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ICMG

The Inter-Company Marketing Group (ICMG), a non-profit association that fosters and promotes business networking among insurance and financial services professionals and firms, has announced that its annual golf tournament was once again successful in generating funds for charity. For the second consecutive year, ICMG partnered with Katalis Foundation for its conference charity golf event. The ICMG Annual Conference was held February 2 and 3, 2021, at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (www.icmg.org), and the golf event on the PGA National course preceded the conference on February 1.

The ICMG Annual Conference is the insurance industry’s unmatched networking opportunity, where top-level executives and insurance industry thought leaders gather knowing the entire event is designed to help them build their businesses by fostering relationships and developing strategic alliances.

Indianapolis-based Katalis Foundation uses innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and community-level investment to encourage positive change and sustainable development in Haiti. Speaking to the partnership with ICMG, Sarah Fuchs, executive director of Katalis Foundation, said, “Once again this year, we are thrilled to partner with ICMG for this signature event. The proceeds drive the work we are able to do in providing life-changing opportunities to young people in Haiti, and partnering with ICMG continues to be an exciting way for us to grow that impact.”

The fifty golfers who participated in the event, along with the generous sponsors, generated nearly $9,000. And also benefitting from those funds is Lifesong for Orphans, an organization that seeks to mobilize the Church to care for orphans, where each member can provide a unique and special service: some to adopt, some to care, some to give. Lifesong for Orphans supports children through global orphan care ministries, Christian adoptive families, and foster care initiatives.

Larry Sigle, ICMG executive director, said, “The ICMG leadership team appreciates everyone who registered for the conference and participated in the 2021 ICMG Charity Golf Event benefiting Katalis Foundation and Lifesong for Orphans. The event, held Monday February 1, started off the ICMG Annual Conference at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Proceeds will go to the inspiring work that these two organizations are accomplishing.”

The ICMG announced that its 2022 Annual Conference is scheduled for February 1 and 2, 2022, in Miami, Florida. More information can be found at ICMG’s website, www.icmg.org.

The Inter-Company Marketing Group (www.icmg.org) is the premier non-profit association that fosters strategic alliances among insurance and financial services companies, providing targeted networking opportunities, sharing of knowledge, experience, and resources for successful inter-company alliances. Among ICMG’s members are marketing and business development decision-makers with insurance carriers, reinsurers, distributors, third-party administrators, and other related companies in the insurance business. Find ICMG on LinkedIn or visit www.icmg.org to learn more.

For more information, contact Larry Sigle, executive director, ICMG, 316-252-3368, administration@icmg.org, or Chuck Hirsch, president, Hirsch Communications Consulting, 314-630-1387, charles.k.hirsch@gmail.com.

Allianz

Allianz SE, parent company of U.S.-based Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), Allianz Partners and Euler Hermes, officially began its eight-year worldwide partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements on Jan. 1, building on a collaboration with the Paralympic Movement that began in 2006. As the Worldwide Insurance Partner of the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee, Allianz companies around the world, including in the United States, are now supporting the athletes, teams, volunteers and fans that are part of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

“Allianz is proud to be the Worldwide Insurance Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements,” said Oliver Bäte, CEO of Allianz SE. “As a supporter of the sports ecosystem and through shared core values of excellence, friendship, inclusion and respect, Allianz and our 148,000 employees and 100,000 agents are excited to care and deliver for athletes, their families and their ambitions.”

Already a proud sponsor of Allianz Field, home of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United FC, Allianz Life is extending its commitment to community engagement and inclusion to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, including a new sponsorship with U.S. Paralympic archer Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman. A two-time Paralympian and silver medalist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Stutzman is hoping to represent Team USA again at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which will take place between August 24 and September 5, 2021.

“This is an exciting day for Allianz across the globe as this partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements establishes Allianz as one of just 15 current worldwide partners,” said Walter White, president and CEO, Allianz Life. “In the U.S., we are proud to support this initiative over the next eight years, starting with our new relationship with Matt Stutzman and his quest for gold. Matt embodies the qualities of diversity, inclusion and perseverance that inform our values-driven culture and guide us in our mission to help people live their lives with confidence.”

