       6.73 %
 Industrial
 (2)

 Construction  0.00  %       0.00  %    0.00  %       0.00  %       0.00 %

 Consumer and
 finance       3.44  %       3.79  %    4.47  %       3.50  %       3.54 %
 leases

 Total loans   0.33  %       0.33  %    0.60  %       0.73  %       1.48 %

FLORIDA:

 Residential   3.42  %       6.26  %    0.66  %       2.84  %       0.30 %
 mortgage

 Commercial    2.58  %       1.92  %    0.33  %       3.02  %       0.09 %
 mortgage

 Commercial
 and           0.53  %       0.00  %    16.21 %       1.87  %       6.58 %
 Industrial

 Construction  44.34 %       27.23 %    0.10  %       29.93 %       1.08 %

 Consumer and
 finance       7.39  %       6.77  %    10.66 %       7.33  %       5.88 %
 leases

 Total loans   14.92 %       10.93 %    1.06  %       11.70 %       0.86 %

1- For the fourth quarter of 2008, recoveries in residential mortgage loans in
the Virgin Islands exceeded charge-offs.

2- For the third quarter of 2009 recoveries in commercial and industrial loans
in the Virgin Islands exceeded charge-offs.



Given the present economic outlook in the Corporation's principal markets and in spite of actions taken, the Corporation may experience further deterioration in its portfolios, which may result in higher credit losses and additions to reserve balances.

Financial Condition and Operating Data

Total assets decreased to approximately $19.6 billion as of December 31, 2009, down $452.7 million from approximately $20.1 billion as of September 30, 2009. The decrease in total assets is primarily related to a decrease of $636.7 million in investment securities, partially offset by an increase of $193.1 million in gross loans. The Corporation's net decrease in investment securities is mainly related to the sale of approximately $460 million in U.S. agency MBS during the fourth quarter of 2009 and principal repayments of MBS. Refer to the Non-interest income discussion above for additional information about sales of investment securities. The increase in gross loans was largely attributable to $456.1 million in credit facilities extended to the Puerto Rico Government and $17.2 million extended to the Government of the US Virgin Islands. Loan originations extended to the Puerto Rico Government during the fourth quarter of 2009 were $236.7 million lower than those extended in the third quarter and drive the reduction in total loan originations from $1.4 billion for the third quarter of 2009 to $1.2 billion for the fourth quarter.

As of December 31, 2009, liabilities totaled $18.0 billion, a decrease of approximately $353.0 million, as compared to $18.3 billion as of September 30, 2009. The decrease in total liabilities is mainly attributable to a decrease of $705.5 million in repurchase agreements, mainly short-term repurchase agreements, as well as a $222.0 decrease on FHLB advances. This was partially offset by an increase of $370.3 million in total deposits and a $200 million increase in short-term FED advances. Total deposits, excluding brokered CDs, increased by $302.9 million, reflecting an increase in certificates of deposit accounts of $191.2 million, primarily related to corporate customers. Also, a $111.8 million increase in non-time deposit accounts, primarily money market and demand deposit balances from the Florida operations, was among the drivers of the increase.

The Corporation's stockholders' equity amounted to $1.6 billion as of December 30, 2009, a decrease of $99.8 million compared to the balance as of September 30, 2009, driven by the net loss of $53.2 million for the quarter, as well as a decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive income of $46.6 million related to the aforementioned sale of investments and changes in the fair value of investment securities. As previously reported, the Corporation decided to suspend the payment of common and preferred dividends, effective with the preferred dividend for the month of August 2009.

The Corporation is well-capitalized, having approximately $501 million and $890 million of total capital and Tier 1 capital as of December 31, 2009, respectively, in excess of minimum well-capitalized requirements of 10% and 6%, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, the total regulatory capital ratio was an estimated 13.5% and the Tier 1 capital ratio was an estimated 12.2%. A key priority for the Corporation is to maintain a sound capital position to absorb any potential future credit losses due to the distressed economic environment and to provide for business expansion opportunities.

The Corporation's tangible common equity ratio was 3.20% as of December 31, 2009, compared to 3.62% as of September 30, 2009, and the Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets ratio as of December 31, 2009 was 4.16% compared to 4.51% as of September 30, 2009. (See Basis of Presentation below for a discussion of these non-GAAP measures.) The following table is a reconciliation of the Corporation's tangible common equity and tangible assets for the periods ended December 31, 2009, September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively:

(Dollars in thousands)           As of

                                 December 31,    September 30,   December 31,

                                   2009            2009            2008

Tangible Equity:

 Total equity - GAAP             $ 1,599,063     $ 1,698,843     $ 1,548,117

 Preferred equity                  (928,508   )    (927,374   )    (550,100   )

 Goodwill                          (28,098    )    (28,098    )    (28,098    )

 Core deposit intangible           (16,600    )    (17,297    )    (23,985    )

 Tangible common equity          $ 625,857       $ 726,074       $ 945,934

Tangible Assets:

 Total assets - GAAP             $ 19,628,448    $ 20,081,185    $ 19,491,268

 Goodwill                          (28,098    )    (28,098    )    (28,098    )

 Core deposit intangible           (16,600    )    (17,297    )    (23,985    )

 Tangible assets                 $ 19,583,750    $ 20,035,790    $ 19,439,185

 Common shares outstanding         92,542          92,542          92,546

 Tangible common equity ratio      3.20       %    3.62       %    4.87       %

 Tangible book value per common  $ 6.76          $ 7.85          $ 10.22
 share



The following table reconciles stockholders' equity (GAAP) to Tier 1 common equity:

