Zenith Bank shareholders approve total payout of N63.4b dividend

ITRealms:

The shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc have approved final dividend worth N55.573 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, which brings the total payout to N63.422 billion, reports ITRealms.

The dividend, ITRealms gathered, translates to N1.77 per share, was paid out of N129.65 billion recorded for the year under review.

Giving the approval at the Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on Wednesday, shareholders noted that in all, the bank paid a total dividend of N63.422 billion, having paid an interim dividend of N7.849 billion before now.

Also, the shareholders applauded the board, management and staff for growing its profit after tax by 23 per cent from N105.531 billion in 2015 to N129.65 billion in 2016. Just as the bank ended the year with gross total assets N4.739 trillion, up from N4 trillion in 2015.

The Chairman of the Zenith Bank Plc, Chief Jim Ovia, said despite the challenging operating environment, the bank was able to fully exploit the available opportunities to post the impressive results.

He pointed out that in line with the bank’s commitment to delivering superior returns to its much-valued shareholders, the bank made certain that a good chunk of the profit is set aside for them.

“In this regard, we have declared and paid you an interim dividend of 25 kobo per share in the course of 2016 financial year. We hereby propose a final dividend of 177 kobo per share. This brings the total dividend for the year ended December 31, 2016 to 202 kobo per share as against 180 kobo per share paid he previous year,” he said.

Ovia also said, that even in the face of a very challenging operating environment, Zenith Bank has maintained its culture of outstanding performance and industry leadership.

As a bank, Ovia emphasized, Zenith is monitoring developments both in the local and global economy and applying pragmatism and dynamism as appropriate.

“Our strategy and approach to the pursuit of financial inclusion and sustainability gives us a lot of competitive advantage to explore even new frontiers in the market,” he said.

Equally speaking, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr. Peter Amangbo, said as an institution of well-primed people, the bank relied on a its pool of exceptional staff to make sound and timely decision and addressed issues in a manner that anticipated developments and demonstrated excellent understanding of the dynamics of the market and economy in 2016.

“We shall continue to demonstrate extraordinary commitment to our customer s while maintaining focus on all the areas fundamental to adding value to our partnership,” he said, even as he looks ahead with optimism, though noting that 2017 will come with its challenges and opportunities.

“… But I am confident that our determination, resolve and rare commitment to customer as well as our adaptive ability will ensure resounding results” Amangbo said.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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