(1)

After making provision for bad and doubtful debts, depreciation in assets, equalisation of dividends, contribution to staff and superannuation funds and for all other matters for which provision is necessary by or under this Act or which are usually provided for by banking companies, a subsidiary bank may, out of its net profits, declare a dividend.

(2)

The rate of dividend shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the subsidiary bank concerned.

(3)

Nothing in this section shall be deemed to preclude the payment of interim dividends in such manner and to such extent as may be prescribed.

[40A. Transfer of unpaid or unclaimed dividend to unpaid dividend account - (1) Where, after the commencement of the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks Laws) Amendment Act, 2007, a dividend has been declared by the subsidiary bank but has not been paid, or claimed, within thirty days from the date of declaration, to or by any shareholder entitled to the payment of the dividend, the subsidiary bank shall, within seven days from the date of the expiry of such period of thirty days, transfer the total amount of dividend which remains unpaid, or unclaimed within the said period of thirty days, to a special account to be called "unpaid dividend account of ..................................... (Name of the subsidiary bank).

Explanation. - In this sub-section, the expression "dividend which remains unpaid " means any dividend the warrant in respect thereof has not been encashed or which has otherwise not been paid or claimed.

(2)

Where the whole or any part of any dividend, declared by the subsidiary bank before the commencement of the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks Laws) Amendment Act, 2007, remains unpaid at such commencement, the subsidiary bank shall, within a period of six months from such commencement, transfer such unpaid amount to the account referred to in sub-section (1).

(3)

Any money transferred to the unpaid dividend account of the subsidiary bank in pursuance of this section, which remains unpaid or unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date of such transfer shall be transferred by the subsidiary bank to the Investor Education and Protection Fund established under sub-section (1) of section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956.

(4)

The money transferred under sub-section (3) to the Investor Education and Protection Fund shall be utilised for the purposes and in the manner specified in section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956] [Inserted by Act 30 of 2007 (w.e.f. 18.6.2007) ]