“I am honored and humbled to be supported by Allianz Life and its employees as I train for the upcoming Tokyo Games,” said Stutzman. “Allianz’s deep commitment to the Paralympic and Olympic Movements provides inspiration for many other athletes and me as we strive to reach our goals and, hopefully, the top of the podium.”

For more information about Allianz Life’s support for the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, visit http://www.allianzlife.com/olympics.

Since initially announcing the partnership in September 2018, Allianz has engaged fans, athletes, teams and employees through health-related initiatives across four pilot markets—Australia, China, France and Spain. Allianz presented the Australian Olympic Committee’s Wellbeing Week to showcase ways to improve mental health. Allianz also worked with the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to encourage people to walk and run for “Club Paris 2024,” an initiative to encourage movement and be part of the Games.

In the coming months, Allianz will expand local initiatives to connect with athletes and fans across the world. To name a few, the global insurer will offer consumers and employees the chance to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay at Beijing 2022 and will engage youth with the spirit and values of the Movements at its Allianz Sports Camps through trying sports, building friendships and learning from athletes. Furthermore, Allianz will support the Movements with tailored insurance solutions and services.
“Having announced this new agreement in 2018, our teams have already been working together in key pilot markets to support athletes and the Olympic Movement,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “As we start this new Olympic year, we are excited to begin in earnest our global collaboration with Allianz.”

“Allianz brings global visibility to the athletes and values of the Paralympic Movement, and we look forward to our next phase working together,” added IPC President Andrew Parsons.

The partnership runs from 2021—2028. More details can be found on Allianz’s website.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® and one of the Ethisphere 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies®, has been keeping its promises since 1896 by helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuity and life insurance products. In 2019, Allianz Life provided additional value to its policyholders via distributions of more than $10.4 billion. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with over 147,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Allianz Life is a proud sponsor of Allianz Field® in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United.

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) SE is a leading global corporate insurance carrier and a key business unit of Allianz Group. They provide risk consultancy, Property-Casualty insurance solutions and alternative risk transfer for a wide spectrum of commercial, corporate and specialty risks across 10 dedicated lines of business.

Customers are as diverse as business can be, ranging from Fortune Global 500 companies to small businesses and private individuals. Among them are not only the world’s largest consumer brands, tech companies and the global aviation and shipping industry, but also wineries, satellite operators or Hollywood film productions. They all look to AGCS for smart answers to their largest and most complex risks in a dynamic, multinational business environment and trust us to deliver an outstanding claims experience.

Worldwide, AGCS operates with its own teams in 31 countries and through the Allianz Group network and partners in over 200 countries and territories, employing over 4,450 people. As one of the largest Property-Casualty units of Allianz Group, they are backed by strong and stable financial ratings. In 2019, AGCS generated a total of €9.1 billion gross premium globally.

Allianz Partners (AGA Service Company) is a leading consumer specialty insurance and assistance company with operation centers in 35 countries. In the United States, the company offers Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans and serves millions of customers each year. In addition to travel insurance, the company offers tuition insurance, event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. The company also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call center services and claims administration for property and casualty insurers and credit card companies.

The Allianz Group is one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers with more than 100 million retail and corporate customers in more than 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 774 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage 1.7 trillion euros of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are one of the leading insurers in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2019, over 147,000 employees achieved total revenues of 142 billion euros and an operating profit of 11.9 billion euros for the group.

MDRT

Throughout its nearly 100-year history, MDRT has evolved alongside the financial services profession, adapting and innovating its leading production requirements to best serve top financial professionals worldwide. In the face of last year’s business challenges, MDRT innovated once more, adjusting 2021 production requirements to ensure equal opportunity for qualified financial services professionals around the globe while maintaining the association’s ongoing standard of excellence.

As the premiere association of financial professionals, MDRT qualification has long set the standard for success, with companies worldwide referencing the association’s production requirements as a benchmark for identifying top-performing employees. Acknowledging the influence its high standards have on the financial services profession, as well as the pandemic’s unprecedented but unique impact on each country, MDRT innovated to ensure its requirements were adjusted for each country equitably, while remaining first-rate. In collaboration with economist Dr. Judy Xanthopoulos, principal at Quantria Strategies, LLC, MDRT developed a data-driven formula to supplement its current production requirement methodology, the Blended Indices Model (BIM).

