KCB has disbursed Sh 2.12 billion in dividend earnings to the Government of Kenya for the year ending December 2019, signifying a sustained return to shareholders amid a tough operating environment.
The return, made up of Sh1 interim dividend and Sh 2.50 final dividend,is the highest amount the KCB has ever paid in dividends to the Government of Kenya.
The lender, on June 4 during 2019 Annual General Meeting KCB Group shareholders, approved a Sh 11.1 billion total dividend payout to be paid on or before July 3, 2020 to shareholders on the register as of close of business on April 27, 2020.
Speaking when handing over the cheque to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani, KCB Group Chairman Andrew Wambari Kairu said the bank has over the years consistently maximized shareholder value and provided an unmatched return on investment to its shareholders.
“This payout is timely, coming at a time when there are rising expenditure demands in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and revenue collections are subdued. We need to channel resources directly to MSMES to get them going through the crisis” said Treasury CS Ukur Yatani.
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“As a significant player in the banking industry, we believe that our responsibilities go beyond banking, and we are committed to contributing to addressing socio-economic challenges across the different markets in which we operate. During this season when the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our economy, we are playing our role to stem the spread of the virus as well as cushion the economy through various initiatives among them restructuring of loans for our customers,” said the Chairman.
The 2019 dividends are on the back of impressive Profit After Tax for the year which increased by 5 per cent to Sh 25.2 billion.
Last month, KCB reported Sh 6.3 billion in profit after tax in the first quarter of 2020 ending March an 8 per cent jump from the Sh 5.8 billion posted a similar period last year.
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