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.

In early September, the credit reporting agency Equifax announced a significant data breach. Hackers were able to access the names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and addresses of 143 million consumers, which put their identity and credit at risk. A credit report freeze is one protective measure Equifax recommended. Every consumer, including you, should understand this protective measure as you protect your data, identity and credit.

Cross-marketing between banks and insurance agencies remains largely virgin territory. Most of the potential has not even been charted, let alone mined.
In working with banks as partners, owners, or co-venturers, insurance principals should recognize the pros and cons of the affiliation to neutralize the negatives and build on the positives.

HELLO, DOLLY: MOVING BEYOND OLD PARADIGMS by Michael Manes The announcement of the cloning of a sheep several years ago created quite a controversy. The possibility of cloning peopl...

In this document, Val Jordan explains why insurance agencies and carriers looking to increase...

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BRAND: USING PUBLIC RELATIONS TO BRAND by Michael Maynard How do you brand your business? A catchy name and logo certainly help, and if you have an advertising budget t...

POST-DEAL INTEGRATION WITH BANKS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES by Robbie Smith The acquisition of independent insurance agencies by banks has revealed a number of crucial issues tha...

PRODUCER GROUPS: ARE THEY RIGHT FOR BANKS? by Valerie Jordan Are producer groups an effective way for banks to build their insurance sales? Although Valerie Jordan has written this art...

PROTECT PRIVATE INFORMATION FROM OUTSIDERS AND INSIDERS! by Steve Anderson Steve Anderson presents three recent events that demonstrate clearly that protecting the privacy of cli...

REACHING YOUR AUDIENCE: DISCOVERING A PR CAMPAIGN THAT WORKS by Michael Maynard One of the goals of any advertising campaign is to grab the hearts of the audience and hold on until...