BF&M Limited recorded a seven percent jump in net earnings to $9,611, 932 as compared to the first six months in 2005 of $8,947,468.

?We were pleased with the results for the six month period, experiencing very good financial results from all our insurance and non insurance lines of business,? John Wight, BF&M president and CEO said.

?Group contributions from general insurance, health and life insurance, real estate, asset management, pension administration and BF&M?s interest in the operations of the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited were strong.?

Return on shareholders equity was 23 percent in 2006 versus 22 percent in 2005.

Total assets for the consolidated group at June 30 2006 were $524,789,061. Shareholders Equity was $76,438,049.

Gross premiums written for the six month period increased 61 percent over 2005 to $93,039,259. The increase from 2006 gross premiums over 2005 from Bermuda insurance operations was 13 percent.

BF&M?s 51.7 percent interest in the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited took effect December 28, 2005 and gross premiums from this company were not included in BF&M?s comparative results for 2005.

Mr. Wight said the six month results did not include the effects of the company?s successful rights offering which raised approximately $20,700,000 in July to fund the growth of the company?s international life business and other future expansion.