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OFG BANCORP - Quarter Report: 2009 March (Form 10-Q)

FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number 001-12647
Oriental Financial Group Inc.
     
Incorporated in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,   IRS Employer Identification No. 66-0538893
     
Principal Executive Offices:
997 San Roberto Street
Oriental Center 10th Floor
Professional Offices Park
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926
Telephone Number: (787) 771-6800
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ      No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o       No þ
Number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
24,225,944 common shares ($1.00 par value per share) outstanding as of April 30, 2009
 
 

 


 

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Certifications
    49  
 
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2

 


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
When used in this Form 10-Q or future filings by Oriental Financial Group Inc. (the “Group”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in the Group’s press releases or other public or shareholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “would be,” “will allow,” “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “project,” “believe,” “should” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The future results of the Group could be affected by subsequent events and could differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. If future events and actual performance differ from the Group’s assumptions, the actual results could vary significantly from the performance projected in the forward-looking statements.
The Group wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made and are based on management’s current expectations, and to advise readers that various factors, including local, regional and national economic conditions, substantial changes in levels of market interest rates, credit and other risks of lending and investment activities, competitive, and regulatory factors, legislative changes and accounting pronouncements, could affect the Group’s financial performance and could cause the Group’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Group does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

 


Table of Contents

PART — I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM — I FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
MARCH 31, 2009 AND DECEMBER 31, 2008

(In thousands, except share data)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
ASSETS
               
 
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 293,750     $ 66,372  
 
           
 
               
Investments:
               
 
               
Trading securities, at fair value with amortized cost of $633 (December 31, 2008 - $255)
    608       256  
 
           
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value with amortized cost of $4,648,495 (December 31, 2008 - $4,052,574)
               
Securities pledged that can be repledged
    4,333,749       3,790,733  
Other investment securities
    221,784       133,474  
 
           
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    4,555,533       3,924,207  
 
           
Other Investments
    150       150  
 
           
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost
    19,812       21,013  
 
           
Total investments
    4,576,103       3,945,626  
 
           
 
               
Securities sold but not yet delivered
    289,565       834,976  
 
           
 
               
Loans:
               
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, at lower of cost or fair value
    34,278       26,562  
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $15,147 (December 31, 2008 - $14,293)
    1,165,153       1,192,550  
 
           
Total loans, net
    1,199,431       1,219,112  
 
           
 
Accrued interest receivable
    38,585       43,914  
Premises and equipment, net
    21,540       21,184  
Deferred tax asset, net
    23,422       28,463  
Foreclosed real estate
    9,681       9,162  
Investment in equity indexed options
    3,052       12,801  
Other assets
    30,817       23,926  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 6,485,946     $ 6,205,536  
 
           
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Deposits:
               
Demand deposits
  $ 568,808     $ 453,690  
Savings accounts
    55,079       50,153  
Certificates of deposit
    1,182,359       1,281,457  
 
           
Total deposits
    1,806,246       1,785,300  
 
           
 
Borrowings:
               
Federal funds purchased and other short term borrowings
    44,310       29,193  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    3,757,411       3,761,121  
Advances from FHLB
    281,675       308,442  
FDIC-guaranteed term notes
    105,112        
Subordinated capital notes
    36,083       36,083  
 
           
Total borrowings
    4,224,591       4,134,839  
 
           
 
Securities purchased but not yet received
    112,628       398  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    23,130       23,682  
 
           
Total liabilities
    6,166,595       5,944,219  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; $25 liquidation value; 1,340,000 shares of Series A and 1,380,000 shares of Series B issued and outstanding
    68,000       68,000  
Common stock, $1 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 25,739,397 shares issued; 24,222,778 shares outstanding (December 31, 2008 - 25,739,397; 24,297,132)
    25,739       25,739  
Additional paid-in capital
    212,784       212,625  
Legal surplus
    45,471       43,016  
Retained earnings
    71,353       51,233  
Treasury stock, at cost 1,516,619 shares (December 31, 2008 - 1,442,265 shares)
    (17,164 )     (17,109 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax of $1,825 (December 31, 2008 - $6,004)
    (86,832 )     (122,187 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    319,351       261,317  
 
           
 
               
Commitments and Contingencies
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 6,485,946     $ 6,205,536  
 
           
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008

(In thousands, except per share data)
                 
    Quarter ended March 31,  
    2009     2008  
Interest income:
               
Loans
  $ 18,320     $ 19,828  
Mortgage-backed securities
    50,708       39,501  
Investment securities and other
    14,903       22,772  
 
           
Total interest income
    83,931       82,101  
 
           
 
               
Interest expense:
               
Deposits
    13,823       12,429  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    35,799       40,240  
Advances from FHLB and other borrowings
    3,096       3,821  
FDIC-guaranteed term notes
    112        
Subordinated capital notes
    436       702  
 
           
Total interest expense
    53,266       57,192  
 
           
 
               
Net interest income
    30,665       24,909  
Provision for loan losses
    3,200       1,650  
 
           
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    27,465       23,259  
 
           
 
               
Non-interest income:
               
Financial service revenues
    3,114       4,240  
Banking service revenues
    1,393       1,527  
Investment banking revenues (losses)
    (12 )     738  
Mortgage banking activities
    2,153       1,006  
Net gain (loss) on:
               
Sale of securities
    10,340       9,324  
Derivatives
    434       (7,803 )
Trading securities
    (27 )     (17 )
Other investments
    13       100  
Foreclosed real estate
    (162 )     (250 )
Other
          (1 )
 
           
Total non-interest income, net
    17,246       8,864  
 
           
 
               
Non-interest expenses:
               
Compensation and employees’ benefits
    7,724       7,715  
Occupancy and equipment
    3,489       3,287  
Professional and service fees
    2,608       1,880  
Advertising and business promotion
    1,204       1,074  
Insurance
    815       602  
Taxes, other than payroll and income taxes
    646       611  
Electronic banking charges
    540       418  
Loan servicing expenses
    383       331  
Communication
    379       325  
Directors and investor relations
    349       278  
Clearing and wrap fees expenses
    330       294  
Other
    806       915  
 
           
Total non-interest expenses
    19,273       17,730  
 
           
 
               
Income before income taxes
    25,438       14,393  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    690       (2,455 )
 
           
Net income
    24,748       16,848  
Less: Dividends on preferred stock
    (1,201 )     (1,201 )
 
           
Income available to common shareholders
  $ 23,547     $ 15,647  
 
           
 
               
Income per common share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.97     $ 0.65  
 
           
Diluted
  $ 0.97     $ 0.64  
 
           
 
               
Average common shares outstanding
    24,245       24,164  
Average potential common shares-options
    3       125  
 
           
Average diluted common shares outstanding
    24,248       24,289  
 
           
 
               
Cash dividends per share of common stock
  $ 0.04     $ 0.14  
 
           
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008

(In thousands)
                 
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:   2009     2008  
Preferred stock:
               
Balance at beginning and end of period
  $ 68,000     $ 68,000  
 
           
 
               
Common stock:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    25,739       25,557  
Stock options exercised
          175  
 
           
Balance at end of period
    25,739       25,732  
 
           
 
               
Additional paid-in capital:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    212,625       210,073  
Stock-based compensation expense
    159       73  
Stock options exercised
          1,910  
 
           
Balance at end of period
    212,784       212,056  
 
           
 
               
Legal surplus:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    43,016       40,573  
Transfer from retained earnings
    2,455       1,567  
 
           
Balance at end of period
    45,471       42,140  
 
           
 
               
Retained earnings:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    51,233       45,296  
Net income
    24,748       16,848  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
    (972 )     (3,399 )
Cash dividends declared on preferred stock
    (1,201 )     (1,201 )
Transfer to legal surplus
    (2,455 )     (1,567 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
    71,353       55,977  
 
           
 
               
Treasury stock:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    (17,109 )     (17,023 )
Stock used to match defined contribution plan 1165(e)
    126       74  
Stock purchased
    (181 )     (235 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
    (17,164 )     (17,184 )
 
           
 
               
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    (122,187 )     (13,015 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    35,355       (34,948 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
    (86,832 )     (47,963 )
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
  $ 319,351     $ 338,758  
 
           
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008

(In thousands)
                 
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME   2009     2008  
Net income
  $ 24,748     $ 16,848  
 
           
 
               
Other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale
    49,874       (28,036 )
Realized gain on investment securities available-for-sale included in net income
    (10,340 )     (9,324 )
Income tax effect related to unrealized loss (gain) on securities available-for-sale
    (4,179 )     2,412  
 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period
    35,355       (34,948 )
 
           
 
               
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 60,103     $ (18,100 )
 
           
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008

(In thousands)
                 
    Quarters Ended March 31,  
    2009     2008  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 24,748     $ 16,848  
 
           
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Amortization of deferred loan origination fees, net of costs
    51       (100 )
Amortization of premiums, net of accretion of discounts
    740       (256 )
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
    1,468       1,275  
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
    862       (157 )
Provision for loan losses
    3,200       1,650  
Common stock used to match defined contribution plan 1165(e)
    126       74  
Stock-based compensation
    159       73  
(Gain) loss on:
               
Sale of securities available-for-sale
    (10,340 )     (9,324 )
Mortgage banking activities
    (2,153 )     (1,006 )
Derivatives
    (434 )     7,803  
Sale of foreclosed real estate
    162       250  
Originations and purchases of loans held-for-sale
    (57,553 )     (28,142 )
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale
    22,980       7,293  
Net decrease (increase) in:
               
Trading securities
    (352 )     1,029  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,329       15,289  
Other assets
    (6,891 )     (5,364 )
Net decrease in:
               
Accrued interest on deposits and borrowings
    (2,071 )     (729 )
Other liabilities
    (544 )     (1,740 )
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (20,513 )     4,766  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of:
               
Investment securities available-for-sale
    (2,341,384 )     (2,389,555 )
Equity options
    (790 )     (484 )
FHLB stock
    (13,199 )     (4,835 )
Maturities and redemptions of:
               
Investment securities available-for-sale
    1,089,870       1,227,478  
Investment securities held-to-maturity
          215,533  
Other investments
          1,511  
FHLB stock
    14,400       4,835  
Proceeds from sales of:
               
Investment securities available-for-sale
    1,360,318       713,216  
Loans receivable
    15,138        
Foreclosed real estate
    2,728       969  
Premises and equipment
    5       15  
Origination and purchase of loans, excluding loans held-for-sale
    (29,726 )     (38,097 )
Principal repayments of loans
    30,980       39,158  
Additions to premises and equipment
    (1,829 )     (1,098 )
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    126,511       (231,354 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net increase (decrease) in:
               
Deposits
    30,317       202,613  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
          (13,388 )
Federal funds purchased
    15,117       9,057  
Proceeds from:
               
Issuance of FDIC-guaranted term notes
    105,000        
Advances from FHLB
    760,680       248,150  
Exercise of stock options
          2,085  
Repayments of advances from FHLB
    (787,380 )     (248,150 )
Purchase of treasury stock
    (181 )     (235 )
Termination of derivative instrument
          (7,875 )
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock
    (2,173 )     (4,600 )
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    121,380       187,657  
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and due from banks
    227,378       (38,931 )
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
    66,372       88,983  
 
           
Cash and due from banks at end of period
  $ 293,750     $ 50,052  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure and Schedule of Noncash Activities:
               
Interest paid
  $ 55,337     $ 57,921  
 
           
Mortgage loans securitized into mortgage-backed securities
  $ 33,355     $ 12,246  
 
           
Securities sold but not yet delivered
  $ 289,565     $ 26,995  
 
           
Securities purchased but not yet received
  $ 112,628     $ 101,375  
 
           
Transfer from loans to foreclosed real estate
  $ 3,409     $ 1,131  
 
           
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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ORIENTAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accounting and reporting policies of Oriental Financial Group Inc. (the “Group” or “Oriental”) conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and to financial services industry practices.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary, all of which are of normal recurring nature, to present fairly the consolidated statement of financial condition as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2008, included in the Group’s 2008 annual report on Form 10-K.
Nature of Operations
The Group is a publicly-owned financial holding company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It has four direct subsidiaries, Oriental Bank and Trust (the “Bank”), Oriental Financial Services Corp. (“Oriental Financial Services”), Oriental Insurance, Inc. (“Oriental Insurance”) and Caribbean Pension Consultants, Inc., which is located in Boca Raton, Florida. The Group also has a special purpose entity, Oriental Financial (PR) Statutory Trust II (the “Statutory Trust II”). Through these subsidiaries and its divisions, the Group provides a wide range of financial services such as mortgage, commercial and consumer lending, financial planning, insurance sales, money management and investment banking and brokerage services, as well as corporate and individual trust services. Note 9 to the unconsolidated financial statements presents further information about the operations of the Group’s business segments.
The main offices of the Group and its subsidiaries are located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Group is subject to examination, regulation and periodic reporting under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, which is administered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
The Bank operates through 23 financial centers located throughout Puerto Rico and is subject to the supervision, examination and regulation of the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Puerto Rico (“OCIF”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank offers banking services such as commercial and consumer lending, saving and time deposit products, financial planning, and corporate and individual trust services, and capitalizes on its commercial banking network to provide mortgage lending products to its clients. Oriental International Bank Inc. (“OIB”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, operates as an international banking entity (“IBE”) pursuant to the International Banking Center Regulatory Act of Puerto Rico, as amended. OIB offers the Bank certain Puerto Rico tax advantages. OIB activities are limited under Puerto Rico law to persons and assets/liabilities located outside of Puerto Rico.
Oriental Financial Services is subject to the supervision, examination and regulation of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the SEC, and the OCIF. Oriental Insurance is subject to the supervision, examination and regulation of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico.

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The Group’s mortgage banking activities are conducted through a division of the Bank. The mortgage banking activities primarily consist of the origination and purchase of residential mortgage loans for the Group’s own portfolio and from time to time, if the conditions so warrant, the Group may engage in the sale of such loans to other financial institutions in the secondary market. The Group originates Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”)-insured and Veterans Administration (“VA”)-guaranteed mortgages that are primarily securitized for issuance of Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage-backed securities which can be resold to individual or institutional investors in the secondary market. Conventional loans that meet the underwriting requirements for sale or exchange under standard Federal National Mortgage Association (the “FNMA”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (the “FHLMC”) programs are referred to as conforming mortgage loans and are also securitized for issuance of FNMA or FHLMC mortgage-backed securities. The Group is an approved seller of FNMA, as well as FHLMC, mortgage loans for issuance of FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities. The Group is also an approved issuer of GNMA mortgage-backed securities. The Group continues to outsource the servicing of the GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC pools that it issues and of its mortgage loan portfolio.
Significant Accounting Policies
The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with GAAP and with the general practices within the financial services industry. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Group believes that of its significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The Group follows a systematic methodology to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to provide for inherent losses in the loan portfolio. This methodology includes the consideration of factors such as economic conditions, portfolio risk characteristics, prior loss experience, and results of periodic credit reviews of individual loans. The provision for loan losses charged to current operations is based on such methodology. Loan losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Larger commercial loans that exhibit potential or observed credit weaknesses are subject to individual review and grading. Where appropriate, allowances are allocated to individual loans based on management’s estimate of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of cash flow and legal options available to the Group.
Included in the review of individual loans are those that are impaired, as provided in the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.” A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Group will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, at the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. Loans are individually evaluated for impairment, except large groups of small balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment under the provisions of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”, as amended, and loans that are recorded at fair value or at the lower of cost or market. The Group measures for impairment all commercial loans over $250,000 and over 90-days past-due. The portfolios of mortgage and consumer loans are considered homogeneous, and are evaluated collectively for impairment.

