The economic situation that has enveloped the island in recent years has a direct impact on the lives of thousands of Puerto Ricans. Among the various consequences this situation can generate is that many families have trouble making payments on their debts, including mortgages.
Popular Inc., parent company of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, saw its net income increase by 144 percent year over year to $599.3 million for the year ended December 2013, in comparison to the $245.2 million reported for the prior 12-month period.
Puerto Rico’s declining population, rapidly aging workforce, significant fiscal pressures and subsequent policy measures have combined to prompt a reduction in the government’s workforce over the past five years by as many as 55,000 jobs, or almost 20 percent of the public sector’s workforce.