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...people who accomplish the most are rarely the most visionary, just the most ex...the venture, those involved become conservators of the status quo. They provi...

... in place for successfully operating the bank location, too, with minimal additional hassle. This may be one of the most important factors to consider, since single location agencies may be highly challenged in such a transition. I find, however, that this trait is rarely considered. 2. Ability to be a team player. Independent agents are usually take charge' people. Bankers may be more conservative in their risk assessment of new ideas. These are generalizations only, but each player must be willing to compromise and work successfully ... out of its pocket? Are there potential E&O claims or lawsuits waiting to explode? Does the agency carry an adequate E&O policy limit? Are there family or employee loans that are not properly shown on the agency's balance sheet? Is the agency's book of business, or are other assets, pledged to others through verbal buy/sell agreements? Is there danger that a principal's divorce could financially upset or damage the agency? Do all principals work together effectively? Are key employees near retirement age, or are ... of the employees new to the agency? Is there IRS trouble? 6. Compatibility with bank customers. It is important that the agency serves, or has the ability to serve, the bank's clientele. If many of the bank's customers live in million dollar homes, does the agency have markets to write these, to write high value autos and to place high limit umbrellas? Is the agency versed in providing investment opportunities for higher income clients? If the bank has many Hispanic customers, can the agency relate culturally? Do ...

...ons. In my experience, it’s rare than anyone answers the “what do...t markets. Michael has written twelve books, mainly on professional communicat...

...scales in general never went down, rarely leveled out, but just kept going up....chase price, but were 'carried on the books' at their original value. Companie...

... than passbook savings accounts. Many Life agents who entered the business in the 1950s through the 70s came to believe in the sanctity of the ever-increasing dividend scale. The longer you kept the policy, the better it got; dividend scales in general never went down, rarely leveled out, but just kept going up. So it's understandable that long-standing traditional agents didn't question the continued rise in dividend scales as interest rates in the economy began to decline. Although mathematically legitimate (a composite portfolio rate will continue to rise until the current ... earnest in 1988. As interest rates and dividend scales began to move in the same direction, the Life insurance industry felt intense economic pressure. Older bonds with 4% -6% yields were worth a fraction of their purchase price, but were carried on the books' at their original value. Companies could borrow money and add it to their capital account, but not count it as a liability (surplus relief) . These and other accounting traditions from calmer days were working against the health of the Life industry of the ... (Kentucky Central, Fidelity Mutual, and Confederation Life as the most notable examples), a combination of regulatory changes, carrier rehabilitations, and the continued drop in interest rates allowed the industry to recover. The 1980s were the turning point in what had been a conservative and — dare we say it — dull industry that began in the early 1700s. But by 1991, there was nothing dull about Life insurance! For all the pain, disappointment, and economic loss, policyholders were still covered by trillions of dollars of death ...