AmeriServ Financial, Inc. Increases Quarterly Common Stock Cash Dividend

JOHNSTOWN, Pa., July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) announced that its Board of Directors declared a $0.015 per share quarterly common stock cash dividend.  This new quarterly dividend amount represents a 50% increase from the previous $0.01 per share quarterly dividend.  The cash dividend is payable August 22, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 8, 2016.  This increased cash dividend represents a 1.9% annualized yield using the July 21, 2016 closing common stock price of $3.13 and represents an approximate payout ratio of 21% based upon the Company's recently reported second quarter 2016 earnings per share of $0.07. 

Jeffrey A. Stopko, President & Chief Executive Officer, commented on the increased dividend:  "Our focus in 2015 was on increasing earnings and building cash in order to pay off our SBLF preferred stock before the rate would sharply increase.  With the successful redemption of the SBLF preferred stock in the first quarter of 2016 and the Company's rapid return to more typical profitability levels in the second quarter of 2016, our Board of Directors is confident that this is the appropriate time to begin to return more capital to our shareholders."

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. is the parent of AmeriServ Financial Bank and AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company in Johnstown.  The Company's subsidiaries provide full-service banking and trust and wealth management services through sixteen community offices in southwestern Pennsylvania.  At June 30, 2016, AmeriServ had total assets of $1.1 billion, a book value of $5.25 per common share and a tangible book value of $4.62 per common share. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, information regarding AmeriServ's dividend program and future payment obligations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause AmeriServ's results to differ materially from management's current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in AmeriServ's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of AmeriServ's management and on currently available information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by AmeriServ on its website or otherwise. AmeriServ undertakes no responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

                                   

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160411/353886LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ameriserv-financial-inc-increases-quarterly-common-stock-cash-dividend-300303158.html

SOURCE AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

Copyright 2016 PR Newswire