Popular, Inc. (BPOP) announced that it is the second financial institution in the United States (U.S.) and the first in Puerto Rico (P.R.) to enable their credit cards for use in Cuba.
The MasterCard® credit cards of its two banking subsidiaries, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (BPPR) and Popular Community Bank (PCB), can now be used at any of Cuba’s more than 11,000 authorized merchant terminals and ATMs throughout the Island.
Ignacio Alvarez, President and Chief Operating Officer of Popular stated that, “Popular is excited about this development. The ability to use these credit cards in Cuba will facilitate travel and promote the interaction between our clients in P.R. and the U.S. with the citizens of Cuba.”
Before visiting Cuba, BPPR and PCB MasterCard® cardholders will need to ensure that they have an active credit card and that they are traveling under one of the 12 categories authorized by U.S. regulations, including religious and professional purposes. Customers will also be required to complete a document acknowledging that the card may only be used in connection with one of the 12 categories authorized by U.S. regulations.