Here is the first update for 2007.  Hope you enjoy.

Two Companies Lauded for IMSA Membership

Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, Canton, MA, has attained IMSA membership. marketplace.

“We are pleased to have achieved IMSA qualification,” said Paul E. Petry, Boston Mutual

President & CEO. “This is a concrete expression of our pledge to uphold stringent ethical

standards and our continuing commitment to treat consumers with honesty and integrity.”

Shortly after the above announcement, IMSA announced that Oxford Life Insurance Company, Phoenix, AZ, has renewed its IMSA membership.

“Oxford Life is proud of its IMSA qualification,” said company President & CEO Mark

Haydukovich. “Our IMSA qualification is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to

treating our clients with honesty and integrity.”

You can read the full IMSA statements at the IMSA website www.imsaethics.org.

IMSA Standards Forum Set for Wednesday, February 21, 2007 in Washington

 IMSA will be hosting IMSA Member Company colleagues and Qualified Independent Assessors for IMSA's Standards Forum on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington from 9 AM until 4 PM.  The goal will be to “review current and future compliance challenges to be considered for possible development of additional IMSA standards.”  Hope to see you there!

A limited block of rooms has been reserved for attendees the night prior to the Forum. Please contact The Grand Hyatt Hotel directly at (202) 582-1234 to secure your room reservation.

Click Here for the Registration Form

Ken Kalis to Serve on IMSA Standards Development Committee for 2007

IMSA has invited me to serve on IMSA’s 2007 Standards Development Committee, and I have accepted.  I really enjoyed my work on the Standards Review Committee in 2006 and look forward to working with my colleagues and IMSA to continuously improve the IMSA standards and process.

Similar to the Standards Review Committee and the Subject Matter Standards Committee that were actively involved in last year’s standards development process, the newly constituted Standards Development Committee will be comprised of member company representatives and Qualified Independent Assessors and will meet on a regular basis throughout 2007 to explore potential areas for additional standards development.  IMSA  expects the Committee will meet at least quarterly throughout the remainder of 2007.

The first meeting is set for Thursday, February 22 at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington following IMSA’s Standards Forum on Wednesday. 

2007 IMSA Standards Training

IMSA is planning another training session on the 2007 Standards on March 27-28, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Since all IMSA companies are encouraged to begin complying with the new standards as soon as possible and will be required to comply with these standards by January 1, 2008, IMSA  strongly recommends that at least one person from your company attend.  You should also consider sending any other staff members within your organization that maintain IMSA responsibilities. Also, individuals seeking to learn more about IMSA should attend as well. Attendance is a mandatory continuing education requirement for all Qualified Independent Assessors.

HIGHLIGHTS

• An IMSA 101 Workshop will be provided for individuals who may be new to the IMSA qualification process or may be assuming responsibility for IMSA activities within their organization.
• You will receive a copy of the new 2006 edition of the IMSA Assessment Handbook.
• There will be a review of the topics based approach to assessments.
• You will learn information about revisions and updates to IMSA’s compliance standards which will be necessary to renew your company’s IMSA membership.
• Gauge how these updated standards may impact your self assessment and independent assessment.
• Learn about new mandatory indicators as well as indicators pertaining to indexed annuity products.
• Gain knowledge of IMSA’s suitability standard for annuities and long-term care insurance.
• Discuss new templates created for use as “helpful tools” during the assessment process.
• There will be ample opportunity to receive answers to your questions.

Please see below links to the registration form and preliminary program for complete details.

Registration Form

Preliminary Program

What We Are Up to at the Kenneth J. Kalis Company

We are up to lots of IMSA assessments.  We have just complete assessments of two companies under the 2007 standards and are finishing up one under the previous cycle.

Two other fleet assessments are under way, and we should be completing them in March.  This will give us a little breathing time to work on updating our KP4 IMSA Software before the next round of assessments begins.  We are available in the late spring and summer for facilitating self-assessments or conducting independent assessments.  Just give us a call at 386-462-1074 or reply to this email.  You can also get a quick cost estimate with no obligation by going to our website a kkalis.com.

Best Practice of the Month

This month's Best Practice is a very simple one.  It just involves extending an invitation to a meeting already scheduled.  For years registered representatives have had to attend an annual compliance meeting as a part of their continuing education.  Why not extend that to your life producers who are not registered?  This is what one forward thinking company is doing, and it is having very positive results.  First of all, the life producers no longer feel left out.  The WANT to go!  What a great opportunity for you to bring ALL your producers up to date on the issues you think are important.  Best practices don't have to be complex.  In fact, the more simple, the more powerful!

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Count your blessings this month and always.  I’m thankful for all of you and for the noble work we are all engaged in.  Best regards,