“Because MDRT qualification remains the ongoing industry benchmark for success, we know how crucial it is that our production requirements are evaluated consistently and developed strategically, to keep leading our profession ever forward,” said Ian Green Dip PFS, MDRT president. “Our goal in updating the 2021 requirements is to enable advisors to maintain their membership status while they focus on setting their clients up for success as they recover from the past tumultuous year. By enacting a data-driven approach to adjust requirements, and by developing forward-thinking ideas like the Productivity Action Plan, MDRT stands poised to continue providing its members unparalleled support, propelling them and their clients towards continued success this year and into the future.”

For the 2021 productivity requirements, Xanthopoulos supplemented the BIM by leveraging data from the World Health Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. She developed a COVID-19 Severity Index formula, which considers the severity and economic impact of the public health crisis, supply chain effects and projected decreases in consumer demand for each country.

Xanthopoulos modelled the application of the indexed adjustment, comparing several different base requirement methods. MDRT then adopted appropriate methodology and extended this approach using country-specific data, resulting in a calculated adjustment for each specific country.

“This methodology allows MDRT to provide flexibility in maintaining a top-tier standard in this difficult and uncertain economic environment, while remaining equitable across global economies,” said Xanthopoulos.

Xanthopoulos has helped MDRT evolve its profession-leading production requirements for a decade, identifying a global standard in 2011 and developing the cutting-edge Blended Indices Model (BIM) in 2016. Evaluating a variety of factors, including a country’s Purchasing Power Parity index and its Human Development Index, the BIM reflects the tracked changes and economic performance in each country to maintain uniform requirements worldwide.

The adjusted 2021 requirements apply to prior-to-2019 members or new applicants. For 2019 and 2020 members, MDRT waived production requirements, allowing those members to reapply for membership without submitting their production requirements. This evolution is part of the association’s Productivity Action Plan initiative, which aims to equip advisors with the strategies they need to navigate current challenges, grow their business and guide their clients towards a brighter future.

2021 MDRT membership applications are open through December 31, 2021; registrations after March 1 are subject to an additional fee. To learn more about the MDRT Productivity Action Plan and becoming an MDRT member, visit mdrt.org.

Founded in 1927, Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of more than 65,000 of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 70 nations and territories. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. For more information, please visit www.mdrt.org and follow them on Twitter @MDRtweet.

NAIFA

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is pleased to welcome Maeghan Gale as a Policy Director. Gale joined NAIFA’s Government Relations team on February 1 and reports to Senior Vice President for Government Relations Diane Boyle.

As Policy Director, Gale will perform research and analysis and develop and coordinate advocacy policies and positions for NAIFA. She will lead efforts to see NAIFA positions incorporated into model legislation and regulations, working closely with such groups as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), National Coalition of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), and North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA).

“Maeghan brings a wealth of experience and insurance and financial services industry knowledge to the NAIFA advocacy team,” said Boyle. “As the only producer association advocating for financial professionals and consumers on the federal level and in all 50 states, NAIFA works with legislators and regulators on a full slate of issues across the country. With Maeghan’s energy and expertise, collaborating with the other members of our national advocacy team and our state-level advocates, we are poised to continue NAIFA’s strong track record of advocacy success.”

Gale was previously the Director of Strategic Planning and Community Relations for MassMutual. She was also a financial planner for Prudential Financial and an agency owner with State Farm Insurance Companies. Most recently, she has advanced her career in strategic marketing and training positions. Her marketing experience complements the NAIFA 2025 Strategic Plan goal of amplifying NAIFA’s brand as it relates to policy issues.
Gale holds a BA in Political Science and an MS in Marketing. She is currently pursuing a second Masters degree, this one in Public Policy, at The George Washington University.
Gale was an accomplished professional wakeboarder. She was two-time World Champion (1999 and 2000), X-Games Gold Medalist (1999), National Champion (2000), Masters Champion (2000), and Guinness Book of World Records record holder.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is the preeminent membership association for the multigenerational community of financial professionals in the United States. NAIFA members subscribe to a strong Code of Ethics and represent a full spectrum of financial services practice specialties. They work with families and businesses to help Americans improve financial literacy and achieve financial security. NAIFA provides producers a national community for advocacy, education and networking along with awards, publications and leadership opportunities to allow NAIFA members to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. NAIFA has 53 state and territorial chapters and 35 large metropolitan local chapters. NAIFA members in every congressional district advocate on behalf of producers and consumers at the state, interstate and federal levels.