(Dollars in thousands)           As of

                                 December 31,    September 30,   December 31,

                                   2009            2009            2008

Tier 1 Common Equity:

 Total equity - GAAP             $ 1,599,063     $ 1,698,843     $ 1,548,117

 Qualifying preferred stock        (928,508   )    (927,374   )    (550,100   )

 Unrealized (gain) loss on
 available-for-sale securities     (26,617    )    (73,095    )    (57,389    )
 (1)

 Disallowed deferred tax asset     (1,745     )    (1,721     )    (69,810    )
 (2)

 Goodwill                          (28,098    )    (28,098    )    (28,098    )

 Core deposit intangible           (16,600    )    (17,297    )    (23,985    )

 Cumulative change gain in fair
 value of liabilities accounted    (1,535     )    (1,647     )    (3,473     )
 for under a fair value option

 Other disallowed assets           (24        )    (514       )    (508       )

 Tier 1 common equity            $ 595,936       $ 649,097       $ 814,754

 Total risk-weighted assets      $ 14,315,903    $ 14,394,968    $ 13,762,378

 Tier 1 common equity to           4.16       %    4.51       %    5.92       %
 risk-weighted assets ratio

1- Tier 1 capital excludes net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
debt securities and net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity
securities with readily determinable fair values, in accordance with regulatory
risk-based capital guidelines. In arriving at Tier 1 capital, institutions are
required to deduct net unrealized losses on available-for-sale equity
securities with readily determinable fair values, net of tax.

2- Approximately $111 million of the Corporation's deferred tax assets at
December 31, 2009 (September 30, 2009 - $112 million; December 31, 2008 - $58
million) were included without limitation in regulatory capital pursuant to the
risk-based capital guidelines, while approximately $2 million of such assets at
December 31, 2009 (September 30, 2009 - $2 million; December 31, 2008 - $70
million) exceeded the limitation imposed by these guidelines and, as
"disallowed deferred tax assets," were deducted in arriving at Tier 1 capital.
According to regulatory capital guidelines, the deferred tax assets that are
dependent upon future taxable income are limited for inclusion in Tier 1
capital to the lesser of: (i) the amount of such deferred tax asset that the
entity expects to realize within one year of the calendar quarter end-date,
based on its projected future taxable income for that year or (ii) 10% of the
amount of the entity's Tier 1 capital. Approximately $4 million of the
Corporation's other net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2009 (September
30, 2009 - $6 million; December 31, 2008 - $0) represented primarily the
deferred tax effects of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt
securities, which are permitted to be excluded prior to deriving the amount of
net deferred tax assets subject to limitation under the guidelines.



Liquidity

The Corporation continued managing its liquidity in a proactive manner, and maintains an adequate position. Multiple measures are utilized to monitor the Corporation's liquidity position, including basic surplus and volatile liabilities measures. Among the actions taken in recent months to bolster the liquidity position and to safeguard the Corporation's access to credit was the posting of additional collateral to the FHLB, thereby increasing borrowing capacity. The Corporation has also maintained the basic surplus (cash, short-term assets minus short-term liabilities, and secured lines of credit) well in excess of the self-imposed minimum limit of 5% of total assets. As of December 31, 2009, the estimated basic surplus ratio of approximately 8.6% included un-pledged investment securities, FHLB lines of credit, and cash. At the end of the quarter, the Corporation had $378 million available for additional credit on FHLB lines of credit. Unpledged liquid securities as of December 31, 2009 mainly consisted of fixed-rate MBS and U.S. agency debentures totaling approximately $646.9 million. The Corporation does not rely on uncommitted inter-bank lines of credit (federal funds lines) to fund its operations and does not include them in the basic surplus computation.

Basis of Presentation

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures are set forth when management believes they will be helpful to an understanding of the Corporation's results of operations or financial position. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the text or in the attached tables of this earnings release.

Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Earnings

One non-GAAP performance metric that management believes is useful in analyzing underlying performance trends, particularly in times of economic stress, is pre-tax, pre-provision earnings. Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, as defined by management, represents net (loss) income excluding income tax (benefit) expense, the provision for loan and lease losses, gains on sale and OTTI of investment securities, as well as certain items identified as unusual, non-recurring or non-operating.

From time to time, revenue and expenses are impacted by items judged by management to be outside of ordinary banking activities and/or by items that, while they may be associated with ordinary banking activities, are so unusually large that management believes them to be non-recurring. These items result from factors originating outside the Corporation such as regulatory actions/assessments, and may result from unusual management decisions, such as the impairment of intangibles.

Management believes the disclosure of items identified as unusual, non-recurring or non-operating in current and prior period results aids analysts/investors in better understanding corporate performance and trends so that they can evaluate the impact of these items on their expectations of the Corporation's performance, and in their estimates of the Corporation's future performance.

Items identified as unusual, non-recurring or non-operating for any particular period are not intended to be a complete list of items that have materially impacted current or may impact materially future period performance.

Net Interest Income, Excluding Valuations and on a Tax-Equivalent Basis

Net interest income, interest rate spread and net interest margin are reported on a tax equivalent basis and excluding the unrealized changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and financial liabilities elected to be measured at fair value. The presentation of net interest income excluding valuations provides additional information about the Corporation's net interest income and facilitates comparability and analysis. The changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and unrealized gains and losses on liabilities measured at fair value have no effect on interest due or interest earned on interest-bearing liabilities or interest-earning assets, respectively. The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a marginal income tax rate. Income from tax-exempt earning assets is increased by an amount equivalent to the taxes that would have been paid if this income had been taxable at statutory rates. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income, interest rate spread and net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis. This adjustment puts all earning assets, most notably tax-exempt securities and certain loans, on a common basis that facilitates comparison of results to results of peers.

