The exchange-traded-fund industry is being shaped by a new paradigm — not active vs. passive. It was the image of dart-throwing monkeys that got me. I would like to think it was the analytics, the white papers or even the raw performance data of active managers over the years. But if I’m being honest, it…
Why Single Premium? Seniors are tired of low returns, high risks and many are seeking ways to recreate lost wealth for their heirs. Some need benefits for nursing or home health care but want to reap these rewards without the usual underwriting hassles and concerns. Some single premium life products provide an alternative to clients…
Every Tuesday morning at 7:45 your IAMS team here in Omaha gathers for a quick review of the results from the previous week and to exchange recent challenges and successes across the company. It never fails that we have some great news to share and at least an opportunity or two to do a better…
As I talk to our independent producers, many are concerned they are leaving business on the table and missing potential client benefits by not offering managed money solutions. It’s a tough situation. Agents often specialize in selling life and annuity products, however that specialization frequently leaves them without a securities license. A client utilizing an…
The recent delay of the DOL Fiduciary Rule to July 1, 2019 has been significant news in the financial industry! Speculation continues as to what changes will be permanently adopted and even whether the law will be repealed. The one thing that is clear is agents may continue using Qualified Funds as a source of…
Millennials are a unique generation with a new approach to life,which includes the way they secure information, collect insights and make purchasing decisions. This is especially true when it comes to benefits and financial products — particularly life insurance. In this under-served segment, only 16% own individual life insurance and about a third are likely…
Variable annuity sales continued on a downward trend during the first quarter, declining 18.5 percent from $31.8 billion to $26 billion, according to new sales figures from the Washington, D.C.-based Insured Retirement Institute. Variable annuity sales were $30.9 billion during the fourth quarter of 2015. Anticipation of the U.S. Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule may…
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution of disapproval blocking the U.S. Department of Labor’s controversial fiduciary rule. The DOL released its final rule last month. The rule, sometimes referred to as the conflicts of interest rule, mandates financial professionals who service individual retirement accounts, including IRAs and 401(k) plans, to serve…
Insurance Agency Marketing Services has been following the Department of Labor fiduciary ruling very closely. We are monitoring how it will affect fixed annuities and other retirement strategies. The Department of Labor dealt a bit of a surprise blow to fixed indexed annuities in the final iteration of its rule, issued Wednesday, by lumping the…
What can a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system do for your company? Several recent surveys of small business owners in the U.S. revealed that their top priorities for 2015 were to increase revenue; implement systems to drive profits, and to expand their customer base. Following closely as second their business goals were: to improve promotional…
