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NAILBA

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NAILBA

NAILBA, the Voice of Independent Distribution (ID), recently announced the 2020 recipients of the ID Twenty Awards. In their second year, the ID Twenty Awards honor Independent Distribution’s most courageous innovators and visionaries, who have made important contributions to the insurance profession.

“We received over 50 nominations of BGA principals, carrier executives, case managers, contract specialists, regional vice presidents, underwriters, techies, marketing and operational gurus,” said NAILBA CEO Dan LaBert. “Especially in a nontraditional year, we were thrilled to hear the stories of so many people making important contributions to the insurance community.”

The winners of the 2020 ID Twenty Award are:

  • Bryan Adams—Co-Founder and CEO, Integrity Marketing Group;
  • Andy Albright—CEO, National Agents Insurance;
  • Dan Allison—Managing Partner, Brokers Clearing House;
  • Tim Ash—CEO, Ash Brokerage;
  • Michael Ashwill—Chief Marketing Officer/Principal, Borden Hamman Insurance Marketing;
  • Jeff Barker—SVP, Brokerage Distribution and Independent Wholesaling, Life Insurance, AIG;
  • Jenny Canas—VP of Product, Underwriting and Operations, SelectQuote Insurance Services;
  • Pete Chrisos—VP and National Account Manager, Protective Life Insurance Company;
  • Tracey Edgar—VP of Sales, OneAmerica;
  • Kurt Fasen—Sales and Marketing Executive, Diversified Brokerage Services;
  • Sylvia Gordon—President, Gordon Marketing;
  • Sheryl Hickerson—CEO, Females and Finance;
  • Steven J. Katz—Chief Optimist, Premier Brokerage Services, Inc.;
  • Bill Kauffman, CLU, ChFC, LLIF—VP, Financial Solutions;
  • Doug Massey—EVP of Sales and Relationship Management, Insurance Technologies;
  • Joann Mattson—VP, Strategy and Business Consulting, Highland Capital Brokerage;
  • Alan S. Protzel, MBA, CLU, ChFC—SVP, The Marketing Alliance;
  • Rob Carney—President, Crump Life Insurance Services;
  • Mike Smith—President, The Brokerage, Inc.; and,
  • John Ziambras—President and CEO, AIMCOR Group, LLC.

Award winners were acknowledged on the main stage at NAILBA’s virtual annual conference, NAILBA 39: ENGAGE. They will also be spotlighted in NAILBA’s Perspectives magazine in the first quarter of 2021. More information about each of the winners can be found within the honorees section of NAILBA.org.

MDRT

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MDRT

In the midst of a global pandemic and economic crisis, MDRT has made strategic moves to ensure financial professionals and their clients are well supported. The association announced its Productivity Action Plan, developed to help financial professionals qualify for membership in 2021, and equip them with proven strategies to drive their businesses and clients towards next-level success in the current climate and beyond.

The MDRT Productivity Action Plan acknowledges the challenging business conditions financial professionals have faced in 2020. To provide its current and aspiring members with more opportunities to join, MDRT waived 2021 production requirements for 2019 and 2020 members, and announced it has no plans to increase dues in 2021. For prior-to-2019 members or first-time applicants, MDRT adjusted the 2021 production requirement, taking into account the economic impacts on the industry.

Though the pandemic has changed the way many financial professionals do business, MDRT is focused on providing them with the innovative ideas they need to continue succeeding. As part of the Productivity Action Plan, the association developed the MDRT Focus on Resources hub. Available to both members and non-members, the site is updated regularly with timely, top-tier content from industry professionals around the globe, built to help advisors navigate current challenges so they can continue to grow their business, protect their clients and guide both towards a successful future. From how to host productive virtual meetings to managing client emotions, advisors can find the proven strategies they need to adapt, innovate and persevere. MDRT members have exclusive access to even more top-tier ideas via MDRT Resource Zone, Round the Table Magazine, MDRT podcast and more.

