We would love to hear from you. Click on the ‘Contact Us’ link to the right and choose your favorite way to reach-out!

wscdsdc

media/speaking contact

Jamie Johnson

business contact

Victoria Peterson

Contact Us

855.ask.wink

Close [x]
pattern

Archive for January 2011

Categories

  • Industry Articles (22,107)
  • Industry Conferences (2)
  • Industry Job Openings (3)
  • Moore on the Market (495)
  • Negative Media (144)
  • Positive Media (73)
  • Sheryl's Articles (828)
  • Wink's Articles (377)
  • Wink's Inside Story (284)
  • Wink's Press Releases (129)
  • Blog Archives

  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • August 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • November 2008
  • September 2008
  • May 2008
  • February 2008
  • August 2006
  • BrokerCheck, IAPD search results to be combined

    {January 29th, 2011} by Liz Skinner

    SEC believes that routing requests to both B-D and adviser databases will better serve the public By Liz Skinner January 27, 2011 Melding the search results of the two systems the public uses to look up information about financial advisers and broker-dealers will make it easier for investors to investigate their financial professionals, according to a […]

    National Underwriter, Summit Media File for Bankruptcy

    {January 28th, 2011} by Andrew G. Simpson

    By Andrew G. Simpson | January 26, 2011 Summit Business Media and its affiliates including The National Underwriter insurance publisher have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to address more than $250 million in debt and unsecured claims. The company said that it had already worked out an agreement with most of its lenders to cut […]

    NAIC Names Committee Leaders for 2011

    {January 28th, 2011} by Sean P. Carr

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. January 26 (BestWire) — In a year where it is seeing an array of new members, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners turned to long-time regulators to lead its seven standing committees. Last year’s president, Jane L. Cline of West Virginia, will chair the Market Regulation and Consumer Affairs Committee. Former NAIC President Sandy Praeger, of […]

    Midland National Announces New Vice President of Compliance/Regulatory Affairs

    {January 26th, 2011} by Judy Thorpe

    WEST DES MOINES, IA–(Marketwire – January 24, 2011) – Midland National Life Insurance Company announces the addition of Nick Gerhart as Vice President, Compliance/Regulatory Affairs. Nick will assist the sales and distribution teams and business units in compliance requirements and related issues. Additionally, he will build and sustain relationships with government and regulatory groups such as state […]

    Adam Hamm To Lead NAIC Life Panel

    {January 26th, 2011} by Allison Bell

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/25/2011  The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has announced its 2011 committee chairs and vice chairs. Adam Hamm of North Dakota will succeed Thomas Sullivan of Connecticut as head of the Life Insurance and Annuities Committee, according to the NAIC, Kansas City, Mo. Here is a list of leadership […]

    Fire your financial adviser, unless they are a fiduciary

    {January 25th, 2011} by John F. Wasik

    If you have a conventional stock broker or agent acting as a financial adviser working on commission, fire them. Now that the SEC has endorsed a “uniform fiduciary standard of conduct” for brokers and investment advisers, there’s no reason to settle for anything less. This is a financial professional who, by law, must put your […]

    Foresters Closes on FICC

    {January 25th, 2011} by Allison Bell

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/24/2011  The Independent Order of Foresters has completed previously announced efforts to acquire First Investors Consolidated Corp. (FICC), a U.S. distributor of life and investment products. Foresters, Toronto, has acquired 100% of FICC, New York, through a deal first disclosed in September 2010. The acquisition includes FICC’s registered broker-dealer, its […]

    Federal Judge in California Stops Conseco From Raising Rates on Universal Life Policies

    {January 24th, 2011} by Fran Matso Lysiak

    LOS ANGELES January 21 (BestWire) — A California federal district court judge has prohibited Conseco Life Insurance Co. from raising rates on some universal life insurance policies that would have impacted 50,000 mostly elderly policyholders. U.S. Judge A. Howard Matz of the Central District of California in Los Angeles granted summary judgment in favor of the policyholder plaintiffs in […]

    SEC Recommends Uniform Fiduciary Standard

    {January 24th, 2011} by Arthur D. Postal

    By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 1/21/2011  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff has recommended a  “uniform fiduciary standard of conduct” for broker-dealers and investment advisors who are selling retail investment products. “When broker-dealers and investment advisers are performing the same or substantially similar functions, the SEC should consider whether to harmonize the regulatory protections applicable to […]

    Response: Indexed Annuities Cap Gains, Obscure Fees as Sellers Earn Trip to Disney

