By PATRICK ALUSHULAMore by this AuthorThe Co-operative Bank Group has increased dividend payout by 25 percent to Sh5.86 billion as full year net profit grew by 11.6 percent to Sh12.7 billion. Shareholders are set for Sh1 per share, up from Sh0.80, with the group’s earnings for the year ended December 2018 supported by growth in interest income and prudent cost management. Profit growthThe bank becomes the fourth lender to post growth in profit after KCB Group, Stanbic Plc, Barclays Bank of Kenya and Diamond Trust Bank. During the period under review, total interest income grew by 6.6 percent to Sh43 billion. This was supported by 3.1 percent growth in interest income from loans and advances to Sh32.9 billion and a further 19.2 percent growth in interest income from government securities to Sh9.8 billion.

Source: Daily Nation March 21, 2019 18:45 UTC