OneAmerica

For many working Americans, stress levels caused by various compounding events, such as COVID-19, racial injustice and the divisive political climate, are on the rise, prompting OneAmerica® and employee assistance program provider ComPsych Corporation to offer resources to help people protect their mental and physical health.

The American Psychological Association says stress among Americans is higher than the 2016 political season.* With that in mind, the free resources promote personal well-being.

“In recent polling, about two-thirds of Americans reported feeling worn out by the amount of news stemming from a highly divisive 2020 U.S. presidential election cycle,” said Steven Lynch, vice president for national sales and service, Employee Benefits. “Put those factors together with the ongoing pandemic, and you end up with a serious threat to the nation’s health. Regardless of where you live and work or how you’ve managed the social impacts of 2020, our intention is to offer no-cost resources to help people think about well-being in and outside the workplace.”

The 15-page guide offers tips for protecting mental and physical health, while remaining engaged in work and personal activities. Download the free resource here: http://bit.ly/OAStressGuide.

Self-care tips in the guide include setting “digital limits,” managing relaxation, coping with uncertainty and criticism and harnessing resilience-building techniques. It also offers an integrated approach to address issues that can negatively affect a person’s personal life and performance at work.

The stress-reduction guide is the latest resource created by ComPsych, made available through OneAmerica, that’s aimed at providing ways employees can navigate challenges resulting from current events.

ComPsych has been providing confidential counseling, legal support and financial coaching referral resources as an option for Employee Benefits (EB) customers of OneAmerica since 2016.

*More than two-thirds of U.S. adults (68%) say that the 2020 U.S. presidential election is a significant source of stress in their life, a large increase from the 2016 presidential election when 52% said the same, according to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association.

A national provider of insurance and financial services for more than 140 years, the companies of OneAmerica help customers build and protect their financial futures. OneAmerica offers a variety of products and services to serve the financial needs of its policyholders and customers. These products include retirement plan products and recordkeeping services, individual life insurance, annuities, asset-based long term care solutions and employee benefit plan products. Products are issued and underwritten by the companies of OneAmerica and distributed through a nationwide network of employees, agents, brokers and other sources who are committed to providing value to customers.

To learn more about the products, services and the companies of OneAmerica, visit http://oneamerica.com/about-us/companies-of-oneamerica.

OneAmerica is the marketing name for the companies of OneAmerica.

Products are issued and underwritten by American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL), a OneAmerica company. Not available in all states or may vary by state. ComPsych is not an affiliate of OneAmerica or AUL.

Broker Words—March 2021

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Dworkin
Gary and Lin Dworkin

Our Memories Of Carole Howard By Gary and Lin Dworkin

Like sands of the hourglass, the days of our lives sift away into time. We have all said this many times but with the passing of Carole Howard it really did! The Co-Founder of Broker World magazine passed away peacefully and comfortable in her own home on February 12.

With her goes a different attitude toward both living and working. She strove to have her career, family and be the best possible friend. While, at the same time, she supported the arts and charitable organizations everywhere. She was of the generation that tried and succeeded in having it all because no one told her she couldn’t and even if they did she wouldn’t have believed them.

Hope and Steve Howard with Carole Howard

When Bill and Gary met, the Howards were enjoying great success with their trade magazine, Mid-America Insurance, circulated in 12 midwestern states. Then, while Bill and Gary were visiting after a NALU meeting in St. Louis, Bill scribbled the idea for his new magazine, not yet named, on a napkin. In 1979, from their emerging friendship, Bill and Gary were sure the girls would get along, and the Howards came up to NH for dinner and we all met. Well they were right! In many ways Carole was Lin’s mentor. She learned so much from Carole about the insurance business and life in general. Carole and Broker World were there for every important part of our lives until we retired in 2013. it just doesn’t seem possible that those 34 years flew by so quickly.