    {January 21st, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore

    PDF for Setting it Straight with Bloomberg ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT:  Indexed Annuities Cap gains, Obscure Fees as Sellers Earn Trip to Disney Peggy, Good afternoon. As I am certain you have anticipated, I wanted to reach-out to you in regards to the article that you recently published with Bloomberg, “Indexed Annuities Cap Gains, […]

    Stevens: I didn’t know alter ego was stealing

    {January 21st, 2011} by Tom Witosky

    Phyllis Stevens says she first learned she embezzled nearly $6 million from her employer on the day Aviva USA officials confronted her about it, court records say. That claim is contained in a psychiatric report filed this week as defense lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Ronald Longstaff for leniency when he sentences Stevens and her […]

    Federal Judge Blocks UL Rate Hike

    {January 21st, 2011} by Warren S. Hersch

    By WARREN S. HERSCH Published 1/20/2011  A federal judge has rejected efforts by a life insurer to increase premiums for about 50,000 universal life (UL) contracts. U.S. District Judge Howard Matz, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, issued the ruling Wednesday in response to a class-action suit filed by […]

    FTSE slips after downbeat jobless data

    {January 20th, 2011} by N/A

    LONDON (AFP) – London’s main stock market slipped back on Wednesday in the wake of disappointing British unemployment data. The FTSE 100 index fell 1.32 percent to close at 5,976.70 points. Investor sentiment was hampered following the release of disappointing figures in Britain which showed the jobless numbers up 49,000 in the three months to […]

    UNIFI Renames Retirement Planning Division

    {January 20th, 2011} by NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/19/2011  UNIFI Mutual Holding Company has renamed a division of its Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. unit. The division is now called Ameritas Retirement Plans, according to UNIFI, Lincoln, Neb. The division was formerly known as UNIFI Companies Retirement Plans in all states except New York. In New York, the retirement […]

    MWA: Banking Holding Company Annuity Commissions Fall

    {January 20th, 2011} by Trevor Thomas

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/19/2011  U.S. bank holding company commissions from annuity sales fell to $621 million in the third quarter of 2010, down 7.3% from the total for the third quarter of 2009, according to Michael White Associates. MWA, Radnor, Pa., bases the BHC annuity commissions on data reported by 915 top-tier BHCs. […]

    Michael Consedine to Lead Pennsylvania Department

    {January 20th, 2011} by NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/19/2011  Michael Consedine has taken over as the Pennsylvania insurance commissioner. Consedine was appointed to the post by the state’s new governor, Tom Corbett, a Republican. Consedine was a partner in the insurance practice group at Sal Ewing L.L.P., Philadelphia. He previously worked for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Consedine succeeds […]

    Lawmaker Suggests Electing Insurance Chief

    {January 19th, 2011} by N/A

    January 18, 2011 | McClatchy-Tribune Information Services Source: McClatchy-Tribune Information Services Wordcount: 447 Jan. 18–HARTFORD — It wouldn’t happen for four more years, but a state representative has proposing making the state insurance commissioner an elected position, similar to the state’s constitutional officers. The position has always been an appointment made by the governor, but […]

    GAO: NAIC, SEC Should See What Consumers Know

    {January 19th, 2011} by Arthur D. Postal

    By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 1/18/2011  WASHINGTON BUREAU — Officials at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) see no reason to impose another layer of regulation on financial planners at this time, but they would like more information about what consumers think about issues such as titles and designations. The GAO prepared the report to implement Section […]

    FSOC Releases Danger List

    {January 19th, 2011} by Arthur D. Postal

    By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 1/18/2011  The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) has come out with the indicators it plans to use to decide whether a large insurer is shaky enough to need the attention of the Federal Reserve Board. The criteria the FSOC would use to identify a systemically important troubled insurance company could include: […]

    In break from Allianz, Pimco to launch its own brokerage biz

    {January 18th, 2011} by January 18, 2011

    With assets rising six-fold, mutual fund giant looking to gain more control over its destiny; ‘tail wagging the dog?’ January 18, 2011 8:59 am ET In a step toward more independence, Pacific Investment Management Co. is taking control of fund sales from parent Allianz SE after assets at the bond manager jumped sixfold since the […]

    6 in 10 Consumers Ill-Educated About Annuities: IRI

    {January 18th, 2011} by Warren Hersch

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/17/2011  More than one-third of individuals polled in a new survey are unfamiliar with annuities, and almost as many have no opinion about the product. The Insured Retirement Institute, Washington, published this finding in a summary of results from a new study it conducted in partnership with Cerulli Associates Inc., […]

