TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

PROXY STATEMENT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


(Amendment No.   )
Filed by the Registrant
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

Check the appropriate box:


Preliminary Proxy Statement


Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))


Definitive Proxy Statement


Definitive Additional Materials


Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Popular, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Itsin its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

(1)

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(2)

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(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as providedFee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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LOGO


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            NOTICETABLE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF

SHAREHOLDERS AND

PROXY STATEMENT

CONTENTS

DATE AND TIME

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

9:00 a.m. (local time)

PLACE

Popular Center Building

PH Floor

209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue

San Juan, Puerto Rico

RECORD DATE

March 9, 2018

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Elect four directors assigned to “Class 1”


Dear Shareholders:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Popular, Inc., we cordially invite you to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), to be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (Atlantic Standard Time) at our headquarters located at Popular Center Building, Lobby Conference Hall, 209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
During 2023, Popular achieved solid financial results despite a challenging environment in the banking industry and reached important milestones, including significant increases in loans, deposits, and unique customers. The Board of Directors is proud of the leadership of the management team and the dedication of all our employees, which made these results possible.
In its 130th year of service, Popular reaffirms its commitment to promote the progress of our customers, colleagues, and communities, building long-term value for our shareholders.
This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement contains the details of the business to be conducted during the Annual Meeting. At this year’s Annual Meeting, shareholders will be considering the election of 13 candidates to our Board of Directors for a three-year term;

Authorize and approve an amendment to Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders, provided that in contested elections directors shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast;

Approve, onone-year term, an advisory basis, ourvote to approve executive compensation;

Ratifycompensation and the appointmentratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as theour independent registered public accounting firmaccountants for 2018;2024.

ApproveI encourage you to read our proxy statement, annual report and other proxy materials. Whether or not you plan to participate in the adjournmentAnnual Meeting, we urge you to vote as soon as possible, either online, by phone or postponementby mail. Please follow the voting instructions to ensure your shares are represented at the meeting. Your vote is important to us.

On behalf of the meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies,Board of Directors, thank you for your continued investment and support.

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN
Chairman of the Board
Popular, Inc.


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Dear Shareholders:
In 2023, Popular delivered solid results despite operating in a challenging environment which included high interest rates, geopolitical disruptions and uncertainty in the eventbanking industry. Popular was able to achieve strong earnings, robust loan growth, stable credit quality and the continued expansion of our customer base.
In 2022, we launched our broad-based multi-year, technological and business process transformation aimed at expanding our digital capabilities, modernizing our technology platform and implementing agile and efficient business processes. During 2023, we made significant progress across many of the transformation initiatives, including a review of our fees for commercial services to align to our price to value and the implementation of a simplified and faster process for the origination of commercial loans. As we continue to make progress on our transformation initiatives, we remain committed to capture growth opportunities in our primary market and existing customer base and provide an improved customer experience in a rapidly changing environment.
Popular’s diversified business model, prudent risk management, robust capital and liquidity levels, and most importantly, the talent of our employees, are sources of strength that there are not sufficient votespositions Popular to continue creating sustainable value, supporting the needs of our growing customer base and positively impacting our communities.
I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to our colleagues, senior management and the Board of Directors for their dedication, commitment and support. Each of them plays a vital role in our organization.
Last year we celebrated our 130th anniversary and launched a new purpose statement to capture what drives us: “Putting People at the timeCenter of Progress.” It underscores Popular’s mission to help customers reach and exceed their financial milestones, invigorate the meeting to approvelocal economies in the proposed amendment to Article Seventhmarkets where Popular operates and promote the development and well-being of our Restated Certificatecolleagues. We firmly believe that all of Incorporation;these will drive long-term value for our shareholders.
With our new corporate purpose in mind, we start 2024 in a strong momentum, with the team energized and

looking forward to build on our solid foundation.
On behalf of all of us, thank you for your support.

IGNACIO ALVAREZ
President and Chief Executive Officer
Popular, Inc.


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Consider such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and Proxy Statement

Date and Time
Thursday, May 9, 2024 9:00 a.m. (Atlantic Standard Time)
Place
Popular Center Building, Lobby Conference Hall, 209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Record Date
March 14, 2024
How to Vote
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2024 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend, please vote as soon as possible so that we may be assured of the presence of a quorum at the meeting.

In Person
Attend the Annual Meeting.

By Phone
Call +1-800-690-6903 in the U.S. or P.R. to vote your shares.

By Internet
Visit www.proxyvote.com and vote online.

By Mail
Cast your ballot, sign your proxy card and return by free post.
Items of Business
• 
Elect 13 directors to the Board of Directors for a one-year term;
• 
Approve, on an advisory basis, the Corporation’s executive compensation;
• 
Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Popular’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2024; and
• 
Consider such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 9, 2024:

This 2024 Proxy Statement and our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 are available free of charge at www.popular.com and www.proxyvote.com. The 2024 Proxy Statement and form of proxy card are being distributed and made available to shareholders on or about March 27, 2024.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 21, 2018.

27, 2024.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO


Javier D. Ferrer

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and

Corporate Secretary

HOW TO VOTE

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO
OnlinePhoneMail

In

Person

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2018 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.

We encourage you to attend the meeting. Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend, please vote as soon as possible so that we may be assured of the presence of a quorum at the meeting.

You may vote online, in person, by telephone or, if you received a paper proxy card in the mail, by mailing the completed proxy card. The instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card describe how to use these convenient services.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 8, 2018:

This 2018 Proxy Statement and our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2017 are available free of charge atwww.popular.comand www.proxyvote.com.

LOGO

209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918


         TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY1
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
7

Corporate Governance

7

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Table
of Contents


7

8

8

Director Continuing Education

9

9

9

10

Membership in Board Committees

12

12

13

15

15

15

16

17

17

23

26
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
31

31

31

35

38

46

48

49

49

50

50

52

53

54

54

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60

60

61

Director Stock Ownership Requirements

61


62

Principal Shareholders

62

63

64
65

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

65

66

67

68

Proposal 5: Adjournment or Postponement of Meeting

69
70
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING
71

71

72

73

75
APPENDIX A—PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE SEVENTH OF THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
77
APPENDIX BAppendix A: Popular, Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures—POPULAR, INC., RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
78



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      PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

l
Proxy Statement
Summary

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. You should read the entire Proxy Statement before voting.


Meeting Agenda and Voting Recommendations

PROPOSAL 1

Election of Directors

LOGO

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR EACH NOMINEE.

We are asking shareholders to elect four directors. Popular’s directors are elected for a term of three years by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. The table below sets forth information with respect to our four nominees standing for election. All of the nominees are currently serving as directors. Additional information about the director candidates and their respective qualifications can be found on the “Nominees for Election as Directors and Other Directors” section of this Proxy Statement.

IGNACIO ALVAREZ

Proposal 1

ALEJANDRO M. BALLESTER

BOARD’S
RECOMMENDATION


“FOR”
EACH NOMINEE
Election of Directors
​We are asking shareholders to elect 13 directors for a one-year term. The table below sets forth information with respect to the 13 nominees. Additional information about the candidates and their respective qualifications can be found on the “Nominees for Election as Directors” section of this Proxy Statement.

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN

CARLOS A. UNANUE

 
AGE
DIRECTOR SINCE
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
Ignacio Alvarez
65
2017
President and Chief Executive Officer of Popular, Inc.
Alejandro M. Ballester
57
2010
President of Ballester Hermanos, Inc.
Robert Carrady
68
2019
President and Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Cinemas
Richard L. Carrión
71
1991
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Popular, Inc.
Bertil E. Chappuis
57
Nominee
Co-Founder and CEO of Xtillion, LLC
Betty DeVita
63
2021
Chief Business Officer of FinConecta
John W. Diercksen
74
2013
Principal of Greycrest, LLC
María Luisa Ferré Rangel
60
2004
Chief Executive Officer of FRG, LLC
C. Kim Goodwin
64
2011
Private Investor
José R. Rodríguez
65
2021
Chairman of the Board of Directors of CareMax, Inc.
Alejandro M. Sánchez
66
2023
President and CEO of Salva Financial Group of Florida
Myrna M. Soto
55
2018
CEO and Founder of Apogee Executive Advisors LLC
Carlos A. Unanue
60
2010
President of Goya de Puerto Rico, Inc.

Age 59

Proposal 2

Age 51

BOARD’S
RECOMMENDATION


“FOR”
THIS PROPOSAL
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
We are asking shareholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”) as described in the sections titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “2023 Executive Compensation Tables and Compensation Information.” We hold this advisory vote on an annual basis.

Age 65

Age 54

President

Proposal 3
BOARD’S
RECOMMENDATION



“FOR”
THIS PROPOSAL
Ratification of Auditors
We are asking shareholders to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024. Information on fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during 2023 and CEO2022 appears in the “Proposal 3: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” section of this Proxy Statement.
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY | 1

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2023 Corporate Governance Highlights
Independent Board
• 
11 of our 13 current directors are independent.
• 
Lead Independent Director with robust and well-defined responsibilities.
• 
Regular executive sessions of independent directors.
• 
100% independent Board committees:
- 
Audit Committee;
- 
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee;
- 
Risk Management Committee; and
- 
Talent and Compensation Committee.





Strong Governance
• 
Annual board, committee and individual director evaluations and self-assessments.
• 
Diverse board in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, experience, skills, tenure and other demographics.
• 
Independent third party retained, at least every three years, to perform board evaluation.
• 
Stock ownership guidelines for executive officers and non-employee directors.
• 
Prohibition on hedging and pledging of Popular, Inc.

’s (“Popular” or the “Corporation”) securities.
• 
Four new directors in the last five years and one new director nominated in 2024.
Robust Board Oversight
• 
The Board met 11 times during 2023. Each director attended 91% or more meetings of the Board and the meetings of committees of the Board on which each such director served.
• 
Board oversight of the Corporation’s risk management program (including cyber and information security strategy and preparedness).
• 
Board oversight of Popular’s corporate responsibility and sustainability (ESG) matters. Certain Board committees assigned specific ESG oversight responsibilities.
• 
Board also oversees the development and implementation of the Corporation’s technology strategy and initiatives.

President of Ballester Hermanos, Inc.

Shareholders’ Rights
• 
All members of the Board of Directors are elected on an annual basis.
• 
Majority voting in director elections.
• 
No supermajority voting requirements for our shareholders.
• 
Shareholders holding 20% or more of our outstanding common stock have the right to request a special meeting of shareholders.
• 
Board receives and discusses shareholder communications addressed to the Board.



Executive Chairman of Popular, Inc.

2 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

President of Goya de Puerto Rico

Director since July 2017

Director since 2010

Director since 1991Director since 2010

PROPOSAL 2

Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation

LOGO

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.

We are asking shareholders to approve an amendment to Article Seventh of Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the director nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Additional information with respect to the proposed amendment can be found in “Proposal 2: Amendment to Article Seventh of Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Amend the Voting Standard for the Election of Directors to Provide that Directors Shall be Elected by a Majority of the Votes Cast by Shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Except that in Contested Elections Directors Shall be Elected by a Plurality of the Votes Cast.” In addition, the text of the proposed amendment is set forth in Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.


2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  1


PROPOSAL 3

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

LOGO

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.

We are asking shareholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”) as described in the sections titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “2017 Executive Compensation Tables and Compensation Information.” We hold this advisory vote on an annual basis.

PROPOSAL 4

Ratification of Auditors

LOGO

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR RATIFICATION.

We are asking shareholders to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018. Information on fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during 2017 and 2016 appears on the “Proposal 4: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” section of this Proxy Statement.

PROPOSAL 5

Adjournment or Postponement of the Meeting

LOGO

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE MEETING IN THE EVENT THERE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT VOTES TO ADOPT PROPOSAL 2.

We are asking shareholders to approve the adjournment of the meeting, if necessary or appropriate, in order to allow for the solicitation of additional proxies in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to adopt Proposal 2. This Proposal relates to the amendment to Article Seventh of the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the director nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

For additional information about the meeting please refer to the “General Information About the Meeting” section of this Proxy Statement.



2  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


2017 FinancialTABLE OF CONTENTS

2023 Corporate Performance and
Executive Compensation Highlights

2017 CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

2023 Corporate Highlights
During 2017, we demonstrated the continued strength of our franchise while2023, Popular delivered solid results despite operating in a challenging economic environment, impacted bywhich included high interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions in the unprecedented destructionbanking industry during the first half of the year. The Corporation obtained strong earnings and disruption caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Notwithstanding the hurricanes’ impact, we persevered to achieve year-over-yearrobust loan growth, in our net interest income,while maintaining stable credit indicatorsquality and strong capital levels. Despiteexpanding its customer base. During 2023, Popular celebrated its 130th anniversary. Furthermore, to underscore Popular’s mission to help customers reach and exceed their financial milestones, invigorate the challenges posed bylocal economies in the Puerto Rico economymarkets in which the Corporation operates and promote the hurricanes that made landfalldevelopment and well-being of our colleagues, the Corporation launched during 2023 a renewed corporate purpose: “Putting People at the Center of Progress”.
Puerto Rico
Popular remained as the market leader in Puerto Rico in auto loans and leases, personal loans, credit cards, mortgage loan origination, commercial loans and total deposits. During 2023, we increased total loans by $1.9 billion, led by commercial loans, which reflects the continued strength of the Puerto Rico economy and our diversified product offering. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”) also achieved a net interest margin of 3.20% (up from 3.06% in 2022). As of 2023 year-end, Popular served over 2 million unique customers in Puerto Rico. Furthermore, our digital channels captured approximately 62% of total deposit transactions and Mi Banco (our online platform) active customers exceeded 1.1 million.
United States
In the mainland United States, Popular grew total loans during 2023 by $1.0 billion, principally in commercial and construction loans, and increased total deposits by $2.6 billion (of which approximately $144 million correspond to intercompany deposits), principally driven by time and savings deposits captured by Popular Bank’s online channel.
Capital Strategy
Over the past two years, the Corporation has continued to deploy capital through loan growth, stock repurchases and higher dividends. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we increased the quarterly common stock dividend from $0.55 to $0.62 per share. As of December 31, 2023, tangible book value per share was $59.74, a 33% increase from 2022.
Transformation Initiative
Popular continued to make progress in its broad-based multi-year technological and business process transformation aimed at making important investments in our technological infrastructure, adopting more agile practices and improving our customer experience. During 2023, the first full year of our transformation, the Corporation conducted a review of our fees for commercial services to align our price to value and the implementation of a simplified and faster process for the origination of commercial loans. The Corporation also continued to work on initiatives to achieve the target of 14% return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”) by the end of 2025.
2023 Achieved Milestones

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY | 3

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Social Commitment
As part of Popular’s steadfast social commitment, financial and in-kind assistance was provided through Fundación Banco Popular, Popular Foundation and corporate donations and social programs impacting communities in Puerto Rico, the mainland United States and the Virgin Islands in the areas of education, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. Our total social investment during 2023 amounted to approximately $12 million. We also maintained a strong branch presence in low- and moderate-income communities: 27% of BPPR and 43% of Popular Bank branches are located in these communities.
Popular also started offering a hurricane parametric insurance product and, in collaboration with a non-profit organization, implemented a pilot program to offer secured personal loans to women victims of gender violence, enabling them to establish credit. During 2023, the Corporation also published Popular’s Human Rights Position Statement, in an effort to strengthen its transparency and responsible business practices. Popular’s Human Rights Position Statement is available at https://www.popular.com/en/corporate-sustainability/.
Environment
Demonstrating our commitment to further reduce the environmental impact of the Corporation’s operations, Popular has aimed to lower its carbon footprint through the use of liquified natural gas and continued the installation of photovoltaic systems in its facilities. Currently, 62 branches and 5 corporate buildings are powered in part by solar energy. During 2023, the Corporation integrated climate risk as part of the Corporation’s Risk Management Policy and strengthened its climate risk governance, creating a Climate Risk Unit within the Financial and Operational Risk Management Division and establishing a cross-functional climate risk working group to operationalize climate risk management efforts.
Human Capital
To improve the social and economic well-being of our employees, during 2023, we completed planned minimum base salary increases in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and invested in merit increases, enabling us to retain top talent.
During 2023, Popular also expanded the scope of the Employee Resource Groups (“ERGs”) to the U.S. mainland by establishing a Black/African American ERG and the Power of Women ERG for our U.S. mainland employees and expanding the Pride ERG to the U.S. mainland region.
Popular also launched a comprehensive quarterly and annual employee engagement and experience survey program which will measure employee sentiment through employees’ recruiting, onboarding and exit journeys.
2023 Financial Highlights
Net income for 2023 amounted to approximately $541.3 million, compared to $1.1 billion in 2017, our Puerto Rico business experienced growth in deposits, an increase in our customer base and strong2022. Excluding the $45.3 million after-tax impact of the FDIC Special Assessment, the adjusted net interest margins. In the United States, our total loan portfolio grew mainly driven by an increase in our commercial loan portfolio. During 2017, Popular’s capital level remained strong. Our quarterly common stock dividend increased from $0.15 to $0.25 per share, and a common stock repurchase program of $75 million was completed by the Corporation.

Popular also enhanced its employees’ physical, emotional and financial well-being through expanded services in our Health and Wellness Center and an increased retirement savings plan matching contribution. During 2017, Popular also implemented several initiatives to develop a robust pool of leadership talent and give our employees tools to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

True to Popular’s core value of social commitment, our Puerto Rico and U.S. foundations sourced and provided valuable financial and in-kind assistance to areas severely impacted by the hurricanes, including the distribution of water, food and medical supplies. We launched the “Embracing Puerto Rico” initiative, contributed to the “Unidos por Puerto Rico” fundraising campaign and co-sponsored the “Somos Una Voz” concert which raised fundsincome for the benefit of earthquake victims in Mexico, and hurricane victims in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

2017 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Our 2017 net incomeyear 2023 was $107.7approximately $586.6 million, reflecting the adverse effect of the hurricanes and the U.S. Tax Cut and Jobs Act’s impact on the value of Popular’s U.S. deferred tax asset (“DTA”). To provide meaningful information about the underlying performance of our ongoing operations, the $168.4 million DTA write-down is added backcompared to net income to express our results on an adjusted net income basis, which is a non-GAAP measure; on this basis, our adjusted net incomeof $807.8 million in 2022. This variance was $276.0 million. In addition, as outlinedmainly driven by higher provision for credit losses and higher operating expenses. The increase in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors’ Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) decided to make further net income adjustments, directly attributableprovision was due to the hurricanes’ impact that was beyondrelease of loan loss reserves in the first half of 2022, continued loan growth during 2023 and the normalization of credit quality metrics in our unsecured consumer lending portfolios from the historically low levels experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in operating expenses reflects the Corporation’s control, for purposesinvestment in its transformation initiative and in our people, as well as our efforts to expand our capabilities in cybersecurity, risk management, data and technology. Popular’s capital levels remained robust during 2023 with a year-end Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of certain incentive awards;16.3%. Tangible book value per share was $59.74 as of December 31, 2023, a 33% increase from 2022, primarily due to lower unrealized losses on this basis, our adjusted net income for incentives was $348.7 million. Refer to GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation in Appendix B.investment securities and 2023 earnings.

4 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

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Popular, (“BPOP”)Inc. shares closed 20172023 at $35.49, 19% lower than 2016. This performance$82.07, a 24% increase when compared negatively against our U.S. peers, which increased by 6%, andto year-end 2022. Popular’s stock outperformed the KBW Nasdaq Regional Banking Index (“KRX”), which remained relatively unchanged, but compared favorably to other Puerto Rico banks. Despite concerns about Puerto Rico’s economic and fiscal situation, including the Commonwealth’s May 3rd, 2017 bankruptcy filing under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”), for the first nine months of 2017 the price of Popular’s shares correlated to the movement of the mainland KRX. However, following the impact of Hurricane Maria in September, Popular’s share price was severely affected, closing the year at levels below our U.S. peers and the KRX. During the first eight weeks of 2018, Popular’s share price increasedNasdaq Bank Index, which decreased by 21%, while the aggregate share price of the KRX, our U.S. peers4% and other Puerto Rico peer banks rose by 4%, 8% and 20%, respectively.

CEO TRANSITION

As part of a planned leadership transition, Mr. Carrión, after 26 years as Chief 7% respectively during 2023.


Executive Officer (“CEO”), was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ignacio Alvarez, who had been President and Chief Operating Officer since 2014, was named President and CEO. Both changes were effective July 1, 2017. To ensure a seamless transition of our CEO role, Mr. Carrión collaborates closely with our new CEO on corporate strategy, with emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, innovation and technology, social responsibility initiatives and government and client relations.


2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  3


Compensation Program Highlights

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Our executive compensation program is designed to motivate and reward performance, align executives with shareholder interests, promote building long-term shareholder value, attract and retain highly qualified executives, and mitigate conduct that may promote improper sales practices or excessive or unnecessary risk taking. Our program is premised upon:

PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE

w

Pay-For-Performance
• 
Focus on variable, incentive-based pay (62%-74%(61%-80% of total target NEO pay is performance-based)

w

• 
Combination of short-term (cash) and long-term (equity) incentives

w

• 
Equity awards to promote performance and retention ofretain high-performing talent

w

• 
Total compensation opportunity targeted at median of our peer group

w

• 
No special retirement or severance programs

• 
Limited perquisites

w

Limited perquisites

STRONG GOVERNANCE

w

Incentive

Strong Governance
• 
Incentivized risk mitigation through balanced compensation design and strong internal control framework

w

• 
No speculative transactions in PopularPopular’s securities nor pledging or hedging of common stock (except for certain grandfathered loans)

our securities

w

Clawback guideline

• 
Compensation Recoupment (clawback) Policy

w

• 
Annual say-on-pay advisory vote

w

• 
Independent compensation consultant

w

• 
Compensation Governance Framework which includes internal guidelines coveringgovernance framework that establishes the guiding principles we use to develop our employee compensation programs and incentive design

the incentives available to executives

EXECUTIVE ALIGNMENT WITH LONG-TERM SHAREHOLDER VALUE

w

Executive alignment with long-term shareholder value
• 
Stock ownership requirements

for our executive officers

w

• 
Extended equity vesting (including(over a portion at retirement)

four-year period)

w

• 
Double-trigger equity vesting upon change in control


4  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY | 5



2017 COMPENSATION PROGRAM AND PAY DECISIONSTABLE OF CONTENTS

For 2017,

Pay Mix in the Compensation Program
Our executive compensation program focuses on the achievement of annual and long-term goals that generate sustained company performance and strong returns to our shareholders. As illustrated in the graphs below, in 2023, 80% of total target compensation paid to or earned by ourfor the President and CEO and 63% on average for the other NEOs was as follows:

  Name and Principal Position

 

 

Salary

 

      

Bonus

 

      

Stock

Awards

 

      

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

 

      

Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

 

      

All Other
Compensation

 

      

Total

 

 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

  Executive Chairman since July 1, 2017

  (formerly Chief Executive Officer

  through June 30, 2017)

 

 

 

 

 

$1,300,000

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

$50,205

 

 

 

 

     

 

$

 

 

2,100,000

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

$1,016,133

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

            $170,591

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

$209,168

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

$4,846,097

 

 

 

 

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

  President and Chief Executive Officer

  since July 1, 2017 (formerly President

  and Chief Operating Officer through

  June 30, 2017)

 

 

 

 

 

807,500

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

37,535

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

1,145,670

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

831,387

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

40,846

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

2,862,938

 

 

 

 

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

  Executive Vice President and

  Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)

 

 

 

 

 

675,000

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

28,225

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

506,250

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

537,030

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

47,055

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

21,089

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

1,814,649

 

 

 

 

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

  Executive Vice President and

  Chief Legal Officer (“CLO”)

 

 

 

 

 

550,000

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

22,932

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

412,500

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

437,953

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

13,639

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

1,437,078

 

 

 

 

 

  Lidio V. Soriano

  Executive Vice President and

  Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”)

 

 

 

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

20,863

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

365,764

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

12,855

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

1,274,482

 

 

 

 

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

  Executive Vice President

  Commercial Credit Group

 

 

 

 

 

450,000

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

18,905

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

337,500

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

363,050

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

58,418

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

22,342

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

1,250,215

 

 

 

 

BASE SALARY

Furtherat-risk, subject to ourcorporate and individual performance.


Base Salary
With the exception of the CEO, transition plan, changes in base pay were approved for Messrs. Carrión and Alvarez effective July 1, 2017. Upon assuming the Executive Chairman role, Mr. Carrión’s base pay was adjustedeach NEO received a salary increase adjustment during 2023, ranging from 3.9% to $1,200,000 (14% reduction). Mr. Alvarez’s5.3% of base salary was increased to $900,000 (26% increase) due to his promotion toupon consideration of market benchmarking and individual performance.
Short-Term Annual Cash Incentive
Popular’s short-term cash incentive rewards the positionachievement of Presidentannual financial and CEO.

SHORT-TERM ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE

non-financial goals that reinforce the Corporation’s business strategy and priorities. The short-term annual cash incentive is awarded based on the degree of achievement of the corporate results,adjusted after-tax net income goal, the annual adjusted after-tax ROATCE goal, the key milestones tied to the Corporation’s muti-year transformation initiative, and individual pre-determined financial and non-financial goals and leadership competencies. In 2017, it hadbased on each NEO’s role. For 2023, the total short-term cash incentive target as a target of 93.1%percentage of base pay for Mr. Carrión, 95.6% for Mr. Alvarez (both proratedsalary was 135% for the period beforeCEO and after the organizational changes) and 80% of base pay for the other NEOs. Actual payouts can range from zero to 1.5 times the target award. After considering all incentive components, the Talent and Compensation Committee granted(the “Committee”) approved annual cash incentive awards at 78.2%payments in respect of base pay for Mr. Carrión, 103.0%2023 equal to 96% of target for Mr. Alvarez, 79.6%94% of target for Mr. Vázquez, 79.6%98% of target for Mr. Ferrer, 73.2%92% of target for Mr. Soriano and 80.7%85% of target for Mr. Sepúlveda.

LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE

Chinea.

Long-Term Equity Incentive
The annual equity grant rewards performance and aligns the interests of our NEOs with those of our shareholders. One half of the target award consists of performance shares, with actual earned shares determined at the end of a 3-year performance period based on total shareholder return (“TSR”) and earnings per shareROATCE metrics. The other half of this award consists of time-vested restricted stock granted based on corporate and individual performance that vests on a pro-rata basis, with 25% vesting annually over a vesting4-year period. AtFor purposes of the time ofFebruary 2023 grant, in February 2017, the target incentive opportunity was 160%equal to 270% of base paysalary for Mr. Carrión, 100% of base payAlvarez, 120% for Mr. AlvarezFerrer and 80% of base paysalary for the other NEOs. The actual
Actual payout for long-term incentive awards may range from zero to 1.5 times the target award. The 2017 long-term incentive awards were granted considering our performance in 2016, during which we strengthened credit quality and capital levels even though our $358.1 million adjusted net income was below our budgeted $401.4 million. Upon consideration ofIn February 2023, the corporate and individual performance factors, the Compensation Committee granted equity(i) performance awards in 2017 of 150% of base payat target level, since vesting is determined based on future (3-year) performance, and (ii) time-vested restricted stock awards at the target level for Mr. Carrión, 93.8% for Mr. Alvarezthe CEO and 75%above the target level for the other NEOs.


2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  5


NEOs, in recognition of each NEO’s strong leadership and contribution to Popular’s solid performance in 2022. Our executive compensation programs are discussed in more detail in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “2017“2023 Executive Compensation Tables and Compensation Information” sections of this Proxy Statement.

6 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAY MIX IN THE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Our executive

2023 Compensation Program and Pay Decisions
For 2023, the total compensation program focuses on the achievement of annual and long-term goals that generate sustained company performance and strong returnspaid to or earned by our shareholders. As illustrated in the following chart, a significant portion of total target compensation is at-risk, subject to company and individual performance: 63% of total target compensation for the Executive Chairman, 74% for the President & CEO and 62% for the other NEOs.

PAY MIX IN THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Each element, at target,NEOs was as a % of base pay

follows:
Name and
Principal Position
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
Change in
Pension Value
and Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Ignacio Alvarez
President and Chief
Executive Officer (“CEO”)
$1,130,000
$47,083
$3,081,501
$1,466,740
$—    
$43,120    
$5,768,444
Carlos J. Vázquez
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)
759,519
31,875
631,998
577,193
16,449    
23,610    
2,040,644
Javier D. Ferrer
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Strategy (“COO”)
782,308
32,917
1,134,107
621,335
—    
15,774    
2,586,441
Lidio V. Soriano
Executive Vice President
and Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”)
585,481
24,583
486,157
433,355
—    
22,868    
1,552,444
Manuel Chinea
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Popular Bank
560,340
464,082
384,031
4,799    
47,725    
1,460,977
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY | 7

LOGO


6  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


TABLE OF CONTENTS

         CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

II
Corporate Governance,
Directors and Executive Officers

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Corporate Governance

Our Board of Directors believes that high standards of corporate governance are an essential component of strengtheningthe strength of our corporate culture and embeddingensure that our institutional values are embedded in our day-to-day business operations. The Board’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee recommends to the Board the adoption of corporate governance guidelines to protect and enhance shareholder value and to set forth the principles as to how the Board, its various committees, individual directors and management should perform their functions. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers developments in corporate governance and periodically recommends to the Board changes to our corporate governance principles.

practices.
Key Corporate Governance Features

KEY CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FEATURES

Director

Independence

Popular’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that


Director Independence
Independent directors must compose at least two-thirds of the Board shall consist of independent directors. At present, allBoard. Eleven of our non-employee13 current directors (eight of ten directors) are independent in accordance with the standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“NASDAQ”). The Board has determined that Messrs. Carrión and Alvarez are our only employee directors and are not considered independent.

independent under NASDAQ rules.



Lead Independent Director
Our Lead Independent Director is elected by a majority of the independent members of the Board and has robust and well-defined responsibilities.

Majority Voting in

Director Elections


Directors are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting. An incumbent director not elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting must tender his or her resignation to the Board, which may accept or reject the director’s resignation.



Independent Lead

Director

Currently, the Board has

Annual Election of Directors
All directors are elected on an Executive Chairman and a Lead Director. You can read about the respective roles and responsibilities of the Chairman and the Lead Director under “Board Leadership.”

annual basis.


Board Oversight of

Risk Management

Popular’s

The Board has a significant role in risk oversight. You can read about the role of the Board in risk oversight under “Board Oversight of Risk Management.”

Management”.


Succession Planning

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Oversight
The Board, through its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, Risk Management Committee and Talent and Compensation Committee, oversees the Corporation’s ESG strategy, as well as environmental and other risks, including climate related risks.

Succession Planning
The Talent and Compensation Committee annually reviews a management succession plan developed by the CEO, to ensure an orderly succession of the CEO, and executive officers in both ordinary course and emergency situations.

situations, and of the executive officers.


Director Retirement

Popular’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that directors

Director Retirement Age
Directors may serve on the Board until the end of their term following their 7274ndth birthday and may not be initially elected or re-elected after reaching age 72.

74. In December 2023, the Board granted a one-year waiver of the Director Retirement Age set forth in the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines in order to renominate Mr. Diercksen, the Board’s Lead Independent Director. This one-year waiver will allow Mr. Diercksen to stand for re-election at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, notwithstanding having reached 74 years of age in 2023. The Board granted and approved this one-year waiver in light of the value of, and contributions made by Mr. Diercksen to the Board, as well as the leadership, skills and experience that he brings, considering the current composition of the Board.


Stock Ownership

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Stock Ownership
Within three years of their election, directors must hold Popular stock with a value equal to five times the annual Board retainer. Within five years of designation, the Executive Chairman and the President and CEO must hold Popular stock with a value equal to six times base paysalary and other executive officers must hold three times their base pay. Stock that has been pledged to secure certain grandfathered loans does not count towards meeting ownership requirements.

salary.


Restrictions

Prohibition on

Pledging, Hedging and Speculative

Transactions


Popular’s directors and executive officers are prohibited from pledging Popular’s common stocksecurities of Popular as collateral for loans, except with respect to certain grandfathered loans that were outstanding on December 11, 2015 or their refinancings. Directorsloans. In addition, directors and executive officers are not allowed to engage in speculative transactions, such as hedging and monetization transactions, using Popular’s securities.

securities of Popular.


Annual Board and Committee Self-Assessments

Annual Board, Committee and Individual Director Self-Assessments
The Board, each of its committees and each committeeindividual director conduct annual self-evaluations to determine whether they are functioning effectively.

Additionally, the Board is required to retain, at least every three years, an independent consultant to facilitate the Board’s performance evaluation.


Executive Sessionsof Non-Management Directors

Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors and Independent Directors
Popular’s independentnon-management directors hold executive sessions without Popular’s management after eachonce every regularly scheduled in-person Board meeting.

Independent directors meet in executive session as frequently as determined by the independent directors, but not less than twice a year.


Limits on Board

Service


To ensure that Directorsdirectors have sufficient time to devote to their responsibilities on Popular’s Board, Popular’s Corporate Governance Guidelines contain a policy about other directorships. Directorsestablishes that directors who also serve as CEOs or executive officers of a public companiescompany should not serve on more than one public company board in addition to Popular’s Board, and other directors should not serve on more than four public company boards, in addition toincluding Popular’s Board. In addition,Also, members of the Audit Committee may not serve on more than three public company audit committees, including Popular’s Audit Committee, without prior Board approval.



Shareholder’s Ability to Call a Special Meeting of Shareholders
Popular’s Amended and Restated By-laws provide shareholders holding at least 20% of the outstanding shares of common stock with the right to request a special meeting of shareholders.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  7


BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ INDEPENDENCE

Board of Directors and Nominees’ Independence

Popular’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that at least two-thirds of the Board shall consist of directors who the Board has determined have no material relationship with Popular and who are otherwise “independent” under the director independence standards of NASDAQ. The Board, with the assistance of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, conducts an annual review of any relevant business relationships that each director may have with Popular and whether each director meets the independence standards of NASDAQ. The Board has determined that all of its current directors and nominees, except

for Messrs.Mr. Carrión, who is our former CEO and Executive Chairman, and Mr. Alvarez, have no material relationship with Popularwho is our current President and CEO, meet the independence standards of NASDAQ.

As part of the process to determine Ms. Ferré’sdirector independence, the Board considered payments made by Popular in the ordinary course of business to various entities indirectly related to Ms. Ferré in connection with call center services and marketing and advertising activities of Popular and its affiliatesaffiliates. In the case of Mr. Carrady, it also considered payments made and received by Popular in the ordinary course of business in connection with property lease transactions with entities related to him. None of the payments made to the entities related to Ms. Ferré or entities related to Mr. Carrady were for the provision of professional or other services by a professional services firm. Applying the independence standards of NASDAQ, the Board determined that these business relationships are not material and diddo not impair the ability of either Ms. Ferré or Mr. Carrady to act independently.


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 9

BOARD LEADERSHIP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Board Leadership
Each year, the Board evaluates whether Popular’s leadership structure is in the best interest of Popular. The Board does not have a policy on whether the Chairman and CEO positions should be separate or combined. Currently, Mr. Carrión servedserves as Popular’sthe Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. Alvarez serves as President and CEO from 1994 to July 1, 2017, when the CEO and President positions were consolidated in Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Carrión assumed the position of Executive Chairman. In his role as Executive Chairman, Mr. Carrión continues to collaborate with Mr. Alvarez on corporate strategy, government and client relations and social responsibility initiatives.Popular. The Board could in the future decide to consolidate the Chairman  and CEO

these positions if it determines that doing so would serve the best interests of Popular.

The Board believes that the Corporation.

present structure provides Popular and the Board with strong and objective leadership, effective engagement with and oversight of management, and continuity of experience. As a highly regulated financial services provider, Popular and our

shareholders benefit from having a Chairman with deep experience and leadership in and knowledge of the financial services industry, our company, its businesses, and our markets.
The independent members of the Board elect amongst themselves a Lead Independent Director, a position occupied by Mr. Diercksen since January 2020. Popular’s Corporate Governance Guidelines require the designation of a Lead Independent Director when the Chairman of the Board is not an independent director. The Lead Director is an independent director elected annually by a majority of the independent members of the Board. On February 23, 2018 Mr. Teuber was reappointed as the Lead Director. The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Lead Independent Director will havehas the responsibilities listed below.

following responsibilities:

Lead Independent Director Responsibilities

Preside over all


Be available for consultation and direct communication upon request of major shareholders.

Call meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present.

Presideindependent directors and preside over executive sessions of the independent directors.

���

Act as liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman.

Have authority to call meetings of independent directors.


Assist the other independent directors by ensuring that independent directors have adequate opportunities to meet in executive sessions and communicate to the Chairman, as appropriate, the results of such sessions and other private discussions among outsideindependent directors.


Assist the Chairman and the remainder of the Board in assuming effective corporate governance in managing the affairs of the Board.


Serve as the contact person to facilitate communications requested by major shareholders with independent members of the Board.


Approve, in collaboration with the Chairman, meeting agendas and information sent to the Board.


Approve, in collaboration with the Chairman, the meeting schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items.


Serve temporarily as Chairman of the Board and the Board’s spokesperson if the Chairman is unable to act.


Interview Board candidates.


Recommend to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee nominees to Board committees and sub-committees as may come to the Lead Independent Director’s attention.


Ensure the Board works as a cohesive team.


Be available for consultation and direct communication upon request

Preside over all meetings of major shareholders.

the Board at which the Chairman is not present.


Make such recommendations to the Board as the Lead Independent Director may deem appropriate for the retention of consultants who will report to the Board.


Retain consultants, with the approval of the Board, as the Lead Independent Director and the Board deem appropriate.

8  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


DIRECTOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

Popular encourages directors to participate in continuing director education  programs. To assist the Board in remaining  current with its duties,  committee responsibilitiesMeetings and the many important  developments impacting  our  business,  Popular  participates  in  the  Corporate   Board

Executive Sessions

Member’s Board Leadership Program. This program offers our directors access to a wide range of in-person, peer-based and webinar educational programs on corporate governance, committee duties, board leadership and industry developments.

BOARD MEETINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

The Board met 1411 times during 2017.2023. Each director attended 75%91% or more meetings of the Board and the meetings of committees of the Board on which each such director served. Directors also are kept informed of our business through meetings and direct communications with the Chairman and the CEO regarding matters of interest to Popular and our shareholders. While Popular has not adopted a formal policy with respect to directors’ attendance at the meetings of shareholders, Popular encourages directors to attend all meetings.meetings of shareholders. All of Popular’sour directors attended the 20172023 annual meeting of shareholders

shareholders.

and all directors are expected to attend the 2018 annual meeting.

The Corporate Governance Guidelines requireprovide that the non-management directors will meet in executive sessions in-person after regularly scheduled Board meetings and that independent directors will also meet in executive sessions as frequently as determined by the independent directors, to meetbut not less frequently than twice a year. During 2023, non-management directors met in executive session once every in-person regularly scheduled Board meeting. During 2017, the independent directors held executive sessions without Popular’s management after each regularly scheduled in-personin person Board meeting.

The independent directors met 5 times during 2023.

10 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

BOARD SELF-ASSESSMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Board Evaluation Process
Our Board conducts an annual self-assessment aimed at improvingthat is intended to determine whether the Board, its performance.committees and each individual director are functioning effectively and provides them with the opportunity to evaluate, reflect and improve processes, performance and effectiveness. As part of such assessment, each director completesis provided a written questionnaire that is designed to gather suggestions for improving Board and committee effectiveness and solicit feedback on a wide range of issues, including:

including, among others:

Board and committee composition, structure and operations;


Board and Committee composition, structure and operations;

Board dynamics, culture and standards of conduct;

Adequacy of management provided materials and information;

Access to management; and

Board effectiveness and accountability.

Board dynamics and standards of conduct;

adequacy of materials and information
provided;

access to management; and

Board effectiveness and accountability.

