YIKES! WOW! That’s what they’re saying about AIG American General! YES! AIG is the world's leading international insurance and financial services organization, with operations in approximately 130 countries and jurisdictions. AIG American General is a leading employee benefit insurance company that deals with employer-funded, voluntary and supplemental products. We are currently offering the following challenging opportunities to join our winning team. Sales Representatives Worksite Sales Specialists Currently recruiting for the following regions:
You will identify and develop new sources of business; recruit, train and develop MGAs, GAs, brokers and producers to sell our broad portfolio of worksite and voluntary products. Position involves frequent travel. To qualify, you must have a college degree with at least 2 years of experience as a successful Sales Professional in the small-mid market segment of group and individual voluntary & worksite benefit products. Candidate must be familiar with the enrollment process, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a valid license to represent the Company in health and life lines. For further consideration, please submit your resume to resumes@aigag.com with the position name in the subject line or forward a copy of your resume to AIG American General 3600 Route 66, Mailstop 4-A, Neptune, NJ 07753 or fax to 732-922-7149. AIG American General offers attractive base & target compensation; outstanding benefits that included medical/dental/vision plans, prescription drug program, 401(k), Retirement Plan, Auto Allowance Program, Relocation Assistance and a very supportive, team-spirited environment. For more information about AIG, please visit the AIG Corporate Website at: http://aignet.aig.com/hr/careers.
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1. Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC Offers Run-Off Ratings Guide 2007 Reactions, the financial magazine for the global insurance market, and accounting firm Grant Thornton have teamed up to launch The Run-Off Ratings Guide 2007. This updates and greatly expands on the first edition of the guide, published in 2005. This unique publication provides a guide to run-off companies' financial strength using a star rating system. The ratings are based on a model developed by Grant Thornton. The aim of the guide is to give readers a way of benchmarking run-offs' financial strength. To order your free copy of the guide please go to www.reactionsnet.com/supplements Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 2. Employers foresee health costs up 8 pct: poll Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:45PM EST By Kim Dixon CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. businesses, which have seen skyrocketing inflation in their health care costs in recent years, expect those costs to rise 8 percent this year and next, according to a national poll released on Wednesday. That is a respite after a 13 percent spike in 2003, but still not good news for employers, said the authors of the survey of about 600 large employers by the National Business Group on Health and benefits firm Watson Wyatt. "We get to a comfort level at 8 percent because we've been at double-digit increases, but 8 percent would be a frightening number for other corporate expenses like payroll," said Ted Nussbaum, director of group and health care consulting at Watson Wyatt. "Eight percent is not a good number." The report also found that about 20 percent of companies intend to substantially increase workers' share of health care costs. The companies surveyed, which employ about 11 million full-time workers, are expanding programs to offer lower-cost health care, such as at on-site health clinics and through nurse hotlines, the poll found. The programs are seen as a way to cut costs by treating illnesses before they become more serious and expensive to cure. The study found 23 percent of companies polled run a medical clinic at the workplace, and 6 percent more plan to do so in 2008. "It is a way to deliver primary health services at a lower cost and a way to keep people on the job longer," Nussbaum said. Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health, said that despite the stability, the cost increases are unsustainable and will lead to greater corporate support for an increasing role for government in providing health care. And even though workers' share of medical costs relative to employers is relatively stable, the base keeps rising which will dampen consumers' use of healthcare, according to Darling. "Money does change behavior, but the concern is, what will they use less of?," she said, adding that if they put off regular doctors' visits and use the emergency room more, that will raise costs further. "Then we'll have a vicious cycle." The full report will be released in mid-March at a meeting of the National Business Group on Health, an employer lobbying group that includes many Fortune 500 companies, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and General Motors Corp.. The survey comes as national health care spending is seen doubling in 10 years to $4.1 trillion, according to a separate report by the National Health Statistics Group released on Wednesday. © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 3. Fitch: While U.S. Defaults Shrink in 2006, Debt Expands At the Fastest Pace in Five Years 21 Feb 2007 11:53 AM (EST) Fitch Ratings-New York-21 February 2007: Fitch Ratings has published a new study titled 'The Shrinking Default Rate and the Credit Cycle - New Twists, New Risks' examining the relationship between default rates, corporate profits and debt, new issuance quality, and credit availability. The