¹Adjusted amounts post stock-split on 28 May 2020

²Total dividends paid to shareholders

As decided at its Annual General Meeting, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Lausanne, (ticker: BCVN) is carrying out a 10-for-1 stock split on 28 May 2020.

At 31 December 2019

All resolutions approved at BCV’s annual meeting

BCV's Annual Shareholders’ Meeting was held today in Lausanne, Switzerland. Given the exceptional circumstances caused by the coronavirus outbreak, and in accordance with the provisions set out by the Swiss Federal Council, shareholders were not physically present at the meeting, but instead exercised their voting rights through an independent proxy. This forms part of the measures BCV has been taking to protect its customers, staff, and shareholders, while continuing to provide essential banking services. Despite this unprecedented situation, the Bank is continuing to execute on its mission and ensure that companies, individuals, and public-sector entities can carry out all their necessary banking transactions. The Bank is participating in the Swiss federal program to grant government-backed bridge loans to customers, and is supporting local SMEs by suspending the principal payments on their loans for the first six months of 2020.

5,358 shareholders, or 83.2% of the Group’s capital, were represented at the meeting. All items on the agenda were approved, including the compensation of the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board, which was accepted by more than 95% of the votes cast. Shareholders also approved the 2019 consolidated financial statements, which show a CHF 363m net profit, and ratified the actions of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board for the 2019 financial year. They accepted the Board’s proposal to pay an ordinary dividend of CHF 36 per share. BCV will thus return a total of CHF 310m to its shareholders. With 67% of the share capital, the Canton of Vaud will receive CHF 207m in dividends. The 10-for-1 stock split was likewise approved. BCV shares will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis on 28 May 2020.

Shareholders elected Eftychia Fischer to BCV’s Board of Directors for a four-year term. She is succeeding Reto Donatsch, who has stepped down now that he has reached the age limit of 70 stipulated by law and the Bank’s Articles of Incorporation. Shareholders also reelected Jack Clemons for a further four-year term.

At the meeting, the Board of Directors thanked Reto Donatsch for his commitment and contributions to BCV’s success over his past nine years on the Board.

2019 dividend payout

At the Annual General Meeting on 30 April 2020, the Board of Directors will submit a proposal to pay an ordinary dividend of CHF 36 per share. The dividend will be paid according to the following schedule:

See our dividend payout history

• The BCV share
• Being a BCV shareholder
• BCV's Annual General Meeting
• The BCV dividend
• BCV's capital structure
• BCV's financial statements
• Tax value of BCV shares

The BCV share

What is BCV's market capitalization?

The market capitalization of a listed company is its share price multiplied by the total number of shares outstanding. BCV's market capitalization was CHF 8.3 billion at 31 December 2020.

Where can I get the BCV share price?

The BCV share price is posted in the "BCV Share" section of our website with a 15-minute delay.

What stock market is BCV listed on?

The BCV share is traded in the Domestic Standard segment of the SIX Swiss Exchange (the Swiss stock market) under ISIN CH0531751755, Swiss security number 53 175 175.

How can I buy BCV shares?

You must have a securities account open with a financial institution to buy BCV shares. You can place your buy order with your financial institution.

Being a BCV shareholder

What rights do I have as a BCV shareholder?

The right to sell your shares: You can sell your BCV shares at any time by placing an order with the financial institution where your shares are held. 

The right to a dividend: You will receive any dividends or other distributions approved at BCV’s Annual General Meetings. We intend to pay an ordinary dividend of between CHF 3.4 and CHF 3.8 per share (adjusted amounts post stock-split on 28 May 2020).

The right to receive BCV financial information: You can request to be sent a paper copy of all BCV financial documents, including our annual and interim reports. However, we prefer to issue documents electronically for environmental reasons; electronic versions of our financial reports are available on our website and through our BCV IR app for iPads.

Voting rights: You can vote on resolutions proposed at shareholders' meetings such as the Annual General Meeting. To be able to vote, your name must be included in the register of shareholders by the closing date for the corresponding meeting. View a list of upcoming key dates or learn how to be added to the register of shareholders.

How can I become a BCV shareholder?

BCV shares are traded on the Swiss stock market, the SIX Swiss Exchange. You must have a securities account open with a financial institution to buy BCV shares. You can place your buy order with your financial institution.

How can I be added to the register of shareholders?

We keep a register of all persons owning BCV registered shares. To be added to the register, contact the financial institution where your BCV shares are held.

BCV's Annual General Meeting

When is the next Annual General Meeting?

The next Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 29 April 2021. Confirmation of the date and venue will be announced in February.

Can I attend the next Annual General Meeting?

You must be a BCV shareholder included in the register of shareholders to be invited to the Annual General Meeting. If your name is in the register, you will be sent an invitation by mail along with instructions for attending the meeting, voting by mail or electronically, or appointing a proxy to vote in your place.

The BCV dividend

What is BCV's dividend policy?

In line with the approach adopted over the last decade, the Group has extended its distribution policy for another five years beginning with the 2018 reporting period. In light of the planned reduction in Vaud Canton’s corporate tax rates, the Bank intends to pay an ordinary dividend of CHF 3.4–3.8 (adjusted amounts post stock-split on 28 May 2020), barring significant changes in the economic or regulatory environment or in the Bank’s situation.

When should I buy BCV shares to be able to get a dividend?

Dividends and other distributions are typically paid out a few days after the Annual General Meeting. To receive the payouts, you must have bought your BCV shares before the ex-dividend date.

BCV's capital structure

Who are BCV's main shareholders?

As a cantonal bank, BCV is 66.95%-owned by the Canton of Vaud. The remaining 33.05% – the free float – is owned by private-sector shareholders, including Vaud residents (who own around 11%) and institutional investors like pension funds and investment funds. These private-sector investors come from both Switzerland and abroad.

How much shareholders' equity does BCV have?

BCV had CHF 3.6 billion of shareholders' equity at 31 December 2019, for a total capital ratio of 17.3%. Our shareholders' equity consists entirely of tier 1 capital: share capital, retained earnings, and various other reserves.

What is BCV's market capitalization?

The market capitalization of a listed company is its share price multiplied by the total number of shares outstanding. BCV's market capitalization was CHF 8.3 billion at 31 December 2020.

What is the par value of BCV shares?

Our equity capital consists of 86,061,900 shares with a par value of CHF 1 each, for a total value of CHF 86,061,900.

BCV's financial statements

What accounting standards does BCV use?

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act of 8 November 1934 on Banks and Savings Institutions, the corresponding Ordinance of 30 April 2014 and the Swiss Accounting Rules for Banks, Securities Dealers, Financial Groups and Conglomerates of 27 March 2014 (FINMA Circular 2015/1).

How often does BCV publish its financial statements?

We publish interim and full-year financial statements.

Who is BCV's auditor?

KPMG SA was appointed as the BCV auditor at the Annual General Meeting on 30 April 2020. Auditors are approved by shareholders for one-year terms, and can serve up to five consecutive terms.

Tax value of BCV shares

Below is the tax value of the BCV share at each year-end:

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