Tangible Common Equity Ratio and Tangible Book Value per Common Share

The tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share are non-GAAP measures generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate capital adequacy. Tangible common equity is total equity less preferred equity, goodwill and core deposit intangibles. Tangible assets are total assets less goodwill and core deposit intangibles. Management and many stock analysts use the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share in conjunction with more traditional bank capital ratios to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, typically stemming from the use of the purchase accounting method of accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Neither tangible common equity nor tangible assets or related measures should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for stockholders' equity, total assets or any other measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which the Corporation calculates its tangible common equity, tangible assets and any other related measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

Tier 1 Common Equity to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio

The Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets ratio is calculated by dividing (a) tier 1 capital less non-common elements including qualifying perpetual preferred stock and qualifying trust preferred securities, by (b) risk-weighted assets, which assets are calculated in accordance with applicable bank regulatory requirements. The Tier 1 common equity ratio is not required by GAAP or on a recurring basis by applicable bank regulatory requirements. However, this ratio was used by the Federal Reserve in connection with its stress test administered to the 19 largest U.S. bank holding companies under the Supervisory Capital Assessment Program (SCAP), the results of which were announced on May 7, 2009. Management is currently monitoring this ratio, along with the other ratios discussed above, in evaluating the Corporation's capital levels and believes that, at this time, the ratio may be of interest to investors.

FIRST BANCORP

Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income

              Quarter Ended                           Year ended

              December 31,  September 30,  December   December 31,  December 31,
                                           31,

(In
thousands,
except per      2009          2009         2008         2009        2008
share
information)

Net interest
income:

Interest      $ 243,449     $ 242,022      $ 282,910  $ 996,574     $ 1,126,897
income

Interest        106,152       112,889        158,714    477,532       599,016
expense

Net interest    137,297       129,133        124,196    519,042       527,881
income

Provision
for loan and    137,187       148,090        48,513     579,858       190,948
lease losses

Net interest
income
(loss) after    110           (18,957  )     75,683     (60,816  )    336,933
provision
for loan and
lease losses

Non-interest
income:

Other
service         1,982         1,796          1,966      6,830         6,309
charges on
loans

Service
charges on      3,357         3,458          3,170      13,307        12,895
deposit
accounts

Mortgage
banking         2,426         3,000          919        8,605         3,273
activities

Net gain on
sale of         24,387        34,065         6,243      85,146        21,193
investments

Rental          100           390            541        1,346         2,246
income

Other
non-interest    6,555         7,280          6,551      27,030        28,727
income

Total
non-interest    38,807        49,989         19,390     142,264       74,643
income

Non-interest
expenses:

Employees'
compensation    29,617        34,403         34,904     132,734       141,853
and benefits

Occupancy
and             14,822        15,291         15,651     62,335        61,818
equipment

Business        4,327         2,879          4,415      14,158        17,565
promotion

Professional    4,883         3,806          3,107      15,217        15,809
fees

Taxes, other
than income     3,936         3,893          4,733      15,847        16,989
taxes

Insurance
and             15,114        7,197          3,848      45,605        15,990
supervisory
fees

Net loss on
real estate     4,847         5,015          9,319      21,863        21,373
owned (REO)
operations

Other
non-interest    11,262        10,293         11,068     44,342        41,974
expenses

Total
non-interest    88,808        82,777         87,045     352,101       333,371
expenses

(Loss)
income          (49,891 )     (51,745  )     8,028      (270,653 )    78,205
before
income taxes

Income tax
(expense)       (3,311  )     (113,473 )     10,780     (4,534   )    31,732
benefit

Net (loss)    $ (53,202 )   $ (165,218 )   $ 18,808   $ (275,187 )  $ 109,937
income

Net (loss)
income
attributable  $ (59,334 )   $ (174,689 )   $ 8,739    $ (322,075 )  $ 69,661
to common
stockholders

Net (loss)
income per
common
share:

Basic         $ (0.64   )   $ (1.89    )   $ 0.09     $ (3.48    )  $ 0.75

Diluted       $ (0.64   )   $ (1.89    )   $ 0.09     $ (3.48    )  $ 0.75



FIRST BANCORP

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

                                  As of

                                  December 31,    September 30,   December 31,

(In thousands, except for share     2009            2009            2008
information)

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks           $ 679,798       $ 124,131       $ 329,730

Money market investments:

Federal funds sold                  1,140           71,264          54,469

Time deposits with other            600             600             600
financial institutions

Other short-term investments        22,546          20,127          20,934

Total money market investments      24,286          91,991          76,003

Investment securities available     4,170,782       4,754,989       3,862,342
for sale, at fair value

Investment securities held to       601,619         645,100         1,706,664
maturity, at amortized cost

Other equity securities             69,930          78,930          64,145

Total investment securities         4,842,331       5,479,019       5,633,151

Loans, net of allowance for loan
and lease losses of $528,120        13,400,331      13,258,788      12,796,363
(September 2009 - $471,484;
December 31, 2008 - $281,526)

Loans held for sale, at lower of    20,775          25,896          10,403
cost or market

Total loans, net                    13,421,106      13,284,684      12,806,766

Premises and equipment, net         197,965         195,371         178,468

Other real estate owned             69,304          67,493          37,246

Accrued interest receivable on      79,867          77,532          98,565
loans and investments

Due from customers on               954             622             504
acceptances

Accounts receivable from            -               464,910         -
investment sales

