Jorge J. García of Popular Named President of Banks Association Board
The Asociación de Bancos de Puerto Rico elected the Popular Inc. executive to lead its board of directors until 2028, alongside new vice president and treasurer.
File photoThe short version
- Sin Comillas reported that Zoimé Álvarez Rubio, presidenta of the Asociación de Bancos de Puerto Rico, announced the election of Jorge J. García as president of the Junta de Directores
- El Vocero reported that García will serve until 2028 and will continue efforts to strengthen the banking sector and promote sustainable economic development
- Sin Comillas and El Vocero reported that Maritza Abadía of Banesco USA in Puerto Rico was elected vice president and Johnny Pérez Crespo of Banco Cooperativo was elected treasurer
- García stated he assumes the role with commitment to promote accessible innovative and solid banking that contributes to sustainable growth
Leadership Change at Banking Association
The Asociación de Bancos de Puerto Rico (ABPR) named Jorge J. García, president and chief executive officer of Popular, Inc., as the new president of its board of directors. Sin Comillas reported the election. El Vocero reported the same appointment.
Zoimé Álvarez Rubio, presidenta of the ABPR, announced the decision. García will hold the post until 2028. Both outlets reported that he will continue the association's work to strengthen the banking sector, promote a solid and competitive financial system, and foster dialogue for sustainable economic development on the island.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Agradezco a la Asociación de Bancos de Puerto Rico la confianza depositada en mí.
Our translation: I thank the Association of Banks of Puerto Rico for the trust placed in me.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Sin Comillas. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
New Board Members and Background
Maritza Abadía, president of Banesco USA in Puerto Rico, was elected vice president of the board. Johnny Pérez Crespo, president and chief executive officer of Banco Cooperativo de Puerto Rico, was elected treasurer. El Vocero reported that Álvarez Rubio expressed satisfaction with the new board, citing the members' experience and their role in advancing the association's mission, including consumer education on financial topics and fraud prevention.
García has more than two decades at Popular, Inc. Before becoming president and CEO, he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He previously held roles including senior vice president, corporate comptroller, director of accounting at Popular, and senior vice president and director of finance and accounting at Popular Bank. Both sources detailed this career path.
Where the sources differ
Sin Comillas and El Vocero agree on the election of Jorge J. García as president of the Junta de Directores until 2028, the election of Maritza Abadía as vice president and Johnny Pérez Crespo as treasurer, García's career history at Popular, and the goals of strengthening the banking sector and sustainable development. El Vocero adds comments from Zoimé Álvarez Rubio on the board's experience and the association's focus on consumer education and fraud prevention. Both sources carry nearly identical versions of García's statement on the banking sector's role.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state when the election or announcement took place, only the publication dates of the articles. They provide no details on the full list of new board members beyond the three named officers, the process by which they were chosen, or specific initiatives García plans to prioritize during his term.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Nuevo presidente de la junta de directores de la Asociación de Bancos
- Reporting Presidente de Popular asume la presidencia de la Junta de la Asociación de Bancos
How we checked this
Sin Comillas and El Vocero both reported the leadership change at the Asociación de Bancos de Puerto Rico and García's background. Comments from Zoimé Álvarez Rubio appear only in El Vocero. García's quoted remarks appear in both outlets.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.