First Bank of Toyama boosts dividend, announces buyback

The First Bank of Toyama revised its year-end dividend forecast upwards to ¥19 per share, including a ¥3 special dividend to commemorate the bank's 80th anniversary. This is an increase from the previously announced ¥15 per share and results in an annual dividend of ¥34 per share. The decision was made following a review of the company’s full-year earnings forecast, with surplus funds being channeled towards shareholder returns. Alongside the increased dividend, the bank also announced a plan to repurchase up to 1,200,000 of its own shares, representing 1.88% of the outstanding shares (excluding treasury stock), for a total acquisition cost of up to ¥1 billion. The buyback program will run from April 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025, and will be executed through market purchases. As of February 28, 2025, the bank had 63,748,866 shares outstanding (excluding treasury stock) and held 560,834 of its own shares.