One-third or 11 of the 33 banks listed on the country’s stock exchange paid higher dividends in 2021 than in 2020. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .And most banks have paid dividends like last year. However, in terms of dividends, most of the banks have remained the same as in the previous year, but their earnings per share (EPS) has increased by two-thirds, that is, 22 banks.
Earlier this year, the banks released their last year’s dividend and financial information. This information has been published on the websites of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE).
According to the website of the major stock exchange DSE, the dividends of 11 of the 33 banks listed on the stock exchange increased last year over the previous year. Dividends were reduced in 8 banks, and remained unchanged in 13 banks. At the same time, earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 22. This means that the profits of these banks have increased over the previous year. And the EPS of 10 banks has decreased due to the decrease in profit. Besides, the financial condition of ICB Islamic Bank has become worse than before. As such, the bank’s EPS was negative. It has increased in 2021.
The 11 banks that have declared higher dividends in 2021 than in 2020 are: The City, Mercantile, NCC, NRBC, Premier, Prime, Shahjalal, Southeast, Standard, Trust and Uttara Bank. The dividends of these banks have increased from a minimum of 1 per cent to a maximum of 3 per cent over the previous year. Their dividends have increased with the addition of cash and bonuses. Companies listed on the stock exchange usually declare dividends at the end of the financial year in the form of cash or bonus or both. The dividends are received by stock market investors as well as entrepreneurs-managers involved in the ownership of the bank.
In 2021, the dividends of six banks have decreased compared to 2020. They are: Bank Asia, Dutch-Bangla, Eastern, One, Rupali and South Bengal Agriculture and Commerce Bank.
