Marketing/Study Group Overview

    STUDY GROUPS

    LIFE, Inc.

    Group Classification: Study Group

    Mission Statement: A study group designed to provide a forum for the exchange of information, proprietary and public, among insurance professionals representing independent brokerage organizations.

    Year Group Established: 1974

    Products Offered: Group’s primary emphasis is on infor­mation exchange.

    Companies Represented: Each member agency represents many insurance companies.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Contact Mark Rosen.

    Website: N/A

     

    Risk Appraisal Forum

    Group Classification: Study Group

    Mission Statement: A national study group composed of a select number of brokerage agency principals who specialize in impaired risk underwriting. The group’s purpose is to promote the active exchange of impaired risk information among risk assessment professionals (RAF members, home office and reinsurance medical directors, and underwriters) in order to: (1) increase the level of technical underwriting expertise among members and professional colleagues through continuing education, (2) inspire greater levels of trust by fostering improved communication, (3) increase awareness of potential areas for medical breakthroughs or medical advances that will most likely result in mortality improvements and longer life expectancy.

    Year Group Established: 1976

    Products Offered: The group’s primary emphasis is the impaired risk case.

    Companies Represented: Each member agency represents many insurance companies.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Membership is considered for any brokerage agency principal with direct and ongoing impaired risk underwriting responsibility and involvement.

    Website: www.riskappraisalforum.com

     

    SUB Centers, Inc.

    Group Classification: Study Group

    Mission Statement: To promote high ethical standards and to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness through the standardization of materials and methods. To foster an interchange of ideas that might benefit each member and better service the life insurance industry through the collective talents of all.

    Year Group Established: 1961

    Products Offered: All life, annuities, disability insurance, health, long term care, etc.

    Companies Represented: Each member agency represents many insurance companies.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two to three times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Must have a number of years in brokerage, must not be an officer in a life insurance company, must not be a member of any other life brokerage association.

    Website: www.subcenters.com

     

    MARKETING GROUPS

    AimcoR Group LLC

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: AimcoR Group LLC is a national insurance marketing organization consisting of 35 member companies that focuses on distributing and servicing insurance and retirement products through a variety of channels and platforms including independent financial advisors, broker/dealers, banks, real estate professionals and direct-to-consumers marketers. AimcoR members share marketing expertise; technology infrastructure, best practices; and a vision of delivering innovation, developing new markets, and achieving steady, sustainable, manageable and ethical growth. Much like how individuals learn from the groups they work with, whether that be a food marketing service in London or one more close to home, it is important to share this knowledge so we all may grow.

    Using a proprietary production crediting formula that, by design, financially motivates loyalty, tenure and commitment to our strategic insurance carrier partnerships, AimcoR is the ideal partner for any independent brokerage organization that is interested in converting individual entrepreneurial success into equity ownership in a unique cooperative.

    Year Group Established: 2011 (AIMCO & RGroup merged as of January 1, 2011).

    Products Offered: Universal life, indexed universal life, term life, whole life, variable life, annuities, long term care, disability.

    Companies Represented: American National, American General, AXA Equitable, Aviva, Fidelity Life, Genworth, ING, John Hancock, Legal & General America, Lincoln Benefit Life, Lincoln Financial, MetLife Minnesota Life, North American Company, Protective Life, Prudential, Transamerica.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Three times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Contact John Ziambras at 866-428-0108 or john.­ziambras@aimcorgroup.com

    Website: www.aimcorgroup.com

     

    AIP Marketing Alliance

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: To provide our members and partners a realistic opportunity to compete with the largest national marketing companies. AIP Marketing Alliance provides its members and partners access to a large product portfolio along with top level marketing commissions, all without having to validate individual carrier contracts.

    The goal of AIP Marketing Alliance is to allow its members and partners to maintain autonomy, yet still reap the benefits that go along with large production volumes. By sharing our unbranded marketing, training and staff resources, AIP Marketing Alliance enables its members and partners to better compete with the largest life and annuity marketing companies in the recruitment and retention of agents.

    Year Group Established: 2000

    Products Offered: Life, annuities, long term care.

