Oriental Financial Group Names José Ramón González Senior Executive Vice President Banking & Corporate Development

August 2, 2010

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oriental Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: OFG) today named José Ramón González as Senior Executive Vice President, Banking & Corporate Development, a new position.

Mr. González will assume responsibility for all areas of Oriental’s growing commercial banking business, including commercial products and services acquired in the FDIC-assisted Eurobank acquisition. He will develop and implement plans to expand the Group’s commercial market share. Mr. González will report to José Rafael Fernández, Vice Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. González served as a member of the Board of Directors of Santander BanCorp., a bank holding company, (NYSE: SBP) since 2000. From 2002 to 2008, he was Vice Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Santander. After joining Santander in 1996 as President and CEO of its securities broker dealer, Mr. González was named Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the holding company in 2001. Mr. González is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, which he joined in 2004, and its Vice Chairman since 2008.

“We are pleased to have an executive of José’s caliber join Oriental as we build our commercial banking franchise,” said Mr. Fernández. “During his 12 years as an executive at Santander, particularly during his tenure as CEO, José expanded Santander's footprint in Puerto Rico by building its commercial business and by acquiring assets and businesses of other banks.”

Mr. González, 55, began his career in banking in the early 1980s as Vice President, Investment Banking, for Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB), and later, from 1989 through 1995, as President and CEO of CSFB’s Puerto Rico operations. He served as President and CEO of the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, a government instrumentality that acts as the Commonwealth’s fiscal agent, from 1986 to 1989. Mr. González has a B.A. in Economics from Yale University and an M.B.A. and Juris Doctor from Harvard University. He is a past President of the Puerto Rico Bankers Association and the Securities Industry Association of Puerto Rico.

About Oriental Financial Group

Oriental Financial Group Inc. is a diversified financial holding company operating under U.S. and Puerto Rico banking laws and regulations. Now in its 46th year in business, Oriental provides a full range of mortgage, commercial and consumer banking services through more than 40 Oriental Group financial centers in Puerto Rico, as well as financial planning, trust, insurance, investment brokerage and investment banking services. Investor information about Oriental can be found at www.orientalfg.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's beliefs and expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties inherent to the Group's business, including, without limitation, the effect of economic and market conditions, the level and volatility of interest rates, and other risks and considerations detailed in the Group’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These or other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements. The Group also disclaims any obligations to update information contained in this news release because of developments occurring after the date of issuance.

Source: Oriental Financial Group Inc.

Contact:

Puerto Rico:

Oriental Financial Group Inc.

Marilyn Santiago-Colón, 787-993-4648

or

U.S.:

Anreder & Company

Steven Anreder and Gary Fishman, 212-532-3232