Toronto, Canada, November 30, 2006 – The Independent Order of
Foresters, commonly known as Foresters?, today announced that
it will launch a new sales organization in January 2007 to sell
its life insurance products and annuities in the United States.
This network of independent agencies will be known as Foresters
Financial Partners Inc. with offices across the U.S.
“Today’s announcement is key to the execution of our North American
strategy to enable Foresters to grow bigger, faster, in a cost-effective
manner,” said George Mohacsi, President and CEO of Foresters.
“Our goal is to partner with Foresters Financial Partners and
other independent marketing organizations to sell our products.
This allows Foresters to focus on building innovative products
and marketing capabilities, service excellence and giving back
to our customers through complimentary member benefits and making
a difference in our communities.”
Foresters will provide the new sales organization marketing support
and financial incentives that will enable Foresters Financial
Partners to attract independent producers with the opportunity
to be financially successful and grow their own business. Through
Foresters Financial Partners and its extensive sales force, Foresters
products will be available to a much larger customer base.
“A key component of Foresters growth strategy is the transition
of our existing sales force to a more entrepreneurial model that
unleashes the potential of this talented group,” explained Nick
DiRenzo, Foresters SVP, North American Sales. “Independent producers
will have ultimate control and choice over their own prosperity
and will decide how to achieve their goals.”
“To ensure the success of our independent producers,” added Ira
Gottshall, CEO and President of Foresters Financial Partners,
“Foresters Financial Partners will provide support related to
practice management, recruitment, training, marketing and business
development through Foresters extensive member base and community
partnerships.”
Ira will be joined on Foresters Financial Partners management
team by Charles Durfee, responsible for sales and marketing, and
rewards and recognition; Jonathan Pratt, responsible for recruiting,
and practice management; and Steven Aupperle, responsible for
finance and operations.
Founded in 1874, Foresters? helps individuals and families achieve
financial security with its innovative portfolio of life insurance
products and annuities. Foresters has assets of more than $4.6
billion with liabilities of $3.6 billion resulting in a surplus
of
$1 billion (all figures in U.S. dollars) and an “A” (Excellent)
rating by A.M. Best*. Foresters shares its financial strength
with its members, who are customers, through complimentary life,
health and education benefits that help its 850,000 eligible members
and their families in the United States, Canada and the United
Kingdom. Foresters provides opportunities that inspire its members
to make a difference in their communities. Foresters Equity Services
Inc.** and Foresters Securities (Canada) Inc. are wholly owned
subsidiaries of Foresters that offer investment products in the
United States and Canada respectively. For more information, please
visit www.foresters.biz
Foresters™ is a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters,
a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada
M3C 1T9.
*An “A” (Excellent) rating is assigned to companies that have
a strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders
and have, on balance, excellent balance sheet strength, operating
performance and business profile when compared to the standards
established by A.M. Best Company. In assigning Foresters rating,
A.M. Best stated that Foresters rating outlook is “stable”, which
means it is unlikely to change in the near future, assuming Foresters
financial strength is maintained and operations grow. A.M. Best
assigns ratings from A++ to F, A++ being superior ratings and
A and A- being excellent ratings.
**Foresters Equity Services, Inc., 6640 Lusk Blvd, Suite A-202,
San Diego, CA. Member NASD and SIPC
For media inquiries, please contact:
Irene Shimoda
Director of Public Relations
Foresters
416 429 3000 ext 4651
877 664 6602 (toll free)
ishimoda@foresters.biz
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