Banco Popular Joins with Marc Anthony in Benefit Concert for Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Banco Popular Joins with Marc Anthony in Benefit Concert for Hispanic Scholarship Fund

		BANCO POPULAR MARC ANTHONY BENEFIT CONCERT Marc Anthony performing at the Beacon Theatre in New York city at the 'Una Voz Popular' concert, sponsored by Banco Popular North America to benefit the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] NEW YORK, NY USA

'Una Voz Popular' to Celebrate Banco Popular's 110th Anniversary of Serving the Community NEW YORK, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In conjunction with Banco Popular's 110th anniversary celebration, Banco Popular North America, the country's leading Hispanic-owned financial institution, today joined forces with Marc Anthony to support Hispanic youth education with a special benefit concert and gala. "Una Voz Popular" concert proceeds benefited the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) and is part of Banco Popular's ongoing fundraising campaign, which extends into 2004. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031215/MXM003 ) "Since our humble beginnings in 1893 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we at Banco Popular have believed that everyone who has a dream deserves the opportunity to achieve it," said Roberto R. Herencia, president of Banco Popular North America. "This campaign is in keeping with our mission to become the premier community bank in the markets we serve and continue to contribute to support the community's social and economic development." This is the first full concert appearance in New York in more than a year for Marc Anthony, a leading international recording star and actor, and featured a one hour and two minute selection of his pop and salsa hits. Marc Anthony, a close friend to Banco Popular, donated his entire performance to the cause. "It is a great honor to support my dear friends at Banco Popular," said Anthony. "The support and encouragement I receive from family and friends continue to inspire me to be my best." The benefit concert, held at the historic Beacon Theatre, was preceded by a Red Carpet procession featuring a host of celebrity supporters. The celebrity list included: Actress Rosie Perez, who also served as the event's mistress of ceremonies, Actor Jimmy Smits, Dominic Chianese from "The Sopranos," Star Jones of "The View," Chris Noth of "Sex and the City," Mary Delgado of "The Bachelor," and Miss USA Susie Castillo, to name a few. In addition, the event featured a post-concert gala at the Rainbow Room, featuring a silent auction with "star" appeal. Highlights included: an autographed Gibson Guitar by Marc Anthony, a Sammy Sosa autographed baseball, Gucci sunglasses, JVC Home Entertainment Center, a Kenmore Trio Refrigerator and tickets to attend MTV's Total Request Live. "The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is very proud to have successful role models in our community, like Marc Anthony, supporting our cause and encouraging young Hispanic students to strive for a college education," said Sara Martinez Tucker, president and CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. "We are grateful to Banco Popular for making us the beneficiaries of this special night of entertainment that will help make our scholarship and outreach efforts possible." Money raised from Banco Popular's entire fundraising effort will support HSF in meeting its mission to double the rate of Hispanics earning a college degree. While the 2000 U.S. Census shows that Hispanics are the largest minority in the country, education remains a key issue as the Bureau reveals a dramatic discrepancy in the educational attainment of Hispanics compared to other groups: -- Hispanics have the highest dropout rate, at 28 percent, of any major racial or ethnic group (ages 16 to 24), compared to 7 percent for Whites and 13 percent for African Americans. -- In 2000, 36 percent of Hispanic high school graduates ages 18 to 24 enrolled in colleges and universities, compared to 44 percent of non- Hispanic Whites.* -- In 2000, Hispanic students accounted for 7 percent of students enrolled at 4-year institutions. Just over 11 percent of Hispanic adults have a bachelor's degree, compared with 29.4 percent of non-Hispanic Whites. Nationally, HSF awarded $26 million in scholarships to more than 7,500 Hispanic students last year. In New York, they awarded $1.1 million in scholarships to more than 462 students last. Since 1975, HSF has awarded more than 4,300 scholarships in the New York metro area totaling more than $8.4 million. Banco Popular has been involved with HSF for more than seven years donating money and time. Jose Antonio Torres, senior vice president, SBA Lending, Banco Popular North America, is currently serving his second term on the organization's board of directors. About The Hispanic Scholarship Fund The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the nation's leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education. Founded in 1975, HSF's vision is to strengthen the country by advancing college education among Hispanic Americans, the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. In support of its mission to double the rate of Hispanics earning college degrees, HSF, a 501(c)3 not-for profit organization, provides the Latino community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. Banco Popular North America Banco Popular North America is the U.S. mainland banking subsidiary of Puerto Rico-based Popular, Inc., ranked among the country's 35 largest financial institutions with over $37 billion in assets. Presently, Banco Popular North America operates a total of 98 branches in California, Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Florida. Banco Popular was founded 110 years ago in San Juan, Puerto Rico. http://www.bancopopular.com .