“My MDRT membership is a big part of what got me to where I am today. It’s the innovative ideas and supportive global community that have helped me propel my business to greater levels of success year after year,” said Ian Green Dip PFS, 95th MDRT President. “This plan helps to ensure that advisors can become—or stay—members, to continue accessing the insightful strategies from leaders of our profession around the world, and most importantly guide their clients towards greater financial security and success.”

The Productivity Action Plan is just one of the forward-thinking ways that MDRT has leveraged to support its members and help them thrive in 2020 and beyond. In August, the association adapted its quintessential MDRT Annual Meeting and recently established 2019 Global Conference into a singular Virtual Event. Members collaborated on fresh ideas for virtual practice management, social media marketing—and more. On Demand content was released the following weeks, diving deeper into dynamic strategies for ways to avoid burnout and help clients readjust their portfolios to thrive in the midst of the current crisis.

MDRT continues to push boundaries and innovate in ways that help financial professionals at all stages of their career succeed. Future-focused financial advisors who do not yet qualify for MDRT in 2021 can join the MDRT Academy to receive real-time insights and personalized coaching that fast-tracks them to premier status. Open for applications Nov. 1, 2020, the MDRT Academy is a new kind of association with gold-standard content that is either MDRT-original or MDRT-approved—available anytime, anywhere.

“As a young financial advisor aspiring to get to the next level, the MDRT Academy app was the perfect tool,” said Brandon Heckert, former MDRT Academy member and current MDRT member. “It allowed me to keep track of my goals and obtain the resources I needed to conduct my practice in a tech-focused world.”

2021 MDRT membership applications opened Nov. 1, 2020 and run through March 1, 2021. 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.

OneAmerica

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OneAmerica

OneAmerica® recently announced the hiring of two accomplished industry veterans to fill key underwriting roles.

Christine Coburn has joined OneAmerica as vice president of underwriting in support of the company’s Employee Benefits line of business, bringing to the role more than two decades of executive experience with key industry influencers.

As vice president of underwriting, Coburn is responsible for the business risk management, growing and renewing in-force business, working with sales representatives and distribution partners, and leading a team of policyholder-minded professionals. A native of Maine, she started her career with Unum in 1988 and has worked in the industry ever since, honing her group and voluntary coverage knowledge at providers like Sun Life Financial and, most recently, in her role as vice president of National Accounts at Prudential Financial.

“Chris has a demonstrated history of leadership in developing talent, improving the customer experience and implementing efficiencies,” said Jim McGovern, senior vice president for Employee Benefits at OneAmerica. “Her work developing and executing business strategy throughout her career has been a key driver of profitable growth. We are thrilled that she’s joined us at OneAmerica.”

Coburn is operating from the OneAmerica office in Portland, ME, alongside claims and underwriting professionals who serve the employee benefits team.

“What drew me to OneAmerica was the people, culture and opportunity to be part of a growing employee benefits business,” said Coburn. “Combine that with a leadership team that is committed to disciplined and profitable growth, and we’re in a great position to continue to be the carrier of choice for brokers serving companies and organizations of all sizes in Middle America.”

Coburn is a graduate of Husson University in Bangor, ME.

Susan Hennis has joined OneAmerica® as chief underwriter in support of the company’s highly regarded Insurance, Life and Financial Services line of business, bringing more than two decades of experience in life and health underwriting to the role.

As chief underwriter, Hennis will lead a team of 25, including the medical director, acting risk manager, and 20 other policyholder-minded financial professionals who oversee product performance and underwriting guidelines.

“In addition to her strong underwriting knowledge, Susan brings superb communication skills and a comprehensive understanding of field relationships to this role,” said Dennis Martin, president of Insurance, Life and Financial Services (ILFS) at OneAmerica. “We are thrilled to have Susan join our growing team as we gain momentum. I’m confident that she will add great value and position us for continued growth.”

