Insurance brokerage firm Caribbean Assurance Brokers Limited (CAB) has reported an unaudited net loss of $13.4 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020. This new result follows a net loss of $5.5 million in the previous corresponding period.

The latest loss, according to CEO Raymond Walker, is attributed to operating losses of $8.6 million, additional finance charges of $2.7 million, and a tax charge of $2 million. He added that while COVID-19 has created a negative impact on some of CAB’s lines of business, “the full impact of the pandemic cannot be fully measured”.

CAB for the six-month period earned gross revenues of $154.2 million, down $13.4 million when compared to the $167.6 million recorded in the previous corresponding period.

The decline, Walker indicated to shareholders, was mainly from a $12.8 million reduction in commissions from the Individual Life Division and a $4.7 million reduction in foreign exchange gain.

However, the General Insurance and Employee Benefit Division had increases in commission in excess of 5 per cent.

Total assets for the period under review totalled $639.9 million, an increase of $163.4 million or 34.2 per cent, mainly attributed to increase in receivables and cash and bank balances.

Total equity has grown to $287.4 million as at June 2020, up from $212 million 2019 year- end. This represents an increase of $75.4 million or 35.57 per cent. The increased equity is mainly due to an increase in share capital with the company being listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Junior Market in March 2020.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sunday-finance/-13-4-million-net-loss-for-caribbean-assurance_201968