Other assets                        312,837         295,432         330,835

Total assets                      $ 19,628,448    $ 20,081,185    $ 19,491,268

LIABILITIES

Deposits:

Non-interest-bearing deposits     $ 697,022       $ 695,928       $ 625,928

Interest - bearing deposits         11,972,025      11,602,862      12,431,502

Total deposits                      12,669,047      12,298,790      13,057,430

Advances from the Federal           900,000         700,000         -
Reserve

Securities sold under agreements    3,076,631       3,782,134       3,421,042
to repurchase

Advances from the Federal Home      978,440         1,200,440       1,060,440
Loan Bank (FHLB)

Notes payable                       27,117          26,531          23,274

Other borrowings                    231,959         231,959         231,914

Bank acceptances outstanding        954             622             504

Accounts payable and other          145,237         141,866         148,547
liabilities

Total liabilities                   18,029,385      18,382,342      17,943,151

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preferred stock, authorized
50,000,000 shares: issued and
outstanding 22,404,000 shares       928,508         927,374         550,100
(2008 -22,004,000) at an
aggregate liquidation value of
$950,100 (2008 - $550,100)

Common stock, $1 par value,
authorized 250,000,000 shares;      102,440         102,440         102,444
issued 102,440,522 (2008 -
102,444,549)

Less: Treasury stock (at cost)      (9,898     )    (9,898     )    (9,898     )

Common stock outstanding,
92,542,722 shares outstanding       92,542          92,542          92,546
(2008 - 92,546,749)

Additional paid-in capital          134,223         134,201         108,299

Legal surplus                       299,006         299,006         299,006

Retained earnings                   118,291         172,625         440,777

Accumulated other comprehensive     26,493          73,095          57,389
income

Total stockholders' equity          1,599,063       1,698,843       1,548,117

Total liabilities and             $ 19,628,448    $ 20,081,185    $ 19,491,268
stockholders' equity



About First BanCorp

First BanCorp is the parent corporation of FirstBank Puerto Rico, a state-chartered commercial bank with operations in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Florida, and of FirstBank Insurance Agency. First BanCorp and FirstBank Puerto Rico all operate within U.S. banking laws and regulations. The Corporation operates a total of 186 branches, stand-alone offices and in-branch service centers throughout Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Florida. Among the subsidiaries of FirstBank Puerto Rico are First Federal Finance Corp., a small loan company; First Leasing and Rental Corp., a leasing company; FirstBank Puerto Rico Securities, a broker-dealer subsidiary; First Management of Puerto Rico; and FirstMortgage, Inc., a mortgage origination company. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, FirstBank operates First Insurance VI, an insurance agency, and First Express, a small loan company. First BanCorp's common and publicly-held preferred shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols FBP, FBPPrA, FBPPrB, FBPPrC, FBPPrD and FBPPrE. Additional information about First BanCorp may be found at www.firstbankpr.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" concerning the Corporation's future economic performance. The words or phrases "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "should," "believes" and similar expressions are meant to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to the safe harbor created by such section. The Corporation wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date made, and to advise readers that various factors, including, but not limited to, the strength or weakness of the real estate markets and of the consumer and commercial credit sectors and its impact on the credit quality of the Corporation's loans and other assets, including the Corporation's construction and commercial real estate loan portfolios, which have contributed and may continue to contribute to the increase in the levels of non-performing assets, charge-offs and the provision expense; adverse changes in general economic conditions in the United States and Puerto Rico, including the interest rate scenario, market liquidity, housing absorption rates and real estate prices, and disruptions in the U.S. capital markets, which may reduce interest margins, impact funding sources and affect demand for all of the Corporation's products and services and the value of the Corporation's assets, including the value of derivative instruments used for protection from interest rate fluctuations; an adverse change in the Corporation's ability to attract new clients and retain existing ones; a decrease in demand for the Corporation's products and services and lower revenues and earnings because of the continued recession in Puerto Rico and the current fiscal problems and budget deficit of the Puerto Rico government; uncertainty about the legislative and other measures adopted by the Puerto Rico government in response to its fiscal deficit situation and the impact of such measures on several sectors of the Puerto Rico economy; uncertainty about the effectiveness of the various actions undertaken to stimulate the United States economy and stabilize the United States financial markets, and the impact such actions may have on the Corporation's business, financial condition and results of operations; changes in the fiscal and monetary policies and regulations of the federal government, including those determined by the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, government-sponsored housing agencies and local regulators agencies in Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands; risks of not being able to generate sufficient income to realize the benefit of the deferred tax asset; risks of not being able to recover the assets pledged to Lehman Brothers Special Financing, Inc.; risks associated with the soundness of other financial institutions; changes in the Corporation's expenses associated with acquisitions and dispositions; developments in technology; the impact of Doral Financial Corporation's financial condition on the repayment of its outstanding secured loans to the Corporation; the Corporation's ability to issue brokered certificates of deposit and fund operations; risks associated with downgrades in the credit ratings of the Corporation's securities; general competitive factors and industry consolidation; risks associated with regulatory and legislative changes for financial services companies in Puerto Rico, the United States, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, which could affect the Corporation's financial performance and could cause the Corporation's actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected; and the risk that the FDIC may further increase the deposit insurance premium and/or require special assessments to replenish its insurance fund, causing an increase in our non-interest expenses. The Corporation does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any "forward-looking statements" to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

EXHIBIT A

Table 1 - Selected Financial Data

(In thousands,
except for per
share and        Quarter Ended                         Year ended
financial
ratios)

                 December     September     December   December 31,  December
                 31,          30,           31,                      31,