U.S. high yield default rate ended 2006 at 0.8%, down from 3.1% in 2005 and substantially lower than the long-term average annual default rate of roughly 5%. While the default rate is expected to remain below average for the fourth consecutive year, Fitch believes that the very low default rate experienced in 2006 is not sustainable and that the risk of a spike in the default rate is substantially higher in 2007 than it has been in the past several years. Profit growth is expected to slow in 2007, debt balances are rising, and investors are likely to become more discriminating going forward, focusing more intently on risk/reward attributes in a maturing credit cycle. Recent trends are already beginning to point in this direction. Fitch's most recent survey of the financial performance of a sample group of 260 U.S. high yield companies rated 'BB' or 'B' revealed that through the third quarter of 2006, debt had expanded at the highest annual rate in five years (up 12% year-over- year) as new issuance continued to shift away from refinancing as a use of proceeds and toward debt- financed, shareholder-oriented activities, such as leveraged buyouts (LBOs) and mergers and acquisitions. Debt also rose to support capital spending which for this sample group of companies grew 26% year-over-year. 'The double digit expansion in debt in 2006 was a substantial departure from either 2005 or 2004 results when debt moved either slightly up or was down year-over-year' said Mariarosa Verde, Managing Director of Credit Market Research. In addition, the most recent Federal Reserve's Senior Loan Officer Survey showed lending standards among bankers shifting to neutral in the latter part of 2006, a retreat from an earlier bias toward looser lending practices. This suggests that the days of easy money may have peaked. Beyond macroeconomic concerns, a wildcard weighing on the outlook for 2007 and 2008 is uncertainty surrounding the behavior of the new class of nontraditional U.S. fixed income investors, including hedge funds and foreign investors. At issue is whether these investors, hedge funds in particular, will be tempted to move money out of fixed income strategies in order to pursue higher returns in the rebounding global equity markets. In the opposite way that liquidity magnified the positive economic effect in 2006 and kept defaults in check, any meaningful funding disruption could quickly push up the default rate, especially for the lowest rated issuers. The study discusses the following key considerations for the default outlook: --Corporate credit quality is expected to modestly deteriorate going forward as profit growth slows and debt rises. --The days of easy money may have peaked. --Aggressive new issuance and high concentration of low-rated issues continue to put upward pressure on default risk - a spike in the default rate is a possibility. --The sustainability of foreign and hedge fund demand for U.S. fixed income securities is a wildcard. --Recovery rates have soared as prospects for future recoveries may have weakened. Fitch's new study 'The Shrinking Default Rate and the Credit Cycle - New Twists, New Risks' is available on Fitch's web site under the Credit Market Research link. www.fitchratings.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 4. A.M. Best’s Insurance Law Podcast Examines Role of Law Firms in Catastrophe Loss OLDWICK, N.J., Feb. 21, 2007—A.M. Best Co. has released the third installment of the Insurance Law Podcast, a new podcast series that examines timely insurance issues from an attorney’s point of view. This episode features a discussion on the crucial role that law firms can play in managing the catastrophic loss scene of an accident, with recent chemical fires and explosions in Kansas City, Missouri, serving as examples. Guest speakers include Russ Melton from Foley & Mansfield in Minneapolis, MN, and Joe Gerber from Cozen O'Connor in Philadelphia, PA. Listen or subscribe to the Insurance Law podcast at http://Podcast.insuranceattorneysearch.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
The Colonial Supplemental Insurance Division of the Paul Revere Life Insurance Company is an industry leader with a strong commitment to help you achieve your career goals. We provide classroom education on products, sales techniques and service. As a member of our sales team, you can enjoy high advance commissions, bonuses and renewal commissions. The advantages we offer include:
We are looking for:
So put the Colonial Advantage to work for you today. Learn more about us by logging on to www.colonial-paulrevere.com For career opportunities contact: Melissa J. Hemdal, 800.975.0658 or mjhemdal@coloniallife.com Colonial Supplemental Division products are underwritten by: The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company, Worchester, Massachusetts. Administrative office: Colonial Supplemental Insurance Division, 1200 Colonial Life Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29210. www.colonial-paulrevere.com 5. ARAG® Partners with PwC to Offer Enhanced Financial Planning Services DES MOINES, Iowa – February 22, 2007 – ARAG®, a leading legal services provider, announces a new partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) LLP that enables ARAG’s plan members to access PwC’s financial education and counseling services. “PricewaterhouseCoopers is a trusted organization, and we believe that our plan members will find financial peace of mind using their resources,” said David Murray, ARAG’s Chief Financial Officer. In today’s competitive market, organizations are creating extensive benefits packages to recruit and retain employee talent. ARAG’s employee benefit legal plan provides a