Prior to coming to OneAmerica, Hennis served numerous key roles in a 19-year tenure at COUNTRY Financial in Bloomington, IL, most recently working as manager of underwriting quality.

“What drew me to OneAmerica was its culture,” said Hennis. “The close-knit nature of the company and the welcoming feel makes it so inclusive. It’s clear that the people of the company are important to the leadership of the company, and I found it impressive how they approach associate engagement.”

Hennis draws on deep experience in underwriting and as a leader, but she is looking forward to new opportunities unique to OneAmerica.

“I am excited to start something new,” said Hennis. “The team’s deep level of knowledge impressed me, and the product portfolio that OneAmerica offers in niche markets intrigued me.”

Hennis serves as the president of the Midwestern Underwriting program committee and is on the Association of Home Office Underwriting (AHOU) education committee among distinguished roles.

Hennis is an alumna of Iowa State University in Ames, IA, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. Hennis began her career in underwriting at Principal Financial Group directly after graduating college. She’s earned the CLU, FALU and FLMI designations.

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 their 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 OneAmerica’s products, services and the companies of OneAmerica, visit oneamerica.com/about-us/companies-of-oneamerica.

OneAmerica® is the marketing name for the companies of OneAmerica.

NAIFA

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NAIFA

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) has created the NAIFA 2025 Strategic Planning Committee to develop a five-year plan for the association to build on the success of the NAIFA 20/20 Strategic Plan implemented in 2016. The new strategic plan will continue NAIFA’s evolution into a nimble, fully modernized professional association.

Under NAIFA 20/20, NAIFA became an efficient, streamlined association consisting of a national headquarters, 53 state and territorial chapters, and 30 local chapters. The goal of NAIFA 20/20 and a continuing goal of the NAIFA 2025 Strategic Plan is to provide a consistent, high-quality membership experience to everyone who joins.

“NAIFA is poised to capitalize on the amazing transformation driven by the NAIFA 20/20 plan over the past several years, and we have assembled the perfect team of industry and association leaders and strategic thinkers to help chart our course for the next five years,” said NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE. “NAIFA has grown into a nimble, forward-looking and fully modernized professional association. This puts us in the best position to serve the complex needs of our members, the greater community of agents and advisors, the insurance and financial services industry as a whole, and the diverse communities of Main Street USA consumers who trust NAIFA members to provide critical financial products, services and guidance.”

The committee consists of a cross section of NAIFA members and volunteer leaders as well as thought leaders from NAIFA’s corporate and association partners. The group offers a broad range of knowledge and an impressive track record of success in the insurance and financial services industry and association management. Committee members also have a strong understanding of NAIFA members, their practice specialties and their dedication to serving Main Street USA families and small businesses.

“NAIFA is the premier professional association for insurance and financial professionals in the United States, and we have a duty to our members and future members to create a strategic plan that provides a high-quality member experience and positions NAIFA for success through 2025 and beyond,” said NAIFA Secretary Larry Holzberg, LACP, LUTCF, who chairs the committee. “We have assembled a great team to make the most of this opportunity and capitalize on the momentum created by NAIFA 20/20. I am also excited that we will be working with Raybourn Group International, and its President Leslie Murphy, FASAE, CAE, and Vice President, Association Strategies Mark McSweeney, CAE. Raybourn is a top association management consulting firm that will contribute innovative and results-oriented thinking to our planning process.”