                   2009         2009          2008       2009          2008

Condensed
Income
Statements:

 Total interest  $ 243,449    $ 242,022     $ 282,910  $ 996,574     $ 1,126,897
 income

 Total interest    106,152      112,889       158,714    477,532       599,016
 expense

 Net interest      137,297      129,133       124,196    519,042       527,881
 income

 Provision for
 loan and lease    137,187      148,090       48,513     579,858       190,948
 losses

 Non-interest      38,807       49,989        19,390     142,264       74,643
 income

 Non-interest      88,808       82,777        87,045     352,101       333,371
 expenses

 (Loss) income
 before income     (49,891 )    (51,745  )    8,028      (270,653 )    78,205
 taxes

 Income tax
 (expense)         (3,311  )    (113,473 )    10,780     (4,534   )    31,732
 benefit

 Net (loss)        (53,202 )    (165,218 )    18,808     (275,187 )    109,937
 income

 Net (loss)
 income
 attributable      (59,334 )    (174,689 )    8,739      (322,075 )    69,661
 to common
 stockholders

Per Common
Share Results:

 Net (loss)
 income per      $ (0.64   )  $ (1.89    )  $ 0.09     $ (3.48    )  $ 0.75
 share basic

 Net (loss)
 income per      $ (0.64   )  $ (1.89    )  $ 0.09     $ (3.48    )  $ 0.75
 share diluted

 Cash dividends  $ -          $ -           $ 0.07     $ 0.14        $ 0.28
 declared

 Average shares    92,514       92,511        92,511     92,511        92,508
 outstanding

 Average shares
 outstanding       92,514       92,511        92,706     92,511        92,644
 diluted

 Book value per  $ 7.25       $ 8.34        $ 10.78    $ 7.25        $ 10.78
 common share

 Tangible book
 value per       $ 6.76       $ 7.85        $ 10.22    $ 6.76        $ 10.22
 common share
 (1)

Selected
Financial
Ratios (In
Percent):

Profitability:

 Return on         (1.08   )    (3.27    )    0.39       (1.39    )    0.59
 Average Assets

 Interest Rate     2.75         2.66          2.71       2.62          2.83
 Spread (2)

 Net Interest      3.03         2.95          3.06       2.93          3.20
 Margin (2)

 Return on
 Average Total     (12.48  )    (35.47   )    5.19       (14.84   )    7.67
 Equity

 Return on
 Average Common    (30.54  )    (74.62   )    3.88       (34.07   )    7.89
 Equity

 Average Total
 Equity to         8.67         9.22          7.54       9.36          7.74
 Average Total
 Assets

 Tangible
 common equity     3.20         3.62          4.87       3.20          4.87
 ratio (1)

 Dividend          -            -             74.13      (4.03    )    37.19
 payout ratio

 Efficiency        50.43        46.21         60.62      53.24         55.33
 ratio (3)

Asset Quality:

 Allowance for
 loan and lease
 losses to         3.79         3.43          2.15       3.79          2.15
 loans
 receivable

 Net
 charge-offs
 (annualized)      2.34         2.53          0.87       2.48          0.87
 to average
 loans

 Provision for
 loan and lease    170.31       175.56        172.29     173.99        176.28
 losses to net
 charge-offs

 Non-performing
 assets to         8.71         8.39          3.27       8.71          3.27
 total assets

 Non-performing
 loans to total    11.23        11.21         4.49       11.23         4.49
 loans
 receivable

 Allowance to
 total             33.77        30.64         47.95      33.77         47.95
 non-performing
 loans

 Allowance to
 total
 non-performing
 loans
 excluding
 residential

 real estate       47.06        42.90         90.16      47.06         90.16
 loans

Other
Information:

 Common Stock
 Price: End of   $ 2.30       $ 3.05        $ 11.14    $ 2.30        $ 11.14
 period

1- Non-GAAP measure. See page 18 for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

2- On a tax-equivalent basis. See page 2 for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations
and refer to discussions in Tables 2 and 3 below.

3- Non-interest expenses to the sum of net interest income and non-interest
income. The denominator includes non-recurring income and changes in the fair
value of derivative instruments and financial liabilities measured at fair
value.



Table 2 - Quarterly Statement of Average Interest-Earning Assets and Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities (On a Tax
Equivalent Basis)

(Dollars in thousands)

                 Average volume                            Interest income (1) / expense    Average rate (1)

                 December 31,  September     December 31,  December   September  December   December  September  December
                               30,                         31,        30,        31,        31,       30,        31,

Quarter ended    2009          2009          2008          2009       2009       2008       2009      2009       2008

Interest-earning
assets:

Money market &
other short-term $ 268,295     $ 161,491     $ 164,827     $ 184      $ 185      $ 309      0.27  %   0.45  %    0.75  %
investments

Government         1,316,211     1,382,167     1,015,554     9,109      9,709      17,610   2.75  %   2.79  %    6.90  %
obligations (2)

Mortgage-backed    3,843,609     4,595,678     4,671,053     51,971     63,588     73,911   5.36  %   5.49  %    6.29  %
securities

Corporate bonds    2,000         2,000         6,103         30         29         145      5.95  %   5.75  %    9.45  %

FHLB stock         73,435        76,843        62,358        896        1,038      481      4.84  %   5.36  %    3.07  %

Equity             1,977         1,977         2,996         72         18         18       14.45 %   3.61  %    2.39  %
securities

Total              5,505,527     6,220,156     5,922,891     62,262     74,567     92,474   4.49  %   4.76  %    6.21  %
investments (3)