Each of the fourfive standing committees of the Board committeesis also conductsrequired to conduct its own written annual self-assessment, which generally includes issuesevaluates matters such as:

(i) responsibilities and organization of the committee, including adequacy of its charter;

(ii) operations of the committee;

(iii) the adequacy of meeting materials and information
provided; and

(iv) assessment of the committee’s performance.

performance of its assigned duties, among others. Each director also participates in an individual director self-assessment where directors evaluate their own performance and effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee shall retain, at least every three years, an independent consultant to facilitate the Board’s performance evaluation. The most recent Board 

evaluation facilitated by an independent consultant was performed as part of the 2021 Board evaluation process.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee oversees the annual self-evaluation process with the input from the Chairman and the Lead Independent Director. Responses to the Board and committee self-assessments, including written comments, are tabulated to show trends sincecompared to prior years.
Responses are not attributed to individual directors in order to promote openness, discussion and transparency.collegiality. The Board and Committee self-assessment report isresults are discussed byin the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and then the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee leads the discussion with the full Board. The committee self-assessment reportsresults are also discussed at each committee, followed by a discussion of the results with the full Board led by theeach Committee Chair. The results of the individual director self-assessments are shared with the Chairman and Lead Independent Director which then engage on one-on-one conversations with the individual directors to obtain their assessment and provide feedback, as needed. Following the discussions of the results of the evaluations, appropriate action plans are developed and executed in partnership with management.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee annually discussesreviews the format and process to be used to carry out the Board, committee and committee self-assessment.

individual director self-assessment, as well as evaluates potential enhancements to the process.
The following summarizes the 2023 Board’s self-assessment process:

2018 PROXY STATEMENT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 9

11


COMMITTEES

TABLE OF THE BOARDCONTENTS

Director Onboarding and Continuing Education
Popular provides an onboarding and orientation process for new directors to facilitate the integration of new members to the Board and enhance the overall functioning of the Board. The onboarding process provides new directors with background material on Popular, its business and strategic plan, risk profile and an overview of Boardroom dynamics and director roles and responsibilities. The onboarding process also includes meetings with Board leadership and senior management, as well as access to supplemental materials and training resources, as appropriate.
Director continuing education enhances the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfill director responsibilities. The Board has fourestablished a Director Continuing Education Program that includes in-boardroom training and educational sessions, promotes individual director development and provides supplemental educational materials and resources. On an annual basis, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board establishes an annual in-boardroom training
calendar to provide the Board with educational sessions on a variety of topics, including regulatory compliance, financial crimes compliance, cybersecurity, banking regulatory trends, and technology matters, among others. Directors are also encouraged to further their individual development by participating in at least one director-related continuing education session each year provided by a recognized organization engaged in director continuing education services. Additionally, on an ongoing basis, directors receive supplemental educational materials and resources to supplement their continuing education. These materials and resources include, among others, access to the National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) Continuing Education Program which offers our directors access to a wide range of in-person, peer-based and webinar educational programs on a variety of topics, including, strategic oversight, corporate governance, committee duties, succession planning, cyber and information security, board leadership and industry developments.
Management Succession Planning
Popular’s Board recognizes that one of its most important duties is to ensure senior leadership continuity by overseeing the development of executive talent and planning for the efficient succession of the CEO and other executive officers. The Board has delegated primary responsibility for succession planning to the Talent and Compensation Committee. The Talent and Compensation Committee reviews annually a management succession plan, developed by the CEO, and reports annually to the Board on the management succession plan. The principal components of this plan are: (i) a proposed plan for
emergency CEO succession, (ii) a proposed plan for CEO succession in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) the CEO’s plan for management succession for the other policy-making officers of Popular. The succession plan includes an assessment of the experience, performance, skills and planned career paths for possible candidates within the senior management team. Development initiatives supporting the succession plan include job enhancements and rotations, the Popular Leadership Academy, specialized external trainings and competency assessments.
Hedging and Pledging Policy
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit executive officers and directors of Popular from engaging in hedging or monetization transactions with respect to Popular’s securities. Such prohibited transactions include, but are not limited to, zero-cost collars, equity swaps, and forward sale contracts since they are considered speculative as they allow the shareholder to lock in the value of his or her stock holdings, often in exchange for all or part of the potential for upside appreciation in the stock. This allows
the holder to continue to own the underlying securities without the full rewards and risks of ownership. In addition, pledging of Popular’s securities, including restricted stock and restricted stock units granted as compensation, by executive officers and directors is also prohibited under the Corporate Governance Guidelines. This prohibition includes securities pledged as collateral for margin accounts, as well as securities pledged as collateral for loans.
Code of Ethics
The Board has adopted a Code of Ethics to be followed by Popular’s employees, officers and directors. The Code of Ethics reaffirms Popular’s high standards of ethics, integrity and honesty, and provides the general rules to be followed in order to act in accordance with our ethical principles. Directors, NEOs, other executive officers and
employees are required to read and comply with the Code of Ethics. Popular offers a training on its Code of Ethics to all new employees shortly after their start date and also provides periodic Code of Ethics training to all employees. The Code of Ethics training is available in both English and Spanish. Moreover, on an annual basis employees
12 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

must certify that they have read the Code of Ethics and complete a Declaration on Code of Ethics, Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption Policy and Possible Conflicts of Interest. In addition, suppliers, including vendors, service providers, consultants and contractors, among others, are subject to the Code of Ethics for Popular Suppliers.
Overall responsibility for interpreting and applying the Code of Ethics rests with the Corporate Ethics Officer, whose work is overseen by Popular’s Chief Legal Officer and the Board. At least once a year, the Corporate Ethics Officer reports to the Board on the status of the Code of Ethics, ethics training and other ethics-related matters. Our Board of Directors plays an essential oversight role over ethics-related matters of the Corporation, by among others:
modeling ethical standards by focusing on the character, integrity, and qualifications of its members and those of the senior management of the Corporation;
overseeing management’s identification, monitoring and control of internal risks, including compliance with the Code of Ethics; and
overseeing the management of violations to the Code of Ethics.
The Code of Ethics provides that any waivers of its terms granted to NEOs, other executive officers or directors may
be made only by the independent members of the Board. Any such waivers must be promptly disclosed to the shareholders.
During 2023, Popular did not receive or grant any request from directors, NEOs or other executive officers for waivers under the provisions of the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics was last revised on September 28, 2023 and is available on the Corporate Governance section of Popular’s website in English at https://investor.popular.com/eng/corporate-governance/ and in Spanish at https://investor.popular.com/esp/regencia-corporativa/. Popular posts on its website any amendments to the Code of Ethics and any waivers granted to the President and CEO, the CFO, the Corporate Comptroller or directors.
Popular expects employees to report behavior that concerns them or that may represent a violation of the Code of Ethics. Popular offers several channels by which employees may raise an issue or concern, including any actual or potential violations of the Code of Ethics. One such method is EthicsPoint, a website and telephone hotline that is available 24/7. EthicsPoint reports can be submitted anonymously.
Membership in Board Committees


(1)
On January 17, 2024, Mr. Bacardí informed the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of his decision not to stand for re-election to the Corporation’s Board upon the expiration of his current term, which expires at the Corporation’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 13

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Committees of the Board
The Board has five standing Committees:committees: an Audit Committee, a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, a Risk Management Committee, a Talent and Compensation Committee and a CompensationTechnology Committee. All committees operate under written charters, which are posted inon our website under the heading Corporate Governance“Corporate Governance” at www.popular.com/en/investor-relations/investor-relations. The following highlightsHighlighted below are some of the key responsibilities of each standing committee, as well as information about committee members and their independence, number of meetings in 20172023 and last charter revision date, among others. For additional information on the role of certain of the standing committees in connection with risk oversight and oversight of ESG matters, please see the “Board Oversight of Risk Management” sectionand “Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability” sections of this Proxy Statement.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Audit Committee

Members:

Alejandro M. Ballester

John W. Diercksen

C. Kim Goodwin

William J. Teuber, Jr. (Chair)

Carlos A. Unanue

Independence:

Each member of the committee is independent

Audit Committee

Financial Expert:

Messrs. Teuber and Diercksen and Ms. Goodwin are Audit Committee Financial Experts as defined by SEC rules

10 Meetings in 2017: 11 meetings of which 2023
8 were devoted to the discussion ofdiscussed earnings releases, Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings

Charter last revised:

December 14, 2017

filings.

Members
John W. Diercksen (Chair)
Alejandro M. Ballester
C. Kim Goodwin
José R. Rodríguez
Carlos A. Unanue
Independence
Each member of the committee is independent
Charter Last Revised
December 8, 2023

Primary Responsibilities:

Responsibilities


Assists the Board in its oversight of:



• 
the outside auditors’ qualifications, independence and performance;



• 
the performance of Popular’s internal audit function;



• 
the integrity of Popular’s financial statements, including overseeing the accounting and financial processes, principles and policies, the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting and the audits of the financial statements; and



• 
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.



In addition, the Audit Committee issues a report, as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules, for inclusion in Popular’s annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee was established in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

1934 (the “1934 Act”).

Audit Committee Financial Experts
Mr. Diercksen, Ms. Goodwin and Mr. Rodríguez are Audit Committee Financial Experts as defined by SEC rules.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
5 Meetings in 2023

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Members:

Members
Maria Luisa Ferré (Chair)
Joaquín E. Bacardí, III


Alejandro M. Ballester (Chair)

Maria Luisa Ferré

William J. Teuber, Jr.

Independence:


Robert Carrady
John W. Diercksen
Myrna M. Soto
Independence
Each member of the committee is independent

Meetings in 2017: 5

Charter last revised:

January 26, 2018

Charter Last Revised
December 8, 2023

Primary Responsibilities:

Responsibilities


The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for:



• 
exercising general oversight with respect to the governance of the Board;



• 
identifying and recommending individuals qualified to become Board members and recommending director nominees and committee members to the Board;



• 
evaluating and considering candidates for director recommended by shareholders and recommending to the Board, as it deems appropriate, actions with respect to such nominees in accordance with the Corporation’s organizational documents and applicable law;
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• 
reviewing and considering any communication received from shareholders of the Corporation;

• 
reviewing and reporting to the Board on matters of corporate governance and developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to Popular;



• 
leading the Board and assisting its committees in the annual assessmentevaluation of their performance;the performance of the Board, its committees and

the individual directors;


• 
recommending to the Board the form and amount of compensation for Popular’s directors;

• 
overseeing the Corporation’s strategy, initiatives, practices, and policies that relate to sustainability and social responsibility, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters;

• 
reviewing and overseeing the Corporation’s reporting with respect to corporate sustainability and ESG matters; and

• 
establishing and approving annually the Board’s continuing education program and annual training calendar, as well as receiving a report on the trainings completed each year by directors.

Risk Management Committee
11 Meetings in 2023

10  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Members:

Members
C. Kim Goodwin (Chair)
Joaquín E. Bacardí, III


John W. Diercksen

David E. Goel

C. Kim Goodwin (Chair)

William J. Teuber, Jr.

Independence:


José R. Rodríguez
Alejandro M. Sánchez
Myrna M. Soto
Independence
Each member of the
committee is
independent

Meetings in 2017: 11

Charter last revised:

January 26, 2018

Charter Last Revised
December 8, 2023

Primary Responsibilities:

Responsibilities


Assists the Board in theits oversight of:



• 
Popular’s overallenterprise-wide risk management program, practices and framework; and



• 
the monitoring, review and approval of the policies and procedures that measure, limit and manage Popular’s main risks, including operational, liquidity,credit, market, interest rate, market,liquidity, operational, technology, cyber and information security, compliance, legal, complianceclimate, reputational, including social, and credit risks.

strategic risks;

• 
senior management’s activities with respect to capital management, including the development of Popular’s annual capital plan;

• 
Popular’s information security and risk management with respect to cybersecurity; and

• 
Popular’s risk management with respect to environmental risks, including risks pertaining to climate-change.
Risk Management Experts
Ms. Goodwin, Mr. Rodríguez and Ms. Soto are Risk Management Experts as defined in the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules of the Federal Reserve Board promulgated
thereunder.
Talent and Compensation Committee
6 Meetings in 2023
Members
Alejandro M. Ballester (Chair)
Robert Carrady
Betty DeVita
John W. Diercksen
Alejandro M. Sánchez
Carlos A. Unanue

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Members:

David E. Goel

Maria Luisa Ferré (Chair)

William J. Teuber, Jr.

Carlos A. Unanue

Independence:

Independence
Each member of the committee is independent

Meetings in 2017: 5

Charter last revised:

December 14, 2017

Charter Last Revised
December 8, 2023
Primary Responsibilities:

Responsibilities


Discharges the Board’s responsibilities subject to review by the full Board, relating to:



the compensation of Popular’s Executive Chairman, CEO and all other executive officers;



the adoption of policies that govern Popular’s compensation and benefitbenefits programs;



• 
overseeing plans for executive officer development and succession;

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 15

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• 
reviewing and advising management regarding the Corporation’s human capital strategies, practices and initiatives, including ESG matters related to culture, talent acquisition and development, workforce engagement, diversity, equity (including pay equity) and inclusion;

• 
overseeing, in consultation with management, compliance with federal, state and local laws as they affect compensation matters;



• 
considering, in consultation with the CRO,Chief Risk Officer, whether the incentives and risks arising from the compensation plans for all employees are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Popular and taking necessary actions to limit any risks identified as a result of the risk-related reviews; and



• 
reviewing and discussing with management the Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis Section forAnalysis” section in Popular’s annual proxy statement in compliance with and to the extent required by applicable law, rules and regulations.

Talent and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation:



None of the members of the Talent and Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of Popular. In addition, none of our executive officers is, or was during 2017,2023, a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of another company that has, or had during 2017,2023, an executive officer serving as a member of our Talent and Compensation Committee. Other than as disclosed in the “Certain RelationshipsMr. Ballester and Transactions” section of this Proxy Statement,Ms. Ferré, during 2023 none of the members of the Talent and Compensation Committee had any relationship with Popular requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K.

On September 28, 2023, Mr. Ballester was appointed member and Chair of the Talent and Compensation Committee and Ms. Ferré ceased being a member of such committee. A summary of the relationships requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K are disclosed in the “Certain Relationships and Transactions” section of this Proxy Statement.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  11


MEMBERSHIP IN BOARD COMMITTEES

Name

        Audit        

    Compensation    

Corp. Gov. &

    Nominating    

    Risk    

Class 1  

Ignacio Alvarez

Alejandro M. Ballester

LOGO

LOGO

Technology Committee

Richard L. Carrión

4 Meetings in 2023
Members
Richard L. Carrión (Chair)
Betty DeVita
John W. Diercksen
Maria Luisa Ferré
C. Kim Goodwin
Myrna M. Soto
Independence
All members of the committee are
independent, except
for Mr. Carrión
Charter Last Revised
December 8, 2023
Primary Responsibilities

Discharges the Board’s responsibilities, subject to review by the full Board, relating to:

• 
overseeing the development and implementation of the Corporation’s technology planning, strategy and major initiatives, as well as the Corporation’s technology functions, operations and needs;

• 
overseeing and reviewing Popular’s major technology related transactions, acquisitions, investments, projects and architecture decisions, including the financial, customer and strategic benefits thereof;

• 
monitoring the risks associated with major technology vendor relationships;

• 
overseeing Popular’s plans and activities relevant to technology innovation; and

• 
reviewing and receiving reports from management and third parties regarding current and emerging technology trends.

Carlos A. Unanue

LOGO

LOGO

Class 2

Joaquín E. Bacardí, III

LOGO

LOGO

John W. Diercksen

LOGO

LOGO

David E. Goel

LOGO

LOGO

Class 3

Maria Luisa Ferré

LOGO

LOGO

C. Kim Goodwin

LOGO

LOGO

William J. Teuber, Jr. (Lead Director)

LOGO  LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO     MemberLOGO     ChairLOGO     Financial Expert

BOARD OVERSIGHT OF RISK MANAGEMENT

Board Oversight of Risk Management

While management has primary responsibility for managing risk, the Board has a significant role in the risk oversight of Popular. The Board performs its risk oversight functions directly and through several Board committees, each of which oversees the management of risks that fall within its areas of responsibility, as described below. In discharging their responsibilities, Board committees have full access to management and independent advisors as they deem necessary or appropriate. In addition, each Board committee reports to the Board on their risk oversight functions after each meeting. Whenever it is deemed appropriate, management gives presentations to the full Board in connection with specific risks, such as those related to compliance, cybersecurity and information security, among others. The principal roles and responsibilities of the Board committees in the oversight of risk management are described below:next.
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Audit Committee
Risk Oversight Responsibilities:
Oversee accounting and financial reporting principles and policies, internal controls and procedures and controls over financial reporting.
Review reports from management, independent auditors, internal auditors, compliance group, legal counsel, regulators and outside experts, as considered appropriate, that include the risks Popular faces.
Evaluate and approve the annual risk assessment of the Internal Audit Division, which identifies the areas to be included in the annual audit plan.

Risk Management
Committee

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Risk Oversight Responsibilities:

Provide oversight of risks related to the composition and structure of the Board and its committees, including the selection and nomination of the members of the Board.
Review, approve and oversee the Corporation’s corporate governance practices.
Oversee the Corporation’s approach to ESG matters and how the Corporation advances sustainability in its business and operations.
Review and oversee the Corporation’s reporting with respect to ESG matters.
Risk Management Committee
Risk Oversight Responsibilities:
Review, approve and oversee management’s implementation of Popular’s risk management program and related policies, procedures and controls to measure, limit and manage Popular’s risks, including operational, liquidity,credit, market, interest rate, market,liquidity, operational, technology, cyber and information security, compliance, legal, complianceclimate, reputational, including social, and creditstrategic risks, while taking into consideration their alignment with Popular’s strategic and capital plans.

   Review and approve Popular’s
Oversee the Corporation’s activities with respect to capital plans.

management, including overseeing the development of the annual capital plan of the Corporation.

Review and discuss with management Popular’s major financial risk exposures and the steps taken by management to monitor and control such exposures.

Oversee Popular’s cybersecurity and information security strategy and preparedness.
Oversee the Corporation’s environmental risks, including risk pertaining to climate change.
Review and receive reports on selected risk topics as management or the committee may deem appropriate.

•   After each meeting, report to the full Board regarding its activities.

Talent and Compensation Committee
Risk Oversight Responsibilities:

12  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


Audit

Committee

Responsibilities:

•   Oversight of accounting and financial reporting principles and policies, internal controls and procedures, and controls over financial  reporting.

•   Review reports from management, independent auditors, internal auditors, compliance group, legal counsel, regulators and outside  experts, as considered appropriate, that include risks Popular faces and Popular’s risk management function.

•   Evaluate and approve the annual risk assessment of the Internal Audit Division, which identifies the areas to be included in the annual  audit  plan.

•   After each meeting, report to the full Board regarding its activities.

Compensation

Committee

Responsibilities:

•   Establish Popular’s executive compensation and other incentive-based compensation programs, taking into account the risks to Popular  that such programs may pose.

pose to Popular.

   Periodically evaluate,
Evaluate, in consultation with the CRO,Chief Risk Officer, whether the incentives and risks arising from Popular’s compensation plans for all employees are likely to have a material adverse effect on Popular.

Take such action as the Committee deems necessary to limit any risks identified as a result of the risk-related reviews.

Technology Committee
Risk Oversight Responsibilities:
   After each meeting, report
​Provide oversight with respect to risks related to the full Board regarding its activities.

development and implementation of Popular’s technology planning, strategy and initiatives, as well as Popular’s technology functions, operations and needs.
Assess the risks associated with major technology related transactions, acquisitions, investments and projects.
Monitor the risks associated with major technology vendor relationships.
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Board Diversity, Experience and Skills
The following tables summarize certain self-identified demographic characteristics of our directors for the years 2023 and 2024, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rules 5605(f) and 5606. Each term used in the table has the meaning given to it in the Nasdaq Listing Rules and related instructions.
Current Year (2024) Board of Directors Diversity Statistics

Prior Year (2023) Board of Directors Diversity Statistics

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a specific diversity policy with respect to the director nomination process. Rather, the committee considers diversity in the broader sense of how a
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candidate’s viewpoints, experience, skills, background, gender, race, ethnicity and other demographics could assist the Board in light of the Board’s composition at the time. The Board believes that each director contributes to the overall diversity by providing a variety of personal and professional experiences and backgrounds. The Board is committed in considering the diversity of its members when evaluating its composition, and strives to ensure diversity of gender, race, ethnicity and other demographics among its members. As shown below, the current directors and nominees reflect a broad diversity of gender, race, ethnicity, background, skills and experiences.

(a)
On January 17, 2024, Mr. Bacardí informed the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of his decision not to stand for re-election to the Corporation’s Board upon the expiration of his current term, which expires at the Corporation’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

(b)
Nominated to be initially elected to the Board of Directors on May 9, 2024.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 19

NOMINATION

TABLE OF DIRECTORS

CONTENTS

Nomination of Directors
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter provides that, in nominating candidates, the Committee will take into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate, which may include judgment, skill,skills, diversity, experience with business and other organizations, the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of the existing Board members, and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees of the Board. In practice, the Board has determined that for a community-based financial institution such as Popular it is more important to look for candidates with broad management experience than for persons with a specific skill set. Collectively, the members of our Board embody a range of viewpoints, backgrounds and expertise.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider candidates for director who are recommended by its members, by other Board members, by management, by shareholders, by contacts in the communities we serve, and by shareholders.  third-party search firms. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has the authority to engage a third-party search firm or consultant to identify and provide information on potential candidates for review, based on the criteria described in this section.
There are no

differences in the manner in which the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will evaluate nominees for director in the event the nominee is recommended by a shareholder.

Shareholders who wish to submit nominees for director for consideration by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee for election at Popular’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders may do so as set forth under the “General Information About the Meeting—Shareholder Proposals” section of this Proxy Statement.
There were no nominees for director recommended by shareholders for consideration by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee for election at the 2018 meeting. Shareholders2024 annual meeting of shareholders.
At this year’s annual meeting, all nominees are currently incumbent directors, except for Mr. Bertil E. Chappuis, who wish to submit nominees for director for considerationwas nominated by the Board of Directors on February 23, 2024, upon recommendation from the Corporate Governance and Nominating CommitteeCommittee.
The Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that directors may serve on the Board until the end of their term following their 74th birthday and may not be initially elected or re-elected after reaching age 74. In December 2023, the Board granted a one-year waiver of the Director Retirement Age in order to renominate Mr. Diercksen, the Board’s Lead Independent Director. This one-year waiver allows Mr. Diercksen to stand for electionre-election at Popular’s 2019 annual meetingthe 2024 Annual Meeting of shareholders may do soShareholders, notwithstanding having reached 74 years of age in 2023. The Board granted and approved this one-year waiver in light of the value of, and contributions made by Mr. Diercksen to the Board, as set forth under “General Information Aboutwell as the Meeting—Shareholder Proposals.”

leadership, skills and experience that he brings, considering the current composition of the Board.

Under Popular’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board should, based on the recommendations of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, select new nominees for the position of independent director by considering the criteria outlined below:

following criteria:

   Criteria for Nomination

Criteria For Nomination

Personal qualities and characteristics, accomplishments and reputation in the business community.


Current knowledge and contacts in the communities in which Popular does business and in Popular’s industry or other industries relevant to Popular’s business.


Ability and willingness to commit adequate time to Board and committee matters.


The fit of the individual’s skills and personality with those of other directors and potential directors in building a Board that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of Popular.


Diversity of viewpoints, background, experience, gender, race, ethnicity and other demographic factors.demographics.
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
At Popular we are committed to elevating the social and economic well-being of our employees, customers and communities, through our core service offerings and responsible business practices. To fulfill our commitment, we have developed environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices that include transparently communicating our journey and progress. To highlight our goals and the progress achieved during 2023 in ESG matters, we expect to publish our 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report during the second quarter of 2024.
To learn more about Popular’s commitment to sustainability, please visit https://www.popular.com/
en/corporate-sustainability/ The information contained in our Corporate Sustainability Report and on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement or considered to be a part of this document.
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Our Board of Directors is actively engaged in the oversight of the Corporation’s
ESG strategy and practices.

The Board of Directors oversees the Corporation’s general ESG activities, priorities and strategies. To ensure the pursuit of the Corporation’s ESG objectives and goals, the Board has delegated direct oversight responsibility for ESG-related matters to three of its committees.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Oversees Popular’s strategy, initiatives, practices and policies related to ESG matters in consultation and coordination with other committees of the Board.
Receives reports and advises management on ESG matters, including but not limited to environmental sustainability, community and social impact activities, charitable contributions, philanthropy and other public policy and responsibility matters, that may impact the Corporation, its shareholders, employees, customers and the communities in which it operates.
Approves any political contribution to be made by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Reviews and oversees the Corporation’s reporting with respect to ESG matters.
RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Oversees Popular’s risk management with respect to credit, market, interest rate, liquidity, operational, technology, cyber and information security, compliance, legal, climate, reputational, including social, and strategic risks.
Oversees the Corporation’s information security program and risk management with respect to cybersecurity.
Oversees the Corporation’s risk management with respect to environmental risks, including but not limited to, risks pertaining to climate change.
TALENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Reviews and advises management regarding the Corporation’s human capital strategies, practices, and initiatives, including ESG matters related to culture, talent acquisition and development, workforce engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

ESG STEERING COMMITTEE
Establishes and defines Popular’s ESG efforts and work plan.
Oversees the development, management and implementation of the Corporation’s ESG efforts, including, but not limited to the standards, strategies, policies and guidelines that address ESG matters.
Provides feedback and guidance on the execution and implementation of Popular’s ESG work plan.
Assesses and approves the ESG related standards used in the evaluation of commercial loan applications in accordance with the applicable Commercial Credit Policy of BPPR and Popular Bank.
Reviews and approves Popular’s ESG communications, disclosures and reporting plans.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT

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BOARD DIVERSITY

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The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a specific diversity policy with respect to the director nomination process. Rather, the Committee considers diversity in the broader sense of how a candidate’s viewpoints, experience, skills, background and other demographics could assist the Board in light of the Board’s composition at  the  time.  The  Board  believes  that  each  director contributes  to  the

overall diversity by providing a variety of personal and professional experiences and backgrounds. The Board believes that, as shown below, the current directors and nominees reflect an appropriate diversity of gender, age, race, geographical background and experience and are committed to considering diversity issues in evaluating the composition of the Board.

LOGO

DIRECTORS’ EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

The main skills and experience of our director nominees are presented below:

Global Business

Experience



Mitigate the impacts of climate change and strive for a more sustainable and resilient future.



Senior Management

and Leadership

Experience

As part of our goal to minimize the environmental impact of our operations, 62 of our branches and 5 of our corporate buildings have been equipped with photovoltaic systems.

Business Operation

Experience

Integrated Climate Risk considerations as part of the Corporation’s Risk Management Policy.
Strengthened our Climate Risk governance, creating a Climate Risk Unit within the Financial and Operational Risk Management Division and established a cross-functional Climate Risk working group to operationalize climate risk management efforts.

Financial, Investment

Continued to work to develop our climate risk framework, concentrating efforts on gathering and M&A

organizing the data for physical and transition risk analysis, and emissions calculations.
Held virtual and in-person training sessions with client-facing and key support functions personnel to continue strengthening foundational knowledge on assessing and documenting environmental and social risks in our commercial lending process.

Improve the social and economic well-being of our employees, customers, and communities while prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our business.


Human Capital
Increased the base salary for our employees in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Expanded the Pride ERG to the U.S., and created the Black/African American ERG and the Power of Women ERG in Popular Bank.
Financial Inclusion
Popular financed several affordable housing projects in Puerto Rico supporting the creation of 535 new housing units.
​Started offering a hurricane parametric microinsurance product, enhancing access to insurance and supporting the resiliency of vulnerable communities.

Audit and Risk

Oversight Experience

Created a secured personal loan product to help victims of gender violence to build credit. The pilot program supported women referred by a non-partner organization and included a financial education component to promote financial inclusion and independence.
Community Investments

Financial Expertise/

Literacy

Our community investments in 2023 totaled approximately $12 million including corporate donations, programs to promote financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, as well as philanthropic contributions through our corporate foundations in Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S.
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Marketing



Employ governance best practices and Media

Communications

manage risk across the organization.


Telecommunications

Board of Directors composed of a majority of independent directors.
Declassification of the Board was completed during 2023.
76.9% of the Board is ethnically diverse.
30.8% of the Board is composed of women.
Published Popular’s Human Rights Position Statement.
Popular continued to enhance customer education campaigns on fraud and security awareness. Enrolled over 1.1 million Mi Banco customers in the two-step identity verification tool, representing 99% of the Mi Banco active customers.

Technology Systems

Experience

Public Company

Governance

Experience

Distribution and Sales

Knowledge and

Understanding of

Popular’s Main

Markets

80% are female or ethnically diverse 1 is African-American 6 are Hispanic 1 is Asian 2 are women Tenure Years of Service 0-5 6-10 11-15 >15 Average tenure: 9.5 yrs. Independence 80% Independent (all directors are independent except the Executive Chairman and the CEO and President) Age Retirement Age: 72 Average Age: 57 0 2 4 6 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 66-70

14  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


SUCCESSION PLANNING

Popular’s Board recognizes that one of its most important duties is to ensure senior leadership continuity by overseeing the development of executive talent and planning for the efficient succession of the CEO and other executive officers. The Board has delegated primary responsibility for succession planning to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews annually a management succession plan, developed by the CEO, and reports annually to the Board on the management succession  plan. The  principal components of  this  plan are: (1) a proposed  plan for emergency CEO succession, (2) a  proposed

plan for CEO succession in the ordinary course of business, and (3) the CEO’s plan for management succession for the other policy-making officers of Popular. The succession plan includes an assessment of the experience, performance, skills and planned career paths for possible candidates within the senior management team. Development initiatives supporting the succession plan include job enhancements and rotations, the Popular Leadership Academy, specialized external trainings and competency assessments.

CODE OF ETHICS

The Board has adopted a Code of Ethics to be followed by Popular’s employees, officers (including the Executive Chairman, President and CEO, CFO and Corporate Comptroller) and directors to achieve conduct that reflects our ethical principles. Directors, NEOs, executive officers and employees are required to read and complyCommunication with the Code. Popular requires that all new employees take Code training shortly after their start date and also provides periodic Code training to all employees. All employees must certify annually that they have read the Code and complete a declaration on possible conflicts of interest. In addition, other persons performing services for Popular by contract or other agreement may be subject to the Code of Ethics for Service Providers.

The Code provides that any waivers for NEOs, executive officers or directors  may be made only  by  the  independent  members  of  the  Board and must be promptly disclosed to the shareholders. During  2017,

Popular did not receive nor grant any request from directors, NEOs or executive officers for waivers under the provisions of the Code. The Code was last revised on September 27, 2017 and is available on the Corporate Governance section of Popular’s website at www.popular.com/en/investor-relations/. Popular will post on its website any amendments to the Code and any waivers to the Executive Chairman, President and CEO, the CFO, the Corporate Comptroller or directors.

Popular expects employees to report behavior that concerns them or that may represent a violation of the Code. Popular offers several channels by which employees may raise an issue or concern, including any actual or potential violations of the Code. One such method is EthicsPoint, a website and telephone hotline that is available 24/7. EthicsPoint reports can be submitted anonymously.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD

Any shareholder who desires to contact the Board or any of its members may do so by writing to:

Popular, Inc., Board of Directors (751),


P.O. Box 362708, San Juan, PR 00936-2708

Alternatively, a shareholder may contact the Audit Committee or any of its members telephonically by calling the toll-free number (866) 737-6813 or electronically through www.popular.com/ethicspoint-en.

ethicspoint-en
.

Popular’s CLO andCorporate Secretary reviews all correspondence addressed to the Board or any of its members and provides the Board with copies of all communications that deal with the functions of the Board or its committees, or that otherwise require Board attention. Communications received by the Audit Committee that are not related to accounting or auditing matters may, in its discretion, be forwarded by the Audit Committee or any of its members to other committees of the Board or to Popular’s management for review.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  15


WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ON GOVERNANCE

Where to Find More Information on Governance
Popular maintains a corporate governance section on its website at www.popular.com/en/investor-relations/ where investors may find copies of our principal governance documents. The corporate governance section of Popular’s website contains, among others, the following documents:

Popular maintains a corporate governance section on its website at www.popular.com/en/investor-relations/ where investors may find copies of its   principal governance documents. The corporate governance section of Popular’s website contains, among others, the following documents:


Audit Committee Charter

Code of Ethics


Code of Ethics for Popular Suppliers

Risk Committee Charter

Audit Committee Charter

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Corporate Sustainability Report

Insider Trading Policy


Risk Management Committee Charter

Talent and Compensation Committee Charter


Technology Committee Charter

16

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 2018 PROXY STATEMENT23

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Directors and Executive Officers

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS AND OTHER DIRECTORS

Nominees for Election as Directors

Information relating to director’sdirector nominee’s participation in Popular’s committees, age, principal occupation, business experience during the past five years (including positions held with Popular or its subsidiaries and the period during which each director has served in such capacity), directorships, expertise, skills and qualifications is set forth below. All of Popular’s directors are also directors of the following subsidiaries of Popular: Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”), Popular North America, Inc. and Banco Popular North America, which operates under the name Popular Community Bank.

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION – CLASS 1 DIRECTORS (TERMS EXPIRING 2018)

LOGO

Director since July 2017

Age 59

IGNACIO ALVAREZ

BACKGROUND


Ignacio Alvarez
President and Chief Executive Officer of Popular, Inc. Director Since 2017
Age 65
Expertise & Skills

Background
Chief Executive Officer of Popular, BPPR and Popular Community Bank since July 2017. President of Popular, BPPR and Popular Community Bank since October 2014 and Chief Operating Officer of Popular and BPPR from October 2014 to July 2017. Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Popular from June 2010 to September 2014. President and CEO of Popular North America, Inc. and other direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Popular. President of the Puerto Rico Bankers Association from October 2021 until September 2023 and from October 2017 to September 2019. Director of Popular since July 2017Centro Financiero BHD León, S.A. and of BPPR and Popular Community Bank since October 2014.Banco BHD León, from March 2018 to March 2019. Member of the Board of Trustees of Fundación Banco Popular, Inc. and of Popular Community Bank Foundation, Inc., since November 2015.

QUALIFICATIONS

Founding member of Endeavor Puerto Rico since November 2017.

Qualifications
As President, Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Operating Officer of Popular, Mr. Alvarez has demonstrated his solid strategic and analytical skills, understanding of the markets in which we operate, business acumen and strength as a leader, delivering positive results in our Puerto Rico business despite challenging conditions and overseeing the repositioning of our operations in the United States. Prior to joining Popular in 2010 as Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Alvarez was one of the six founding partners of the law firm Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvarez LLC, one of Puerto Rico’s principal law firms. During his 27 years in private law practice, his main areas of expertise included banking, corporate and commercial law, corporate and public finance law, securities and capital markets. As President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Alvarez demonstrated his solid strategic and analytical skills, understanding of the markets in which we operate, business acumen and strength as a leader, delivering positive results in our Puerto Rico business despite challenging conditions and overseeing the repositioning of our operations in the United States. Mr. Alvarez’s understanding of the Corporation and excellent business skills, as well as his background as an attorney with vast experience on corporate matters, including regulatory and corporate governance, have proven to be a great asset.


24 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

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2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  17


LOGO

Director since 2010

Age 51

Committees

•   Audit

•   Corporate

    Governance &

    Nominating (Chair)


ALEJANDRO

Alejandro M. BALLESTER

BACKGROUND

Ballester

President of Ballester Hermanos, Inc.
Independent
Director Since 2010
Age 57
Expertise & Skills

Background
President of Ballester Hermanos, Inc., a major food and beverage distributor in Puerto Rico, since 2007.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications
Mr. Ballester has a comprehensive understanding of Puerto Rico’s consumer products and distribution industries acquired through over 2733 years of experience at Ballester Hermanos, Inc., a privately-owned business dedicated to the importation and distribution of grocery products, as well as beer, liquors and wine for the retail and food service trade in Puerto Rico.Rico, which also recently expanded its food service operations to Panama. As of December 31, 2017,2023, Ballester Hermanos had approximately $118$220 million in assets and annual revenues of approximately $320$465 million. Mr. Ballester is familiar with the challenges faced by family-owned businesses, which constitute an important market segment for Popular’s commercial banking units. He has proven to be a successful entrepreneur establishing the food service division of Ballester Hermanos in 1999, which today accounts for 35%43% of the firm’s revenues. During 2009, he was a director of the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico and member of its audit and investment committees where he obtained experience in overseeing a variety of fiscal issues related to various government agencies, instrumentalities and municipalities. The experience, skills and understanding of the Puerto Rico economy and government financial condition acquired by Mr. Ballester have been of great value to the Board.

Committees
Talent and Compensation (Chair)
Audit
Corporate Governance and Nominating

LOGO

Director since 1991

Age 65

Chairman since 1993

Executive

Chairman since July
2017

RICHARD


Robert Carrady
President and CEO of Caribbean Cinemas
Independent
Director Since 2019
Age 68
Expertise & Skills

Background
President and CEO of Caribbean Cinemas, a family-owned business and the largest movie theater chain in the Caribbean, since 2006.
Qualifications
Mr. Carrady, as President of Caribbean Cinemas, has acquired extensive leadership and business operations experience by overseeing and managing a theater operation of approximately 570 cinema screens in 68 locations across Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and several other Caribbean islands, as well as in Guyana, Panama and Bolivia. His entrepreneurial skills have helped develop Caribbean Cinemas into the largest movie theater chain in the Caribbean and transformed the company, which today manages in-house the construction of new sites, theatre operations, film buying, food concessions, screen advertising, game room concessions, film production and real estate leasing and management. Mr. Carrady’s experience as a business leader and entrepreneur, as well as his thorough understanding of the Caribbean region, one of the markets where Popular operates, brings great value to our Board.
Committees
Corporate Governance and Nominating
Talent and Compensation
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 25

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Richard L. CARRIÓN

BACKGROUND

Executive Carrión

Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Popular, Inc.
Director Since 1991
Age 71
Expertise & Skills

Background
Chairman of Popular since 1993 and Executive Chairman from July 2017.2017 to July 2019. CEO of Popular from 1994 to June 2017 and President from 1991 to January 2009 and from May 2010 to September 2014. Executive Chairman of BPPR sincefrom July 2017 to July 2019, Chairman since 1993 and CEO from 1989 to June 2017. President of BPPR from 1985 to 2004 and from May 2010 to September 2014. Executive Chairman of Popular Bank from July 2017 to July 2019 and CEO, until June 2017,Chairman since 1998. Chairman of Popular North America, Inc. and other direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Popular. Executive Chairman of BPNA since July 2017Popular and Chairman since 1998.CEO until 2017. Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from January 2008 to December 2015. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fundación Banco Popular, Inc. since 1991. Chairman and Director of Popular Community Bank Foundation, Inc. since 2005. Member of the Board of Directors of Verizon Communications, Inc. since 1995.from 1995 to May 2019. Member of the International Olympic Committee since 1990 and Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Finance Commission from 2002 to 2013. Managing Member of RCA3 Investments, LLC, an entity engaged in financial consulting since October 2017. Chairman of the Board of Vall Banc, an Andorra-based bank, sincefrom October 2017.2017 to February 2022. Member of the of the Supervisory Board of NIBC Holding N.V. and NIBC BankHoldings N.V., both entitiesa commercial bank in the Netherlands, from September 2017 to February 2021. Member of the Board of Directors of First Bank, an entity engaged in banking in the Netherlands,Romania, since September 2017.

QUALIFICATIONS

November 2018.

Qualifications
Mr. Carrión’s 4247 years of banking experience, over 33 years heading Popular, Puerto Rico’s largest financial institution, give him a unique level of knowledge of the Puerto Rico financial system. Mr. Carrión is a well-recognized leader with a vast knowledge of the Puerto Rico economy, and is actively involved in major efforts impacting the local economy. His knowledge of the financial industry led him to become a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for eight years.

Committees
Technology (Chair)

18  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


LOGO

Director since 2010

Age 54

Committees

•   Compensation

•   Audit

CARLOS A. UNANUE

BACKGROUND

President


Bertil E. Chappuis
Co-Founder and CEO of Goya deXtillion, LLC
Independent
Director Nominee
Age 57 
Expertise & Skills

Background
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Xtillion, LLC, a data engineering and artificial intelligence services firm serving major enterprises, since September 2023. Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, Inc. from August 1995 until June 2022. Co-Founder and Partner at Intellect Partners, Inc., a Silicon Valley based intellectual property firm focused on technology licensing and commercialization, from August 1992 until August 1995. Founding Member and Chairman of Platform for Social Impact, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the eradication of childhood poverty through economic mobility for families in Puerto Rico, Inc. since 2003October 2022. Member of the Legacy Council of the Boys and Girls Club of Goya Santo Domingo, S.A. since 1994, food processors and distributors.

QUALIFICATIONS

Puerto Rico from December 2017 until October 2022.

Qualifications
Mr. UnanueChappuis has 31over 27 years of experience at Goya Foods, Inc., a privately-held family business withadvising Fortune 500 technology companies and financial services firms on corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, commercial operations inand private equity investments. More recently, he led the United States,strategic advisory work that underpinned the fiscal restructuring program for the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico Spain and the Dominican Republic that is dedicated to the sale, marketing and distribution of Hispanic food, as well as to the food processing and canned food manufacturing business. Through his work with Goya Foods, Mr. Unanue has developed a profound understanding of Popular’s two main markets, Puerto Rico and the United States. His experience in distribution, sales and marketing has provided him with the knowledge and experience to contribute to the development of Popular’s business strategy, while his vast experience in management at various Goya entities has allowed him to make valuable contributions to the Board in its oversight functions.

CLASS 2 DIRECTORS (TERMS EXPIRING 2019)

LOGO

Director since 2013

Age 52

Committees

•   Corporate

    Governance &

    Nominating

•   Risk

JOAQUÍN E. BACARDÍ, III

BACKGROUND

Chairman and majority shareholder of Edmundo B. Fernández, Inc., a privately held producer and distributor of rum since November 2017. Private investor since 2016. President and Chief Executive Officer of Bacardi Corporation, a privately held business and major producer and distributor of rum and other spirits, from April 2008 to April 2016.

QUALIFICATIONS

On November 2017, Mr. Bacardí completed the acquisition of Edmundo B. Fernández, Inc., a 137 year old privately owned rum company. Mr. Bacardí has extensive experience in the development and implementation of international marketing, sales and distribution strategies acquired throughoutrestructure more than 24 years at various Bacardi companies$120 billion of Puerto Rico’s debt and 3 years as Product Manager of Nestlépension liabilities and establish balanced budgets for the Government of Puerto Rico. As Presidentco-founder and CEO of Xtillion, he is deeply involved in digital and artificial intelligence transformation of enterprises. Mr. Chappuis brings extensive organizational transformation experience, a deep understanding of the impact of technology on organizations and financial markets, and a thorough understanding of Puerto Rico’s economy and financial condition.

26 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Betty DeVita
Chief ExecutiveBusiness Officer of Bacardi Corporation, Mr. Bacardí directedFinConecta
Independent
Director Since 2021
Age 63
Expertise & Skills

Background
Chief Business Officer and managed all business operations with full profitmember of the Board of Directors of FinConecta, a privately held global technology company focused on the digitalization of finance and loss responsibilitiesopen banking, since February 2019. Chief Commercial Officer of Digital Payments & Labs at Mastercard Worldwide where she oversaw the company’s research, development, and government relations for Bacardideployment of payment innovations across a wide range of global markets, from May 2015 to February 2019. President of Mastercard Canada, Inc., from September 2010 to April 2015. Before joining Mastercard, Ms. DeVita held various positions of increasing responsibility at Citigroup, Inc. from 1981 to 2010, including leadership roles in North America, Latin America, and Korea, culminating in her position as Chairman and CEO of Citibank Canada Inc. Member of the Board of Directors of Molson Coors Brewing Co., a publicly traded brewing company, from May 2016 to May 2020. Member of the Board of Directors of Home Capital Group Inc., from November 2021 to September 2023.
Qualifications
Ms. DeVita has over 42 years of experience in the Caribbean, Mexico, Centralbanking and South America. Priorpayments industry, including as a well-recognized leader integrating technology and digital solutions to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of Bacardi Corporation, Mr. Bacardí held positions in various Bacardi enterprises where, among other things, he was responsible for the development of all global communication strategies for Bacardi Limited’s whisky portfolio, with total sales of approximately $400 million, and supervision of marketing for all Bacardi brands globally. Mr. Bacardí’s vastfinancial services. Her extensive senior leadership experience in business operationsbanking and payments and her deep understanding of the role of technology in Puerto Rico and across various international markets, as well as his expertise in global communication strategies, have beenthe financial services industry is of great benefitvalue to theour Board.

Committees
Talent and Compensation
Technology
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 27

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2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  19


LOGO

Director since 2013

Age 68

Committees

•  Audit (Financial Expert)

•  Risk

JOHN


John W. DIERCKSEN

BACKGROUND

Diercksen

Principal of Greycrest, LLC
Independent
Director Since 2013
Age 74
Lead Independent Director of Popular, Inc.
Expertise & Skills

Background
Principal of Greycrest, LLC, a privately-held financial and operational advisory services company, since October 2013. Chief Executive Officer of Beachfront Wireless LLC, a privately-held investment entity organized to participate in a Federal Communications Commission airwaves auction, from December 2015 to November 2016, when it was sold. Senior Advisor at Liontree Investment Advisors, an investment banking firm, since April 2014. Executive Vice President of Verizon Communications, Inc. from January 2013 to September 2013. Director of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, an audio and infotainment equipment company, from June 2013 to June 2017, when it was sold, Intelsat, S.A.sold. Member of the Board of Directors of Cyxtera Technologies, Inc., a data center security and analytics services company, from May 2017 until January 2024. Director of Intelsat, S. A., a provider of communications satellite services provider, sincesatellites, from September 2013 to February 2022. Member of the Board of Directors of Accedian, Inc., a performance analytics and Cyxtera Technologies, an entity that provides data centerend user experience solutions company, from December 2020 until October 2023. Member of the Board of Directors of Tower Engineering Professionals, a telecommunications engineering and construction services firm, since May 2017.

QUALIFICATIONS

2023.

Qualifications
Mr. Diercksen has 2934 years of experience in the communications industry. During his tenure atFrom 2003 to 2013, he was an Executive Vice President of Verizon Communications, Inc., a global leader in delivering consumer, enterprise wireless and wire line services, as well as other communication services, Mr. Diercksenservices. At Verizon he was responsible for key strategic initiatives related to the review and assessment of potential mergers, acquisitions and divestitures and was instrumental in forging Verizon’s strategy of technology investment and repositioning its assets. He possesses a vast experience in matters related to corporate strategy, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, business development, venture investments, strategic alliances, joint ventures and strategic planning. Mr. Diercksen’s extensive senior leadership experience, together with his financial and accounting expertise, position him well to advise the Board and senior management on a wide range of strategic and financial matters.

