AMERITRUST &lt;AMTR> PROPOSES 2-FOR-1 STOCK SPLIT

  AmeriTrust Corp said its board
  proposed a two-for-one split of its common, subject to
  stockholder approval at its May 14 annumal meeting.
      The company also said it intends to recommend an increase
  in its annual regular dividend to at least two dlrs per share
  before the split, beginning with the May dividend. The current
  annual payout is 1.76 dlr per share.
      AmeriTrust currently has about 20.9 mln shares outstanding
  with 25 mln authorized shares. It said shareholders will be
  asked to approve an increase in authorized common to 100 mln
  shares.
      Ameritrust also said it will submit for shareholder
  approval an amendment to the company's charter regarding
  liability and indemnification of directors and a recommendation
  to create a classified board.
      AmeriTrust's total year-end assets were over 11.1 billion
  dlrs.
  

