First BanCorp. New filed SEC Form 8-K: Leadership Update

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 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): June 16, 2025

First BanCorp.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(787) 729-8200

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

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:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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. ☐

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On June 16, 2025, First BanCorp. (the “Corporation”), the bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico (“FirstBank” or the “Bank”), announced a strategic reorganization aligned with the Corporation’s corporate succession plan (the “Strategic Reorganization”).

As part of the Strategic Reorganization, the Corporation announced that Mr. Donald Kafka, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), will retire from his position at the Corporation effective September 15, 2025.  In connection with Mr. Kafka’s retirement, the Corporation also announced that Mr. Juan Carlos Pavía, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, will succeed Mr. Kafka as COO, effective August 1, 2025. As COO, Mr. Pavía will oversee the areas of Banking Operations, Corporate Security, Information Technology, Real Estate, a new Business Transformation Unit, and will also continue to oversee the areas of Credit Risk and Credit Administration. Mr. Kafka will remain an officer of the Corporation and will continue to work closely with Mr. Pavía through September 15, 2025.

Mr. Pavía, age 45, joined the Corporation in 2014 as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Risk Officer. In May 2021, Mr. Pavía was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, a position he currently holds. Additionally, Mr. Pavía currently serves on the Board of Managers of the Corporation’s subsidiaries: FB Private Equity Fund LLC, and FB Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FB Private Equity Fund LLC.  Mr. Pavía has over fifteen years of experience within the banking industry, including roles within the credit risk, current expected credit losses, workout, operations and asset-based lending areas. Prior to joining the Corporation, Mr. Pavía held various leadership positions at other financial institutions in Puerto Rico and in the Government of Puerto Rico.

There are no family relationships between any of the Corporation’s directors or officers and Mr. Pavía that are required to be disclosed under Item 401(d) of Regulation S-K. In addition, Mr. Pavía does not have any interests in any transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

There have been no changes made to Mr. Pavía’s plans, contracts or arrangements with the Corporation in connection with his promotion to COO, as detailed in the Corporation’s 2025 Annual Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 2025.

SIGNATURE

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.

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