    Partners Advantage and Producer Pros Join Forces to Yield Success for Insurance Professionals

    {January 14th, 2011} by N/A

    Colton, CA – January 12, 2011 – Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC and Producer Pros Insurance Services, LLC have joined forces to bring life insurance and annuity professionals some of the best agency development systems in the industry. Producer Pros is a marketing organization that helps independent insurance professionals throughout the country with systems to […]

    AIG Prepares to Leave the Hole

    {January 14th, 2011} by Allison Bell

    By ALLISON BELL Published 1/13/2011  American International Group Inc. (AIG) is getting ready to repay the money it has borrowed from the federal government and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. AIG, New York (NYSE:AIG), hopes to proceed with a previously announced distribution of 75 million warrants Jan. 19. Each warrant will entitle the holder […]

    Taylor to Lead Ohio Department, Regulatory Review

    {January 13th, 2011} by NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/12/2011  Ohio Gov. John Kasich, R, has picked Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor to be director of the Ohio Department of Insurance and head of an effort to update state regulations. Taylor will succeed  Mary Jo Hudson as the Ohio insurance director. Kasich also has signed an executive order putting Taylor […]

    Western & Southern to Move Lafayette Life

    {January 12th, 2011} by Ashley Scudder

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/11/2011 Western & Southern Financial Group plans to move the main office of its Lafayette Life Insurance Company unit to Cincinnati by June. Lafayette Life, a company that writes life and annuity products for individuals and small businesses, has been in Lafayette, Ind., for 105 years. Western & Southern, Cincinnati, […]

    Western & Southern to Move Lafayette Life

    {January 12th, 2011} by Ashley Scudder

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/11/2011 Western & Southern Financial Group plans to move the main office of its Lafayette Life Insurance Company unit to Cincinnati by June. Lafayette Life, a company that writes life and annuity products for individuals and small businesses, has been in Lafayette, Ind., for 105 years. Western & Southern, Cincinnati, […]

    N.J. Poised to Become Captive Insurance Domicile

    {January 12th, 2011} by Sean P. Carr

    TRENTON, N.J. January 11 (BestWire) — Backers of a bill to make New Jersey a captive domicile praised its passage as a shot in the arm for the state’s insurance industry. The bill cleared its final legislative hurdles and is now before Gov. Chris Christie. A Christie spokesman could not say when the governor will sign A. 2360, but […]

    Carnahan issues cease and desist order against Springfield investment adviser

    {January 12th, 2011} by Wes Johnson

    by Wes Johnson • News-Leader • January 11, 2011 Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced a cease and desist order has been issued against a Springfield investment adviser for allegedly misleading his clients into purchasing equity indexed annuities. According to the order, the adviser, Tracy W. Mitchell, used free lunch investment seminars to […]

    AIG Contributes $3.4 Billion to Fed Revenue

    {January 12th, 2011} by Arthur D. Postal

    By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 1/11/2011  WASHINGTON BUREAU — The Federal Reserve Board earned about $3.4 billion in 2010 on its investments in American International Group Inc. (AIG). The Fed earned $2.1 billion in interest income on credit extended to AIG, New York (NYSE:AIG), and $1.3 billion in dividends on preferred interests in AIA Aurora L.L.C. […]

    Pacific Life Adds Sales Support

    {January 10th, 2011} by Alllison Bell

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/7/2011  The life division at Pacific Life Insurance Company is creating 6 new divisional sales organizations to help its 27 regional life offices.   The regional life offices will focus on consulting face to face with insurance producers and helping with case design, advanced case design and illustrations, according to Pacific […]

    Personnel Changes: Milken, CHCC, Allianz, Securian, More

    {January 10th, 2011} by Ashley Scudder

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/7/2011  Milken Institute has hired Bradley Belt to be the senior managing director in charge of a new office in Washington.   Belt previously was chairman of Palisades Capital, New York, a financial advisory and investment firm. From 2004 to 2006, during the Bush administration, Belt was executive director of the […]

    New Jersey Joins IIPRC

    {January 10th, 2011} by Allison Bell

    By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 1/7/2011  New Jersey is entering the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact.   New Jersey is entering the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact (IIPRC). The IIPRC, Washington, is a voluntary group that tries to simplify the product filing process for insurers. An insurer can send a single form to the IIPRC rather […]

