UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):   October 7, 2011

First BanCorp.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Puerto Rico 001-14793 66-0561882
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(State or other jurisdiction
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(Commission
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(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
1519 Ponce de Leon Ave., PO Box 9146, San Juan, Puerto Rico   00908-0146
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(Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   787-729-8041

Not Applicable
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Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On October 7, 2011, the Board of Directors of First BanCorp. (the "Corporation") determined to elect, subject to regulatory approval, Roberto R. Herencia to serve as non-executive chairman of the Corporation’s Board of Directors. Mr. Herencia is the President and CEO of BXM Holdings, a fund specializing in community bank investments. He serves as an independent director of SKBHC Holdings, a bank holding company, and its subsidiary banks AmericanWest Bank and First National Bank of Starbuck. Between 2009 and 2010, Mr. Herencia was the President and CEO of Midwest Banc Holdings Inc. and Midwest Bank and Trust. Previously, he spent 17 years with Popular Inc. as its Executive Vice President and as President of Banco Popular North America. The Board committees on which Mr. Herencia will serve have not been determined.






SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
    First BanCorp.
          
October 13, 2011   By:   /s/ Lawrence Odell
       
        Name: Lawrence Odell
        Title: EVP and General Counsel