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The Group, using a rating system, applies an overall allowance percentage to each loan portfolio category based on historical credit losses adjusted for current conditions and trends. This delinquency-based calculation is the starting point for management’s determination of the required level of the allowance for loan losses. Other data considered in this determination includes: the overall historical loss trends and other information including underwriting standards and economic trends.
Loan loss ratios and credit risk categories are updated quarterly and are applied in the context of GAAP and the importance of depository institutions having prudent, conservative, but not excessive loan allowances that fall within an acceptable range of estimated losses. While management uses current available information in estimating possible loan losses, factors beyond the Group’s control such as those affecting general economic conditions may require future changes to the allowance.
Financial Instruments
Certain financial instruments including derivatives, trading securities and investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in other comprehensive income or as part of non-interest income, as appropriate. Fair values are based on listed market prices, if available. If listed market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on other relevant factors, including price quotations for similar instruments. The fair values of certain derivative contracts are derived from pricing models that consider current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments as well as time value and yield curve or volatility factors underlying the positions.
SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described below:
Basis of Fair Value Measurement
Level 1-   Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2-   Quoted prices in markets that are not considered to be active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly;
Level 3-   Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Impairment of Investment Securities
The Group conducts periodic reviews to identify and evaluate each investment in an unrealized loss position, in accordance with FASB Staff Position No. 115-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments” (FSP FAS 115-1). An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses that are determined to be temporary in nature are recorded, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income for available-for-sale securities, while such losses related to held-to-maturity securities are not recorded, as these investments are carried at their amortized cost (less any other-than-temporary impairment). Regardless of the classification of the securities as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, the Group has assessed each position for credit impairment.
Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include:
    the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost;
 
    the severity of the impairment;
 
    the cause of the impairment and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;
 
    activity in the market of the issuer which may indicate adverse credit conditions; and
 
    the Group’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.

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The Group’s review for impairment generally entails:
    identification and evaluation of investments that have indications of possible other-than-temporary impairment;
 
    analysis of individual investments that have fair values less than amortized cost, including consideration of the length of time the investment has been in an unrealized loss position and the expected recovery period;
 
    discussion of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that could cause individual investments to qualify as having other-than-temporary impairment and those that would not support other-than-temporary impairment; and
 
    documentation of the results of these analyses.
The extent of the Group’s analysis regarding credit quality and the stress on assumptions used in the analysis have been refined for securities where the current fair value or other characteristics of the security warrant. Given the declines in fair values and length of time in which non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations and structured credit investments have been in an unrealized loss position, general concerns regarding housing prices and the delinquency and default rates on the mortgage loans and credit spreads underlying these securities, the Group’s analysis for identifying securities for which all principal and interest contractually due might not be recovered have been performed.
Income Taxes
In preparing the unconsolidated financial statements, the Group is required to estimate income taxes. This involves an estimate of current income tax expense together with an assessment of temporary differences resulting from differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The determination of current income tax expense involves estimates and assumptions that require the Group to assume certain positions based on its interpretation of current tax laws and regulations. Changes in assumptions affecting estimates may be required in the future and estimated tax assets or liabilities may need to be increased or decreased accordingly. The accrual for tax contingencies is adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law and emerging legislation. When particular matters arise, a number of years may elapse before such matters are audited and finally resolved. Favorable resolution of such matters could be recognized as a reduction to the Group’s effective rate in the year of resolution. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue could increase the effective rate and may require the use of cash in the year of resolution.
The determination of deferred tax expense or benefit is based on changes in the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that generate temporary differences. The carrying value of the Group’s net deferred tax assets assumes that the Group will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Group may be required to record valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Management evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets on a regular basis and assesses the need for a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance is established when management believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowance from period to period are included in the Group’s tax provision in the period of change.
In addition to valuation allowances, the Group establishes accruals for uncertain tax positions when, despite the belief that Group’s tax return positions are fully supported, the Group believes that certain positions are likely to be challenged. The uncertain tax positions accruals are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law and emerging legislation. The Group’s uncertain tax positions accruals are reflected as income tax payable as a component of accrued expenses and other liabilities.
The Group follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, which contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS 109. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation process, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

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The Group’s policy to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for taxes on the consolidated statements of operations did not change as a result of implementing the provisions of FIN 48.
Equity-Based Compensation Plans
On April 25, 2007, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted the Oriental Financial Group Inc. 2007 Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which was subsequently approved by the Group’s stockholders at their annual meeting held on June 27, 2007. The Omnibus Plan provides for equity-based compensation incentives through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and dividend equivalents, as well as equity-based performance awards.
The purpose of the Omnibus Plan is to provide flexibility to the Group to attract, retain and motivate directors, officers, and key employees through the grant of awards based on performance and to adjust its compensation practices to the best compensation practice and corporate governance trends as they develop from time to time. The Omnibus Plan is further intended to motivate high levels of individual performance coupled with increased shareholder returns. Therefore, awards under the Omnibus Plan (each, an “Award”) are intended to be based upon the recipient’s individual performance, level of responsibility and potential to make significant contributions to the Group. Generally, the Omnibus Plan will terminate as of (a) the date when no more of the Group’s shares of common stock are available for issuance under the Omnibus Plan, or, if earlier, (b) the date the Omnibus Plan is terminated by the Group’s Board.
The Board’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), or such other committee as the Board may designate, has full authority to interpret and administer the Omnibus Plan in order to carry out its provisions and purposes. The Committee has the authority to determine those persons eligible to receive an Award and to establish the terms and conditions of any Award. The Committee may delegate, subject to such terms or conditions or guidelines as it shall determine, to any employee or group of employees any portion of its authority and powers under the Omnibus Plan with respect to participants who are not directors or executive officers subject to the reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Only the Committee may exercise authority in respect of Awards granted to such participants.
The Omnibus Plan replaced and superseded the Oriental Financial Group Inc. 1996, 1998 and 2000 Incentive Stock Option Plans (the “Stock Option Plans”). All outstanding stock options under the Stock Option Plans continue in full force and effect, subject to their original terms and conditions.
The Group follows the fair value method of recording stock-based compensation. Effective July 1, 2005, the Group adopted SFAS No. 123R “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), an amendment of SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” using the modified prospective transition method. SFAS 123R requires measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award with the cost to be recognized over the service period. SFAS No. 123R applies to all awards unvested and granted after this effective date and awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date.
The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of the options granted:
                 
    Quarter Ended
    March 31,
    2009   2008
Weighted Average Assumptions:
               
Dividend yield
    4.64 %     4.40 %
Expected volatility
    33.60 %     31.86 %
Risk-free interest rate
    4.49 %     4.33 %
Expected life (in years)
    8.5       8.5  
The expected term of share options granted represents the period of time that share options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Group’s shares over the most recent period equal to the expected term of the share option.

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Recent Accounting Developments:
FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly”
FSP FAS 157-4, issued by the FASB in April 2009, provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have decreased significantly. FSP FAS 157-4 also provides guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. The provisions of FSP FAS 157-4 are effective for the Group’s interim period ending after June 15, 2009, but entities may early adopt for the interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009. Management decided not to do an early adoption, and is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of FSP FAS 157-4 may have on the Group’s statements of financial condition and income.
FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments”
FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, issued by the FASB in April 2009, amend the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. These FSPs do not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. The provisions of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 are effective for the Group’s interim period ending after June 15, 2009, but entities may early adopt for the interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009. Management decided not to do an early adoption, and is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 may have on the Group’s statements of financial condition and income.
FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”
FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, issued by the FASB in April 2009, amend FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. These FSPs also amend APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. The provisions of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 are effective for the Group’s interim period ending after June 15, 2009, but entities may early adopt for the interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009. Management decided not to do an early adoption, but as FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 amend only the disclosure requirements about fair value of financial instruments in interim periods, the adoption of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 is not expected to affect the Group’s statements of financial condition and income.
NOTE 2 — INVESTMENTS
Money Market Investments
The Group considers as cash equivalents all money market instruments that are not pledged and that have maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, cash equivalents included as part of cash and due from banks amounted to $270.9 million and $52.0 million, respectively.

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Investment Securities
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, fair value, and weighted average yield of the investment securities as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, were as follows:
                                         
    March 31, 2009 (In thousands)  
            Gross     Gross             Weighted  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair     Average  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value     Yield  
Available-for-sale
                                       
Obligations of US Government sponsored agencies
  $ 664,146     $ 5,451     $ 54     $ 669,543       5.98 %
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
    80,616       5       8,227       72,394       5.39 %
Structured credit investments
    176,536       1,597       44,318       133,815       3.57 %
 
                             
Total investment securities
    921,298       7,053       52,599       875,752          
 
                               
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    2,146,614       44,540       57       2,191,097       4.95 %
GNMA certificates
    301,198       8,894       206       309,886       5.38 %
CMOs issued by US Government sponsored agencies
    660,153       17,402             677,555       5.32 %
Non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations
    619,232             117,989       501,243       8.43 %
 
                             
Total mortgage-backed-securities and CMOs
    3,727,197       70,836       118,252       3,679,781          
 
                               
Total securities available-for-sale
  $ 4,648,495     $ 77,889     $ 170,851     $ 4,555,533       5.60 %
 
                             
                                         
    December 31, 2008 (In thousands)  
            Gross     Gross             Weighted  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair     Average  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value     Yield  
Available-for-sale
                                       
Obligations of US Government sponsored agencies
  $ 941,144     $ 7,172     $ 6,400     $ 941,916       5.37 %
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
    91,599       597       9,307       82,889       5.40 %
Structured credit investments
    176,127       3,469       43,415       136,181       4.25 %
 
                             
Total investment securities
    1,208,870       11,238       59,122       1,160,986          
 
                               
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    1,521,428       25,527       205       1,546,750       5.51 %
GNMA certificates
    332,071       4,206       496       335,781       5.76 %
CMOs issued by US Government sponsored agencies
    352,579       202       1,755       351,026       5.34 %
Non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations
    637,626             107,962       529,664       8.49 %
 
                             
Total mortgage-backed-securities and CMOs
    2,843,704       29,935       110,418       2,763,221          
 
                               
Total securities available-for-sale
  $ 4,052,574     $ 41,173     $ 169,540     $ 3,924,207       5.90 %
 
                             

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The amortized cost and fair value of the Group’s investment securities available-for-sale at March 31, 2009, by contractual maturity, are shown in the next table. Securities not due on a single contractual maturity date, such as collateralized mortgage obligations, are classified in the period of final contractual maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
                 
    (In thousands)
    Available-for-sale
    Amortized Cost   Fair Value
     
Investment securities
               
Due after 1 to 5 years
  $ 9,000     $ 9,000  
Due after 5 to 10 years
    228,747       213,952  
Due after 10 years
    683,551       652,800  
     
 
    921,298       875,752  
     
 
               
Mortgage-backed securities
               
 
               
Due after 5 to 10 years
    21,427       21,754  
Due after 10 years
    3,705,770       3,658,027  
     
 
    3,727,197       3,679,781  
     
 
  $ 4,648,495     $ 4,555,533  
     
Keeping with the Group’s investment strategy, during the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, there were certain sales of available-for-sale securities because the Group felt at the time of such sales that gains could be realized while at the same time having good opportunities to invest the proceeds in other investment securities with attractive yields and terms that would allow the Group to continue to protect its net interest margin. Also, the Group, as part of its asset and liability management, purchases agency discount notes close to their maturities as a short term vehicle to reinvest the proceeds of sales transactions until similar investment securities with attractive yields can be purchased. The discount notes are pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Group sold $260.0 million of discount notes with minimum aggregate gross gains of approximately $4,000 and sold $107.0 million of discount notes with minimum aggregate gross losses of approximately $4,000.
The table below presents an analysis on a trade date accounting of the gross realized gains and losses by category for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008:
Quarter ended March 31, 2009
 
                                                 
In thousands                        
Description   Original Face   Original Cost   Sale Price   Sale Book Value   Gross
Gains
  Gross
Losses
Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale
                                               
Investment securities
                                               
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
  $ 11,000     $ 11,000     $ 11,000     $ 11,000     $     $  
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored agencies
    366,000       366,000       365,981       365,981       4       4  
             
Total investment securities
    377,000       377,000       376,981       376,981       4       4  
             
 
                                               
Mortgage-backed securities and CMOs
                                               
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    458,053       459,756       421,181       410,889       10,292        
GNMA certificates
    40,085       40,588       40,625       40,577       48        
             
Total mortgage-backed securities and CMOs
    498,138       500,344       461,806       451,466       10,340        
             
 
                                               
Total
  $ 875,138     $ 877,344     $ 838,787     $ 828,447     $ 10,344     $ 4  
             

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Quarter ended March 31, 2008
 
                                                 
In thousands                   Gross   Gross
Description   Original Face   Original Cost   Sale Price   Sale Book Value   Gains   Losses
Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale
                                               
Investment securities
                                               
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
  $ 830     $ 833     $ 852     $ 837     $ 15     $  
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored agencies
    695,000       694,665       703,968       694,747       9,221        
             
Total investment securities
    695,830       695,498       704,820       695,584       9,236        
             
 
Mortgage-backed securities and CMOs
                                               
GNMA certificates
    9,959       10,225       8,396       8,308       88        
             
 
Total mortgage-backed securities and CMOs
    9,959       10,225       8,396       8,308       88        
             
 
Total
  $ 705,789     $ 705,723     $ 713,216     $ 703,892     $ 9,324     $  
             
The following table shows the Group’s gross unrealized losses and fair value of investment securities available-for-sale, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.
March 31, 2009
 
Available-for-sale
 
(In thousands)
                         
    Less than 12 months  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Loss     Value  
Non-agency collaterized mortgage obligations
  $ 20,586     $ 2,610     $ 17,976  
Structured credit investments
    29,272       2,129       27,143  
Obligations of US Government sponsored agencies
    19,285       54       19,231  
GNMA certificates
    3,920       29       3,891  
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    6,350       16       6,334  
 
                 
 
    79,413       4,838       74,575  
 
                 
                         
    12 months or more
    Amortized   Unrealized   Fair
    Cost   Loss   Value
Non-agency collaterized mortgage obligations
    598,646       115,379       483,267  
Structured credit investments
    121,717       42,189       79,528  
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
    71,236       8,227       63,009  
GNMA certificates
    8,934       177       8,757  
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    1,011       41       970  
 
                       
 
    801,544       166,013       635,531  
 
                       
                         
    Total  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Loss     Value  
Non-agency collaterized mortgage obligations
    619,232       117,989       501,243  
Structured credit investments
    150,989       44,318       106,671  
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
    71,236       8,227       63,009  
Obligations of US Government sponsored agencies
    19,285       54       19,231  
GNMA certificates
    12,854       206       12,648  
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    7,361       57       7,304  
 
                 
 
  $ 880,957     $ 170,851     $ 710,106  
 
                 

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December 31, 2008
 
Available-for-sale
 
(In thousands)
                         
    Less than 12 months  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Loss     Value  
Non-agency collaterized mortgage obligations
  $ 234,198     $ 48,564     $ 185,634  
CMOs issued by US Government sponsored agencies
    334,690       1,756       332,934  
Obligations of US Government sponsored agencies
    325,500       6,400       319,100  
Structured credit investments
    50,262       11,815       38,447  
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
    252       1       251  
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    52,519       148       52,371  
GNMA certificates
    19,582       229       19,353  
 
                 
 
    1,017,003       68,913       948,090  
 
                 
                         