comprehensive resource that distinguishes employers while helping them to increase employee satisfaction rates. “Our legal services are designed to help individuals protect their rights and assets, and sound financial planning is a key part of that process,” said Murray. The “Financial Stress Among Workers” 2005 report found that 30 to 80 percent of financially distressed workers spend time at their place of employment worrying about personal finances and dealing with financial issues instead of working. “We know that personal financial concerns can affect many aspects of an individual’s life, and we believe these resources can help ease people’s minds,” said Murray. ARAG’s plan members can utilize the PwC eAdvisor, PwC’s award-winning financial education and planning web site, and have unlimited telephone access to experienced PwC’s financial counselors. PwC’s financial planning tools help individuals organize and analyze their financial assets and allow them to develop their own financial plan. “PwC has been providing financial planning services for more than 50 years, and we are dedicated to delivering timely, and relevant information and resources,” said Kent Allison, PwC Partner. “We are here to help individuals and their families make sound financial decisions and plan for their futures.” www.ARAGgroup.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 6. Standard & Poor's and Inmatrix Launch Next Generation Credit Analysis and Tracking Software NEW YORK Feb. 20, 2007--Standard & Poor's Risk Solutions and credit analysis software provider Inmatrix have launched an integrated credit risk management platform. The new version of Inmatrix's flagship Optimist stress-testing and financial modeling software incorporates Standard & Poor's Credit Risk Tracker (CRT) Probability of Default (PD) model to create a complete credit risk management and measurement solution. The jointly developed software is expected to become the new industry standard for banks in managing and assessing financial risk within the small to medium-sized business sector in the United States. Through the integrated Optimist/Credit Risk TrackerCRT platform, dynamic stress testing and scenario modeling capabilities delivered via 'what-if' and 'goalseek' techniques are able to sensitize business plans and credit conditions, tracking client financial performance, key credit approval metrics, and expected default probability and rating. www.standardandpoors.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 7. Goldman CEO reaped record $54.3 mln in pay in 2006
Goldman had a standout year in 2006, with earnings surging 70 percent to a record $9.4 billion. Its stock price rose 50 percent during the fiscal year ended November 30, more than double that of the Amex Securities Broker-Dealer Index (.XBD: ). Goldman set aside a jaw-dropping $16 billion for bonuses, with Blankfein's cash and stock bonuses exceeding previous records held by Merrill Lynch (MER.N: ) CEO Stanley O'Neal, at $47.3 million in bonuses, and Morgan Stanley (MS.N: ) chief John Mack, at $40 million. These rival CEOs even fell short of the riches heaped on Goldman Co-Presidents Gary Cohn and Jon Winkelried, who each received $52.4 million in bonuses, stock and options. Combining salary, bonuses and stock, Cohn received $53.2 million in compensation last year. Before his promotion, Cohn, 46, was co-head of Goldman's global securities trading. Winkelried, 47, earned nearly $53.3 million in total pay last year. He was co-head of investment banking before moving up in June. Blankfein, who rose through the ranks as a trader and helped build Goldman's giant fixed-income business, did not exercise any stock options last year, though he held more than $63 million in in-the-money options at the end of November. Paulson, who had led Goldman since its initial public offering in 1999, last year earned $19.2 million in salary and bonus, but he received no restricted stock or options. He realized $34.9 million by exercising options. Goldman discloses its windfall pay packages at a time when shareholders and governance groups accuse companies of overpaying executives. With annual meetings scheduled over the next few months, several fund managers and pension groups are pushing companies to give shareholders a voice in setting pay. © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. The Goldman Sachs Group headquarters at 85 Broad Street in New York in a file photo. Goldman Sachs Group Chairman and Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein received more than $54.3 million in cash, stock and options last year after leading Wall Street's most profitable investment bank for just six months. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 8. Moody's reports: Stable Outlook for U.S. Personal Lines P&C Insurers New York, February 22, 2007 -- The outlook for the US personal lines insurance industry is stable, Moody's Investors Service says in a new report. Supporting this outlook are the insurers' very strong balance sheets, a stable environment for investments, and stable trends for losses. "We expect core underwriting results to remain strong. Personal line firms are set on a profitable course for 2007, though catastrophe losses remain an ever-present threat to profitability," says the reports author, Vice President and Senior Analyst Paul Bauer. Moody describes the environment for pricing as adequate, though moderating. "While competition within the personal lines segment is expected to remain intense, competitive activity appears likely to manifest itself through advertising, marketing and commission expenditures rather than aggressive wholesale price cutting," says Mr. Bauer. Moody's notes that some of the