By Sandeep Chaudhary
SBL Dividend History Table (2068–2082) – Bonus %, Cash %, Total %, Book Closure Dates
Over the past fifteen years, Siddhartha Bank Limited (SBL) has established one of the most consistent and transparent dividend track records in Nepal’s banking sector. The dividend data from FY 2068/69 to FY 2081/82 reveals not only the bank’s commitment to rewarding shareholders but also its adaptability to changing financial and regulatory conditions. SBL has distributed dividends every year without interruption — a rare achievement that highlights its credibility, financial discipline, and shareholder-focused governance.
In its early phase (FY 2068–2073), SBL’s dividend policy reflected an expansion mindset. The bank offered a mix of bonus and cash dividends, often exceeding 20% total payout. The year 2072/73 remains a historical milestone when the bank distributed an exceptional 39% bonus share, the highest in its dividend history. This bold decision was driven by rapid growth, high profitability, and the need to strengthen paid-up capital to meet regulatory standards.
In the middle years (FY 2074–2076), the bank maintained a balanced dividend pattern. For instance, in FY 2075/76, SBL declared 10% bonus and 15.26% cash, totaling 25.26%, which remains one of its most profitable years. These distributions reflected both financial strength and investor trust as the bank entered a mature operational phase.
From FY 2077 onward, SBL shifted toward a more conservative approach due to Nepal Rastra Bank’s tighter capital adequacy requirements, liquidity pressures, and the overall slowdown in credit expansion. Dividends gradually reduced to 15% in FY 2077/78, 13.16% in FY 2078/79, and only 4.21% and 4.00% cash-only payouts in FY 2079/80 and 2080/81. Despite this decline, the bank never skipped a dividend year — emphasizing its stability and accountability.
In FY 2081/82, SBL announced a total dividend of 10.53%, consisting of 5% bonus shares and 5.53% cash. This marked a healthy recovery and a return to balance after two years of minimal payouts. It shows the bank’s improving liquidity, profit sustainability, and renewed confidence under changing market conditions.
