Community Bankers Trust Corporation Announces Recommencement of Share Repurchase Program and Increase in Quarterly Dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

Community Bankers Trust Corporation (NASDAQ: ESXB) has recommenced its share repurchase program, allowing for the buyback of up to 200,000 shares through January 2021. Previously, the company paused the repurchase program due to the COVID-19 pandemic after acquiring 130,800 shares. Additionally, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share, effective December 1, 2020, marking a $0.01 increase from previous payouts since March 2020. This move reflects the company's commitment to maximize shareholder value during ongoing economic challenges.

Positive

• Recommencement of share repurchase program with up to 200,000 shares to be bought back, enhancing shareholder value.
• Increase in quarterly dividend to $0.06 per share, providing direct returns to shareholders.

Negative

• None.

RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Bankers Trust Corporation (NASDAQ: ESXB), the holding company for Essex Bank, announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the recommencement of its share repurchase program and another increase in its quarterly dividend.

The Company began in January 2020 a program to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock through January 2021 and purchased 130,800 shares until pausing the program at the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  The Company announced that its Board of Directors has now reauthorized the program, with approval to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of its common stock through January 2021.  Shares of common stock may be purchased under the program periodically in privately negotiated transactions or in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, and pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share with respect to the Company's outstanding common stock.  The dividend will be payable on December 1, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 20, 2020.  The dividend amount payable in December 2020 is a $0.01 increase over the amount of the quarterly dividends paid since March 2020.

Rex L. Smith, III, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased to get back on track with our stock repurchase plan and, at the same, increase our dividend yet again.  We continue to focus on long-term growth and maximizing value for our shareholders, including the best use of capital for the Company and shareholders.  We continue to execute on our key strategies and plans under any and all economic environments, with 2020 being no different, focusing on our day-to-day operations and critically analyzing the strategic opportunities as they become available."

The actual means and timing of any purchases, target number of shares and prices or range of prices under the repurchase program, which the Company will determine in its discretion, will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of the Company's common stock, share issuances under the Company's equity plans, general market and economic conditions, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.  The Company's Board of Directors may modify, amend or terminate the program at any time. There is no assurance that the Company will purchase any shares under the program.

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About Community Bankers Trust Corporation and Essex Bank

Community Bankers Trust Corporation is the holding company for Essex Bank, a Virginia state bank with 24 full-service offices, 18 of which are in Virginia and six of which are in Maryland.  The Bank also operates two loan production offices.

Additional information on the Bank is available on the Bank's website at www.essexbank.com.  For information on Community Bankers Trust Corporation, please visit its website at www.cbtrustcorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's share repurchases, payment of dividends and strategic plans and objectives. These statements are made on the basis of the Company's views and assumptions as of this time, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements unless required by law.  These statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual events or results may differ materially from these statements.  Investors should consult the periodic and other reports that the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in each of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020) for information about certain factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause such differences.  Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting the Company's website at www.cbtrustcorp.com. 

Contact:  Bruce E. Thomas
Community Bankers Trust Corporation
804-934-9999

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SOURCE Community Bankers Trust Corporation

FAQ

What is the recent share repurchase program for ESXB?

Community Bankers Trust Corporation has reauthorized a share repurchase program to buy back up to 200,000 shares through January 2021.

What is the new dividend amount announced by Community Bankers Trust Corporation?

The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share, an increase of $0.01 from previous dividends.

When will the new dividend for ESXB be paid?

The dividend will be payable on December 1, 2020, to shareholders of record as of November 20, 2020.

How many shares were purchased under the previous share repurchase program for ESXB?

Previously, 130,800 shares were purchased before the program was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.