    Companies Represented: Allianz, American Equity, American General, American Memorial, American National, Aviva, AXA Equitable, Fidelity & Guaranty Life, Foresters, Genworth, Great American, ING, Lafayette Life, Legal & General America, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Mutual of Omaha, National Western, North American Company, Protective Life, Prudential, Transamerica, United Home Life, Western Reserve.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Annual

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Membership is available to wholesalers, recruiters and agencies with down line agents. For information, contact Rick Kisser.

    Website: www.AIPonline.net

     

    American Brokerage Centers, LLC

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: An association of life and health insurance general agencies that helps its members grow their business faster and more profitably than they could individually. ABC’s member program offers: access to insurance company contracts and products to diversify and enhance members’ portfolios; the ability to remain independent and respond to new opportunities; idea sharing and networking with ABC members; central processing, when required; underwriting consulting and support; information warehousing, marketing programs and support, and increased member income by combining production for bonus purposes and distributing it on a fair and equitable basis.

    Year Group Established: 2000

    Products Offered: Wide range of life and annuities, disability, health, impaired risk, long term care.

    Companies Represented: American General, Aviva, Genworth, ING, John Hancock, Legal & General America, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Mutual of Omaha, Protective Life, Prudential, Transamerica.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year plus monthly conference calls.

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: All brokerage agencies welcome

    Website: www.abc4brokerage.com

     

    America’s Long Term Care Insurance Experts

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: There is a need for marketing direction and sales leadership in long term care insurance brokerage. Now is absolutely the best time to become committed to this line of business. It is impossible to avoid the long term care insurance conversation in any insurance sales situation that evaluates risk. Multi-life and group long term care insurance is the growth industry. We offer top contracts with all front line companies, as well as direct marketing and sales assistance and focused marketing and direct sales assistance.

    Year Established: 2008

    Products Offered: Long term care insurance in all forms, stand alone, life insurance with ADBR, and combo life and annuity products.

    Companies Represented: American General, Genworth, John Hancock, LifeSecure, MedAmerica, Mutual of Omaha, Nationwide, Transamerica, United Security.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Annual

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Website: www.ltcicentral.com

     

    The Argyle Group, Inc.

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: Our mission is to enhance our members’ professionalism and profitability by:

     • Developing strategic alliances with top quality insurance carriers and by

     • Developing relationships with other marketing groups and

     • By enhancing our members’ business management skills through education, peer review, and peer accountability.

    Year Established: 1995

    Products Offered: Annuities, disability insurance, life insurance, long term care

    Companies Represented: American General, Lincoln Financial, Principal Life, Protective Life.

    Doing Business In: CA, FL, IL, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX

    Meeting Frequency: Once a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Dues

    Website: www.argylebrokerage.com

     

    BRAMCO Financial Resources

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: A life insurance marketing organization dedicated to the independent brokerage marketplace. BRAMCO has a complete focus on brokerage and aligns its members with carriers that support the independent distri­bution system. BRAMCO’s critical mass of intellectual capital is the main strength, which provides members with distri­bution expertise needed to reach higher levels of performance.

    Year Group Established: 1979

    Products Offered: Wide range of life and annuities both fixed and variable, long term care, and various financial instruments designed to suit an array of funding needs.

    Companies Represented: American General, AXA Equit­able, American National, Aviva, Genworth, ING, John Hancock, Legal & General America, Lincoln Benefit Life, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Nationwide, Principal, Protective Life, Prudential, SBLI, Transamerica, United of Omaha.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Three times a year

    Looking for New Members: Selectively

    Member Qualifications: Contact Chris Soniat at 205-868-4622.

    Website: www.bramcofinancial.com

     

    Brokers Health Insurance Network, Inc.

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: We provide our members with a diverse portfolio of health insurance products and related services. Our members enjoy top deals and bonus opportunities with carriers in the senior, underage, small and large group markets. Our focus is to find opportunities that benefit our members, and we are constantly adding to the offers our members enjoy.

    Year Group Established: 1988

    Products Offered: Group insurance, employee benefits, individual health, long term care insurance, critical illness, dental, disability, health savings accounts, Medicare supplements, Part C and Part D plans.

    Companies Represented: American National, Allied, Assurity, Bravo, Capital Benefits Group, Coventry, Fidelity Life, HPA, IMG, Medico, Mutual of Omaha, Reliance Standard, Standard Life, United of Omaha.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Once a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Contact Joe Pittman at 402-397-0280 or bhini@cam-omaha.com.

