The Sanlam Group has embarked on a campaign to encourage those individual shareholders who still receive their dividend payments by cheque to opt for their dividends to be paid directly into their bank accounts via the electronic funds transfer system (EFT).

Says Sanlam Group Chief Executive, Dr Johan van Zyl: “The EFT system is more efficient and secure as well as in line with current banking trends. Cheque fraud is still prevalent and Sanlam’s decision to limit its future dividend payments to EFT only is aimed at ensuring that its shareholders are not exposed to such criminal activities. Over 243 000 of our 505 000 shareholders are already being paid via EFT and enjoy secure and more efficient banking.

“They do not have to wait for the cheque to arrive by post, visit their bank to make the deposit, which may attract service fees, and wait for the cheque to be cleared. We encourage those who have not yet accepted this option to do so,” says Van Zyl.

Shareholders who do not yet make use of the EFT system and wish to ensure that their dividends are being paid directly into their bank accounts must contact the Computershare Investor Services call centre for Sanlam Shareholders and choose option 2 to make the necessary arrangements. The number to call is 086 110 0915 or +27 11 373 0056.

At the presentation of its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2012, Sanlam announced a dividend of 165 cents per share, up 27% from the same period for the previous year. A further special dividend of 50 cents per share was also announced. The total dividend of 215 cents per share is due for payment on 29 April 2013 to ordinary shareholders recorded in the register of Sanlam at the close of business on 26 April.