Committees
Audit (Chair and Financial Expert)
Corporate Governance and Nominating
Risk Management
Talent and Compensation
Technology
28 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LOGO

Director since 2012

Age 48

Committees

•  Compensation

•  Risk

DAVID E. GOEL

BACKGROUND

Co-Founder and Managing General Partner of Matrix Capital Management Company, LP since 1999. Member of the Board of Directors of Univision Communications, Inc., a privately held media company, until January 2018 and of Adaptive Biotechnologies, Inc., a privately held company specializing in T-cell sequencing and immunotherapy since August 2016. Trustee of Philips Exeter Academy since 2013, of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, since 2010 and of The Winsor School, in Boston, Massachusetts, since April 2016.

QUALIFICATIONS

During his 25-year career as a fundamentals-focused value investor, Mr. Goel has developed a comprehensive understanding of corporate finance, venture capital and public investing. Having founded Matrix Capital Management in 1999, Mr. Goel has built an 19-year investment track record. Through sound and responsible investing for the Matrix Fund, he gained valuable insight into global financial markets and corporate best practices. His experience in the investment management industry allows him insight into the needs of the financial services business, providing extensive knowledge of risk management and corporate governance to the Board. Mr. Goel’s service as a fund manager, trustee, and board member of other organizations provides him with a unique expertise and global perspective to assist the Board with its oversight of Popular.


María Luisa Ferré Rangel

20  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


CLASS 3 DIRECTORS (TERMS EXPIRING 2020)

LOGO

Chief Executive Officer of FRG, LLC
Independent
Director sinceSince 2004


Age 54

Committees

•   Compensation (Chair)

•   Corporate

    Governance &

    Nominating

60

MARIA LUISA FERRÉ

BACKGROUND

President and CEO

Expertise & Skills

Background
Chief Executive Officer of FRG, Inc.,LLC, a diversified family holding company with leading operations in media, real estate, contact centers and distribution in Puerto Rico, the United States and Chile, since 2001. Member of the Board of Directors of GFR Media, LLC since 2003 and Chair from 2006 to February 2016. Publisher of El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico’s most widely read and influential newspaper, and Primera Hora since 2006. Member of the Board of Directors of W.R. Berkley Corporation, an insurance holding company, since May 2017. President and Trustee of The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc. since 2003. Trustee and Vice President of the Ferré Rangel Foundation, Inc. since 1999. President of the Board of Directors of Multisensory Reading Center of PR, Inc. since 2012. Member of the Latin American Caribbean Fund of The Museum of Modern Art since 2013 and of the Smithsonian National Board since 2017. Member of the Board of Directors of EndeavorPartnership for Modern Puerto Rico, since January 2018 andfrom 2019 to 2023. Member of the Advisory Board of Boys & Girls ClubDirectors of Puerto RicoW.R. Berkley Corporation, an insurance holding company, since May 2017.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications
Ms. Ferré Rangel has 1622 years of experience as the President and CEOChief Executive Officer of FRG, Inc.,LLC, the largest communications and media group in Puerto Rico, with consolidated assets of approximately $310$300 million and annual net revenues of approximately $189$102 million as of December 31, 2017.2023. She holds positions as director and officer of numerous entities related to FRG, Inc.LLC. She also serves as director and trustee of philanthropic and charitable organizations related to fine arts and education. As a result of these experiences, Ms. Ferré Rangel possesses a deep understanding of Popular’s main market and has developed management and oversight skills that allow her to make significant contributions to the Board. She also provides thoughtful insight regarding the communications needs of Popular.

LOGO

Director since 2011

Age 58

Committees

•   Risk

Corporate Governance and Nominating (Chair)

•   Audit (Financial

    Expert)


Technology

Other Current Public Company Boards
W.R. Berkley Corporation (since May 2017)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 29

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C. KIM GOODWIN

BACKGROUND

Kim Goodwin

Private Investor
Independent
Director Since 2011
Age 64
Expertise & Skills

Background
Private investor since 2008. Independent director of General Mills, Inc. since June 2022 and member of its Compensation and Finance Committees. Independent director of TJX Companies, Inc. since October 2020 and member of its Audit and Compensation Committees. Non-executive director of PineBridge Investments, LLC, a global asset management boutiquefirm with over $88$157.1 billion in assets under management, since May 2011, and Chair of itsthe Audit Committee. Director of Akamai Technologies, Inc., a technology and Internet corporation, from October 2008 to May 2013, and prior to that from January 2004 to November 2006,Committee and member of the Audit CommitteeRemuneration Committee. Member of the Advisory Board of Grupo Ferré Rangel Holdings from 2017 to 2019 and the Board of Trustees of Princeton University from 2004 to 20062008 and from 20082014 to 2011. Trustee-Director2022. Member of various equity funds within the Allianz Global Investors familyBoard of funds from June 2010 to October 2014.

QUALIFICATIONS

Directors of the Princeton University Investor Company (Princo) since 2017.

Qualifications
Ms. Goodwin’s experience as chief investment officer at several global financial services firms provides the Board with insight into the perspective of institutional investors. Her analytical skills and understanding of global financial markets have proved to be valuable assets. As Head of Equities at Credit Suisse Asset Management from 2006 to 2008, Ms. Goodwin oversaw enterprise risk functions for her global department. Through her experiences as a member of the Audit Committee of Akamai Technologies, Chair of the Audit Committee of PineBridge Investments and Chair of Popular’s Risk Management Committee, Ms. Goodwin has developed profound knowledge of the risks related to our business. She has also developed expertise in identifying, assessing and managing risk exposure, successfully leading the Board’s efforts on risk oversight. Finally, Ms. Goodwin also provides Popular with valuable insight regarding the use of technology by financial firms.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  21


LOGO

Director since 2004

Age 66

Lead Director

Committees

•   Audit

Risk Management (Chair and

    Financial Risk Management Expert)

•   Risk

•   Compensation

•   Corporate

    Governance &

    Nominating


Audit (Financial Expert)
Technology

WILLIAM J. TEUBER, JR.

BACKGROUND

Private investor

Other Current Public Company Boards
The TJX Companies, Inc. (since October 2020)
General Mills, Inc. (since June 2022)
30 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS


José R. Rodríguez
Chairman of the Board of Directors of
CareMax, Inc.
Independent
Director Since 2021
Age 65
Expertise & Skills

Background
Certified public accountant since October 2016.March 1984. Chairman of the Board of Directors of CareMax, Inc., since February 2022 and a director since June 2021. Audit partner at KPMG LLP from 1995 until his retirement in April 2021. For more than 25 years with KPMG, Mr. Rodríguez held diverse leadership positions, including Partner in Charge and Executive Director of KPMG’s Audit Committee Institute from June 2016 to April 2021, member of KPMG US’s Board of Directors from 2006 to 2011, including as Ombudsman responsible for leading the firm’s internal regulatory investigations. He also served as Chief Operating Officer for KPMG’s Global Audit Practice from 2012 to September 2015 and Office Managing Partner for the firm’s Global Service Center from 2013 to September 2015. Member of the board of the Latin Corporate Directors Association, Chair of the Board of Overseers of the University of Miami School of Business, member of the Advisory Board of Wake Forest University School of Business, and member of Marymount University’s Board of Trustees.
Qualifications
Mr. Rodríguez has over 39 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and is a well-recognized leader in the field of accounting. His vast knowledge and expertise in accounting, auditing, and financial sectors, as well as his many roles as a trusted advisor brings an invaluable and essential perspective to our Board. Mr. Rodríguez is NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Directorship Certified™.
Committees
Audit (Financial Expert)
Risk Management (Risk Management Expert)
Other Current Public Company Boards
CareMax, Inc. (since June 2021)
Primoris Services Corporation (since May 2021)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 31

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Alejandro M. Sánchez
President and Chief Executive Officer of Salva Financial Group of Florida
Independent
Director Since 2023
Age 66
Expertise & Skills

Background
President and Chief Executive Officer of Salva Financial Group of Florida, a financial services consulting and advisory firm, since January 2024. Executive Advisor to Nasdaq, Inc., since February 2024. Chief Executive Officer Emeritus of the Florida Bankers Association, an industry association representing Florida’s banks, since November 2023, President and Chief Executive Officer from 1998 until November 2023, and Senior Operating PrincipalVice President from 1993 until 1998. Member of Bridge Growth Partners,the Advisory Committee of the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of the United States of America from July 2019 until September 2021. Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board from November 2002 until November 2011. Since March 2022, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Apalachee Center Hospital, Inc., a Florida treatment center facility dedicated to helping patients recover from mental illness, substance abuse and emotional and behavioral problems.
Qualifications
Mr. Sánchez has over 26 years of banking industry experience, with over 25 years leading the Florida Bankers Association. He has served on various federal boards and agencies under different U.S. Presidents and held several gubernatorial appointments in the State of Florida. He has been a promoter and advocate for the banking industry before regulatory and legislative bodies in the State of Florida and Washington D.C. He brings a deep knowledge of the banking industry and the regulatory environments in which Popular operates, as well as his political insights, to our Board. Mr. Sánchez is a Lawyer and a US Air Force Veteran.
Committees
Risk Management
Talent and Compensation
32 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Myrna M. Soto
Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Apogee Executive Advisors LLC
Independent
Director Since 2018
Age 55
Expertise & Skills

Background
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Apogee Executive Advisors LLC, a private equityboutique advisory firm focused on providing strategic consulting in the areas of technology risk, cybersecurity, technology integrations and enterprise risk management, since June 2021. Chief Strategy and Trust Officer of Forcepoint, LLC, a global cybersecurity company, from June 2020 until its corporate spinout in May 2021. Chief Operating Officer of Digital Hands, LLC, a managed security service provider, from March 2019 until May 2020. Partner at ForgePoint Capital, a venture capital firm concentrating exclusively on cybersecurity related companies, from April 2018 to March 2019, when she assumed the role of Venture Advisor. Senior Vice President and Global Chief Information Security Officer of Comcast Corporation, a worldwide media and technology company, from September 2009 to April 2018. Vice President of Information Technology Governance and Chief Information Security Officer of MGM Resorts International, a global hospitality company, from 2005 until September 2009. Member of the Board of Directors of Headspace, Inc., a privately held on-demand mental healthcare company, since March 2021. Member of the Board of Directors of Delinea, Inc., a privately held Privileged Access Management (“PAM”) technology provider, since July 2021. Senior Investment Advisor for TPG, a global asset management firm, since November 2016. Vice ChairmanJanuary 2022. Member of EMC Corporation,the Board of Directors of Vectra AI, Inc., a privately held cybersecurity technology service provider, since May 2023. Member of the Board of Directors of Huntress Labs Incorporated, a privately held cybersecurity service provider, since August 2023.
Qualifications
Ms. Soto has over 33 years of information technology infrastructure solutions, fromand cybersecurity experience in a variety of industries, including financial services, telecommunications, hospitality, insurance, risk management, as well as gaming and entertainment. During her years in the information and cybersecurity field, she successfully managed global cybersecurity and technology risk programs at leading Fortune 500 companies. Ms. Soto’s extensive experience in cybersecurity, as well as her experience as a business leader and as a member of several public company boards, brings an invaluable and unique perspective to our Board and helps ensure that the Corporation is well-positioned to meet the technology and cybersecurity needs of today’s marketplace, a matter that becomes more critical each day.
Committees
Corporate Governance and Nominating
Risk Management (Risk Management Expert)
Technology
Other Current Public Company Boards
CMS Energy Corporation (since January 2015)
Spirit Airlines, Inc. (since March 2016)
TriNet Group, Inc. (since May 2006 to September 2016, when Dell Technologies acquired the company. 2021)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 33

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Carlos A. Unanue
President of Goya de Puerto Rico, Inc.
Independent
Director Since 2010
Age 60
Expertise & Skills

Background
President of CRH Plc, a global diversified building materials group based in Ireland,Goya de Puerto Rico, Inc. since March 2016. Director2003 and of Inovalon Holdings,Goya Santo Domingo, S.A. since 1994, food processors and distributors.
Qualifications
Mr. Unanue has 37 years of experience at Goya Foods, Inc., a provider of data driven healthcare solutions, since April 2013.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Teuber has significant financial and financial reporting expertise, which he acquired as a Partner in Coopers & Lybrand LLP from 1988 to 1995 and then as Chief Financial Officer of EMC Corporation from 1996 to 2006. At EMC he demonstrated vast management and leadership skills as he led EMC’s worldwide finance operation and was responsible for all of its financial planning and reporting, balance sheet management, foreign exchange, audit, tax, treasury, investment banking, governance and investor relations function. As Vice Chairman of EMC, he focused on strategy andprivately-held family business development in emerging markets, assisted with government relations and worked closely with the Board of Directors. In addition, he worked closely with EMC’s Chairman, President and CEOoperations in the dayUnited States, Puerto Rico, Spain and the Dominican Republic that is dedicated to day managementthe sale, marketing and distribution of EMCHispanic food, as well as to the food processing and canned food manufacturing business. Through his work with Goya Foods, Mr. Unanue has developed a profound understanding of Popular’s two main markets, Puerto Rico and the United States. His experience in distribution, sales and marketing has provided him with the company’s executive teamknowledge and experience to develop future leaderscontribute to the development of the company. Mr. Teuber’s significant financial and accounting expertise,Popular’s business strategy, while his vast experience in management experience and skills developed throughout the years that he provided strategic direction at a multinational public company providevarious Goya entities has allowed him to make valuable contributions to the Board with invaluable insightin its oversight functions.

Committees
Audit
Talent and a unique global perspective.

Compensation

22

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

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Executive Officers
The following information sets forth the names of our executive officers, their age, business experience and directorships during the past five years, as well as the period during which each such person has served as executive officer of Popular.

LOGO

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN

AGE: 65

Mr. Carrión has been Chairman of the Board since 1993. He has served as Executive Chairman of Popular since July 2017, as CEO from 1994 to June 2017 and as President from 1991 to January 2009 and from May 2010 to September 2014. For additional information, please refer to the “Nominees for Election as Directors and Other Directors” section of this Proxy Statement.


Ignacio Alvarez
President and Chief Executive Officer

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IGNACIO ALVAREZ

AGE: 59

Mr. Alvarez, age 65, has been Chief Executive Officer of the CorporationPopular, BPPR and Popular Bank since July 20172017. President of Popular, BPPR and PresidentPopular Bank since October 2014 and Chief Operating Officer sinceof Popular and BPPR from October 2014.2014 to July 2017. Prior to that he was Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Popular from June 2010 to September 2014. For additional information, please refer to the “Nominees for Election as Directors and Other Directors” section of this Proxy Statement.

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CAMILLE BURCKHART

AGE: 38

Camille Burckhart
Executive Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Strategy Officer
Innovation, Technology and Operations Group
Ms. Burckhart, age 44, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Strategy Officer of Popular since July 2015. Prior to becoming Executive Vice President, Ms. Burckhart was the Senior Vice President in charge of the Technology Management Division from December 2010 to June 2015. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of Nuestra Escuela since August 2016.

2016 and of the Board of Trustees of Fundación Banco Popular since October 2018.

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LUIS

Beatriz Castellví
Executive Vice President and Chief Security Officer
Corporate Security Group
Ms. Castellví, age 56, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Security Officer of Popular in charge of cybersecurity, data privacy and fraud since May 2018. Prior to becoming Executive Vice President, she was Senior Vice President and General Auditor of the Corporation from November 2012 to April 2018, after having held various other roles in the Corporation for the previous 15 years. Ms. Castellví has served as a member of the Executive Council of the Puerto Rico Ellevate Chapter since 2013 and as Treasurer from 2013 to January 2019, when she became a member of its Advisory Board. Since January 2021, Ms. Castellví has also been a member of the Board of the Jane Stern Dorado Community Library.
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Luis E. CESTERO

AGE: 44

Cestero

Executive Vice President
Retail and Business Solutions Group
Mr. Cestero, age 50, has been Executive Vice President of BPPR in charge of the Retail Bankingand Business Solutions Group since May 2023. Previously, from July 2017.2017 until April 2023, he was Executive Vice President of BPPR in charge of the Retail Banking Group. Prior to becoming Executive Vice President, Mr. Cestero was the Senior Vice President in charge of Retail Banking Administration from May 2009 to June 2017.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  23


LOGO


MANUEL CHINEA

AGE: 52

Manuel Chinea
Executive Vice President
Chief Operating Officer of Popular Bank
Mr. Chinea, age 58, has been Executive Vice President of Popular since January 2016 and Chief Operating Officer of Popular Community Bank since February 2013. Prior to becoming Chief Operating Officer of Popular Community Bank, from April 2012 to January 2013, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Product Executive at CertusBank. He has served as a Membermember of the Board of Trustees of Popular Community Bank Foundation Inc. since October 2013, member of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Federation since June 2016 and Chairman from July 2020 to July 2023, and a member of the Board of Junior Achievement New York sincefrom October 2017

until March 2021. Mr. Chinea became a member of the Advisory Board of the Newark 40 Acres and a Mule Fund in September 2020 and, in January 2022, joined the New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrienne Harris' Advisory Council on community development financial institutions (“CDFI”) and minority depository institutions (“MDI”).

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JAVIER D. FERRER

AGE: 56


José R. Coleman Tió
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
General Counsel and Corporate Matters Group
Mr. FerrerColeman Tió, age 43, has been the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel since January 2022, and Assistant Secretary of the Board of Directors of Popular and its banking subsidiaries since April 2017 and Secretary of the Board of Directors of Popular’s non-banking subsidiaries since February 2022. From February 2017 until December 2021, he was Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Popular. Prior to joining Popular, Mr. Coleman Tió was an independent provider of legal and financial advisory services from May 2016 until January 2017. He also served in senior roles in the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, including as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, from January 2013 until May 2016. Mr. Coleman Tió was an associate at Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP from 2008 to 2013. Since February 2020, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Coalición Legal para Puerto Rico.
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Javier D. Ferrer
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Head of Business Strategy
and Corporate Secretary
COO and Corporate Business Strategy Group
Mr. Ferrer, age 62, has been Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Strategy of Popular since January 2022. He has served as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Popular since October 2014 and a Director of BPPR since March 2015. From October 2014 until December 2021, he was Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Popular. In January 2019, he assumed oversight of the Corporation’s strategic planning function and in September 2019, became a member of the Trust Committee of the Board of Directors of BPPR. Prior to joining Popular, Mr. Ferrer was a Partner at Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvarez LLC, a San Juan, Puerto Rico based law firm, werewhere he worked from September 1992 to December 2012 and from August 2013 to September 2014. From January 2013 to July 2013, Mr. Ferrer served as President of the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico and Vice Chairman of its Board of Directors as well as Chairman of the Economic Development Bank for Puerto Rico.

Jorge J. García
Designated Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Corporate Finance Group
Mr. García, age 51, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Popular, effective April 1, 2024, succeeding Carlos J. Vázquez. Mr. García has served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Comptroller and Chief Accounting Officer of Popular since March 2012. Before assuming his current role as Corporate Comptroller and Chief Accounting Officer, Mr. García served as Senior Vice President and Director of Finance and Accounting of Popular Bank, Popular’s banking subsidiary in the mainland United States, from June 2009 to March 2012.

Maria Cristina (MC) González
Executive Vice President and Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Group
Ms. González, age 49, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer of Popular since April 2021. Prior to joining Popular, Ms. González was the Senior Vice President of Global Public Affairs of The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. from July 2016 to March 2021. From March 2001 to December 2012 and from SeptemberJuly 2013 to September 2014, Mr. FerrerMay 2015, Ms. González was Secretarythe Director of Communications to First Lady Michelle Obama and Special Assistant to President Barack Obama. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of Unidos US, the First Puerto Rico Familylargest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, from fall of Funds, which, as2016 until June 2022. Ms. González has been a member of September 2014, was comprisedthe Board of 17 funds.

Directors of Televisa-Univision Communications, Inc., the leading Hispanic media company, since November 2020.

LOGO

JUAN O. GUERRERO

AGE: 58

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 37

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Gilberto Monzón
Executive Vice President
Specialized Businesses Group
Mr. GuerreroMonzón, age 64, has been an Executive Vice President of BPPR in charge of the Financial and Insurance ServicesSpecialized Business Group since May 2023. From October 2010 until April 2004. He has been a Director of Popular Securities LLC since 1995, Popular Insurance LLC since 2004 and of other subsidiaries of Popular. Mr. Guerrero has served as a Director of SER de Puerto Rico since December 2010 and the Puerto Rico Open since October 2016.

LOGO

GILBERTO MONZÓN

AGE: 58

Mr. Monzón has been an2023, he was Executive Vice President of BPPR in charge of the Individual Credit Group since October 2010. He has also served asGroup. Member of the Board of Directors of the San Jorge Children’s Hospital Professional Board sincefrom 2011 until October 2022. Member of the Government Relations CouncilBoard of the American Bankers Association since 2013 and director of the Center for a New Economy andDirectors of the Coalition for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer of Puerto Rico since 2014.

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Since January 2021, Mr. Monzón has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico and since August 2022 he has served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Champion Petroleum Inc., a wholesale distribution company.


LOGO

EDUARDO


Eduardo J. NEGRÓN

AGE: 53

Negrón

Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer
Administration Group
Mr. Negrón, age 59, has been Chief Administration Officer of Popular since February 2022 and Executive Vice President of Popular since April 2008 and2008. He has been in charge of the Administration Group since December 2010. He became Chairman of Popular’s Benefits Committee on April 2008. He has served as Member of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of Fundación Banco Popular Inc. and of the Popular Community Bank Foundation Inc. since March 2008. Since 2015, Mr. Negrón has served as Trustee of Fundación Ángel Ramos and Chairman of its Finance and Investment Committee. Mr. Negrón also served as a Director of the Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades and as a member of its Executive Committee from June 2017 until May 2023. Since 2019, Mr. Negrón has been a Director of Fundación Angel Ramos since April 2012 andthe Chairman of its Investment and Finance Committee since March 2014. He has also been Director and Treasurerthe Board of the FundacióCorporación Puertoriqueña de las Humanidades since June 2017.

Desarrollo del Centro Financiero de Hato Rey, an entity engaged in promoting the economic and urban development of the district of Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

LOGO

ELI


Eli S. SEPÚLVEDA

AGE: 55

Sepúlveda

Executive Vice President
Commercial Credit and Services Group
Mr. Sepúlveda, age 61, has been Executive Vice President of Popular since February 2010 and of BPPR since December 2009. He has been the supervisor in charge of the Commercial Credit and Services Group since May 2023, and from January 2010 to April 2023, of the Commercial Credit Group in Puerto Rico since January 2010.Rico. Mr. Sepúlveda has been a member of the Board of Managers of the Puerto Rico Idea Seed Fund, LLC since December 2016.

Since November 2020, Mr. Sepúlveda has also served as a trustee of the Ricky Martin Foundation.

LOGO

LIDIO

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Lidio V. SORIANO

AGE: 49

Soriano

Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
Corporate Risk Management Group
Mr. Soriano, age 55, has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Popular since August 2011 and a Director of BPPR and Popular Community Bank since October 2014.

He served as a Director of BPPR from October 2014 to September 2019. Prior to joining Popular, Mr. Soriano served for 17 years as Chief Financial Officer, Head of Retail Bank and Mortgage Operations, Head of Commercial and Construction Mortgage and Head of Interest Rate Risk, among other positions, for other banks. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer since August 2018.

LOGO

CARLOS


Carlos J. VÁZQUEZ

AGE: 59

Vázquez

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Corporate Finance Group
Mr. Vázquez, age 65, has been the Chief Financial Officer of Popular since March 2013. He was President of Popular Community Bank from September 2010 to September 2014 and has been Executive Vice President of Popular since February 2010 and Senior Executive Vice President of BPPR since 2004. He has served as Director of BPPR and of Popular Community Bank since October 2010.2010 and of BPPR since May 2023 and from October 2010 to July 2021. He has been Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Popular Community Bank Foundation since November 2010, Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York since November 2013 and Member of the National Board of Directors of Operation Hope since 2012.

On December 6, 2023, Mr. Vázquez announced his retirement as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Popular, effective March 31, 2024.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 25

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS

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Certain Relationships and
Transactions
We may be party to transactions, arrangements or relationships with our directors, director nominees, executive officers, or greatershareholders owning more than 5% shareholders,of the Corporation’s voting securities, or their immediate family members (each, a “Related Party”). We have adopted a written Policy on Related Party Transactions (the “Related Party Policy”) to identify and evaluate potential conflicts of interest, independence factors and disclosure obligations arising out of transactions, arrangements or relationships between Related Parties and us.

Transactions covered by the Related Party Policy may also be subject to restrictions pursuant to the Federal Reserve Board Regulation O,Board’s regulation on Loans to Executive Officers, Directors, and Principal Shareholders of Member Banks (Regulation O), which is the subject of a separate policy.

OUR POLICY ON RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Our Policy on Related Party Transactions
The Related Party Policy governs the review, approval or ratification of transactions, arrangements or relationships: (i) in which Popular or any subsidiaryof its subsidiaries is a participant; (ii) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any given year;$120,000; and (iii) a Related Party has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. These transactions must be submitted to the Audit Committee for their review, evaluation and approval, unless pre-approved under the Related Party Policy.

Directors and executive officers must notify the CLOPopular’s Chief Legal Officer (“CLO”) of any related party transaction in which they, or their immediate family members, have a material interest. Any unit or division proposing a related party transaction must also notify the CLO, the Corporate Comptroller and the General Auditor by completing a Related Party Transaction Request Form. After review by the CLO, the form is submitted for consideration and approval of the Audit Committee. The form must contain, among other things, a description of the proposed transaction, its benefits to Popular and an assessment of whether the proposed related party transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to an unrelated third party or to employees generally. Only disinterested members of the Audit Committee will participate in the review and determination of whether a related party transaction is approved. The Audit Committee will approve or ratify transactions with Related Parties when the transaction is deemed to be in, or is not inconsistent with, the best interest of Popular.

PRE-APPROVED CATEGORIES OF RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Pre-Approved Categories of

Related Party Transactions
In accordance with the terms of the Related Party Policy, certain types of transactions are pre-approved and certain recurring transactions are approved annually, without
the need to submit the corresponding form to the Audit Committee. Pre-approved transactions include certain banking-related services and transactions in the ordinary course of business involving financial products and services provided by, or to, Popular, including loans, provided such transactions comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Federal Reserve Board Regulation O and other applicable laws and regulations. Other pre-approved instances include transactions in which the rate or charges involved in the transaction are determined by competitive bids. In the event Popular becomes aware of a transaction with a Related Party that has not been approved under the terms of the Related Party Policy, the Audit Committee considers all relevant facts and circumstances regarding the transaction with the Related Party and evaluates all options available to Popular, including ratification, revision or termination. The Audit Committee also examines the facts and circumstances pertaining to the failure of reporting such related party transaction to the Audit Committee, as required by the Related Party Policy, and may take such actions as it deems appropriate.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related Party Transactions
In 2017,2023, Popular and its subsidiaries contributed approximately $650,000$1.15 million to Fundación Banco Popular, Inc. (the “BPPR Foundation”) through the matching of employee contributions. During 2023, Popular also contributed $100,000 from the proceeds of BPPR’s Holiday Specialan additional $1.03 million to the BPPR Foundation. In addition,Popular also provided human and operational resources to support the activities of the BPPR Foundation, which during 20172023 amounted to approximately $1.38 million, including maintenance and the Bank contributed approximately $1,120,000 toamortization of leasehold improvements for the EmbracingBPPR Foundation’s headquarters. BPPR and the Puerto Rico campaign which supports Hurricane Maria relief initiatives, and $282,000 to the Employee Emergency Fund, bothemployees of whichPopular, through voluntary personal donations, are sponsored bya significant source of funds for the BPPR Foundation. The BPPR Foundation is a Puerto Rico not-for-profit corporation created to improve the quality of life in Puerto Rico. As BPPR’s philanthropic arm, it provides a scholarship fund for employees’ children and supports education and community development projects. The Board of Trustees of the BPPR Foundation appoints its eleven members. Mr. Carrión is the Chairman, while Messrs. Alvarez, Negrón and Ms. Burckhart are members, of the Board of Trustees of the BPPR Foundation.
During 2023, Popular Bank contributed approximately $250,000 to the Popular Foundation through the matching of employee contributions. Popular also contributed an additional $172,000 to the Popular Foundation. In addition, Popular provides human and operational resources to support the activities of the BPPRPopular Foundation, which during 20172023 amounted to approximately $1,220,000, including maintenance$88,000. Popular Bank and the amortization of leasehold improvements for the BPPR Foundation’s headquarters. BPPR and the Puerto

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Ricoits employees, of Popular, through voluntary personal donations, are the main source of funds forof the BPPR Popular

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Foundation. The Board of Directors of BPPR appoints six of the ten members of the Board of Trustees. The remaining four trustees are appointed by the Board of Trustees of the BPPR Foundation. Mr. Carrión is the Chairman, and Messrs. Alvarez and Negrón are members, of the BPPR Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

The Popular Community Bank Foundation, Inc. (the “PCB Foundation”), a New York not for-profitnot-for-profit corporation, was created to strengthen the social and economic well-being of the communities served by Popular Community Bank. The PCB Foundation isAs Popular Community Bank’s philanthropic arm, andit provides support to charitable organizations forwith a focus on community development and education. During 2017, Popular Community Bank contributed approximately $90,000 toMr. Carrión is the PCB Foundation through the matching of employee contributions. The bank also made additional contributions of approximately $172,500 to the foundation. Popular Community Bank and its employees, through voluntary personal donations, are the main source of funds of the PCB Foundation.Chairman, while Messrs. Carrión, Alvarez, Vázquez, Chinea and Negrón are members, of the Board of Directors of the PCBPopular Foundation.

Certain directors and NEOs have immediate family members who are

A daughter of Mr. Alvarez is employed by BPPR. Theas a Counsel in the Legal Division of the Corporation. She received total compensation of these family members isapproximately $135,000 during fiscal year 2023 and participated in the Corporation’s general benefit plans available to all employees. Her compensation was established in accordance with BPPR’sthe Corporation’s employment and compensation practices applicable to employees with similar qualifications and responsibilities or holding similar positions. Until January 2018, a son of Mr. Carrión was employed as a Senior Vice PresidentHer employment relationship and Division Manager of the Business Development and International Banking Division of BPPR. He received compensation in the amount of approximately $212,242 during fiscal year 2017 and other benefits and payments that did not exceed $40,000. His compensationstructure was approved and ratified by the Audit Committee under the Related Party Policy.

During 2017

In September 2022, an entity indirectly owned by Ms. Ferré Rangel and her siblings (the “Contracted Entity”) entered into a one-year contract (renewable for subsequent one-year periods) with BPPR to provide call center services in Puerto Rico to the Corporation engaged, in the ordinary courseCustomer Contact Center Division of business, the legal servicesBPPR. As part of the law firm Reichard & Escalera, LLC,procurement process, BPPR conducted a request for proposal for the call center services and obtained proposals from three different service providers, including the Contracted Entity. After evaluating the proposals, the Customer Contact Center Division of whichBPPR selected the father-in-law of Mr. Negrón, is a partner. The fees paid to Reichard & Escalera, LLC for fiscal year 2017 amounted to approximately $210,000. The engagementContracted Entity based on its service experience in Puerto Rico, system capabilities, experience with the financial services industry and the cost structure of the law firm was approved and ratified byproposal. In June 2022, the Audit Committee underapproved the transaction with the Contracted Entity in accordance with the Related Party Policy.

On September 1, 2023, the contract was renewed for an additional one-year term. The total amount of the contract for the additional one-year term is estimated to be approximately $989,000. During 2023, BPPR paid the Contracted Entity approximately $816,000 for the services rendered under the contract.

BPPR has loan transactions with Popular’s directors and officers, and other Related Persons, and proposesintends to continue such transactions in the

ordinary course of its business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable loan transactions with third parties. Except as discussed below, the extensions of credit have not involved and do not currently involve more than the normal risks of collection or present other unfavorable features.

In June 2006, afeatures or otherwise require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission:

Related Parties of Mr. Ballester have outstanding loans made prior to the borrowers on such loans having become Related Parties of Mr. Ballester.
These loans—five commercial loans made to entities that are wholly-owned by one brother-in-law of Mr. Unanue obtained a $828,000 mortgage loan from Popular Mortgage, then a subsidiary of BPPR, secured by a residential property. The loan was a fully amortizing 30-year loan with a fixed annual rate of 7%. Mr. Unanue was not a director of Popular at the time the loan was made. The loan was made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable loan transactions with third parties at that time. The borrower became delinquent on his payments commencing in July 2010 and, after exhausting various collection and loss mitigation efforts, BPPR commenced foreclosure procedures in November 2010. As of December 31, 2011, Popular had recorded a loss of approximately $65,000 on the loan. In March 2012, the loan was restructured under the terms of BPPR’s loan modification program. The restructured loan is a 40-year loan with a fixed annual rate of 2.5% during the first 5 years, increasing 1% each year thereafter up to a rate of 6.75%. While the principal amount of the restructured loan subject to interest payment is $750,321, the borrower also agreed to repay an additional amount of $158,100 upon cancellation of the restructured loan. The total payments to be made by the borrower represent the entirety of the amount owed prior to restructuring the loan, including accrued interest. During 2017, the borrower defaulted on his payment obligations under the restructured loan and as of December 31, 2017 the loan was 306 days past due. Payments of principal and interest of $2,041 and $2,907, respectively, Ballester—were made during 2017. As of December 31, 2017, the outstanding balance of the loan was $854,356. The largest outstanding balance of the loan during 2017 was $856,397.

In March 2012, BPPR also entered into an agreement with Mr. Unanue’s same brother-in-law to pay $97,000 of the approximately $139,000 in credit card and personal loan debt (including accrued interest) owed by him. These loans were made in the ordinary course of business prior to the date that Mr. Unanue joined the Board. The borrower agreed to make monthly payments of $538 until the amount was paid in full. In July 2017, the borrower discontinued monthly

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  27


payments, thereby defaulting on the indebtedness. Prior to the default, the borrower had paid $3,228 during 2017 and the outstanding debt balance as of December 31, 2017 was $65,258. The largest outstanding balance of the loan during 2017 was $68,486.

During 2017, a brother-in-law of Mr. Negrón owned a 50% equity interest in an entity which had a real estate development loan with BPPR. The loan was made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable loan transactions with third parties at that time. The initial loan was in the amount of $1,650,000 and was originated by Westernbank in 2003. BPPR acquired this loan as part of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) assisted transaction in 2010. Mr. Negrón’s brother-in-law personally guarantees the loan which is payable from the proceeds of the sale of residential units and bears interest at a rate equal to 5.25%. This loan participated in the moratorium offered to BPPR’s commercial clients after Hurricane Maria. The outstanding balance on the loan as of December 31, 2017 was $114,706, which includes the capitalization of interest accrued during the moratorium. During 2017, $3,480 and $3,917 were paid in principal and interest, respectively. The largest outstanding balance of the loan during 2017 was $117,370.

In September 2008, a brother of Mr. Negrón obtained a $390,000 commercial loan from BPPR, secured by a commercial property. The loan was a fully amortizing 15-year loan with a variable interest rate of prime plus 0.50%. The loan was made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable loan transactions with third parties at that time. In January 2015, BPPR approved the first of three 6-month temporary reductions to the borrower’s monthly principal payments in the aggregate amount of $13,500. In August 2016, the term of the temporary loan modifications expired, and the borrower started to pay the loan under its original terms. The outstanding balance on the loan as of December 31, 2017 was $200,917, and $22,750 and $7,268 were paid during 2017 in principal and interest, respectively. The largest outstanding balance of the loan during 2017 was $221,250. This loan participated in the moratorium offered to BPPR’s commercial clients after Hurricane Maria.

In July 2017, Mr. Cestero was named an Executive Vice President of BPPR. At the time, relatives of Mr. Cestero had the following  outstanding

loans with BPPR that require disclosure in this proxy statement:

The brother of Mr. Cestero and his wife are the borrowers under a fully-amortizing30-year mortgage loan with an original principal amount of $104,177 and a fixed annual interest rate of 7.375%. The loan was made in 2006 and restructured in 2011. It is secured by a second mortgage on the borrowers’ residence. Payments of principal and interest of $874 and $4,162, respectively, were made during 2017. During the months from September to December, the loan participated in the moratorium offered to BPPR’s mortgage clients. No payments have been received thereafter. The largest outstanding balance of the loan during 2017, as well as the outstanding balance of the loan as of December 31, 2017 was $98,611. This amount includes the capitalization of interest accrued during the moratorium.

Mr. Cestero’s brother and his wife are also borrowers under a 15-year mortgage loan, with an original principal amount of $100,000 and a fixed annual interest rate of 5%. The loan is secured by a third mortgage on the borrowers’ residence and requires monthly payments of principal and interest. Since 2015 the borrowers have only made partial payments of principal, and therefore, are not in compliance with the payment terms of the loan. During 2017, only payments of principal in the amount of $5,000 were made. As of December 31, 2017, the outstanding balance of the loan was $93,702. The largest outstanding balance of the loan during 2017 was $98,702.

In June 2017, Mr. Ballester, acquired new family relationships by way of marriage. These Related Parties had the following outstanding loans, which were obtained prior to Mr. Ballester’s marriage, and require disclosure in this proxy statement:

In November 2003, an entity owned by two brothers-in-law of Mr. Ballester obtained a commercial loan in the aggregate amount of $700,000 from Westernbank. The loan was acquired by BPPR as part of a FDIC assisted transaction in 2010. The loan is a fully amortizing 30-year loan with a variable interest rate of prime plus 0.75%. It is secured by real estate and guaranteed by the two brothers-in-law and their wives. The outstanding principal balance on the loan as of December 31, 2017 was $374,206, and, during 2017, $26,351 and $24,261 were paid in

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principal and interest respectively. The largest outstanding balance of the loan during 2017 was $400,556.

In May 2001, another brother-in-law of Mr. Ballester obtained a $292,000 mortgage loan from Doral Bank, secured by a residential property. The loan was a fully amortizing 30-year loan with a fixed annual rate of 7.250%. The borrower became delinquent on his payments commencing in October 2011. After the FDIC placed Doral Bank in receivership in 2015, BPPR began to act as servicer of the loan for the benefit of a third-party investor. After exhausting various collection and loss mitigation efforts, BPPR, acting as servicer, and the borrower, negotiated and entered into a deed in lieu of foreclosure in June 2017. As a result of that transaction, the third-party investor acquired the residential property that secured the mortgage loan and recorded a loss of $220,414. No payments of principal and interest were made on the mortgage loan during 2017. At the time of closing of the deed in lieu of foreclosure transaction, the outstanding principal balance of the loan was $250,610 and the loan payoff amount, including principal, interest and other accrued fees was $370,376. The deed in lieu of foreclosure was approved and ratified by the Audit Committee under the Related Party Policy.

In 2010 as part of the Westernbank FDIC assisted transaction, BPPR acquired (i) four commercial loans made to entities that were wholly-owned by one brother-in-law of Mr. Ballester and (ii) one commercial loan made to an entity that was owned by same brother-in-law together with Mr. Ballester’s father-in-law and another brother-in-law.FDIC-assisted transaction. The loans wereare secured by real estate and personally guaranteed by the ownersbrother-in-law of each borrower.Mr. Ballester. The loans were originated by WesterbankWesternbank between 2001 and 2005 and had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $33.5 million when they were acquired by BPPR in 2010.BPPR. Between 2011 and 2014, the loans were restructured to consist ofof: (i) five notes with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $19.7$19.8 million with a 6% annual interest rate (“Notes A”) and (ii) five notes with an aggregate outstanding balance of $13.5 million with a 1% annual interest rate, to be paid upon maturity (“Notes B”). The restructured notes had aan original maturity of September 30, 2016 and, thereafter, various interim renewals were approved to allow for the negotiation of a longer-term extension. On April 2022, one of these interim extensions decreased the interest rate applicable to the Notes A to 4.25% and maintained the Notes B at an interest rate of 1%. In November 2022, BPPR and the Related Parties of Mr. Ballester entered into a three-year extension of the loans, until November 2025, which, among other things: (i) increased the interest rate applicable to Notes A to 5.25% and maintained the Notes B at an interest rate of 1% and (ii) established a principal repayment schedule for Notes A, including a $700,000 mandatory prepayment. The three-year extension of the loans was approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the last   two   renewals

Related Party Policy. The aggregate outstanding balance on the loans as of December 31, 2023, was approximately $28.5 million, of which approximately $15 million corresponded to Notes A and approximately $13.5 million to Notes B. During 2023, the borrower paid approximately $768,316 and $822,354 in principal and interest, respectively. The largest outstanding balance of the loans during 2023 was approximately $29.2 million, of which approximately $15.7 million corresponded to Notes A and approximately $13.5 million to Notes B.

occurring in June 2017 and October 2017, with the renewed loans maturing in January 31, 2018. The June renewals included a six-month principal moratorium for four of the Notes A commencing on March 2017 and a change in the interest from 6% to 4.25% in one of the Notes A. The October renewals included a 60-day moratorium of principal and interest on all of the Notes A and a subsequent 60-day principal moratorium on four of the Notes A. The aggregate outstanding balance on the loans as of December 31, 2017 was approximately $32.1 million and, during 2017, $114,892 and $973,290 were paid in principal and interest, respectively. The largest outstanding balance of the loans during 2017 was approximately $32.1 million. Although the loans were not paid by the borrowers upon their expiration on January 31, 2018, borrowers have continued to make payments of principal and interest for all Notes A, except one in which they are only making interest payments. The June and October renewals and moratoriums were ratified by the Audit Committee under the Related Party Policy.

Mr. Carrión is President of and owns, together with his siblings, an entity which in turn owns 35% of a corporation that ownsis the owner of a commercial building.building in Puerto Rico. In addition, Mr. Carrión’s sister and brother-in-law are ownersis the owner of an entity that has a participation of 21.5% in the same corporation. ThisIn June 2001, this corporation obtained in June 2001, a $30.4 million commercial loan from Doral Bank to provide financing for the development of the commercial building. In March 2007, Westernbank acquired the loan from Doral Bank and increased the loan amount to $40.5 million through additional borrowings. The loan had a 40-year amortization schedule, an

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS  | 41

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interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.40% and a maturity date of March 2017. ItThe loan was secured by the commercial building developed with the proceeds of the loan and guaranteed by the owners of the borrower. The loan was acquired by BPPR in 2010 as part of the Westernbank FDIC assistedFDIC-assisted transaction. In February 2017, the loan was extended by BPPR until June 2017 under the same terms and conditions. In May 2017, the loan was sold by BPPR to the Corporation, whichand in JuneAugust 2017, renewed the loan for an additional three months. In August 2017,after another interim renewal, the Corporation refinanced the then-current $37.9 million principal balance of the loan at an interest rate of 5.15%, a maturity date of February 2019 and a 30-year amortization schedule. In February 2019, the loan was renewed for a period of 36-months at an interest rate of 5.75% and a
30-year amortization schedule. On December 28, 2021, after receiving the approval of the Audit Committee under the Related Party Policy, the Corporation refinanced the then-current $36.0 million principal balance of the loan at an interest rate of 4.50%, a maturity date of December 2026 and a 20-year amortization schedule. Payments of principal and interest of $316,447approximately $1.2 million and $725,324,$1.5 million, respectively,

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  29


were made during 2017. This loan participated in the moratorium offered to BPPR’s commercial clients after Hurricane Maria.2023. The largest outstanding balance of the loan during 2017, as well as2023 was approximately $33.6 million. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of the loan as of December 31, 2017 was $38,209,359. This amount includes the capitalization of interest accrued during the moratorium, amounting to $491,019.approximately $32.4 million. The renewals, sale and refinancing described above were approved under the Related Party Policy.

