ABERDEEN — Pacific Financial Corp. on Dec. 19 announced that its Board of Directors increased the annual cash dividend to $0.21 per share to holders of common stock. The dividend will be payable on Jan. 15, 2015, to shareholders of record on Jan. 2, 2015.

“We are delighted with this year’s results demonstrating the solid performance of our staff and the strength of our banking franchise. The 5 percent increase in our cash dividend is our way to share this success with our shareholders, while retaining capital to support growth,” said Dennis Long, president and chief executive officer.

Pacific Financial Corporation of Aberdeen is the bank holding company for Bank of the Pacific, a state chartered and federally insured commercial bank.

Founded on the Long Beach Peninsula, the annual dividend announcement is closely watched by the firm’s many local investors. For many years, the late Sen. Sid Snyder was the company’s board chairman.

As of Sept. 30, the company has total assets of $715.7 million and operated 17 branches in the communities of Grays Harbor, Pacific, Whatcom, Skagit, Clark and Wahkiakum counties in Washington, and three branches in Clatsop County, Ore. The company also operates loan production offices in the communities of Dupont and Burlington in Washington.

Visit the bank’s website at www.bankofthepacific.com.