its principal operating company, Commercial Risk Reinsurance Company Ltd., to more than $200 million before the end of the year. Commercial Risk Partners Ltd. President and CEO Mr. Graham C. Pewter said, "Our increased capitalisation will ensure the continued support of our clients and consolidate our position in the market. "In 1995, we have strengthened the foundations of our operations to support long-term plans. The company has expanded into continental markets through its European contact, Commercial Risk Europe. "We have also experienced substantial growth in the client-base of our US casualty account. This capital infusion is a further vote of confidence from our shareholders. It makes a strong statement to the market of their commitment to the company and demonstrates their expectations of continued and developing opportunities.'' The Class Three insurer, a joint venture of majority shareholder SCOR Group and Western General Insurance Ltd., underwrites innovative, non-traditional insurance and reinsurance products on a world-wide basis. SCOR was joined in the venture in June of last year, when Bermuda-based Western General invested $30 million for 35 percent of the company's equity. Capital and surplus was at more than $107 million in Commercial Risk at December 31, 1994. Top French reinsurer, SCOR S.A. and its SCOR US subsidiary jointly hold the bulk of the shares. SCOR US was a founding shareholder. Western General is part of the Western International Financial Group Ltd., which is owned in part by trusts primarily for the benefit of certain members of the Chicago, Illinois, Pritzker family. The two groups will add capital proportionately and maintain the current equity split. Mr. Pewter said, "The additional capital and surplus will allow us to increase our premium writings. It will particularly allow us to increase our per risk capacity. "There is growing demand from buyers for increased risk transfer in non-traditional products and this additional capitalisation will allow us to incorporate greater levels of risk into our contracts. "With the consolidation that is going on in the insurance and reinsurance industries, there is an increased demand for stronger balance sheets. That's quite clear and in order for us to continue to participate and gain broader market acceptance there is the need for increased capital and surplus.'' The company grew from about $246 million in assets to almost $300 million in the year ending December 31. There was a shareholder capital contribution of $50 million. The company had also grown by about $50 million in 1993, its first full year of operation. Commercial Risk began operations in Bermuda in February 1992 and right now consist of about 20 people in Bermuda, the US and Paris. In 1994, the company recorded net premiums written at $88.6 million, about a million dollars more than the previous year. Premiums earned, however, increased nearly 190 percent from $33.5 million in 1993 to $97.2 million. Net investment income went from $6.2 million to $11.7 million. Total revenues soared by more than 166 percent from more than $40.6 million to more than $108.2 million. Net income nearly doubled from $5,460,000 to $10,291,000.