First BanCorp moving forward on integrating Santander operations in Puerto Rico
November 2, 2020
In the 45 days since it completed its acquisition of Banco Santander de Puerto Rico’s assets, First BanCorp has made strides in the integration of both operations, having already completed the conversion of the mortgage business, the insurance agency, and several administrative duties. The plan is to complete the integration process by the end of […]
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Evertec reports $137M in 3Q20 revenue, up 15% Y-O-Y
November 2, 2020
Financial transactions processing firm Evertec reported total revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2020 of $136.5 million, an increase of 15% compared with $118.8 million in the prior year. The company attributed the revenue increase in the quarter to sales volume growth and a “high average ticket” as businesses reopened in Puerto Rico following […]
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10 towns get failing grades on fiscal performance, ABRE Puerto Rico says
October 30, 2020
The sixth edition of ABRE Puerto Rico’s Fiscal Health Index revealed that eight municipalities scored an “A” for the handling of their finances, while 10 towns were on the opposite end of the spectrum, with a failing grade. The index follows 13 indicators based on information derived from the municipality’s audited financial statements to rank […]
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Popular Inc. reports $168.4M in 3Q20 net income; Closing 11 NY branches
October 29, 2020
Popular Inc. reported net income of $168.4 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2020, up from net income of $127.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, but flat when compared to the $164.3 million reported during the third quarter in 2019. “We generated $168.4 million in earnings in the third quarter, reflecting […]
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Oriental CEO: Puerto Rico seeing ‘beginnings of an economic rebound’
October 26, 2020
Puerto Rico is starting to see the “beginnings of an economic rebound,” as the effects of the influx of federal economic aid and the possibility of the return of pharmaceutical companies are putting the island in a better position heading forward. That optimism is there for José Rafael Fernández, CEO of OFG Bancorp, the financial […]
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Gov’t gets $90M to pay for internet service for public school students, teachers
October 20, 2020
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez announced the allocation of $90 million in federal funds to subsidize the cost of internet connections for all public school students and teachers, which they will be able to request through Nov. 30, 2020. The aid, available through the CARES Act, will be up to $400 per participant and will […]
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Puerto Rico schools and libraries to get $5.3M to expand broadband
October 15, 2020
Several hundred Puerto Rico-based schools, municipalities and nonprofits will receive more than $5.5 million from the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate funding program to boost broadband services. The program is part of the Universal Service Fund, which has opened two funding windows so far this year. During the first round, the agency received 361 funding requests […]
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eBay’s ‘Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards’ recognize Puerto Rican business owner
October 14, 2020
Online marketplace eBay recently held the second edition of its “Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards,” which this year included a Puerto Rican business owner among the winners. Local entrepreneur Iván Blázquez received the “New Business Award” for creating Tropical Plantae, an agricultural company located in Aguadilla deemed “the most successful new business on the platform, […]
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32K+ SBA PPP loans granted in Puerto Rico eligible for simpler forgiveness process
October 12, 2020
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department released a simpler loan forgiveness application late last week for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This decision could affect a little more than 32,000 PPP loans granted in Puerto Rico, according to SBA data released earlier this year. This action […]
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Puerto Rico’s new car sales have taken deeper dive during pandemic vs. US
October 12, 2020
Puerto Rico’s new car market showed a deeper contraction than that of the U.S. mainland from March to May — the peak quarantine months to curb the COVID-19 pandemic — but the local market has recovered much faster since then, according to a study by Abexus Analytics. According to the firm’s research entitled “Economic Trends […]
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Airbnb has collected, paid $16.8M+ in occupancy tax in Puerto Rico in 3 years
October 8, 2020
Short-term rental platform Airbnb announced that from Aug. 1, 2017 to Aug. 31, 2020 it has collected a total of $16.8 million from the 7% hotel room occupancy tax and remitted the money to the Puerto Rico government. In 2017, Airbnb established an agreement with the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. to formalize short-term rentals and […]
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Fairmont El San Juan hotel names new GM, plans to upgrade property
October 7, 2020
The Fairmont El San Juan hotel has named Kelley Cosgrove as general manager of the Isla Verde property, which is also in line to undergo a round of renovations, this media outlet confirmed. Cosgrove, who brings with her 33 years of experience with the chain in properties in Canada, Dubai, Hawaii and California, has been […]
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Experts offer tips to keep cyber fraud under control
October 7, 2020
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an effort launched through a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance in October 2004. This year’s theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart,” helping to empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace, the entities said. To […]
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Bankruptcy filings down 31.1% in Puerto Rico in September
October 6, 2020
A total of 443 petitions were filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Puerto Rico during the month of September, representing a 31.1% drop from the same month in 2019, according to a report released by research firm Boletín de Puerto Rico. In September 2019, the court received 629 bankruptcy cases, according to the report. […]
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MIDA: Puerto Rican consumers spent 18% more on groceries this year
October 5, 2020
Puerto Rican consumers spent an average of $500 a month on groceries, or 18% more than the average $422 spent last year, the Chamber of Marketing, Industry and Food Distribution’s annual Consumer X-Ray revealed. “Spending appears to be driven by an increase in the frequency of visits to supermarkets, which registered an average of eight […]
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