Residential        3,568,367     3,602,562     3,476,924     54,200     53,617     55,269   6.03  %   5.90  %    6.32  %
mortgage loans

Construction       1,584,282     1,604,565     1,503,968     13,262     12,402     17,762   3.32  %   3.07  %    4.70  %
loans

C&I and
commercial         6,698,689     6,137,781     5,811,459     70,610     62,379     81,866   4.18  %   4.03  %    5.60  %
mortgage loans

Finance leases     324,591       335,636       369,649       6,609      6,775      7,724    8.08  %   8.01  %    8.31  %

Consumer loans     1,601,999     1,640,556     1,768,946     46,053     46,692     50,904   11.41 %   11.29 %    11.45 %

Total loans (4)    13,777,928    13,321,100    12,930,946    190,734    181,865    213,525  5.49  %   5.42  %    6.57  %
(5)

Total
interest-earning $ 19,283,455  $ 19,541,256  $ 18,853,837  $ 252,996  $ 256,432  $ 305,999  5.21  %   5.21  %    6.46  %
assets

Interest-bearing
liabilities:

Brokered CDs     $ 7,398,276   $ 7,292,913   $ 8,459,932   $ 47,081   $ 51,305   $ 86,316   2.52  %   2.79  %    4.06  %

Other
interest-bearing   4,172,437     3,995,123     3,783,107     20,471     20,860     26,941   1.95  %   2.07  %    2.83  %
deposits

Loans payable      849,853       652,391       543           908        463        3        0.42  %   0.28  %    2.25  %

Other borrowed     3,588,300     4,171,348     3,761,002     29,227     30,545     38,575   3.23  %   2.91  %    4.08  %
funds

FHLB advances      1,103,690     1,196,657     1,052,193     8,218      8,127      9,001    2.95  %   2.69  %    3.40  %

Total
interest-bearing $ 17,112,556  $ 17,308,432  $ 17,056,777  $ 105,905  $ 111,300  $ 160,836  2.46  %   2.55  %    3.75  %
liabilities (6)

Net interest                                               $ 147,091  $ 145,132  $ 145,163
income

Interest rate                                                                               2.75  %   2.66  %    2.71  %
spread

Net interest                                                                                3.03  %   2.95  %    3.06  %
margin

1- On a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent yield was estimated by dividing the interest rate spread on exempt
assets by 1 less Puerto Rico statutory tax rate as adjusted for changes to enacted tax rates (40.95% for the
Corporation's subsidiaries other than IBEs in 2009, 35.95% for the Corporation's IBEs in 2009 and 39% for all
subsidiaries in 2008) and adding to it the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. When adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis,
yields on taxable and exempt assets are comparable. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and unrealized
gains or losses on liabilities measured at fair value are excluded from interest income and interest expense because the
changes in valuation do not affect interest paid or received.

2- Government obligations include debt issued by government sponsored agencies.

3- Unrealized gains and losses in available-for-sale securities are excluded from the average volumes.

4- Average loan balances include the average of non-performing loans.

5- Interest income on loans includes $2.8 million, $2.8 million and $2.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, third
quarter of 2009 and fourth quarter of 2008, respectively, of income from prepayment penalties and late fees related to
the Corporation's loan portfolio.

6- Unrealized gains and losses on liabilities measured at fair value are excluded from the average volumes.



Table 3 - Statement of Average Interest-Earning Assets and Average Interest-Bearing
Liabilities (On a Tax Equivalent Basis)

(Dollars in thousands)

                 Average Volume              Interest income (1) /     Average rate (1)
                                             expense

For the Year
Ended December   2009          2008          2009         2008         2009     2008
31,

Interest-earning
assets:

Money market &
other short-term $ 182,205     $ 286,502     $ 577        $ 6,355      0.32  %  2.22  %
investments

Government         1,345,591     1,402,738     54,323       93,539     4.04  %  6.67  %
obligations (2)

Mortgage-backed    4,254,044     3,924,990     238,992      244,150    5.62  %  6.22  %
securities

Corporate bonds    4,769         6,144         294          570        6.16  %  9.28  %

FHLB stock         76,982        65,081        3,082        3,710      4.00  %  5.70  %

Equity             2,071         3,762         126          47         6.08  %  1.25  %
securities

Total              5,865,662     5,689,217     297,394      348,371    5.07  %  6.12  %
investments (3)

Residential        3,523,576     3,351,236     213,583      215,984    6.06  %  6.44  %
mortgage loans

Construction       1,590,309     1,485,126     52,908       82,513     3.33  %  5.56  %
loans

C&I and
commercial         6,343,635     5,473,716     263,935      314,931    4.16  %  5.75  %
mortgage loans

Finance leases     341,943       373,999       28,077       31,962     8.21  %  8.55  %

Consumer loans     1,661,099     1,709,512     188,775      197,581    11.36 %  11.56 %

Total loans (4)    13,460,562    12,393,589    747,278      842,971    5.55  %  6.80  %
(5)

Total
interest-earning $ 19,326,224  $ 18,082,806  $ 1,044,672  $ 1,191,342  5.41  %  6.59  %
assets

Interest-bearing
liabilities:

Brokered CDs     $ 7,300,696   $ 7,671,094   $ 227,896    $ 318,199    3.12  %  4.15  %

Other
interest-bearing   4,087,262     3,611,259     89,966       105,296    2.20  %  2.92  %
deposits

Loans payable      643,618       10,792        2,331        243        0.36  %  2.25  %

Other borrowed     3,745,980     3,864,189     124,340      148,753    3.32  %  3.85  %
funds

FHLB advances      1,322,136     1,120,782     32,954       39,739     2.49  %  3.55  %