increase in competition can be traced to the success of companies that distribute product directly to consumers. Moody's says consumers will likely continue to embrace the direct channel for commodity-like products such as auto insurance. The agency-distribution model, however, remains entrenched and will continue as the leading distribution channel, given its service orientation, close ties to the customer, and the assistance it offers in underwriting. Looking at the checks on credit quality, Moody's says the industry's exposure to catastrophe losses will continue to contribute to volatility in industry performance. Moody's notes, however, that over the past year personal lines companies have focused on enhancing overall catastrophe risk management practices. Models have been recalibrated, and in many cases companies have chosen to increase prices, reduce exposure, tighten terms and conditions and purchase additional reinsurance. The insurers also remain exposed to investment portfolio losses, and adverse regulatory or legal developments. "The vulnerability of insurance companies to state-specific regulatory and political risk reinforces the importance of geographic and product diversity to a company's earnings stability and financial strength," noted Mr. Bauer. At the present time, Moody's says the regulatory environment in Florida is in flux, while California has recently introduced rate reductions for both auto and homeowners totaling, the state insurance department says, well over a $1 billion a year. Moody's also continues to monitor the flood versus wind disputes arising from Hurricane Katrina. At the present time, Moody's does not foresee this litigation negatively impacting ratings, although it remains a medium-term concern that Moody's will be monitoring. The full title of this Moody's report is "U.S. Property & Casualty Personal Lines Insurance Industry Outlook." www.moodys.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 9. True Group LTC Advisor - February 2007, Milliman Baby boomers now make up most of the over-age-40 work force. The baby boomers have become known as the "sandwich generation," often taking care of children and parents at the same time. It is employees in this age group that benefit most from having long-term care coverage available for their parents. According to Carol Abaya of The Sandwich Generation ©TM magazine, over 25% of American families are involved in care for elderly family members and this number is expected to increase substantially over the next 10 years. Care giving for a dependent adult in the home can be stressful physically, financially, and emotionally. In fact, there are studies showing that caregivers are less healthy and more likely to die early than non-caregivers. Providing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) can require full-time effort and constant supervision. It can also put increased financial hardship on families for LTC expenses, which are not covered by medical insurance. When the Caregiver is your Employee For working caregivers, the strain of balancing work plus care-giving can hurt job performance and productivity. Working adults caring for an elderly relative at home have more unscheduled absences and unexpected emergencies that interrupt their work during the day or require them to adjust their schedules. In addition, many individuals providing such care are forced to reduce their work hours or turn down additional responsibilities. There is, however, a safety net to protect families from the financial adversity of long-term care. Sandwich generation issues motivate employers to offer LTC coverage for employees' parents (and parents-in-law). Educating employees as to the likelihood of needing LTC and the options available is a much needed service that employers and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) could facilitate. The important facts could be imparted directly, or a collection of educational resources could be assembled and employees could be encouraged to access them. This is an issue that is relevant, and potentially critical, for both current employees with frail parents and, eventually, for employees themselves. Ultimately, EAPs could perform an important role in helping employees understand their options, enabling them to negotiate successfully the finances and practical decisions that surround their family's long term care needs. Note! For an essential perspective about true group long-term care, please refer to the book True Group Long-Term Care by Milliman's consulting actuaries Jon Shreve and Jill Van Den Bos (published by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans). We also provide a variety of resources for true group long-term care, such as informative white papers and articles, on our website at www.milliman.com/denver. Jon Shreve, FSA, MAAA, Consulting Actuary, Milliman, Inc., Denver, Colorado, 303.299.9400 Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 10. AARP CEO Sets Association Priorities That Promote Health and Long-term Financial Security WASHINGTON, DC UNITED STATES 02/09/2007 New Survey Released Indicates Concern about Retirement Security Issues: Only 52% of Americans polled are 'somewhat confident' that they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At an event today where he outlined the organization's annual legislative and advocacy priorities, AARP CEO Bill Novelli called on Congress and the Administration to find common- sense solutions to meet the concerns of Americans who fear for their health and long-term financial security. "The need for health and financial security is something we all share, not just for ourselves, but for future generations. It is the promise of America ... the foundation of the American dream," Novelli said. "If we don't act soon, the next generation will be the first in American history to be less well off than their parents. We can't let that happen. We can't allow the promise of America to be broken." www.AARP.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