    12 months or more
    Amortized   Unrealized   Fair
    Cost   Loss   Value
Non-agency collaterized mortgage obligations
    403,428       59,398       344,030  
Structured credit investments
    100,548       31,599       68,949  
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
    71,218       9,306       61,912  
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    1,025       57       968  
GNMA certificates
    9,084       267       8,817  
 
                       
 
    585,303       100,627       484,676  
 
                       
                         
    Total  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Loss     Value  
Non-agency collaterized mortgage obligations
    637,626       107,962       529,664  
CMOs issued by US Government sponsored agencies
    334,690       1,756       332,934  
Obligations of US Government sponsored agencies
    325,500       6,400       319,100  
Structured credit investments
    150,810       43,414       107,396  
Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations
    71,470       9,307       62,163  
FNMA and FHLMC certificates
    53,544       205       53,339  
GNMA certificates
    28,666       496       28,170  
 
                 
 
  $ 1,602,306     $ 169,540     $ 1,432,766  
 
                 
At March 31, 2009, the Group’s available-for-sale investment securities portfolio included approximately $619.2 million in non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations with unrealized losses of approximately $118.0 million. The Group constantly monitors such non-agency mortgage-backed securities to measure the collateral performance and gauge trends for these positions, and the effect of collateral behavior on credit enhancements, cash flows, and fair values of the bonds. The Group also periodically monitors any rating migration, and takes into account the time lag between underlying performance and rating agency actions. The collateral for all of the non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations, except for the ALT A CMO which is more thoroughly discussed below, has performed well since the issuance of each security, and the estimated future collateral losses are lower than the subordination levels of these securities. This assessment is made using a cash flow model that estimates the cash flows on the underlying mortgages, based on the security-specific collateral and deal structure, and also includes inputs such as constant default rates, prepayment rates, and loss severity. The cash flows estimated by the model are distributed through the different tranches of each security, considering subordination for the different tranches. The model results as of March 31, 2009 show that the estimated future collateral losses, if any, are lower than the Group’s subordination levels for each one of these securities. Therefore, these securities are deemed to have sufficient credit support to absorb the estimated collateral losses.
In the specific case of the ALT A CMO, this security has been carefully monitored during the past year. As of September 30, 2008, the Group considered that the deterioration in the performance of underlying loans, including increases in delinquency and loss experience, resulted in projected losses which exceeded the tranche subordination. As a result, an other than temporary impairment amounting to $38.9 million was recorded at that time. As of March 31, 2009, the Group updated its estimate of fair value of the security considering new market conditions. Based on the Group’s estimate using market participant data, projected losses in excess of remaining subordination at that date were not greater that the estimated losses contemplated by projected cash flow estimates determined upon previous impairment of the security. Consequently, the Group has determined that no additional impairment charge is necessary as of March 31, 2009.

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At March 31, 2009, the Group held structured credit investments amounting to $176.5 million in the available-for-sale portfolio, with net unrealized losses of approximately $42.7 million. The Group’s structured credit investments portfolio consist of two types of instruments: synthetic collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). At March 31, 2009, the Group estimated that it will recover all interest and principal for the Group’s specific tranches of these securities. This assessment is based on an analysis in which the credit quality of the Group’s positions was evaluated through a determination of the expected losses on the underlying collateral. The losses on the underlying corporate pools were inferred by observations on the credit spreads of the reference entities or market quotes used to derive the credit spreads. The spreads of the portfolios were converted to loss probabilities, and these were applied to a cash flow model that provided estimated projected losses for each security. The model results as of March 31, 2009 show that the estimated future collateral losses, if any, are lower than the Group’s subordination levels for each one of these securities. Therefore, these securities are deemed to have sufficient credit support to absorb the estimated collateral losses.
Other than temporary impairment analysis is based on estimates that depend on market conditions and are subject to further change over time. In addition, while the Group believes that the methodology used to value these exposures is reasonable, the methodology is subject to continuing refinement, including those made as a result of market developments. Consequently, it is reasonably possible that changes in estimates or conditions could result in the need to recognize additional other than temporary impairment charges in the future.
Other securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2009, are mainly composed of securities issued or backed by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government sponsored agencies. These investments are primarily highly liquid securities that have a large and efficient secondary market. Valuations are performed on a monthly basis using a third party provider and dealer quotes. The Group’s management believes that the unrealized losses of such other securities at March 31, 2009, are temporary and are substantially related to market interest rate fluctuations and not to deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer or guarantor. At March 31, 2009, the Group has the intent and ability to hold these investments until a period of time sufficient to allow for any recovery in fair value or maturity up to (or beyond) the cost of these investments.
NOTE 3 — PLEDGED ASSETS
At March 31, 2009, residential mortgage loans amounting to $606.4 million were pledged to secure advances and borrowings from the FHLB. Investment securities with fair values totaling $4.206 billion, $83.9 million, and $43.8 million at March 31, 2009, were pledged to secure securities sold under agreements to repurchase, public fund deposits and other funds, respectively. Also, investment securities with fair value totaling $114,000 at March 31, 2009, were pledged to the Puerto Rico Treasury Department.
As of March 31, 2009, investment securities available-for-sale not pledged amounted to $221.8 million. As of March 31, 2009, mortgage loans not pledged amounted to $392.8 million.

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NOTE 4 — LOANS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
Loans
The Group’s credit activities are mainly with customers located in Puerto Rico. The Group’s loan transactions are encompassed within three main categories: mortgage, commercial and consumer. The composition of the Group’s loan portfolio at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, was as follows:
                 
    (In thousands)  
    March 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
Loans secured by real estate:
               
Residential mortgage loans
  $ 945,753     $ 976,569  
Home equity loans, secured personal loans and others
    22,581       23,507  
Commercial
    124,572       145,377  
Deferred loan fees, net
    (3,340 )     (3,197 )
 
           
 
    1,089,566       1,142,256  
 
           
Other loans:
               
Commercial
    69,573       41,700  
Personal consumer loans and credit lines
    21,330       23,054  
Deferred loan fees, net
    (169 )     (167 )
 
           
 
    90,734       64,587  
 
           
Loans receivable
    1,180,300       1,206,843  
Allowance for loan losses
    (15,147 )     (14,293 )
 
           
Loans receivable, net
    1,165,153       1,192,550  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
    34,278       26,562  
 
           
Total loans, net
  $ 1,199,431     $ 1,219,112  
 
           
Allowance for Loan Losses
The Group maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level that management considers adequate to provide for probable losses based upon an evaluation of known and inherent risks. The Group’s allowance for loan losses policy provides for a detailed quarterly analysis of probable losses. The analysis includes a review of historical loan loss experience, value of underlying collateral, current economic conditions, financial condition of borrowers and other pertinent factors.
While management uses available information in estimating probable loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be required based on factors beyond the Group’s control. Refer to Table 4 of the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional details related to the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
The Group evaluates all loans, some individually, and others as homogeneous groups, for purposes of determining impairment. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the total balance of impaired commercial loans was $7.7 million and $4.6 million, respectively. The impaired commercial loans were measured based on the fair value of collateral. The Group’s management determined that impaired loans required a valuation allowance in accordance with FASB Statement No. 114 “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” of approximately $1.0 million at March 31, 2009. No allowance was required at March 31, 2008.

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NOTE 5 — OTHER ASSETS
Other assets at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 consist of the following:
                 
    (In thousands)  
    March 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
Mortgage tax credits
  $ 5,047     $ 5,047  
Debt issuance costs
    4,381       900  
Servicing asset
    3,467       2,819  
Prepaid expenses
    2,817       3,433  
Goodwill
    2,006       2,006  
Investment in Statutory Trust
    1,086       1,086  
Accounts receivable and other assets
    12,013       8,635  
 
           
 
  $ 30,817     $ 23,926  
 
           
NOTE 6 — BORROWINGS
          Short Term Borrowings
At March 31, 2009, short term borrowings amounted to $44.3 million (December 31, 2008 — $29.2 million) which mainly consist of federal funds purchased with a weighted average rate of 0.70% (December 31, 2008 — 1.49%).
          Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
At March 31, 2009, securities underlying agreements to repurchase were delivered to, and are being held by, the counterparties with whom the repurchase agreements were transacted. The counterparties have agreed to resell to the Group the same or similar securities at the maturity of the agreements.
At March 31, 2009, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (classified by counterparty), excluding accrued interest in the amount of $7.4 million, were as follows:
                 
    (In thousands)  
            Fair Value of  
    Borrowing     Underlying  
    Balance     Collateral  
Citigroup
  $ 1,800,000     $ 2,138,365  
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
    1,250,000       1,430,626  
UBS Financial Services
    500,000       589,334  
JP Morgan Chase
    100,000       109,565  
Merrill Lynch
    100,000       110,505  
 
           
Total
  $ 3,750,000     $ 4,378,395  
 
           
The fair value of underlying collateral includes agency-issued investment securities with a fair value of $289.6 million sold on March 31, 2009 for which the transaction settled after that date. The proceeds from such sale were reinvested after quarter-end in similar quality agency-issued securities, which were then placed as collateral for the corresponding repurchase agreements.
The terms of the Group’s structured repurchase agreements range between three and ten years, and the counterparts have the right to exercise put options before their contractual maturity from one to three years after the agreements’ settlement dates. The following table shows a summary of these agreements and their terms, excluding accrued interest in the amount of $7.4 million, at March 31, 2009:

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    (In thousands)                          
            Weighted-                    
    Borrowing     Average     Settlement              
Year of Maturity   Balance     Coupon     Date     Maturity Date     Next Put Date  
2010
                                       
 
  $ 100,000       4.39 %     8/14/2007       8/16/2010       5/14/2009  
 
                                     
 
    100,000                                  
 
                                     
2011
                                       
 
    100,000       4.17 %     12/28/2006       12/28/2011       6/28/2009  
 
    350,000       4.23 %     12/28/2006       12/28/2011       6/28/2009  
 
    100,000       4.29 %     12/28/2006       12/28/2011       6/28/2009  
 
    350,000       4.35 %     12/28/2006       12/28/2011       6/28/2009  
 
                                     
 
    900,000                                  
 
                                     
2012
                                       
 
    350,000       4.26 %     5/9/2007       5/9/2012       5/9/2009  
 
    100,000       4.50 %     8/14/2007       8/14/2012       8/14/2009  
 
    300,000       4.47 %     9/13/2007       9/13/2012       9/13/2009  
 
    150,000       4.31 %     3/6/2007       12/6/2012       12/7/2009  
 
                                     
 
    900,000                                  
 
                                     
2014
                                       
 
    100,000       4.67 %     7/27/2007       7/27/2014       1/27/2010  
 
    100,000                                  
 
                                     
 
2017
    500,000       4.46 %     3/2/2007       3/2/2017       6/2/2009  
 
    250,000       0.25 %     3/2/2007       3/2/2017       6/2/2009  
 
    1,000,000       0.00 %     3/6/2007       3/6/2017       6/6/2009  
 
                                   
 
    1,750,000                                  
 
                                     
 
 
  $ 3,750,000       2.93 %                        
 
                                   
The structured repurchase agreements include $1.25 billion, which reset at the put date at a formula which is based on the three-month LIBOR rate less fifteen times the difference between the ten-year SWAP rate and the two-year SWAP rate, with a minimum of 0.00% on $1.0 billion and 0.25% on $250 million, and a maximum of 10.6%. These repurchase agreements bear the respective minimum rates of 0.0% (from March 6, 2009) and 0.25% (from March 2, 2009) to at least their next put dates scheduled for June 2009.
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
During 2007, the Group restructured most of its FHLB advances portfolio into longer-term, structured advances. The terms of these advances range between five and seven years, and the FHLB has the right to exercise put options before the contractual maturity of the advances from six months to one year after the advances’ settlement dates. The following table shows a summary of these advances and their terms, excluding accrued interest in the amount of $1.7 million, at March 31, 2009:
                                         
    (In thousands)                          
            Weighted-                    
  Borrowing     Average     Settlement              
Year of Maturity   Balance     Coupon     Date     Maturity Date     Next Put Date  
2012
                                       
 
  $ 25,000       4.37 %     5/4/2007       5/4/2012       5/5/2009  
 
    25,000       4.57 %     7/24/2007       7/24/2012       4/24/2009  
 
    25,000       4.26 %     7/30/2007       7/30/2012       4/30/2009  
 
    50,000       4.33 %     8/10/2007       8/10/2012       5/10/2009  
 
    100,000       4.09 %     8/16/2007       8/16/2012       5/16/2009  
 
                                     
 
    225,000                                  
 
                                     
2014
                                       
 
    25,000       4.20 %     5/8/2007       5/8/2014       5/8/2009  
 
    30,000       4.22 %     5/11/2007       5/11/2014       5/13/2009  
 
                                   
 
    55,000                                  
 
                                     
 
 
  $ 280,000       4.24 %                        
 
                                   

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None of the structured advances from the FHLB referred above with put dates up to May 4, 2009 were put by the counterparty at their corresponding put dates.
Subordinated Capital Notes
Subordinated capital notes amounted to $36.1 million at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.
In October 2001 and August 2003, the Statutory Trust I and the Statutory Trust II, respectively, special purpose entities of the Group, were formed for the purpose of issuing trust redeemable preferred securities. In December 2001 and September 2003, $35.0 million of trust redeemable preferred securities were issued by each of the Statutory Trust I and the Statutory Trust II, respectively, as part of pooled underwriting transactions. Pooled underwriting involves participating with other bank holding companies in issuing the securities through a special purpose pooling vehicle created by the underwriters.
The proceeds from these issuances were used by the Statutory Trust I and the Statutory Trust II to purchase a like amount of floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“subordinated capital notes”) issued by the Group. The call provision of the subordinated capital note purchased by the Statutory Trust I was exercised by the Group in December 2006. The other subordinated capital note has a par value of $36.1 million, bears interest based on 3-month LIBOR plus 295 basis points (4.27% at March 31, 2009; 4.82% at December 31, 2008), payable quarterly, and matures on September 17, 2033. The subordinated capital note purchased by the Statutory Trust II may be called at par after five years and quarterly thereafter (next call date June 2009). The trust redeemable preferred securities have the same maturity and call provisions as the subordinated capital notes. The subordinated deferrable interest debentures issued by the Group are accounted for as a liability denominated as subordinated capital notes on the unaudited consolidated statements of financial condition.
The subordinated capital notes are treated as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes. Under Federal Reserve Board rules, restricted core capital elements, which are qualifying trust preferred securities, qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock (and related surplus) and certain minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, are limited in the aggregate to no more than 25% of a bank holding company’s core capital elements (including restricted core capital elements), net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability.
Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program
The Group’s banking subsidiary issued in March 2009 $105 million in notes guaranteed under the FDIC Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program. These notes are due on March 16, 2012, bear interest at a 2.75% fixed rate, and are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Interest on the notes is payable on the 16th of each March and September, beginning September 16, 2009. Shortly after issuance of the notes, the Group paid $3.2 million (equivalent to an annual fee of 100 basis points) to the FDIC to maintain the FDIC guarantee coverage until the maturity of the notes.
NOTE 7 — DERIVATIVE ACTIVITIES
The Group may use various derivative instruments as part of its asset and liability management. These transactions involve both credit and market risks. The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments, and the value of the derivatives are based. Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures. Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any. The actual risk of loss is the cost of replacing, at market, these contracts in the event of default by the counterparties. The Group controls the credit risk of its derivative financial instrument agreements through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures and collateral, when considered necessary.
Derivative instruments are generally negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”) contracts. Negotiated OTC derivatives are generally entered into between two counterparties that negotiate specific contractual terms, including the underlying instrument, amount, exercise price and maturity.
The Group generally uses interest rate swaps and options in managing its interest rate risk exposure. Certain swaps were entered into to convert the forecasted rollover of short-term borrowings into fixed rate liabilities for longer periods and provide protection against increases in short-term interest rates. Under these swaps, the Group paid a fixed monthly or quarterly cost and received a floating thirty or ninety-day payment based on LIBOR. Floating rate payments received from the swap counterparties partially offset the interest payments to be made on the forecasted rollover of short-term borrowings.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, losses of $7.8 million were recognized and reflected as “Derivatives Activities” in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. This was mainly due to an interest-rate swap contract that the Group entered into to manage the Group’s interest rate risk exposure with a notional amount of $500 million. Such contract was terminated in January 2008, resulting in a loss to the Group of approximately $7.9 million.