On February 2018, BPPR entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition and assumption of certain assets and liabilities of Reliable Financial Services and Reliable Finance Holding Company, Puerto Rico-based subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company, engaged in the auto finance business in Puerto Rico. Reliable Financial Services leases approximately 61,442 square feet of space (comprising approximately 34.54% of the rentable square feet) in the real estate property building securing   the  aforementioned  commercial  loan  to  Related   Parties   of

borrower is current on its payments.

Mr. Carrión. Such lease is documented pursuant to a lease agreement between Reliable Financial Services and the corporation which is the borrower in the loan and of which Mr. Carrión’s Related Parties own 56.5% in the aggregate. As part of the acquisition transaction, BPPR has agreed to enter in an agreement with Reliable Financial Services to sublease the space necessary for BPPR to continue the acquired operations until the expiration of the lease in accordance with its terms in 2019. Rents paid pursuant to such sublease will be a source of repayment of, and serve as collateral to, the commercial loan. The estimated total amount to be paid during a 12-month period by BPPR to Reliable Financial Services under the sublease is approximately $2 million. BPPR’s agreement to enter into a sublease with Reliable Financial Services in connection with the acquisition transaction was ratified by the Audit Committee under the Related Party Policy.

30

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

III
Executive and Director
Compensation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

In this section, we describe the key features of Popular’s executive compensation program, 2023 compensation payments and rewards, and the factors that we considered in making 20172023 compensation decisions regarding our named executive officers (“NEOs”).

NEOs. For 2023, Popular’s NEOs were:

  For 2017, Popular’s NEOs were:

Ignacio Alvarez

  Richard L. Carrión

Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, since July 1, 2017 (formerly Chief Executive Officer through June 30, 2017)

  Ignacio Alvarez

President & Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), since July 1, 2017 (formerly President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) through June 30, 2017)

Carlos J. Vázquez

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)

Javier D. Ferrer

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal OfficerHead of Business Strategy (“CLO”COO”)

Lidio V. Soriano

Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”)

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

Manuel Chinea

Executive Vice President, Commercial Credit Group, BancoChief Operating Officer of Popular de Puerto Rico

Bank

Popular

The Corporation reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). A reconciliation of the GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures referred to belowherein is provided in Appendix BA to this Proxy Statement. This discussion includes statements regarding financial and operating performance targets in the specific context of Popular’s executive compensation program. Shareholders should not readinterpret these statements in any other context.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview

2023 Corporate Performance and Highlights
During 2017, we demonstrated the continued strength of our franchise while operating in2023, Popular delivered solid results despite a challenging economic environment impactedwhich included high interest rates, an uncertain geopolitical landscape and disruptions in the banking industry during the first half of the year. The Corporation’s results reflected solid earnings, robust loan growth, stable credit quality and continued customer growth. Important milestones were achieved by the unprecedented destruction and disruption caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Prior to the hurricanes, the Corporation’s annual net income result was projected to achieve payout under our incentive program. Notwithstanding the hurricanes’ impact, we persevered to achieve year-over-year growthCorporation, including surpassing two million unique customers in our net interest income, stable credit indicators and strong capital levels. BPPR’s Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands operations have substantially recovered fromsignificant progress was made in our transformation efforts.
Popular’s GAAP Net income for 2023 was approximately $541.3 million, compared to $1.1 billion for the year 2022. Excluding the $45.3 million after-tax impact of the storms. We also experienced high loan demand in our U.S. operation, with a 16% growth in commercial loans.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  31


2017 CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

Some of Popular’s key corporate accomplishments during 2017 includedFDIC Special Assessment, the following:

LOGO

2017 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Our 2017adjusted net income for the year 2023 was $107.7approximately $586.6 million, reflecting the adverse effect of the hurricanes and the U.S. Tax Cut and Jobs Act’s impact on the value of Popular’s U.S. deferred tax asset (“DTA”). To provide meaningful information about the underlying performance of our ongoing operations, the $168.4 million DTA write-down is added backcompared to net income to express our results on an adjusted net income basis, which is a non-GAAP measure; on this basis,

32  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT

Hurricanes Irma & Maria In September 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure, including communications, fuel supplies, electric power and water. Immediately following the disaster, our main priorityof $807.8 million in 2022. The variance was to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and support the stabilization and recovery needs of the most impacted communities. In the face of this dire crisis, our employees responded bravely and selflessly in support of their colleagues and communities, distributing survival supplies and restoring essential financial services that serve as the lifeline of economic activity. Within one week after hurricane Maria, our employees had reopened 32% of branches and made 24% of ATMs operational. By December 93% of our 177 branches were open and 82% of our 655 ATMs were operational. Also, our digital channels were not interrupted by the hurricanes. Following the hurricanes, we offered a 3-month payment moratorium for consumer, mortgage, and commercial loans and temporarily waived ATM surcharges and late payment fees. We increased our Employee Emergency Fund to support those colleagues that suffered severe hurricane damage. Credit Quality Non-performing loans decreased by $7 million (1%) compared to 2016. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets decreased from 2.0% at December 2016 to 1.7% at December 2017. We are closely monitoring asset quality measures on our loan portfolios and the moratorium granted to certain consumers and commercial borrowers. Capital Strategy In 2017, our quarterly common stock dividend increased from $0.15 to $0.25/share, and we executed a common stock repurchase of $75 million. Our capital levels remained robust, with year-end Common Equity Tier 1 capital equal to 16.3%. Puerto Rico Business We currently serve 1.68 million customers, reflecting an increase of 2% from 2016. Total deposits rose $4.3 billion (17%) from 2016. Net interest margins remained strong at 4.32%. Our commercial and auto loan portfolios increased during 2017. BPPR’s commercial loan portfolio, excluding run-off from the Westernbank portfolio, increased by $135 million during the year, and auto loans grew by $122 million (8%). We remain focused on providing innovative solutions to our customers through our digital transformation. Digital deposits captured 40% of total deposit transactions, and Mi Banco active customers reached 751,000 in 2017, up 8% from 2016. United States Business Our total loan portfolio grew by 11%, mainly driven by a 16%higher provision for credit losses and higher operating expenses. The increase in the commercialprovision was due to the release of loan portfolio. We expandedloss reserves in the first half of 2022, continued loan growth during 2023 and the normalization of credit quality metrics in our unsecured consumer lending to U.S. customers through initiatives such as White Label credit card alliances. We launchedportfolios from historically low levels experienced during the pandemic. The increase in operating expenses reflects our private banking initiative to fulfill our customers’ credit, deposit, financial advisory and investment needs. Digital deposit transactions increased to 43% of all deposits in December 2017 from 35% in December 2016. Organizational Excellence We completed several initiatives to protect corporate assets, ensure cyber-security and mitigate against fraud (including chip technology on credit and debit cards). Our 3rd wave of Popular’s Leadership Academy was conducted, ensuring a robust pool of top-quality leadership talent. The 4th wave of our LEAN Six Sigma Academy was launched, providing employees with tools to seize opportunities to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. We enhanced our employees’ physical, emotional and financial well-being through expanded services in our Healthtransformation initiatives, our people, and Wellness Center, mindfulness programsour efforts to expand our capabilities in cybersecurity, risk management, data and an increase in Popular’s savings plan matching contribution. Social Commitment Through Fundación Banco Popular and Popular Community Bank Foundation, valuable financial and in-kind assistance was provided to areas severely impacted by the hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Over 500,000 pounds of water, food and medical supplies were disbursed to provide immediate relief to the most affected communities with the support of employees. We launched the “Embracing Puerto Rico” initiative, contributed to the “Unidos por Puerto Rico” fundraising campaign and co-sponsored the “Somos Una Voz” concert which raised $35 million for earthquake victims in Mexico, and hurricane victims in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.


our adjusted net income was $276.0 million. In addition, as outlined later, the Board of Directors’ Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) decided to make further net income adjustments, directly attributable to the hurricanes’ impact that was beyond the Corporation’s control, for purposes of certain incentive awards; on this basis, our after-tax adjusted net income for incentives was $348.7 million.technology. Refer to the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation in Appendix B.

PopularA.

Popular’s common stock (“BPOP”) shares closed 20172023 at $35.49, 19% lower$82.07, 24% higher than 2016. This performance compared negatively against our U.S. peers, which increased by 6%, andyear-end 2022. BPOP stock outperformed the KBW Nasdaq Regional Banking Index (“KRX”) and the Nasdaq Bank Index, which decreased by 4% and 7%, which remained relatively unchanged, but compared favorably to other Puerto Rico banks. Despite concerns about Puerto Rico’s economic and fiscal situation, includingrespectively, in the Commonwealth’s May 3rd, 2017 bankruptcy filing under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”), for the first nine months of 2017 the pricesame period.

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Some of Popular’s shares correlatedadditional key corporate highlights during 2023 included:
Banco Popular
• 
Increased total loans by $1.9 billion compared to 2022.
• 
Achieved a net interest margin of 3.20% (up from 3.06% in 2022).
• 
Remained as market leader in Puerto Rico in auto loans and leases, personal loans, credit cards, mortgage loan originations, commercial loans and total deposits.
• 
Served over two million customers as of 2023 year-end. Digital channels captured approximately 62% of total deposit transactions and Mi Banco (online platform) active customers exceeded 1.1 million.
Popular Bank
• 
Increased total loans by $1.0 billion compared to 2022.
• 
Increased total deposits by $2.6 billion from 2022.
Profitability and Credit Quality
• 
Improved the credit quality of our portfolio, including a reduction of $82 million in non-performing loans.
• 
Non-performing loans held-in-portfolio as a percentage of loans held in portfolio decreased to 1.0% in 2023 compared to 1.4% in the prior year.
• 
Increased the Corporation’s net interest margin by 2 basis points (bps) year-over-year to 3.13%.
Capital Strategy
• 
Maintained strong capital levels with year-end Tier 1 Common Equity ratio at 16.3%.
• 
Increased, during the fourth quarter, the quarterly common stock dividend from $0.55 to $0.62 per share.
• 
Increased tangible equity by 33% or $14.77 per share.
Organizational Excellence & Human Capital
• 
Continued working on initiatives related to the multi-year corporate transformation designed to expand digital capabilities, modernize the technology platform, and implement agile and efficient business processes across the Corporation.
• 
Redefined the Corporation’s purpose and streamlined the cultural framework to better reflect Popular’s core values and daily practices.
• 
Enhanced our health and wellness programs by launching innovative clinical and preventive programs such as a leadership guide on mental health and expanded nutrition and psychological services in our On-Site Health and Wellness Center (which received over 15,000 visits).
• 
Expanded the scope of the Corporation’s Employee Resource Groups (“ERG”) in the U.S. mainland by establishing a Black/African ERG and extending Popular Pride and Network of Woman in Popular ERGs to this region.
• 
Launched a comprehensive Employee Engagement & Experience Survey program, shifting from biennial to quarterly/annual assessments, including additional surveys that measure employee sentiment through the recruiting, onboarding and exit journeys. Our current score of 84% positions us within the 75th percentile of the Qualtrics global benchmark and above the average benchmark of the financial industry.
For additional information on the Corporation’s human capital initiatives, please refer to the Human Capital Management disclosure included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Environmental and Social Commitment
• 
Maintained a strong branch presence in low- and moderate-income communities with 27% of BPPR and 43% of Popular Bank branches located in these areas.
• 
Invested approximately $12 million in our communities, including corporate donations, programs to promote financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, and philanthropic contributions through our corporate foundations in Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S.
• 
Demonstrated our commitment to further reducing our operational footprint by continuing the installation of solar panels, the operation of two Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems and implementation of energy efficiency initiatives. Currently sixty-two branches and five corporate buildings have photovoltaic systems.
• 
Financed several affordable housing projects in Puerto Rico, started offering a hurricane parametric insurance product and, in collaboration with a non-profit organization, implemented a pilot program to offer secured personal loans to women victims of gender violence, enabling them to establish credit.
For additional information on the Corporation’s ESG efforts, please refer to the “Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability” section of this Proxy Statement.
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Highlights of Our 2023 Executive Compensation Program and Pay Decisions
Performance-Linked Pay. Popular’s overarching compensation philosophy has always been to provide our executive officers with pay that is linked to performance and supports the long-term interests of our shareholders, while deterring improper sales practices and excessive risk-taking.
As illustrated in the movement of the mainland KRX. However, following the impact of Hurricane Maria in September, Popular’s share price was severely affected, closing the year at levels below our U.S. peers and the KRX. During the first eight weeks of 2018, Popular’s share price increased by 21%, while the aggregate share price of the KRX, our U.S. peers and other Puerto Rico peer banks rose by 4%, 8% and 20%, respectively.

LOGO

As described below, our executive compensation programs are designed to reward the achievement of annual and long-term goals that generate sustained company performance and strong returns to our shareholders.

OUR 2017 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES

Popular’s overarching compensation philosophy has always been to provide our executive officers with pay that is linked to performance and supports the long-term interests of our shareholders. Performance-basedgraphs, performance-based short- and long-term incentives represent a large portionthe majority of our executive officers’NEOs’ target total compensation opportunity (63%(80% for the President and CEO and 61%-67% for the other NEOs). As discussed in the “Long-Term (Equity) Incentive Compensation Opportunity” section, we further aligned our NEOs’ and shareholders’ interests by providing all 2024 target pay adjustments solely through long-term incentives.

A breakdown of the target incentive elements is provided in the “2023 Executive Compensation Program and Pay Decisions” section of this Proxy Statement.
2023 Salary. Each NEO, except for the CEO, received a salary increase adjustment in 2023, ranging from 3.9% to 5.3%, determined based on market benchmarking and individual performance.
2023 Short-Term Incentives. Based on the Talent and Compensation Committee’s (the “Committee”) assessment of performance under our 2023 short-term incentive (“STI”) plan, our NEOs’ 2023 STI payouts ranged from 85% to 98% of target, reflecting the Corporation’s solid results and favorable performance against pre-established financial and non-financial goals, as the Corporation delivered strong earnings, robust loan growth, stable credit quality and continued customer base expansion. For more information refer to the “2023 Executive Compensation Program and Pay Decisions” section of this Proxy Statement.
2023 Long-Term Awards. Our long-term equity incentive (“LTI”) program is based on two equally weighted components: (i) one-half (50%) is granted as performance shares, with actual value based on future performance over a 3-year period (one-half of our performance shares are based on Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative to banks with assets between $25 billion and $500 billion and the other half is based on an absolute 3-year average Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (“ROATCE”) goal); and (ii) one-half (50%) is granted as time-vested restricted stock. The performance shares are always granted at target since vesting reflects performance over a three-year period. The time-vested restricted stock has a target value of 50% of each executive’s LTI opportunity, but the actual grant may vary based on the Committee’s assessment of prior-year Popular and individual performance.
Performance grants were made in February 2023 at target, since vesting is determined based on future (i.e., 3-year) performance. Time-vesting restricted stock awards were also granted in February 2023, at target level for the CEO and above target level for the other NEOs, recognizing each NEO’s contribution to Popular’s solid performance in 2022 and strong leadership.
2021-2023 Performance Share Vesting. Upon the conclusion of the 2021-2023 performance cycle, performance results indicated, and the Committee approved, vesting based on the following results: (i) 3-year TSR in the 92nd percentile relative to an industry index of U.S. banks with assets greater than $10 billion, resulting in a maximum award (150% of target shares) for that component, and (ii) 3-year average ROATCE of 14.18%, which exceeded the maximum goal of 12.0%, thereby yielding the maximum award (150% of target shares) for that component.


Note: Target total compensation for the Executive Chairman,

is determined using each NEO’s base salary as of December 31, 2023.

74% for the President and CEO and 62% for the other NEOs). Between 50% and 65% of those incentives are equity-based, with one-half of the target award based on Popular’s future total shareholder return and earnings per share. Our executive officers are also subject to stock ownership requirements.

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 45

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2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  33


The Committee approves Popular’s compensation programs upon consideration of market competitive trends, regulatory guidelines and bestleading practices. Furthermore, our executive compensation program is designed to discourage excessive or unnecessary risk taking and improper sales practices through the adequate balance of short-term and long-term incentives, thresholds and caps to limit payouts, and a mix of financial and non-financial goals, among other design features.

Effective July 1, 2017, the Board of Directors appointed Richard L. Carrión, previously Popular’s Chairman and CEO, as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ignacio Alvarez, who had been President and COO since 2014, was named President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2017.

In this new position, Mr. Carrión collaborates with the new CEO  on  corporate  strategy,  with  emphasis  on  mergers  and  acquisitions,

innovation and technology, social responsibility initiatives and government and client relations, and continues to chair the Board of Directors. The Committee believes that Mr. Carrión’s active involvement and collaboration with Mr. Alvarez has ensured a seamless transition of our CEO role.

In accordance with these organizational changes, the Committee, in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, reviewed market compensation practices and decided to reconfigure the respective levels and composition of target incentive compensation for the Executive Chairman and the President & CEO moving forward. The following table illustrates the annual cash and equity target award opportunities established for our NEOs in 2017. The result is a balanced perspective of financial and qualitative performance over a short- and long-term horizon.

2017 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Target Incentive Opportunity

% of Base Pay

 

Short-Term (Cash) Incentive % of Base Pay

 

     

Richard L. Carrión

   

Ignacio Alvarez

    
     

CEO

Jan. - Jun.

   

 

Executive

Chairman

Jul. - Dec.

   

 

President

& COO

Jan. - Jun.

   

 

President

& CEO

Jul. - Dec.

   

Other

NEOs

Jan.- Dec.

 

Popular, Inc. Net Income    

 

  

 

  30.0%

 

  

 

 25.0%

 

  

 

 27.5%    

 

  

 

  30.0%

 

  

 

25.0%

 

          

 

Annual Goals(Financial/Non-Financial)    

 

  

 

  50.0%

 

  

 

45.0%

 

  

 

45.0%

 

  

 

  50.0%

 

  

 

40.0%

 

          

 

Leadership    

 

  

 

  20.0%

 

  

 

   15.0%

 

  

 

   17.5%

 

  

 

  20.0%

 

  

 

15.0%

 

          

 

Total Short-Term (% of base pay)    

 

  

 

100.0%

 

  

 

   85.0%

 

  

 

   90.0%

 

  

 

100.0%

 

  

 

80.0%

 

          

 

Long-Term (Equity) Incentive % of Base Pay

 

     

Richard L. Carrión

   

Ignacio Alvarez

    
     

CEO

Jan. - Jun.

   

 

Executive

Chairman

Jul. - Dec.

   

 

President

& COO

Jan. - Jun.

   

 

President

& CEO

Jul. - Dec.

   

Other

NEOs

Jan. - Dec.

Performance Shares    

( 12 Total Shareholder Return    

and 12 Earnings per Share)    

    80.0%    42.5%    50.0%    92.5%    40.0%
          

 

Restricted Stock    

 

 

  

 

  80.0%

 

  

 

  42.5%

 

  

 

  50.0%

 

  

 

  92.5%

 

  

 

  40.0%

 

          

 

Total Long-Term (% of base pay)    

 

  

 

160.0%

 

  

 

  85.0%

 

  

 

100.0%

 

  

 

185.0%

 

  

 

  80.0%

 

          

 

Total Short- and Long-Term Incentives    

 

  

 

260.0%

 

  

 

170.0%

 

  

 

190.0%

 

  

 

285.0%

 

  

 

160.0%

 

          

34  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


The following key features of our executive compensation program reflect our focus on balanced performance-based or otherwise “at risk” pay, long-term shareholder value and prudentappropriate risk taking:

WHAT WE DO

What we do

Use variousa combination of performance metrics to deter excessive risk-taking by eliminating any incentive focus on aany single performance goal. Also, theThe Committee may adjust incentive payouts if results are not aligned with Popular’s risk appetite and related tolerances.

tolerance.

Balance short-term (cash) and long-term (equity) compensation to discourage short-term risk takingrisk-taking at the expense of long-term results.

Use equity incentives to promote total return toalign executives’ interests with those of shareholders, companyreward long-term performance and support executive retention.

50% of our target LTI opportunity is based on future performance.

Require significant stock ownership from our executive officers to align their interests with shareholders’ interests. Our CEO has a stock ownership requirement equal to six times his base salary, and the other NEOs must own stock totaling three times their base salaries.

Hold a portion of equity vesting until retirement, thereby reinforcing long-term risk management and alignment with shareholder interests.

Apply clawback features to all executive officer variable pay, including potential triggers for executive misconduct in addition to the event of a financial results restatement a performance metric found to be materially inaccurate, or an executive’s misconduct.

trigger compliant with the requirements of Rule 10D-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) Listing Rule 5608.

Employ “double-trigger” vesting of equity awards in the event of a change ofin control (i.e.(i.e., vesting is only triggered upon a qualifying termination of employment following a change ofin control).

Conduct annual incentives and sales practices risk reviews in conjunctioncoordination with Popular’s Chief Risk Officer.

Assess the competitiveness of our executive compensation program through benchmarking of industry and peer group practices.

Engage an independent compensation consultant who advises and reports directly to the Committee.

Require significant stock ownership from our executive officers. Our Executive Chairman and CEO have a requirement of six times their base salary, and the other NEOs must own three times their base salary.

WHAT WE DON’T DO

×

No tax gross-ups provided for any compensation or benefits.

×

No special executive retirement programs and no severance programs specific to executive officers.

×

No

Prohibit speculative transactions in PopularPopular’s securities by executive officers, is permitted, including: hedging and monetization transactions, such as zero-cost collars, forward sale contracts and short sales;sales, equity swaps; options;swaps, options, and other derivative transactions.

×

Engage an independent compensation consultant who advises and reports directly to the Committee.

What we don’t do

No excessive perquisites for executives.
No encouragement of excessive risk-taking.
No special executive retirement programs or severance programs specific to executive officers.
No employment or change in control agreements with our NEOs.
No tax gross-ups provided for any compensation or benefits.
No pledging of common stock or other securities of the Corporation as collateral for margin accounts or for loans (except as grandfathered with respect to certain loans).

loans.

×

No employment or change of control agreements with our NEOs.

×

No excessive perquisites for executives.

COMPENSATION OBJECTIVES AND COMPONENTS

MOTIVATE AND REWARD HIGH PERFORMANCE

Ensuring and sustaining a proper pay-performance relationship is one of our key objectives. For Popular, performance means a combination of financial results, strategic accomplishments and a demonstration of leadership competencies, all designed to support our company’s business strategy and drive long-term shareholder value.

Base salary, as well as short- and long-term incentive compensation opportunities,  are  generally  targeted  at market  median, with actual pay

varying according to each executive’s experience and performance. Our short-term incentive and performance share awards provide the opportunity to earn increased pay (up to 1.5 times target) for superior performance and similar downside (no payout) should we not achieve our performance goals. Furthermore, our incentive design seeks to dissuade our executives from taking excessive or unnecessary risks.

201846 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT  |  35


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As depicted in the following charts, our NEOs’ 2017 target incentive program had a strong focus on performance and shareholder alignment.

LOGO

The bars below illustrate the components of each NEO’s total target compensation opportunity (fixed pay plus variable performance-based pay). The variable portion of 63% for the Executive Chairman, 74% for the President and CEO and 62% for the other NEOs represents at-risk pay whose actual payout depends on company and individual performance. A breakdown of the target incentive elements is provided in the section titled “Our 2017 Executive Compensation Program and Organizational Changes.”

PAY MIX IN THE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Each element, at target, as a % of base pay

LOGO

36  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT

Short-term Incentive Annual cash award linked to the corporate and business unit results, individual goals and leadership competencies. 100% Cash Incentive Aligned with pay-performance; based on Popular, Inc. net income results, each NEO’s individual goals and leadership competencies. 50% Performance Shares One-half of the target equity award consists of performance shares, with actual earned shares determined at the end of a 3-year performance period: 1/2 based on Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) - relative to an index of banks. 1/2 based on Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) – an absolute 3-year cumulative goal. 50% Restricted Stock One-half of the target equity award is restricted stock granted upon consideration of corporate and individual performance. Supports NEO stock ownership and retention. Shares vest 20% annually over 4 years, holding the remaining 20% to vest upon retirement Long-term Incentive Annual equity grant that rewards performance and aligns Popular’s NEOs with the interests of our shareholders.


ALIGN EXECUTIVES WITH SHAREHOLDER INTERESTS AND BUILD LONG-TERM SHAREHOLDER VALUE

2017

2023 Say on Pay Results

At Popular’s annual shareholders meeting in April 2017, the vast majorityMay 2023, 96.79% of voting shareholders (95.83%) approved our overall executive compensation policies and practices. We believe that this strong backing illustrates our shareholders’ support of our compensation philosophy and performance-based pay program. TheShareholders’ perspectives of shareholders and industry bestleading practices were taken into consideration by management and the Committee as they developed strategic objectives, business plans and compensation elements supportingthat underpinned the 2017Corporation’s 2023 compensation decisions. The Committee plans to continue consideringconsiders our shareholders’ perspectivesperspective on an annual basis.

Equity-based Compensation

A significant componentbasis through the results of ourthe Say on Pay vote.

Compensation Objectives and Components
Compensation Objectives
The key compensation program is equity-based pay designed to promote long-term value by rewarding sustained earnings growth, long-term return on shareholders’ investmentobjectives and the retentionguiding principles of key high-performing talent. Performance shares promote value creation by  rewarding  executives  for future increases  in earnings

(EPS) and stock appreciation (TSR) depending on the degree of achievement of pre-established EPS and TSR targets.

Restricted stock is awarded upon consideration of corporate and individual performance. It promotes executive stock ownership and retention as the shares vest over time—with a portion held until retirement—further aligning our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In addition, our NEOs are subject to stock ownership guidelines to reinforce their orientation toward long-term shareholder value. Within five years of appointment, the Executive Chairman and the CEO must reach and subsequently retain shares equivalent to six times their base salary; the requirement for the other NEOs is three times their base salary. Any shares pledged to secure grandfathered loans and any unvested performance shares are not considered to satisfy the requirement. As of February 2018, all NEOs had either met the requirement or were on track to comply within the designated timeframe.

ATTRACT AND RETAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED EXECUTIVES

Popular’s executive compensation program seeks to attract, motivate and retainpractices are described below. They are supported and reinforced by the Committee’s review and advice on human capital strategies (encompassing succession, culture, employee engagement, talent needed to successfully deliver future earnings stabilitydevelopment, diversity, equity and inclusion).

Motivate and Reward High Performance
Ensuring and sustaining a proper pay-for-performance relationship is one of our key objectives. For Popular, performance means a combination of financial results (e.g., net income, TSR, return on equity), strategic accomplishments and leadership, all designed to drive the Corporation’s business plans in support of our customers, employees and communities, while generating long-term shareholder value.
Base salary, as well as short- and long-term incentive compensation opportunities, are targeted at market median, with actual pay varying based on corporate and individual performance. Our short-term incentive and equity awards provide the opportunity to earn increased pay (up to 1.5 times target) for superior performance and similar downside (no payout) should we not achieve our performance goals.
Align Executives’ Interests with Shareholders’ Interests and Build Long-Term Shareholder Value
A significant component of our compensation program is equity-based pay designed to promote long-term value by rewarding sustained earnings growth, long-term return on shareholders’ investment and the retention of key high-performing talent. Performance shares promote value creation by rewarding executives for future increases in profitability and stock appreciation depending on the degree of achievement against pre-established 3-year goals for ROATCE (absolute) and our TSR (relative to a broad industry index). Restricted stock is awarded upon consideration of corporate and individual performance; these awards are designed to promote executive stock ownership and retention as the shares vest over time, further aligning our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders. We also require significant stock ownership from our executive officers.
Environmental, social and governance matters are integrated into our incentive program to ensure Popular conducts operations responsibly and addresses sustainability risks and opportunities, assessing potential impact on future corporate performance and value creation.
Attract, Motivate and Retain Highly Qualified Executives
Popular’s executive compensation program seeks to attract, motivate and retain the talent needed to successfully deliver future earnings stability and growth. Our mix of salary and performance-based short- and long-term incentives provides a competitive offering to attract the best executive talent and promote engagement and long-term career retention. In consultation with management and its independent compensation consultant, the Committee balances competitiveness and retention features, while considering individual performance, experience and qualifications, as well as market practices and Popular’s financial performance.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 47

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Ensure Effective Controls and Sound Risk Management
Our incentive design seeks to dissuade our executives from taking excessive or unnecessary risks or promoting improper sales practices and ensures sound risk management and effective controls. The Corporation takes a balanced approach to incentive compensation design, utilizing both short-term (cash) and long-term (equity) components, multiple performance perspectives (financial, strategic, leadership, shareholder value), and the use of threshold performance requirements and payout caps, focusing on long-term performance periods and rewards. The Corporation’s Compensation Recoupment Policy, which applies to cash and equity-based incentives, covers financial restatement and executive misconduct. The Committee may also adjust individual awards based on the executive’s compliance with policies, guidelines, laws and regulations; results and follow-up of audits and examinations; and operation within Popular’s risk appetite.
Compensation Components – Purpose and performance-based short- and long-term incentives provides a competitive offering to attract the best executive   talent    and    promote   its    long-term   career   retention.   In

Key Design Features

consultation with management and its independent compensation consultant, the Committee balances competitiveness and retention features while considering individual performance, experience and qualifications, as well as market practices and Popular’s financial performance.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  37


The following key components of our compensation program, combined with strong succession and talent development initiatives, drive our ability to secure top executive-level talent over the long term.

COMPENSATION COMPONENTS—PURPOSE AND KEY DESIGN FEATURES

   LOGO    

Base Pay

• Fixed compensation to reflect each executive’s role, contribution and performance, which provides the foundation of the total compensation program on which other incentives and benefits are based.

• The reference point for base salaries is the median of the competitive market, with the ability to vary to reflect each executive’s performance, experience and contributions.

Executive Benefits and Perquisites

• Intended to represent an immaterial portion of total compensation, consistent with shareholder expectations and best practices.

LOGO

Short-Term Cash Incentive

• Short-term incentive represents a balance of performance measures that are aligned with Popular’s annual goals and business strategy.

• Annual incentive opportunity is targeted near the market median.

• Actual pay depends on the achievement of performance goals (financial, operational, strategic and individual leadership).

• Incentive plan has appropriate mitigating features to dissuade undue risk taking or improper sales practices (e.g., multiple measures, award caps, internal controls and compliance protocols, etc.).

Long-Term Equity Incentive

• Directly aligns executive interests with shareholders.

• Annual long-term incentive opportunity is targeted near the market median.

• Target award combines equal portions of performance-based and time-based vesting.

• Measures and rewards long-term performance.

• Allocated upon consideration of performance and potential.

• Promotes retention of key executive talent through multi-year vesting, including a portion that vests upon retirement.

long-term.


We also provide limited perquisites to support our objectives of attracting and retaining talent for key positions. We do not provide employment or change in control agreements.
2017 COMPENSATION PROGRAM AND PAY DECISIONS

BASE SALARY

Effective July 2017,2023 Executive Compensation Program and Pay Decisions

Base Salary
With the Committee approved base pay adjustments for Messrs. Carrión and Alvarez relatedexception of our CEO, our other NEOs received a salary increase adjustment in 2023, ranging from 3.9% to their respective changes in organizational role. Mr. Carrión’s5.3% of each NEO’s base salary, was reduced in connection with his ceasing to be CEO and assuming the role of Executive Chairman, and Mr. Alvarez’s base salary was increased when he assumed the position of President and CEO. Uponupon consideration of market-competitive pay for similar roles,market benchmarking and in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, theindividual performance. The Committee approved the adjustments outlined below:

  NEO  New Base
Salary
   % of
adjustment
 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

 

  $

 

1,200,000

 

 

 

   

 

      (14.3%

 

 

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

 

   

 

900,000

 

 

 

   

 

25.9%

 

 

 

During 2017, no other base pay adjustments were made for the other NEOs.

38

NEO
2023 Base Salary(a)
% of Adjustment
Ignacio Alvarez
$ 1,130,000
0.0%
Carlos J. Vázquez
   765,000
3.9
Javier D. Ferrer
   790,000
5.3
48 | 20182024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

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Variable Fixed


SHORT- AND LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION OPPORTUNITY

NEO
2023 Base Salary(a)
% of Adjustment
Lidio V. Soriano
590,000
4.1
Manuel Chinea
565,000
4.5
(a)
Base salary for the NEOs as of December 31, 2023.
Short-Term Incentive opportunities under the executive compensation program for 2017, as a percent of base pay, are presented below. The short-term incentive targets and related parameters for the Executive Chairman and CEO reflect a prorated opportunity based on 6 months in the former role and 6 months in the new role.

     
ComponentLevel of
Achievement

Executive
Chairman

R. Carrión

President /
CEO

I. Alvarez

Other NEOs

 

 

 

<Threshold

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

 

0%

 

Corporate Net Income

Threshold (85%)

 

 

13.8%

 

 

13.9%

 

 

10%

 

 

 

Target

 

 

27.7%

 

 

28.9%

 

 

25%

 

 

Max (115%)

 

41.5%

 

43.9%

 

40%

 

 

<Threshold

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

 

0%

 

Individual Annual Goals
(financial/non-financial)

Threshold

 

23.8%

 

23.9%

 

20%

 

 

Target

 

 

47.7%

 

 

47.8%

 

 

40%

 

 

Max

 

71.5%

 

71.7%

 

60%

 

 

Min

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

 

0%

 

Leadership

Target

 

17.7%

 

18.9%

 

15%

 

 

Max

 

26.5%

 

27.8%

 

20%

 

 

<Threshold

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

 

0%

 

Total Short-Term Incentive

Threshold

 

37.6%

 

37.8%

 

30%

 

 

Target

 

 

93.1%

 

 

95.6%

 

 

80%

 

 

 

Max

 

 

139.5%

 

 

143.4%

 

 

120%

 

 

For the long-term incentive, the parameters below indicate the prevailing structure at the time of grant in February 2017, before the role and compensation changes were implemented.

 

 

<Threshold

 

0%

 

0%

 

0%

 

Equity Incentive—Performance Shares

Min

 

40%

 

25%

 

20%

 

 

Target

 

 

80%

 

 

50%

 

 

40%

 

 

Max

 

120%

 

75%

 

60%

 

 

<Threshold

 

0%

 

0%

 

0%

 

Equity Incentive—Restricted Stock

Threshold

 

40%

 

25%

 

20%

 

 

Target

 

 

80%

 

 

50%

 

 

40%

 

 

Max

 

120%

 

75%

 

60%

 

 

<Threshold

 

0%

 

0%

 

0%

 

Total Long-Term Incentive

Threshold

 

80%

 

50%

 

40%

 

 

Target

 

 

160%

 

 

100%

 

 

80%

 

 

Max

 

240%

 

150%

 

120%

 

    
 

<Threshold

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

 

Consolidated Total

Threshold

 

117.7%

 

87.8%

 

70.0%

 

 

Target

 

 

253.1%

 

 

195.6%

 

 

160.0%

 

 

Max

 

379.6%

 

293.4%

 

240.0%

 

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  39

Compensation Opportunity


SHORT-TERM ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE FOR 2017 (PAID IN 2018)

OurPopular’s short-term incentive rewards the achievement of annual financial and non-financial goals that reinforce our business strategy and strategic priorities, as well as the demonstration of our leadership competencies.priorities. Actual payouts depend on performance and are capped at 1.5 times the target award. CertainPre-defined threshold levels of performance are required tomust be achieved for any payouts to be awarded.

Awards

Each executive has a defined short-term incentive target opportunity and payout range. Target incentive opportunities are earned based on leveldefined by role and take into account market practice and target pay mix. The CEO’s target is defined as 135% of achievementbase salary; and the other NEOs’ target is defined as 80% of 2017 net income, as adjusted, pre-established goals and leadership.

their base salary. The Committee assessedalso defined the performance criteria that would be used to determine payouts. Actual payouts for each component of the STI plan can range from 50% of target (for threshold performance) to 150% of target (for stretch performance). Actual performance below threshold results in no payout. Threshold performance is defined as 85% of budget, whereas stretch performance is defined as 115% of budget.

In 2023, the Committee adapted the STI plan to more closely align with key priorities for the year and awardedreward executives for achieving critical corporate-wide financial objectives and strategic goals, in addition to individual goals. The 2023 STI plan goals were based on:
Corporate Performance (50% weight): Financially driven and based on the Corporation’s 2023 adjusted after-tax net income (35% weight) and annual adjusted after-tax ROATCE (15% weight). Previously, adjusted after-tax net income was the only corporate-level financial metric applied to all executives.
Strategic Performance (25% weight): Aligned to the achievement of key milestones tied to a multi-year transformation initiative which aims to scale Popular’s successes, enabling the Corporation to tackle business challenges and ensure sustained growth and market leadership for years to come. This encompasses digital, technological, and business process transformation, enabling the opportunity for growth in the Corporation’s primary market and within the existing customer base. This award component is based on the collective transformation results led by the executive management team and is paid at the same degree of achievement for all executives. The collective nature of this component promotes collaboration among organizational groups to achieve common long-term strategic objectives.
Individual Performance (25% weight): Specific, predetermined financial and non-financial objectives based on each NEO’s role.
Determination of 2023 Short-Term Annual Cash Incentive (Paid In 2024)
The following table summarizes the 20172023 short-term cash incentive as follows:paid to the NEOs related to the achievement of the corporate, strategic and individual goals described below.
Corporate
Performance
Strategic
Performance
Individual
Performance
Total Payout (a) (b)
Net
Income
ROATCE
35%
weight
15%
weight
25%
weight
25%
weight
NEO
% of Target Earned
% of
Target
Earned
Total
Award
($)
Ignacio Alvarez
62%
72%
117%
137%
96%
$1,466,740
Carlos J. Vázquez
62
72
117
130
94
577,193
Javier D. Ferrer
62
72
117
146
98
621,335
Lidio V. Soriano
62
72
117
120
92
433,355
Manuel Chinea
62
72
117
93
85
384,031
(a)
Total target awards as a percentage of base salary for 2023 were 135% for Mr. Alvarez and 80% for the other NEOs.
(b)
Note that the percentages shown in the above table are rounded to the nearest whole percentage point.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 49

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Corporate AdjustedPerformance
Corporate Net Income Component

As previously discussed, 2017

During 2023, Popular delivered solid results despite a challenging environment which included high interest rates, an uncertain geopolitical landscape and disruptions in the banking industry during the first half of the year. The Corporation’s results reflected solid earnings, robust loan growth, stable credit quality and continued customer growth. Important milestones were achieved, including surpassing two million unique customers in Puerto Rico and significant progress was markedmade in our transformation efforts.
Popular’s GAAP Net income for 2023 was approximately $541.3 million, compared to $1.1 billion for the year 2022. Excluding the $45.3 million after-tax impact of the FDIC Special Assessment, the adjusted net income for the year 2023 was approximately $586.6 million, compared to an adjusted net income of $807.8 million in 2022. The variance was mainly driven by significant corporate achievementsa higher provision for credit losses and higher operating expenses. The increase in termsthe provision was due to the release of loan loss reserves in the first half of 2022, continued loan growth during 2023 and deposit growth, digitalthe normalization of credit quality metrics in our unsecured consumer lending portfolios from historically low levels experienced during the pandemic. The increase in operating expenses reflects our investment in our transformation organizational excellenceinitiatives, our people, and continued strong capital levels. Priorour efforts to Hurricanes Irmaexpand our capabilities in cybersecurity, risk management, data and Maria, our annualtechnology.
For incentive purposes, we use GAAP after-tax adjusted net income, was projected to achieve payout under this award component. Inif applicable, as the past, we have used adjusted after-tax net income (a non-GAAP measure)key financial metric for incentive compensation purposes, because we believe it betterbest reflects the underlying performance of our ongoing operations.

In determining the 2017 The Committee’s use of adjusted after-tax net income is to ensure that participants are neither rewarded nor penalized for incentive purposes, the Committee, in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, viewed the combined effectitems that are non-recurring, unusual or not indicative of the hurricanes as an unprecedented catastrophic event that was outside the Company’s control and not in the normal course of business. Therefore, for incentive purposes, the Committee decided to adjust its GAAP net income result for: (i) the previously described deferred tax asset write-down, and (ii) expenses specifically attributable to the hurricanes (net of insurance receivables) pertaining to the provision for loan losses, operating expenses and foregone revenue. For information about how we calculated 2017 net income for incentive compensation purposes, see Appendix B. The Committee believes that these adjustments result in a level of net income that more appropriately reflects Popular’s underlying business trends and recognizes the senior management team’s performance during this extraordinarily challenging year.

ongoing operations.

The adjusted net income for incentive purposes of $348.7$586.6 million represented 94.2%88.67% of the 20172023 target of $370.2 million, thereby yielding$661.6 million. This level of performance yielded a partial awardpayout slightly above the threshold (i.e., 85% of target) on thisthe Corporate Net Income component of the short-term annual cash incentive,incentive. As a result, NEOs earned approximately 62.2% of their respective targets for this component. Refer to the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation in Appendix A.
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
The Committee uses annual after-tax adjusted ROATCE as follows: 22.3%a performance measure given its increasing focus in our communications with shareholders and due to its incorporation of base payboth earnings and capital management. ROATCE is calculated based on our adjusted earnings for the Executive Chairman, 23.1%year divided by our average tangible shareholder’s equity less preferred stock, goodwill, and other intangibles.
The 2023 after-tax adjusted ROATCE of 10.19% represented 91.72% of the 2023 target of 11.11%. This level of performance yielded a payout above the 9.44% threshold (i.e., 85% of target) on the ROATCE component of the annual cash incentive. As a result, NEOs earned approximately 72.4% of their respective targets for this component.
Strategic Performance
The Strategic Performance component is tied to certain strategic objectives of the Corporation’s multi-year transformation. In determining the 2023 payout, the Committee evaluated management’s progress along four strategic priorities: growth and expense management, customer experience, employee experience, and overall progress on the execution of targeted initiatives. Each of those priorities was grounded in one or more key results reviewed by the Committee.
At its February 2024 meeting, the Committee, in consultation with the CEO, reviewed the degree to which the Corporation’s Strategic Performance goals were achieved. The goal relating to growth and expense management was measured based on expense management and organic growth in both the consumer and commercial portfolios, as well as our efficiency ratio metric. Customer experience was measured based on net promoter scores achieved and the increase in digitally led sales. Employee experience was reviewed based on loyalty scores obtained from our employee surveys. The overall progress on the execution of targeted transformation initiatives was assessed by key milestones and results attained in multiple project workstreams during 2023, the successful launch of the Corporation’s redefined purpose and cultural framework, as well as effective cross-firm collaboration that enabled these results to take place.
While many of the investments related to the transformation are foundational in nature and will take time to show meaningful results, the Corporation has already begun to see tangible revenue uplift from several of the early-stage initiatives. In Puerto Rico, these include enhanced pricing segmentation in the commercial cash management business and streamlined processing of small business loans. After discussion with the CEO, and 19.2%
50 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

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based on a holistic review of the progress made during 2023, the Committee determined that the overall achievement of Strategic Performance goals was 105.0%. This level of performance yielded a payout slightly above target on the Strategic Performance component of the STI plan. As a result, NEOs earned approximately 117.0% of their respective targets for the other NEOs, reflecting below-target payouts related to net income performance.

40  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT

this component.


