NOTE 17 — DIVIDENDS

The Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments is dividends received from the Bank. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to the capital requirements described in Note 19. As of December 31, 2016, the Bank could pay out approximately $25,000 in dividends before the Bank would need 2017 income to pay additional dividends without regulatory approval.