News and Notes

BREAKING NEWS ON 151A
Click here to learn how to contact your congressman and take action today!

Carrier Stability
Click here to view the releases from our various carriers as they comment on the financial stability of their respective companies during this turbulent time.

EquiTrust Rating Change
FIG is committed in keeping you up to date on the latest news in the industry. AM Best announced a rating decrease for Equitrust Life Insurance Company from A (excellent) to A- (excellent).  Equitrust Life has provided some detailed information on the announcement that will be helpful to you and will ensure confidence in their products. They are taking proactive steps to become self sustaining from a capital perspective which over time will assist in the restoration of the A rating. Click here to learn more.

AIG
Financial Independence Group is committed to keeping our advisors informed on current changes in the industry.
Please click here to view the information we have acquired to further help keep you in tune.

SEC Ruling
The SEC issued a statement on June 25, 2008 elaborating on the proposed rule to regulate Indexed Annuities as a security.  FIG is actively involved on boards and task forces with industry groups such as NAFA to ensure regulators are making educated decisions. The details of the proposed rule change are not clear so any conclusions would be speculation at this point.  There will be a long approval process of any proposed rule change without any guarantee it will be enacted as law.  NAFA will be issuing a response to the SEC statement. FIG will continue to communicate any updates that we receive. If you have questions, please contact us at 800-527-1155.

Click here to read the SEC ruling.
Click here for a statement from Raymond James.
Click here for a legal opinion from Jordan Burt.
Click here for Aviva's response to SEC.
Click here for Q&A about the SEC Proposal.
Click here for ING's response to SEC.
Click here for Jack Marion's comments on SEC proposal.
Click here for NAFA's comments on the SEC proposal.
Click here for Agent Talking Points.
Click here for Rule 151A Letter to Congressman.
Click here for The Case for State Regulation.
Click here for NAFA's response to the Raleigh News and Observer and Charlotte Observer.
Click here for Financial Independence Group's comments on the SEC proposal.
Click here to read the Congressional Extension Report.
Click here for FIG's agent announcement
Click here for the NAFA Press Release

May - June, 2008:
The FIG family continues to grow and we would like to welcome our 2 newest employees! Ken Zummach recently joined the team as our Network Administrator who is responsible for ensuring the security and efficiency of our IT Department. Jonathan Padgett joins our Life Department as a Marketing Consultant and will assist our advisors with product knowledge and excellent customer service. We’re pleased to welcome these new employees and look forward to continue growth throughout the company.

FIG was also recenly awarded Aviva’s 2008 Elite Marketing Group Award.

March - April, 2008:
FIG was recently awarded the Allianz Chairman’s Award for outstanding contributions to Allianz’s growth, developments, and profitability. FIG has been the proud recipient of this award continuously since 2001.

FIG is also pleased to report the success of our recent stops in Charlotte, Phoenix, and Orlando on our 2008 FIG Tour. With over 200 advisors eagerly attending to learn more about the growing income planning market for baby boomers.

Additionally, we are excited for our upcoming FIG Tour Championship and Sales Symposium at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center in Greensboro, NC.  Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear sales ideas from an elite group of super producers with over $75 million in 2007 production! Mark your calendar for August 6 - 8 today!  For more details on the 2008 FIG Tour or Tour Championship, please visit our website or contact your marketing consultant.

January - February, 2008:
Financial Independence Group had an exciting close to our year!

We would like to welcome our newest annuity marketing consultant, Ismael Garcia who looks forward to helping our advisors build their business in 2008.

Our employees took the opportunity to serve in the community through our annual toy drive as more than 40 employees participated in the drive to benefit Carolinas Medical Center’s Levine Children’s Hospital. Employees also donated nonperishable food items to a local family in need, and FIG provided them with a Christmas dinner and toys for the children.

Several FIG employees eagerly participated in the 1st Annual LungStrong Lungevity 5K in Huntersville, North Carolina to benefit lung cancer research. FIG’s team joined over 500 other walkers and runners and raised very close to $70,000 for Lung Cancer research! Employees participated in honor of Addi’s Cure, the non-profit organization started by FIG’s CMO, Bo Johnson, which raises money and awareness for lung cancer. For more information, please visit www.addiscure.org.