    Website: www.bhini.com

     

    Capitas Financial, LLC

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: Our mission is to be the premier wholesale life insurance brokerage organization in the nation, focusing on both national account relationships, as well as advanced markets for independent agents. Capitas specializes in matching client needs with sophisticated, unbiased solutions. Our superior point of sale network and centralized technology delivers the strength of a national organization coupled with unrivaled local service.

    Year Group Established: 2001

    Products Offered: Disability, long term care, life settlements, private placement, a wide range of life insurance, variable products and annuities.

    Companies Represented: Allianz, American General, American National, Aviva, AXA Equitable, Genworth, ING, John Hancock, Legal & General America, Lincoln Benefit Life, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Minnesota Life, Mutual of Omaha, Nationwide, Pacific Life, Principal, Protective Life, Prudential, Sun Life, Transamerica. Capitas works primarily with the highest rated carriers in the industry and has access to more than 100 additional carriers as needed by the client or requested by the national account.

    Doing Business In: All states and Puerto Rico

    Meeting Frequency: Two to three times a year.

    Looking for New Partners: No, but recruiting for brokerage managers.

    Website: www.capitasfinancial.com

     

    Consolidated Marketing Group, Inc.

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: Consolidated Marketing Group, Inc., is a growing and vibrant national organization of life insurance and annuity marketing brokerage operations. CMG has built a foundational base of information and experience through the recruitment of exceptional principals who work together in areas ranging from insuring foreign nationals to unique wealth transfer strategies and proprietary premium finance techniques. Through the use of technology we are building and educating at the principal and agent level to increase opportunities for business expansion organically as well as through acquisition.

    Year Group Established: 1988

    Products Offered: Impaired risk; fixed, immediate and indexed annuities; disability; long term care; term life, universal life, indexed life and whole life.

    Companies Represented: American General, American National, Aviva, AXA Equitable, Fidelity & Guaranty Life, Fidelity Life, ING Reliastar, ING US Annuity & Life, John Hancock, Lafayette Life,  Life of the Southwest, Lincoln National, National Life of VT, North American Company, Prudential.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Contact admin@cmginfo.com.

    Website: www.cmginfo.com, www.cmgtoday.com


    CPS Insurance Services

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: We are the nation’s leading marketer of individual products to the financial services professional. The CPS family of agencies is highly respected for consumer focus, the attention paid to maintenance of long term relationships with high quality insurance companies and successful producers, superior service, and the application and development of useful, leading edge technologies. Our employees are insurance experts who always strive to reach their full potential. They are recognized for their importance, and supported in their plans for personal and professional development. We are recognized as leaders in our industry, and we believe in giving back to our communities. Above all, we value our reputation for integrity, caring, and for being winners. CPS is Companies, Products and Service. You can count on us.

    Year Group Established: 1974

    Products Offered: Fixed, indexed and variable universal life, term life, whole life, impaired risk, fixed and variable annuities, long term care, linked benefits, critical illness, disability income.

    Companies Represented: American General, American National, Aviva, AXA Equitable, Genworth, ING, John Hancock, Legal & General America, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Minnesota Life, New York Life, Nationwide, Principal, Protective Life, Prudential, SBLI, Transamerica, United of Omaha, and many others.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Contact group for information.

    Website: www.cpsinsurance.com

     

    Diversified Marketing Group, Inc.

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: The mission of the Diversified Marketing Group, Inc. (DMG) is to enhance the ability of its member agencies to do life, long term care, health insurance and annuity business. The representation of all member agencies through one central marketing organization enables each DMG-affiliated agency to achieve power in negotiating and retaining contracts without individual agency production requirements. DMG affiliated agencies are encouraged to cooperate and extend the availability of companies they represent to other member agencies.

    Year Group Established: 1986

    Products Offered: Impaired risk; life, health, annuities, long term care.