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The Group offers its customers certificates of deposit with an option tied to the performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock market index. The Group uses option agreements with major broker-dealer companies to manage its exposure to changes in this index. Under the terms of the option agreements, the Group receives the average increase in the month-end value of the index in exchange for a fixed premium. The changes in fair value of the option agreements used to manage the exposure in the stock market in the certificates of deposit are recorded in earnings in accordance with SFAS No. 133, as amended.
There were no derivatives designated as a hedge as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the purchased options used to manage the exposure to the stock market on stock indexed deposits represented an asset of $3.1 million (notional amount of $154.2 million) and $12.8 million (notional amount of $155.4 million), respectively; the options sold to customers embedded in the certificates of deposit and recorded as deposits in the unaudited consolidated statement of financial condition, represented a liability of $6.5 million (notional amount of $149.0 million) and $16.6 million (notional amount of $149.8 million), respectively.
NOTE 8 — INCOME TAX
Under the Puerto Rico Code, all companies are treated as separate taxable entities and are not entitled to file consolidated returns. The Group and its subsidiaries are subject to Puerto Rico regular income tax or alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) on income earned from all sources. The AMT is payable if it exceeds regular income tax. The excess of AMT over regular income tax paid in any one year may be used to offset regular income tax in future years, subject to certain limitations.
The Group maintained an effective tax rate lower than the maximum marginal statutory rate of 40.95% and 39% as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, mainly due to the interest income arising from investments exempt from Puerto Rico income taxes, net of expenses attributable to the exempt income. Exempt interest relates mostly to interest earned on obligations of the United States and Puerto Rico governments and certain mortgage-backed securities, including securities held by the Bank’s international banking entity. Pursuant to the Declaration of Fiscal Emergency and Omnibus Plan for Economic Stabilization and Restoration of the Puerto Rico Credit Act of March 9, 2009, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2008, and ending before January 1, 2012, every taxable corporation engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico, including banks and insurance companies will be subject to an additional five percent (5%) surcharge on corporate income tax, increasing the maximum tax rate from 39% to 40.95%. Also, income earned by international banking entities, which was previously exempt, will be subject to a 5% income tax during the same period. These temporary taxes were enacted as a measure to generate additional revenues to address the fiscal crisis that the government of Puerto Rico is currently facing. Income tax expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 includes approximately $950,000 related to these tax impositions.
The determination of deferred tax expense or benefit is based on changes in the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that generate temporary differences. The carrying value of the Group’s net deferred tax assets assumes that the Group will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Group may be required to record valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Management evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets on a regular basis and assesses the need for a valuation allowance. Total gross deferred tax asset at March 31, 2009 amounts to $26.7 million. A valuation allowance is established when management believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowance from period to period are included in the Group’s tax provision in the period of change. As of March 31, 2009, a valuation allowance of approximately $1.1 million was recorded to offset deferred tax asset that the Group believes it is more likely than not would be realized in future periods.
In addition to valuation allowances, the Group establishes accruals for uncertain tax positions when, despite the belief that Group’s tax return positions are fully supported, the Group believes that certain positions are likely to be challenged. The uncertain tax positions accruals are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law and emerging legislation. The Group’s uncertain tax positions accruals are reflected as income tax payable as a component of accrued expenses and other liabilities.
The Group follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, which contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS 109. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation process, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption that would affect the effective tax rate was $5.8 million. The Group classifies unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes payable. These gross unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate if realized. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009,

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($325,000) (March 31, 2008 — $2.4 million) in unrecognized tax (losses) benefits expired due to statute of limitation. There were no new or settled unrecognized tax benefits during the quarter. The balance of unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2009 was $4.3 million (December 31, 2008 — $4.0 million). The tax periods ended June 30, 2005, December 31, 2005, and 2006, remain subject to examination by the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury.
The Group’s policy to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for taxes on the consolidated statements of operations did not change as a result of implementing the provisions of FIN 48. The Group had accrued $1.7 million at March 31, 2009 (December 31, 2008-$1.5 million) for the payment of interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits. On January 13, 2009, $325,000 in unrecognized tax losses expired due to statute of limitation. The Group does not anticipate any other significant changes in unrecognized tax benefits during 2009.
NOTE 9 — FAIR VALUE
As discussed in Note 1, effective January 1, 2008, the Group adopted SFAS 157, which provides a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP.
Fair Value Measurement
SFAS 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Level 1 asset and liabilities include equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as certain U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include (i) mortgage-backed securities for which the fair value is estimated based on valuations obtained from third-party pricing services for identical or comparable assets, (ii) debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and (iii) derivative contracts and financial liabilities (e.g. callable brokered CDs and medium-term notes elected for fair value option under SFAS 159) whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

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The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value:
Investment securities
The fair value of investment securities is based on quoted market prices, when available, or market prices provided by recognized broker dealers. If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon externally developed models that use both observable and unobservable inputs depending on the market activity of the instrument. Structured credit investments and non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations are not trading actively in the current market; accordingly, they do not exhibit readily observable prices. Based on their valuation methodology, such investments are classified as Level 3. The estimated fair value of the structured credit investments and the non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations are determined by using a third-party cash flow valuation model to calculate the present value of projected future cash flows. The assumptions used, which are highly uncertain and require a high degree of judgment, include primarily market discount rates, current spreads, duration, leverage, delinquency, and loss rates. The assumptions used are drawn from a combination of internal and external data sources. A third-party valuation of these investments, in which all economic assumptions are determined by this third-party (external-based valuation), is obtained at least on a quarterly basis and is used by management as a benchmark to evaluate the adequacy of the cash flow model and the reasonableness of the assumptions and fair value estimates developed internally for the internal-based valuation. The external-based valuations are analyzed and assumptions are evaluated and incorporated in the internal-based valuation model when deemed necessary and agreed by management.
Derivative instruments
The fair values of the derivative instruments were provided by valuation experts and counterparties. Certain derivatives with limited market activity are valued using externally developed models that consider unobservable market parameters. The Group offers its customers certificates of deposit with an option tied to the performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock market index (S&P Index), and uses equity indexed option agreements with major broker-dealer companies to manage its exposure to changes in this index. Their fair value is obtained from counterparties or an external pricing source and validated by management. Based on their valuation methodology, derivative instruments are classified as Level 3. These options are mainly tied in to Asian options whose payoff is linked to the average value of the S&P Index on a specific set of dates during the life of the option. The methodology uses an average rate option or a cash-settled option whose payoff is based on the difference between the expected average value of the S&P Index during the remaining life of the option and the strike price at inception. The assumptions used, which are uncertain and require a degree of judgment, include primarily S&P Index volatility and leverage. The external-based valuations are analyzed and assumptions are evaluated and incorporated in either an internal-based valuation model when deemed necessary or compared to counterparties prices and agreed by management.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including financial liabilities for which the Group has elected the fair value option, are summarized below:
                         
    March 31, 2009  
    Fair Value Measurements  
(In thousands)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Investment securities available-for-sale
  $     $ 3,920,475     $ 635,058  
Money market investments
    270,909              
Derivative asset
                3,052  
Derivative liability
                (6,513 )
 
                 
 
  $ 270,909     $ 3,920,475     $ 631,597  
 
                 

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The table below presents a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
                         
    Total Fair Value Measurements
    (Quarter ended March 31, 2009)
    Investment        
    securities        
Level 3 Instruments Only   available-   Derivative   Derivative
(In thousands)   for-sale   asset   liability
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 665,845     $ 12,801     $ (16,588 )
Gains (losses) included in earnings
          (10,117 )     10,551  
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income
    (12,802 )            
New instruments acquired
          947       (898 )
Principal repayments and amortization
    (17,985 )     (579 )     422  
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
                 
     
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 635,058     $ 3,052     $ (6,513 )
     
The table below presents a detail of investment securities available-for-sale classified as level 3 at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
                                         
    March 31, 2009 (In thousands)  
    Amortized     Unrealized             Weighted     Principal  
Type   Cost     Losses     Fair Value     Average Yield     Protection  
Non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations
 
Prime Collateral
  $ 200,273     $ 40,522     $ 159,751       5.78 %     4.48 %
Prime Collateral
    185,726       19,912       165,814       5.52 %     4.48 %
Alt-A Collateral
    118,439       40,204       78,235       19.78 %     12.41 %
Prime Collateral
    25,114       3,192       21,922       6.11 %     4.15 %
Prime Collateral
    24,610       3,824       20,786       6.21 %     9.95 %
Prime Collateral
    22,491       3,967       18,524       5.61 %     6.85 %
Prime Collateral
    21,993       3,758       18,235       5.84 %     5.08 %
Prime Collateral
    20,586       2,610       17,976       6.42 %     3.77 %
 
                               
 
                                       
 
    619,232       117,989       501,243       8.43 %        
 
                               
 
                                       
Structured credit investments
 
CDO
    114,819       16,517       98,302       3.23 %     4.41 %
CDO
    25,548       12,480       13,068       5.80 %     7.80 %
CLO
    15,000       5,329       9,671       3.38 %     7.44 %
CLO
    11,969       4,805       7,164       2.57 %     26.14 %
CLO
    9,200       3,590       5,610       2.94 %     22.75 %
 
                               
 
                                       
 
    176,536       42,721       133,815       3.57 %        
 
                               
 
                                       
 
  $ 795,768     $ 160,710     $ 635,058       7.35 %        
 
                               

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    December 31, 2008 (In thousands)  
                            Weighted        
    Amortized     Unrealized             Average     Principal  
Type   Cost     Losses     Fair Value     Yield     Protection  
Non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations
 
Prime Collateral
  $ 207,906     $ 36,701     $ 171,205       5.78 %     4.72 %
Prime Collateral
    195,522       22,697       172,825       5.52 %     4.72 %
Alt-A Collateral
    116,136       33,676       82,460       20.62 %     14.05 %
Prime Collateral
    26,055       3,282       22,773       6.10 %     7.65 %
Prime Collateral
    25,028       3,421       21,607       6.22 %     9.93 %
Prime Collateral
    23,200       4,070       19,130       5.61 %     6.81 %
Prime Collateral
    22,680       2,528       20,153       5.84 %     5.15 %
Prime Collateral
    21,099       1,587       19,511       6.42 %     3.62 %
 
                               
 
                                       
 
    637,626       107,962       529,664       8.49 %        
 
                               
 
                                       
Structured credit investments
 
CDO
    114,411       10,159       104,252       3.46 %     4.41 %
CDO
    25,548       11,180       14,368       5.80 %     7.80 %
CLO
    15,000       7,099       7,901       4.30 %     7.30 %
CLO
    11,968       6,675       5,294       6.35 %     26.14 %
CLO
    9,200       4,833       4,367       6.77 %     22.92 %
 
                               
 
                                       
 
    176,127       39,946       136,181       4.25 %        
 
                               
 
                                       
 
  $ 813,753     $ 147,908     $ 665,845       7.58 %        
 
                               
NOTE 10 — SEGMENT REPORTING
The Group segregates its businesses into the following major reportable segments of business: Banking, Financial Services, and Treasury. Management established the reportable segments based on the internal reporting used to evaluate performance and to assess where to allocate resources. Other factors such as the Group’s organization, nature of its products, distribution channels and economic characteristics of the products were also considered in the determination of the reportable segments. The Group measures the performance of these reportable segments based on pre-established goals of different financial parameters such as net income, net interest income, loan production, and fees generated.
Banking includes the Bank’s branches and mortgage banking, with traditional banking products such as deposits and mortgage, commercial and consumer loans. Mortgage banking activities are carried out by the Bank’s mortgage banking division, whose principal activity is to originate mortgage loans for the Group’s own portfolio. As part of its mortgage banking activities, the Group may sell loans directly into the secondary market or securitize conforming loans into mortgage-backed securities.
Financial services are comprised of the Bank’s trust division (Oriental Trust), the broker dealer subsidiary (Oriental Financial Services Corp.), the insurance agency subsidiary (Oriental Insurance, Inc.), and the pension plan administration subsidiary (Caribbean Pension Consultants, Inc.). The core operations of this segment are financial planning, money management and investment banking, brokerage services, insurance sales activity, corporate and individual trust and retirement services, as well as pension plan administration services.

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The Treasury segment encompasses all of the Group’s asset and liability management activities such as: purchases and sales of investment securities, interest rate risk management, derivatives, and borrowings. Intersegment sales and transfers, if any, are accounted for as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. The accounting policies of the segments are the same followed by the Group, which are described in the “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in the Group’s annual report on Form 10-K. Following are the results of operations and the selected financial information by operating segment for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008:
                                                 
    Unaudited (In thousands)  
            Financial             Total Major             Consolidated  
    Banking     Services     Treasury     Segments     Eliminations     Total  
    Dollars in thousands  
Quarter Ended March 31, 2009
                                               
Interest income
  $ 18,318     $ 15     $ 65,598     $ 83,931     $     $ 83,931  
Interest expense
    (8,313 )           (44,953 )     (53,266 )           (53,266 )
 
                                   
Net interest income
    10,005       15       20,645       30,665             30,665  
Provision for loan losses
    (3,200 )                 (3,200 )           (3,200 )
Non-interest income
    3,383       3,089       10,774       17,246             17,246  
Non-interest expenses
    (15,615 )     (2,621 )     (1,037 )     (19,273 )           (19,273 )
Intersegment revenue
    334                   334       (334 )      
Intersegment expense
          (280 )     (54 )     (334 )     334        
 
                                   
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (5,093 )   $ 203     $ 30,328     $ 25,438     $     $ 25,438  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total assets as of March 31, 2009
  $ 1,576,054     $ 10,046     $ 5,199,658     $ 6,785,758     $ (299,812 )   $ 6,485,946  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Quarter Ended March 31, 2008
                                               
Interest income
  $ 19,824     $ 36     $ 62,241     $ 82,101     $     $ 82,101  
Interest expense
    (9,684 )           (47,508 )     (57,192 )           (57,192 )
 
                                   
Net interest income
    10,140       36       14,733       24,909             24,909  
Provision for loan losses
    (1,650 )                 (1,650 )           (1,650 )
Non-interest income
    2,634       4,955       1,275       8,864             8,864  
Non-interest expenses
    (13,579 )     (3,085 )     (1,066 )     (17,730 )           (17,730 )
Intersegment revenue
    940                   940       (940 )      
Intersegment expense
          (748 )     (192 )     (940 )     940        
 
                                   
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (1,515 )   $ 1,158     $ 14,750     $ 14,393     $     $ 14,393  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total assets as of March 31, 2008
  $ 1,596,169     $ 11,769     $ 4,886,132     $ 6,494,070     $ (335,951 )   $ 6,158,119  
 
