When a bank buys an insurance agency it's a marriage made in heaven. At least, it seems that way. On the agency side, principals have the opportunity to cash out at a time when values are declining. For those wanting to remain in the business, a bank offers a needed infusion of capital.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS by Jack Burke I recently attended a city council meeting in Hollister, Missouri, a sister city to Branson. I attended in order to support...

Through the years I have seen Life policy applications and agents' reports with erroneous information. You probably have, too. I don't mean judgment calls with room for honest disagreement; I mean downright wrong information. One of the most common untruths may be the statement that a new policy will not replace an existing policy, when in fact it will. The agent may save the trouble of bothering with replacement forms, but he or she also may be buying a big problem.

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...

THE NEW SMALL AGENCY by Steve Anderson Theres never been a better time to start a new insurance agency than today. This might seem like a strange comment, given the current state o...

TWELVE GOOD EXCUSES FOR SENDING A NEWS RELEASE by George Nordhaus 1) Your agency has a birthday-an anniversary of its founding. 2) Someone new is hired, or you promote s...

WHY CAN'T WE GET ORGANIZED AROUND HERE?! by Al Diamond I wouldn't want to count how often we have heard that sad lament from insurance agency principals. The place looks a mess, and the sta...