Bank Mutual (BKMU) Lowers Qtr. Dividend to $0.07, Announces 1M Share Buyback

November 3, 2009 2:37 PM EST

Bank Mutual Corporation (Nasdaq: BKMU) today announced that its Board has approved a 22% reduction in its quarterly dividend from $0.09 to $0.07 per common share. The dividend will be payable December 1, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 13, 2009.

The yield falls from 5.11% to 3.98%.

Michael T. Crowley, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank Mutual commented, "The Board set the dividend rate in light of an evolving regulatory environment that is becoming stricter, our results over the past several quarters, the current marketplace, and the desire to maintain a strong capital position."

Since its conversion to a fully-shareholder owned company in October 2003, Bank Mutual has repurchased 35.6 million shares of its common stock. Only 24,700 shares remain to be repurchased under Bank Mutual's previous 1.0 million share authorization, which was announced on February 2, 2009. In view of the few shares remaining under the current stock repurchase program, Bank Mutual also announced that its board of directors approved a ninth stock repurchase program whereby the Company may repurchase up to 1.0 million shares of its common stock, which amount represents 2.2% of its currently outstanding shares. Repurchases may be made from time to time and will be effectuated through open market purchases, unsolicited negotiated transactions, or in such other manner deemed appropriate by management. The repurchase program does not specify the timing of purchases or the prices to be paid. The Company's repurchase activities will take into account SEC safe harbor rules and guidance for issuer repurchases.

Mr. Crowley continued, "While we believe that it is appropriate to set a dividend in an amount that is better aligned to current conditions, we also continue to believe that it is in the best interests of Bank Mutual and its shareholders to maintain our flexibility to repurchase shares in appropriate circumstances to help maintain capital at an appropriate level. We are also mindful of the stock price of Bank Mutual's common stock which is now below book value."

Related Categories

Dividends
Stock Buybacks

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• Dividend
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