We began writing articles for Broker World, starting with the very first issue, and continuing in many many subsequent issues until our retirement. We had a truly great business relationship with Bill and Carole but we also were, far more, great friends! We traveled together to every company trip that we could and, of course, every single NAILBA conference and meeting. We always stayed a few extra days to decompress with them after the official trips were over.

In addition, over the many years, we traveled together and saw each other as frequently as we could in Barrington, Kansas City, Carmel and Ashland. Anywhere that we could get together to grab a quick dinner and a drink to just catch up.

Among the many memories, we once tried to get them in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon. But Bill refused, so the best we could do was join them at sunrise on the rim of the canyon. It was so cold…and we forgot coffee. Carole was really not feeling it that morning and wanted coffee. She ended up seeing some stranger’s coffee and threatening to push them over if they didn’t sell it to her… Well, she got it. And we never got the helicopter ride, we went to the IMAX instead.

Then there was Carole’s birthday trip to London. The boys kept the plans a very deep secret and had, apparently, a great amount of fun planning every detail over several months. When we got off the plane in Heathrow there were Bill and Carole meeting us at the gate! We spent the next week having a ball staying together in an apartment, touring London and seeing every event and show possible. Just a wonderful time!

Carole was truly one of a kind and was Bill’s partner for many years as they built a wonderful life together. In their early years together Bill and Carole would go on TSD road rallies in their little sports car, with Bill driving and Carole being his navigator. They, in fact, continued in those roles together throughout their lifetime.

After Bill’s passing Carole, who was the CFO, became the full CEO of the magazine and maintained its success and their shared vision until Steve bought the business in 2005.
There were so many good times. Carole was one of a kind. She loved Steve and Hope, Bill, good wine, good friends, travel, and life on her terms. She said what she thought and meant what she said. You always knew where you stood with her and how much she loved you. She had old fashioned integrity which she held onto in business and personal life and she will be missed by all of us that loved and knew her well.[G&LD]

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Allianz Life

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) recently announced $350,000 in grants to local nonprofits working to enhance seniors’ quality of life through programming and outreach.

The grant recipients support seniors by building social vitality and independence through services including: Food delivery, transportation, and adaptive living assistance. They also help combat social isolation, which is of particular importance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, several chosen nonprofits help victims of elder financial abuse through education and assistance for both seniors and their caregivers.

“We know that these nonprofits are providing critical programs and services for older adults and caregivers in our community during the pandemic,” said Walter White, president and CEO, Allianz Life. “At Allianz Life, we’re committed to making a difference in the community and helping older adults live their lives with confidence. These nonprofits are making a huge impact on the lives of those they serve during a time of widespread and acute challenge.”

  • Angel Foundation ($15,000)—supporting emergency financial assistance for low-income seniors.
  • Amherst H. Wilder Foundation ($20,000)—supporting Wilder’s Community Services for Aging Program.
  • Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis ($15,000)—supporting their aging services program.
  • CommonBond Communities ($15,000) —supporting their senior health and wellness program.
  • Friends of the Hennepin County Library ($15,000)—supporting their outreach, senior services and deposit collections programs.
  • Help At Your Door ($25,000)—for their food and transportation support for low-income seniors.
  • Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) ($15,000)—supporting their Services For Our Seniors program, including food, employment and housing.
  • Kairos Alive! ($10,000)—supporting their Community Creativity and Health Exchange program.
  • Keystone Community Services ($35,000))—supporting their senior services program.
  • Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly ($20,000))—supporting their seniors program.
  • Minneapolis Institute of Arts ($15,000)—supporting their seniors’ museum programs, including the Discover Your Story program.
  • Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans ($20,000)—supporting their financial assistance for senior veterans.
  • Minnesota Elder Justice Center ($15,000)—supporting their prevention of elder financial abuse and exploitation program.
  • Sabathani Community Center ($15,000)—supporting the Sabathani Senior Program.
  • Sabes Jewish Community Center ($20,000)—supporting their senior dining program.
  • Senior Community Services ($35,000)—for general operating support.
  • Ten Thousand Things Theater ($15,000)—supporting programming for senior engagement.
  • Theater Latte Da ($15,000)—supporting their seniors and family program.
  • TRUST, Inc. ($15,000)—supporting their Continuum of Care for the Elderly program.