    Companies Represented: AGL Assurance, Allianz, American General, American Memorial, American National, Americo, AmerUS, Assurity Life, Aviva, AXA Equitable, Cincinnati Life, Fidelity & Guaranty Life, Fidelity Life, First MetLife Investors, Genworth, Gleaner Life, Great American, Hartford Life, ING, Jackson National Life, John Hancock, Legal & General America, Life of the Southwest, LifeSecure, Lincoln Benefit Life, Lincoln Financial, MassMutual, MedAmerica, MetLife Investors, Motorists Life, Mutual of Omaha, Mutual Trust, National Western, Nationwide, New York Life, North American Company, Penn Mutual, Presidential Life, Principal Life, Protective Life, Prudential Financial, Security Mutual of NY, Sun Life, Transamerica, Union Central/Ameritas, United Home Life, United of Omaha, Western & Southern Life, Western Reserve.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: BGAs

    Website: www.dmgusa.org

     

    Insurance Designers of America, LLC

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: IDA’s strength lies in the independence of its member agencies and at the same time, their interdependence. IDA is committed to providing local service and assistance while maintaining the strength of a national organization. As one of the nation’s oldest and most successful life insurance marketing organizations, superior pre- and post-sale service to the upscale life insurance producer comes naturally. IDA is also committed to maintaining the integrity and reputation of the organization, recruiting only well-established brokerage general agencies who want to make an individual commitment to a group effort-thereby affording the best service to not only upscale producers but potential clients as well. With 51 member BGA offices located in key metropolitan areas, IDA’s footprint is nationwide.

    Year Group Established: 1986

    Products Offered: Fixed, variable and indexed annuities, traditional whole life, universal life, variable universal life, indexed universal life, term, linked benefit products, final expense, long term care, disability income, and health supplements.

    Companies Represented: Allianz, Allstate, American General, American National, Aviva, AXA Equitable, Companion Life, Fidelity & Guaranty, Fidelity Life, Genworth, Gerber Life, ING, John Hancock, Legal & General America, Lincoln Benefit, Lincoln National, MetLife, Minnesota Life, Mutual of Omaha, Nationwide, New York Life, North American Company, Protective Life, Prudential, Reliance Standard, SBLI, Transamerica. 

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Twice a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Fully staffed brokerage general agents producing a minimum of $2 million in target premium per year.

    Website: www.ida-national.com

     

    LifeMark Partners, Inc.

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: LifeMark strives to be the preeminent Independent National Marketing Organization in the country. Comprised of the best professional independent brokerage general agencies as its partners, LifeMark provides support and solutions in advanced sales, underwriting and products. In addition, our BGA partners take advantage of the many collaborative programs to increase their distribution and effectiveness with retail life brokers, regional and national broker dealers, independent financial planners, P/C agencies and regional banks that serve wealth management markets. LifeMark offers its BGA partners access to top companies, training, education, market opportunities and sales and marketing tools enhancing their differentiation in the BGA distribution market. LifeMark is committed to adding value to our partners, carriers and third-party partners in a way that all relationships are strong and strategic.

    Year Group Established: 1995

    Products Offered: Annuities, disability insurance, long term care, term, universal life, variable universal life.

    Companies Represented: American General/US Life of NY, American National, Aviva, AXA Equitable, Genworth, ING, John Hancock, Legal & General America, Lincoln Benefit Life/Allstate of NY, MetLife, Nationwide, Principal, Protective Life, Prudential, Transamerica, United of Omaha/Companion Life.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Three times a year

    Looking for New Members: No

    Member Qualifications: By Referral Only

    Website: www.lifemarkpartners.com

     

    National Association of Insurance Marketers (NAIM)

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: To promote excellence and integrity in the distribution of insurance products and services to the brokerage community. Our association is designed to promote products, educate and serve brokers, and enhance the professionalism of the insurance industry through the networking of regional marketers.

    Year Group Established: 1990

    Products Offered: Ancillary group, dental, disability insurance (blue and white collar special risk), group medical, group worksite, individual medical, interest sensitive whole life, international medical, long term care, short term medical, student medical, term life, universal life.

    Companies Represented: American General, American General Life, Assurant Solutions, Assurity Life, Capital Benefits Group, General Agents Center, Health Insurance Innovations, HPA, IMG, Lincoln Financial, North American Company, Petersen International, Securian Dental.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Evidence of significant brokerage activities and ethical standards that will be reviewed for approval by the NAIM Board of Directors.

    Website: www.NAIM.com

     

    National Brokerage Agencies, Inc.

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: The National Brokerage Agency, Inc. researches, constructs and promotes marketing concepts using diverse products and services through a networking approach focused on insurance and financial services.