Individual Annual Goals Component

In this individual performance component of the executive compensation program, the Committee assessed the achievements and effectiveness ofSTI plan, each NEO againsthas specific predetermined quantitative and qualitative goals related to financial performance, efficiency and milestones in key corporate strategic projects, etc. among other factors. The Committee reviews each NEO’s achievements against the individual goals to determine payouts.
The following considerations were taken into accountis a summary of the individual goal achievements considered by the Committee in determining each NEO’s award, expressed as a percent of base pay:

annual goals award:

 NEO

 % of Base

 Pay Earned

 Richard L. Carrión

 CEO: January-June

 Executive Chairman:

 July-December

 38.2% of base pay

Ignacio Alvarez, President & CEO

Main Goals

•    Manage impact

137% of the fiscal and economic situation in Puerto Rico.

•    Direct Popular’s capital strategy.

•    Oversee the execution of the Corporation’s business strategy.

•    Ensure that Popular has the right talent and systems to successfully execute its strategy.

Considerations

•   Led the Corporation through the fiscal and economic situation in Puerto Rico, closely monitoring the potential impact on customers, effectively managing the credit exposure to the government, identifying potential business opportunities, and continuing outreach efforts with key stakeholders. Directed negotiations for the $1.8 billion auto and commercial loan acquisition from Wells Fargo’s auto finance business in Puerto Rico announced in February 2018.

•   Guided the execution of the Corporation’s capital strategy, including an increase in the quarterly common stock dividend from $0.15 to $0.25 per share and the repurchase of $75 million in common stock. The Corporation’s capital base remained strong, closing the year with a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 16.3 percent.

•   Supported initiatives aligned with the Corporation’s business strategy. The Corporation’s leadership position in Puerto Rico was further strengthened, achieving an increase in the number of clients (reaching 1.68 million), a 17% year-over-year deposit growth and, in some segments, loan growth, despite economic weakness and the impact of the 2017 hurricanes. In the United States, Popular achieved strong commercial loan growth (16%), launched initiatives to grow fee income and continued making progress in the transformation of the retail branch network.

•   Supported recovery efforts for affected employees and communities in the aftermath of the hurricanes, and led our Puerto Rico and U.S. Foundations’ fundraising and community assistance initiatives.

•   Effectively supported the CEO transition plan in close collaboration with Popular’s new CEO.

•   Spearheaded efforts to attract, develop and retain talent, launching or strengthening initiatives in areas such as performance management, training, diversity and inclusion and wellness. Continued initiatives to simplify and modernize Popular’s technology infrastructure to drive efficiencies and improve our customers’ experience.

target earned

Ignacio Alvarez

 President & COO:

 January-June

 President & CEO:

 July-December

 52.1% of base pay

Main Goals

•   Maintain financial performance amid the impact of Puerto Rico’s unstable fiscal and economic situation.

•   Improve Popular Community Bank’s profitability.

•   Continue cost savings and process optimization and initiatives.

•   Manage recovery efforts after the impact of hurricanes Maria and Irma.

Considerations

•   Delivered solid business results in Puerto Rico, despite the hurricanes’ financial impact. Maintained strong interest margins (4.32% in Puerto Rico and 3.99% for the Corporation) and stable credit quality. Grew our leading market position, including raising our deposit balances by $4.3 billion and increasing our customer base by 31,500. Achieved growth in commercial and auto loan portfolios, notwithstanding the difficult economic environment.

•   Directed efforts to manage the bank through Puerto Rico’s fiscal and economic situation, including reducing direct credit exposure to the government and continued outreach to government officials, regulators, investors and clients.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT

As described in the Corporate and Strategic Performance sections above, Mr. Alvarez led the Corporation’s attainment of 2023 adjusted after-tax net income of $586.6 million, reflecting solid earnings, robust loan growth, stable credit quality and continued customer growth. He also led the strategic achievements of our transformation initiative, which are generating new sources of revenue and efficient business processes. Mr. Alvarez’s efforts, together with those of his leadership team, yielded a 33% increase in tangible book value per share to $59.74, as well as a 24% appreciation in the price of the Corporation’s common stock during 2023.
The Individual Annual Goals component of his STI rewarded his contributions to the Corporation’s strategic pillars of Sustainable and Profitable Growth and Fit for the Future. The Committee’s considerations in determining Mr. Alvarez’s achievement of his Individual Annual Goals included:
Sustainable and Profitable Growth
Grew the Corporation’s loan portfolio to $35.1 billion or 9% over 2022, while maintaining strong credit quality metrics. Non-performing loans reflected a decrease of $82 million which resulted in a reduction in the NPL ratio from 1.4% in 2022 to 1.0% in 2023.
Led a Corporation-wide cost reduction effort which attained $36 million in savings.
Increased BPPR’s customer base surpassing 2 million unique customers.
Increased non-interest income by $11 million or 2% over 2022.
Oversaw the capital and investment strategy, including the refinancing of Senior Notes and expansion of liquidity sources.
Strengthened engagement with the investor community by actively participating in investor conferences and roadshows, communicating Popular’s strategic direction, as well as ESG-related outreach.
Fit for the Future
Continued to strengthen the Corporation’s risk management and governance processes with respect to issues escalation and cyber security controls, among others.
Guided Popular’s $12 million investment in our communities, encompassing corporate donations, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship programs, and contributions through our Puerto Rico and US foundations.
Improved Popular’s Sustainalytics ESG risk rating score from 24.1 to 22.9.
Maintained Employee Loyalty Score of 84% (above global and industry benchmarks), resulting from leadership of initiatives spanning compensation, benefits, wellness, and internal mobility.
Improved succession readiness and strategically restructured our Puerto Rico business groups to better support our diversified core retail business, specialized lending strengths, and expanded commercial business.
Fostered advancement opportunities for key senior leaders.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 4151

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 NEO

 % of Base

 Pay Earned

Carlos J. Vázquez, Executive Vice President & CFO

•   Led negotiations and internal and external coordination among multiple stakeholders for the $1.8 billion auto and commercial loan acquisition from Wells Fargo’s auto finance business in Puerto Rico announced in February 2018.

•   Grew Popular’s U.S. operations strategically without departing from our desired risk appetite through focused loan and low-cost deposit growth, launching

130% of initiatives to drive fee income and continuing the transformation of the retail network. Achieved a 16% growth in commercial loans, launched a private banking initiative and strengthened our mortgage origination capabilities.

target earned

•   Directed digital transformation initiatives to improve efficiency and convenience; digital deposit transactions surpassed 40% of total deposits in Puerto Rico and the U.S. in December 2017.

•   Guided multiple initiatives to increase our operational efficiency and promote a high-performance organization centered in the areas of performance management, engagement, wellness and leadership development.

•   Drove efforts to control salary expense and reduce fraud losses, while investing in strengthening risk controls and in new business initiatives.

•   Successfully managed recovery efforts to restore operations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands after the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Marĺa by effectively addressing the needs of our clients, employees and regulators.

•   Achieved a smooth transition to the CEO role by working closely with Popular’s Executive Chairman.

 Carlos J. Vázquez

 45.4% of base pay

Main Goals

•   Support business growth and efficiency initiatives.

•   Complete and file Popular’s stress test and the resulting capital plan.

•   Mentor and guide the Talent Management strategic project.

•   Manage and maintain adequate liquidity and capital resources.

Considerations

•   Guided the analysis, structuring and negotiation of multiple asset acquisition and business growth initiatives, including the $1.8 billion auto and commercial loan acquisition from Wells Fargo’s auto finance business in Puerto Rico announced in February, 2018.

•   Directed the completion and filing of the 2017 DFAST stress test.

•   Executed the increase in common stock dividend from $0.15 to $0.25 per share and $75 million common stock buyback, in line with the capital plan.

•   Continued to maintain strong liquidity in our Puerto Rico and U.S. banking subsidiaries, with minimal reliance on wholesale funding.

•   Guided key strategic initiatives related to talent management and leadership development. Assumed responsibility for the Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Division and the implementation of its strategic plan.

•   Led aggressive investor outreach efforts (including a steady increase in sell-side analyst events since 2015), achieving additional analyst coverage and enhancements to investor information.

Led the execution of capital actions, including the refinancing of $300M in maturing bonds via a new $400M issue, plus a $0.07 increase in our quarterly common stock dividend to $0.62.
Maintained robust liquidity and capital resources, including an increase in liquidity sources; ending the year with Tier 1 Common Equity ratio at 16.3%.
Led outreach and communication efforts with existing and prospective investors, as well as analysts, to enhance investor information and improve understanding of the Corporation’s condition, prospects, as well as ESG initiatives. Popular’s investor relations efforts were recognized for the fourth consecutive year by Institutional Investor.

Javier D. Ferrer

 45.4% of base pay

Main Goals

•   Support and advise management on Popular’s strategic and business initiatives, including material asset acquisitions, growth initiatives and new business ventures.

•   Strengthen legal function and manage external legal expenses.

Considerations

•   Provided strategic and legal advice on numerous strategic initiatives and critical legal matters throughout the year, including commercial and regulatory aspects. Major projects included the $1.8 billion auto and commercial loan acquisition from Wells Fargo’s auto finance business in Puerto Rico announced in February, 2018.

•   Strengthened partnerships between the Legal Group and business and support units to provide more efficient input, collaboration and oversight of initiatives.

•   Reorganized the legal function to leverage Popular’s legal resources and manage legal risk while aligning with business needs.

•   Led and enhanced expense management efforts, resulting in a 62% year-over-year reduction in outside legal expenses and below-budget internal legal operating expenses.

•   Drove improvements to corporate governance and disclosure practices.

42  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


 NEO

 % of Base

 Pay Earned

Lidio V. Soriano

 39.0% of base pay

Javier D. Ferrer, Executive Vice President & COO

Main Goals

•   Implement enhancements to Popular’s compliance, financial, operational, model validation, and credit risk programs.

•   Guide technology initiatives to bolster our risk management framework.

•   Enhance quantitative analytics resources within the organization.

Considerations

•   Guided the policies, procedures and controls which yielded stable credit quality during the year’s challenging economic environment.

•   Expanded business continuity planning and testing under a wide range

146% of potential situations, including disaster recovery implementation during hurricanes Irma and Maria.

•   Guided multiple large-scale technology enhancements to support anti-money laundering, risk data management and business continuity.

•   Led the betterment of models and processes related to stress testing.

•   Directed framework enhancements in the areas of compliance, financial, operational, credit, loan review, and model validation risks.

•   Supported and directed development of internal quantitative analytics expertise in the areas of model validation and compliance.

Eli S. Sepulveda

 46.5% of base pay

Main Goals

•   Grow commercial deposits and loan portfolio.

•   Manage commercial credit quality.

•   Support strategic initiatives promoting entrepreneurship.

target earned

Considerations

•   Oversaw credit underwriting standards, including credit review and risk rating accuracy, resulting in improved commercial credit performance.

•   Despite the Puerto Rico fiscal situation, credit quality remained stable year-over-year, with commercial net charge-offs at 0.31% (vs. 0.28% in 2016) and commercial non-performing loans flat at 2.22%.

•   Facilitated recovery efforts to mitigate charge-offs.

•   Oversaw initiatives to grow the commercial portfolio, with $1 billion in new money transactions originated. Managed a $3.4 billion year-over-year (December) increase in commercial deposits.

•   Developed projects to boost startup businesses throughout a diverse range

Oversaw the Corporation’s business lines delivering solid financial results in 2023 driven by increases in loan portfolios and continued strong credit quality. Grew the Puerto Rico loan portfolio by 8.7% and the U.S. loan portfolio by 10.7% over 2022.
Continued to work with business leaders across Popular on execution of strategic priorities and provided oversight of critical business initiatives to drive execution and delivery of results.
Continued to lead the Corporation’s transformation program along four principal workstreams, delivering tangible revenue uplift from several of the early-stage initiatives.
Supported the successful restructuring of the P.R. business groups consolidating our core retail businesses, transitioning to a more focused specialized lending function and expanding the commercial business responsibilities to include trust services.
Improved cohesion and synergy across business lines to support clients and drive operational efficiency, while maintaining a strong risk discipline across all business lines.
Drove creation of the Enterprise Data and Analytics Division charged with the governance and ownership of core data responsibilities for the Corporation.
Lidio V. Soriano, Executive Vice President & CRO
120% of industries and municipalities.

target earned

Leadership Component

The leadership componentLed and oversaw continued improvement and stability in credit quality of Popular’s executive incentivethe Corporation’s loan portfolio, including a $82 million reduction in non-performing loans.

Oversaw enhancements to the Corporation’s First Line of Defense program, encompassesincluding enhancing the NEOs’ demonstrationissues management processes through the organization.
Strengthened the Corporation’s Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) function through enhancement of our leadership competenciesthe unit’s technology framework and redevelopment of the risk assessment process.
Continued development of the Corporation’s climate risk management framework in areas such as strategic thinking,preparation of the SEC final rules by onboarding resources and enhancing data collection efforts.
Strengthened the Corporation’s quantitative analytics function by assembling a quantitative team and supporting the Corporation’s Transformation initiative through the continued development of predictive models to enhance customer focus, talent management and building effective teams. The Committee determined that the NEOs exhibited strong leadership in 2017 maintaining the strength of our franchise while addressing the challenging and uncertain short- and long-term social and macroeconomic  conditions in our main  market of  Puerto

journeys.
Manuel Chinea, Executive Vice President, COO of Popular Bank
93% of target earned

Rico. Facing an unprecedented level of destruction and uncertainty following the hurricanes, members of senior management led their teams selflessly, rapidly and creatively to address the dire needs of our colleagues, customers and communities. Based on the above, the Committee granted the target leadership award for Mr. Carrión (17.7%), the maximum award for Mr. Alvarez (27.8%Grew total loans by $1 billion (11%) and total deposits by $2.6 billion (30%).

Enhanced the target (15.0%online deposit account origination platform and leveraged it by raising $1.9 billion in deposits in 2023.
Mitigated net interest margin (“NIM”) for Messrs. Vázquez, Ferrer, Sorianocompression resulting in a NIM of 2.98%, down from 3.68% in 2022.
Continued diversifying revenue sources and Sepúlveda.

achieved $24 million in non-interest income up 10% from 2022.
Directed multiple initiatives aimed at improving customer experience, meeting the targeted Net Promoter Score.

2018

Actively engaged in driving financial inclusion in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods through close collaboration with not-for-profit organizations and governmental programs.
52 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT  |  43

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Long-Term (Equity) Incentive Compensation Opportunity


TOTAL EARNED 2017 SHORT-TERM CASH INCENTIVE

The following table summarizes the 2017 short-term cash

2023 long-term target incentive granted to the NEOs by the Committee, as a percent of base pay, related to the achievement of the corporate, individual and leadership goals described above:

 NEO  Corporate Net
Income
  Individual
Performance
  Leadership  Total Earned (1)  Total Award
($) 
 

 

 Richard L. Carrión

 

   

 

22.3

 

 

  

 

38.2

 

 

  

 

17.7

 

 

  

 

78.2

 

 

  

 

      $1,016,133 

 

 

 

 

 Ignacio Alvarez

 

   

 

23.1

 

 

 

  

 

52.1

 

 

 

  

 

27.8

 

 

 

  

 

103.0

 

 

 

  

 

    831,387 

 

 

 

 

 Carlos J. Vázquez

 

   

 

19.2

 

 

 

  

 

45.4

 

 

 

  

 

15.0

 

 

 

  

 

79.6

 

 

 

  

 

      537,030 

 

 

 

 

 Javier D. Ferrer

 

   

 

19.2

 

 

 

  

 

45.4

 

 

 

  

 

15.0

 

 

 

  

 

79.6

 

 

 

  

 

    437,953 

 

 

 

 

 Lidio V. Soriano

 

   

 

19.2

 

 

 

  

 

39.0

 

 

 

  

 

15.0

 

 

 

  

 

73.2

 

 

 

  

 

    365,764 

 

 

 

 

 Eli S. Sepúlveda

 

   

 

19.2

 

 

 

  

 

46.5

 

 

 

  

 

15.0

 

 

 

  

 

80.7

 

 

 

  

 

    363,050 

 

 

 

(1)

Total target awards were 93.1% for Mr. Carrión, 95.6% for Mr. Alvarez and 80% for the other NEOs.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE FOR 2017 (GRANTED FEBRUARY 2017)

opportunities

Popular’s equity incentive alignslong-term (equity) incentives align our executives’ compensation with sustained long-term performance and the interests of our shareholders. Each NEO has a target long-term equity award opportunity that reflects market practice for similar roles. The CEO’s target is defined as 270% of base salary, the COO’s target is 120% of base salary, and other NEOs’ targets are defined as 80% of their base salary.

One-half (50%) of the LTI compensation target opportunity is granted as Restricted Stock to reward prior year resultsperformance shares (based on relative and individual contributions,absolute metrics), with actual vesting (and value) based on future performance over a 3-year period. Payouts can range between zero and one-half1.5 times the target award based on performance.
The other half (50%) is granted as Performance Shares, with actual valuetime-vested restricted stock and the size of the award at grant can vary above or below target based on future performance. the prior year’s corporate results and individual contributions.
The actual long-term incentive awardsrestricted stock grant can range from zero to 1.5 times the target award.

award, as determined by the Committee, which considers corporate and individual performance.

2024 changes to long-term incentive
In February 2017,2024, as part of its annual review of executive compensation and market data, the Committee further aligned NEOs compensation with shareholders’ interests by providing all 2024 target pay adjustments solely through long-term incentives. Increases in total target LTI opportunity were approved as follows: Mr. Alvarez from 270% to 300% of base salary, Mr. Ferrer from 120% to 140% of base salary, Mr. Soriano from 80% to 100% of base salary, and Mr. Chinea from 80% to 90% of base salary. One-half (50%) of the total revised target comprises performance shares (3-year performance cycle), and one-half (50%) comprises time-vested restricted stock (4-year vesting). These revised parameters were applicable to the LTI awards granted by the Committee on February 22, 2024.
Determination of 2023 Long-Term Incentive Awards (Granted in February 2023)
In February 2023 the Committee approved NEO equity grants, as follows:
Performance Shares
Performance shares, reflecting 50% of the target LTI opportunity, reward our future performance and vest only if pre-defined performance goals are achieved. Awards were granted at target award level and vest three years following the grant based on actual performance during the 2023-2025 period. Two measures, weighted equally, are used to determine vesting:
3-year relative TSR compared to an industry index of United States banks with assets between $25 billion and $500 billion; and
absolute 3-year simple average ROATCE.
Each performance measure has a pre-defined threshold (minimum result for which an incentive would be payable), target and maximum (stretch) level of performance that determines vesting at the end of the 3-year period. Performance below threshold results in forfeiture of the shares allocated to the corresponding performance measure.
Dividend equivalents are accrued and paid at the end of the performance period upon vesting based on the actual number of shares earned.
The TSR portion pays at 100% of target if Popular’s 3-year relative TSR is at the 50th percentile of the Corporation’s peer group, scaling down to 50% of target if Popular’s 3-year relative TSR is at the 25th percentile. Performance below the 25th percentile results in forfeiture of allocated shares. Conversely, if Popular’s 3-year relative TSR is at or above the 75th percentile, the TSR portion pays the maximum of 150% of target.
If Popular’s 3-year absolute TSR is negative, payout will be capped at 100% of target, even if Popular’s relative positioning is above the 50th percentile.
The ROATCE portion sets a goal for 3-year average ROATCE whereby target reflects an expectation that aligns with our Board-approved budget and is deemed by the Committee as reasonable but challenging. Threshold for the 3-year period represents the minimum level of ROATCE that should warrant a reduced (i.e., 50%) payout. The maximum goal reflects superior performance over the 3-year period that represents stretch performance that is possible, but less likely to be achieved and results in a maximum award (i.e., 150%).
We do not disclose in advance the internal absolute performance targets set for the 3-year performance period because such disclosure could be construed as earnings guidance. The Committee believes the target levels for absolute performance are challenging, yet achievable, based upon consideration of historical performance, budget forecasts, and peer practices, among others. While we do not disclose forward-looking goals, we commit to disclosing target performance and performance achievement in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) each year as performance awards vest. Nevertheless, if the Corporation does not meet the threshold projected for the 3-year period ending December 31, 2025, no payment will be made.
Our historical performance share payouts for the absolute metric to date have averaged 101.8% of target the last 7 performance cycles.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 53

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Restricted Stock

Restricted

Time-vesting restricted stock, reflecting 50% of the target equity incentiveLTI opportunity, supports our goals to encourage executive ownership and retention. The value of awards granted may vary from zero to 1.5 times the executive’s target award based upon consideration of the prior year’s corporate and individual performance assessed by the Committee on a holistic basis. Once granted, shares vest on a pro-rata basis, with 20%25% vesting annually over the first years and the remaining 20% vesting at retirement.

Our vest-at-retirement provision supports our desire to balance rewards with appropriate risk mitigation, as well as position the grants as a retirement benefit.

years.

The Committee granted 20172023 restricted stock awards at a below-targettarget level for the CEO and above target level for the other NEOs, recognizing that the Corporation’s 2016 adjusted net income of $358.1 million was below the targeted net income of $401.4 million (a reconciliation of the non-GAAP  financial measures is provided  in  Appendix B  to  this  Proxy

Statement). Nevertheless, the Committee recognized theeach NEO’s strong leadership team’sand contributions to ending the yearPopular’s solid performance in a strong position with stable credit quality and solid capital levels.

Performance Shares

Performance shares, reflecting 50% of the long-term equity incentive opportunity, reward our future performance and vest only if pre-defined performance goals are achieved. Awards are2022.

The Committee granted based on target award level and vest on the third anniversary of grant according to actual performance during the 2017-2019 period. Two measures, weighted equally, are used to determine vesting:

3-year relative TSR compared to U.S. Banks with assets greater than $10 billion (as measured by SNL Financial)

3-year absolute cumulative EPS

Each performance measure has a pre-defined threshold (minimum result for which an incentive would be payable), target and maximum (stretch goal) level of performance that determines vesting at the end of the 3-year period. Performance below threshold results in forfeiture of the shares allocated to the corresponding performance measure. Dividend equivalents are accrued and paid at the end of the performance period based on the actual number of shares earned. Upon consideration of these factors, the Committee granted2023 equity awards to the NEOs based on percentage of base pay, with the grant date fair market valueas indicated in the table below. TheyThe awards will vest as previously described to the extent that the corresponding service and performance conditions are met.

44  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


  Restricted Stock  Performance Shares  Total Grant Date Fair Value 
 NEO % of base
pay
 $  % of base
pay
 $  

% of base

pay

 $ 

 

 Richard L. Carrión

 

 

 

  70.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

$980,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 80.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,120,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 150.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

$2,100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 Ignacio Alvarez

 

 

43.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

313,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

357,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

93.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

670,670

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Carlos J. Vázquez

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

236,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

270,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

506,250

 

 

 

 

 

 Javier D. Ferrer

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

192,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

412,500

 

 

 

 

 

 Lidio V. Soriano

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

175,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

 

 

 

 Eli S. Sepúlveda

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

157,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

180,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

337,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Total 

target awards were 160% for Mr. Carrión, 100% for Mr. Alvarez and 80% for the other NEOs.

SPECIAL EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARDED TO NEWLY APPOINTED CEO (GRANTED JUNE 2017)

In recognition The terms of Mr. Alvarez’s promotionthe awards include covenants with respect to the positionnon-solicitation of CEO, in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, the Committee approved a special one-time restricted stock grant of $475,000. employees or customers.

Performance
Shares
Restricted
Stock
Total Grant
(value based on grant date
stock price)(a) (b)
NEO
% of
Target
% of Base
Salary
Value
($)
% of
Target
% of Base
Salary
Value
($)
% of
Target
% of Base
Salary
Value
($)
Ignacio Alvarez
100%
135%
   $1,525,500
100%
135%
   $1,525,500
100%
270%
   $3,051,000
Carlos J. Vázquez
100
40
294,600
113
45
331,425
106
85
626,025
Javier D. Ferrer
100
60
450,000
150
90
675,000
125
150
1,125,000
Lidio V. Soriano
100
40
226,600
113
45
254,925
106
85
481,525
Manuel Chinea
100
40
216,320
113
45
243,360
106
85
459,680
(a)
The number of shares granted was determined by dividing the Total Grant by the Corporation’s closing stock price of $71.56 on the date of grant (February 27, 2023).
(b)
Note that the percentages shown in the table above are rounded to the nearest whole percentage point.
Performance Shares Payout: 2021-2023 Performance Cycle
The Committee intended to raise Mr. Alvarez’s 2017 total equity compensation to reflect the prorated value of his new long-term incentive target level. The grant corresponded to 12,202 shares (as per the closing price of $38.93 on the grant date of June 22, 2017), with vesting after Mr. Alvarez’s completion of six months in his new role (January 1, 2018).

PERFORMANCE SHARESPAYOUT—2015-2017 PERFORMANCE CYCLE

On February 27, 2015, the Committee approved a grant of performance shares in February 2021 designed to reward performance over the 3-year performance period (2015-2017)(2021-2023). The awards were granted at target with a potential payout of the 2015 performance shares rangedranging from 0%-150% of target, weighted 50% based on relative total shareholder return (TSR) among the comparative groupTSR compared to an industry index of United States banks with assets greater than $10 billion and 50% based on absolute cumulative earnings per share (EPS)ROATCE over the performance period. Results are based on a formula comparing the Corporation’s results to the pre-defined goals set in 2021. In January 2018,February 2024, the Committee reviewed Popular’s 2015-20172021-2023 performance and determined the degree to which the goals were attained.

2015-2017 The following is a summary of the payout:

2021-2023 Relative TSR

Although (50% of Performance Shares)

Popular’s final 3-year TSR of 61.0% ranked at the Company started 2017 (year 392nd percentile relative to the industry index of the performance period) in the 58th percentile amongUnited States banks with assets greater than $10 billion, its position relative to other banksbillion. As a result, shares for this component were earned at the maximum level of achievement (>75th percentile), yielding a payout of 150% of target on this component, as follows:

54 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

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2021-2023 Absolute ROATCE (50% of Performance Shares)
Absolute ROATCE for the 2021-2023 performance cycle, as outlined on Appendix A of this Proxy Statement, resulted in 3-year average ROATCE of 14.71%, above the comparative group declined during 2017 (particularly in the 4th quarter) due, significantly, to the effectsmaximum of Puerto Rico’s economic situation, federal tax reform, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Its final 3-year relative TSR12.0%, yielding a payout of 15.2% ranked in the 5th percentile, below the threshold150% of the 25th percentile; therefore, notarget number of shares were earned foron this component.

2015-2017 Absolute EPS, as Adjusted

Consistent with In determining our 2021-2023 adjusted ROATCE values, the previously describedCommittee made the same adjustments for special items applied to the GAAP net income resultsas those made for our 2017the short-term annual cash incentive award determination.



Profit Sharing Incentive
Popular’s compensation program includes a profit-sharing component, with eligibility extended to all employees. The annual contribution is determined by the Board at its discretion, considering: (i) the extent to which Popular exceeded the minimum level of 103% of budgeted after-tax net income before profit sharing in the prior year (up to a maximum of 115%), and (ii) other factors such as risk management and credit quality, and the execution of critical corporate growth and efficiency projects, among others. Awards may range up to 8% of each employee’s prior-year total cash compensation, with eligible compensation capped at $70,000. The first 4% of the contribution is payable in cash, with anything above 4% paid as a tax-deferred contribution by Popular to the retirement savings and investment plans.
Due to the Corporation’s 2023 net income results, a profit sharing award was not approved by the Committee adjusted Popular’s GAAP EPS results for 2015-2017. In addition, the Committee adjusted the 2017 EPS results to reverse the favorable impact of the $75 million common stock repurchase executed during the first quarter. For information about how we calculated adjusted EPS for purposes of the 2015-2017 performance shares, see Appendix B. The resulting 3-year cumulative EPS of $10.36 was between the threshold2023.
Perquisites and target, yielding a payout of 58.7% of target on this component.

The above decisions yielded a payout of 29% of the total combined target number of performance shares that had been granted, as indicated below.

Payout (as Percentage of Target) 2015—2017

 

    Goal

 

 

 

0% of Target

 

  

  50% of Target  

 

 

100% Target

 

 

150% Target

 

 

Performance

 

 

Payout

 

 

 Relative TSR

 (Weighted 50%)

 

 

< 25th Percentile

 

  

25th Percentile

 

 

50th Percentile

 

 

75th Percentile

 

 

5th Percentile (1)

 

 0%

 

 

 Absolute EPS

 (Weighted 50%)

 

 

< $10.25

 

  

$10.25

 

 

$10.88

 

 

$11.52

 

 

$10.36 (2)

 

 58.7%

 

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  45

Benefits


BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES

Perquisites and other executive benefits do not represent a significant portion of our executive compensation program. We do not provide employment agreements, change in control arrangements, tax gross-ups, supplemental retirement benefits or club memberships to our executives.

During 2017,2023, limited perquisites, such as home security, the use of company-owned automobilesautomobile and personal tickets to events sponsored by Popular, were offered on a limited basis to NEOs. We do not
CFO Service and Award Agreements
On December 6, 2023, Mr. Vázquez announced his retirement from his position as CFO of the Corporation, effective March 31, 2024 (the “Retirement Date”). In connection with Mr. Vázquez’s voluntary retirement, on December 7, 2023, the Corporation and Mr. Vázquez entered into a Service Agreement (the “Service Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Vázquez will provide club membershipsconsulting services to Popular for NEOs orone year from the Retirement Date to facilitate the transition of the Chief Financial Officer’s responsibilities to his successor and support other

general business. Mr. Vázquez will receive a monthly consulting fee equal to $32,000 during the term of the Service Agreement and be subject to certain restrictive covenants, including customary confidentiality covenants, as well as non-competition and non-solicit restrictions.

executives. Popular owns an apartmentOn December 7, 2023, the Committee also approved the following awards to be granted to Mr. Vázquez in New York City, which is usedconsideration of his continued service through the Retirement Date:

(i) A 2024 long-term equity incentive award of $612,000 (the “Long-Term Award”) corresponding to Mr. Vázquez’s current LTI target opportunity. The Long-Term Award was granted by the Committee to Mr. Vázquez on February 22, 2024. The Long-Term Award consisted of 7,332 shares of restricted stock determined based on the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock on the grant date. The restricted stock will vest on March 31, 2025 and be subject to certain restrictive covenants,
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 55

TABLE OF CONTENTS

including customary confidentiality covenants, as well as non-competition and non-solicit restrictions that extend for one year following the Retirement Date;
(ii) A prorated short-term incentive cash award for fiscal year 2024 of $153,000, corresponding to Mr. Vazquez’s
target opportunity under the STI plan for such year, equal to 80% of Mr. Vázquez’s current base salary, prorated based on the three full calendar months of employment during 2024.
Governance and Assessment of Executive Chairman primarily for business purposes during his frequent visits to New York in supportCompensation
Role of Popular’s businessthe Talent and other company-related affairs.

Compensation Committee

DETERMINATION AND ASSESSMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ROLE OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

In accordance with its charter, a copy of which is available atwww.popular.comwww.popular.com/en/investor-relations, the Committee establishes Popular’s general compensation philosophy and oversees the compensation program for executive officers, including our NEOs. It also reviews and approves the overall purpose and goals of our incentive compensation system and benefitbenefits plans. In addition, itthe Committee reviews plans for executive officers’and advises management regarding human capital strategies, including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters related to culture, talent acquisition and development, workforce engagement, diversity, equity (including pay equity) and succession. inclusion.
The Committee met fivesix times during 2017. Throughout2023. Furthermore, throughout the year, the Committee maintained regularongoing communication with its external advisors non-member(including its independent compensation consultant), other directors and management to discuss topics such as talent-related trends and strategies, emerging legislative and regulatory trends and bestleading practices.

As needed, the Committee also seeks information and advice from external legal counsel on regulatory and legal aspects of executive compensation, employee benefits and board committee governance.

The Committee assesses the effectiveness of its compensation program by reviewing its strategic objectives and business plans, considering each NEO’s scope of responsibility, reviewing market reference data and assessing the relationship between pay and performance (Popular relative to peersits compensation peer group and executives relative to their performance goals). The Committee also evaluates whether our compensation programs meet Popular’s goals by monitoring engagement and retention of executives, and by assessing the relationship between company andthe Corporation’s performance, individual performance and actual payouts. Furthermore, in conjunction with the annual review of the compensation plans with the CRO, the Committee monitors and evaluates whether the design of incentive plans and sales practices fosters an environment of prudentappropriate risk-taking and sound business decisions.

The Committee may modify payments or adjust the compensation program in light of economic or business results, regulatory requirements, risk assessments or results of the annual shareholders advisory vote on executive compensation. It maymust also recoup previously
awarded excess incentive-based compensation in the event of a required financial statement restatement, and may recoup cash and equity-based incentives due to a financial restatement, a materially inaccurate performance metric or misconduct. misconduct, in each case in accordance with the Corporation’s Compensation Recoupment Policy.
The Committee’s main activities in 20172023 included:

Executive Compensation

Determinations and Grants

Reviewed performance of executive officers (including NEOs) and approved short-term cash incentive payouts as well as equity grants.

Reviewed, discussed and approved 2017-2019 performance share goals with respect to total shareholder returnTSR and earnings per share.

ROATCE.

Reviewed 2016 performance of executive officers (including NEOs), approving awards of short-term cash incentive, performance shares and restricted stock, which were paid or granted in early 2017.

approved goals and objectives for the current year.

Assessed the compensation competitiveness of all NEOs and other executive officers.

Reviewed executive officer equity holdings and compliance with Popular’s stock ownership guidelines.

Received education and updates from its compensation consultant and other sources concerning regulatory developments, market trends and bestleading practices in executive compensation.

Reviewed and approved the new duties and compensation program for the newly appointed Executive Chairman and CEO.

Validated the compensation peer group for future market comparisons.

Governance

Discussed incentive plan risks with the CRO and management, concluding that our incentive plans and sales practices did not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking.

Approved a Compensation Recoupment Policy intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10D-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Rule 5608.

Reviewed advisor independence. It also performed an evaluation ofand approved compensation disclosures in Proxy and Form 10-K.
Evaluated the services provided by its compensation consultant and determined that such consultant was independent.

consultant.
56 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

Benefits

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Benefits
Reviewed cost, funding, participation and utilization trends related to Popular’s health, welfare and retirement benefits, including its on-site

benefits.

46  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


health center, wellness incentives and employee retirement readiness.

Reviewed the liability-driven investment strategy implemented for the BPPRBanco Popular de Puerto Rico Retirement Plan.

Plan (the “Retirement Plan”).

Other

Human Capital Strategies

Reviewed executive officer development and succession planning.

planning, including for the CEO, in the event of emergency and in the ordinary course of business. Also reviewed talent bench strength for key control functions.

Examined key human resources indicators, including headcount, personnel costs, turnover and employee engagement, among others.

Reviewed progress in Popular’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, including gender-relatedefforts to address gender pay equity aspects of compensation programs.

Discussed the hurricane impactReceived updates on, employees, approving early payment of the customary Christmas Bonusamong other things, attraction and special recognition incentives for non-executive employees.

retention, developing and enabling talent, employee experience, hybrid work strategies, and compensation strategy impact.

MetThe Committee met in executive session during each Committee meeting.

Although the Committee exercises its independent judgment in reaching compensation decisions, it currently utilizesalso receives advice from its independent compensation consultant as well as the adviceChairman, CEO and other key senior leaders of the following contributors:

 ContributorsRole

 Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC

 Compensation Committee Independent Advisor

Provides independent advice and support to the Committee on relevant market trends, best practices in compensation governance, legislation and other requested compensation matters.

 Executive Chairman and President & CEO*

WorkCorporation. The leaders work with the Committee to ensure that the compensation programs are aligned with Popular’s strategic objectives. Discuss corporate strategy and business goals with the Committee, and provide feedback regarding NEO performance.

 Executive Vice President of

 Administration

Supports the planning and conduct of Committee meetings. Advises on goal setting and performance evaluations, executive compensation and regulatory matters and proposes the design and modifications to the NEO compensation and benefit programs, plans and awards. Supports the annual risk assessment process.

 Chief Legal Officer

Counsels on legal matters regarding compensation programs and regulatory affairs.

 Chief Accounting Officer/Corporate Comptroller

Evaluates and advises on the compensation programs’ accounting and tax implications.

 Chief Risk Officer

Reviews with the Committee all risk-related aspects of Popular’s incentive plans and sales practices.

 External Legal Counsel

Provides information and advice on legal and regulatory aspects of executive compensation, employee benefits and board committee governance.

* Neither the Corporation’s Executive Chairman norCommittee to ensure that the Presidentcompensation programs are aligned with Popular’s strategic objectives. They also discuss corporate strategy and business goals with the Committee and provide feedback regarding NEO performance. The CEO may not be present during voting or deliberations on his or her respective compensation.

ROLE OF THE COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

Role of the Compensation Consultant

The Committee usesengages the services of compensation consultant Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”) to serve as its independent advisor and reviewadvisor. Meridian reviews Popular’s executive compensation program’sprogram competitiveness    and   the   pay-performance   relationship in light of

competitive market practices among our

peer group and applicable regulations. During 2017,2023, Meridian attended Committee meetings and conferred on multiple occasions with the Committee Chair and various Committee members to provide updates and guidance on

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  47


compensation matters. During the entire period, Meridian reported directly to the Committee regarding these matters, and the firmMeridian had no other relationship with, nor provided any other services to, Popular.

The Committee has reviewed and concluded that Meridian’s consultation services comply with the standards adopted by the SEC and by NASDAQ with regard to compensation advisor independence and conflicts of interest. The Committee will continue to monitorperforms this complianceindependence assessment on an ongoingannual basis.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION AND PEER GROUP

Compensation Information and Peer Group
The Committee periodically assesses the competitiveness of its executive pay practices through external studies conducted by Meridian, as well as through supplemental internal research based on proxies and compensation surveys (including resources provided by Equilar, Willis(Willis Towers Watson and similar service providers)others). The Committee also considers executive

compensation information from financial institutions in theits headquarters market of Puerto Rico.

The Committee utilizes the information from internal and external analyses to assess the appropriateness of compensation levels (relative to market practice and individual performance) and considers the information when setting compensation program guidelines, including base salary ranges, incentive targets and equity compensation. An individual’s relative compensation with respect to theexecutives employed by peer group companies may vary according to his or herthe individual’s role, Popular’s financial performance, and individual qualifications, experience and performance as assessed by the Committee.

Our compensation

The Committee periodically uses a peer group usedof comparable banks for 2017 pay and performance comparisons as well as reviews of our compensation structure and design, was approved by the Committee in 2016 anddesign. Entering 2023, our compensation peer group comprised of the banks listed in the following table below.based on the Committee’s June 2022 review. Popular’s total assets were positioned near the median of the group.

  Peer Group

  Associated Banc-Corp

New York Community Bancorp

  BankUnited, Inc.

PEER GROUP(1)
BOK FINANCIAL CORP

People’s United Financial

M&T BANK CORPORATION

  BOK Financial Corporation

CADENCE

Signature Bank

NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

  Comerica Incorporated

CITIZENS FINANCIAL

SVB Financial Group

REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION

  Commerce BancShares, Inc.

COMERICA INCORPORATED

Synovus Financial Corp.

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP

  Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc.

CULLEN/FROST BANKERS INC.

Umpqua Holdings Corporation

VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

  East West Bancorp Inc.

EAST WEST BANCORP INC.

Webster Financial Crop

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

  First Horizon National Corporation

FIRST REPUBLIC BANK

Wintrust Financial Corporation

WESTERN ALLIANCE

  First Republic Bank

HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED

Zions Bancorporation

WINTRUST
KEYCORP
ZIONS BANCORPORATION

(1)
Although it initially formed part of the 2023 peer group, Signature Bank Corp. was later removed due to bank failure.

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 57

OTHER ASPECTS

TABLE OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAMCONTENTS

INCENTIVE RECOUPMENT GUIDELINE (CLAWBACK)

Assisted by Meridian, the Committee re-evaluated the Corporation’s peer group in June 2023 to ensure it remained appropriate given consolidation and growth among the peer companies. The following peers were added: Old National Bancorp, First Horizon,
SouthState, and F.N.B.. The following peers were removed due to acquisition, size or failure: First Republic, Signature, and Citizens Financial.
Other Aspects of Our Executive Compensation Program
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Our NEOs are subject to stock ownership guidelines to reinforce their commitment to creating long-term shareholder value. Within five years of appointment, the CEO must reach and subsequently retain shares equivalent to six times his base salary; the requirement for the other NEOs is three times their base salary. Any unvested performance shares are not considered to satisfy the requirement. As of February 2024, all NEOs had met the requirement.
Compensation Recoupment   (Clawback) Policy
In 2023, the Committee has established an Incentiveapproved the Corporation’s Compensation Recoupment Guideline covering itsPolicy, which is designed to comply with the requirements of Rule 10D-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Rule 5608. The policy provides for: (i) the recovery or “clawback” of excess incentive-based compensation earned by current or former executive officers of the Corporation in the event that the Corporation is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Corporation with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period; and (ii) the recovery or “clawback” of covered awards earned by current or former executive officers of the Corporation, as well as other employees designated by the Committee from time to time, which provides for the recoupment of certain cash- and equity-based incentive compensation awards and payments in the event of (i) a restatementmisconduct. The policy defines misconduct as the willful violation of allany law, rule or a portionregulation that causes material financial or reputational harm to the Corporation; the material breach of Popular’s financial statements; (ii) a performance goalany written policy of the Corporation; the willful or metric that is determined to be materially inaccurate;reckless disclosure of the Corporation’s confidential information or (iii)trade secrets; or the commission of an act of fraud, dishonesty or omission byrecklessness in the coveredperformance of duties, which is not in good faith and which subjects the Corporation to excessive risk, financial loss or materially disrupts, damages, impairs or interferes with the business of the Corporation.
Exhibit 97.1 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes a copy of the Corporation’s Compensation Recoupment Policy.
Equity Award Grant Procedures
The Committee adopted an Equity Award Grant Procedure to standardize the process of granting equity in accordance with applicable law and regulatory requirements and avoid the possibility or appearance of timing of equity grants for the personal benefit of executives or employees. Under these procedures, equity awards to executive officers and the Principal Accounting Officer are granted at the Committee’s first regularly scheduled meeting taking place in the month of February, and equity awards to other employees are granted on the first business day that constitutes misconduct.

TAX DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

NASDAQ is open following the second complete day of trading following the release of the Corporation’s earning results for the first quarter of the calendar year. Equity grants to certain newly hired employees or promoted individuals, including executive officers, are made on the last business day prior to the 15th day of each month or the last business day of each month, whichever day first follows the date on which the newly-hired individual commences providing active services to the Corporation or the promoted individual commences providing active services to the Corporation at the promoted level.

Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
As part of its role, the Committee considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The Committee is cognizant of and will continue to consider the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which expanded the number of individuals covered by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and eliminated the exception for performance-based compensation (generally effective beginning for the 2018 tax year) on the Company’sCorporation’s compensation programs and design. In addition, for NEOs who are residents of Puerto Rico,

48  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


compensation is deductible for income tax purposes if it is reasonable.meets the reasonable compensation test of the P.R. Internal Revenue Code. It is the Committee’s intention that the compensation paid to Popular’s NEOs be deductible, to the extent practicable, but the Committee reserves the ability to grant or pay compensation that is not deductible. For the fiscal year 2017,2023, all NEOs (except Mr. Chinea) were residents of Puerto Rico.

58 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

ENSURING PRUDENT RISK TAKING

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Risk Mitigation
Appropriate risk management is a key consideration in Popular’s daily operations and decisions. We seek to design compensation programs that do not promote improper sales practices or encourage excessive or unnecessary risk taking by employees. We share with management regular communications concerning the regulatory requirements governing sound sales and incentive practices.

