push the Bermuda Stock Exchange Index up eight points in continued active trading.

The Bank closed at $32 on volume of 700 shares, presumably in response to a 16 percent increase in half-year earnings reported on Friday.

The Exchange Index closed at 1070.36 -- up 8.2 points.

Also up were Bermuda Aviation Services, which gained 12.5 cents to close at $3.50 on volume of 2000 shares and BF&M 9% preference shares, which jumped 25 cents to $10 on volume of 1654.

The increases offset a 87.5 cent decline in Commercial Bank shares, which closed at $10 on volume of 2000.

BF&M ordinary shares also shed 12.5 cents on volume of 104.

Bank of Bermuda shares held at $19 -- not $10 as reported in yesterday's newspaper -- on volume of 1169.

Chart -- Page 13.