Popular Appoints Israel Velasco as EVP and Head of U.S. Operations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 08 2026
0mins
Should l Buy BPOP?
Popular announced executive leadership changes to support the objectives of its new strategic framework. Israel Velasco was appointed Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Operations of Popular Bank, the Corporation's banking subsidiary in the mainland U.S., succeeding Manuel Chinea. Velasco has led the Corporation's Florida operations for 21 years and will continue to advance Popular's U.S. strategy to improve financial performance and drive operational effectiveness in support of Popular's strategic objectives. He will join the Corporation's Senior Management Team. Chinea, who has led the U.S. operations for the past 13 years, will take on the newly-formed role of Chief Experience and Administration Services Officer of the Corporation, where he will oversee Customer Experience, Human Resources, Corporate Real Estate and Marketing.
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Analyst Views on BPOP
Wall Street analysts forecast BPOP stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 148.070
Low
135.00
Averages
143.00
High
160.00
Current: 148.070
Low
135.00
Averages
143.00
High
160.00
About BPOP
Popular, Inc. (Popular) is a financial holding company. The Company operates in two segments: Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (BPPR), which includes its Puerto Rico business, and Banco Popular North America (BPNA), which includes its the United States mainland business. The Company has operations in Puerto Rico, the United States and the Caribbean. The Company's BPPR segment provides retail, mortgage and commercial banking services through its banking subsidiary, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, as well as auto and equipment leasing and financing, investment banking, broker-dealer and insurance services through specialized subsidiaries. The Company's BPNA segment consists of Popular North America, Inc. (PNA) functioning as the holding company for its operations in the United States. It also operates PNA's subsidiary, E-LOAN, Inc. The banking operations of BPNA in the United States mainland are based in New York, Florida and New Jersey, conducted under the name of Popular Community Bank.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Popular, Inc. Announces Executive Leadership Changes
- Executive Appointment: Israel Velasco has been appointed as Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Operations, succeeding Manuel A. Chinea, who has held the position for 13 years; Velasco's 21 years of experience in Florida operations will support the company's strategic objectives.
- Customer Experience Leadership: Manuel A. Chinea will take on the newly created role of Chief Experience and Administration Services Officer, overseeing customer experience, human resources, and marketing, leveraging his 38 years of industry experience to enhance employee loyalty and customer satisfaction.
- Strategic Alignment: The new appointments will take effect on July 1, 2026, aiming to achieve the company's goal of being the preferred bank for customers by strengthening operational execution and enhancing customer experience, reflecting management's focus on improving financial performance.
- Leadership Transition Context: These appointments coincide with the retirement of Eduardo J. Negrón, who has made significant contributions as Chief Administration Officer, indicating the company's commitment to adapting to market changes and enhancing competitiveness through leadership transitions.
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UBS Increases Target Price for Popular Inc. to $160, Up from $142
- Price Increase Announcement: Popular Inc. has raised its target price for shares from $142 to $160.
- Market Implications: This adjustment reflects a positive outlook on the company's performance and potential growth in the market.
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BARCLAYS INCREASES TARGET PRICE FOR POPULAR, INC. TO $180, UP FROM $175
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- Market Implications: This adjustment may reflect Barclays' positive outlook on the stock's performance and potential growth.
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Popular, Inc. Declares Monthly Cash Dividend
- Dividend Declaration: Popular, Inc. announced a monthly cash dividend of $0.132813 per share on its 6.375% Non-Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock, payable on April 30, 2026, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder returns.
- Trust Preferred Securities Distribution: The company also declared a monthly distribution of $0.127604 per security on its 6.125% Cumulative Monthly Income Trust Preferred Securities, scheduled for payment on May 1, 2026, which further bolsters investor confidence.
- Market Position: As the leading financial institution in Puerto Rico by both assets and deposits, Popular, Inc. ranks among the top 50 U.S. bank holding companies, highlighting its strong competitive position in the market.
- Diverse Services: Through its principal subsidiary Banco Popular, the company offers retail, mortgage, and commercial banking services, while also providing comprehensive banking services in the mainland U.S. through Popular Bank, showcasing its broad and flexible business operations.
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- Robust Growth of Popular: Popular (BPOP) has increased its net interest margin by 44.3 basis points over the last two years, leading to a 22.1% annual growth in earnings per share, while its tangible book value per share has grown by 16.9% annually, showcasing a strong balance sheet with a current stock price of $129.98 and a P/B ratio of 1.3.
