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  <TITLE> Popular, Inc. (Form: 8-K) </TITLE>
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  		UNITED STATES<BR>
  	SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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  	WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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  	FORM 8-K
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  	CURRENT REPORT
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  	Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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  	Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
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  	&nbsp;
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  	May 2, 2006
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  	Popular, Inc.
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  <BR>__________________________________________<BR>
  	(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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  	&nbsp;
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  	Puerto Rico
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  	0-13818
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  	66-0667416
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  _____________________<BR>
  	(State or other jurisdiction
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  _____________<BR>
  	(Commission
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  ______________<BR>
  	(I.R.S. Employer
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  	of incorporation)
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  	File Number)
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  	Identification No.)
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  	&nbsp;&nbsp;
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  	209 MUNOZ RIVERA AVE, POPULAR CENTER BUILDING, HATO REY , Puerto Rico
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  	00918
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  _________________________________<BR>
  	(Address of principal executive offices)
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  	&nbsp;
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  ___________<BR>
  	(Zip Code)
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  	Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:
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  	&nbsp;
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  	787-765-9800
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  	Not Applicable
  <BR>______________________________________________<BR>
  	Former name or former address, if changed since last report
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  	&nbsp;
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  <!-- CoverPageRegistrant END --><P><FONT SIZE="2">
  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:</FONT>
  </P>
  <P><FONT SIZE="2">
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))<br>
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  	Item 5.04 Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant's Employee Benefit Plans.
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  On May 2, 2006, Popular, Inc. (the "Company") sent a notice dated as of May 1, 2006, to its directors and executive officers informing them that the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan (the "Plan") will be merging into the Popular, Inc. Savings & Investment Plan.  As stated in the notice, Plan participants will temporarily be unable to direct or diversify the investment in their accounts or obtain distributions from the Plan during a period that is expected to begin at 12:00 a.m. on June 1, 2006 and end at 12:00 a.m. on July 3, 2006 (the "Blackout Period").  <br><br>The notice further states that, the limitations on transactions during the Blackout Period will impact the Popular, Inc. Stock Fund maintained under the Plan.  Pursuant to Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, directors and executive officers of the Company are prohibited from directly or indirectly purchasing, selling, or otherwise acquiring or transferring any equity securities of the Company (including any related derivative security), acquired in connection with their service as a director or employment as an executive officer, during the Blackout Period.  A copy of the notice is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.<br><br>The Company received the notice required by Section 101(i)(2)(E) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, on April 28, 2006.<br><br>Inquiries concerning the Blackout Period or the notice should be directed to Eduardo J. Negr&#243;n, Senior Vice President and Deputy Chief Legal Officer, at Popular, Inc., 209 Mu&#241;oz Rivera Avenue, 9th Floor, San Juan, P. R. 00918, by telephone at (787) 753-1017, or by e-mail at ejnegron@bppr.com.<br>
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  	Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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  The following exhibit shall be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.<br><br>99.1 	Notice to Directors and Executive Officers dated May 1, 2006.<br>
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  	SIGNATURES
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  	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.
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  	Popular, Inc.
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  	&nbsp;&nbsp;
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  <I>
  	May 3, 2006
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  	&nbsp;
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  <I>
  	By:
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  	&nbsp;
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  <I>
  	Ileana Gonzalez
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  	&nbsp;
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  <I>
  	Name: Ileana Gonzalez
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  <I>
  	Title: Senior Vice President and Comptroller
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  	Exhibit&nbsp;Index
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  	Exhibit No.
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  	&nbsp;
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  	Description
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  	99.1
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  	&nbsp;
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  Notice to Directors and Executive Officers dated May 1, 2006.
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "htm_12116.htm", "description": "LIVE FILING", "secsgml_size_bytes": 11614}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "POPULAR INC", "cik": "0000763901", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "660667416", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-13818", "film-number": "06803685"}, "business-address": {"street1": "209 MUNOZ RIVERA AVE", "street2": "POPULAR CENTER BUILDING", "city": "HATO REY", "state": "PR", "zip": "00918", "phone": "7877659800"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "P.O. BOX 362708", "city": "SAN JUAN", "state": "PR", "zip": "00936-2708"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "BANPONCE CORP", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
text: Popular, Inc. (Form: 8-K)
  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):
  May 2, 2006
  Popular, Inc.
  __________________________________________
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Puerto Rico
  0-13818
  66-0667416
  _____________________
  (State or other jurisdiction
  _____________
  (Commission
  ______________
  (I.R.S. Employer
  of incorporation)
  File Number)
  Identification No.)
  209 MUNOZ RIVERA AVE, POPULAR CENTER BUILDING, HATO REY , Puerto Rico
  00918
  _________________________________
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
  (Zip Code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
  787-765-9800
  Not Applicable
  ______________________________________________
  Former name or former address, if changed since last report
  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))
  Top of the Form
  Item 5.04 Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant's Employee Benefit Plans.
  On May 2, 2006, Popular, Inc. (the "Company") sent a notice dated as of May 1, 2006, to its directors and executive officers informing them that the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan (the "Plan") will be merging into the Popular, Inc. Savings & Investment Plan.  As stated in the notice, Plan participants will temporarily be unable to direct or diversify the investment in their accounts or obtain distributions from the Plan during a period that is expected to begin at 12:00 a.m. on June 1, 2006 and end at 12:00 a.m. on July 3, 2006 (the "Blackout Period").
  The notice further states that, the limitations on transactions during the Blackout Period will impact the Popular, Inc. Stock Fund maintained under the Plan.  Pursuant to Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, directors and executive officers of the Company are prohibited from directly or indirectly purchasing, selling, or otherwise acquiring or transferring any equity securities of the Company (including any related derivative security), acquired in connection with their service as a director or employment as an executive officer, during the Blackout Period.  A copy of the notice is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
  The Company received the notice required by Section 101(i)(2)(E) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, on April 28, 2006.
  Inquiries concerning the Blackout Period or the notice should be directed to Eduardo J. Negrón, Senior Vice President and Deputy Chief Legal Officer, at Popular, Inc., 209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, 9th Floor, San Juan, P. R. 00918, by telephone at (787) 753-1017, or by e-mail at ejnegron@bppr.com.
  Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  The following exhibit shall be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  99.1 	Notice to Directors and Executive Officers dated May 1, 2006.
  Top of the Form
  SIGNATURES
  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.
  Popular, Inc.
  May 3, 2006
  By:
  Ileana Gonzalez
  Name: Ileana Gonzalez
  Title: Senior Vice President and Comptroller
  Top of the Form
  Exhibit Index
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  99.1
  Notice to Directors and Executive Officers dated May 1, 2006.