Western Financial Group Inc. today announced financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30. Revenue for the six months increased 19.4% to $13.5 million from $11.3 million for the corresponding period of 2001. Net earnings increased 62.4% to $904,397 from $556,956.

For the six months ended June 30, earnings per share increased 20% over the six months ended June 30, 2001. However, for the most recent quarter, earnings per share decreased by 1¢ compared to the second quarter of 2001 due to an increase in shares outstanding and one-time costs related to the recent successful debenture and issuer bid transactions.

“Same-store sales showed strong growth with a 7.8% increase over the first six months of 2001,” said Scott Tannas, president and CEO of Western Financial Group, in a release. “Also, despite a challenging operating environment, our same-store customer count is up 2% in 2002, ahead of the industry average.”

Western Financial Group Inc. provides insurance, investment and agency banking services in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.