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Popular, Inc. Announces Executive Leadership Changes
- Executive Appointment: Israel Velasco has been appointed as Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Operations, succeeding Manuel A. Chinea, who has held the position for 13 years; Velasco's 21 years of experience in Florida operations will support the company's strategic objectives.
- Customer Experience Leadership: Manuel A. Chinea will take on the newly created role of Chief Experience and Administration Services Officer, overseeing customer experience, human resources, and marketing, leveraging his 38 years of industry experience to enhance employee loyalty and customer satisfaction.
- Strategic Alignment: The new appointments will take effect on July 1, 2026, aiming to achieve the company's goal of being the preferred bank for customers by strengthening operational execution and enhancing customer experience, reflecting management's focus on improving financial performance.
- Leadership Transition Context: These appointments coincide with the retirement of Eduardo J. Negrón, who has made significant contributions as Chief Administration Officer, indicating the company's commitment to adapting to market changes and enhancing competitiveness through leadership transitions.
See More
Latest Rating Changes on Wall Street
- Apple Performance: Evercore ISI reiterates Apple as outperform despite slowing App Store growth, expecting AAPL to compensate through higher growth areas like Apple Pay, iCloud, and Licensing, with a target price of $330.
- Homebuilders Downgrade: Seaport downgrades Toll Brothers and D.R. Horton to neutral, anticipating a 15% downside due to ongoing demand pressures and book valuations below 2013 levels.
- MercadoLibre Investment Upgrade: Jefferies upgrades MercadoLibre from hold to buy, citing its growth investment strategy in Latin America as a driver for long-term growth.
- Rocket Lab Rating Upgrade: Citizens upgrades Rocket Lab from market perform to market outperform with an $85 price target, highlighting its favorable positioning in the space economy and improved risk/reward dynamics.
See More
UBS Increases Target Price for Popular Inc. to $160, Up from $142
- Price Increase Announcement: Popular Inc. has raised its target price for shares from $142 to $160.
- Market Implications: This adjustment reflects a positive outlook on the company's performance and potential growth in the market.
See More
BARCLAYS INCREASES TARGET PRICE FOR POPULAR, INC. TO $180, UP FROM $175
- Barclays Raises Price Target: Barclays has increased its price target for a certain stock from $175 to $180.
- Market Implications: This adjustment may reflect Barclays' positive outlook on the stock's performance and potential growth.
See More
Popular, Inc. Declares Monthly Cash Dividend
- Dividend Declaration: Popular, Inc. announced a monthly cash dividend of $0.132813 per share on its 6.375% Non-Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock, payable on April 30, 2026, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder returns.
- Trust Preferred Securities Distribution: The company also declared a monthly distribution of $0.127604 per security on its 6.125% Cumulative Monthly Income Trust Preferred Securities, scheduled for payment on May 1, 2026, which further bolsters investor confidence.
- Market Position: As the leading financial institution in Puerto Rico by both assets and deposits, Popular, Inc. ranks among the top 50 U.S. bank holding companies, highlighting its strong competitive position in the market.
- Diverse Services: Through its principal subsidiary Banco Popular, the company offers retail, mortgage, and commercial banking services, while also providing comprehensive banking services in the mainland U.S. through Popular Bank, showcasing its broad and flexible business operations.
See More
Three Potential Stocks to Boost Investment Returns
- Outstanding Performance of Nova: Nova (NVMI) has achieved a remarkable 406% return over the past five years, with an annual revenue growth rate of 30.4%, indicating strong market share in semiconductor manufacturing quality control systems, which is expected to continue driving its stock price upward.
- Strong Growth of Abercrombie & Fitch: Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) has seen an average same-store sales growth of 10% over the past two years, with a gross margin of 62.8% and an impressive 481% annual earnings per share growth, making its current stock price of $88.23 and a P/E ratio of 8.3 attractive for investors.
- Robust Growth of Popular: Popular (BPOP) has increased its net interest margin by 44.3 basis points over the last two years, leading to a 22.1% annual growth in earnings per share, while its tangible book value per share has grown by 16.9% annually, showcasing a strong balance sheet with a current stock price of $129.98 and a P/B ratio of 1.3.
- High-Quality Stock Recommendations: These companies not only excel in the market but also demonstrate sustained revenue growth and free cash flow, allowing investors to explore more potential stocks through in-depth research reports to seize future investment opportunities.
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