for Zurich Reinsurance Centre Holdings Inc., payable on January 15 to shareholders of record on December 15.

The company said that it expects to continue paying annual dividends at this rate for the foreseeable future, with its next regular dividend declaration now anticipated for December 1996.

Through its operating subsidiary, ZRC (58 percent owned by Bermuda-based holding company, Zurich Centre Investments Ltd.) is the principal underwriting affiliate in the North American market for traditional property and casualty reinsurance.

The board of directors also increased the number of shares of common stock authorised for repurchase by the company on the open market to 500,000 from 100,000 to support the acquisition of such shares granted for various employee benefit plans.

Under the company's previously announced stock repurchase programme, the purchases will be made from time to time depending on plan requirements.