The NAIFA 2025 Strategic Planning Committee
Members of the committee are:

  • Alex R. Abbenante, CRPC, Regional Vice President, Equitable Advisors, Falls Church, VA.
  • Kristin M. Alfheim, CLTC, RICP, Managing Director, Retirement Dynamix LLC (Futurity First), Appleton, WI.
  • William T. “Tom” Ashley, AIP, AAI, AIAM, Chief Executive Officer, NAIFA-Florida, Tallahassee, FL.
  • Diane R. Boyle, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, NAIFA, Falls Church, VA.
  • Suzanne M. Carawan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, NAIFA, Westerville, OH.
  • Nicholas M. Cecere, CLU, ChFC, Senior Vice President-USIS Distribution, Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA.
  • Gaffar Chowdhury, Managing Director, First Financial Group (Guardian Life ), Bethesda, MD.
  • Paul R. Dougherty, LUTCF, FSS, HIA, Agent/Owner, State Farm Insurance Companies, Hyattsville, MD.
  • Christopher L. Gandy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Legacy Group (OneAmerica), Lisle, IL.
  • Michael E. Gerber, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, NAIFA, Falls Church, VA.
  • Stephen L. Good, LUTCF, CLTC, CFBS, Director of Business Development, 1847 Financial South Florida (Penn Mutual), Boca Raton, FL.
  • Clint D. Hinderaker, CFS, Senior Regional Managing Director, Principal Financial Group, Coralville, IA.
  • Bryon A. Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP, Independent Advisor, Bryon Holz & Associates (SagePoint Financial), Brandon, FL.
  • Lawrence J. Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP; Director of Insurance and Advance Sales, Fortis Lux Financial (MassMutual), Melville, NY.
  • Ryan Jewell, Brokerage Manager, Guardian Life and Pacific Advisors, Seattle, WA.
  • Brock T. Jolly, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CLTC, CASL, RICP, Founding Partner, Veritas Financial (MassMutual), Tysons Corner, VA.
  • Jill M. Judd, LUTCF, FSS, Agent/Owner, State Farm Insurance Companies, Capitola, CA.
  • Dan Mangus, Vice President of Sales, Senior Marketing Specialists, Columbia, MO.
  • Corey G. Mathews, Vice President of Member and Chapter Services, NAIFA, Tallahassee, FL.
  • Kevin M. Mayeux, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, NAIFA, Falls Church, VA.
  • Meghann P. McKenna, CLU, ChFC, CLTC, Owner and Financial Advisor, McKenna Financial (New York Life), Bozeman, MT.
  • Thomas O. Michel, LACP, Managing Director, Michel Financial Group (Ohio National), Los Angeles, CA.
  • Susan K. Neely, CAE, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Council of Life Insurers, Washington, DC.
  • Danny O’Connell, MBA, LACP, Chief Executive Officer, Next Level Agency (Principal Financial Group), Addison, TX.
  • Charles M. Olson, CLU, ChFC, LACP, Chief Executive Officer, OCi Services, Elkhorn, NE.
  • Kathleen E. Owings, LACP, Principal, Westbilt Financial Group, Colorado Springs, CO.
  • John D. Richardson, RICP, LACP, Partner, Boundbrook Advisors (MassMutual), Franklin, TN.
  • Cammie K. Scott, MSIE, ChHC, CLTC, LUTCF, REBC, RHU, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, President, CK Harp & Associates, Springdale, AR.
  • Joseph Sparacio, CLU, LUTCF, CLF, Senior Vice President, MassMutual, Springfield, CT.
  • Faisa Stafford, LUTCF, SHRM-SCP, President and Chief Executive Officer, Life Happens, Arlington, VA.
  • Brian Steiner, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, NAIFA, Falls Church, VA.
  • Mimie Yoon-Lee, Assistant Vice President, Lincoln Financial Group, San Ramon, CA.

The NAIFA 2025 Strategic Planning Committee convened virtually during September 2020 to develop a draft strategic plan for review by the NAIFA Board of Trustees in October. Committee members presented major elements of the plan in November and December during webinars for NAIFA members and other stakeholders.

Founded in 1890, NAIFA is the oldest, largest and most prestigious association representing the interests of financial services professionals from every Congressional district in the United States. Our mission–to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members–is the reason NAIFA has consistently and resoundingly stood up for financial services professionals and called upon members to grow their knowledge while following the highest ethical standards in the industry. Visit www.naifa.org.

