Popular expects 2026 net interest income growth of about 8.5%
BPOP•Popular expects 2026 net interest income growth of approximately 8.5%, unchanged from its previous forecast. It projects 2% loan growth and 2% higher operating expenses, and forecasts annualized net charge-offs of 80–90 basis points.
1. 2026 outlook
Popular expects 2026 net interest income growth of approximately 8.5%, unchanged from its previous forecast. It projects net charge-offs of 80–90 basis points annualized, operating expense growth of 2% and loan growth of 2%. The loan growth forecast is below the original 3%–4% outlook, reflecting declining auto and lease financing activity; the charge-off forecast reflects year-to-date charge-offs and commercial nonperforming loan inflows.
2. Other projections
Popular forecasts fourth-quarter noninterest income of approximately $170 million and a full-year effective tax rate of 14%. Its operating expense forecast includes maximum profit-sharing contributions.