11. Morgan Stanley splits from Indian partner to go solo By Himangshu Watts and Brian Kelleher MUMBAI/HONG KONG, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Investment bank Morgan Stanley (MS.N: ) will spend $425 million to exit its Indian securities partnership and go it alone in the fast-growing investment banking market, following similar moves by rivals Goldman Sachs (GS.N: ) and Merrill Lynch (MER.N: ). Indian investment banking revenue rose 23 percent to $413 million last year, according to market data firm Dealogic, growing to the point where foreign securities houses are scrapping joint ventures to chase deals by themselves. "It is now the right time for Morgan Stanley to develop a wholly-owned full service India platform," Asia Chief Executive Hans Schuettler said in a statement on Thursday. "This investment demonstrates our commitment and confidence in India, the growth of the market and the fast changing needs of our clients." (Additional reporting by Umesh Desai and Jeffrey Hodgson in Hong Kong) ((Editing by Jean Yoon; Reuters Messaging: umesh.desai.reuters.com@reuters.net; +852 2843 6935)) Keywords: MORGANSTANLEY INDIA . Keywords: MORGANSTANLEY INDIA (C) Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 12. Reid: We Must Address America's Health Care Crisis WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today released the following statement calling for a new commitment to fixing America's health care crisis. "America's health care system is in crisis. Forty-seven million Americans lack health insurance, and 9 million of them are children. Caught between the rising cost and the falling accessibility of care, too many families are unable even to get by. Unfortunately, President Bush has proposed solutions to this country's health care system that would only serve to undermine the quality and reliability of care for those Americans lucky enough to have insurance. He has even ignored calls to help states with the successful SCHIP program, which faces a looming funding shortfall that could undermine the coverage of thousands of children. "Democrats are committed to taking this country in a new direction, and to addressing this crisis. If President Bush does not change course, he will end his Presidency with more Americans uninsured than when he began. Democrats urge the President to work with us to lower the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate for better prices, to ensure Americans do not lose their insurance by funding the SCHIP program into the future, and by helping give the American people the affordable and accessible health care they deserve." SOURCE Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 13. New CIGNA HealthCare Worksite Health and Wellness Program Combines Screening, Education and Coaching to Help Promote Better Health BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Feb. 21, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Consumers now have a convenient way to get important health screenings and personalized coaching to help them meet their health goals through a new worksite health and wellness program introduced by CIGNA HealthCare. The new program helps employers to offer employees cost-effective and time-saving access to confidential screenings for cholesterol, glucose levels, blood pressure, height/weight/waist circumference and body mass index (BMI). Immediately following the screenings, employees can meet one-on-one with a health coach. The screenings and coaching meetings are provided at the worksite and employers can schedule them for day or night, weekdays or weekends. CIGNA HealthCare is offering the program in collaboration with Health Solutions, a national health risk identification and health improvement firm, based in Owings Mills, Maryland. The program became available on January 1, 2007. www.cigna.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 14. AIG Receives Approval to Form Protected Cell Captive in Guernsey AIG Receives Approval to Form Protected Cell Captive in Guernsey NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2007--A subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG) has received approval from The Guernsey Financial Services Commission to form a protected cell company in Guernsey, to be named AIG Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited (AIGPCC). AIG Insurance Management Services (AIMS), AIG's global captive management operation, has also established a stand-alone captive management office in Guernsey, AIG Insurance Management Services (Guernsey) Limited (AIMS Guernsey). AIMS Guernsey will provide support services to AIGPCC as well as provide the full range of captive management services offered by the AIG Companies. AIGPCC and AIMS are located at Natwest House, Le Truchot, St Peter Port, Guernsey. www.aigcaptives.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 15. CBOT Successfully Launches Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index Futures Contracts; Introduces Market Makers for New Contract CHICAGO, Feb. 21 CHICAGO, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT(R)) (NYSE: BOT) today successfully launched its new futures contract based on the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index(SM) (DJUSRE). DJUSRE Index futures contracts are designed to help market participants capitalize on changes in the real estate sector of the stock market and better manage commercial real estate exposure. The new DJUSRE Index futures contract is intended to accommodate the needs of institutional real estate investors and the commercial real estate market. It settles to the value of the DJUSRE Index, which is comprised primarily of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). REIT securities often track the underlying U.S. commercial real estate market, with REIT share prices driven in part by lease rates, vacancies, development costs and property transaction values. www.cbot.