Look for higher bank dividends in 2011

Article Excerpt

Canada’s big five banks have long histories of annual dividend increases. However, rising loan losses and writedowns of illiquid securities stemming from the 2008/2009 financial crisis prompted them to conserve cash instead of raising dividends. Banking regulators around the world are now working on new regulations that would help avoid another crisis. The new rules will probably force banks to increase their capital reserves, which would help them absorb future loan losses. Canada’s banks are in much better shape than banks in other countries. They should have little trouble adapting when the new rules take effect in 2011. After that, we feel Canada’s banks will start raising their dividends again. again…