The Committee conducts an annual review of incentive and sales practices riskpractice risks in conjunctioncoordination with the CRO. During the December 20172023 Committee meeting, the CRO outlined the results of his evaluation, which covered absolute levels and year-over-year changes in number of participants and incentive award payouts, trends in customer claims and complaints, and an in-depth review of specific plans in multiple sales and support divisions. The review encompassed sales practices and the reinforcing framework of incentives, policies and procedures, monitoring and controls, customer
inquiries/complaints,  and employee training, and

feedback mechanisms. Based on the review, the CRO did not identify any incentive plans or sales practices that would encourage employees to take unnecessary or excessive risks. In conjunction with risk management processes, the

The compensation programs are designed to adequately balance risks and rewards through: appropriate use of base pay,salary, short-term incentives (cash) and long-term incentives (stock); thresholds and caps to limit payouts; mix of financial and non-financial components; link to company performance; and competitive pay practices. Furthermore, an executive’s incentive payout may be adjusted by the Committee at its discretion if results are not aligned with Popular’s risk appetite. The Committee will continue to monitor our compensation programs to ensure that they do not promote improper sales practices or inappropriate risk-taking, and that they comply with current and emerging regulations and industry bestleading practices.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Report of the Talent and Compensation Committee

The Talent and Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) with management and recommended to the Board that the CD&Ait be included in this Proxy Statement.

Respectfully submitted,

The Talent and Compensation Committee

    Maria Luisa Ferré,

Alejandro M. Ballester, Chair

    David E. Goel

    William J. Teuber, Jr.


Robert Carrady
Betty DeVita
John W. Diercksen
Alejandro M. Sánchez
Carlos A. Unanue

2018 PROXY STATEMENT

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 49

59


2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2023 Executive Compensation Tables and

Compensation Information

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

2023 Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the compensation of our NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2017,2023, which reflects the full year of the equity (stock) and non-equity (cash) components of our current executive compensation program.

  Name and Principal Position Year  

Salary

($)(a)

  Bonus
($)(b)
  Stock
Awards
($)(c)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(d)
  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)(e)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(f)
  

Total

($)

 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

  Executive Chairman since July 1, 2017

  (formerly Chief Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

1,300,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

50,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$2,100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,016,133

 

 

 

 

 

 

                $

 

 

170,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

              $

 

 

209,168

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

4,846,097

 

 

 

 

  2016   1,453,846   58,533   2,520,000   1,850,800      266,141   6,149,320 
  

 

2015

 

 

 

  

 

1,400,000

 

 

 

  

 

58,528

 

 

 

  

 

2,800,000

 

 

 

  

 

2,276,073

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

281,848

 

 

 

  

 

6,816,449

 

 

 

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

 

  President and Chief Executive Officer

  since July 1, 2017 (formerly President

  and Chief Operating Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

807,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,145,670

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

831,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,862,938

 

 

 

 

  2016   742,500   29,822   804,375   845,155      15,130   2,436,982 
  

 

2015

 

 

 

  

 

695,769

 

 

 

  

 

29,817

 

 

 

  

 

893,750

 

 

 

  

 

1,038,277

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

11,656

 

 

 

  

 

2,669,269

 

 

 

                                

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

  Executive Vice President and

  Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

675,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

506,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

537,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,055

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,089

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,814,649

 

 

 

 

  2016   700,962   28,220   607,500   709,250      13,617   2,059,549 
  

 

2015

 

 

 

  

 

670,192

 

 

 

  

 

28,215

 

 

 

  

 

675,000

 

 

 

  

 

842,855

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

11,700

 

 

 

  

 

2,227,962

 

 

 

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

  Executive Vice President and

  Chief Legal Officer

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

550,000

 

571,154

550,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,932

 

22,927

22,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

412,500

 

495,000

550,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

437,953

 

477,950

583,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,693

 

14,296

10,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,437,078

 

1,581,327

1,716,781

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Lidio V. Soriano

  Executive Vice President and

  Chief Risk Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

500,000

 

519,231

476,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,863

 

20,858

20,853

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

375,000

 

450,000

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

365,764

 

526,500

617,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,855

 

12,524

8,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,274,482

 

1,529,113

1,623,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

  Executive Vice President

  Commercial Credit Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

450,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,905

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

337,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

363,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58,418

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,250,215

 

 

 

 

 

 

program for our NEOs.
Name And
Principal Position
Year
Salary
(a)
Bonus
(b)
Stock
Awards
(c)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(d)
Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
(e)
All Other
Compensation
(f)
Total
Ignacio Alvarez
President and
Chief Executive Officer
2023
$ 1,130,000
$ 47,083
$3,081,501
$1,466,740
$
$43,120
$ 5,768,444
2022
1,125,385
47,083
3,022,051
2,093,300
35,889
6,323,708
2021
1,100,000
45,833
2,447,529
1,496,710
29,086
5,119,158
Carlos J. Vázquez
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
2023
759,519
31,875
631,998
577,193
16,449
23,610
2,040,644
2022
733,192
31,938
653,692
763,899
15,749
2,198,470
2021
708,145
29,792
568,850
762,416
18,574
2,087,777
Javier D. Ferrer
Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer
and Head of Business
Strategy
2023
782,308
32,917
1,134,107
621,335
15,774
2,586,441
2022
750,000
31,250
950,697
822,775
18,574
2,573,296
2021
634,615
28,125
486,115
749,890
18,574
1,917,319
Lidio V. Soriano
Executive Vice President
and Chief Risk Officer
2023
585,481
24,583
486,157
433,355
22,868
1,552,444
2022
563,961
23,604
502,882
596,039
31,581
1,718,067
2021
533,954
22,917
421,370
566,275
25,446
1,569,962
Manuel Chinea
Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating
Officer Popular Bank
2023
560,340
464,082
384,031
4,799
47,725
1,460,977
2022
537,605
423,294
587,892
50,387
1,599,178
2021
498,458
388,809
535,436
46,669
1,469,372
(a)

Includes salaries before deductions. On July 1, 2017, Mr. Alvarez, former President and Chief Operating Officer, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Mr. Carrión, former Chief Executive Officer, was appointed Executive Chairman. In light of their new roles, Mr. Alvarez’ annualized base salary was increased to $900,000 and Mr. Carrión’s annualized base salary was reduced to $1,200,000. The base paySalary differences for the NEOs between 2015, 2016,2022 and 20172023 are attributable to the following: the calendar year 2016 contained 27 biweekly pay periods, as comparedsalary increase adjustments, ranging from 3.97% to 26 biweekly pay periods in 2015 and 2017.5.3% of base salary. Annual base salary as of December 31, 20172023 was: R. Carrión, $1,200,000; I. Alvarez, $900,000;$1,130,000; C. Vázquez, $675,000;$765,000; J. Ferrer, $550,000;$790,000; L. Soriano, $500,000;$590,000; and E. Sepúlveda, $450,000.

M. Chinea, $565,000. Salary increases were awarded to the NEOs in March 2023.

(b)

Includes Popular’s customary Christmas bonus provided to its Puerto Rico-based employees, equal to 4.17% of annual base pay.

salary.

(c)

The awards reported in the “Stock Awards” column were provided in the form of restricted stock and performance shares granted on February 24, 2017.27, 2023. The value in the column above represents the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock and performance shares determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718718. The fair value applicable to restricted stock and performance share grants based on internal financial metrics is the closing price of Popular’s common stock on the grant date ($44.35) and the probable outcome of the71.56). The fair value applicable performance conditions. With regard to the restricted stock, 80% of the shares will vest (i.e., no longer be subject to forfeiture) in equal annual installments over four years, and the remaining 20% will vest upon retirement. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock award is as follows: R. Carrión, $980,000; I. Alvarez, $313,170; C. Vázquez, $236,250; J. Ferrer, $192,500; L. Soriano, $175,000; and E. Sepúlveda, $157,500. For Mr. Alvarez, it includes a one-time grant of $475,000 in restricted stock in recognition for his promotion to President and CEO, with a closing price of Popular’s common stock on the June 22, 2017 grant date of $38.93.

The performance shares vest after the end of a 3-year performance cycle (2017-2019). The number of shares actually earned will depend on Popular’s achievement of goals related to: (i) TSR; and (ii) an absolute cumulative EPS goal. Each metric corresponds to one-half of themarket based relative TSR performance share incentive opportunity. Actual earned awards, may rangederived from 0a Monte Carlo simulation, is $74.42. Refer to 1.5 timesNote 34 to the target opportunity based on performance. The amountsCorporation’s consolidated financial statements included in the table reflectCorporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the target (or 100%) level of achievement, as follows: R. Carrión, $1,120,000; I. Alvarez, $357,500; C. Vázquez, $270,000; J. Ferrer, $220,000; L. Soriano, $200,000; and E. Sepúlveda, $180,000. The maximum potential value for each performance shares award is as follows: R. Carrión, $1,680,000; I. Alvarez, $536,250; C. Vázquez, $405,000; J. Ferrer, $330,000; L. Soriano, $300,000; and E. Sepúlveda, $270,000.

year ended December 31, 2023.
With regards to the restricted stock, shares will vest (i.e., no longer be subject to forfeiture) in equal annual installments over four years. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock award is as follows: I. Alvarez, $1,525,500; C. Vázquez, $331,425; J. Ferrer, $675,000; L. Soriano, $254,925; and M. Chinea $243,360.
The performance shares vest after the end of a 3-year performance cycle (2023-2025). The number of shares actually earned will depend on Popular’s achievement of goals related to: (i) TSR relative to an industry index of United States banks with assets between $25B - $500B; and (ii) an absolute 3-year simple average ROATCE goal. Each metric corresponds to one-half of the target performance share incentive opportunity. Actual earned awards may range from 0 to 1.5 times the target opportunity based on performance. The amounts in the table reflect the target (or 100%) level of achievement, as follows: I. Alvarez, $1,556,001; C. Vázquez, $300,573; J. Ferrer, $459,107; L. Soriano, $231,232; and M. Chinea, $220,722. The potential maximum value for each performance shares award is as follows: I. Alvarez, $2,334,074; C. Vázquez, $450,932; J. Ferrer, $688,734; L. Soriano, $346,849; and M. Chinea, $331,083.
60 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(d)

The amounts reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column reflect the amounts earned by each NEO under Popular’sPopular's annual short-term incentive.incentive for the applicable performance year (which are paid in the first quarter of the following calendar year). NEOs were eligible to participate in a 20172023 annual cash incentive opportunity based on the achievement of their annual corporate, business unitstrategic and individual goals. The “2017“2023 Executive Compensation ProgramPrograms and Pay Decisions” section of the Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCD&A describes how the 20172023 short-term incentive awards to the NEOs were determined.

50  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


(e)

No additional benefits in the defined benefit Retirementretirement and Restoration Plansrestoration plans were earned in 20172023 as they have been frozen since 2009. This column contains the required accounting representation of the annual change in present value of the pension benefit as of December 31, 2017.2023. The 2023 increase for Messrs. Vázquez and Chinea was mainly due to a decrease in the interest rates used for measuring plan liabilities. With respect to 20152022 and 2016,2021, pursuant to proxySEC rules, the change in present value of accrued benefits is not reflected in this table sincebecause it decreased during the year, mainly due to the combined effect of a decrease in the discount rate used for measuring plan liabilities offset by changes in mortality assumptions.

year.

Present value for changes in pension value were determined using year-end Statement of Financial Accounting Standard Codification Topic 715, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (ASC 715) assumptions with the following exception: payments are assumed to begin at the earliest possible retirement date at which benefits are unreduced. The age to receive retirement benefits with no reductions is 55 provided the participant has completed 10 years of service. Each participating NEO has reached the aforementioned unreduced retirement eligibility.

Present value for changes in pension value were determined using year-end Statement of Financial Accounting Standard Codification Topic 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (ASC 715) assumptions with the following exception: payments are assumed to begin at the earliest possible retirement date at which benefits are unreduced. The age to receive retirement benefits with no reductions is 55, provided the participant has completed 10 years of service. Each participating NEO has reached the aforementioned unreduced retirement eligibility.
(f)

The amounts reported in the “All Other Compensation” column reflect, for each NEO, the sum of (i) the incremental cost to Popular of all perquisites and other personal benefits with an aggregate amount greater than or equal to $10,000, (ii) the amounts contributed by Popular to the Savings and Investment Plan, (iii) the imputed cost of coverage in excess of $50,000 for group-term life insurance, and (iii)(iv) the change in value of the retiree medical insurance coverage. The following table outlines those perquisites received by those NEOs with an aggregate value exceeding $10,000:

To the extent that an individual’s aggregate amount of perquisites received is less than $10,000, such amounts have been excluded from the “Other Compensation” calculation, but all perquisites have been included by type in the table below.

  Types of Perquisites Received

Richard L.

Carrión

Ignacio

Alvarez

Carlos J.

Vázquez

Javier D.

Ferrer

Lidio V.

Soriano

Eli S.
Sepúlveda

  Non Work-Related Security (i)

X

X

  Company-Owned Vehicle

Name

X

Use Of
Company-Owned
Vehicle

X

Other(i)
Ignacio Alvarez

X

X

Carlos J. Vázquez

X

X

  Other (ii)

Javier D. Ferrer

X

Lidio V. Soriano
Manuel Chinea

(i)

The incremental cost to Popular for the personal security of Messrs. Carrión and Alvarez was $194,186 and $23,460, respectively.

(ii)

Includes benefits provided to certain NEOs, the value of which does not exceed the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of benefitsperquisites received by each NEO, such as personal tickets to events sponsored by Popular.

Popular, the cost of routine preventive medical examination for executives, and car allowance for non-Puerto Rico based executives.


The following table shows Popular’s match underimputed cost to I. Alvarez and C. Vázquez of coverage in excess of $50,000 for group-term life insurance was $14,478 each.

The contribution to the Puerto RicoUSA Savings and Investment Plan:

  Employer Match to Savings Plan ($)

  Richard L. Carrión

$8,250  

  Ignacio Alvarez

8,250  

  Carlos J. Vázquez

8,250  

  Javier D. Ferrer

8,250  

  Lidio V. Soriano

7,500  

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

8,250  

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  51

Plan for M. Chinea was $13,200.


GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table details all equity and non-equity plan-based awards granted to each of the NEOs during fiscal year 2017.2023.
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(a)
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(b)
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)(c)
Grant Date
Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)(d)
Name
Grant
Date
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Ignacio Alvarez
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$3,081,501
2023 Short-Term Cash
Incentive
 
$762,750
$1,525,500
$2,288,250
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,318
 
Performance Shares
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
10,660
21,318
31,978
 
 
Carlos J. Vázquez
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
631,998
2023 Short-Term Cash
Incentive
306,000
612,000
918,000
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,632
 
Performance Shares
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
2,060
4,118
6,178
 
 
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 61

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards (a)

 

  

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under

Equity Incentive Plan Awards (b)

 

  

All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#) (c)

 

  

Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($) (d)

 

 

 

  Name

 

 

Grant Date

 

  

Threshold ($)

 

  

Target ($)

 

  

Maximum ($)

 

  

Threshold (#)

 

  

Target (#)

 

  

Maximum (#)

 

   

 

  Richard L. Carrión

                                  $2,100,000 

  2017 Short-Term Cash Incentive

   $490,000   $1,210,000   $1,815,000      

  Restricted Stock

  24-Feb-17         22,097  

  Performance Shares

 

  

 

24-Feb-17

 

 

 

              

 

12,628

 

 

 

  

 

25,254

 

 

 

  

 

37,882

 

 

 

        

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

          1,145,670 

  2017 Short-Term Cash Incentive

   305,125   771,750   1,157,625      

  Restricted Stock

  24-Feb-17         7,062  

  Restricted Stock

  22-Jun-17         12,202  

  Performance Shares

 

  

 

24-Feb-17

 

 

 

              

 

4,032

 

 

 

  

 

8,062

 

 

 

  

 

12,094

 

 

 

        

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

          506,250 

  2017 Short-Term Cash Incentive

   202,500   540,000   810,000      

  Restricted Stock

  24-Feb-17         5,327  

  Performance Shares

 

  

 

24-Feb-17

 

 

 

              

 

3,044

 

 

 

  

 

6,088

 

 

 

  

 

9,132

 

 

 

        

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

          412,500 

  2017 Short-Term Cash Incentive

   165,000   440,000   660,000      

  Restricted Stock

  24-Feb-17         4,341  

  Performance Shares

 

  

 

24-Feb-17

 

 

 

              

 

2,482

 

 

  

 

4,962

 

 

 

  

 

7,444

 

 

 

        

 

  Lidio V. Soriano

          375,000 

  2017 Short-Term Cash Incentive

   150,000   400,000   600,000      

  Restricted Stock

  24-Feb-17         3,946  

  Performance Shares

 

  

 

24-Feb-17

 

 

 

              

 

2,256

 

 

 

  

 

4,510

 

 

 

  

 

6,766

 

 

 

        

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

          337,500 

  2017 Short-Term Cash Incentive

   135,000   360,000   540,000      

  Restricted Stock

  24-Feb-17         3,552  

  Performance Shares

 

  

 

24-Feb-17

 

 

 

              

 

2,030

 

 

  

 

4,060

 

 

 

  

 

6,090

 

 

 

        

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(a)
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(b)
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)(c)
Grant Date
Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)(d)
Name
Grant
Date
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Javier D. Ferrer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,134,107
2023 Short-Term Cash Incentive
316,000
632,000
948,000
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,433
 
Performance Shares
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
3,146
6,290
9,436
 
 
Lidio V. Soriano
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
486,157
2023 Short-Term Cash
Incentive
236,000
472,000
708,000
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,563
 
Performance Shares
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
1,584
3,168
4,752
 
 
Manuel Chinea
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
464,082
2023 Short-Term Cash
Incentive
226,000
452,000
678,000
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,401
 
Performance Shares
27-Feb-23
 
 
 
1,512
3,024
4,536
 
 
(a)

This section includescontains the 2017 short-term cash incentive.2023 STI. The amounts shown in the “Threshold” column assume that the leadership component did not meet performance “Threshold”, but the NEOs are awarded with the minimum level for the Corporationcorporate, strategic and Business Unitindividual goals; however, these portions are not guaranteed. The actual short-term annual incentiveSTI awards for 20172023 performance were as follows: R. Carrión, $1,016,133; I. Alvarez, $831,387;$1,466,740; C. Vázquez, $537,030;$577,193; J. Ferrer, $437,953;$621,335; L. Soriano, $365,764;$433,355; and E. Sepúlveda, $363,050.

M. Chinea, $384,031.

Due to Mr. Alvarez new role as CEO effective July 1, 2017, the target opportunity under the short-term annual cash incentive was increased from 90% to 100% of his base salary. Mr. Carrión’s target opportunity under the short-term annual cash incentive was reduced from 100% to 85% of his base salary also effective July 1, 2017. The amounts shown in this section were prorated based on the corresponding plan design and salary that applied to their respective roles during the year.

(b)

This section includescontains the performance shares awarded on February 24, 2017.27, 2023. The number of shares was determined based on the closing price of Popular’s common stock on the grant date of February 24, 201727, 2023 ($44.35)71.56). The shares will vest on the third anniversaryday of the grant date,first scheduled meeting of the Committee in February 2026, subject to Popular’sthe Corporation’s achievement of certainthe 2023-2025 performance goals duringas certified by the performance cycle.Committee in such meeting. The performance goals will be based on two performance metrics weighted equally: Total Shareholder ReturnTSR and absolute cumulative Earnings Per Share.simple average ROATCE. The performance cycle is a three-year period beginning on January 1 of the calendar year of the grant date and ending on December 31 of the third year. Each performance goal will have a defined minimum threshold (i.e.(i.e., minimum result for which an incentive would be earnedearned) equal to one-half of target number of shares),shares, target (i.e.(i.e., result at which 100% of the incentive would be earned) and maximum level of performance (i.e.(i.e., result at which 1.5 times the incentive target would be earned).

Dividend equivalents are accrued and paid at the end of the performance period based on the actual number of shares earned.

(c)

This section includescontains the restricted stock awarded on February 24, 2017; the27, 2023. The number of shares was determined based on the closing price of Popular’s common stock on the grant date of February 24, 201727, 2023 ($44.35)71.56). The shares will vest (i.e.(i.e., no longer to be subject to forfeiture) as follows: in substantially equal annual installments during the four years following the grant date.
(d)
Represents the grant date fair value, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of the performance shares and restricted stock granted in 2023.
2023 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the value of all outstanding restricted stock and performance shares previously awarded to the NEOs (based on the closing price of Popular’s common stock as of December 31, 2023, which was $82.07).
Stock Awards
Name
Number of Shares
or Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested
(#)(a)
Market Value of Shares
or Units of Stock That
Have not Vested
($)
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of Unearned Shares,
Units or Other Rights That
Have Not Vested
(#)(b)
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards:
Market or Payout Value of
Unearned Shares, Units or
Other Rights That
Have Not Vested
($)
Ignacio Alvarez
  95,502
$7,837,849
 37,924
$3,112,423
Carlos J. Vázquez
 27,501
2,257,007
7,318
   600,588
Javier D. Ferrer
  29,956
2,458,489
10,484
   860,422
Lidio V. Soriano
  20,651
1,694,828
 5,630
   462,054
Manuel Chinea
11,329
929,771
 5,350
   439,075
62 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(a)
Vesting dates of shares or units of stock that have not vested:
Restricted Stock Awards
Performance
Shares
Award
2021(vi)
Total
Name
2006(i)
2015(i)
2016(i)
2017(i)
2018(i)
2019(i)
2020(ii)
2021(iii)
2022(iv)
2023(v)
Ignacio Alvarez
3,113
3,518
1,368
3,757
4,871
12,276
9,462
12,063
20,650
24,424 
95,502
Carlos J. Vázquez
582
2,351
2,657
1,032
1,219
1,220
2,800
2,013
2,903
4,486
6,238 
27,501
Javier D. Ferrer
1,820
2,166
840
992
992
2,390
1,719
4,568
9,137
5,332 
29,956
Lidio V. Soriano
1,799
2,032
789
931
932
2,138
1,540
2,307
3,563
4,620 
20,651
Manuel Chinea
368
530
409
481
531
1,274
663
779
2,030
4,264 
11,329
(i)
The shares will vest upon termination of employment on or after age 55 and completing 10 years of service.
(ii)
80% willof the shares vest in equal annual installments on each ofduring the first four anniversaries ofyears following the grant date (February 27, 2020) and 20% will vest upon retirement, defined as termination of employment after attaining age 55 with 10 years of service or age 60 with 5 years of service. This section also includes a one-time grant of 12,202 restricted stock for Mr. Alvarez
(iii)
Shares vest in recognition for his promotion to President and CEO. The Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Alvarez a one-time grant of $475,000 in restricted stock based onsubstantially equal annual installments during the prorated value of his new long-term incentive target opportunity of 185% of his base salary. The grant corresponds to 12,202 shares based on the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock onfour years following the grant date of June 22, 2017, which was $38.93. The restricted stock was subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transferability until January 1, 2018, when it vested.

(February 25, 2021).

(d)(iv)

The amounts reportedShares vest in this column representsubstantially equal annual installments during the four years following the grant date fair value of both performance shares and restricted stock.

(February 22, 2022).

52  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the value of all restricted stock and performance shares previously awarded to the NEOs (based on the closing price of Popular’s common stock as of December 29, 2017, the last trading day of 2017, which was $35.49).

   Stock Awards 

  Name

 

  Number of Shares
or Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested (#) (a)
   

Market Value of Shares

or Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested ($)

   Equity Incentive Plan Awards:
Number of Unearned Shares,
Units or Other Rights That
Have Not Vested (#)(b)
   

Equity Incentive Plan Awards:  

Market or Payout Value of  

Unearned Shares, Units or  

Other Rights That  

Have Not Vested ($)  

 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

 

   

 

121,243

 

 

 

   

 

$4,302,914

 

 

 

   

 

70,764

 

 

 

   

 

$2,511,414  

 

 

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

 

   

 

46,762

 

 

 

   

 

1,659,583

 

 

 

   

 

22,589

 

 

 

   

 

801,684  

 

 

 

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

 

   

 

26,697

 

 

 

   

 

947,477

 

 

 

   

 

17,060

 

 

 

   

 

605,459  

 

 

 

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

 

   

 

21,264

 

 

 

   

 

754,659

 

 

 

   

 

13,902

 

 

 

   

 

493,382  

 

 

 

 

  Lidio V. Soriano

 

   

 

19,331

 

 

 

   

 

686,057

 

 

 

   

 

12,637

 

 

 

   

 

448,487  

 

 

 

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

 

   

 

16,546

 

 

 

   

 

587,218

 

 

 

   

 

10,887

 

 

 

   

 

386,380  

 

 

 

(a)(v)

Vesting dates of shares or units of stock that have not vested:

    

2005
Restricted
Stock
Award (i)

 

   

2006
Restricted
Stock
Award (i)

 

   

2015

Restricted
Stock
Award (ii)

 

   

2015
Performance

Shares
Award (iii)

 

   

2016
Restricted
Stock
Award (iv)

 

   

2017
Restricted
Stock
Award (v)

 

   

Total

 

 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,069

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,931

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

30,207

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

10,429

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

45,510

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

22,097

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

121,243

 

 

 

 

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

9,642

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,329

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

14,527

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

19,264

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

46,762

 

 

 

 

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

601

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,283

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2,515

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

10,971

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,327

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

26,697

 

 

 

 

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,934

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2,049

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,940

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

4,341

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

21,264

 

 

 

 

 

  Lidio V. Soriano

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,395

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,863

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,127

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,946

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

19,331

 

 

 

 

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

4,532

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,565

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,827

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,552

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

16,546

 

 

 

 

(i)

The shares will vest upon termination of employment on or after age 55 and completing 10 years of service.

(ii)

80% of the shares willShares vest in substantially equal annual installments on each ofduring the first four anniversaries ofyears following the approvalgrant date (February 27, 2015) and 20% will vest upon retirement, defined as termination of employment after attaining age 55 with 10 years of service or age 60 with 5 years of service.

2023).

(vi)
(iii)

The number of shares shown in the tables above are actual shares earned based on the degree to which the goals were attained during the 2015—20172021 - 2023 performance cycle that ended on December 31st, 2017.31, 2023. The shares arewere subject to continued time-based vesting until February 27, 2018.22, 2024. The dividend equivalents earned as of December 31, 2023 and subject to continued time-based vesting until February 27, 2018,22, 2024, were as follows: R. Carrión, 578 shares; I. Alvarez, 1852,152 shares; C. Vázquez, 140550 shares; J. Ferrer, 114470 shares; L. Soriano 104408 shares; and E. Sepúlveda, 87M. Chinea 376 shares.

(iv)

80% of the shares will vest in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date (January 27, 2016) and 20% will vest upon retirement, defined as termination of employment after attaining age 55 with 10 years of service or age 60 with 5 years of service.

(v)

80% of the shares will vest in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date (February 24, 2017) and 20% will vest upon retirement, defined as termination of employment after attaining age 55 with 10 years of service or age 60 with 5 years of service. For Mr. Alvarez, a portion of the restricted stock (12,202 shares) was subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transferability until January 1, 2018, when it became vested.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  53


(b)

Vesting dates of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested:

      

2016

Performance
Shares Award (i)

 

     

2017
Performance
Shares Award (ii)

 

     

Total

 

 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

45,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

25,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

70,764

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

14,527

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

8,062

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

22,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

10,972

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

6,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

17,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

8,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

4,962

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

13,902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Lidio V. Soriano

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

8,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

4,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

12,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Eli S. Sepulveda

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

6,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

4,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

10,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name
2022
Performance
Shares Award(i)
2023
Performance
Shares Award(ii)
Total
Ignacio Alvarez
16,606
21,318
37,924
Carlos J. Vázquez
 3,200
 4,118
7,318
Javier D. Ferrer
4,194
  6,290
10,484
Lidio V. Soriano
2,462
 3,168
 5,630
Manuel Chinea
2,326
  3,024
 5,350
(i)
(i)

The number of performance shares shown in the tables above is based on achievement of target performance. The shares will vest on January 27, 2019,the day of the first scheduled meeting of the Committee in February 2025, subject to the Corporation’s achievement of certainthe 2022-2024 performance goals duringas certified by the 2016—2018 performance cycle. Refer to note b of the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.

Committee in such meeting.

(ii)
(ii)

The number of performance shares shown in the tables above is based on achievement of target performance. The shares will vest on the day of the first scheduled meeting of the Committee in February 24, 2020,2026, subject to the Corporation’s achievement of certainthe 2023-2025 performance goals duringas certified by the 2017—2019 performance cycle.Committee in such meeting. Refer to note bNote (b) of the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE FOR 2017

2023 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table includes certain information with respect to the vesting of stock awards during 2017.

     

Stock Awards

 

 
      

 

Number of Shares
    Acquired on Vesting (#)

 

     

 

Value Realized
    on Vesting ($) (a)

 

 

 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

$962,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,846

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

307,259

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,170

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

232,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,213

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

189,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Lidio V. Soriano

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,830

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

171,897

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,217

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

144,384

 

 

 

 

 

2023.
Stock Awards
Name
Number Of
Shares
Acquired On
Vesting
(#)
Value Realized
On Vesting
($)(i)
Ignacio Alvarez
 45,910
$3,266,940
Carlos J. Vázquez
11,250
800,777
Javier D. Ferrer
10,432
742,259
Lidio V. Soriano
 8,364
595,234
Manuel Chinea
7,581
 540,859
(a)(i)

Value represents the number of shares that vested multiplied by the closing market value of our common stock on the applicable vesting dates.

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 63

POST-TERMINATION COMPENSATION

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Post-Termination Compensation
Pension and Retirement Benefits
Popular offers comprehensive retirement benefits to all eligible employees, including NEOs, as summarized below:

PUERTO RICO

Retirement Plan

The Retirement Plan was frozen with regard to all future benefit accruals after April 30, 2009. It had previously been closed to new hires and was frozen as of December 31, 2005 to employees who were under 30 years of age or were credited with fewer than 10 years of benefit service. These actions also applied to the related retirement benefit restoration plans described below.

The Retirement Plan’s benefit formula is based on a percentage of average final compensation and years of service. Normal retirement age under  the  Retirement  Plan  is  age  65 with five years  of service and, in

general, benefits are paid for life in the form of a single life annuity plus supplemental death benefits, and are not reduced for Social Security or other payments received by the participants. Pension costs are funded in accordance with minimum funding standards under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The Retirement Plan is qualified in accordance with the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, which establishes limits on compensation and benefits. The Retirement Plan is also qualified under the laws of Puerto Rico.

54  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


Popular has adopted two Benefit Restoration Plans (“Restoration Plans”), which are not qualified in accordance with the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and are designed to restore benefits that would otherwise have been received by an eligible employee under the Retirement Plan but for the limitations imposed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The Restoration Plans do not offer credit for years of service not actually worked, preferential  benefit formulas  or  accelerated  vesting  of pension

benefits, beyond the provisions of the Retirement Plan. The restoration benefits of employees who are residents of Puerto Rico are funded through an ERISA pension trust that is qualified under the laws of Puerto Rico.

In addition, BPPR maintains an irrevocable trust as a source of funds for payment of benefit restoration liabilities to all non-Puerto Rico resident participants.

2023 Pension Benefits

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the value of retirement paymentsPension Benefits accrued as of December 31, 20172023 under Popular’s retirementpension plans for the NEOs eligible to participate underin such plans. Messrs. Alvarez, Ferrer and Soriano are not eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan or Benefitthe Restoration Plan.

  Name  Plan Name  

Number of Years of

Credited Service

Through April 30, 2009

   

Present Value of

Accumulated

Benefit ($) (a)

   

Payments During Last

Fiscal Year ($)

 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

  

 

Retirement Pension Plan

   32.917    $1,355,096     
   

Benefit Restoration Plan

 

     

 

5,904,676

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

  

 

Retirement Pension Plan

 

   8.750    $341,799     
   

Benefit Restoration Plan

 

     

 

904,118

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

  

 

Retirement Pension Plan

 

   17.583    712,906     
   

Benefit Restoration Plan

 

     

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Plans.
Name
Plan Name
Number of Years of
Credited Service
Through April 30, 2009
Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)(a)
Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)
Carlos J. Vázquez
Retirement Plan
 8.750
 $272,108
 —
Restoration Plan
719,751
 
Manuel Chinea
Retirement Plan
11.750
 185,022
 —
Restoration Plan
   —
 
(a)

This column represents the present value of all future expected pension benefit payments. Values were determined using year-end ASC 715 assumptions with the exception that payments are assumed to begin at the earliest possible retirement date at which benefits are unreduced. Each participating NEO has reached the aforementioned unreduced retirement eligibility.

Normal retirement is upon reaching age 65 and completion ofcompleting 5 years of service. The normal retirement benefit is equal to the sum of (a) 1.10% of the average final compensation multiplied by the years of credit up to a maximum of 10 years, plus (b) 1.45% for each additional year of credit up to a maximum of 20 additional years. Participants become eligible for early retirement upon the earlier of: (a) attainment of age 50 with sum of age and years of service equal or greater than 75 or (b) attainment of age 55 with 10 or more years of service.

Retirement Plan. The Retirement Plan is a defined benefit pension plan that is tax-qualified under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code and the United States Internal Revenue Code and is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The plan was frozen with regard to all future benefit accruals after April 30, 2009. The Retirement Plan’s benefit formula is based on a percentage of average final compensation and years of service. Normal retirement age under the Retirement Plan is age 65 with 5 years of service.
Restoration Plans. Popular has adopted two non-United States tax qualified benefit restoration plans (“Restoration Plans”), which are designed to restore benefits that would otherwise have been received by an eligible employee under the Retirement Plan but for the limitations imposed by the United States Internal Revenue Code. The Restoration Plans do not offer credit for years of service not actually worked, preferential benefit formulas or accelerated vesting of pension benefits, beyond the provisions of the Retirement Plan. The restoration benefits of employees who are residents of Puerto Rico are funded through a pension trust that is qualified under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code. In addition,
BPPR maintains an irrevocable “rabbi” trust as a source of funds for payment of benefit restoration liabilities to all non- Puerto Rico resident participants.
Savings and Investment Plans
Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan

Plan. The Popular, Inc. Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan is qualifiedtax-qualified under section 1081.01(a) and (d) of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 2011, as amended. It allows eligible Puerto Rico-based employees who  have  completed 30 days of service to defer a portion of

their totaleligible annual cash compensation on a pre-tax or after-tax basis, subject to the maximum amount permitted by applicable tax laws.

USA Savings and Investment Plan. The Popular, Inc. 401(k) USA Savings and Investment Plan is a United States tax-qualified plan that permits eligible United States based employees to defer a portion of their eligible annual cash compensation on a pre-tax basis, subject to the maximum amount permitted by applicable tax laws.
Matching contribution to the Savings and Investment Plans. Popular matches 50% of employee pre-tax contributions up to eight percent of the participant’s cash compensation.

64 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2023 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
The following table shows nonqualified deferred compensation activity and balances attributable to NEOs who participate in the corresponding plan.
Name
NEO
Contribution
in Last FY 2023(a)
Registrant
Contribution
in Last FY (2023)
Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY (2023)(b)
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
Aggregate
Balance at Last
FYE (12/31/2023)
Ignacio Alvarez
  $648,096
$285,181
$2,638,153
Carlos J. Vázquez
117,334
 120,279
  949,997
Javier D. Ferrer
319,292
157,914
1,358,574
Manuel Chinea
 56,159
  354,588
2,601,377
(a)
Amounts reported in this column are included in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(b)
Based on notional earnings and losses from notional investments made by participants in a slate of investment options available under the plan. As such, said earnings are not included as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table.
Puerto Rico Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

Plan.The Popular, Inc. Puerto Rico Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan allows certain management or highly compensated Puerto Rico-based employees to defer receipt of a portion of their annual cash compensation in excess of the amounts allowed to be deferred under the Popular, Inc. Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan. Participants are fully vested in their deferrals at all times. The plan is an unfunded plan of deferred  compensation  for  a  select  group  of  management or highly compensated employees intended  to  be  exempt  from  the provisions of

not tax-qualified and is unfunded.

Parts 2, 3 and 4 Title I, Subtitle B of ERISA. It is not intended to be a tax qualified retirement plan under Section 1081 of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code.

Benefits are normally distributed upon termination of employment, death or disability.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  55


Withdrawals during participant’s service are allowed due to financial hardship and post-secondary education. A participant shall be considered

fully vested at all times. During 2017,2023, Messrs. Carrión, Alvarez, Vázquez, Ferrer and SepúlvedaFerrer participated in this plan.

The following table shows nonqualified deferred compensation activity and balances attributable to NEOs:

  Name    

Executive

Contribution in

Last FY

(2017)(a)

     

Registrant

Contribution in

Last FY

(2017)

     

Aggregate

Earnings in

Last FY

(2017)(b)

     

Aggregate
Withdrawals/

Distributions

     

Aggregate

Balance at Last

FYE

(12/31/2017)

 

 

  Richard L. Carrión

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

$37,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

$2,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

$40,183

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

10,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

81,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

65,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

14,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

139,783

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

31,731

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

2,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

34,312

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

21,673

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

140,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Amounts reported in this column are included in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table.

(b)

Based on notional earnings and losses from notional investments made by participants in a slate of investment options available under the plan.

UNITED STATES

USA Savings and Investment Plan

The Popular, Inc. 401(k) USA Savings and Investment Plan is qualified under section 401(a) and (k) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. It allows eligible U.S.-based employees who have completed 30 days of service to defer a portion of their total annual cash compensation on a pre-tax basis, subject to the maximum amount permitted by applicable tax laws. Popular matches 50% of employee pre-tax contributions up to eight percent of the participant’s cash compensation.

Popular North America, Inc. Deferral Plan

Plan. The Popular North America, Inc. (“PNA”) Deferral Plan is an unfunded plan of deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees of PNA or its subsidiaries. Under this plan, participants may elect to defer a portion of their annual cash compensation. ItThe PNA Deferral Plan is intended to be exempt from the provisions of Parts 2, 3not tax-qualified and 4 Title I, Subtitle B of ERISA and to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code relating to non-qualified deferred compensation. is unfunded. During 2023, Mr. Chinea participated in this plan.

Benefits are normally payabledistributed upon termination of employment, death or disability. In-service distributionsWithdrawals during participant’s service are permittedallowed due to financial hardship and post-secondary education. The Puerto Rico and North America deferral plans maintain irrevocable “rabbi” trusts as a source of funds for payment of deferred compensation obligations to participants.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control
No Employment or Change in accordance with Section 409A.

EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-OF-CONTROL AGREEMENTS

PopularControl Agreements; No Gross-ups. The Corporation does not have any employment or change ofin control agreements with our NEOs.  Nevertheless,  Popular’sNEOs and does not provide for any tax gross-ups. Please refer to the section entitled “CFO Service and Award Agreements” for a description of the Service Agreement entered into by the Corporation and Mr. Vázquez.

2020 Omnibus Plan. On May 12, 2020, the shareholders of the Corporation adopted the Popular, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Omnibus Plan”) which provides for cash and equity-based compensation incentives for the Corporation’s executives and employees. Upon the adoption of the 2020 Omnibus Plan, no new awards are made under the Popular, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as

amendedthe Corporation’s previous incentive plan (the “Omnibus“2004 Omnibus Plan”), contains. The 2004 Omnibus Plan continues to govern awards outstanding under the 2004 Omnibus Plan. Both the 2020 Omnibus Plan and the 2004 Omnibus Plan contain provisions governing change ofin control with respect to outstanding equity awards. The Omnibus Plan was amended pursuant to shareholder approval at Popular’s 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to increase the maximum total number of shares of common stock that we may issue under the Omnibus Plan and revise certain provisions pertaining to change of control, among others.

AWARDS GRANTED UNDER THE OMNIBUS PLAN

The terms of the 2020 and 2004 Omnibus Plan, as in effect as of April 30, 2013,Plans provide for “double-trigger” vesting in the event of a Change of Control,change in control, which means that awards subject to time-based vesting will only vest if the holder’s employment is terminated without Cause, or if the holder terminates employment for Good Reason (each as defined in the 2020 and 2004 Omnibus Plan)Plans) within two years after a Change of Control.change in control. Except as otherwise set forth in an award agreement, awards subject to performance-based vesting will be deemed earned at the greater of target or actual performance through the Change of Controlchange in control date (or if no target level is specified, the maximum level) and will be subject to time-based vesting through the end of the original performance cycle for each such award, subject to accelerated vesting on a termination without Cause or for Good Reason within two years after the Change of Control.change in control. Awards granted under the Omnibus Plan before April 30, 2013 under the 2004 Omnibus Plan are generally vest on a Change of Control, with awards subject to performance-baseda single trigger requirement for accelerated vesting based on target performance.

56  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


in the event of a change in control. Under the 2020 Omnibus Plan, a Change of Controlchange in control generally occurs: (i) if, during any period of two years or less, the individuals of the Board of Directors of the Corporation cease to constitute a majority of the Board; (ii) if any person acquires directis or indirect ownershipbecomes a beneficial owner of 50%securities of the Corporation representing 30% or more of Popular’s outstandingthe combined voting stock; (ii) upon consummation (shareholder approvalpower of the Corporation’s then-outstanding securities eligible to vote for pre-April 30, 2013 awards)the election of any consolidation or merger in which we are not the surviving corporation; orBoard; (iii) upon shareholderthe consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 65

TABLE OF CONTENTS

corporate transaction involving the Corporation that requires the approval of the Corporation’s shareholders, except in certain circumstances; (iv) upon the consummation of a sale lease, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the assetsCorporation’s assets; or (v) if the Corporation’s shareholders approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation.
Puerto Rico Statutory Severance. Under Puerto Rico law, if any employee hired prior to an entityJanuary 26, 2017 (including all of our Puerto Rico based NEOs) is terminated from employment without “just cause”, as defined by Puerto Rico Law No. 80 of May 30, 1976 (“Law 80”), the employee is entitled to statutory severance, which is not a wholly-owned subsidiarycalculated as follows: (i) employees with less than five years of Popular. However, a Changeemployment—two months of Control will not occur if holderscompensation plus an additional one week of common stock immediately prior to the consolidation or merger have the same or substantially the same proportionate ownershipcompensation per year of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger.

PAYMENTS MADE UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

Regardlessservice; (ii) employees with five through fifteen years of the circumstances pursuant to which NEOs terminate their employmentemployment—three months of compensation plus two weeks of compensation per year of service; (iii) employees with Popular, they are entitled to receive certain amounts earned during their employment. Such amounts include:

Amounts contributed to Popular’s Savings and Investment Plan, including the vested portionmore than fifteen years of the employer-sourced funds;

Benefits accumulated under the Retirement Plan, including retiree medical and the Benefit Restoration Plan;

Awards under the Senior Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan granted in years 1997-1999 in the formemployment—six months of deferred stock; and

Any balances in the non-qualified deferred compensation plans.

plus three weeks of compensation per year of service.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

The following table and footnotes describe certain potential payments that each NEO would receive upon termination of employment or a change ofin control as of December 31, 2017.2023. The table does not include:

Compensation or benefits previously earned by the NEO or equity awards that are fully vested;

vested, including benefits under the Savings and Investment Plans described above;

The value of pension benefits that are disclosed in the Pension Benefits table above; and

The amounts payable under deferred compensation plans that are disclosed in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan table above.

above; and
The severance amounts payable under Law 80.

