Our History

Popular Securities, originally named BP Capital Markets, was established in 1995 in Puerto Rico when Popular, Inc. acquired Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB)’s local public finance practice. Prior to its acquisition, the Firm operated as the Puerto Rico subsidiary of CSFB, which had been a leading senior manager of Puerto Rico public offerings since 1978. Since then, the Firm has continued to successfully provide municipal finance services to clients across the nation.

As evidence of its commitment to the municipal bond market, in 2002 the Firm expanded its reach and began to act as underwriter for the City of New York’s bond issues. In March 2004, building on its success and experience with the City of New York, Popular Securities expanded the resources it dedicated to the U.S. municipal market by opening its first branch office in New York City.

In January 2005, Popular Securities opened investment banking offices in San Antonio, Houston, and Chicago and added six experienced investment bankers to staff these offices. Maria Saldaña heads the Firm’s U.S. investment banking effort and is the first Hispanic female to head the public finance department of a major financial institution.

In 2006, Popular Securities reaffirmed its intended national expansion by adding five bankers; one in Chicago, one in Texas, two in New York, and one in Puerto Rico to complement its existing team of professionals. The U.S. offices are focused on the municipal marketplace; supporting issuers in both the primary and secondary markets. The Puerto Rico office provides public finance, equity issues, mutual funds, mergers & acquisitions, structured notes and other services.