** Shares of credit card issuer Bread Financial Holdings BFH.N rise as much as 3%, last up 1% at $59.40

** Co approves $25 mln increase to its 2024 share repurchase program, expanding the authorization to $595 mln through Dec. 31

** BFH has about $19 mln remaining under its prior $30 mln share repurchase program as of Dec. 2

** Amended share repurchase program designed to offset impact of dilution associated with issuance of employee restricted stock units - BFH

** Authorization permits BFH to make open market share repurchases

** As of last close, BFH shares up 78.6% YTD

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)

((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com;))