The bank did not pay dividend in the 2005 financial year because part of the bank's strategy to meet the N25bn capital base prescribed by the CBN was to capitalize 100% of its PAT for the FY 2005. Consequently, the bank capitalized the PAT of N2.5bn recorded for the financial year ended 30th April 2005.

At the end of 2006 Financial year on 30th April 2006,the bank's shareholders' funds was already N35.0bn,but the CBN declined the bank's proposal to pay dividend to it's shareholders simply in compliance with a statutory provision that precludes bank's with unamortized intangibles in their books from paying dividend. Diamond Bank Plc had acquired Lion Bank Plc with effect from November 1, 2005 and had generated goodwill on acquisition which as at 30th April 2006 had an unamortized balance of balance of N4.18bn.

All banks involved in merger and acquisition during the industry consolidation exercise had a goodwill in their books, and were therefore affected by the statutory provision. The CBN latter gave the banks the leeway to write off the goodwill from their share premium account, as long as their shareholders funds remain over the prescribed minimum =N=25 billion. Accordingly, the Bank has the approval of both the shareholders and CBN to write off the outstanding goodwill from it share premium account. This has put the Bank in the position to pay dividend from year ended 30th April 2007.