Learn more about Allianz Life’s giving programs and ongoing commitment to supporting the Twin Cities community at www.allianzlife.com/why-allianz.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® and one of the Ethisphere 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies®, has been keeping its promises since 1896 by helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuity and life insurance products. In 2019, Allianz Life provided additional value to its policyholders via distributions of more than $10.4 billion. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with over 147,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Allianz Life is a proud sponsor of Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United.

NAILBA

The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) announced a groundbreaking new certification program for life insurance case managers.

The first of its kind, NAILBA’s web-based program was built to enhance an increasingly automated and more complex business function. Client applications have begun to require more involvement from case managers in recent years, and the current pandemic environment makes the case manager’s role even more critical.

The certification (which, when completed, will entitle certificants to NAILBA’s NCCM designation) is comprised of eight instruction modules on key case management topics. Each section may be completed independently of the others and culminates with a mastery quiz. There is a 175-question final exam for those pursuing the NCCM designation.

NAILBA Certified Case Manager Instruction Modules:

  1. Life Insurance Overview
  2. The Underwriting Process
  3. The Role of the Brokerage General Agency (BGA)
  4. Types of Case Submissions
  5. The Case Manager Role
  6. Case Management Requirements
  7. Working with Advisors & Insurance Professionals
  8. Regulatory Considerations

“There is a lost opportunity cost when firms have to train case managers on their own,” said NAILBA Board Member and President of Brokers Clearing House Debbie Hannam. “I am so excited about the opportunities this creates for agencies and carriers across the life insurance industry. Two of my veteran case managers with over 20 years of experience went through this curriculum, and they could not believe the information that was in there. The whole program is enlightening.”

Victoria Van Dusen-Roos, NAILBA board member and principal and COO at Diversified Brokerage Services, echoed Hannam’s enthusiasm: “It is wonderful we now have a robust training platform, whether you are hiring a new or advanced case manager,” she said. “As an agency principal, we can now level set everyone’s knowledge on the fundamental skills and responsibilities you expect in case management.”

For more information on NAILBA’s case manager certification visit http://www.nailbacasemanager.com.

MDRT

Building on its culture of excellence and providing financial professionals exceptional opportunities for personal and career growth, Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is expanding its family of brands with the introduction of MDRT Global Services. A distinct, individual membership association created exclusively for field and home office leaders, MDRT Global Services introduced its initial offerings and began to build an inaugural member base with a pilot program in select countries beginning on January 1, 2021.
MDRT Global Services membership benefits include diverse opportunities for innovative leadership development, enhanced agency productivity and deeper engagement within the MDRT community. With access to impactful tools that allow field and home office leaders to inspire a culture of excellence within their organizations, MDRT Global Services members will refine their management skills while also supporting their advisors and influencing their advisors’ success.

“MDRT’s passion for supporting the leadership development of financial services professionals through innovative offerings drives everything we do,” said Ian Green, Dip PFS, 95th MDRT president. “With the introduction of MDRT Global Services, we will empower field and home office leaders to be as effective and productive as they can be, and further infuse the MDRT culture into their organizations so MDRT Global Services members and their teams can continue to excel.”

Financial services professionals who are field and home office leaders were able to join the MDRT Global Services pilot program beginning in December 2020. Pilot members, in exchange for providing ongoing insight and program feedback, will receive a complimentary two-year membership and will have the unique ability to shape MDRT Global Services’ customized offerings. This feedback will ensure MDRT Global Services can best meet its members’ leadership growth and development needs. Pilot program input will be used to refine offerings for the paid membership program to be introduced at its conclusion.

“Members of each association within our family of brands expect a world-class experience that brings them exceptional value and provides a clear path to financial services excellence. We look forward to welcoming field and home office leaders to MDRT Global Services and are committed to recognizing their achievements as field leaders,” Green said.

Field and home office leaders interested in learning more about MDRT Global Services and applying for pilot program membership can visit www.mdrtgs.org.

As the newest offering under the global MDRT family of brands, MDRT Global Services was created exclusively for financial services field and home office leaders. As a separate, individual membership association with innovative program offerings, MDRT Global Services provides its members with exceptional value and leadership growth opportunities. MDRT Global Services membership allows increased engagement within the MDRT community while allowing leaders to develop a culture of excellence within their respective organizations.