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Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. Declares Dividend and Announces Repurchase of Warrant from U.S. Treasury

^{Published on 2011-01-19 10:10:32 - Market Wire}
 

LITITZ, Pa.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The board of directors of Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. (Susquehanna) (NASDAQ: SUSQ) has declared a first quarter dividend of $0.01 per common share, payable on February 18, 2011 to shareholders of record February 2, 2011.

"For our shareholders, this repurchase eliminates the potential for dilution of our stock that would have occurred if the warrant had been exercised"

In addition, Susquehanna announced that it has repurchased the warrant that was issued to the U.S. Treasury on December 12, 2008, in conjunction with Susquehannaa™s participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

The warrant entitled the U.S. Treasury to purchase up to 3,028,264 shares of Susquehannaa™s common stock at a price of $14.86 per share. Susquehanna paid $5.3 million to the Treasury to repurchase the warrant.

aThe repurchase of the warrant concludes our participation in the Capital Purchase Program. The Capital Purchase Program played an important role in stabilizing financial markets during the recession and we were pleased to support such an important governmental effort at a critical time,a said Susquehannaa™s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, William J. Reuter. aWith the repurchase of the warrant and dividends that we previously paid on our preferred stock, the U.S. Treasury and taxpayers have received an aggregate return of $29 million on their investment in Susquehanna.a

aFor our shareholders, this repurchase eliminates the potential for dilution of our stock that would have occurred if the warrant had been exercised,a Reuter said. aWe continue to focus on helping our customers to achieve their financial goals, and on seeking opportunities to develop and expand our company as the economy recovers.a

Susquehanna expects to release fourth quarter and full year 2010 earnings results on January 26, 2011. The press release will be posted under aNewsa in the Investor Relations section of Susquehannaa™s Web site at [ www.susquehanna.net ] on the same date. Susquehanna also announced it will broadcast its fourth quarter and full year 2010 conference call over the Internet on January 27, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. The conference call will include managementa™s discussion of fourth quarter and full year 2010 results and may also include forward-looking information and financial goals. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call through a live broadcast on Susquehannaa™s Web site. The event may be accessed by selecting "Investor Relations" near the top right of the home page then aOverviewa and clicking on the fourth quarter webcast link. To listen to the live call, please go to the Web site at least fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled start time to download and install any necessary audio software. For those who are unable to listen to the live broadcast, an archived replay and podcast will be available on the Web site shortly after the call concludes.

Susquehanna is a financial services holding company with assets of approximately $14 billion. Headquartered in Lititz, Pa., the company provides banking and financial services at more than 220 branch locations in the mid-Atlantic region. Through Susquehanna Wealth Management, the company offers investment, fiduciary, brokerage, insurance, retirement planning, and private banking services, with approximately $6 billion in assets under management and administration. Susquehanna also operates an insurance brokerage and employee benefits company, a commercial finance company and a vehicle leasing company. Investor information may be requested on Susquehannaa™s Web site at [ www.susquehanna.net ].

This release may include forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, this release includes forward-looking statements regarding Susquehannaa™s ability to assist customers in achieving financial goals, its ability to expand its business, and the release date of fourth quarter and full year 2010 earnings results. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including risks relating to Susquehanna's ability to monitor its existing loan portfolio, to find qualified borrowers and to cost-effectively manage its operations, as well as risks relating to changes in consumer confidence, changes in the general economic climate, unforeseen action taken by regulators and the other risks set forth in Susquehanna's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Susquehanna encourages readers of this release to understand forward-looking statements to be strategic objectives rather than absolute targets of future performance. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Susquehanna does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by law.