Firstbank Puerto Rico vs Banco Popular De Puerto Rico
Comparing a Bank in Santurce, PR with a Bank in San Juan, PR using federal FDIC, NCUA, and CFPB data. Trust Grades reflect financial strength and complaint history.
| Firstbank Puerto Rico ↗ Bank · Santurce, PR · Est. 1949 | Banco Popular De Puerto Rico ↗ Bank · San Juan, PR · Est. 1999 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Grade | C · 71/100 | C · 70/100 |
| Institution type | Bank | Bank |
| Location | Santurce, PR | San Juan, PR |
| Total assets | $19.1B | $60.6B |
| Capital ratio | 10.0% | 6.3% |
| Return on assets | 1.8% | 1.3% |
| Deposits | $16.7B | $56.0B |
| Branches | 74 | 166 |
| CFPB complaints | 268 | 560 |
| Complaints / $1B assets | 14.1 | 9.2 |
| On-time responses | 100.0% | 99.6% |
| State rank | #4 of 5 | #5 of 5 |
| Established | 1949 | 1999 |
Firstbank Puerto Rico
- Assets: $19.1B
- Deposits: $16.7B
- Capital ratio: 10.0%
- Return on assets: 1.8%
- CFPB complaints: 268
- State rank: #4 of 5
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico
- Assets: $60.6B
- Deposits: $56.0B
- Capital ratio: 6.3%
- Return on assets: 1.3%
- CFPB complaints: 560
- State rank: #5 of 5
Are both institutions federally insured?
Yes. Firstbank Puerto Rico is FDIC-insured and Banco Popular De Puerto Rico is FDIC-insured. Both protect deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, regardless of Trust Grade. The Trust Grade reflects financial strength and complaint history — not the safety of insured deposits. Estimate your coverage →
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Firstbank Puerto Rico or Banco Popular De Puerto Rico?
Based on Bankzia's Trust Grade — which blends financial strength (capital ratio, ROA) with CFPB complaint history — Firstbank Puerto Rico scores higher with a grade of C (71/100). However, "better" depends on your needs: if you prioritize branch access, local service, or membership eligibility for a credit union, the lower-scoring option may still be the right choice for you.
Is Firstbank Puerto Rico safe?
Yes — Firstbank Puerto Rico is FDIC-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected regardless of the institution's Trust Grade. Its Trust Grade is C (71/100), reflecting its financial strength and complaint history relative to peers.
Is Banco Popular De Puerto Rico safe?
Yes — Banco Popular De Puerto Rico is FDIC-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected. Its Trust Grade is C (70/100).
What is the capital ratio of Firstbank Puerto Rico vs Banco Popular De Puerto Rico?
Firstbank Puerto Rico has a capital ratio of 10.0%, placing it in the bottom 26% of $10B–100B peers. Banco Popular De Puerto Rico's ratio is 6.3%, placing it in the bottom 4% of $10B–100B peers. A higher capital ratio generally signals a stronger financial cushion.
How many complaints does Firstbank Puerto Rico have compared to Banco Popular De Puerto Rico?
The CFPB database shows 268 complaints against Firstbank Puerto Rico (14.1 per $1B in assets), and 560 complaints against Banco Popular De Puerto Rico (9.2 per $1B in assets). The per-$1B rate adjusts for institution size and is a more meaningful comparison metric.
How does Bankzia calculate the Trust Grade?
The Trust Grade combines a financial strength score (based on capital ratio, return on assets, and other FDIC/NCUA metrics) with a customer experience score derived from CFPB complaint data. The scores are weighted and normalized within peer groups by institution size and type. See our full methodology for details.
Compare Firstbank Puerto Rico with other Banks in Puerto Rico
Financial data from FDIC call reports; complaint data from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Bankzia is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or financial institution.