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 16. AMS Services Announces General Availability of AMS Prevail Network New Premium Finance Companies Join Growing Network List Bothell, Wash. — February 22, 2007 — AMS Services, the leader in insurance agency automation, today announced the general availability of AMS Prevail Network, an efficient Web-based marketplace of quality premium finance companies. AMS Services also announced that BankDirect Capital Finance, UPAC, Cananwill Premium Funding and Siuprem, Inc. have joined the growing network of premium finance companies available through the AMS Prevail Network. The AMS Prevail Network is a free, agent-oriented premium finance marketplace designed to provide insurance agents one-click access to multiple premium finance offerings. More than 200 agencies are currently using the AMS Prevail Network for their financing needs. Agents simply launch the network from within their AMS Services management system and quotes, based on advanced finance matching rules, return in real time. www.amsservices.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 17. LifeLock Partners With Dr. Laura to Spread Message of ID Theft Prevention Tempe, AZ (February 22, 2007) – On the heels of its successful dynamic radio advertising campaign with Rush Limbaugh, LifeLock, the leader in ID Theft prevention, today announced a new campaign with the nationally syndicated radio program, The Dr. Laura Program. The new advertising will communicate a powerful, consistent message about preventing the rapidly growing crime of identity theft. The campaign begins the end of February with a 60-second spot airing three times per week for 26 weeks. The new LifeLock ad emphasizes the need for consumers to be vigilant when protecting their good names. In the spots, Dr. Laura emphasizes the message by stressing the importance of preventing identity theft from ever happening. www.lifelock.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 18. CalPERS Adopts ClariFI’s ModelStation for Quantitative Portfolio Management and Research BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ClariFI™, a leading provider of software and services focused on quantitative portfolio management and research, announced today that the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in the United States with assets totaling more than $230 billion, has adopted ModelStation™ as its quantitative equities research and management platform of choice. CalPERS chose ModelStation for its robust data integration, model construction, and strategy simulation capabilities and is leveraging the technology to help achieve their performance and risk requirements. ModelStation has streamlined CalPERS’ ability to integrate and validate the domestic and international data sets they receive from multiple vendors and is significantly reducing the time it takes them to develop and test their models. www.clarifi.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 19. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Completes Acquisition of Lowndes Lambert Group Canada, Ltd. ITASCA, Ill., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) announced that effective February 15, 2007, it has completed the previously disclosed acquisition of Lowndes Lambert Group Canada, Ltd. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. www.ajg.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 20. INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Pictures Of The Day" -- Sponsored By:
View INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Sports Pictures Of The Day" View INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Entertainment Pictures Of The Day" Sponsored By:
21. Hiscox USA Launches Privacy Protection Insurance for Middle-Market Businesses Specialty insurer now offering specific coverage of electronic and non-electronic security breaches for any business handling personal information NEW YORK, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiscox USA, part of the Hiscox Group (LSE: HSX.L), a leading provider of specialty insurance, today announced it will provide stand-alone privacy protection insurance to middle-market U.S. companies, including financial and professional services, retail, healthcare and manufacturing businesses, among others, directly from its two New York locations. http://www.hiscoxusa.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 22. Consolidated Services Group Partners With myMatrixx® Lansdale, PA, February 21, 2007 – Consolidated Services Group, Inc. (CSG), the largest privately owned medical case management, preferred provider organization (PPO) and medical consulting firm on the East Coast, announced today a new partnership with myMatrixx® as their preferred prescription service for the business areas of workers’ compensation and auto liability. This partnership will significantly reduce costs by pairing the expertise of one of the nation’s leading pharmacy service companies with CSG’s extensive managed care experience. The cost of prescription drugs currently accounts for up to 12 percent of total workers’ compensation medical costs and is rising rapidly by up to 20 percent per year. Together, CSG and myMatrixx will work to reduce overall costs while providing efficient outcomes to each benefit recipient through the use web-based, paperless solutions that accurately track and manage pharmacy orders. Through the partnership, CSG now gains access to a network of over 50,000 retail pharmacies, a corporately-owned mail order pharmacy, and an information-based clinical pharmacy program. www.csg-inc.net or www.chn.