                                   

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ITEM 2 — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                         
    Quarter ended March 31,        
    2009     2008     Variance %  
EARNINGS DATA:
                       
Interest income
  $ 83,931     $ 82,101       2.2 %
Interest expense
    53,266       57,192       -6.9 %
 
                 
Net interest income
    30,665       24,909       23.1 %
Provision for loan losses
    3,200       1,650       93.9 %
 
                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    27,465       23,259       18.1 %
Non-interest income
    17,246       8,864       94.6 %
Non-interest expenses
    19,273       17,730       8.7 %
 
                 
Income before income taxes
    25,438       14,393       76.7 %
Income tax expense (benefit)
    690       (2,455 )     -128.1 %
 
                 
Net Income
    24,748       16,848       46.9 %
Less: dividends on preferred stock
    (1,201 )     (1,201 )     0.0 %
 
                 
Income available to common shareholders
  $ 23,547     $ 15,647       50.5 %
 
                 
 
                       
PER SHARE DATA:
                       
 
                       
Basic
  $ 0.97     $ 0.65       49.2 %
 
                 
Diluted
  $ 0.97     $ 0.64       51.6 %
 
                 
 
                       
Average common shares outstanding
    24,245       24,164       0.3 %
Average potential common share-options
    3       125       -97.6 %
 
                 
Average shares and shares equivalents
    24,248       24,289       -0.2 %
 
                 
 
                       
Book value per common share
  $ 10.38     $ 11.15       -6.9 %
 
                 
Market price at end of period
  $ 4.88     $ 19.71       -75.2 %
 
                 
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.04     $ 0.14       -71.4 %
 
                 
Cash dividends declared on common shares
  $ 972     $ 3,399       -71.4 %
 
                 
 
                       
Return on average assets (ROA)
    1.53 %     1.06 %     44.3 %
 
                 
Return on average common equity (ROE)
    49.14 %     20.63 %     138.2 %
 
                 
Equity-to-assets ratio
    4.92 %     5.50 %     -10.6 %
 
                 
Efficiency ratio
    51.65 %     54.69 %     -5.6 %
 
                 
Expense ratio
    0.82 %     0.69 %     18.8 %
 
                 
Interest rate spread
    1.79 %     1.34 %     33.6 %
 
                 
Interest rate margin
    1.98 %     1.68 %     17.9 %
 
                 
Number of financial centers
    23       24       -4.2 %
 
                 

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    March 31,     December 31,        
    2009     2008     Variance %  
PERIOD END BALANCES AND CAPITAL RATIOS:
                       
 
                       
Investments and loans
                       
Investment securities
  $ 4,576,103     $ 3,945,626       16.0 %
Loans (including loans held-for-sale), net
    1,199,431       1,219,112       -1.6 %
Securities sold but not yet delivered
    289,565       834,976       -65.3 %
 
                 
 
  $ 6,065,099     $ 5,999,714       1.1 %
 
                 
Deposits and Borrowings
                       
Deposits
  $ 1,806,246     $ 1,785,300       1.2 %
Repurchase agreements
    3,757,411       3,761,121       -0.1 %
Other borrowings
    467,180       373,718       25.0 %
Securities purchased but not yet received
    112,628       398       28198.5 %
 
                 
 
  $ 6,143,465     $ 5,920,537       3.8 %
 
                 
Stockholders’ equity
                       
Preferred equity
  $ 68,000     $ 68,000       0.0 %
Common equity
    251,351       193,317       30.0 %
 
                 
 
  $ 319,351     $ 261,317       22.2 %
 
                 
Capital ratios
                       
Leverage capital
    6.54 %     6.38 %     2.5 %
 
                 
Tier 1 risk-based capital
    16.20 %     17.08 %     -5.2 %
 
                 
Total risk-based capital
    16.79 %     17.71 %     -5.2 %
 
                 
 
                       
Trust assets managed
  $ 1,617,855     $ 1,706,286       -5.2 %
Broker-dealer assets gathered
    1,087,781       1,195,739       -9.0 %
 
                 
Assets managed
    2,705,636       2,902,025       -6.8 %
Assets owned
    6,485,946       6,205,536       4.5 %
 
                 
Total financial assets managed and assets owned
  $ 9,191,582     $ 9,107,561       0.9 %
 
                 
OVERVIEW OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Introduction
The Group’s diversified mix of businesses and products generates both the interest income traditionally associated with a banking institution and non-interest income traditionally associated with a financial services institution (generated by such businesses as securities brokerage, fiduciary services, investment banking, insurance and pension administration). Although all of these businesses, to varying degrees, are affected by interest rate and financial markets fluctuations and other external factors, the Group’s commitment is to continue producing a balanced and growing revenue stream.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the strategies in place enabled the Group to continue to perform well despite the turbulent credit market and the recession in Puerto Rico. Highlights of the quarter include strong sequential increases in residential mortgage and commercial loan production, retail deposits increased 10.73%, or $116.2 million, from December 31, 2008, sequential increase of 75.9% in mortgage banking activities, sequential increase of 3.0% in net interest income, stockholders’ equity increased $58.0 million during the quarter, book value per common share increased to $10.38 from $7.96 at December 31, 2008, and a gain of $10.3 million on the sale of securities.
Income Available to Common Shareholders
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Group’s income available to common shareholders totaled $23.5 million, compared to $15.6 million in the comparable year-ago quarter. Earnings per basic and fully diluted common share were $0.97 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to $0.65 per basic and $0.64 per fully diluted common share in the same year-ago quarter.

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Return on Average Assets and Common Equity
Return on average common equity (ROE) for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, was 49.14%, which represents an increase of 138.2%, from 20.63% for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Return on average assets (ROA) for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, was 1.53%, representing an increase of 44.3% from 1.06%, for the same year-ago quarter.
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses
Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 18.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, totaling $27.5 million, compared with $23.3 million for the same period last year. Growth reflects the significant reduction in cost of funds, which has declined more rapidly than the yield on interest-earning assets.
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income was $17.2 million, 94.6% higher than the first quarter of 2008. Growth reflects a gain on the sale of government securities, increased mortgage banking activities from the sale of conforming residential mortgage production into the secondary market, lower banking and financial service revenues, in line with first quarter industry trends, and continued de-emphasis of the overdraft privilege program.
Non-Interest Expenses
Non-interest expenses of $19.3 million increased year over year at a lower rate than revenues, resulting in an improved efficiency ratio of 51.65% (compared to 54.69% in the year-ago quarter).
Income Tax Expense
The effective income tax rate was 2.7% for the first quarter of 2009, which includes Puerto Rico’s new taxes on the earnings of international banking entities and financial institutions, versus tax benefits in the first and fourth quarters of 2008.
Group’s Financial Assets
The Group’s total financial assets include owned assets and the assets managed by the trust division, the securities broker-dealer subsidiary, and the private pension plan administration subsidiary. At March 31, 2009, total financial assets reached $9.192 billion, compared to $9.108 billion at December 31, 2008, a 1.0% increase. When compared to December 31, 2008, there was 4.5% increase in assets owned as of March 31, 2009, while assets managed by the trust division and the broker-dealer subsidiary decreased from $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2008 to $2.7 billion as of March 31, 2009.
The Group’s trust division offers various types of individual retirement accounts (“IRA”) and manages 401(K) and Keogh retirement plans and custodian and corporate trust accounts, while Caribbean Pension Consultants, Inc. (“CPC”) manages the administration of private pension plans. At March 31, 2009, total assets managed by the Group’s trust division and CPC amounted to $1.618 billion, compared to $1.706 billion at December 31, 2008. The Group’s broker-dealer subsidiary offers a wide array of investment alternatives to its client base, such as tax-advantaged fixed income securities, mutual funds, stocks, bonds and money management wrap-fee programs. At March 31, 2009, total assets gathered by the broker-dealer from its customer investment accounts decreased to $1.088 billion, compared to $1.196 billion at December 31, 2008.
Interest Earning Assets
The investment portfolio amounted to $4.576 billion at March 31, 2009, a 15.98% increase compared to $3.946 billion at December 31, 2008, while the loan portfolio decreased 1.61% to $1.199 billion at March 31, 2009, compared to $1.219 billion at December 31, 2008.
The mortgage loan portfolio totaled $999.1 million at March 31, 2009, a 1.3% decrease from $1.012 billion at March 31, 2008, and a decrease of 2.4%, from $1.023 million at December 31, 2008. Nevertheless, mortgage loan production for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, totaled $67.9 million, which represents a 37.8% increase compared to the same period last year.

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Interest Bearing Liabilities
Total deposits amounted to $1.806 billion at March 31, 2009, an increase of 1.17% compared to $1.785 billion at December 31, 2008, primarily due to increased retail deposits, particularly in demand deposit accounts.
Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2009, was $319.4 million, compared to $261.3 million at December 31, 2008, reflecting increased earnings in the quarter and improvements in the valuation of the Group’s available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.
The Group’s capital ratios remain above regulatory capital requirements, with risk-based capital ratios above regulatory capital adequacy guidelines. At March 31, 2009, Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio was 6.54% (1.6 times the minimum of 4.00%), Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 16.20% (4.1 times the minimum of 4.00%), and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 16.79% (2.1 times the minimum of 8.00%).
Financial Service-Banking Franchise
The Group’s niche market approach to the integrated delivery of services to mid and high net worth clients performed well, resulting in expanded market share.
Lending
Loan production of $85.1 million was up 38.3% from the year ago quarter and 24.3% from the previous quarter, as the Group’s capital levels and low credit losses compared to most banking institutions enabled it to continue prudent lending. The average FICO score was 720 and the average loan to value ratio was 82% on residential mortgage loans originated in the first quarter of 2009.
Deposits
Sequential growth in retail deposits from the fourth quarter of 2008 reflects a $115.1 million increase in demand deposits, primarily from new accounts.
Assets Under Management
Assets under management, which generate recurring fees, declined only 6.8% from December 31, 2008, as a high proportion of fixed income investments helped offset the 11.7% decline in equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 index. Outflows were minimal.
Credit Quality
Net credit losses increased $0.9 million from the fourth quarter of 2008. The provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 2009 was $3.2 million (136.6% of net credit losses), increasing the allowance for loan losses by 6.0% to $15.1 million, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.
Non-performing loans increased $9.1 million from the fourth quarter, reflecting the economic environment in Puerto Rico. Based on historical performance, the Group does not expect non-performing loans to result in significantly higher losses as most are well-collateralized with adequate loan-to-value ratios.
Investment Securities Portfolio
The average balance was $5.0 billion, up 5.5% from the first quarter of 2008 and up 3.9% from the fourth quarter of 2008.
Approximately 86% of the portfolio consists of fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities or notes, guaranteed or issued by FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA and U.S. agency senior debt obligations, and thus backed by a U.S. government sponsored entity or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (84%), and Puerto Rico Government and agency obligations (2%). The remaining balance consists of non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations (11%), the majority of which are backed by prime fixed-rate residential mortgage collateral, and structured credit investments (3%).

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In April 2009, FASB issued the following Final Staff Positions (FSP) to improve guidance and disclosure on fair value measurements and impairments:
FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly”
FSP FAS 157-4, issued by the FASB in April 2009, provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have decreased significantly. FSP FAS 157-4 also provides guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. The provisions of FSP FAS 157-4 are effective for the Group’s interim period ending after June 15, 2009, but entities may early adopt for the interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009. Management decided not to do an early adoption, and is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of FSP FAS 157-4 may have on the Group’s statements of financial condition and income.
FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments”
FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, issued by the FASB in April 2009, amend the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. These FSPs do not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. The provisions of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 are effective for the Group’s interim period ending after June 15, 2009, but entities may early adopt for the interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009. Management decided not to do an early adoption, and is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 may have on the Group’s statements of financial condition and income.
FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”
FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, issued by the FASB in April 2009, amend FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. These FSPs also amend APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. The provisions of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 are effective for the Group’s interim period ending after June 15, 2009, but entities may early adopt for the interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009. Management decided not to do an early adoption, but as FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 amend only the disclosure requirements about fair value of financial instruments in interim periods, the adoption of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 is not expected to affect the Group’s statements of financial condition and income.

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TABLE 1 — QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME AND CHANGES DUE TO VOLUME/RATE
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008
   (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                         
    Interest   Average rate   Average balance
                    Variance                   Variance                   Variance
    2009   2008   in %   2009   2008   in BPS   2009   2008   in %
A — TAX EQUIVALENT SPREAD
                                                                       
 
                                                                       
Interest-earning assets
  $ 83,931     $ 82,101       2.2 %     5.43 %     5.55 %     (12 )   $ 6,183,981     $ 5,912,847       4.6 %
Tax equivalent adjustment
    26,035       27,132       -4.0 %     1.68 %     1.84 %     (16 )                  
             
Interest-earning assets — tax equivalent
    109,966       109,233       0.7 %     7.11 %     7.39 %     (28 )     6,183,981       5,912,847       4.6 %
Interest-bearing liabilities
    53,266       57,192       -6.9 %     3.64 %     4.21 %     (57 )     5,848,697       5,433,537       7.6 %
             
Tax equivalent net interest income / spread
  $ 56,700     $ 52,041       9.0 %     3.47 %     3.18 %     29     $ 335,284     $ 479,310       -30.0 %
             
Tax equivalent interest rate margin
                            3.66 %     3.52 %     14                          
                                                     
 
                                                                       
B — NORMAL SPREAD
                                                                       
 
                                                                       
Interest-earning assets:
                                                                       
Investments:
                                                                       
Investment securities
  $ 65,425     $ 61,414       6.5 %     5.34 %     5.30 %     4     $ 4,903,567     $ 4,632,397       5.9 %
Trading securities
    15       6       150.0 %     11.39 %     4.12 %     727       527       582       -9.5 %
Money market investments
    170       853       -80.1 %     0.89 %     3.85 %     (296 )     76,151       88,563       -14.0 %
             
 
    65,610       62,273       5.4 %     5.27 %     5.28 %     (1 )     4,980,245       4,721,542       5.5 %
             
Loans:
                                                                       
Mortgage
    15,498       16,324       -5.1 %     6.21 %     6.44 %     (23 )     998,506       1,014,311       -1.6 %
Commercial
    2,310       2,813       -17.9 %     5.02 %     7.52 %     (250 )     184,157       149,537       23.2 %
Consumer
    513       691       -25.8 %     9.74 %     10.07 %     (33 )     21,073       27,457       -23.3 %
             
 
    18,321       19,828       -7.6 %     6.09 %     6.66 %     (57 )     1,203,736       1,191,305       1.0 %
             
 
    83,931       82,101       2.2 %     5.43 %     5.55 %     (12 )     6,183,981       5,912,847       4.6 %
             
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Deposits:
                                                                       
Non-interest bearing deposits
                                        38,728       35,151       10.2 %
Now accounts
    3,592       212       1594.3 %     3.23 %     1.18 %     205       444,381       71,661       520.1 %
Savings
    161       4,388       -96.3 %     1.23 %     4.14 %     (291 )     52,135       423,725       -87.7 %
Certificates of deposit
    10,070       7,829       28.6 %     3.49 %     4.68 %     (119 )     1,154,056       669,824       72.3 %
             
 
    13,823       12,429       11.2 %     3.27 %     4.14 %     (87 )     1,689,300       1,200,361       40.7 %
             
Borrowings:
                                                                       