Total
interest-bearing $ 17,099,692  $ 16,278,116  $ 477,487    $ 612,230    2.79  %  3.76  %
liabilities (6)

Net interest                                 $ 567,185    $ 579,112
income

Interest rate                                                          2.62  %  2.83  %
spread

Net interest                                                           2.93  %  3.20  %
margin

1- On a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent yield was estimated by dividing the
interest rate spread on exempt assets by 1 less Puerto Rico statutory tax rate as
adjusted for changes to enacted tax rates (40.95% for the Corporation's subsidiaries
other than IBEs in 2009, 35.95% for the Corporation's IBEs in 2009 and 39% for all
subsidiaries in 2008) and adding to it the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. When
adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis, yields on taxable and exempt assets are comparable.
Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and unrealized gains or losses on
liabilities measured at fair value are excluded from interest income and interest
expense because the changes in valuation do not affect interest paid or received.

2- Government obligations include debt issued by government sponsored agencies.

3- Unrealized gains and losses in available-for-sale securities are excluded from the
average volumes.

4- Average loan balances include the average of non-performing loans.

5- Interest income on loans includes $11.2 million and $10.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, of income from prepayment penalties and late
fees related to the Corporation's loan portfolio.

6- Unrealized gains and losses on liabilities measured at fair value are excluded from
the average volumes.



Table 4 - Non-Interest Income

              Quarter Ended                              Year ended

              December 31,  September 30,  December 31,  December 31,

(In           2009          2009           2008          2009         2008
thousands)

 Other
 service      $ 1,982       $ 1,796        $ 1,966       $ 6,830      $ 6,309
 charges on
 loans

 Service
 charges on     3,357         3,458          3,170         13,307       12,895
 deposit
 accounts

 Mortgage
 banking        2,426         3,000          919           8,605        3,273
 activities

 Rental         100           390            541           1,346        2,246
 income

 Insurance      1,753         2,316          2,247         8,668        10,157
 income

 Other
 operating      4,802         4,964          4,304         18,362       18,570
 income

 Non-interest
 income
 before net     14,420        15,924         13,147        57,118       53,450
 gain on
 investments

 Gain on VISA
 shares and     -             3,784          -             3,784        9,474
 related
 proceeds

 Net gain on
 sale of        24,387        30,490         11,045        83,020       17,706
 investments

 OTTI on
 equity         -             -              (4,802 )      (388    )    (5,987 )
 securities

 OTTI on debt   -             (209   )       -             (1,270  )    -
 securities

 Net gain on    24,387        34,065         6,243         85,146       21,193
 investments

              $ 38,807      $ 49,989       $ 19,390      $ 142,264    $ 74,643



Table 5 - Non-Interest Expenses

                 Quarter Ended                              Year ended

                 December 31,  September 30,  December 31,  December 31,

(In thousands)   2009          2009           2008          2009       2008

 Employees'
 compensation    $ 29,617      $ 34,403       $ 34,904      $ 132,734  $ 141,853
 and benefits

 Occupancy and     14,822        15,291         15,651        62,335     61,818
 equipment

 Deposit
 insurance         13,923        6,884          2,453         40,582     10,111
 premium

 Other taxes,
 insurance and     5,127         4,206          6,128         20,870     22,868
 supervisory
 fees

 Professional
 fees -            3,628         3,391          2,492         12,980     12,572
 recurring

 Professional
 fees -            1,255         415            615           2,237      3,237
 non-recurring

 Servicing and
 processing        2,832         2,784          2,264         10,174     9,918
 fees

 Business          4,327         2,879          4,415         14,158     17,565
 promotion

 Communications    2,055         2,083          2,160         8,283      8,856

 Net loss on       4,847         5,015          9,319         21,863     21,373
 REO operations

 Other (1)         6,375         5,426          6,644         25,885     23,200

 Total           $ 88,808      $ 82,777       $ 87,045      $ 352,101  $ 333,371

1- Includes core deposit intangible impairment charge of $4.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2009.



Table 6 - Selected Balance Sheet Data

(In thousands)                        As of

                                      December 31,  September 30,  December 31,

                                      2009          2009           2008

Balance Sheet Data:

 Loans and loans held for sale        $ 13,949,226  $ 13,756,168   $ 13,088,292

 Allowance for loan and lease losses    528,120       471,484        281,526

 Money market and investment            4,866,617     5,571,010      5,709,154
 securities

 Intangible assets                      44,698        45,395         52,083

 Deferred tax asset, net                109,197       107,955        128,039

 Total assets                           19,628,448    20,081,185     19,491,268

 Deposits                               12,669,047    12,298,790     13,057,430

 Borrowings                             5,214,147     5,941,064      4,736,670

 Total preferred equity                 928,508       927,374        550,100

 Total common equity                    644,062       698,374        940,628

 Accumulated other comprehensive        26,493        73,095         57,389
 income, net of tax

 Total equity                           1,599,063     1,698,843      1,548,117



Table 7 - Loan Portfolio

Composition of the loan portfolio including loans held for sale at period end.

(In thousands)                        As of

                                      December 31,  September 30,  December 31,

                                      2009          2009           2008

Residential mortgage loans            $ 3,616,283   $ 3,620,050    $ 3,491,728

Commercial loans:

 Construction loans                     1,492,589     1,570,451      1,526,995

 Commercial mortgage loans              1,590,821     1,542,934      1,535,758

 Commercial and Industrial loans (1)    5,029,907     4,738,080      3,857,728

 Loans to a local financial
 institution collateralized by real     321,522       329,492        567,720
 estate mortgages

Commercial loans                        8,434,839     8,180,957      7,488,201

Finance leases                          318,504       329,418        363,883

Consumer loans                          1,579,600     1,625,743      1,744,480

Total loans                           $ 13,949,226  $ 13,756,168   $ 13,088,292

1 - As of December 31, 2009, includes $1.2 billion of commercial loans that are
secured by real estate but are not dependent upon the real estate for
repayment.