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 23. Nobox Marketing Launches New Dynamic Website With Feature-Rich Content New Site Leverages Client Case Studies to Demonstrate Integrated Components MIAMI – February 21, 2007 – Nobox Marketing, an interactive agency specializing in universal integrated marketing strategies, today announced the launch of its newly designed Website, www.nobox.com. The dynamic new site offers feature-rich content, and illustrates the agency’s creative approach through case studies that demonstrate the integrated components of each campaign. As demonstrated through the new site, Nobox’s clients realize that cookie-cutter marketing reduces their chances of effectively reaching audiences domestically and around the world. As such, the agency helps clients appeal to these highly lucrative audience segments by developing and implementing people-focused strategies and tactics that communicate on a deeper, emotional level and result in increased brand loyalty. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 24. Registration Open For 8th Nipr/Naic E-Reg Conference KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Feb. 21, 2007) – The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) announce the opening of registration for the 8th Annual NAIC/NIPR E-Regulation Conference May 6-9, 2007 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The conference is a forum for insurance regulatory and industry communities to explore the latest technology trends and key initiatives affecting insurance regulation. Attendees can choose from five tracks, including producer licensing, rate and form filing, market regulation, company licensing and information technology. Conference information and online registration can be found at http://www.naic.org/ereg. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 25. Companion Life Insurance Co. Launches Flexible Vision Insurance Products Columbia, S.C. - Companion Life Insurance Co., which has specialized in employee benefits for more than 35 years, is now offering a vision insurance portfolio of products under the name Vision by DesignSM. With Vision by Design, employers choose the vision benefit that best fits their employeesƒ needs. The portfolio includes three flexible products: Vision Essentials, Vision Select and Vision Choice. The Vision Essentials plan includes only an exam, while the comprehensive Vision Select plan covers exams and eyewear, including frames, lenses and contact lenses. Vision Choice, which covers only eyewear, is designed for groups with a medical plan that pays for routine eye exams. www.CompanionLife.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 26. Resolution Health Introduces RxSafety Alerts™ -- Daily Communications to Physicians and Pharmacists that Reduce Serious Adverse Drug Reactions COLUMBIA, MD – February 21, 2007 – Resolution Health, Inc. (RHI), a leading provider of targeted member and physician messaging services based on analysis of patient-centric data, today announced the launch of RxSafety Alerts, a state-of-the-art drug-safety program that alerts physicians on a daily basis about potentially dangerous drug-drug and drug-disease interactions, as well as about abnormal lab results that may indicate a need to adjust drug use and dosing. www.resolutionhealth.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 27. RealLife HR’s Winter 2007 System Release Extends Configuration Options to Help HR Manage More Complex Benefit Programs HUNT VALLEY, MD – February 21, 2007 – RealLife HR today announced the winter 2007 release of the RealLife Benefits platform – a suite of Web-based applications designed to help human resources (HR) streamline benefits communication, enrollment and administration. The winter 2007 release features enhanced system configuration options designed to help HR better accommodate more complex benefit plans. www.reallifehr.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 28. SunGard iWORKS Launches Assumed Reinsurance Solution Atlanta, GA – February 22, 2007 – SunGard ( http://www.sungard.com ) today announced the availability of SunGard iWORKS ProSume, an assumed reinsurance administration solution supporting professional organizations with assumed reinsurance business. SunGard iWORKS reinsurance solutions (http://www.sungard.com/iworks) support the assumed and ceded reinsurance process for general insurance carriers and professional reinsurers. These global solutions are designed to meet the demands of the reinsurance professional regardless of geography and complexity. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 29. Optimize Your Trade Show Investment The Power of Elegance In Action by Dan Coughlin It’s time to get ready for one of your annual trade show events. Before you pull out the same banner, handouts, and freebies, take out a blank sheet of paper and begin to craft a new approach. Create an iPod Booth, Not a Clutter Bin The 2 BBQs - To find the one thing you want to highlight in your booth, answer the 2 BBQs (Business-Building Questions): 1. What’s the most important business objective for the attendees that your organization can help to improve? 