The board of directors of Hingham Institution for Savings has declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $.21 per share.

The dividend will be paid on April 21, to stockholders of record as of April 10.

"During this period of almost unparalleled turmoil in the financial sector, our bank continued its record of maintaining solid capital ratios and sound asset quality while achieving strong growth in the balance sheet and a very significant increase in our bottom line for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2008," said Robert H. Gaughen Jr., president and chief executive officer of the bank. "This 61st consecutive quarterly dividend reflects our board’s commitment to a healthy dividend policy that reflects confidence in our ongoing success."

In addition to regular quarterly cash dividends, Hingham Institution for Savings has declared special cash dividends in each of the last 14 years. Future dividends will be considered by the board of directors on a quarterly basis.