UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 1, 2013



POPULAR, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01  Other Events

On March 1, 2013, Popular, Inc. (“Popular”) announced that Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, its principal banking subsidiary, entered into a definitive agreement, dated as of February 28, 2013, to sell a portfolio of non-performing commercial and construction loans, and commercial and single-family real estate owned, with a combined unpaid principal balance on loans and appraised value of other real estate owned of $1,022 million and book value of $568 million.  The transaction is expected to result in an after-tax loss of approximately $185 million, which will be recognized in the first quarter of 2013.

The assets subject to the transaction are part of Popular’s non-covered portfolio in Puerto Rico and are not subject to the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013.      

Popular has issued a press release in connection with the transaction, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.  Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any of the Corporation’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The following exhibit shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any of the Corporation’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless otherwise expressly stated in such filing..

Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated March 1, 2013

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.