Repurchase agreements
    35,799       40,240       -11.0 %     3.81 %     4.21 %     (40 )     3,754,817       3,824,569       -1.8 %
FHLB advances
    2,999       3,540       -15.3 %     3.93 %     4.24 %     (31 )     305,175       334,245       -8.7 %
Subordinated capital notes
    436       702       -37.9 %     4.83 %     7.79 %     (296 )     36,083       36,083       0.0 %
FDIC-guaranteed term notes
    112             100.0 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0       23,667             100.0 %
Other borrowings
    97       281       -65.5 %     0.98 %     2.94 %     (196 )     39,655       38,279       3.6 %
             
 
    39,443       44,763       -11.9 %     3.79 %     4.23 %     (44 )     4,159,397       4,233,176       -1.7 %
             
 
                                                                       
 
    53,266       57,192       -6.9 %     3.64 %     4.21 %     (57 )     5,848,697       5,433,537       7.6 %
             
 
                                                                       
Net interest income / spread
  $ 30,665     $ 24,909       23.1 %     1.79 %     1.34 %     45                          
                                 
 
                                                                       
Interest rate margin
                            1.98 %     1.68 %     30                          
                                                     
 
                                                                       
Excess of average interest-earning assets over average interest-bearing liabilities
                                                  $ 335,284     $ 479,310       -30.0 %
                                                     
 
                                                                       
Average interest-earning assets over average interest-bearing liabilities ratio
                                                    105.73 %     108.82 %        
                                                             
                         
    Volume   Rate   Total
     
C. Changes in net interest income due to:
                       
 
                       
Interest Income:
                       
Investments
  $ 3,411     $ (70 )   $ 3,341  
Loans
    206       (1,714 )     (1,508 )
     
 
    3,617       (1,784 )     1,833  
     
 
                       
Interest Expense:
                       
Deposits
    5,063       (3,669 )     1,394  
Repurchase agreements
    (734 )     (3,704 )     (4,438 )
Other borrowings
    (45 )     (834 )     (879 )
     
 
    4,284       (8,207 )     (3,923 )
     
 
                       
Net Interest Income
  $ (667 )   $ 6,423     $ 5,756  
     
Net interest income is a function of the difference between rates earned on the Group’s interest-earning assets and rates paid on its interest-bearing liabilities (interest rate spread) and the relative amounts of its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities (interest rate margin). Typically, bank liabilities re-price in line with changes in short-term rates, while many asset positions are affected by longer-term rates. The Group constantly monitors the composition and re-pricing of its assets and liabilities to maintain its net interest income at adequate levels.

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For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, net interest income amounted to $30.7 million, an increase of 23.1% from $24.9 million in the same period last year. The increase for the 2009 first quarter reflects a 2.2% increase in interest income, due to a $3.6 million positive volume variance and a $1.8 million negative rate variance. The decrease of 6.9% in interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, was primarily the result of a decrease of $8.2 million in rate variance, partially offset by an increase of $4.3 million in interest expense from higher volume of interest-bearing liabilities. Interest rate spread increased 45 basis points to 1.79%, from 1.34% at March 31, 2008, due to a 57 point decrease in the average cost of funds to 3.64% from 4.21%, partially offset by a 12 basis point decrease in the average yield of interest earning assets to 5.43% from 5.55%.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the average balances of total interest-earnings assets were $6.184 billion, a 4.6% increase from the same period last year. The increase in the average balance reflects increases of 5.5% to $4.980 billion in the investment portfolio, and an increase of 1.0% to $1.204 billion in the loans portfolio for the 2009 quarter.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the average yield on interest-earning assets was 5.43%, compared to 5.55% in the same period last year, due to lower average yields in the loan portfolio and the investment portfolio. The loan portfolio yield decreased to 6.09% in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, versus 6.66% in the same period last year. The investment portfolio yield decreased to 5.27% in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, versus 5.28% in the same period last year.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, interest expense amounted to $53.3 million, a decrease of 6.9% from $57.2 million in the same period last year, mainly resulting from a significant reduction in cost of funds, which has declined more rapidly than the yield on interest-earning assets.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the cost of deposits decreased 87 basis points to 3.27%, as compared to the same period a year ago. The decrease reflects lower average rates paid on higher balances, most significantly in savings and certificates of deposit accounts. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the cost of borrowings decreased 44 basis points to 3.79%, from the same period last year.
TABLE 2 — NON- INTEREST INCOME SUMMARY:
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008
   (Dollars in thousands)
                         
    Quarter ended March 31,  
    2009     2008     Variance %  
Financial service revenues
  $ 3,114     $ 4,240       -26.6 %
Banking service revenues
    1,393       1,527       -8.8 %
Investment banking revenues
    (12 )     738       -101.6 %
Mortgage banking activities
    2,153       1,006       114.0 %
 
                 
Total banking and financial service revenues
    6,648       7,511       -11.5 %
 
                 
 
                       
Net gain (loss) on:
                       
Sale of securities
    10,340       9,314       11.0 %
Derivatives
    434       (7,803 )     105.6 %
Trading securities
    (27 )     (17 )     -58.8 %
Other investments
    13       110       -88.2 %
Foreclosed real estate
    (162 )     (250 )     35.2 %
Other
          (1 )     100.0 %
 
                 
 
    10,598       1,353       683.3 %
 
                 
 
                       
Total non-interest income
  $ 17,246     $ 8,864       94.6 %
 
                 
Non-interest income is affected by the amount of securities, derivatives and trading transactions, the level of trust assets under management, transactions generated by the gathering of financial assets by the securities broker-dealer subsidiary, the level of investment and mortgage banking activities, and the fees generated from loans, deposit accounts, and insurance activities.
Non-interest income totaled $17.2 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, an increase of 94.6% when compared to $8.9 million in the same period last year. Increase in revenues from sale of securities was partially offset by decrease in financial service revenues.

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Financial service revenues, which consist of commissions and fees from fiduciary activities, and commissions and fees from securities brokerage, and insurance activities, decreased 26.6% to $3.1 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, from $4.2 million in the same period of 2008, mainly the result of reduced financial service revenues. Banking service revenue, which consists primarily of fees generated by deposit accounts, electronic banking services, and customer services, decreased 8.8% to $1.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, from $1.5 million in the same period last year, mainly driven by reduced consumer banking activity. Investment banking revenues decreased to a loss of $12,000 in March 31, 2009, compared to $738,000 in the same period of 2008. Income generated from mortgage banking activities increased 114.0% in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, from $1.0 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2008 to $2.2 million in the same period of 2009 mainly the result of increased mortgage banking revenues due to the securitization and sale of conventional mortgages into the secondary market and increase in residential mortgage loan production.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, gains from securities, derivatives and trading activities were $10.6 million, compared to $1.4 million for the same period last year. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, a gain of $434,000 was recognized in derivatives, compared to a loss of $7.8 million recognized in earnings and reflected as “Derivatives Activities” in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations in the quarter ended March 2008, mainly due to an interest-rate swap entered to manage the Group’s interest rate risk exposure, with a notional amount of $500 million, which was subsequently terminated in January 2008, resulting in a loss of approximately $7.9 million. Sale of securities available-for-sale, which generated gains of $10.3 million in the 2009 quarter, increased 11.0% when compared to $9.3 million for the same period last year.
TABLE 3 — NON- INTEREST EXPENSES SUMMARY
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008
   (Dollars in thousands)
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
    2009     2008     Variance %  
Compensation and employee benefits
  $ 7,724     $ 7,715       0.1 %
Occupancy and equipment
    3,489       3,287       6.1 %
Professional and service fees
    2,608       1,880       38.7 %
Advertising and business promotion
    1,204       1,074       12.1 %
Insurance
    815       602       35.4 %
Taxes, other than payroll and income taxes
    646       611       5.7 %
Electronic banking charges
    540       418       29.2 %
Loan servicing expenses
    383       331       15.7 %
Communications
    379       325       16.6 %
Directors and investor relations expenses
    349       278       25.5 %
Clearing and wrap fees expenses
    330       294       12.2 %
Other expenses
    806       915       -11.9 %
 
                 
Total non-interest expenses
  $ 19,273     $ 17,730       8.7 %
 
                 
 
                       
Relevant ratios and data:
                       
Compensation and benefits to non-interest expenses
    40.1 %     43.5 %        
 
                 
Compensation to total assets (annualized)
    0.48 %     0.50 %        
 
                 
Average compensation per employee (annualized)
  $ 55.9     $ 56.4          
 
                 
Average number of employees
    553       547          
 
                 
Assets owned per average employee
  $ 11,729     $ 11,258          
 
                 

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Non-interest expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 increased 8.7% to $19.3 million, compared to $17.7 million for the same period a year ago, primarily as a result of higher professional fees, insurance expense, and electronic banking charges. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compensation and employee benefits remained constant compared with the same period last year. Professional fees increased 38.7% from $1.9 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2008 to $2.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Insurance expense increased 35.4% from $602,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2008 to $815,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Electronic banking charges increased 29.2% from $418,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2008 to $540,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The non-interest expense results reflect an efficiency ratio of 51.65% for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to 54.69% in the same quarter last year. The efficiency ratio measures how much of a company’s revenue is used to pay operating expenses. The Group computes its efficiency ratio by dividing non-interest expenses by the sum of its net interest income and non-interest income, but excluding gains on sale of investments securities, derivatives gains or losses and other income that may be considered volatile in nature. Management believes that the exclusion of those items permit greater comparability. Amounts presented as part of non-interest income that are excluded from the efficiency ratio computation amounted to $10.6 million and $1.4 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
TABLE 4 — ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES SUMMARY
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008
   (Dollars in thousands)
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,     Variance  
    2009     2008     %  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 14,293     $ 10,161       40.7 %
Provision for loan losses
    3,200       1,650       93.9 %
Net credit losses — see Table 5
    (2,346 )     (719 )     226.3 %
 
                 
Balance at end of period
  $ 15,147     $ 11,092       36.6 %
 
                 
 
                       
Selected Data and Ratios:
                       
Outstanding gross loans
  $ 1,214,578     $ 1,196,525       1.5 %
Recoveries to charge-offs
    3.3 %     9.8 %     -66.3 %
Allowance coverage ratio
                       
Total loans
    1.25 %     0.93 %     34.4 %
Non-performing loans
    17.50 %     16.04 %     9.1 %
Non-mortgage non-performing loans
    157.29 %     289.16 %     -45.6 %
TABLE 5 — NET CREDIT LOSSES STATISTICS
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008
   (Dollars in thousands)
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,     Variance  
    2009     2008     %  
Mortgage
                       
Charge-offs
  $ (1,412 )   $ (166 )     750.6 %
Recoveries
    16             100.00  
 
                 
 
    (1,396 )     (166 )     741.0 %
 
                 
Commercial
                       
Charge-offs
    (616 )           100.0 %
Recoveries
    18       13       38.5 %
 
                 
 
    (598 )     13       -4700.0 %
 
                 
Consumer
                       
Charge-offs
    (397 )     (631 )     -37.1 %
Recoveries
    45       65       -30.8 %
 
                 
 
    (352 )     (566 )     -37.8 %
 
                 
Net credit losses
                       
Total charge-offs
    (2,425 )     (797 )     204.3 %
Total recoveries
    79       78       1.3 %
 
                 
 
  $ (2,346 )   $ (719 )     226.3 %
 
                 
                         
Net credit losses (recoveries) to average loans outstanding (1):
                       
Mortgage
    0.56 %     0.07 %        
 
                   
Commercial
    1.30 %     (0.03 %)        
 
                   
Consumer
    6.68 %     8.25 %        
 
                   
Total
    0.78 %     0.24 %        
 
                   
 
                       
Average loans:
                       
Mortgage
  $ 998,506     $ 1,014,311       -1.6 %
Commercial
    184,157       149,537       23.2 %
Consumer
    21,073       27,457       -23.3 %
 
                 
Total
  $ 1,203,736     $ 1,191,305       1.0 %
 
                 
 
(1)   Annualized ratios

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TABLE 6 — ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES BREAKDOWN
    (Dollars in thousands)
                                 
    March 31,     December 31,     Variance     March 31,  
    2009     2008     %     2008  
Allowance for loan losses breakdown:
                               
Mortgage
  $ 9,737     $ 8,514       14.4 %   $ 6,427  
Commercial
    3,750       4,004       -6.3 %     1,980  
Consumer
    1,519       1,714       -11.4 %     1,908  
Unallocated allowance
    141       61       131.1 %     777  
 
                       
 
  $ 15,147     $ 14,293       6.0 %   $ 11,092  
 
                       
 
                               
Allowance composition:
                               
Mortgage
    64.3 %     59.6 %             57.9 %
Commercial
    24.8 %     28.0 %             17.9 %
Consumer
    10.0 %     12.0 %             17.2 %
Unallocated allowance
    0.9 %     0.4 %             7.0 %
 
                         
 
    100.0 %     100.0 %             100.0 %
 
                         
The provision for loan losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, totaled $3.2 million, representing an increase of 93.9% from the $1.7 million reported for the same quarter last year, which is in line with the increase in non-performing loans of the Group. Based on an analysis of the credit quality and composition of the Group’s loan portfolio, management determined that the provision for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was adequate in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an adequate level.
Net credit losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, increased 226.3% during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 to $2.3 million from $719,000 in the same period of 2008, primarily due to the overall deterioration of the economy in Puerto Rico. The increase was primarily due to higher net credit losses from mortgage loans and commercial loans. Non-performing loans of $86.5 million at March 31, 2009, were 25.1% higher than the $69.2 million at March 31, 2008, and 11.7% higher than the $77.5 million at December 31, 2008.
The Group maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level that management considers adequate to provide for probable losses based upon an evaluation of known and inherent risks. The Group’s allowance for loan losses policy provides for a detailed quarterly analysis of probable losses.
The Group follows a systematic methodology to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to provide for inherent losses in the loan portfolio. This methodology includes the consideration of factors such as economic conditions, portfolio risk characteristics, prior loss experience, and results of periodic credit reviews of individual loans. The provision for loan losses charged to current operations is based on such methodology. Loan losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Larger commercial loans that exhibit potential or observed credit weaknesses are subject to individual review and grading. Where appropriate, allowances are allocated to individual loans based on management’s estimate of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of cash flow and legal options available to the Group.

