Real Estate Agents Rate E-LOAN As a Top Partner; Survey Shows Agents Consistently Rate E-LOAN Experience as Overwhelmingly Positive, Would Recommend E-LOAN To Clients

Business Wire, July 11, 2006

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- E-LOAN(R), an online consumer direct lender, today unveiled the results of its first quarter 2006 real estate agent survey. More than 90% of agents surveyed reported being "completely satisfied" with their E-LOAN experience and nearly 85% noted that they would recommend E-LOAN to their clients.

E-LOAN launched its real estate agent initiative in the first quarter of 2006 to partner with real estate agents from around the country who are looking to provide a faster and easier way for their clients to get a loan. E-LOAN provides real estate agents and their clients with guaranteed on-time closings; verified pre-approvals; 24/7 access to a wide breadth of loan products, including non-prime loans; and dedicated, non-commissioned Loan Consultants that are trained to guide individuals to the best loan product for their financing needs.

"This is a great validation of the commitment and investment we've made in building relationships with and developing a compelling offering for real estate agents," said Mark Lefanowicz, president of E-LOAN. "In order to maintain the success of this initiative, we know that we must continue to work closely with agents to understand what they need to make the home buying process as simple as possible for them and their customers."

"I have had an incredible E-LOAN experience," said Suzy Watkins, a RE/MAX Alliance broker and manager in Kentucky. "Their level of customer care and their emphasis on keeping me informed throughout the entire process has simply been amazing. I have never run across a more passionate group of people truly committed to helping the customer."

About E-LOAN(R)

E-LOAN is an online consumer direct lender dedicated to providing borrowers with a simple, easy and open way to obtain mortgage, auto loans, and home equity loans. Since its launch in 1997, E-LOAN has drawn upon its pro consumer values to improve the lending experience in revolutionary ways. By eliminating the traditional incentive structure to charge consumers higher rates, giving consumers free access to credit scores and eliminating lender fees, E-LOAN is providing a uniquely open, fair and honest loan process. Protecting consumers' financial privacy is also a paramount concern, leading E-LOAN to implement industry leading privacy practices and advocate strong consumer financial privacy protection laws. Consumers have recognized E-LOAN for its trustworthiness and respect for customers. Three independent studies conducted by TRUSTe and The Ponemon Institute ranked E-LOAN as one of the Top 20 Most Trusted Companies for Privacy in America. In another independent study conducted by The Customer Respect Group, E-LOAN received the overall highest rating in the Online Customer Respect Study of North America's largest financial services firms. E-LOAN has originated and sold over $27 billion in consumer loans.

E-LOAN is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Popular Financial Holdings, Inc., in turn a wholly-owned subsidiary of Popular, Inc., a full service financial services provider with operations in Puerto Rico, the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. To find out more about E-LOAN and its products and services, logon to http://www.eloan.com or call 1-888-533-5333.