2. How can your organization improve that outcome in a profitable manner? Keep answering these two questions until you land on a crystal clear solution that your organization can provide to improve a high priority outcome for the attendees. Then convert that solution into the singular focus of your trade show booth. The whole purpose of the booth is to attract meaningful attention. It’s far better to be remembered for one thing than to be forgotten because you had too many things in your booth. You want the attendees to remember one thing about you that really matters to them. The elegant booth, the one with the single, simple, powerful, relevant display is the one that is remembered. Build Relationships, Not Your Rolodex One Shining Message Leave BBV Behind - When every one else is handing out their company brochures and freebies that get stuffed into the bottom of the trade show bag, I encourage you to hand out BBV: business-building value. One of the best tools I’ve ever seen was a simple, elegant two-color, eight-page document called Problems, Solutions, and Results. The Value of Value-Added Marketing Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 30. New Webcast Helps Boomers Avoid ID Theft, Online Scams Newtown Square, PA – A free Webcast has been added to the Foundation of Financial Service Professionals’ Web site, www.financialprofoundation.org. The Webcast is the ninth in a series of informational videos developed to address the specific needs of boomers as they plan for retirement. The new Webcast, “A Fool and His Money are Soon Parted,” focuses on ways boomers can defend their credit records and identities from scam artists and high-tech fraud. This program identifies the types of personal information that need to be protected and ways to guard them without being frozen out of conducting everyday financial transactions. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 31. InsuranceLister.com connects interested insurance shoppers directly to local agents or agencies in their area. Columbus, OH – February 20, 2007 – InsuranceLister.com connects interested insurance shoppers directly to local agents or agencies in their area. A company founded by insurance agents for insurance agents, InsuranceLister.com eliminates the need to chase leads, while increasing agent exposure in local markets and on the internet. www.InsuranceLister.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 32. The Standard Rolls out New Web-based Data Review Tool for Plan Sponsors PORTLAND, Ore. — February 21, 2007 — Standard Retirement Services ("The Standard"), a subsidiary of StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: SFG), has launched Compliance Data Review (CDR), a new Web-based service designed to help employers quickly and securely prepare plan data for annual reporting and compliance testing. CDR provides an efficient and secure online environment to view a summary of the plan information submitted throughout the plan year. When users add or update information, the service automatically flags potential errors, such as missing or invalid data. Employers can verify and make corrections to the data instantly online. The end result is a more efficient compliance testing and government filing process for plan sponsors. www.standard.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 33. David Beats Goliath in Victory Over Department of Insurance Regulations Office of Administrative Law Rejects Illegal Escrow Rate Setting Scheme SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Escrow Institute of California President P.J. Garcia today released the following statement upon notification that the Office of Administrative Law rejected rate setting regulations submitted by the California Department of Insurance: "Today's announcement by the Office of Administrative Law rejecting an illegal rate setting scheme proposed by the Department of Insurance is a huge victory for the hundreds of small business owners who dared to fight back against an abuse of power by former Commissioner John Garamendi. Garamendi, his General Counsel Gary Cohen and their out-of-state contractor Birny Birnbaum completely failed to understand the fiercely competitive nature of the escrow industry in California. www.escrowinstitute.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 34. Office of Administrative Law Rejects Department of Insurance Regulations SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California Land Title Association (CLTA) Executive Vice President Craig Page today released the following statement upon notification that the Office of Administrative Law rejected rate setting regulations submitted by the California Department of Insurance: "CLTA applauds the Office of Administrative Law for rejecting the seriously flawed regulations proposed by the California Department of Insurance. We feel entirely vindicated in our belief that the regulations exceeded the Department's statutory authority under the Insurance Code by illegally impairing competitive rate making and by replacing competition with government dictates in the title insurance marketplace. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 35. INSTEC Announces Support Of Commercial Automobile In Massachusetts Naperville, IL, February 21, 2007: INSTEC, a leading provider of rating and policy administration software for the insurance industry and experts in integrated solution delivery, announces the immediate availability of QuickSolver® Commercial Automobile software that includes full support of Massachusetts Business Auto, Garage, and Truckers using Automobile Insurers Bureau (AIB) loss costs, rules and forms. www.instec-corp.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
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