Borrow
Should the big 4 banks pay dividends during COVID-19?
The big four banks should heed APRA’s warnings as well as support shareholders through a dividends reinvestment plan, an industry expert has urged.
Should the big 4 banks pay dividends during COVID-19?
The big four banks should heed APRA’s warnings as well as support shareholders through a dividends reinvestment plan, an industry expert has urged.
The call follows a recommendation from APRA to the big four banks to not pay dividends during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is likely to heavily impact investors requiring dividends to live off.
In a letter, APRA asked the banks to “limit discretionary capital distributions” and consider “prudent reductions in dividends”, but stopped short of blocking payouts to shareholders. APRA urged the companies to defer decisions on dividends until the outlook was clearer, and said any payments should be at a “materially reduced level”.
Plato’s managing director, Dr Don Hamson, said underwritten dividend reinvestment plans (DRPs) is a solution that can help address concerns about the ability of lenders to maintain capacity while paying dividends.
“We know many of Australia’s traditional income stocks have DRPs. These companies can choose to underwrite those plans, which effectively means that new shares will be issued matching the dollar value of all the dividends that they pay,” said Dr Hamson.
“For all those investors electing cash rather than the DRP, the company will still issue new shares, which a broker will sell on market during the DRP pricing period. This allows the company to completely preserve its capital as well as paying dividends to those who rely on the income to make ends meet,” Dr Hamson said.
While highlighting that APRA has acted prudently to protect the big four banks, he encourages a dividend reinvestment plan as it will ensure investors who need the income aren’t hung out to dry.
“Destroying the major income stream of thousands of Australians, many of whom are retirees, will put further strain on the economy, which we believe will fall into a deep recession in the June quarter of 2020,” Dr Hamson concluded.
About the author
About the author
Banking
Banks report $14.4bn profit amid pressure on net interest margins
Australia’s major banks have reported a significant boost to their bottom lines and returns in the first half of the 2022 financial year, signaling sector-wide resilience despite persistent pressure...Read more
Banking
Major banks report rising profits
NAB and ANZ announced their half-year results this week. ...Read more
Banking
Modernisation of direct debit system suffers setback
According to the Reserve Bank (RBA), several major banks will not be able to meet the current timeline for the launch of the PayTo service. ...Read more
Banking
Australians' trust in digital providers has decreased in last five years
Australians have little trust in organisations keeping their information secure, but the financial services industry still sits atop the list. ...Read more
Banking
Commonwealth Bank chairman to retire in August
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) board has announced a successor. ...Read more
Banking
Westpac responds to $113m penalty
The big four bank has responded to the penalty handed down last week. ...Read more
Banking
Westpac ordered to pay $113m for ‘widespread compliance failures’
Westpac has been ordered to pay penalties in the amount of $113 million for widespread compliance failures across multiple businesses, including Westpac’s banking, superannuation, wealth management ...Read more
Banking
Big bank-backed start-up raises $12.75m
A landmark fundraise by Australia’s biggest banks has secured a war chest of $12.75 million to the sector’s blockchain consortium, Lygon, to bolster its research and development into helping banks...Read more
Wrapping up an eventful 2021
Listen now
What Omicron means for property, and are units right for first-time buyers? What is equity crowdfunding? Are industry super funds tapping into member funds to save their skins?
Listen now
Will housing affordability improve in 2022? Will buy now, pay later become the norm? Why are Aussies staying in failing super products?
Listen now
Who really benefits from crypto ETFs? How will the RBA respond to rising inflation? Could a mandate help address unpaid super?
Listen now
Banking
Banks report $14.4bn profit amid pressure on net interest margins
Australia’s major banks have reported a significant boost to their bottom lines and returns in the first half of the 2022 financial year, signaling sector-wide resilience despite persistent pressure...Read more
Banking
Major banks report rising profits
NAB and ANZ announced their half-year results this week. ...Read more
Banking
Modernisation of direct debit system suffers setback
According to the Reserve Bank (RBA), several major banks will not be able to meet the current timeline for the launch of the PayTo service. ...Read more
Banking
Australians' trust in digital providers has decreased in last five years
Australians have little trust in organisations keeping their information secure, but the financial services industry still sits atop the list. ...Read more
Banking
Commonwealth Bank chairman to retire in August
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) board has announced a successor. ...Read more
Banking
Westpac responds to $113m penalty
The big four bank has responded to the penalty handed down last week. ...Read more
Banking
Westpac ordered to pay $113m for ‘widespread compliance failures’
Westpac has been ordered to pay penalties in the amount of $113 million for widespread compliance failures across multiple businesses, including Westpac’s banking, superannuation, wealth management ...Read more
Banking
Big bank-backed start-up raises $12.75m
A landmark fundraise by Australia’s biggest banks has secured a war chest of $12.75 million to the sector’s blockchain consortium, Lygon, to bolster its research and development into helping banks...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
