Banking

PTSB likely to restart paying investor dividends in next year

Central Bank lifted rule which which prevented lender from returning capital to shareholders

Eamonn Crowley, Permanent TSB's chief executive, said the removal of the dividend blocker was a ‘landmark event’ for the bank. Picture: Fergal Phillips

PTSB is likely to resume paying investor dividends as early as next year after the Central Bank of Ireland lifted the so-called “dividend blocker” which prevented the bank returning capital to shareholders.

The dividend blocker, which the regulator lifted on Friday, was first imposed on PTSB in 2016 following the bank’s €4 billion crisis-era bailout. The lender remains majority owned by the state, which currently holds a 57 per cent stake.

Diarmaid Sheridan, a banking ...