LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - Lloyds Banking Group said its first half performance had strengthened the chances ofthe bank being allowed to pay its first dividend since beingrescued by the government during the 2008 financial crisis.
Lloyds said it will apply to Britain's financial regulatorin the second half of the year to restart dividends at a"modest" level.
"The things that matter are being able to demonstrate astatutory profit and a strong capital position. These half-yearresults show both of those. I do think they strengthen ourhand," Finance Director George Culmer told reporters after thebank reported a jump in profits. (Reporting by Matt Scuffham; Editing by Steve Slater)
Lloyds (LLOY)
