SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Dec. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa Cruz County Bank (OTCQX: SCZC), with assets over $1.86 billion, is a top-rated community bank headquartered in Santa Cruz County. The Bank reported that its Board of Directors declared an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.15 per share. The dividend is payable on January 9, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 5, 2023.

Chairman William J. Hansen stated, "We are pleased to announce an increase to the quarterly cash dividend paid to our shareholders. The new increased dividend will be $0.15 per share and will be payable on January 9, 2023. Earlier this year the Board of Directors declared a 2-for-1 stock split and a $5 million share repurchase program. We are pleased to reward our investors with a 20% dividend increase."

For the quarter ended September 30, 2022, Santa Cruz County Bank reported a record $9.2 million in net income, a 67% increase over the same period in 2021.

Return on average tangible equity was 22.38% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The book value per share of Santa Cruz County Bank's common stock at September 30, 2022 was $22.06, an increase of 3% from the same period in 2021. Shareholders' equity grew to $187.0 million as of September 30, 2022.

ABOUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BANK

Santa Cruz County Bank was founded in 2004. It is a top-rated, locally-owned and operated, full-service community bank headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. The Bank has branches in Aptos, Capitola, Cupertino, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. Santa Cruz County Bank is distinguished from "big banks" by its relationship-based service, problem-solving focus and direct access to decision makers. The Bank is a leading SBA lender in Santa Cruz County and Silicon Valley and a top USDA lender in the state of California. As a full-service bank, Santa Cruz County Bank offers competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and individuals; including business loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction lending, agricultural loans, SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans, asset-based lending, credit cards, merchant services, remote deposit capture, mobile and online banking, bill payment and treasury management. True to its community roots, Santa Cruz County Bank has supported regional well-being by actively participating in and donating to local not-for-profit organizations.

Santa Cruz County Bank stock is publicly traded on the OTCQX U.S. Premier marketplace under the symbol SCZC. Stock purchase orders may be placed online, through a brokerage firm, or through Market Makers listed in the Investor Relations section of the bank's website. For more information about Santa Cruz County Bank, visit www.sccountybank.com.