IBAC Begins “PMS” Tour
October 1, 2001 Sean van Zyl, EditorInsurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) newly appointed president for the 2001/2002 term, Ginny Bannerman, announced her theme for the year ahead, the “PMS tour” – presidential moving and shaking tour – at the association’s recently held annual general meeting…
Portal Power, People Power
October 1, 2001 Vikki SpencerAs one of the “founding fathers” of the developing broker/company portal, incoming Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) president Danny Craig is confident the year ahead will be a time of massive, positive change for the industry. The association, he…
Quebec Brokers: Back to School
October 1, 2001 John Morin, president of Morin, Elliott Associates LteeFirst enacted in June 1998, Quebec’s financial services intermediary legislation, Bill-188, has reached a critical stage in its implementation. Starting from September this year, financial intermediaries including property and casualty insurance brokers will be subject for the first time to earning compulsorily continuing education credits, while other contentious sections of the law still have to be put into effect.
WTC terror attack could produce insured loss of US$20 billion
September 12, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterThe tragic events which unfolded early Tuesday this week when two of four hijacked commercial jetliner planes were deliberately crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center (WTC) in Manhattan, New York City could produce an insured loss…
Quebec broker sets online selling launch
September 1, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterFollowing last fall’s announcement that Quebec brokerage DiPerno and Associates would be among the first to launch an online sales vehicle, AssureMoi.com president Mark DiPerno says the site will be up and running at the beginning of October. The first…
Breaking from the “Burger Chains”
September 1, 2001 Sean van Zyl, EditorAfter more than 10 years of heated debate and political positioning by various stakeholders, the new federal financial services legislation under Bill C-8 was proclaimed this past June. The new legislation was passed with the all-important block against the banks selling insurance products through their branches – this despite a delay in the bill’s delivery due to the last minute general election call in the fall of last year. The fact that banking representatives made it clear before the Senate Financing Committee just prior to the passing of Bill C-8 that they expect financial services reform to be re-addressed incoming years, is a clear sign that independent insurance brokers cannot let up the pressure in their political lobbying campaign, says Ginny Bannerman, incoming president of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC).
Network Knight a Human “Plug-In”
September 1, 2001 Ivor Kaye, Grantech Systems Inc.In this era of rapid growth and development, technology is the key that unlocks opportunity. Unfortunately, the insurance industry has been slow to adopt technology as a primary tool, preferring instead to simply replace manual tasks with automation, and upgrade…
Anthony Clark acquires Calgary brokerage
August 3, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterNetwork consolidator Anthony Clark International Insurance Brokers Ltd. (TSE: ACL) has acquired an unnamed independent brokerage located in Calgary, Alberta for an undisclosed amount. A media statement issued by the brokerage group says the acquired operation generates about $1 million…
DAVE’S TOP 10
August 1, 2001 AxiomIt was annual broker review time. Like all my company’s marketing representatives, I had to hold up an objective magnifying glass once a year to each of my brokers. I had to assess each one, listing their strengths and their…
Quebec broker ready to launch online sales
July 18, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterFollowing last fall’s announcement that Quebec brokerage DiPerno and Associates would be among the first to launch an online sales vehicle, AssureMoi.com president Mark DiPerno says the site will be up and running in the next few weeks. The first…
Anthony Clarke seeks "poison pill" approval
July 4, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterCalgary-based brokerage group Anthony Clark International Insurance Brokers Ltd. (TSE: ACL) is looking to implement a shareholders’ rights plan that would enable the company to block hostile takeover bids. ACL shareholders will be asked to approve the rights plan at…
Hub finalizes Kaye deal
July 3, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterBroker consolidator Hub International Ltd. (TSE: HGB) says the previously announced acquisition of U.S.-based brokerage Kaye Group Inc. has been finalized. Kaye shareholders will receive US$14 a share in cash under the terms of the deal.As part of the transaction,…