News Briefs: County bank offers dividends

Santa Cruz County Bank is offering shareholders a dividend because of profits from 2015.
On Monday, the bank reported a $5.4 million net income for last year — a 24 percent increase from the previous year’s earnings. Shareholders in the bank will receive 5 cents for each share they own, payable on April 11.
Common stock in Santa Cruz County Bank cost $20.47 a share on Dec. 31, which was an increase over the $18.04 share price at the end of 2014.
The bank maintains offices in Scotts Valley, Aptos, Watsonville, Capitola and Santa Cruz. According to a news release on Monday, the dividend is the 12th consecutive cash payout declared by the bank’s Board of Directors since its founding in 2004.