AMERITRUST <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.