Wiesbaden, 22 May 2019 – At today's Annual General Meeting, the shareholders of Aareal Bank AG approved distribution of a dividend of € 2.10 per share for the 2018 financial year. The pay-out ratio is at the upper end of the range of 70 to 80 per cent announced within the scope of the Bank's dividend policy, based on the earnings per ordinary share (EPS), not including the positive non-recurring effect related to the acquisition of Düsseldorfer Hypothekenbank. The corresponding resolution proposed by the Management Board and the Supervisory Board was adopted with a majority of 99.98 per cent of the share capital present at the Meeting. Shareholders also approved the other management proposals on the agenda with a large majority.
"The strong figures of the past financial year are proof, once more, that Aareal Bank Group is well-prepared to face the challenges of the years to come", CEO Hermann J. Merkens told shareholders attending the Annual General Meeting. "We have a very robust capital base and a strong operating business, whose future we continue to invest in – fully aware of any risks, but also of the ample opportunities that we want to grasp in a rapidly changing market and competitive environment", Mr Merkens added.