Banco Popular is the third largest commercial banking company in Spain. While Spain is the base and the largest market for Banco Popular, the institution has operating facilities in several other European countries, as well as joint operating agreements to provide banking services in Mexico and some South American countries (Banco Popular, 2004). This overview of Banco Popular includes the history of the banking institution and a description of the markets in which the bank participates. The opportunities available to Banco Popular in the markets in which it participates are discussed. The effects of government regulations on the operation of the bank are considered. The performance of the bank (with a primary focus on financial performance) is reviewed.
Banco Popular was founded in 1926 in Madrid, Spain as Banco Popular Espanol. Within the Spanish market, Banco Popular operates as a national bank with headquarters in Madrid where it operates under the name Banco Popular. Banco Popular also operates five regional banks in the Spanish market under the names Banco de Andalucfa, Banco de Castilla, Banco de CrTdito Balear, Banco de Vasconia, Banco de Galicia (Banco Popular, 2004).
Operations were established in the French in Paris in 1968, and, in 1991, the operation in Paris was expanded to 14 other locations in France. The company's operations in France were reorganized as Banco Popular France, which now operates as a wholly-owned su
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