    Texas Regulator to Step Down; New Wisconsin Commissioner Named

    {January 7th, 2011} by Sean P. Carr

    AUSTIN, Texas January 06 (BestWire) — Texas Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin will leave office after five-and-a-half years when his term ends Feb. 1. Geeslin notified newly re-elected Gov. Rick Perry that he does not wish to be reappointed to the post. He said it was time “for someone else to lead” and also mentioned family considerations in a resignation […]

    The Contrarian Sales Approach to Describing Annuity Drawbacks

    {January 6th, 2011} by Chris Conklin

    By Chris Conklin Published 1/4/2011    The assertion that many annuity agents make sales without adequately disclosing the product’s drawbacks has dogged the industry for years, causing a regrettable amount of damage to our industry’s public image. Let me share with you two examples of this assertion in the popular media, and then offer compelling reasons to […]

    Aviva building receives ‘gold’ LEED status

    {January 6th, 2011} by David Elbert

    Blog post by David Elbert • delbert@desmoine.gannett.com • January 5, 2011 Aviva USA’s new West Des Moines headquarters has received a gold LEED certification by the U.S. Building Council. Aviva USA’s new 360,000 square-foot insurance headquarters in West Des Moines has received a gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The recognition makes […]

    National Life Group Introduces Lifetime Income Option on Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Products

    {January 6th, 2011} by Jenna Simanskas

    Montpelier, VT  – January 5, 2011 –  National Life Group member companies, National Life Insurance Company and Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, introduce the Lifetime Income Benefit Rider (LIBR) – the only lifetime income option on top performing Indexed Universal Life (IUL) products in the industry. National Life Group provides death benefit protection, valuable […]

    Response: The Safety Trap (a.k.a. My 52-Point Correction to Lisa Gibbs)

    {January 5th, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore

    AnnuitySpecs-Setting-It-Straight-with-MONEY2 The Safety Trap original article is longer available at CNN Money and can still be viewed by clicking HERE. Ms. Lisa Gibbs, I am an independent market research analyst who specializes in the indexed annuity and life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a decade. I […]

    INSURANCE: New law includes partial-annuitization provision

    {January 5th, 2011} by N/A

    January 5, 2011 6:48 am ET A bill signed into law last year includes a provision that addresses partial annuitization. Called the Small Business Jobs Act, HR 5297 essentially simplifies the process for owners of non-qualified deferred annuities to annuitize a portion of their annuity contract. The provision was based on language included in another […]

    The value of annuities

    {January 5th, 2011} by Matthew Taylor

    Published: Wednesday, January 05, 2011, 1:01 AM  By Letters to the Editor  I disagree strongly with Tim Decker’s column: “Consumers beware when it comes to annuities” in Your Money (Dec. 19). Annuities are highly regulated financial products. All annuity contracts must be approved by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commission, with specific provisions and contractual guarantees. A […]

    Mary Jo Hudson Resigns from Ohio Insurance Post

    {January 5th, 2011} by Trevor Thomas

    By TREVOR THOMAS Published 1/4/2011  Ohio Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson has announced plans to resign Jan. 10.Hudson was appointed director by Gov. Ted Strickland D, in January 2007. A Republican, John Kasich, is set to succeed Strickland Jan. 11. At press time, Kasich had not named an insurance commissioner. Hudson has been the chairman of […]

    What You Need to Know About the 10/10 Rule

    {January 4th, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore

    We are receiving hundreds of calls since Florida enacted a variation of the 10/10 Rule effective January 1, 2011. For that reason, I thought that a little clarification about the rule was warranted. Here are some things you need to know about the 10/10 Rule: 1. The 10/10 Rule is desk-drawer legislation that was initially […]

    Bruce Wing Joins Partners Advantage as Senior Vice President of Life Insurance Sales

    {January 4th, 2011} by N/A

    Insurance and financial services veteran, Bruce Wing has been named to lead life insurance sales and distribution at Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC.  Colton, CA (December 30, 2010) –Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC is pleased to announce that life insurance industry veteran Bruce Wing, CLU, ChFC, will be joining their leadership team as the Senior […]

    Creative Marketing Selects New Leadership for Key Positions

    {January 3rd, 2011} by Merrit Strunk

    December 27, 2010, Leawood, Kansas – Creative Marketing™, a leading national marketing organization for annuity and life insurance, has chosen Mike “Cy” Cajthaml, Sr., CFP® for its new Vice President of Life Sales position, and selected Chip Anderson to lead the company’s Tailor Made division. Cajthaml, who was most recently the head of the company’s […]

    currency