Mutual of Omaha

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Mutual of Omaha

Insurance and financial services giant Mutual of Omaha unveiled a new corporate logo, featuring the image of a lion. Inspired by its heritage and customer-centric mission and values, this updated logo reflects the protection and strength that Mutual of Omaha has represented for more than a century. It also delivers a strong brand connection based on the company’s longtime sponsorship of the groundbreaking wildlife program Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.

“Our new logo reflects our company’s mission and values while representing the commitment we’ve made for more than a century to helping people protect what’s important to them,” said Keith Clark, senior vice president of marketing at Mutual of Omaha. “We chose the symbol of a lion not only as a nod to our Wild Kingdom heritage, but to represent the strong company we’ve always been.”

In July, Mutual announced the removal of Native American imagery from its corporate logo, a continuation of their commitment to address issues of racial equity and social justice. The company also dedicated additional funding for initiatives and charities addressing these issues.

“Mutual of Omaha has a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, both within our company and in our community. As an organization and a leadership team, we are focused on taking additional actions to answer the call for racial equity and inclusion,” said Mutual of Omaha Chairman and CEO James Blackledge. “We have spent time listening to diverse perspectives among our associates, community leaders and diversity and inclusion experts, and are taking further action to advance racial equity and social justice to create meaningful change.

“We believe the decision to retire our corporate symbol is the right thing to do and is consistent with our values and our desire to help overcome racial bias and stereotypes,” Blackledge said. “We feel strongly our logo should reflect who we are as a company and our commitment to positive change.”

The company has earmarked $1 million in additional funding for community-based initiatives and non-profit organizations committed to racial equity, inclusivity, economic equality and social justice. In 2019, the company and its Foundation contributed more than $2 million to nearly 60 charitable organizations working in this critical space. In addition, the company will also offer the time and talent of its associates to be directly involved in these initiatives as appropriate.

Mutual also announced it will provide its management team additional training on diversity and inclusion, including unconscious bias training. The company will enhance its efforts to recruit, hire, promote, develop and retain a diverse workforce and heighten its focus on inclusive culture-shaping. Performance expectations will be expanded to evaluate management on progress in these areas.

“We have a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, and a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy, so we have not been standing still in this area. However, in terms of outcomes, we have room for improvement and recognize that we must do more,” Blackledge said.

Mutual is also developing a more robust supplier diversity strategy, proactively seeking out vendors from underrepresented communities and purchasing from suppliers who are demonstrably committed to social justice and racial equity.

“As we work to create economic opportunity, it is incumbent upon us to seek diverse suppliers and business partners, and to ensure our vendors share our commitment to social justice and economic equality,” Blackledge said.

Mutual of Omaha is a full-service, multi-line organization providing insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses and groups throughout the United States. For additional information about Mutual of Omaha and the company’s new logo, visit www.mutualofomaha.com.

Founded in 1909, Mutual of Omaha is a highly-rated, Fortune 500 organization offering a variety of insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses and groups throughout the United States. As a mutual company, Mutual of Omaha is owned by its policyholders and committed to providing outstanding service to its customers.

Allianz Life

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Allianz Life

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) has announced new enhancements to its Allianz Life Pro+ AdvantageSM fixed index universal life insurance policy. In addition to providing death benefit protection, the new product features also provide more options for clients and new sales tools for the financial professionals who sell the policy.

At the same time, Allianz Life is introducing changes that will help comply with the newest phase of Actuarial Guideline 49 (AG 49 A), which is intended to help standardize fixed index universal life (FIUL) insurance policy illustrations across the industry by establishing guidelines that are more conservative.

“While regulations and markets continue to change, Allianz Life is focused on delivering innovative product solutions to help clients protect their finances and address risks both in the short and long term,” said Jason Wellmann, senior vice president of Life Insurance Distribution, Allianz Life. “We are also focusing on providing top-notch education to the financial professional to help ensure they have a good understanding of AG 49 A and how it could impact the way FIUL policies are sold.”

