BANGKOK BANKS ALLOWED TO PAY DIVIDENDS

The Bank of Thailand has allowed banks to pay interim dividends as lenders are strong with sufficient capital to withstand the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks, Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said.

Bangkok Post reported that banks were allowed to pay interim dividends not exceeding last year's dividend payment rates and up to 50% of first-half net profits of 2021, the governor said on a statement.

The BoT will monitor the situation and banks' financial assistance for their borrowers before deciding lenders' annual dividend payments for 2021, the statement said.

It will also consider whether to allow banks to continue to pay a lowered 0.23% of deposits per annum to the Financial Institutions Development Fund after the end of this year.

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