21 JANUARY 1928, Page 30

BANKING RESCLTS.

As anticipated, all the leading banks have maintained their dividends for the past year, but at the same time some small diminution has been shown in profits. For the most part the reduction has been small, -but the tendency is not, perhaps, to be overlooked, especially if we are to experience lower interest rates, for it must be remembered that so far banks have had-somewhat. higher- mbney rates to enable them -to meet the enormous increase which has taken place in their

oyerhead charges in the. shape of salaries, rates, &c., since the War. In all the dividend announcements which have appeared, however, there have been indications of the same policy of prudence in the matter of placing large sums to

Dontingthicies. -

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