To comply with AG 49 A guidelines, the company is implementing the following changes:

  • Multiplier bonuses shown in the illustration are to be no higher than the maximum illustrated rate of the benchmark index.
  • Individual indexed allocations will now have specific maximum illustrated rates.
  • Participati.ng (indexed) loan arbitrage will be limited to 50 bps above the loan charge.

Allianz Life is also introducing the following product enhancement, and rolling out new digital tools, including:

  • New classic (flat-rate) bonus for a guaranteed interest credit.1
  • Enhanced sales tools including a simplified consumer brochure, showcase tool for educational case studies, and redesigned illustration.
  • Continued support of the Allianz Life volatility control indexes and Index Lock2—exclusive features designed to provide the potential for more consistent performance in today’s environment

1. Includes an allocation restriction, meaning clients may not be able to allocate 100 percent of their accumulation value, if the fixed account goes below one percent.

2. Both features are available with select index allocation options.

Bonused products may include higher surrender charges, longer surrender periods, lower caps, or other restrictions that are not included in similar products that don’t offer a bonus. The index allocations that offer the interest bonus will generally have lower caps and participation rates. Not all bonuses guarantee that a policy will be credited with an interest bonus every year as some are based on the growth of an index.

It’s important to note that with an external index, your policy does not directly participate in any equity or fixed income investments—you are not buying shares in an index.

Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer.

Guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. www.allianzlife.com.

Product (P64339) is issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

OneAmerica

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OneAmerica

OneAmerica® is adding access to care coordination services through the experience of CareScout,® enhancing the personalized approach that characterizes its Care Benefit Concierge feature of long term care protection. This new service relationship will support policyholders and their family members throughout the journey of a long term care event and provide them direction at the time of a claim.

“The offering of CareScout will enhance the care benefit concierge service we currently have,” said Denise Cochran, a long term care claims manager at OneAmerica. “As the care benefit concierge focuses on making the claim process easy and allows families to focus on their loved ones, CareScout will assist families in finding care providers and local resources. During a long term care event, it’s difficult for families to determine next steps, so CareScout will be able to present the family with options to make the best decisions to fit their needs.”

CareScout Care Coordination Services is an integrated risk-management solution. The program utilizes the experience of CareScout’s Care Advocacy staff, supported by a database of over 100,000 long term care providers in the U.S. and annual Cost of Care Survey data to assist care advocates in designing and implementing a plan of care to address long term care needs.

CareScout also has a highly specialized, individually trained, national network of registered nurses, called the FieldScout® Network. Prior to the pandemic, and continuing when the pandemic has ended, the FieldScout Network completes on-site assessments of long term care claimants and creates high-quality summaries to support CareScout Clinical Care Advocates recommendations and implementation of plans of care.

By adding these care coordination services, policyholders and their families benefit from:

  • Specialized resources to help them develop a plan of care that aligns to the claimant’s need.
  • Assessments and recommendations that guide the family through the complexities of long term care services.
  • Access to a database of more than 100,000 long term care providers nationwide and CareScout Quality Ratings and Reports of selected provider types.
  • Suggestions on appropriate providers and assistance with provider negotiated “best rates.”
  • Periodic review of the care plan to help ensure the claimant consistently received appropriate services.
  • On-site functional, cognitive and environmental assessments (currently completed virtually to protect customers during the pandemic).

“Because 70 percent of people over the age of 65 will require some form of long term care services as they get older, the CareScout benefit can really make a difference for families who reach a critical point in their lives and really need help,” said Tracey Edgar, vice president of sales for Care Solutions.

“CareScout provides third-party experience to evaluate clients’ need for care and maintains an extensive database of care providers with negotiated rates to help our claimants make informed decisions when it comes to care,” Edgar continued. “This added service brings additional peace of mind to the family and those experiencing the event.”