            

Long-Term Incentive Plan ($)(b)

 

Name and Termination
Scenarios(a)

 

    

Total ($)

 

     

Restricted Stock

 

     

Performance Shares

 

     

Senior Executive
Long-Term
Incentive Plan(f)

 

 

 

Richard L. Carrión

                

Retirement(c)

    $4,478,420      $4,282,401     $      $196,019 

Death & Disability

     6,989,834      4,282,401      2,511,414      196,019 

Change of Control(d)

     6,989,834      4,282,401      2,511,414      196,019 

Resignation(e)

     4,478,420      4,282,401            196,019 

Termination With Cause

     196,019                  196,019 

Termination Without Cause

 

     

 

5,853,941

 

 

 

     

 

4,282,401

 

 

 

     

 

1,375,521

 

 

 

     

 

196,019

 

 

 

 

Ignacio Alvarez

                

Retirement(c)

                        

Death & Disability

     2,454,701      1,653,018      801,684       

Change of Control(d)

     2,454,701      1,653,018      801,684       

Resignation

                        

Termination With Cause

                        

Termination Without Cause

 

     

 

1,724,135

 

 

 

     

 

1,285,053

 

 

 

     

 

439,082

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Carlos J. Vázquez

                

Retirement(c)

     942,508      942,508             

Death & Disability

     1,547,967      942,508      605,459       

Change of Control(d)

     1,547,967      942,508      605,459       

Resignation(e)

     942,508      942,508             

Termination With Cause

                        

Termination Without Cause

 

     

 

1,274,126

 

 

 

     

 

942,508

 

 

 

     

 

331,619

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

2018

Long-Term Incentive Plan($)(b)
Name and Termination Scenarios(a)
Total ($)
Restricted Stock
Performance
Shares
Ignacio Alvarez
 
 
 
Retirement(c)
$7,837,849
$7,837,849
$  —
Death & Disability
10,950,272
7,837,849
3,112,423
Change in Control(d)
10,950,272
7,837,849
3,112,423
Resignation(e)
7,837,849
7,837,849
  —
Termination With Cause
  —
Termination Without Cause(e)
9,329,608
7,837,849
1,491,759
Carlos J. Vázquez
 
 
 
Retirement(c)
2,257,007
2,257,007
  —
Death & Disability
2,857,595
2,257,007
  600,588
Change in Control(d)
2,857,595
2,257,007
  600,588
Resignation(e)
2,257,007
2,257,007
  —
Termination With Cause
  —
Termination Without Cause(e)
2,544,744
2,257,007
  287,737
Javier D. Ferrer
 
 
 
Retirement(c)
  2,458,489
2,458,489
  —
Death & Disability
3,318,911
2,458,489
  860,422
Change in Control(d)
3,318,911
2,458,489
  860,422
Resignation(e)
  2,458,489
2,458,489
  —
Termination With Cause
  —
  —
Termination Without Cause(e)
  2,860,030
2,458,489
  401,541
66 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT  |  57


            Long-Term Incentive Plan ($)(b) 
Name and Termination
Scenarios(a)
    Total ($)     Restricted Stock     Performance Shares     Senior Executive
Long-Term
Incentive Plan(f)
 

 

Javier D. Ferrer

                

Retirement(c)

                        

Death & Disability

     1,243,995      750,614      493,382       

Change of Control(d)

     1,243,995      750,614      493,382       

Resignation

                        

Termination With Cause

                        

Termination Without Cause

 

     

 

733,226

 

 

 

     

 

463,005

 

 

 

     

 

270,221

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Lidio V. Soriano

 

                

Retirement(c)

                        

Death & Disability

     1,130,818      682,366      448,452       

Change of Control(d)

     1,130,818      682,366      448,452       

Resignation

                        

Termination With Cause

                        

Termination Without Cause

 

     

 

652,417

 

 

 

     

 

406,779

 

 

 

     

 

245,638

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Eli S. Sepúlveda

 

                

Retirement(c)

     584,130              584,130             

Death & Disability

     970,510      584,130      386,380       

Change of Control(d)

     970,510      584,130      386,380       

Resignation

     584,130      584,130             

Termination With Cause

                        

Termination Without Cause

 

     

 

793,687

 

 

 

     

 

584,130

 

 

 

     

 

209,557

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan($)(b)
Name and Termination Scenarios(a)
Total ($)
Restricted Stock
Performance
Shares
Lidio V. Soriano
 
 
 
Retirement(c)
Death & Disability
2,156,882
1,694,828
462,054
Change in Control(d)
2,156,882
1,694,828
462,054
Resignation(e)
Termination With Cause
Termination Without Cause(e)
613,342
391,972
221,370
Manuel Chinea
 
 
 
Retirement(c)
929,771
929,771
Death & Disability
1,368,846
929,771
439,075
Change in Control(d)
1,368,846
929,771
439,075
Resignation(e)
929,771
929,771
Termination With Cause
Termination Without Cause(e)
1,139,761
929,771
209,990
(a)

The annual performance incentive is not guaranteed; therefore, if termination of employment takes place before the date the award is paid, the NEO would not be entitled to receive the award.

(b)

Values of equity grants are based on $35.49,$82.07, the closing price of Popular’s common stock as of December 29, 2017.31, 2023. Amounts paid with respect to incentive awards granted after September 25, 2014 are subject to clawback based on Popular’s Incentive Recoupment Guideline, as previously discussed in the “Other Aspects of Our Executive Compensation Program” section. Termination provisions based on type of termination prior to vesting:

vesting are detailed in the table below. The termination provisions identified in the following table as Become Vested and Prorated Vesting, entail a lump sum payment by the Corporation. The termination provision identified as Contingent Vesting, entails a payment by the Corporation at the end of the performance cycle.

Regular
Restricted Stock
Performance
Shares
Retirement
Become Vested
Contingent Vesting
Death & Disability
Become Vested
Become Vested
Change in Control
Become Vested
Become Vested
Resignation
Forfeiture
Forfeiture
Termination With Cause
Forfeiture
Forfeiture
Termination Without Cause
Prorated Vesting
Prorated Vesting

Regular

Restricted Stock

Performance

Shares

  Retirement

Become Vested

Contingent Vesting

  Death & Disability

Become Vested

Become Vested

  Change of Control

Become Vested

Become Vested

  Resignation

Forfeiture

Forfeiture

  Termination With Cause

Forfeiture

Forfeiture

  Termination Without Cause

Prorated Vesting

Prorated Vesting

(c)

For grants prior to January 2014, retirement is defined as termination of employment on or after attaining age 55 and completing 10 years of service (except when termination is for cause). For grants after January 2014, the retirement definition was modified to be termination of employment on or after attaining the earlier of: (x) age 55 and completing 10 years of service, or (y) age 60 and 5 years of service (except when termination is for cause).

Upon retirement, (i) regular restricted stock becomes vested and (ii) performance shares become vested with respect to the service requirement, but the actual number of shares earned is determined based on the achievement of the performance goals at the end of the performance period.

(d)

Outstanding awards granted in 2005 and 2006 are subject to a single trigger requirement for accelerated vesting in the event of change ofin control. Outstanding awards granted insince 2015 2016, and 2017 wereare subject to double trigger in the event of a change ofin control. The following amounts are subject to single trigger: R. Carrión, $461,370; C. Vázquez, $21,329; and E. Sepúlveda, $2,484.$47,765. The following amounts are subject to double trigger: R. Carrión, $3,471,419; I. Alvarez, $1,541,437;$10,950,272; C. Vázquez, $836,890;$ 2,809,831; J. Ferrer, $681,940;$3,318,911; L. Soriano, $619,939;$2,156,882; and E. Sepúlveda, $529,191.

M. Chinea, $1,368,846.

(e)

For Mr. Carrión, Mr.I. Alvarez, C. Vázquez, J. Ferrer and Mr. SepúlvedaM. Chinea with respect to restricted stock, any resignation or termination without cause would be considered retirement since they are retirement-eligible. The otherretirement eligible. Upon a termination without cause for NEOs that are not retirement eligible, as of December 31, 2017.

(f)

The Senior Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan wasoutstanding regular restricted stock and performance shares are awarded on a performance-based plan with a three-year performance period. Awards were made under the plan in 1997, 1998 and 1999prorated basis based on Popular’s performance during the respective preceding three-year performance periods. The plan had financial targets such as return on equity and stock appreciation. The plan gave NEOs the choice of receiving the incentive in cash or common stock. If they chose common stock, the compensation was deferred in the form of common stock until termination of employment. These are dollar values using the number of full months in the vesting schedule in which the person was an active employee and such reduced award will vest immediately upon the termination of employment, calculated in the case of performance shares awarded atas if the time, the dividends (in shares) received multiplied by the closing pricetarget number of Popular’s common stock on December 29, 2017, the last trading day of 2017, which was $35.49.

performance shares had in fact been earned.

Under Puerto Rico law, if any employee hired prior to January 26, 2017 (including all of our NEOs) is terminated from his employment without “just cause”, as said term is defined by Puerto Rico Law No. 80 of May 30, 1976, he would be entitled to a statutory severance payment, which is calculated as follows: (i) employees with less than five years of employment—two months of compensation plus an

58

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 2018 PROXY STATEMENT67


additional one week of compensation per year of service; (ii) employees with five through fifteen years of employment—three months of compensation plus two weeks of compensation per year of service; (iii) employees with more than fifteen years of employment—six months of compensation plus three weeks of compensation per year of service.

CEO PAY RATIO

Pay Ratio

The table below sets forth comparative information regarding (A) the 20172023 annual total compensation of Mr. Alvarez, our current President and CEO, (B) the 20172023 annual total compensation of our median employee identified in 2022, and (C) the ratio of our CEO’s 20172023 annual total compensation compared to the 20172023 annual total compensation of our median employee. For 2017,2023, the ratio of Mr. Alvarez’s 20172023 annual total compensation to the 20172023 annual total compensation of our median employee was 83approximately 117 to 1.

CEO 20172023 annual total compensation (A)

$

2,862,938

$5,768,783

Median employee 20172023 annual total compensation (B)

$

34,287

$49,113

Ratio of (A) to (B)

83:

117:1

To identify

The pay ratio rules allow issuers to use the same median employee compensation datafor comparison purposes for up to three years. Our median employee was gatheredselected in 2022 and is used for comparison purposes in this Proxy Statement. As of December 18, 2022, when our entiremedian employee was selected, our global employee population consisted of 8,944 individuals, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal employees. U.S. employees comprised 8,880 of global employees and 64 were non-U.S. employees. In determining the identity of our median employee, we excluded 64 employees from the following countries, which in aggregate represents less than 5% of our workforce: Costa Rica (19 employees); Colombia (14 employees); and British Virgin Islands (31 employees). After excluding the countries and employees described above, we determined the identity of our median employee from a total population of 8,880 U.S. employees as of December 31, 2017, excluding18, 2022, which was the closing date for the last payroll period in 2022 for our currentnon-exempt employees.
Compensation data for these employees was gathered as of the last date of the 2022 payroll period for non-exempt and former CEO. We used total 2017 earnedexempt employees, December 18, 2022 and December 25, 2022, respectively (excluding our President and CEO). Total annual compensation (salary, incentives and commissions) as thewas determined by applying a consistent compensation measure to all employees and using data reflected in our payroll records that best reflectsincluded all elements of compensation paid in 2022 (salary, overtime pay, commissions, cash bonus, the value of vested restricted shares, dividends paid on nonvested restricted shares, etc.). We annualized base compensation of all ourfor full-time and part-time employees who did not work for us the entire year. No full-time equivalent adjustments were made for part-time employees.
In accordance with SEC rules, after identifying our median employee, the 20172023 annual total compensation of the median employee and our currentPresident and CEO (who was CEO on the date used to identify our median employee, i.e. December 31, 2017) were determined using the same methodology that we use to determine our named executive officers’NEOs’ annual total compensation for the Summary Compensation Table.

Mr. Alvarez’s annual total compensation above reflects six monthsTable in his current position as Presidentthis Proxy Statement.

Pay Versus Performance
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship between “compensation actually paid” to our CEO and six monthsto our Non-CEO NEOs and certain financial performance of the Corporation. Compensation actually paid, as determined under SEC requirements, does not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to our executive officers during a covered year. For further information concerning the Corporation’s pay-for-performance philosophy and how we align executive compensation with the Corporation’s performance, refer to the CD&A.
Pay Versus Performance Table
Fiscal
Year
(a)
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
CEO(i)
(b)
Compensation
Actually Paid to
CEO(ii)(iii)
(c)
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-CEO
NEOs(i)
(d)
Average
Compensation
Actually paid to
Non-CEO
NEOs(ii)(iii)
(e)
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based on(iv):
Net
Income
($ in thousands)
(h)
Company
Selected
Measure:
ROATCE
adjusted(v)
(i)
Total
Shareholder
Return
(f)
Peer Group Total
Shareholder
Return
(g)
2023
$5,768,444
$ 8,623,025 
$1,910,127
$2,524,242
$159.58
$106.87
$541,342
10.19%
2022
6,323,708

5,415,141 
2,022,253
1,811,951
124.26
110.67
1,102,641
15.47   
2021
5,119,158
 
10,039,211 
1,761,108
2,847,634
149.29
132.19
934,889
18.47   
2020
4,782,575
   
4,607,841 
1,569,334
1,423,613
100.16
92.50
506,622
10.90   
(i)
For the years 2020, 2021 2022, and 2023 our CEO was Mr. Alvarez. Non-CEO NEOs refers to our NEO other than the CEO. For the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 the Non-CEO NEOs were: Messrs. C. Vázquez, J. Ferrer, L. Soriano, and M. Chinea. For 2020 the Non-CEO NEOs were: Messrs. C. Vázquez, J. Ferrer, L. Soriano, and E. Sepúlveda.
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(ii)
Fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of equity awards in the “Compensation Actually Paid” columns was determined by reference to (1) for restricted stock awards, closing price on applicable year-end dates or, in the case of vesting dates, the actual vesting price, (2) for performance-based awards (excluding TSR Awards), the same valuation methodology as restricted stock awards above except year-end and vesting date values are multiplied by the probability of achievement as of each such date, and (3) for TSR-based performance awards, the fair value calculated by a Monte Carlo simulation model as of the applicable year-end date(s) or, in the case of vesting date, the actual vesting price and probability of achievement.
(iii)
The adjustments (exclusions and additions) made to the Summary Compensation Total (SCT) to calculate the Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) amount are the following:
CEO
Non-CEO NEOs
Stock Awards
Excluded from
SCT
Change in Pension
Value Excluded from
SCT(a)
Value of Stock
Awards
Added to CAP
Amount(b)
Average Stock
Awards
Excluded from
SCT
Average Change in
Pension Value
Excluded from SCT(a)
Average Value of
Stock Awards
Included in CAP
Amount(b)
2023
$3,081,501
$5,936,082
$679,086
$5,312
$1,298,513
(a)
This column contains the required accounting representation of the annual change in present value of the pension benefit as of December 31st. No additional pension benefits were earned in 2023, as the Corporation’s defined benefit plans have been frozen since 2009. The 2023 increase for Non-CEO NEOs was mainly due to a decrease in the interest rates used for measuring plan liabilities. Present value for changes in pension value was determined using year-end Statement of Financial Accounting Standard Codification Topic 715 assumptions with the following exception: payments are assumed to begin at the earliest possible retirement date at which benefits are unreduced (age 55 with 10 years of service).
(b)
The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:
Year
Year-end
fair value of
equity
awards
granted
during the
year
($)
Year over year
change in fair
value of
outstanding
and unvested
equity awards
($)
Fair value as
of vesting
date of
equity
awards
granted and
vested in the
year
($)(A)
Year over year
change in fair
value of
equity awards
granted in
prior years
that vested in
the year
($)
Fair value at
the end of the
prior year of
equity awards
that failed to
meet vesting
conditions in
the year
($)
Value of dividends
or other earnings
paid on stock or
option awards not
otherwise reflected
in fair value or
total
compensation
($)
Total equity
award
adjustments
($)
CEO
2023
$ 3,678,340
$ 1,820,379
$ 47,802
$ 233,677
$ 155,884
$ 5,936,082
Non-CEO NEOs
2023
780,383
401,689
32,435
46,718
37,289
1,298,513
(A)
The values in this column reflect the fair value of a portion of a restricted stock award that was vested and withheld upon the grant of such award to a retirement eligible NEO for purposes of satisfying applicable tax obligations of the retirement eligible NEO in connection with the restricted stock award.
(iv)
The peer group selected for TSR is the Nasdaq Bank Index, as reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
(v)
Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (“ROATCE”) measures how well the Corporation’s management is using its capital from investors to generate profits. ROATCE is computed by dividing net earnings applicable to common shareholders by average tangible common shareholders’ equity. Goodwill, other intangible assets (i.e., intellectual property, licenses, patents, etc.), and unrealized gains and losses from available for sale and held to maturity investments are excluded from the equity calculation. The value derived from the foregoing calculation is adjusted for items that are non-recurring, unusual or not indicative of ongoing operations.
Relation Between “Compensation Actually Paid” and Performance Measures
We believe the Pay versus Performance table above shows the alignment between compensation actually paid to the NEOs and the Corporation’s performance, consistent with our compensation philosophy cited in his former positionour CD&A section titled “Highlights of Our 2023 Executive Compensation Program and Pay Decisions”. In particular, a large portion of the NEOs’ compensation is dependent on TSR performance, and the value of compensation increased when our TSR performance increased but declined when our TSR performance declined.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 69

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Compensation Actually Paid vs. TSR
The graph below compares the Corporation's cumulative TSR to that of the Nasdaq Bank Index, assuming an initial $100 investment on December 31, 2019 and the value at the end of 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, based on the respective stock prices and reinvestment of dividends. In addition, the graph below describes the 4-year (2020-2023) relationship between the CEO and other Non-CEO NEOs compensation actually paid and the Corporation’s TSR.

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income
The graph below describes the 4-year (2020-2023) relationship between the CEO’s and other Non-CEO NEOs’ compensation actually paid and the Corporation’s net income.


70 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

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Compensation Actually Paid vs. ROATCE (adjusted)
The graph below describes the 4-year (2020-2023) relationship between the CEO’s and other Non-CEO NEOs’ compensation actually paid and the Corporation’s adjusted ROATCE.

The following were the most important financial performance measures, as Presidentdetermined by the Corporation, that link compensation actually paid to our CEO and COO. If Mr. Alvarez had been President and CEONon-CEO NEOs to the Corporation’s performance for all of 2017, and assuming he had received short-term and long-term incentive awards at target, his 2017 annual target total compensation as President and CEO would have been $3,543,381. This would have yielded a pay ratio of 103 to 1 for 2017.

2018 PROXY STATEMENTthe most recently completed fiscal year:

Most Important Performance Measures
Net Income
Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
(ROATCE – adjusted)
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 5971

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Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Compensation of Directors

2023 Compensation Program

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has primary responsibility for reviewing and recommending director compensation levels, subject to approval by the full Board. During 2015,In making its recommendations, the committee reviews the Board’s responsibilities and the compensation practices of our peers. In 2021, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, a compensation consultant, to perform an analysis of Popular’sthe Corporation’s non-employee director compensation package which had been in effect since July 2004. After comparing our director compensationcompensation. Compensation was compared to the compensation of 17non-employee directors in the peer banks,group used for executive compensation benchmarking, which is comprised of all publicly traded companies similar to us in asset size Meridian concluded that Popular’s director compensation program was belowto the 25th percentile of the peer banks. On December 11, 2015, afterCorporation. After considering peer practices and various compensation structures, and upon recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, in September 2021, the Board unanimously approved a revised director compensation program which became effective on the date of the 2022 annual compensation program. meeting of shareholders.
The following table summarizes the current annual compensation program for non-management directors:

directors in effect since May 2022:
CompensationAmount ($)

Restricted Stock Grant

Compensation

$100,000

Amount

Retainer

Equity Grant

50,000

$125,000

Lead Director Restricted Stock Grant

Retainer

20,000

75,000

Additional Retainers
Chairman Retainer
150,000
Lead Independent Director Equity Grant
25,000
Audit and Risk Committee Chair Retainer

15,000

30,000

Talent and Compensation and Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee Chair
Retainer

10,000

20,000

These payments representThe compensation forprogram corresponds to the twelve-month12-month period commencingthat commences on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders. All of

Under the annual payments, exceptcurrent director compensation program, all retainers are paid in either cash or equity, at the annual restricted stock grant anddirector’s election. Similarly, all equity awards granted to the Lead Director restricted stock grant,director may be paid in either cashcommon stock or restricted stock units under Popular’s 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan, atthe Corporation’s
omnibus incentive plan. All equity awards will vest and become non-forfeitable on the grant date of such award. At the director’s election. Alloption, the shares of common stock underlying the restricted stock awardsunit award are subjectdelivered to riskthe director either on the 15th day of forfeiture and restrictions on transferability untilAugust immediately following the date of retirement of the director whenor in equal annual installments on each 15th of August of the awards become vested. Any1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year after the date of retirement of the director.
To the extent that cash dividends are paid on the Corporation’s outstanding common stock, the director will receive an additional number of restricted stock during the vesting period areunits that reflect reinvested in shares of common stock.

dividend equivalents.

Popular reimburses directors for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending Board, committee and shareholder meetings, participating in continuing director education programs and for other Popular-related business expenses, (includingincluding the travel expenses of spouses if they are specifically invited to attend the event for appropriate business purposes).

purposes.
On July 1, 2019, after serving two years as Executive Chairman and 26 years as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Mr. Carrión transitioned into service as non-executive Chairman of the Board. Upon Mr. Carrión’s transition, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee approved a compensation structure for Mr. Carrión in his role as non-executive chairman. Such compensation structure was determined after considering peer practices, the Chairman’s additional significant responsibilities and required time commitment, as well as the contributions that Mr. Carrión brings to the Board due to his experience and leadership in, and knowledge of, the financial services industry, the Corporation, its business and markets. The compensation program for the Chairman of the Board consists of an annual chairman retainer (payable either in cash or equity, at the chairman’s option), as well as the regular non-employee director compensation described herein. The Chairman does not receive a chair retainer for his position of Chair of the Technology Committee.

60  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


2017 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table provides compensation information for Popular’s non-employee directors during 2017:

Name  

Fees
Earned

or Paid in

Cash
($)(a)

   

Stock

Awards

($)(b)

   

Option

Awards

($)

   

Non-Equity

Incentive

Plan

Compensation

($)

   

Nonqualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings ($)

   

All Other

Compensation

($)

   Total ($) 

 

Joaquín E. Bacardí, III

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

$50,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alejandro M. Ballester

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

160,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John W. Diercksen

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria Luisa Ferré

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

160,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David E. Goel

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C. Kim Goodwin

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

65,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

165,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William J. Teuber, Jr.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

65,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

120,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

185,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carlos A. Unanue

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents the cash value of the $50,000 annual retainer and the committee chair retainers. During 2017, all members of the Board, except Messrs. Ballester and Goel and Ms. Ferré, elected to receive the annual retainer and meeting fees in restricted stock instead of cash.

(b)

Represents the 2017 annual award of restricted stock with a grant date fair value (determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718) of $100,000 under the Popular’s 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan. In the case of Mr. Teuber, it includes the Lead Director restricted stock grant. The following represents the shares of common stock granted to each director as of December 31, 2017 under Popular’s 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan, subject to transferability restrictions and/or forfeiture upon failure to meet vesting conditions: Mr. Bacardí, 17,557; Mr. Ballester, 19,473; Mr. Diercksen, 17,183; Ms. Ferré, 32,267; Mr. Goel, 10,251; Ms. Goodwin, 31,173; Mr. Teuber, 47,943; Mr. Unanue, 33,458.

DIRECTOR STOCK OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Director Stock Ownership Requirements

Each non-employee director must own common stock with a dollar value equal to five times his or herthe non-employee director’s annual retainer. Non-employee directors are required to achieve that ownership level within three years of being named or elected as a director. Stock that has been pledged does not count  towards  meeting  ownership  requirements.  Pledging of  common

common stock as collateral for loans or in margin accounts is prohibited, except with respect to certain grandfathered loans.prohibited. Each director and nominee for director is currently in compliance with his or her common stock ownership requirements.

requirements or on track to comply with such requirements within the designated timeframe.

2018

72 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT  |  61




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            SECURITY OWNERSHIPOFCERTAIN

2023 Non-Employee Director Summary Compensation Table

BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Principal Shareholders

The following table presents certain information as of December 31, 2017, with respect to any person, including any “group”, as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3)provides a summary of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), who is known by Popularcompensation awarded to beneficially own more than five percent (5%) of its outstanding common stock.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

    

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership(1)

 

     

Percent of Class

 

 

 

The Vanguard Group(2)

 

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

 

     

 

8,526,147

 

 

 

     

 

8.35%

 

 

 

 

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(3)

 

100 E. Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

 

     

 

7,112,528

 

 

 

     

 

6.90%

 

 

 

 

Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management,  LLC(4)        

 

725 S. Figueroa Street 39th Fl,

Los Angeles, CA 90017

 

     

 

6,851,574

 

 

 

     

 

6.71%

 

 

 

 

State Street Corporation(5)

 

State Street Financial Center,

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

 

     

 

6,047,691

 

 

 

     

 

5.93%

 

 

 

Popular’s non-employee directors during 2023.
Name
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)(a)
Stock
Awards
($)(b)
Option
Awards
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Joaquín E. Bacardí, III(c)
$75,000
$149,165
 —
 —
 —
 —
$224,165
Alejandro M. Ballester
95,000
149,165
 —
 —
 —
 —
244,165
Robert Carrady
238,588
 —
 —
 —
 —
238,588
Richard L. Carrión
225,000
148,367
 —
 —
 —
 —
373,367
Betty DeVita
75,000
134,748
 —
 —
 —
 —
209,748
John W. Diercksen
302,154
 —
 —
 —
 —
302,154
María Luisa Ferré
95,000
149,165
 —
 —
 —
 —
244,165
C. Kim Goodwin
105,000
149,165
 —
 —
 —
 —
254,165
José R. Rodríguez
215,425
 —
 —
 —
 —
215,425
Alejandro M. Sánchez
75,000
125,000
 —
 —
 —
 —
200,000
Myrna M. Soto
75,000
159,821
 —
 —
 —
 —
234,821
Carlos A. Unanue
238,588
 —
 —
 —
 —
238,588
(1)(a)

For purposesRepresents the cash value of this table, “beneficial ownership” isthe $75,000 annual retainer for all directors, the $150,000 Chairman retainer for Mr. Carrión and the Committee Chair retainers for Mr. Ballester and Mss. Goodwin and Ferré each of whom elected to receive their Committee Chair retainers in cash.

(b)
Represents the award of common stock or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted to non-employee directors during 2023 under the Popular’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan with a grant date fair value determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act.

(2)

Based solely on information containedFASB ASC Topic 718. All directors received their stock awards in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2018 by The Vanguard Group reflecting itsRSUs, except for Mr. Sánchez who elected to receive his stock award in common stock holdingsof the Corporation. The awards reported in this column include the annual equity grant of $125,000 and the awards of RSUs granted to each director as dividend equivalents with a grant date fair value as follows: Mr. Bacardí, $24,165; Mr. Ballester, $24,165; Mr. Carrady, $38,588; Mr. Carrión, $23,367, Ms. Devita, $9,748; Mr. Diercksen, $47,154; Ms. Ferré, $24,165; Ms. Goodwin, $24,165; Mr. Rodríguez; $15,425; Ms. Soto, $34,821 and Mr. Unanue, $38,588. In the case of Messrs. Carrady, Diercksen, Rodríguez and Unanue, the amounts also include the $75,000 annual retainer which they elected to receive in RSUs instead of cash. The amounts for Mr. Diercksen also include the $25,000 Lead Independent Director Equity Grant and the $30,000 Audit Committee Chair retainer.


The following represents the common stock or RSUs granted to each director as stock awards during 2023 under Popular’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan: Mr. Bacardí, 2,300; Mr. Ballester, 2,300; Mr. Carrady, 3,679; Mr. Carríon, 2,300; Ms. DeVita 2,300; Mr. Diercksen, 4,691; Ms. Ferré, 2,300; Ms. Goodwin, 2,300; Mr. Rodríguez, 3,679; Mr. Sánchez, 2,300; Ms. Soto, 2,300 and Mr. Unanue, 3,679. The following amounts represent the RSUs granted to each director as dividend equivalents as of December 31, 2017. 2023: Mr. Bacardí, 392; Mr. Ballester, 392; Mr. Carrady, 626; Mr. Carrión, 379; Ms. DeVita, 158; Mr. Diercksen, 765; Ms. Ferré, 392; Ms. Goodwin, 392; Mr. Rodríguez, 250; Ms. Soto, 565; and Mr. Unanue, 626.

The Vanguard Group indicates that it has sole voting power with respect to 53,997 shares of restricted stock granted under Popular’s Omnibus Incentive Plans to directors as stock awards that remained outstanding at December 31, 2023 are as follows: Mr. Bacardí, 20,756; Mr. Ballester, 21,606; Mr. Carrady, 1,052; Mr. Diercksen, 20,702; Ms. Ferré, 34,400; Ms. Goodwin, 34,692; Ms. Soto, 2,765 and Mr. Unanue, 36,657, which represent in the aggregate 172,630 outstanding shares for all directors. These restricted stock awards are subject to restrictions on transferability until the retirement of the director, when the awards become vested. The RSUs granted under Popular’s Omnibus Incentive Plan to directors as stock awards that remained outstanding at December 31, 2023 are as follows: Mr. Bacardí 12,199; Mr. Ballester, 12,199; Mr. Carrady, 19,502; Mr. Carrión, 11,826; Ms. DeVita, 5,587; Mr. Diercksen, 23,890; Ms. Ferré, 12,199; Ms. Goodwin, 12,199; Mr. Rodríguez, 8,931; Ms. Soto, 17,079, and Mr. Unanue 19,502, which represent in the aggregate 155,113 outstanding restricted stock units for all directors. The shares of common stock shared voting power with respectunderlying the RSUs granted to 11,390Mr. Carrady, Mr. Carrión, Ms. Ferré, Ms. Goodwin and Mr. Rodríguez, and a portion of the RSUs granted to Ms. DeVita (4,074 RSUs) will be delivered to each director in a lump sum on the 15th of August following the date of termination of service as a director. The shares of Popular’s common stock sole dispositive power with respectunderlying the RSUs granted to 8,468,983 shares of Popular’s common stock,Mr. Bacardí, Mr. Ballester, Mr. Direcksen, Ms. Soto and shared dispositive power with respect to 57,164 shares of Popular’s common stock.

(3)

Based solely on information contained inMr. Unanue, and a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018 by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) reflecting its common stock holdings as of December 31, 2017. Price Associates indicates that it has sole voting power with respect to 1,648,599 shares of Popular’s common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 7,112,528 shares of Popular’s common stock. Popular has been informed by Price Associates that the securities are owned by various individuals and institutional investors for which Price Associates serves as investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote securities. For purposesportion of the reporting requirementsRSUs granted to Ms. DeVita (1,556 RSUs) will be delivered to each director in five equal annual installments on each 15th of August of the 1934 Act, Price Associates is deemedfirst five years following the date of termination of service as a director.

(c)
On January 17, 2024, Mr. Bacardí informed the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of his decision not to stand for re-election to the Corporation’s Board upon the expiration of his current term, which expires at the Corporation’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The RSUs granted to Mr. Bacardí will be delivered to him in equal annual installments on each 15th of August of the first five years following the date of termination of service as a beneficial owner of such securities. However, Price Associates has informed Popular that it expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.

director.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 73

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(4)

Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018 by Hotchkis

IV
Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Wiley Capital Management LLC reflecting its common stock holdings as of December 31, 2017. Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC indicates that it has sole voting power with respect to 6,292,874 shares of Popular’s common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 6,851,574 shares of Popular’s common stock.

(5)

Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018 by State Street Corporation reflecting its common stock holdings as of December 31, 2017. State Street indicates that it has shared voting and dispositive power over 6,047,691 shares of Popular’s common stock.

62  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT



SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF POPULAR

Beneficial Ownership

Shares Beneficially Owned by Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Popular’s common stock and preferred stock as of February 25, 2018March 14, 2024 for each director and nominee for director and each NEO, and by all directors, nominee for director, NEOs, executive officers and the Principal Accounting Officer and Comptroller as a group.

COMMON STOCK

  Name

 

      

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership(1)

 

 

    

Percent of
Class(2)

 

   

 

  Joaquín E. Bacardí, III

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

32,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  Alejandro M. Ballester

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

23,632

 

 

 

(3) 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  Richard L. Carrión

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

467,912

 

 

 

(4) 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  John W. Diercksen

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

17,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  Maria Luisa Ferré

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

78,657

 

 

 

(5) 

 

 

      

 

*

 

  

 

  David E. Goel

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

10,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  C. Kim Goodwin

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

42,509

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  William J. Teuber, Jr.

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

60,527

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  Carlos A. Unanue

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

128,013

 

 

 

(6) 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  Ignacio Alvarez

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

111,097

 

 

 

(7) 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  Javier D. Ferrer

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

32,201

 

 

 

(8) 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  Eli S. Sepúlveda

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

42,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

      *

 

  

 

  Lidio V. Soriano

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

59,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

  Carlos J. Vázquez

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

100,289

 

 

 

(9) 

 

 

      

 

*

 

 

  

 

All directors, NEOs, executive officers and the Principal Accounting Officer and Comptroller as a group (21 persons in total)

 

 

      

 

1,415,777

 

 

 

      1.38%

 

  

PREFERRED STOCK

  Name

Title of Security

Amount and Nature of
Beneficial  Ownership(1)

Percent of Class(2)

Maria Luisa Ferré

8.25% Preferred Stock

4,175(10)

*

All directors, NEOs, executive
officers and the Principal
Accounting Officer and
Comptroller as a group (21 persons
in total)

8.25% Preferred Stock

4,175             

*

Common Stock
Name
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
Percent of
Class(2)
Joaquín E. Bacardí, III(3)
32,541
 *
Alejandro M. Ballester
59,439(4)
 *
Robert Carrady
5,953(5)
 *
Richard L. Carrión
292,435(6)
 *
Bertil E. Chappuis
Betty DeVita
John W. Diercksen
24,875
 *
María Luisa Ferré
48,448(7)
 *
C. Kim Goodwin
41,982
 *
José R. Rodríguez
Alejandro M. Sánchez
2,171
 *
Myrna M. Soto
3,192
 *
Carlos A. Unanue
132,191(8)
 *
Ignacio Alvarez
275,868(9)
 *
Javier D. Ferrer
78,916(10)
 *
Carlos J. Vázquez(11)
138,462(12)
 *
Lidio V. Soriano
  94,806
 *
Manuel Chinea
42,048(13)
 *
All directors, nominees, NEOs, executive officers and the Principal Accounting Officer and Comptroller as a group (27 persons in total)
1,536,614
2.13%
(1)

For purposes of the table above, “beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act, pursuant to which a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security within 60 days. Therefore, it includes the number of shares of common stock that may be acquired within 60 days, pursuant to the conversion of restricted stock units upon their vesting on February 27, 2018, as follows: Mr. Carrión, 10,429; Mr. Alvarez, 3,330; Mr. Ferrer, 2,049; Mr. Sepúlveda, 1,565; Mr. Soriano, 1,864; and Mr. Vázquez, 2,515, which represent in the aggregate 25,890 shares for all directors, NEOs, executive officers, the Principal Accounting Officer and Comptroller as a group. Also, it includes shares of common stock granted under Popular’s 2004 and 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Senior Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan,Plans, subject to transferability restrictions and/or forfeiture upon failure to meet vesting conditions, as follows: Mr. BacardĺBacardí, 17,557;20,756; Mr. Ballester, 19,473;21,606; Mr. Carrady, 1,052; Mr. Diercksen, 17,183;20,702; Ms. Ferré, 32,267; Mr. Goel, 10,251;34,400; Ms. Goodwin, 31,173; Mr. Teuber, 47,943;34,692; Ms. Soto, 2,765; Mr. Unanue, 33,458; Mr. Carrión, 106,897;36,657; Mr. Alvarez, 45,579;70,691; Mr. Ferrer, 21,236;27,009; Mr. Sepúlveda 16,756;Vázquez, 23,867; Mr. Soriano, 19,305;16,190 and Mr. Vázquez, 26,663,Chinea, 7,347, which represent in the aggregate 531,999417,168 shares for all directors, NEOs, executive officers and the Principal Accounting Officer and Comptroller as a group.

The table above does not include restricted stock units awarded to non-employee directors as part of their compensation since they are not deemed to be beneficially owned by the directors in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act. Restricted stock units vest immediately upon their grant and are converted into an equivalent number of shares of common stock and delivered to the director, at the director’s election, in a lump sum on the 15th of August
74 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

following the date of termination of service as director, or in five equal annual installments on each 15th of August of the first five years following the date of termination of service as director. The following represents the restricted stock units granted to each director as of March 14, 2024 under Popular’s 2004 and 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plans: Mr. Bacardí, 12,292; Mr. Ballester, 12,292; Mr. Carrady, 19,652; Mr. Carrión, 11,916; Ms. DeVita, 5,630; Mr. Diercksen, 24,075; Ms. Ferré, 12,292; Ms. Goodwin, 12,292; Mr. Rodríguez, 9,000; Ms. Soto, 17,210, and Mr. Unanue, 19,652.
(2)

“*” indicates ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock or 8.25% Non-Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock, Series B (“8.25% Preferred Stock”), as applicable.stock. As of February 25, 2018March 14, 2024, there were 102,173,60172,293,713 shares of common stock outstanding and 1,120,665 shares of 8.25% Preferred Stock outstanding.

(3)

On January 17, 2024, Mr. Bacardí informed the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of his decision not to stand for re-election to the Corporation’s Board upon the expiration of his current term, which expires at the Corporation’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

(4)
Includes 1,314915 shares owned by Mr. Ballester’s children.

(4)(5)

Mr. Carrión has indirect investment power over 23Includes 2,750 shares owned by his youngest son and 3,408 shares held by the estatePlaza Escorial Cinemas Corp. in which Mr. Carrady has an ownership interest of Mr. Carrion’s deceased spouse. Mr. Carrión has 53,151 shares pledged as collateral. 62.5%.

(6)
Mr. Carrión has approximately a 16.99%22.014% ownership interest in Junior Investment Corporation, a family investment vehicle, which owns 482,266292,435 shares, of which 81,95574,467 are included in the table as part of Mr. Carrión’s holdings. Junior Investment Corporation has 322,379 shares pledged as collateral.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  63


(5)(7)

Ms. Ferré has direct or indirect investment and voting power over 78,657 shares. Ms. Ferré owns 34,621 shares and has indirect investment and voting power over 43,739Includes 13,541 shares owned by The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, over which Ms. Ferré has indirect investment and 297 shares owned by RANFE, Inc.

voting power.

(6)(8)

Includes 75,731 shares held by Mr. Unanue’s mother, over which Mr. Unanue disclaims beneficial ownership.

(9)
Includes 8,101 shares owned by Mr. Unanue has an 8.33% interest in Island Can Corporation, of which he is General Manager, and which owns 64,000 shares, of which 5,331 are included in the table as part of Mr. Unanue’s holdings andAlvarez’s son over which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(7)(10)

Includes 3,186 shares owned by Mr. Alvarez’s son.

(8)

Includes 1,167 shares owned by Mr. Ferrer’s wife over which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(9)(11)

On December 6, 2023, Mr. Vázquez announced his retirement as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Popular, effective March 31, 2024.

(12)
Includes 468 shares held by a family member, over which Mr. Vázquez has investment authority.

(10)(13)

ReflectsIncludes 3,244 shares owned by Ms. Ferré’s husband.

of phantom stock. Each share of phantom stock is the economic equivalent of one share of the Corporation's common stock. Shares of phantom stock are payable following the termination of employment with the Corporation.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires Popular’s directors and executive officers to file with the SEC reports of ownership and changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities. Officers and directors are required by SEC regulations to furnish Popular with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to Popular or written representations that no other reports were required, Popular believes that, with respect to 2017,2023, all filing requirements applicable to its officers and directors were

satisfied.
Principal Shareholders
The following table presents certain information as of December 31, 2023, with respect to any person, including any “group”, as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act, who is known by Popular to beneficially own more than five percent (5%) of its outstanding common stock.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
Percent of Class
The Vanguard Group(2)
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
8,993,902
12.46%
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(3)
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
4,289,731
5.9%
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(4)
6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One
Austin, TX 78746
4,108,821
5.7%
Wellington Management Group LLP(5)
280 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
3,816,736
5.29%
(1)
For purposes of this table, “beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act.
(2)
Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024 by The Vanguard Group reflecting its common stock holdings as of December 29, 2023. The Vanguard Group indicates that it has no sole voting power with respect to any shares of Popular’s common stock, shared voting power with respect to 35,630 shares of Popular’s common stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 8,881,218 shares of Popular’s common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 112,684 shares of Popular’s common stock.
(3)
Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024 by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. reflecting its common stock holdings as of December 31, 2023. T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. indicates
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 75

satisfied,TABLE OF CONTENTS

that it has sole voting power with respect to 1,701,682 shares of Popular’s common stock, no shared voting power with respect to any shares of Popular’s common stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 4,289,731 shares of Popular’s common stock and no shared dispositive power with respect to any shares of Popular’s common stock.
(4)
Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP reflecting its common stock holdings as of December 29, 2023. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP indicates that it has sole voting power with respect to 4,058,602 shares of Popular’s common stock, no shared voting power with respect to any shares of Popular’s common stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 4,108,821 shares of Popular’s common stock and no shared dispositive power with respect to any shares of Popular’s common stock.
(5)
Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024 by Wellington Management Group LLP (filed jointly with Wellington Group Holdings LLP, Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP, and Wellington Management Company LLP) reflecting its common stock holdings as of December 29, 2023. Wellington Management Group LLP indicates that it has no sole voting power with respect to any shares of Popular’s common stock, shared voting power with respect to 3,501,278 shares of Popular’s common stock, no sole dispositive power with respect to any shares of Popular’s common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 3,816,736 shares of Popular’s common stock.
76 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

V
Proposals

Proposal 1:
Election of Directors
Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) establishes that our Board of Directors shall be composed of such number of directors as established from time to time by the Board and approved by an absolute majority of directors, but not less than 7 nor more than 15. On January 17, 2024, Joaquín E. Bacardí, III informed the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of his decision not to stand for re-election to the Corporation’s Board upon the expiration of his current term, which expires at the Corporation’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
At this year’s annual meeting, all nominees are currently incumbent directors, except for late reports filedMr. Bertil E. Chappuis who was nominated by the following officersBoard of Directors on February 23, 2024, upon recommendation from the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. All nominees are being nominated for election to serve until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The persons named as proxies have advised Popular that, unless otherwise instructed, they intend to vote at the meeting the shares covered by the proxies “FOR” the election of the 13 nominees, and that if any one or more of such nominees should become unavailable for election they intend to vote such shares “FOR” the election of such substitute nominees as the Board may propose. Popular has no knowledge that any nominee will become unavailable for election.
The Certificate of Incorporation requires that each director receive a majority of the votes cast by shareholders in connection with the withholdingperson or by proxy and entitled to vote. The number of shares voted “FOR” a director nominee must exceed the number of common stockvotes cast “AGAINST” that nominee. If an incumbent director is not elected by a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting, Puerto Rico corporation law provides that the director continues to satisfy tax obligations uponserve on the vestingBoard as a “holdover director”. Under our Amended and Restated By-Laws and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, an incumbent director who is not elected by a majority of restricted stock awards: Mr.the votes cast must tender his or her resignation to the Board. In that situation, Popular’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee would make a recommendation to the Board about whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether to take any other action. The Board would act on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision.
The 13 nominees for election as director at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are Ignacio Alvarez, Alejandro M. Ballester, Robert Carrady, Richard L. Carrión, Mr. Alvarez, Mr. Chinea, Mr. GarcíBertil E. Chappuis, Betty DeVita, John W. Diercksen, María (Principal Accounting OfficerLuisa Ferré Rangel, C. Kim Goodwin, José R. Rodríguez, Alejandro M. Sánchez, Myrna M. Soto and Comptroller), Mr. Ferrer, Mr. Guerrero, Mr. Monzón, Mr. Negrón, Mr. Rivera (retired in July 2017), Mr. Sepúlveda, Mr. SorianoCarlos A. Unanue. Refer to the “Nominees for Election as Directors” section of this Proxy Statement for information on each director’s experience and Mr. Vázquez with two late reports each and Mrs. Burckhart, with five late reports.

qualifications.

