Popular Community Bank, a subsidiary of Popular, Inc. (Nasdaq: BPOP) and one of the nation’s premier community banks, today announced the official opening of its Aventura retail branch located at Turnberry Plaza Building at 2875 N.E. 191st St., Aventura, FL. This is the first high tech branch to open in South Florida and marks the continued roll out of Popular Community Bank’s Retail Network Transformation initiative.

Popular Community Bank launched its first digitally transformed branch a year ago in New York. The entire transformation of the branch network will continue through 2017 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Each of the branches will have check-in kiosks, community boards, solutions center and teller pods.

The technology-enhanced South Florida branches will be complemented by onsite universal bankers that are able to assist customers with all of their needs including managing money, investing and lending options, financial planning or other more complex banking activities. The roll-out of the retail network transformation is an example of Popular’s continued commitment to South Florida business and consumers. Popular Community Bank has been in South Florida for nearly 20 years.

Said South Florida Region Executive, Israel Velasco: “We are experiencing a lot of momentum in South Florida, driven by our team’s constant search for ways to enhance a customer’s experience and deliver exceptional service. The new Aventura branch is an example of the type of technology and engagement we are leveraging in South Florida. The experience is tailored to how consumers expect to bank today – with multiple touchpoints and options. Technology, combined with the human touch – on premises bankers who understand the local market – reinforces our position as the true community bank in South Florida.”

The region recently relocated its North Miami branch to North Miami Beach located within Keystone Plaza on 13715 Biscayne Blvd. The branch is also technology-enhanced, has convenient drive-thru facilities, and multiple smart ATMs.

A significant region for Popular Community Bank, South Florida serves as the headquarters for Popular Association Banking, one of the leading national platforms for condo and association lending. Since its inception in 1994, Popular Association Banking has assisted more than 5,000 associations and countless residents with just under $2 billion in loans. As of July 31, 2016 their Loan Portfolio totaled $580MM. The commercial lending team recently closed $220MM through July 2016.

About Popular Community Bank

Founded in 1893, Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPOP) is the leading banking institution by both assets and deposits in Puerto Rico and ranks among the top 50 U.S. banks by assets. In the United States, Popular Community Bank has established a community-banking franchise providing a broad range of financial services and products with branches in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

Popular Community Bank’s services are available at branches and online at http://popularcommunitybank.com. Banco Popular North America is a Member of the FDIC and operates under the assumed name “Popular Community Bank” in the markets in which it operates. For customers seeking more information, call 1-800-377-0800 or email popularnet@bpop.com. Find out about the community service of Popular Community Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PopularCommunityBank. ©2016 Banco Popular North America. Member FDIC.