This expansion strengthens the value that OneAmerica brings to policyholders as it adds another layer of service to long term care protection. During what can be a difficult time, claimants and their families will benefit from CareScout’s local service approach.

The new service will also help financial professionals by providing additional value and delivering an exceptional customer experience to their clients.

OneAmerica markets CareScout® services. CareScout is a Genworth company. CareScout and Genworth are not affiliates of the companies of OneAmerica.

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 their 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 our customers. To learn more about our products, services and the companies of OneAmerica, visit www.oneamerica.com/about-us/companies-of-oneamerica.

SBLI

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SBLI

SBLI and Afficiency Inc. announced a strategic partnership and the release of two new simplified issue term life insurance products—a retail and a worksite version—that allow consumers to easily purchase life insurance online.

These products offer coverage of up to $1,000,000 and are being made available to select distributors. They provide a 100 percent digital experience with no medical exam, phone calls, or offline appointments required to implement coverage, with a decision in minutes.

“This strategic partnership supports SBLI’s continued commitment to build diversification in both the product and distribution areas,” said Denis Clifford, senior vice president, Distribution. “The addition of these completely digital and in-session decision products opens up new growth markets for us. The SBLI experience of working with the Afficiency team has been excellent, and we are excited to bring these products to market via limited distribution partners, based on their ability to align on risk selection and to provide innovative consumer purchase experiences.”

“We are very excited about our partnership with SBLI,” said Mark Scafaro, CEO and co-founder of Afficiency. “Together we are able to accelerate product innovation and leverage a best-in-class underwriting and product delivery platform to serve the many distributors that are partnering with Afficiency to access life insurance products via an API.”

For more information on SBLI’s simplified issue term solutions, please contact Denis Clifford at dclifford@sbli.com.

Mutual of Omaha

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Mutual of Omaha

Global technology and finance leader Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor has been elected to the Mutual of Omaha Board of Directors, Chairman and CEO James Blackledge announced.

Ms. Ellison-Taylor is currently executive director—Finance Thought Leadership at Oracle Corp. She joined Oracle in 2004 and has held several leadership positions including Global Strategy Leader, Global Accounting Strategy Director, and Executive Director and Global Leader for Health, Human and Labor Industry Solutions. Ms. Ellison-Taylor is a sought-after speaker on Digital Transformation, Business Growth and Inclusive Leadership and has traveled across the United States and internationally speaking with organizations of all sizes across industries.

Prior to joining Oracle, Ms. Ellison-Taylor held leadership roles at numerous organizations, including the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Motorola, KPMG and Maryland’s Prince George’s County government, where she served as Chief Information Technology Officer.

“Kimberly Ellison-Taylor brings a wealth of experience and expertise in information technology leadership, digital transformation, innovation, accounting and finance that will add a valuable dimension to the Mutual of Omaha Board of Directors,” Blackledge said. “We will rely on her perspective, as well as that of our other distinguished directors, as we innovate and adopt new technology solutions to serve our customers and grow our business in an increasingly competitive and highly regulated environment.”

From 2016 to 2018, Ms. Ellison-Taylor served as the 104th chairman of the American Institute of CPAs, and she was the second chairman of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, an organization founded in 2017 that has 650,000 members in 179 countries. She has received numerous awards and recognitions including Accounting Today’s “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.” and CPA Practice Advisor’s “Most Powerful Women in Accounting”.

Ms. Ellison-Taylor has a bachelor’s degree in information systems management from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, an MBA from Loyola University Maryland, an Accounting certificate from the Community College of Baltimore County, and Chief Information Officer certificate and also a master’s degree in information technology management from Carnegie Mellon University. She is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Information Systems Auditor and has the Chartered Global Management Accountant designation. Ms. Ellison-Taylor is also an adjunct professor with Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College teaching Emerging Technologies and Innovation.

