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):   May 18, 2018

First BanCorp.
__________________________________________
(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
______________________________________________
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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company [  ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]


Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.

On May 18, 2018, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Audit Committee") of First BanCorp (the "Corporation"), following a competitive process undertaken by the Audit Committee, engaged Crowe Horwath LLP ("Crowe") to serve as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the subsequent interim period through May 18, 2018, the Corporation has not consulted with Crowe, regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report was provided to the Corporation nor oral advice was provided that Crowe concluded was an important factor considered by the Corporation in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a "disagreement," as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K, or a "reportable event," as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.






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.
          
May 18, 2018   By:   Orlando Berges
       
        Name: Orlando Berges
        Title: EVP, Chief Financial Officer