    A national organization, NBA is comprised of independent general agencies who strive through fellowship and education to enhance and further their professional environment and to maximize productivity through this alliance. One of the NBA strengths is the broad and diverse knowledge within the group, allowing NBA to offer a unique opportunity to help members not only grow, but diversify their client base.

    Year Group Established: 1981

    Products Offered: Traditional life, fixed and universal life, term life, fixed and equity indexed annuities, senior life final expense product, worksite products, disability income, asset transfer products, long term care (individual and group), life settlements.

    Companies Represented: American General Life Companies, American Memorial, American National, Assurity, Aviva, AXA Equitable, Capital Benefits Group, Coventry, Fidelity Life, Fidelity & Guaranty Life, Foresters, Genworth, IHC Solutions, ING, Legal & General America, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Merchants Benefit Administration, Minnesota Life, Mutual of Omaha, Mutual Trust Life, North American Company, OneAmerica, Phoenix Life, Presidential Life, Protective Life, Prudential, Reliance Standard Life, Securian Dental, Security Mutual, Transamerica, Welcome Funds.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year

    Looking for New Members: Yes

    Member Qualifications: Agencies that derive the majority of their income from life and health insurance brokerage.

    Website: www.nbagency.com

     

    NBC National Marketing, Inc.

    Group Classification: Marketing Group

    Mission Statement: NBC’s objective is to be relevant in the financial services industry by committing to long lasting and productive relationships among members in a synergistic format. The primary vision of NBC is to make membership a personal and financially rewarding experience. With the combined experience of the group numbering in centuries instead of decades and with the infusion of many younger and innovative members, we are able to offer effective experience and innovation on a continual basis to our membership.

    Year Group Established: 1989

    Products Offered: NBC members offer all varieties of annuities and life insurance, disability income, long term care, critical illness and impaired risk underwriting services.

    Companies Represented: Allianz, American Amicable, American Equity, American General, American National, Assurity Life, Athene Annuity, Aviva, Aviva NY, AXA Equitable, AXA NY, Companion NY, Equitrust, Fidelity Life, Genworth Life, Genworth NY, Great American Life, Hartford Life, ING/Reliastar, ING SLD, ING Reliastar NY, ING USA, Integrity Life, John Hancock, John Hancock NY, Illinois Mutual, Lafayette Life, Lincoln Benefit Life, Lincoln National Life, Lincoln National Life NY, Loyal American, Life of the Southwest, MetLife Investors, Met NY, Minnesota Life, Mutual of Omaha, Nationwide Life, New York Life, North American Company, Penn Mutual, Phoenix, Phoenix NY, Principal, Protective Life, Protective Life and Annuity NY, Prudential, Reliance Standard, SBLI, Standard Life, State Life, Sun Life, Sun NY, Transamerica, Transamerica NY, United of Omaha, USLife Insurance, Western Reserve.

    Doing Business In: All states

    Meeting Frequency: Two times a year-usually April and October

    Looking for New Members: Yes, currently offering new member promotions.

    Member Qualifications: NBC is seeking agencies that derive the majority of their production from brokerage lines in life, health, annuity, disability income, retirement planning, critical care and long term care insurance. Small and mid-sized agencies in addition to large brokerage agencies welcomed.

    Website: www.nbcnm.com

     

    National LTC Network

    Group Classification: Marketing/Study Group

    Mission Statement: The National LTC Network is a national alliance of leading distributors of long term care insurance and retirement solutions. Network members work with multiple insurers and are dedicated to marketing LTC insurance with knowledge, ethics and excellence. The membership includes many of the largest and most-respected distributors in the nation.

    Year Group Established: 1994

    Products Offered: Long term care insurance

    Companies Represented: Genworth, MedAmerica, Mutual of Omaha, Prudential.

    Doing Business In: All states and DC

    Meeting Frequency: Three times a year-February, July and October

    Looking for New Members:

    Broker World is the only national insurance magazine founded, focused and edited to specifically address the brokerage marketplace and the unique informational needs of independent life and health producers who select the products best suited to their clients' needs from a variety of companies and marketers. The primary service is to provide a channel of communication between life and health companies and marketers and the 28,600+ proven producers of substantial amounts of brokerage business that constitute Broker World's readership.