Table 8 - Loan Portfolio by Geography

(In thousands)           As of December 31, 2009

                         Puerto Rico   Virgin Islands  Florida      Consolidated

Residential mortgage     $ 2,790,829   $ 450,649       $ 374,805    $ 3,616,283
loans

Commercial loans:

 Construction loans (1)    998,235       194,813         299,541      1,492,589

 Commercial mortgage       983,125       73,114          534,582      1,590,821
 loans

 Commercial and            4,756,297     241,497         32,113       5,029,907
 Industrial loans

 Loans to a local
 financial institution     321,522       -               -            321,522
 collateralized by real
 estate mortgages

Commercial loans           7,059,179     509,424         866,236      8,434,839

Finance leases             318,504       -               -            318,504

Consumer loans             1,446,354     98,418          34,828       1,579,600

Total loans              $ 11,614,866  $ 1,058,491     $ 1,275,869  $ 13,949,226

1 - Construction loans of Florida operations include approximately $70.4 million
of condo-conversion loans.



Table 9 - Non-Performing Assets

(Dollars in thousands)              December 31,   September 30,  December 31,

                                    2009           2009           2008

Non-performing loans:

 Residential mortgage               $ 441,642      $ 439,720      $ 274,923

 Commercial mortgage                  196,535        196,708        85,943

 Commercial and Industrial            241,316        240,424        58,358

 Construction                         634,329        609,865        116,290

 Finance leases                       5,207          4,744          6,026

 Consumer                             44,834         47,360         45,635

 Total non-performing loans           1,563,863      1,538,821      587,175

REO                                   69,304         67,493         37,246

Other repossessed property            12,898         13,338         12,794

Investment securities (1)             64,543         64,543         -

 Total non-performing assets        $ 1,710,608    $ 1,684,195    $ 637,215

Past due loans 90 days and still    $ 165,936      $ 243,894      $ 471,364
accruing

Allowance for loan and lease losses $ 528,120      $ 471,484      $ 281,526

Allowance to total non-performing     33.77     %    30.64     %    47.95   %
loans

Allowance to total non-performing
loans, excluding residential real     47.06     %    42.90     %    90.16   %
estate loans

(1) Collateral pledged with Lehman Brothers Special Financing, Inc.



Table 10 - Non-Performing Assets by Geography

(Dollars in thousands)            December 31,  September 30,  December 31,

                                  2009          2009           2008

Puerto Rico:

Non-performing loans:

 Residential mortgage             $ 376,018     $ 365,705      $ 244,843

 Commercial mortgage                128,001       121,961        61,459

 Commercial and Industrial          229,039       228,025        54,568

 Construction                       385,259       252,127        71,127

 Finance leases                     5,207         4,744          6,026

 Consumer                           40,132        42,816         40,313

 Total non-performing loans         1,163,656     1,015,378      478,336

REO                                 49,337        47,137         22,012

Other repossessed property          12,634        12,821         12,221

Investment securities               64,543        64,543         -

 Total non-performing assets      $ 1,290,170   $ 1,139,879    $ 512,569

Past due loans 90 days and still  $ 128,016     $ 227,053      $ 220,270
accruing

Virgin Islands:

Non-performing loans:

 Residential mortgage             $ 9,063       $ 7,116        $ 8,492

 Commercial mortgage                11,727        11,370         1,476

 Commercial and Industrial          8,300         8,404          2,055

 Construction                       2,796         2,727          4,113

 Consumer                           3,540         3,393          3,688

 Total non-performing loans         35,426        33,010         19,824

REO                                 470           588            430

Other repossessed property          221           389            388

 Total non-performing assets      $ 36,117      $ 33,987       $ 20,642

Past due loans 90 days and still  $ 23,876      $ 618          $ 27,471
accruing

Florida:

Non-performing loans:

 Residential mortgage             $ 56,561      $ 66,899       $ 21,588

 Commercial mortgage                56,807        63,377         23,007

 Commercial and Industrial          3,977         3,995          1,736

 Construction                       246,274       355,011        41,050

 Consumer                           1,162         1,151          1,634

 Total non-performing loans         364,781       490,433        89,015

REO                                 19,497        19,768         14,804

Other repossessed property          43            128            185

 Total non-performing assets      $ 384,321     $ 510,329      $ 104,004

Past due loans 90 days and still  $ 14,044      $ 16,223       $ 223,623
accruing



Table 11 - Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans

              Year Ended

              December  December 31,  December 31,  December 31,  December 31,
              31,

              2009      2008          2007          2006          2005

Residential   0.82%     0.19%         0.03%         0.04%         0.05%
mortgage

Commercial    1.64%     0.27%         0.10%         0.00%         0.03%
mortgage

Commercial
and           0.72%     0.59%         0.26%         0.06%         0.11%
Industrial

Construction  11.54%    0.52%         0.26%         0.00%         0.00%

Consumer and
finance       3.05%     3.19%         3.48%         2.90%         2.06%
leases

Total loans   2.48%     0.87%         0.79%         0.55%         0.39%



 

 

    Source: First BanCorp
Contact: First BanCorp Alan Cohen, 787-729-8256 Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations alan.cohen@firstbankpr.com