64  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


PROPOSALS

 Proposal 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation establishes that the Board of Directors shall be composed of such number of directors as shall be established from time to time by the Board, but not less than 9 nor more than 25, and that the Board shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, with each class having at least three members and with the term of office of one class expiring each year. When the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorship will be assigned among classes by a majority of the directors then in office in a manner that would make all classes as equal in number as possible. In the event of inequality within classes, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the class assigned to the new director will be the class having the last date for expiration of its term.

Effective July 1, 2017, our Board increased the number of directors from 9 to 10 and named Ignacio Alvarez a member of the Board. In accordance with our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any director named by the Board will hold office only until the next annual meeting of shareholders, at which such director should be duly elected and qualified. The Board is therefore nominating Mr. Alvarez as a “Class 1” member, consistent with the requirements in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation for assignment of director class described above. As a result, at the meeting, four directors assigned to “Class 1” will be elected to serve until the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The remaining six directors of Popular will continue to serve as directors, as follows: the three directors assigned to “Class 2,” until the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders of Popular, and the three directors assigned to “Class 3,” until the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, or in each case until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

The persons named as proxies have advised Popular that, unless otherwise instructed, they intend to vote at the meeting the shares covered by the proxies “FOR” the election of the three nominees, and that if any one or more of such nominees should become unavailable for election they intend to vote such shares “FOR” the election of such substitute nominees as the Board may propose. Popular has no knowledge that any nominee will become unavailable for election.

Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires that each director receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting of stockholders in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. All nominees are currently serving on the Board. If an incumbent director is not elected by a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting, Puerto Rico corporation law provides that the director continues to serve on the Board as a “holdover director.” Under Popular’s Restated By-Laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines, an incumbent director who is not elected by a majority of the votes cast must tender his or her resignation to the Board. In that situation, Popular’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee would make a recommendation to the Board about whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether to take other action. The Board would act on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision.

The “Class 1” nominees for election as director at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are: Ignacio Alvarez, Alejandro M. Ballester, Richard L. Carrión and Carlos A. Unanue. Refer to the “Nominees for Election as Directors and Other Directors” section of this Proxy Statement for information on the director’s experience and qualifications.

LOGO     

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH NOMINEE TO THE BOARD.

BOARD

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  65


Proposal 2

PROPOSALS | 77

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Proposal 2:
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and SEC regulations require a separate, nonbinding “say on pay” shareholder vote to approve the compensation of executives. In 2021, our shareholders voted on an advisory basis that the compensation of our executives be presented to our shareholders on an annual basis. Our Board accepted our shareholders’ advisory vote and, as a result, we will ask our shareholders to provide advisory approval of the compensation of our executives on an annual basis. Our next vote on the frequency of the “say on pay” shareholder vote will be held no later than the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders.
The compensation paid to our NEOs and Popular’s overall executive compensation policies and procedures are described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section and the tabular disclosure, together with the accompanying narrative disclosure, in this Proxy Statement.
This proposal gives you, as a shareholder, the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the compensation paid to Popular’s NEOs through the following resolution.
“RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Popular approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis Section and the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation (together with the accompanying narrative disclosure) in this Proxy Statement.”
Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board and may not be construed as overruling any decision by the Board. However, the Talent and Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation policies and procedures and in connection with its future executive compensation determinations.
The approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. At our annual shareholders’ meeting held in May 2023, the vast majority of Popular’s voting shareholders (96.79% of shares voted) expressed support for our executive compensation policies and procedures.

AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE SEVENTH OF POPULAR’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO AMEND THE VOTING STANDARD FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS TO PROVIDE THAT DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST BY SHAREHOLDERS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, EXCEPT THAT IN CONTESTED ELECTIONS DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED BY A PLURALITY OF THE VOTES CAST

The Board recommends the approval by shareholders of the proposal to amend Article Seventh of Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected the director nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. This change would be effective upon filing an amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The text of the proposed amendment is set forth in Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

Article Seventh of Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation currently provides that, except to fill vacancies, a director shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of stock represented at the annual meeting of shareholders for which the director stands for election and entitled to elect such director. The Board believes it is desirable to amend this provision in Article Seventh to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected the director nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Under the current voting standard in Article Seventh, a vote to abstain in the election of a director has the same practical effect as a negative vote because abstentions are treated as “entitled to vote,” whereas under the proposed amendment a vote to abstain would have no effect on the results of the election. The Board believes that the prevalent standard for public corporations that have adopted a majority voting system for the election of directors is the “majority of the votes cast” standard, in which director nominees must receive more “for” votes than “against” votes to be elected. Furthermore, the proposed amendment provides for a plurality voting standard in the case of contested elections when there are more directors nominated for election than open board seats. In that case, in order to avoid a failed election, the nominees who receive the most “for” votes would be elected to the board until all board seats are filled.

The resolutions attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A will be submitted for approval by shareholders at the Meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock of Popular is necessary to adopt the proposed amendment in accordance with the terms of Article Ninth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Proxies will be voted for the resolutions unless otherwise instructed by the shareholders. Broker non-votes and abstentions will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposed amendment.

LOGO

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RESOLUTION.PROPOSAL

66  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT



Proposal 3

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and SEC regulations require a separate, nonbinding “say on pay” shareholder vote to approve the compensation of executives. The compensation paid to our NEOs and Popular’s overall executive compensation policies and procedures are described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section and the tabular disclosure (together with the accompanying narrative disclosure) in this Proxy Statement.

This proposal gives you as a shareholder the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the compensation paid to Popular’s NEOs through the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Popular approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis Section and the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation (together with the accompanying narrative disclosure) in this Proxy Statement.”

Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board and may not be construed as overruling any decision by the Board. However, the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation policies and procedures and in connection with its future executive compensation determinations.

The approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on that matter. At our annual shareholders’ meeting held in April 2017, the vast majority of Popular’s voting shareholders (95.83% of shares voted) expressed support for our executive compensation policies and procedures.

LOGO

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL.

2018

78 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT  |  67

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Proposal 3:


Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of Popular for 2024. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has served as the independent registered public accounting firm of BPPR since 1971 and of Popular since 1991.
The following table summarizes the fees billed to Popular by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Audit Fees
$10,157,932  
$10,509,135   
Audit-Related Fees(a)
1,230,268  
1,106,165   
Tax Fees(b)
864,287  
279,447   
All Other Fees(c)
6,650  
5,400   
Total
12,259,137  
$11,900,147  
(a)
Proposal 4

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee intends to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of Popular for 2018. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has served as independent registered public accounting firm of BPPR since 1971 and of Popular since 1991.

The following table summarizes the fees billed to Popular by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

                          

December 31, 2017                

 

     

December 31, 2016        

 

   
  

 

  Audit Fees

 

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

$6,909,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 $6,541,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

 

  Audit-Related Fees(a)

 

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

1,001,013

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

843,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

 

  Tax Fees(b)

 

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

42,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

43,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

 

  All Other Fees(c)

 

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

3,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

9,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
           

 

$7,956,267

 

 

 

     

 

 $7,437,552

 

 

 

 
               

(a)   Includes fees for assurance services such as audits of pension plans, compliance-related audits, accounting consultations and Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 18 reports.

(b)
Includes fees associated with tax return preparation and tax consulting services.

(c)
Includes software licensing fees.

The Audit Committee has established controls and procedures that require the pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve any audit or permissible non-audit services. Under the pre-approval controls and procedures, audit services for Popular are negotiated annually. In the event that any additional audit services are required by Popular, a proposed engagement letter is obtained from the auditors and evaluated by the Audit Committee or the member(s) of the Audit Committee with authority to pre-approve auditor services. Any decisions to pre-approve such audit and non-audit services and fees are to be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next regular meeting. The Audit Committee has considered that the provision of the services covered by this paragraph is compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm of Popular. During 2017, fees for all services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were approved by the Audit Committee.

Neither Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation nor its Restated By-Laws require that the shareholders ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Popular’s independent registered public accounting firm. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, but may nonetheless appoint such firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such change would be in the best interest of Popular and its shareholders.

Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the meeting and will be available to respond to any appropriate questions that may arise. They will also have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire.

The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Popular’s auditors requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on that matter.

The Audit Committee has established controls and procedures that require the pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve any audit or permissible non-audit services. Under the pre-approval controls and procedures, audit services for Popular are negotiated annually. If any additional audit services are required by Popular, a proposed engagement letter is obtained from the auditors and evaluated by the Audit Committee or the member(s) of the Audit Committee with authority to pre-approve auditor services. Any decisions to pre-approve such audit and non-audit services and fees are to be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next regular meeting. The Audit Committee has considered that the provision of the services covered by this paragraph is compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm of Popular. During 2023, fees for all services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were approved by the Audit Committee.
Neither Popular’s Certificate of Incorporation nor its Amended and Restated By-Laws require that the shareholders ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, but may nonetheless appoint such firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such change would be in the best interest of Popular and its shareholders.
Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the meeting and will be available to respond to any appropriate questions that may arise. They will also have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire.
The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Popular’s auditors requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on that matter.
LOGOOUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION.

68  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


Proposal 5

ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT OF MEETING

The Board is requesting that the shareholders approve the adjournment of the meeting, if necessary or appropriate, in order to allow for the solicitation of additional proxies in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to adopt Proposal 2. This Proposal relates to the amendment to Article Seventh of the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the director nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

If our shareholders approve the adjournment proposal, the meeting could be adjourned and management could use the additional time to solicit proxies in favor of the adoption of Proposal 2, including the solicitation of proxies from shareholders that have previously voted against Proposal 2.

The approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on this matter.

LOGO

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL.

PROPOSAL

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  69



AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

PROPOSALS | 79

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VI
Audit Committee Report

In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of Popular for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172023 with management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Popular’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). Finally, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence. These considerations and discussions, however, do not assure that the audit of Popular’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting have been carried out in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, that the financial statements are presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), that Popular’s internal control over financial reporting is effective or that Popular’s registered public accountants are in fact “independent.”

As set forth in the Audit Committee Charter, the management of Popular is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of Popular’s financial statements. Furthermore, management is responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies, and internal controls and procedures that provide for compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is responsible
for auditing

Popular’s financial statements, expressing an opinion as to their conformity with GAAP, and annually auditing the effectiveness of the Company’sCorporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

The members of the Audit Committee are not engaged professionally in the practice of auditing or accounting and are not employees of Popular. Popular’s management is responsible for its accounting, financial management and internal controls. As such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures to set auditor independence standards.

Based on the Audit Committee’s consideration of the audited financial statements and the discussions referred to above with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee set forth in the Charter and those discussed above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that Popular’s audited financial statements be included in Popular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172023 for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted,

The Audit Committee

William J. Teuber, Jr.,

John W. Diercksen, Chair


Alejandro M. Ballester

John W. Diercksen


C. Kim Goodwin


José R. Rodríguez
Carlos A. Unanue

70

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING

VII
General Information
About the Meeting


About the Meeting

WHAT INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT?

WHY AM I RECEIVING THESE MATERIALS?
You are invited to attend Popular, Inc.’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement because you were a Popular shareholder on March 14, 2024 (the “Record Date”). Popular is soliciting proxies for use at the annual meeting, including any postponements or adjournments.
Even if you plan on attending the annual meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares in advance using one of the methods described in this Proxy Statement to ensure that your vote will be represented at the annual meeting.
WHAT INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT?
The information in this Proxy Statement relates to the matters to be acted upon at the meeting, the voting process, the Board of Directors, Board committees, the compensation of directors and executive officers and other required information.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING?

WHEN AND WHERE IS OUR ANNUAL MEETING?
We will hold our annual meeting in person on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Atlantic Standard Time at the Popular Center Building, Lobby Conference Hall, 209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
CAN I ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING?
Only shareholders as of the close of business on the Record Date and/or their authorized representatives may attend the meeting by following the procedures set forth in this Proxy Statement.
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO BE ADMITTED TO THE MEETING?
Only Popular shareholders may attend the meeting. You will need a valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport and proof of stock ownership as of the close of business on the Record Date. The use of mobile phones, pagers, recording or photographic equipment, tablets, or computers is not permitted.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING?
At the meeting, shareholders will act upon the matters outlined in the accompanying Notice of Meeting, including:

the electionElection of four “Class 1”13 directors for a three-yearone-year term;

the authorization and approval of an amendment to Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders, provided that in contested elections, directors shall be elected by the plurality of votes cast;

the approval,Approval, on an advisory basis, of ourthe Corporation’s executive compensation;

the ratificationRatification of the appointment of Popular’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2018;

2024; and

the approvalConsideration of the adjournment or postponement of the meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies, in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the proposed amendment to Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation; and

consider such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

In addition, management will provide a report onregarding the affairs of Popular.

COULD OTHER MATTERS BE DECIDED AT

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING?MEETING | 81

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COULD OTHER MATTERS BE DECIDED AT THE MEETING?
The Board does not intend to present any matters at the meeting other than those described in the Notice of Meeting. However, if any new matter requiring the vote of the shareholders is properly presented before the meeting, proxies may be voted with respect thereto in accordance with the best judgment of proxy holders, under the discretionary power granted by shareholders to their proxies in connection with general matters. The Board at this time knows of no other matters which may come before the meeting and the Chairman of the meeting will declare out of order and disregard any matter not properly presented.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO BE ADMITTED TO THE MEETING?

Only Popular shareholders may attend the meeting. You will need a valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport and proof of stock ownership as of the close of business on the Record Date. The use of mobile phones, pagers, recording or photographic equipment, tablets, or computers is not permitted.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  71


Voting Procedure and Results

HOW MANY VOTES DO I HAVE?

HOW MANY VOTES DO I HAVE?
You will have one vote for every share of Popular’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, you owned as of the close of business on the Record Date.

HOW MANY VOTES CAN ALL SHAREHOLDERS CAST?

Shareholder

HOW MANY VOTES CAN ALL SHAREHOLDERS CAST?
Shareholders may cast one vote for each of Popular’s 102,186,40472,293,713 shares of common stock that were outstanding on the Record Date. The shares covered by any proxy that is properly executed and received before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, the day before the meeting will be voted. Shares may also be voted in person at the meeting.

HOW DO I VOTE?

HOW DO I VOTE?
You can vote either in person at the meeting or by proxy.

To vote by proxy, you must either:

vote over the Internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card;

vote by telephone by calling the toll-free number found on your proxy card; or

vote by mail if you receive or request paper copies of the proxy materials, by filling out the proxy card and sending it back in the envelope provided. To avoid delays in ballot taking and counting, and in order to ensure that your proxy is voted in accordance with your wishes, compliance with the following instructions is respectfully requested: when signing a proxy as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, authorized officer of a corporation, or on behalf of a minor, please give full title. If shares are registered in the name of more than one record holder, all record holders must sign.

If you want to vote in person at the meeting and you hold your common stock through a securities broker or nominee (i.e., in “street name”), you must obtain a proxy from your broker or nominee and bring that proxy to the meeting.

HOW MANY VOTES MUST BE PRESENT TO HOLD THE MEETING?

HOW MANY VOTES MUST BE PRESENT TO HOLD THE MEETING?
A majority of the votes that can be cast must be present either in person or by proxy to hold the meeting. Proxies received but marked as abstentions or broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting for purposes of determining whether the majority of the votes that can be cast are present. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the meeting will be counted by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., an independent third party. We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the meeting so that we know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present for us to hold the meeting.

WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED AND HOW ARE ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES TREATED?

The approval of the amendment to Article Seventh of the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to amend the voting standard for the election of directors requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two thirds of the outstanding shares. Broker non-votes and abstentions will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposed amendments.

For the election of director nominees, the advisory vote related to executive compensation, the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, the adjournment or postponement of the meeting in the event that there are not sufficient votes to approve Article Seventh of the amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and any other item voted upon at the meeting, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or

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82 | 20182024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT




by proxy and entitled to vote on such item will be required for approval. Abstentions will have the same effect as a negative vote and broker non-votes will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval.

CAN I VOTE IF I PARTICIPATED IN ONETABLE OF POPULAR’S EMPLOYEE STOCK PLANS?CONTENTS

CAN I VOTE IF I PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF POPULAR'S SAVING AND INVESTMENT PLANS?
Yes. Your vote will serve to instruct the trustees or independent fiduciaries how to vote your shares in the Popular, Inc. Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan and the Popular, Inc. USA 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. Shares held under the Popular, Inc. Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan and the Popular, Inc. USA 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan may be voted by proxy properly executed and received before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 3, 2018.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?

We will report the voting results on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC no later than May 14, 2018.

HOW DOES THE BOARD RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE?

The Board recommends that you vote as follows:

6, 2024.
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED AND HOW ARE ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES TREATED?
Item
Vote Required
Effect of
Abstentions
Effect of broker
Non-votes
Proposal 1: Election of Directors
Majority of the votes cast
No Effect
No Effect
Proposal 2: Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
Majority of the shares present or represented by proxy
Count as a vote AGAINST
No Effect
Proposal 3: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Majority of the shares present or represented by proxy
Count as a vote AGAINST
Not Applicable
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MEETING IS POSTPONED OR ADJOURNED?

“FOR” each nominee to the Board;

“FOR” the amendment to Article Seventh of Popular’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to amend the voting standard for the election of directors;

“FOR” the advisory vote related to executive compensation;

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Popular’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2018; and

“FOR” the adjournment or postponement of the meeting if necessary, to approve the amendment to Article Seventh of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MEETING IS POSTPONED OR ADJOURNED?

Your proxy will still be valid and may be voted at the postponed or adjourned meeting. You will still be able to change or revoke your proxy until it is voted.

CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE?

CAN I CHANGE MY VOTES?
Yes, you may change your vote at any time before the meeting. To do so, you may cast a new vote by telephone or over the Internet, send in a new proxy card with a later date, or send a written notice of revocation to the President or CLO andthe Corporate Secretary of Popular, Inc. (751), P.O. Box 362708, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-2708, delivered before the proxy is exercised. If you attend the meeting and want to vote in person, you may request that your previously submitted proxy not be used.
HOW DOES THE BOARD RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE?
Proposals
Board Recommendation
Proposal 1: Election of Directors
“FOR” each nominee
Proposal 2: Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
“FOR”
Proposal 3: The Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
“FOR”
WHERE CAN I FIND THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?
We will report the voting results on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC no later than May 15, 2024, except in the event of an adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
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Proxy Materials

WHY DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS INSTEAD OF A FULL SET OF THE PROXY MATERIALS?

WHY DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS INSTEAD OF A FULL SET OF THE PROXY MATERIALS?
Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, we have elected to provide access to Popular’s proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to most of our shareholders. We believe this method of distribution makes the proxy distribution process more efficient, less costly and reduces our impact on the environment. All shareholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or request to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  73


the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a paper copy may be found in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. We encourage you to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials on the Internet.

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as well as this Proxy Statement and proxy card, were first sent to shareholders on or about March 21, 2018.

WHY DIDN’T I RECEIVE NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS?

27, 2024.

WHY DIDN’T I RECEIVE NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS?
We are providing some of our shareholders, including shareholders who have previously asked to receive paper copies of the proxy materials, with paper copies of the proxy materials instead of a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. In addition, we are providing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by e-mailemail to some shareholders, including those shareholders who have previously elected delivery of the proxy materials electronically. Those shareholders should have received an e-mailemail containing a link to the website where the materials are available and a link to the proxy voting website.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE SET OF VOTING MATERIALS?

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE SET OF VOTING MATERIALS?
You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or multiple proxy cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive separate Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy cards for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. You should exercise your vote in connection with each set of voting materials, as they represent different shares.

THERE ARE SEVERAL SHAREHOLDERS IN MY ADDRESS. WHY DID WE RECEIVE ONLY ONE SET OF PROXY MATERIALS?

THERE ARE SEVERAL SHAREHOLDERS IN MY ADDRESS. WHY DID WE RECEIVE ONLY ONE SET OF PROXY MATERIALS?
In accordance with a notice sent to certain street name shareholders who share a single address, shareholders at a single address will receive only one copy of this Proxy Statement and our 20172023 Annual Report, or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. We currently do not “household” for shareholders of record.

If your household received a single set of proxy materials, but you would prefer to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and our 20172023 Annual Report or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, you may call 1-866-540-7059, or send a written request to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717 and we will promptly deliver a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and our 20172023 Annual Report or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

You may request or discontinue householding in the future by contacting the broker, bank or similar institution through which you hold your shares.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE

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WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROXY MATERIALS?
The proxy materials include this Proxy Statement and Popular’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K withcontaining the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017,2023, duly certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, asour independent registered public accounting firm.accountants. The proxy materials also include the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If you receive or request that paper copies of these materials be sent to you by mail, the materials will also include a proxy card.

WHO WILL BEAR THE COST OF SOLICITING PROXIES FOR THE MEETING?

This proxy is

WHO WILL BEAR THE COST OF SOLICITING PROXIES FOR THE MEETING?
Proxies will be solicited by Popular on behalf of the Board. The cost of soliciting proxies for the meeting will be borne by us. In addition to solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited personally, by telephone or otherwise. The Board has engaged the firm of Georgeson Inc.LLC to aid in the solicitation of proxies. The

74  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


cost is estimated at $9,500,$13,500, plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and customary charges. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies but will not receive any additional compensation for their services. Proxies and proxy materialmaterials will also be distributed at our expense by brokers, nominees, custodians and other similar parties.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

HOW DO I INSPECT THE LIST OF SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD?
A list of shareholders of record as of March 14, 2024 will be available for inspection by shareholders during the annual meeting.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
You will help us protect the environment and save postage and printing expenses in future years by consenting to receive the annual report and proxy materials via the Internet. You may sign up for this service after voting on the Internet atwww.proxyvote.com.www.proxyvote.com. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email message next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting website. Your election to receive proxy materials electronically will remain in effect until you terminate it.

Shareholder Proposals

HOW DO I SUBMIT A SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT FOR NEXT YEAR’S ANNUAL MEETING?

HOW DO I SUBMIT A SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT FOR NEXT YEAR'S ANNUAL MEETING?
Any shareholder may submit a proposal to be included in the proxy statement for the 20192025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders by sending it to Popular’s CLO andCorporate Secretary at Popular, Inc,Inc., 209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00918. We must receive the proposal no later than November 21, 2018.30, 2024. We are not required to include any proposal in our proxy statement that we receive after that date or that does not comply with applicable SEC rules.

HOW DO I NOMINATE A DIRECTOR OR BRING OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE NEXT YEAR’S ANNUAL MEETING, BUT NOT FOR INCLUSION IN THE PROXY MATERIALS?

HOW DO I NOMINATE A DIRECTOR OR BRING OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE NEXT YEAR'S ANNUAL MEETING?
Under our Amended and Restated By-Laws, a shareholder may nominate an individual to serve as a director or bring any other matterbusiness for consideration at the 20192025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The by-lawsAmended and Restated By-Laws require, among other matters, that the shareholder:

notify us in writing between January 9, 2025 and February 8, 2025, provided that in the event that the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, notice by a shareholder must be delivered not earlier than the 10th day following the day on which notice is mailed or a public announcement is first made by Popular of the date of such meeting, whichever occurs first;
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING | 85

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notify us in writing between November 9, 2018 and February 7, 2019, provided that in

provide certain information about the event thatproposing shareholder, including the date of the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, notice by a shareholder must be delivered not earlier than the 15th day following the day on which notice is mailed or a public announcement is first made by Popular of the date of such meeting, whichever occurs first;

include his or herproposing shareholder’s name, address, share ownership, a description about certain contractual arrangements or understandings, and provide specified representations;

with respect to notice of an intent to make a director nomination, includeprovide the name, address, and other certain information, including stock ownership information, of the proposed nominee, including a description of all arrangements and understandings among the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder,shareholder, providing the completed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by the Amended and Restated By-Laws and such other information regarding each proposed nominee as would have beenbe required to be included in a proxy statement pursuant to SEC rules had the nominee been nominated by our Board; and

with respect to notice of an intent to bring up any proposed business other matter or proposal,than a director nomination, provide a description of the matter, and any material interestthe text of the stockholderproposed business (including the text of the necessary resolutions for consideration), and the reasons for the shareholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf such business is being proposed, to propose such business at the meeting.

All shareholder director nominations or proposals to bring any other business before the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must satisfy and comply with all requirements set forth in our Amended and Restated By-Laws. In addition to satisfying the matter or proposal.

requirements under our Amended and Restated By-Laws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, dissident shareholders must also provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19(b) of the 1934 Act (including a statement that such shareholder intends to solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of the Corporation’s shares of common stock entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees) between January 9, 2025 and February 8, 2025.

The notice required for any such nomination or to bring other matterbusiness for consideration must be sent to Popular’s CLO andCorporate Secretary at Popular, Inc,Inc., 209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918. Shareholders may obtain a copy of Popular’s by-lawsAmended and Restated By-Laws in our SEC filings or by writing to the CLO andCorporate Secretary.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  75


The above Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement are sent by order of the Board of Directors of Popular, Inc.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 21, 2018.

27, 2024.

LOGO

Executive Chairman

LOGO

Executive Vice President,

Chief Legal Officer and



Richard L. Carrión
Chairman of the Board of Popular, Inc.
Javier D. Ferrer
Corporate Secretary

You may request a copy, free of charge, of Popular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017,2023, as filed with the SEC (without exhibits), through our website, www.popular.com, or by calling (787) 765-9800 or writing to Comptroller, Popular, Inc., P.O. Box 362708, San Juan, PR 00936-2708.

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APPENDIX A

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE SEVENTH OF THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

RESOLVED, that Article Seventh

Popular, Inc., Reconciliation of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be, and it hereby is, amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“SEVENTH: (1)Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted Net Income For The Board shall be composed of such number of directors as are established from time to time by the Board of Directors and approved by an absolute majority of directors; provided, however, that the total number of directors shall always be not less than nine (9) nor more than twenty-five (25). The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, with each class having at least three members and with the term of office of one class expiring each year. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided, however, that each initial director in Class 1 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1991; each initial director in Class 2 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1992; and each initial director in Class 3 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1993. Except as provided in this Article SEVENTH, a director shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the director nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

(2) Any vacancies in the Board of Directors, by reason of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, shall be filled solely by the Board of Directors, by majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, but any such director so elected shall hold office only until the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. At such annual meeting, such director shall be elected and qualified in the class in which such director is assigned to hold office for the term or remainder of the term of such class. Directors shall continue in office until others are chosen and qualified in their stead. When the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships or any decrease in directorships shall be so assigned among the classes by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, so as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as possible. To the extent of any inequality within the limits of the foregoing, the class of directorships shall be the class or classes then having the last date or the later dates for the expiration of its or their terms. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(3) Any director may be removed from office as a director but only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-third (2/3) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the Corporation, which to the extent provided in the resolution or in the by-laws of the Corporation, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors (other than the power to remove or elect officers) in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be stated in the by-laws of the Corporation or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors may from time to time, in the manner provided for in the by-laws of the Corporation, hold its regular or extraordinary meetings outside of Puerto Rico.”

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the proper officers of the Corporation be, and hereby are, authorized and directed to take all actions, execute all instruments, and make all payments that are necessary or desirable, at their discretion, to make effective the foregoing amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, including without limitation on filing a certificate of such amendment with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  77


APPENDIX B

POPULAR, INC., RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

POPULAR, INC.

ADJUSTED NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBERYear Ended December 31, 2017 (NON-GAAP)

  (Unaudited)

 

            

  (In thousands)

 

 

Pre-tax

 

  

 

Income tax
effect

 

  

 

Impact on net
income

 

 

 

  U.S. GAAP net income

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

$107,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Non-GAAP Adjustments:

 

 

            

 

  Impact of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act[1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

168,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

168,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

$276,039

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Hurricanes Impact[2]:

 

 

            

 

  Non interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Provision for indemnity reserves on loans sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,436

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26,370

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,245

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Adjusted net income, excluding the impact of the hurricanes (Non-GAAP)

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

$348,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023 (Non-GAAP)
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Pre-tax
Income tax
effect
Impact on net
income
U.S. GAAP net income
 
 
$541,342     
FDIC Special Assessment[1]
$71,435
$26,170
45,265     
Adjusted net income for incentive purposes
 
 
$586,607     
[1]

On December 22, 2017,The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) imposed a special assessment to insured depository institutions to recover the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (“the Act”) was signed into law by the President of the United States. The Act, among other things, reduced the maximum federal Corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The adjustment reduced the deferred tax asset relatedlosses to the Corporation’s U.S. operations as a resultdeposit insurance fund in connection with the receivership of a lower realizable benefit at the lower tax rate.

several failed banks. This special assessment was imposed to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and Popular Bank.

[2]

Estimated impact on the Corporation’s earnings as a result of the impact caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, net of estimated receivables of $1.1 million.

ADJUSTED NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER

Adjusted Net Income For The Year Ended December 31, 2016 (NON-GAAP)

  (Unaudited)

 

             

  (In thousands)

 

  

Pre-tax

 

  

 

Income tax
effect

 

  

 

Impact on net
income

 

 

 

  U.S. GAAP net income

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

$216,691

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Non-GAAP Adjustments:

 

 

             

 

  Impact of EVERTEC restatement[1]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

2,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Bulk sale of WB loans and OREO[2]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

347

 

 

 

[4] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(544

 

 

 

 

 

 

  FDIC arbitration award[3]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

171,757

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41,108

 

 

 

)[4] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

130,649

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Goodwill impairment charge[5]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

3,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Other FDIC—LSA adjustments[6]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

8,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,380

 

 

 

)[4] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Income from discontinued operations[7]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(2,015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,135

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

$358,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022 (Non-GAAP)
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Pre-tax
Income tax
effect
Impact on net
income
U.S. GAAP net income
 
 
$1,102,641   
Evertec Transactions[1]
(240,411)
13,776
(226,635)   
Partial Reversal of Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance[2]
 
(68,236)
(68,236)   
Adjusted net income for incentive purposes
 
 
$807,770   
[1]

Represents Popular,On July 1, 2022, BPPR completed the announced acquisition of certain assets from Evertec Group, LLC (“Evertec Group”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Evertec, Inc.’s proportionate share (“Evertec”) (NYSE: EVTC), to service certain BPPR channels (the “Business Acquisition Transaction”). As consideration for the Business Acquisition Transaction, BPPR delivered to Evertec Group 4,589,169 shares of Evertec common stock valued at closing at $169.2 million (based on Evertec’s stock price on June 30, 2022 of $36.88). On August 15, 2022, the cumulative impact of EVERTEC restatement and other corrective adjustments to its financial statements, as disclosed in EVERTEC’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10K. Due toCorporation completed the preferential tax rate on the income from EVERTEC, the tax effect of this transaction was insignificant to the Corporation.

[2]

Represents the impact of the bulk sale of Westernbank loansits remaining 7,065,634 shares of common stock of Evertec (the “Evertec Stock Sale”, and OREO. Gains and losses related to assets acquired from Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted transaction are subject to the capital gains tax rate of 20%.

78  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


[3]

Represents the arbitration decision denying BPPR’s request for reimbursement in certain shared loss claims. Gains and losses related to assets acquired from Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted transaction are subject to the capital gains tax rate of 20%.

[4]

Gains and losses related to assets acquired from Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted transaction are subject to the capital gains tax rate of 20%. Other items related to the FDIC loss-sharing agreements are subject to the statutory tax rate of 39%.

[5]

Represents goodwill impairment charge in the Corporation’s securities subsidiary. The securities subsidiary is a limited liability company with a partnership election. Accordingly, its earnings flow through Popular, Inc., holding company, for income tax purposes. Since Popular, Inc. has a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets, this results in an effective tax rate of 0%.

[6]

Additional adjustments, including prior period recoveries, related to restructured commercial loans to reduce the indemnification asset to its expected realizable value.

[7]

Represents income from discontinued operations associatedcollectively with the BPNA reorganization.

ADJUSTED NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 (NON-GAAP)

  (In thousands)

 

  

Pre-tax

 

   

Income tax
effect

 

   

Impact on net
income

 

 

 

  U.S. GAAP net income

 

 

            

 

 

 

 

 

$895,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Non-GAAP Adjustments:

 

 

               

 

  BPNA reorganization[1]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

17,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

17,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Doral Transaction[2]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

25,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(7,690

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

17,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  OTTI[3]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

14,445

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(2,486

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

11,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Reversal DTA—PNA[4]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(589,030

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(589,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Loss on bulk sale of covered OREOs[5]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

4,391

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(1,712

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

2,679

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Adjustment to FDIC indemnification asset[6]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

10,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(2,177

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

8,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  MSR’s acquired[7]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(4,378

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

1,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(2,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Impairment of loans under proposed portfolio sale[8]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

15,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(5,924

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

9,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Bulk sale[9]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

5,852

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(2,282

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

3,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

 

 

            

 

 

 

 

 

$374,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1]

Represents restructuring charges associated withBusiness Acquisition Transaction, the reorganization of BPNA.“Evertec Transactions”). Following the Evertec Stock Sale, Popular no longer owns any Evertec common stock. The impact of the partial reversalgain on the sale of Evertec shares used as consideration for the Business Acquisition Transaction in exchange for the acquired applications on July 1, 2022 and the net expense associated with the renegotiation of the valuation allowanceMSA resulted in an after-tax gain of $97.9 million, while the Evertec Stock Sale and the related accounting adjustments resulted in an after-tax gain of $128.8 million, recorded during the third quarter of 2022, for an aggregate after-tax gain of $226.6 million.

[2]
During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Corporation recorded a partial reversal of the deferred tax asset at BPNA corresponding to the income for the year 2015 was reflected in the effective tax rate, effectively reducing the income tax expense by the benefit of such reversal.

[2]

Includes approximately $0.8 million of fees charged for loan servicing cost to the FDIC, $2.1 million of fees charged for services provided to the alliance co-bidders, personnel costs related to former Doral Bank employees retained on a temporary basis and incentive compensation for an aggregate of $7.1 million, building rent expense of Doral Bank’s administrative offices for $4.1 million, professional fees and business promotion expenses directly associated with the Doral Bank Transaction and systems conversion for $16.0 million and other expenses, including equipment, business promotions and communications, of $1.3 million. Includes items corresponding to BPPR, which were taxed at 39% and items corresponding to BPNA, which had an effective tax rate of 0% due to the impact of the partial reversal of the valuation allowance, mentioned above.

[3]

Represents an other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) recorded on Puerto Rico government investment securities available- for- sale. These securities had an amortized cost of approximately $41.1 million and a market value of $26.6 million. Based on the fiscal and economic situation in Puerto Rico, together with the government’s announcements regarding its ability to pay its debt, Popular determined that the unrealized loss, a portion of which had been in an unrealized loss for a period exceeding twelve months, was other than temporary. The tax effect of this impairment is reflected at the capital gains rate of 20%, except for entities which had a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax asset.

[4]

Represents the partial reversal of the valuation allowance of a portionthe U.S. operations of $68.2 million. As of December 31, 2022, the deferred tax asset amounting to approximately $1.2 billion, at(“DTA”) for the U.S. operations.

[5]

Represents the loss on a bulk sale of covered OREOs completed in the second quarter and theoperations, mainly related mirror accountingto net operating losses (“NOLs”), was valued at $278 million, net of the 80% reimbursable fromcorresponding valuation allowance of $402 million. The additional reversal during the FDIC.

[6]

The negative amortizationfourth quarter was determined based on management’s expectation of the FDIC’s Indemnification Asset included a $10.9 million expense related to losses incurred by the corporation that were not claimed to the FDIC before the expirationrealization of the loss-share portionadditional amounts of the agreementfederal and state NOLs over their remaining carryover period.

Adjusted Net Income For The Year Ended December 31, 2021 (Non-GAAP)
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Pre-tax
Income tax
effect
Impact on June 30, 2015, and that are not subject to the ongoing arbitrations. Gains and losses related to assets acquired from Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted transaction are subject to the capital gains tax rate of 20%.

net
income

[7]

Represents the fair value of mortgage servicing rights acquired

U.S. GAAP net income
$934,889
Adjusted net income for a portfolio previously serviced by Doral Bank, for which Popular acted as a backup servicer, under a pre-existing contract.

[8]incentive purposes

Represents impairment based on the estimated fair value of loans acquired from Westernbank, that Popular has the intent to sell and were subject to the ongoing arbitration with the FDIC.

[9]

Represents the impact of a bulk sale of loans at the BPPR segment, which had a book value of approximately $34.4 million.

2018 PROXY STATEMENT  |  79


EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

  (in thousands)

 

  

2015

 

  

2016

 

  

2017

 

  

Cumulative
EPS

 

 

 

  Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

374,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

358,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

348,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$     —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Preferred dividends

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(3,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Net income for common stock

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

371,055

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

354,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

344,967

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Average common share outstanding[1]

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

102,967,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

103,275,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

103,478,247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Adjusted EPS

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

3.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

3.43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

3.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$10.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1]

Excluding the $75 million common stock repurchase in first quarter 2017.

80  |  2018 PROXY STATEMENT


$934,889

LOGO

For 37 years, Fundación Banco Popular has been the
philanthropic arm of Popular supporting communities across
Puerto Rico. It will drive 100% of all funds raised directly to
rebuild the most vulnerable communities in the island.

Join us in helping Puerto Rico’s recovery by
making a charitable donation.

embracingpuertorico.com

LOGO

P.O. BOX 362708 SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00936-2708

LOGO


LOGO

C/O PROXY SERVICES

P.O. BOX 9142

FARMINGDALE, NY 11735-9544

IF YOU WISH TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE, INTERNET OR MAIL, PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

Popular, Inc. encourages you to take advantage of the convenient ways to vote for matters to be covered at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Please take the opportunity to use one of the three voting methods outlined below to cast your ballot.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and follow the simple instructions the Vote Voice provides you.

VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

VOTE BY MAIL

Please mark, sign, date and return this proxy card promptly using the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. No postage is required if mailed in the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

E38616-P03031                 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

LOGO

2018 Annual Meeting Proxy Card

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” proposals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

(1)

To elect four directors assigned to “Class 1” of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for a three-year term:

ForAgainstAbstain

1a. Ignacio Alvarez

1b.  Alejandro M. Ballester

1c. Richard L. Carrión

1d.  Carlos A. Unanue

(2)

To authorize and approve an amendment to Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, provided that in contested elections directors shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast.

(3)

To approve, on an advisory basis, the Corporation’s executive compensation.

ForAgainstAbstain
(4)

To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2018.

(5)

To approve the adjournment or postponement of the meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies, in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the proposed amendment to Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” PROPOSALS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5.

PLEASE SIGN AS YOUR NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON THIS FORM. IF SHARES ARE HELD JOINTLY, ALL OWNERS SHOULD SIGN. CORPORATION PROXIES SHOULD BE SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED OFFICER. EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, ETC. SHOULD SO INDICATE WHEN SIGNING.

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]Date
Signature (Joint Owners)Date


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The 2018 Notice and Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.

E38617-P03031

LOGO

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Richard L. Carrión, Carlos J. Vázquez and Ignacio Alvarez or any one or more of them as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and authorize(s) them to represent and to vote as designated on the reverse side all the shares of common stock of Popular, Inc. held of record by the undersigned as of the close of business on March 9, 2018, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on the PH Floor of the Popular Center Building, 209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico, on May 8, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., local time, or at any adjournments thereof. The proxies are further authorized to vote such shares upon any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.


Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

*** Exercise YourRight to Vote ***

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

Shareholders Meeting to Be Held on May 8, 2018.

POPULAR, INC.

LOGO

C/O PROXY SERVICES

P.O. BOX 9142

FARMINGDALE, NY 11735-9544

Meeting Information

Meeting Type:           Annual Meeting

For holders as of:    March 9, 2018

Date:  May 8, 2018               Time:9:00 a.m., local time

Location:   Popular Center Building

                   209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue

                   PH Floor

                   San Juan, Puerto Rico

For directions to the meeting, please call 787-764-1893

LOGO   

You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the company named above.

This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online atwww.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side).

We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.


Before You Vote

How to Access the Proxy Materials

Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:

The 2018 Notice and Proxy Statement and the Corporation’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K

How to View Online:

Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrowLOGO (located on the following page) and visit:www.proxyvote.com.

How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:

If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:

1)BY INTERNET:        www.proxyvote.com

2)BY TELEPHONE:    1-800-579-1639

3)BY E-MAIL*:             sendmaterial@proxyvote.com

*     If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrowLOGO (located on the following page) in the subject line.

Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before April 24, 2018 to facilitate timely delivery.

How To Vote

Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods

Vote In Person:Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the posses

sion of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares.

Vote By Internet:To vote now by Internet, go towww.proxyvote.com.Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrowLOGO (located on the following page) available and follow the instructions.

Vote By Mail:You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card.


Voting Items        

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” proposals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

(1)To elect four directors assigned to “Class 1” of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for a three-year term:

1a.  Ignacio Alvarez

1b.  Alejandro M. Ballester

1c.  Richard L. Carrión

1d.  Carlos A. Unanue

(2)

To authorize and approve an amendment to Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, provided that in contested elections directors shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast.

(3)To approve, on an advisory basis, the Corporation’s executive compensation.
(4)

To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2018.

(5)

To approve the adjournment or postponement of the meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies, in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the proposed amendment to Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Suchotherbusinessasmay properlycomebeforethemeetingor any adjournmentthereof.

LOGO


APPENDIX A | 87

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (“ROATCE”)
(In thousands)
2021
2022
2023
3-yr. avg.
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)
$934,889
$807,770
$586,607
 
Preferred dividends
(1,412)
(1,412)
(1,412)
 
Adjusted net income for common stock
933,477
806,358
585,195
 
Average Tangible Common Equity
5,054,689
5,212,836
5,745,420
 
Adjusted ROATCE
18.47%
15.47%
10.19%
14.71%
Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity (non-GAAP)
(In thousands)
2021
2022
2023
Average Total Shareholders’ Equity[1]
$5,777,652
$6,009,225
$ 6,600,603
Less: Preferred Stock
(22,143)
(22,143)
(22,143)
Less: Goodwill
(679,959)
(757,133)
(821,567)
Less: Other Intangibles
(20,861)
(17,113)
(11,473)
Average Tangible Common Equity
5,054,689
5,212,836
5,745,420
[1]
Average balances exclude unrealized gains or losses on debt securities available-for-sale and unrealized losses on debt securities transferred to held-to-maturities.
88 | 2024 POPULAR, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS



LOGOTABLE OF CONTENTS



TABLE OF CONTENTS


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