AmeriServ Financial Announces A New Labor Contract And Declaration Of Quarterly Common Stock Dividend

JOHNSTOWN, Pa., Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AmeriServ Financial Bank, the banking subsidiary of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV), and United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2635-06 have agreed to a new four-year contract.  Unionized employees voted to accept the contract at a meeting held on Sunday, October 15, 2017 in Johnstown. The new contract covers the workforce through October 15, 2021.

The ratified contract is positive news for AmeriServ and the community, according to AmeriServ President and CEO Jeffrey Stopko.  "This new agreement allows us to continue focusing on our banking for life strategy.  As an organization, we are committed to servicing our customers and communities.  Together, our union and non-union employees are working to provide our shareholders, customers as well as the communities we serve with a positive banking for life experience today, tomorrow and into the future."

USW Local 2635-06 Unit President Bob Gilles agrees on the importance of the new contract to AmeriServ.  "The approved agreement indicates to me that our membership believes in AmeriServ's continued commitment to being a leading community bank in our region while providing employees with good career opportunities."

Key financial terms of the new contract include annual wage increases of 3% and the movement of union employees to a new exclusive provider organization health care plan that will promote better control of future health care costs.

Additionally, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a $0.015 per share quarterly common stock cash dividend.  The cash dividend is payable November 20, 2017 to shareholders of record on November 6, 2017.  This cash dividend represents an approximate 1.5% annualized yield using the October 18, 2017 closing common stock price of $4.05 and represents an approximate payout ratio of 19% based upon the Company's recently reported third quarter 2017 earnings per share of $0.08. 

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. is the parent of AmeriServ Financial Bank and AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company in Johnstown.  The Company's subsidiaries provide full-service banking and trust and wealth management services through sixteen community offices in southwestern Pennsylvania and also operates loan production offices in Altoona and Monroeville, PA and Hagerstown, Maryland.  At September 30, 2017, AmeriServ had total assets of $1.17 billion, a book value of $5.31 per common share and a tangible book value of $4.66 per common share. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, information regarding AmeriServ's dividend program and future payment obligations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause AmeriServ's results to differ materially from management's current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in AmeriServ's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of AmeriServ's management and on currently available information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by AmeriServ on its website or otherwise. AmeriServ undertakes no responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

SOURCE AmeriServ Financial, Inc.