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Included in the review of individual loans are those that are impaired, under the provisions of SFAS 114. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Group will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, at the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. Loans are individually evaluated for impairment, except large groups of small balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment under the provisions of SFAS No. 5, and loans that are recorded at fair value or at the lower of cost or market. The portfolios of mortgage and consumer loans are considered homogeneous, and are evaluated collectively for impairment. For the commercial loans portfolio, all loans over $250,000 and over 90-days past due are evaluated for impairment, under the provisions of SFAS 114. At March 31, 2009, the total investment in impaired loans was $7.7 million, compared to $4.6 million at December 31, 2008. Impaired loans are measured based on the fair value of collateral method, since all impaired loans during the period were collateral dependant. The Group’s management determined that impaired loans required a valuation allowance in accordance with FASB Statement No. 114 “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” of approximately $1.0 million at March 31, 2009. No allowance was required at March 31, 2008.
The Group, using a rating system, applies an overall allowance percentage to each loan portfolio category based on historical credit losses adjusted for current conditions and trends. This delinquency-based calculation is the starting point for management’s determination of the required level of the allowance for loan losses. Other data considered in this determination includes overall historical loss trends and other information, including underwriting standards, economic trends and unusual events.
Loan loss ratios and credit risk categories are updated quarterly and are applied in the context of GAAP and the Joint Interagency Guidance on the importance of depository institutions having prudent, conservative, but not excessive loan loss allowances that fall within an acceptable range of estimated losses. While management uses available information in estimating probable loan losses, future changes to the allowance may be necessary, based on factors beyond the Group’s control, such as factors affecting general economic conditions.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION
TABLE 7 — ASSETS SUMMARY AND COMPOSITION
AS OF MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008, AND DECEMBER 31, 2008
   (Dollars in thousands)
                                 
    March 31,     December 31,     Variance     March 31,  
    2009     2008     %     2008  
Investments:
                               
Agency Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 3,178,538     $ 2,233,737       42.3 %   $ 2,876,136  
Non-agency CMOs
  501,243     529,664       -5.4 %   669,516  
U.S. Government and agency obligations
    669,543       941,917       -28.9 %     955,600  
P.R. Government and agency obligations
    72,993       82,927       -12.0 %     71,884  
Structured credit investments
    133,824       136,218       -1.8 %     169,869  
FHLB stock
    19,812       21,013       -5.7 %     20,658  
Other investments
    150       150       0.0 %     150  
 
                       
 
    4,576,103       3,945,626       15.98 %     4,763,813  
 
                       
 
                               
Loans:
                               
Loans receivable
    1,180,300       1,206,843       -2.2 %     1,170,948  
Allowance for loan losses
    (15,147 )     (14,293 )     6.0 %     (11,092 )
 
                       
Loans receivable, net
    1,165,153       1,192,550       -2.3 %     1,159,856  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
    34,278       26,562       29.0 %     25,577  
 
                       
Total loans net
    1,199,431       1,219,112       -1.6 %     1,185,433  
 
                       
 
                               
Securities sold but not yet delivered
    289,565       834,976       -65.3 %     26,995  
 
                       
Total securities and loans
    6,065,099       5,999,714       1.1 %     5,976,241  
 
                       
 
                               
Other assets:
                               
Cash and due from banks
    22,841       14,370       58.9 %     20,071  
Money market investments
    270,909       52,002       421.0 %     29,981  
Accrued interest receivable
    38,585       43,914       -12.1 %     37,026  
Premises and equipment, net
    21,540       21,184       1.7 %     21,587  
Deferred tax asset, net
    23,422       28,463       -17.7 %     12,931  
Foreclosed real estate, net
    9,681       9,162       5.7 %     4,119  
Investment in equity indexed options
    3,052       12,801       -76.2 %     34,475  
Other assets
    30,817       23,926       28.8 %     21,688  
 
                       
Total other assets
    420,847       205,822       104.5 %     181,878  
 
                       
 
                               
Total assets
  $ 6,485,946     $ 6,205,536       4.5 %   $ 6,158,119  
 
                       
 
                               
Investments portfolio composition:
                               
Mortgage-backed securities
    80.4 %     70.0 %             74.4 %
U.S. Government securities
    14.6 %     23.9 %             20.1 %
P.R. Government securities
    1.6 %     2.1 %             1.5 %
FHLB stock and other investments
    3.4 %     4.0 %             4.0 %
 
                       
 
    100.0 %     100.0 %             100.0 %
 
                       
At March 31, 2009, the Group’s total assets amounted to $6.486 billion, an increase of 4.5%, when compared to $6.206 billion at December 31, 2008. Interest-earning assets were $6.065 billion at March 31, 2009, a 1.1% increase compared to $6.000 billion at December 31, 2008.
Investments principally consist of U.S. government and agency obligations, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and Puerto Rico government bonds. At March 31, 2009, the investment portfolio increased 15.98% to $4.576 billion, from $3.946 billion at December 31, 2008. For further details regarding the Group’s investment securities, refer to Note 2 of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
At March 31, 2009, the Group’s loan portfolio, the second largest category of the Group’s interest-earning assets, amounted to $1.199 billion, a decrease of 1.6% when compared to $1.219 billion at December 31, 2008, mainly the result of increase in the securitization and sale of conventional mortgages into the secondary market. The Group’s loan portfolio is mainly comprised of residential loans, home equity loans, and commercial loans collateralized by mortgages on real estate located in Puerto Rico. Loan production and purchases for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, increased 31.8%, to $87.3 million, compared to $66.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

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TABLE 8 — NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
   (Dollars in thousands)
                                 
    March 31,     December 31,     Variance     March 31,  
    2009     2008     %     2008  
Non-performing assets:
                               
Non- Accruing Loans
  $ 40,367     $ 38,779       4.1 %   $ 29,782  
Accruing Loans
    46,174       38,710       19.3 %     39,385  
 
                         
Total Non-performing loans
    86,541       77,489       11.7 %     69,167  
Foreclosed real estate
    9,681       9,162       5.7 %     4,119  
 
                       
 
  $ 96,222     $ 86,651       11.0 %   $ 73,286  
 
                       
 
                               
Non-performing assets to total assets
    1.48 %     1.40 %             1.19 %
 
                         
TABLE 9 — NON-PERFORMING LOANS
   (Dollars in thousands)
                                 
    March 31,     December 31,     Variance     March 31,  
    2009     2008     %     2008  
Non-performing loans:
                               
Mortgage
  $ 76,911     $ 71,531       7.5 %   $ 65,332  
Commercial, mainly secured by real estate
    8,847       5,186       70.6 %     2,754  
Consumer
    783       772       1.4 %     1,081  
 
                       
Total
  $ 86,541     $ 77,489       11.7 %   $ 69,167  
 
                       
 
                               
Non-performing loans composition:
                               
Mortgage
    88.9 %     92.3 %             94.4 %
Commercial, mainly secured by real estate
    10.2 %     6.7 %             4.0 %
Consumer
    0.9 %     1.0 %             1.6 %
 
                         
Total
    100.00 %     100.00 %             100.00 %
 
                         
 
                               
Non-performing loans to:
                               
Total loans
    7.13 %     6.28 %     13.54 %     5.78 %
 
                       
Total assets
    1.33 %     1.25 %     6.4 %     1.12 %
 
                       
Total capital
    27.10 %     29.65 %     -8.60 %     20.42 %
 
                       
Detailed information concerning each of the items that comprise non-performing assets follows:
  Mortgage loans are placed on a non-accrual basis when they become 365 days or more past due and are written-down, if necessary, based on the specific evaluation of the collateral underlying the loan. At March 31, 2009, the Group’s non-performing mortgage loans totaled $76.9 million (88.9% of the Group’s non-performing loans), a 7.5% increase from the $71.5 million (92.3% of the Group’s non-performing loans) reported at December 31, 2008. Non-performing loans in this category are primarily residential mortgage loans.
  Commercial loans are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days or more past due and are written-down, if necessary, based on the specific evaluation of the underlying collateral, if any. At March 31, 2009, the Group’s non-performing commercial loans amounted to $8.8 million (10.2% of the Group’s non-performing loans), a 70.6% increase when compared to non-performing commercial loans of $5.2 million reported at December 31, 2008 (6.7% of the Group’s non-performing loans). Most of this portfolio is collateralized by commercial real estate properties.
  Consumer loans are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days past due and written-off when payments are delinquent 120 days in personal loans and 180 days in credit cards and personal lines of credit. At March 31, 2009, the Group’s non-performing consumer loans amounted to $783,000 (0.9% of the Group’s total non-performing loans), a 1.4% increase from the $772,000 reported at December 31, 2008 (1.0% of total non-performing loans).

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  Foreclosed real estate is initially recorded at the lower of the related loan balance or fair value at the date of foreclosure. Any excess of the loan balance over the fair value of the property is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Subsequently, any excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value less disposition cost is charged to operations. Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate properties during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, totaled approximately $2.9 million.
At March 31, 2009, the Group’s total liabilities were $6.167 billion, 3.7% higher than the $5.944 billion reported at December 31, 2008. Deposits and borrowings, the Group’s funding sources, amounted to $6.031 billion at March 31, 2009, an increase of 1.9% when compared to $5.920 billion reported at December 31, 2008. Borrowings represented 70.0% of interest-bearing liabilities and deposits represented 30.0%.
The FHLB system functions as a source of credit to financial institutions that are members of a regional Federal Home Loan Bank. As a member of the FHLB, the Group can obtain advances from the FHLB, secured by the FHLB stock owned by the Group, as well as by certain of the Group’s mortgages and investment securities. FHLB funding amounted to $281.7 million at March 31, 2009, versus $308.4 at December 31, 2008. These advances mature from May 2012 through May 2014.
At March 31, 2009, deposits reached $1.806 billion, up 1.2%, compared to the $1.785 billion reported at December 31, 2008. The increase in deposits was driven by interest bearing checking accounts, which totaled $496.3 million at March 31, 2009, up 23.9% when compared to the $400.6 million reported at December 31, 2008, and also by non-interest bearing deposits, which increased 36.5% during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, from $53.2 million at December 31, 2008, to $72.6 million. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in certificates of deposit, which totaled $1.174 billion, net of accrued interest payable of $8.1 million, at March 31, 2009, down 7.9% when compared to the $1.275 billion reported at December 31, 2008. The change in composition of retail deposits largely reflects the conversion in the third quarter of 2008 of the Oriental Money savings and checking account to an interest-bearing checking account.

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TABLE 10 — LIABILITIES SUMMARY AND COMPOSITION
(Dollars in thousands)
                                 
    March 31,     December 31     Variance     March 31,  
    2009     2008     %     2008  
Deposits:
                               
Non-interest bearing deposits
    72,533     $ 53,165       36.5 %   $ 56,232  
NOW accounts
    496,265       400,623       23.9 %     72,031  
Savings accounts
    55,077       50,152       9.8 %     453,709  
Certificates of deposit
    1,174,270       1,274,862       -7.9 %     856,967  
 
                       
 
    1,798,145       1,778,802       1.1 %     1,438,939  
Accrued interest payable
    8,101       6,498       24.7 %     3,049  
 
                       
 
    1,806,246       1,785,300       1.2 %     1,441,988  
 
                       
 
                               
Borrowings:
                               
Federal funds purchases and other short term borrowings
    44,310       29,193       51.8 %     36,517  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    3,757,411       3,761,121       -0.1 %     3,847,633  
Advances from FHLB
    281,675       308,442       -8.7 %     331,853  
FDIC-guaranteed term notes
    105,112             100.0 %      
Subordinated capital notes
    36,083       36,083       0.0 %     36,083  
 
                       
 
    4,224,591       4,134,839       2.2 %     4,252,086  
 
                       
 
                               
Total deposits and borrowings
    6,030,837       5,920,139       1.9 %     5,694,074  
 
                       
 
                               
Securities purchased but not yet received
    112,628       398       28198.5 %     101,375  
Other liabilities
    23,130       23,682       -2.3 %     23,912  
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $ 6,166,595     $ 5,944,219       3.7 %   $ 5,819,361  
 
                       
 
                             
 
                               
Deposits portfolio composition percentages:
                               
Non-interest bearing deposits
    4.0 %     3.0 %             3.9 %
NOW accounts
    27.6 %     22.5 %             5.0 %
Savings accounts
    3.1 %     2.8 %             31.5 %
Certificates of deposit
    65.3 %     71.7 %             59.6 %
 
                       
 
    100.0 %     100.0 %             100.0 %
 
                       
Borrowings portfolio composition percentages:
                               
Federal funds purchases and other short term borrowings
    1.0 %     0.7 %             0.9 %
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    88.9 %     91.0 %             90.5 %
Advances from FHLB
    6.7 %     7.5 %             7.8 %
FDIC-guaranteed term notes
    2.5 %     0.0 %             0.0 %
Subordinated capital notes
    0.9 %     0.9 %             0.8 %
 
                       
 
    100.0 %     100.0 %             100.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Repurchase agreements
                               
Amount outstanding at quarter-end
  $ 3,757,411     $ 3,761,121             $ 3,847,633  
 
                       
Daily average outstanding balance
  $ 3,494,322     $ 3,800,673             $ 3,824,569  
 
                       
Maximum outstanding balance at any month-end
  $ 3,779,627     $ 3,858,680             $ 3,847,633  
 
                       
Stockholders’ Equity
At March 31, 2009, the Group’s total stockholders’ equity was $319.4 million, a 22.2% increase when compared to $261.3 million at December 31, 2008. The Group’s capital ratios are above regulatory capital requirements. At March 31, 2009, the Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio was 6.54%, the Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 16.20%, and the Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 16.79%.

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The following are the consolidated capital ratios of the Group at March 31, 2009 and 2008, and December 31, 2008:
TABLE 11 — CAPITAL, DIVIDENDS AND STOCK DATA
   (In thousands, except for per share data)
                                 
    March 31,     December 31,     Variance     March 31,  
    2009     2008     %     2008  
Capital data:
                               
Stockholders’ equity
  $ 319,351     $ 261,317       22.2 %   $ 338,758  
 
                       
 
                               
Regulatory Capital Ratios data:
                               
Leverage Capital Ratio
    6.54 %     6.38 %     2.5 %     6.67 %
 
                       
Minimum Leverage Capital Ratio Required
    4.00 %     4.00 %         4.00 %
 
                       
Actual Tier 1 Capital
  $ 416,955     $ 389,234       7.1 %   $ 407,984  
 
                       
Minimum Tier 1 Capital Required
  $ 254,836     $ 244,101       4.4 %   $ 244,590  
 
                       
 
                               
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
    16.20 %     17.08 %     -5.2 %     16.93 %
 
                       
Minimum Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio Required
    4.00 %     4.00 %           4.00 %
 
                       
Actual Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
  $ 416,955     $ 389,234       7.1 %   $ 407,984  
 
                       
Minimum Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Required
  $ 102,926     $ 91,146       12.9 %   $ 96,369  
 
                       
 
                               
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
    16.79 %     17.71 %     -5.2 %     17.39 %
 
                       
Minimum Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio Required
    8.00 %     8.00 %           8.00 %
 
                       
Actual Total Risk-Based Capital
  $ 432,102     $ 403,527       7.1 %   $ 419,075  
 
                       
Minimum Total Risk-Based Capital Required
  $ 205,852     $ 182,293       12.9 %   $ 192,738  
 
                       
 
                               
Tangible common equity(1) to total assets
    3.84 %     3.08 %     24.7 %     4.36 %
 
                       
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets
    9.69 %     8.40 %     15.4 %     11.16 %
 
                       
Total equity to total assets
    4.92 %     4.21 %     16.9 %     5.50 %
 
                       
Total equity to risk-weighted assets
    12.41 %     11.47 %     8.2 %     14.06 %
 
                       
 
                               
Stock data:
                               
Outstanding common shares, net of treasury
    24,223       24,297       -0.3 %     24,285  
 
                       
Book value per common share
  $ 10.38     $ 7.96       30.4 %   $ 11.15  
 
                       
Market price at end of period
  $ 4.88     $ 6.05       -19.3 %   $ 19.71  
 
                       
Market capitalization
  $ 118,208     $ 146,991       -19.6 %   $ 478,657  
 
                       
                         
    March 31,     March 31,     Variance  
    2009     2008     %  
Common dividend data:
                       
Cash dividends declared
  $ 972     $ 3,399       -71.4 %
 
                 
Cash dividends declared per share
  $ 0.04     $ 0.14       -71.4 %
 
                 
Payout ratio
    4.12 %     21.88 %     -81.2 %
 
                 
Dividend yield
    3.28 %     9.26 %     -64.6 %
 
                 
 
(1)   Tangible common equity consist of common equity less goodwill

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The following provides the high and low prices and dividend per share of the Group’s stock.
                       