Ms. Ellison-Taylor is committed to volunteerism and continues to support the accounting profession as a member of AICPA’s Assurance Services Executive Committee as well as Chair-elect of the AICPA’s National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion. She also serves as a leader in her local Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority community service organization in roles that support Healthy Generations—Seniors as well as professional and leadership development.

Founded in 1909, Mutual of Omaha is a highly-rated, Fortune 500 organization offering a variety of insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses and groups throughout the United States. As a mutual company, Mutual of Omaha is owned by its policyholders and committed to providing outstanding service to its customers.

The Leaders Group

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The Leaders Group

Family-owned, independent broker-dealer, The Leaders Group, Inc., surpassed 1,000 registered representatives in 2020, adding 276 this year alone with 139 of those additions being retail or dual retail-wholesale representatives–many of whom were formerly affiliated with Nationwide. Founded in 1994 by the late Dave Wickersham, The Leaders Group has grown steadily and enjoyed more than 25 years in a constantly evolving and volatile market.

As the number one distributor broker-dealer in the world for variable life insurance, The Leaders Group achieved 20-22 percent of year-over-year top-line revenue growth in 2020 and averaged about 20 percent in annual top-line revenue growth over the past five years. The firm has expanded its influence over annuity business and forged a path for licensed property and casualty agents to produce in the personal finance market, particularly IRAs and some 401(k)s. The Leaders Group has been the preferred broker-dealer for life insurance producers and retail representatives and has also been a leading broker-dealer for private placement insurance and life settlement solutions.

“The strategies we have implemented over the past several years have put our business on a higher growth trajectory than even we could have predicted,” said President and CMO Sean Wickersham. “The praise our back office receives from new reps illustrates our distinction from other broker-dealers and RIA firms.”

The Leaders Group is one of the nation’s only broker-dealers specializing in wholesale brokerage business. With nearly 200 general agents and wholesale organizations, the firm is committed to helping distribute securities and insurance products through BGAs. Many other broker-dealers fail to understand wholesale business and can be difficult to work with due to their lack of experience within the market. While other broker-dealers are becoming more restrictive, The Leaders Group’s ability to leverage wholesale relationships helps newly registered representatives protect the relationships they have built throughout their careers.

Some producers have a need for a robust retail platform; The Leaders Group provides that platform, enabling general agents to recruit retail producers under their hierarchy and affiliate them within the agency. Every communication from The Leaders Group serves to reinforce the relationship between the retail representative and their GA. As evidence of the firm’s commitment to wholesale business, The Leaders Group has a dedicated team of professionals to serve as the point of contact for registration, transition, and education and sales support.

“The Leaders Group is a growing firm in a challenging industry,” said Charles Arnold, Sales and Business Development Team manager. “We understand the frustrations that many financial professionals face when leaving one firm for another and aim to ease their transition as much as possible. Flexibility is a big reason why people are choosing to work with us.”

In addition to widening their imprint on the broker-dealer market, the firm has seen growth in the outside registered investment advisor (RIA) space. TLG Advisors, Inc., provides a solution for advisors seeking more freedom and value within the financial services industry. Many of The Leaders Group’s financial professionals are dually registered as investment advisor representatives (IARs) with TLG Advisors, a combination typically not found at other firms.

The overarching motto “Doing the right thing is always the right thing” guides The Leaders Group’s business operations and decision making. The firm looks to continue thriving as a result of their unique understanding of the industry and flexible accommodation of almost any business model or situation.

The Leaders Group, Inc. is a national, independent broker-dealer focused on delivering a superior level of customer service. Today they are the number one distributor broker-dealer of VUL in the world and continue to be The Premier Broker-Dealer for BGAs.™ They take pride in supporting your efforts to run your business independently and endorse a client-first mindset, maintaining a high level of accessibility and industry-specific knowledge to fit almost any business model. Their friendly and experienced staff is ready to assist you with building your business.

They are family owned and operate independently from all insurance providers, marketing organizations and other entities. Their reps are not a number but members of The Leaders Group family.

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