CONTINENTAL BANK INITIAL DISTRIBUTION APPROVED
Continental Bank of Canada said
shareholders approved a capital reorganization to allow an
initial payout by the end of May to common shareholders from
last year's 200 mln Canadian dlr sale of most Continental
assets to <Lloyds Bank PLC>'s Lloyds Bank Canada.
    The bank said the initial distribution would take the form
of a stock dividend of cumulative redeemable retractable class
A series two preferred shares entitling holders to monthly
floating rate dividends at 72 pct of prime and to 12.75 dlrs a
share on retraction.
    Continental said the initial payout was subject to Canadian
government approval.
    The bank reiterated that total distributions to common
shareholders would range from 16.50 dlrs a share to 17.25 dlrs
including the initial stock dividend and a final distribution
in late 1988 or early 1989.
    The payout of existing preferred shareholders will be
completed just before next month's initial distribution to
common shareholders, Continental added.
   
 Reuter
