For  the  first 10 month of 1998 JSC "Balta" has LVL 12 880 millions in

gross  premiums;  this  is  an  15,2 % increase compare to the previous

year.  Of  this,  LVL 6 487 millions were voluntary insurance premiums,

and  LVL  6  224  millions were received as mandatory third party motor

liability  insurance  premiums.  Total insurance compensations paid out

during this period are LVL 3 710 millions.

On  the  November  28,1998  Balta  and JSC "Latva" opened new insurance

sales places in the Department stores "Dole" and "Mols".

Balta paid out compensation in the amount of LVL 6 866 to "Nordic Mezs"

Ltd  for  the damages caused by the storm in the Baltic Sea on November

23. For the first 9 month of 1998 46 % of all insurance claims in cargo

insurance in Latvia were paid by Balta. Most damages were in connection

with timber cargos.