Diversification of the Balance Sheet >. 11 0 First BanCorp.> 2001 One Set of Numbers - Achievements in 2001 1 Record profits made 2001 a successful year as First BanCorp earned $86.0 million, which comes to $2.61 per common share (basic) or $2.60 per common share (diluted). In 2000 the Corporation earned $67.3 million, the equivalent of $2.22 (basic) or $2.21 (diluted) per common share. Net income increased by 27.8% in 2001, or 17.6% per share on a diluted basis. Net interest income was the key factor in this out- standing performance, and it grew 23.7% to $236.1 million during 2001. Loans increased by $810.6 million or 23.2% for the year, as residential mortgage and commercial loans grew $822 million. The investment portfolio grew by $1.5 billion. During 2001 deposits grew from $3.3 billion to $4.1 billion, an increase of $1.0 billion, or 22.5%. Management has been pursuing a consistent strategy of shift- ing the lending portfolio towards commercial lending without sacrificing the consumer area. During the latter part of the 1990’s Management supported this expansion by recruiting experienced executives and other personnel, by adding new January February March April May June July August September October November December 2001