Curtis Banks announces maiden dividend

(ShareCast News) - A small reward for Curtis Banks shareholders came on Thursday, with the announcement of the company's maiden dividend.The AIM-traded self-invested personal pension provider announced the interim dividend of 3.5p per ordinary share, to be paid on 26 February 2016."Curtis Banks has made excellent progress since flotation in May of last year, two highlights being the agreement to administer the Zurich book of policies and the acquisition of Suffolk Life," said chairman Chris Banks."The combination of these two transactions, in addition to the ongoing organic growth, more than doubles the size of the group in less than a year," he added.Curtis Banks' portfolio consisted of around 65,000 self-invested personal pensions at the period end."Growth prospects for Curtis Banks through organic growth and acquisition continue to be positive," said Banks."It is our strategy to reward shareholders for their support through a progressive dividend policy, reflecting the development of the business."Curtis Banks said it would not declare a final dividend, and the dividend being paid would be the full dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015.The company will announce its final results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2015 on 31 March this year, it said in a statement.