Banks paid out higher dividends, RAM Ratings says

The dividend payout ratios of domestic banking groups with financial years ending on Dec 31 ranged from 29% to 88%, markedly higher than the 19% to 77% in the previous year.

KUALA LUMPUR: Banks in Malaysia have paid out higher dividends for the financial year ended Dec 2019 against the backdrop of a cloudy outlook on loan growth and build-up of excess capital, RAM Ratings said.

The dividend payout ratios of domestic banking groups with financial years ending on Dec 31 ranged from 29% to 88%, markedly higher than the 19% to 77% in the previous year, it said in a statement on Friday.