    PRICE   Cash Dividend  
Quarter ended   High     Low   per share  
2009
                     
March 31, 2009
  $ 7.38     $ 0.91   $ 0.04  
 
                     
 
                     
2008
                     
December 31, 2008
  $ 18.56     $ 5.37   $ 0.14  
 
                     
September 30, 2008
  $ 20.99     $ 14.21   $ 0.14  
 
                     
June 30, 2008
  $ 20.57     $ 14.26   $ 0.14  
 
                     
March 31, 2008
  $ 23.28     $ 12.79   $ 0.14  
 
                     
 
                     
2007
                     
December 31, 2007
  $ 14.56     $ 11.01   $ 0.14  
 
                     
September 30, 2007
  $ 11.63     $ 8.39   $ 0.14  
 
                     
June 30, 2007
  $ 12.42     $ 10.58   $ 0.14  
 
                     
March 31, 2007
  $ 14.04     $ 11.25   $ 0.14  
 
                     
The Bank is considered “well-capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action if it meets or exceeds a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6%, a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% and a leverage capital ratio of 5%. In addition, the Group and the Bank meet the following minimum capital requirements: a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4%, a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% and a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 4%.The Group and the Bank exceed these benchmarks due to the high level of capital and the quality and conservative nature of its assets. The table below shows the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios at March 31, 2009:
                                 
    March 31,     December 31,     Variance     March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2009     2008     %     2008  
Oriental Bank and Trust
                               
Regulatory Capital Ratios:
                               
Total Tier 1 Capital to Total Assets
    5.66 %     5.41 %     4.6 %     5.81 %
 
                       
Actual Tier 1 Capital
  $ 339,236     $ 311,300       9.0 %   $ 333,780  
 
                       
Minimum Capital Requirement (4%)
  $ 239,782     $ 230,164       4.2 %   $ 229,605  
 
                       
Minimum to be well capitalized (5%)
  $ 299,728     $ 287,705       4.2 %   $ 287,006  
 
                       
 
                               
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Average
    14.16 %     14.20 %     -0.3 %     15.66 %
 
                       
Actual Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
  $ 339,236     $ 311,300       9.0 %   $ 333,780  
 
                       
Minimum Capital Requirement (4%)
  $ 95,825     $ 87,686       9.3 %   $ 87,686  
 
                       
Minimum to be well capitalized (6%)
  $ 143,737     $ 131,530       9.3 %   $ 131,530  
 
                       
 
                               
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted assets
    14.79 %     14.85 %     -0.4 %     16.18 %
 
                       
Actual Total Risk-Based Capital
  $ 354,383     $ 325,593       8.8 %   $ 344,872  
 
                       
Minimum Capital Requirement (8%)
  $ 191,649     $ 175,373       9.3 %   $ 170,469  
 
                       
Minimum to be well capitalized (10%)
  $ 239,561     $ 219,216       9.3 %   $ 213,087  
 
                       
The Group’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol OFG. At March 31, 2009, the Group’s market capitalization for its outstanding common stock was $118.2 million ($4.88 per share).
On April 25, 2007, the Board of Directors formally adopted the Oriental Financial Group Inc. 2007 Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which was subsequently approved at the June 27, 2007 annual meeting of stockholders. The Omnibus Plan provides for equity-based compensation incentives through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and dividend equivalents, as well as equity-based performance awards. Refer to Note 1 of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Omnibus Plan.

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ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
RISK MANAGEMENT
Background
The Group’s risk management policies are established by its Board of Directors (the “Board”), implemented by management, through the adoption of a risk management program, which is overseen and monitored by the Chief Risk Officer and the Risk Management Committee (RMC). The Group has continued to refine and enhance its risk management program by strengthening policies, processes and procedures necessary to maintain effective risk management.
All aspects of the Group’s business activities are susceptible to risk. Consequently, risk identification and monitoring are essential to risk management. As more fully discussed below, the Group’s primary risks exposure include, market, interest rate, credit, liquidity, operational and concentration risks.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from adverse movements in market rates or prices, such as interest rates or prices. The Group evaluates market risk together with interest rate risk (See “Interest Rate Risk” below).
The Group’s financial results and capital levels are constantly exposed to market risk. The Board and management are primarily responsible for ensuring that the market risk assumed by the Group complies with the guidelines established by Board approved policies. The Board has delegated the management of this risk to the Asset and Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) which is composed of certain executive officers from the business, treasury and finance areas. One of ALCO’s primary goals is to ensure that the market risk assumed by the Group is within the parameters established in the policies adopted by the Board.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the exposure of the Group’s earnings or capital to adverse movements in interest rates. It is a predominant market risk in terms of its potential impact on earnings.
The Group manages its asset/liability position in order to limit the effects of changes in interest rates on net interest income. ALCO is responsible for monitoring compliance with the market risk policies approved by the Board and adopting interest risk management strategies. In that role, ALCO oversees interest rate risk, liquidity management and other related matters.
In discharging its responsibilities, ALCO examines current and expected conditions in world financial markets, competition and prevailing rates in the local deposit market, liquidity, unrealized gains and losses in securities, recent or proposed changes to the investment portfolio, alternative funding sources and their costs, hedging and the possible purchase of derivatives such as swaps and caps, and any tax or regulatory issues which may be pertinent to these areas. ALCO approves funding decisions in light of the Group’s overall growth strategies and objectives.
Each quarter, the Group performs a net interest income simulation analysis on a consolidated basis to estimate the potential change in future earnings from projected changes in interest rates. These simulations are carried out over a one-year time horizon, assuming gradual upward and downward interest rate movements of 200 basis points, achieved during a twelve-month period. Simulations are carried out in two ways:
  (1)   using a static balance sheet as the Group had on the simulation date, and
 
  (2)   using a growing balance sheet based on recent growth patterns and strategies.
The balance sheet is divided into groups of assets and liabilities detailed by maturity or re-pricing and their corresponding interest yields and costs. As interest rates rise or fall, these simulations incorporate expected future lending rates, current and expected future funding sources and cost, the possible exercise of options, changes in prepayment rates, deposits decay and other factors which may be important in projecting the future growth of net interest income.
The Group uses an asset-liability management software to project future movements in the Group’s balance sheet and income statement. The starting point of the projections generally corresponds to the actual values of the balance sheet on the date of the simulations.

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These simulations are highly complex, and use many simplifying assumptions that are intended to reflect the general behavior of the Group over the period in question. There can be no assurance that actual events will match these assumptions in all cases. For this reason, the results of these simulations are only approximations of the true sensitivity of net interest income to changes in market interest rates. The following table presents the results of the simulations at March 31, 2009, assuming a one-year time horizon:
                                 
    Net Interest Income Risk (one year projection)  
    Static Balance Sheet     Growing simulation  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
Change in interest rate   Change     Change     Change     Change  
(In thousands)                                
+ 200 Basis points
  $ 12,019       8.75 %   $ 11,872       8.36 %
 
                       
+ 100 Basis points
  $ 7,783       5.66 %   $ 8,017       5.65 %
 
                       
- 100 Basis points
  $ (18,845 )     -13.71 %   $ (17,405 )     -12.26 %
 
                       
- 200 Basis points
  $ (30,442 )     -22.15 %   $ (26,067 )     -18.36 %
 
                       
Future net interest income could be affected by the Group’s investments in callable securities, prepayment risk related to mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, and its structured repurchase agreements and advances from the FHLB. As part of the strategy to limit the interest rate risk and reduce the re-pricing gaps of the Group’s assets and liabilities, the maturity and the re-pricing frequency of the liabilities has been extended to longer terms. The concentration of long-term fixed rate securities has also been reduced.
The Group uses derivative instruments and other strategies to manage its exposure to interest rate risk caused by changes in interest rates beyond management’s control. The following summarizes strategies, including derivative activities, used by the Group in managing interest rate risk:
Interest rate swaps — Interest rate swap agreements generally involve the exchange of fixed and floating-rate interest payment obligations without the exchange of the underlying principal. The interest rate swaps have been utilized to convert short term repurchase agreements into fixed rate to better match the re-pricing nature of these borrowings. There were no outstanding interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008.
Structured borrowings — The Group uses structured repurchase agreements and advances from the FHLB, with embedded call options, to reduce the Group’s exposure to interest rate risk by lengthening the contractual maturities of its liabilities, while keeping funding costs low.
The Group offers its customers certificates of deposit with an option tied to the performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock market index. At the end of five years, the depositor receives a minimum return or a specified percentage of the average increase of the month-end value of the stock index. The Group uses option agreements with major money center banks and major broker-dealer companies to manage its exposure to changes in those indexes. Under the terms of the option agreements, the Group receives the average increase in the month-end value of the corresponding index in exchange for a fixed premium. The changes in fair value of the options purchased and the options embedded in the certificates of deposit are recorded in earnings.
Derivative instruments are generally negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”) contracts. Negotiated OTC derivatives are generally entered into between two counterparties that negotiate specific agreement terms, including the underlying instrument, amount, exercise price and maturity.
At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the fair value the purchased options used to manage the exposure to the stock market on stock indexed deposits represented an asset of $3.1 million, and $12.8 million, respectively; and the options sold to customers embedded in the certificates of deposit represented a liability of $6.5 million and $16.6 million, respectively, recorded in deposits.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the possibility of loss arising from a borrower or counterparty in a credit-related contract failing to perform in accordance with its terms. The principal source of credit risk for the Group’s is its lending activities.
The Group manages its credit risk through a comprehensive credit policy which establishes sound underwriting standards, by monitoring and evaluating loan portfolio quality, and by the constant assessment of reserves and loan concentrations. The Group also employs proactive collection and loss mitigation practices.
The Group may also encounter risk of default in relation to its securities portfolio. The securities held by the Group are principally mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury and agency securities. Thus, a substantial portion of

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these instruments are guaranteed by mortgages, a U.S. government-sponsored entity or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and are deemed to be of the highest credit quality. The available-for-sale securities portfolio also includes approximately $501.2 million in non-government agency pass-through collateralized mortgage obligations and $133.8 in structured credit investments that are considered of a higher credit risk than agency securities.
Management’s Credit Committee, composed of the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Credit Risk Officer and other senior executives, has primary responsibility for setting strategies to achieve the Group’s credit risk goals and objectives. Those goals and objectives are set forth in the Group’s Credit Policy.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk of the Group not being able to generate sufficient cash from either assets or liabilities to meet obligations as they become due, without incurring substantial losses. The Group’s cash requirements principally consist of deposit withdrawals, contractual loan funding, repayment of borrowings as they mature, and funding of new and existing investment as required.
Effective liquidity management requires the Group to have sufficient cash available at all times to meet its financial commitments, finance planned growth and have a reasonable safety margin for normal as well as unexpected cash needs. ALCO is responsible for managing the Group’s liquidity risk in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board. In discharging its liquidity risk management obligations, ALCO approves operating and contingency procedures and monitors their implementation. The Group’s Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer is responsible for the implementation of the liquidity risk management policies adopted by the Board and of the operating and contingency procedures adopted by ALCO, and for monitoring the Group’s liquidity position on an ongoing basis. Using measures of liquidity developed by the Group’s Treasury Division under several different scenarios, the Treasury Division reviews the Group’s liquidity position on a daily basis whereas ALCO and the Board review is monthly.
The Group meets its liquidity management objectives by maintaining (i) liquid assets in the form of investment securities, (ii) sufficient unused borrowing capacity in the national money markets, and achieving (iii) consistent growth in core deposits. As of March 31, 2009, the Group had approximately $221.8 million in investment securities and $392.8 million in mortage loans available to cover liquidity needs.
The Group utilizes different sources of funding to help ensure that adequate levels of liquidity are available when needed. Diversification of funding sources is of great importance as it protects the Group’s liquidity from market disruptions. The principal sources of short-term funds are deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and lines of credit with the FHLB. ALCO reviews credit availability on a regular basis. The Group securitizes and sells mortgage loans as supplemental source of funding. Long-term certificates of deposit as well as long-term funding through the issuance of notes have also provided additional funding. The cost of these different alternatives, among other things, is taken into consideration. The Group’s principal uses of funds are the origination of loans and the repayment of maturing deposit accounts and borrowings.
Operational Risk
Operational risk is the risk of loss from inadequate or failed internal processes, personnel and systems or from external events. All functions, products and services of the Group are susceptible to operational risk.
The Group faces ongoing and emerging risk and regulatory pressure related to the activities that surround the delivery of banking and financial products. Coupled with external influences such as market conditions, security risks, and legal risk, the potential for operational and reputational loss has increased. In order to mitigate and control operational risk, the Group has developed, and continues to enhance, specific internal controls, policies and procedures that are designed to identify and manage operational risk at appropriate levels throughout the organization. The purpose of these policies and procedures is to provide reasonable assurance that the Group’s business operations are functioning within established limits.

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The Group classifies operational risk into two major categories: business specific and corporate-wide affecting all business lines. For business specific risks, a risk assessment group works with the various business units to ensure consistency in policies, processes, and assessments. With respect to corporate wide risks, such as information security, business recovery, legal and compliance, the Group has specialized groups, such as Information Security, Corporate Compliance, Information Technology and Operations. These groups assist the lines of business in the development and implementation of risk management practices specific to the needs of the business groups. All these matters are reviewed and discussed in the RMC.
The Group is subject to extensive regulation in the different jurisdictions in which it conducts its business, and this regulatory scrutiny has been significantly increasing over the last several years. The Group has established and continues to enhance procedures based on legal and regulatory requirements that are reasonably designed to ensure compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. The Group has a corporate compliance function, headed by a Compliance and Risk Director who reports to the Chief Risk Officer and is responsible for the oversight of regulatory compliance and implementation of an enterprise-wide compliance program.
Concentration Risk
Substantially all of the Group’s business activities and a significant portion of its credit exposure are concentrated in Puerto Rico. As a consequence, the Group’s profitability and financial condition may be adversely affected by an extended economic slowdown, adverse political or economic developments in Puerto Rico or the effects of a natural disaster, all of which could result in a reduction in loan originations, an increase in non-performing assets, an increase in foreclosure losses on mortgage loans, and a reduction in the value of its loans and loan servicing portfolio.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico government is currently facing a significant fiscal deficit. The Commonwealth’s access to the municipal bond market and its credit ratings depend, in part, on achieving a balanced budget. In March 2009, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, laws to reduce spending, including public-sector employment by 10% (approximately 30,000 jobs), raise revenues through selective tax increases, and stimulate the economy. It is not possible to determine the impact on the economy of these measures at this time.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Group’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Group’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon such evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Group’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Group in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Group’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined on rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
PART — II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Group and its subsidiaries are defendants in a number of legal proceedings incidental to their business. The Group is vigorously contesting such claims. Based upon a review by legal counsel and the development of these matters to date, Management is of the opinion that the ultimate aggregate liability, if any, resulting from these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial condition or results of operations.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed under Item 1A to Part 1 of the Group’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

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Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
  a)   None
 
  b)   Not applicable
 
  c)   Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers.
On July 27 2007, the Board approved a new stock repurchase program pursuant to which the Group is authorized to purchase in the open market up to $15.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock. The shares of common stock so repurchased are to be held by the Group as treasury shares. There were no purchases of equity securities under this repurchase program during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be repurchased under the plan amounts to $11.3 million at March 31, 2009.
Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITIES HOLDERS
None
Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
  a)   None
 
  b)   None
Item 6. EXHIBITS
     
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
32.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
32.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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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, thereunto duly authorized.
ORIENTAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
(Registrant)
             
By:
  /s/ José Rafael Fernández
 
      Dated: May 8, 2009 
José Rafael Fernández        
President
  and Chief Executive Officer        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Norberto González
 
      Dated: May 8, 2009 
Norberto González        
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer        

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