Britain’s top lenders will be watched closely for any big investor payouts alongside half-year figures next week after pandemic curbs on dividends were scrapped. It halted dividends in the sector in March last year when the pandemic struck, but said in December that banks could pay limited dividends. The Bank said those limits were “no longer necessary” earlier this month as it handed back dividend decisions to bank boards. But the Bank was quick to reiterate calls for lenders to continue helping households and businesses as coronavirus support measures come to an end. Dean Jayson, head of UK banking at Accenture, said: “Many lenders will be cautiously optimistic that the most turbulent period has passed.

Source: Irish Independent July 22, 2021 14:37 UTC