EVALUATING BANK OPPORTUNITIES by Carol Hammes Faced with shrinking profit margins from their traditional products and services, financial institutions have been searching for ways...

FINANCIAL-STATEMENT ANALYSIS by John Jaques This article provides an overview for evaluating the financial strengths and weaknesses of an independent insurance agency. The material provid...

FINDING AGENCY PERSONNEL by John Caswell 'Good help is hard to find.' That old adage has never seemed more true, given the increasing difficulty employers are experiencing when looking to fill an ...

Today, an insurance professional must be an information specialist. Access to information can be vital in all specialized areas of insurance. Every agency has numerous books, both those published professionally and those published as company manuals and promotional materials, which are reference tools enabling more effective decisions. But where are the materials when you need them? Ideally, in a library using a database program and an efficient cataloging system.

Headlines in trade magazines and major newspapers announce thrift charters being approved for insurance companies, agreements being reached between federal bank regulators and state insurance departments, and financial services reform. In many ways, banks continue to increased their involvement in the Property/Casualty insurance market.

FREE REVIEW OF GROUP INSURANCE Dear (Customer Name), As you may recall, we recently spoke with you concerning your Group insurance. As you know, we are very interested in working with you on thi...

GET CUSTOMERS TO TOOT YOUR HORN AND BUILD YOUR BOTTOM LINE by Jack Fries Client testimonials offer a highly effective tool for building your sales and earnings. Marketing ex...

GETTING CLIENTS OR PROSPECTS BACK In a suburb of Philadelphia-Langhorne, to be precise-is an unusual retail operation. It's a car dealership, but the difference is the firm's philosophy that no one...

GLASS CEILINGS IN THE INSURANCE AGENCY BUSINESS by Al Diamond Learn what to expect, and how to grow, as you approach milestones in premium volume. Much of management consultant work i...

GOODWILL VALUE IN AN INSURANCE AGENCY by Al Diamond If you think 'Goodwill Value' has something to do with the amount you contribute to the March of Dimes every year, you better t...