The NAIFA Foundation for Financial Security, created by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), aims to grow the number of ethical financial services professionals to better serve American households and small businesses. By increasing the pool of practicing advisors, the Foundation will advance financial literacy and promote financial security among all Americans with an emphasis on traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is pleased to return in-person for our NAIFA’s 7th Annual Diversity Symposium on May 23, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Presented by NAIFA’s Talent Development Center, NAIFA’s 7th Annual Diversity Symposium will focus on the importance of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the insurance and financial services industry to provide opportunities for financial security to all Americans.

NAIFA members were featured speakers at last week's SHIFT X Advisor Sales Summit. The summit's inaugural event was a huge success, with these NAIFA members and thought leaders contributing to the star-power of the event:

NAIFA National President Lawrence Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP stopped into NAIFA-WI to attend their 2022 Sales Congress: May the Fourth Be With You.

Holzberg's remarks at the event reviewed the State of NAIFA and challenged insurance and financial professionals to be the best they can be as producers and as advocates for their businesses, association, and Main Street clients.

NAIFA Past President John A. Davidson, LUTCF, FSS, was featured in this month’s InsuranceNewsNet Magazine. Davidson discusses the role of building meaningful relationships for insurance and financial professionals, for whom personal and professional relationships often overlap.  

Don’t miss NAIFA’s 7th Annual Diversity Symposium on May 23, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Each year, NAIFA spotlights the importance of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the insurance and financial services industry to provide opportunities for financial security to all Americans.

This year’s event will take place on May 23, immediately followed by the kickoff of NAIFA’s 2022 Annual Congressional Conference. Join powerful industry DEI thought leaders for this free event.

NAIFA President Lawrence Holzberg and CEO Kevin Mayeux joined NAIFA-Greater Washington, D.C., members Brock Jolly (NAIFA Treasurer), Ryan Buck (chapter President), Paul Dougherty (NAIFA Past President), Randy Scritchfield (NAIFA Past Trustee), Brian Haney (NAIFA Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year) and others at this year’s NAIFA-GWDC Success Summit. Joining in from outside of NAIFA-GWDC were NAIFA Trustee Dennis Cuccinelli and past YAT Leader of the Year Carina Hatfield.

Mayeux spoke about how NAIFA is executing on its NAIFA 2025 strategic plan to grow membership, amplify the NAIFA brand, and enhance the membership experience. He also previewed the NAIFA Foundation for Financial Security focused on improving financial literacy in the United States by building a broader base of financial professionals by bringing more quality people into the profession. “We’re going to reach into diverse communities all across this country and bring more people who look like the broad tapestry of America into the profession,” he said.

Holzberg held a Q&A session with NAIFA members. He spoke of the advantages that NAIFA members have when it comes to surviving and thriving in the industry. NAIFA advocates on behalf of members and helps differentiate them from others in the industry, he said. The association also provides important connections that help NAIFA members enhance their careers and grow personally. “I’ve been honored to be in NAIFA for over 30 years,” Holzberg said. “If not for this association, I would not know as much as I have learned. Better yet, I wouldn’t have a network of people I can reach out to. In this area, Paul Dougherty, Keith Gillies in Louisiana, my good friend Tom Michel in California. I’ve developed a range of people and a network of friends who, one, are there for you because that’s what we do in our industry, and two, have helped educate me.”

Keynote speakers for the morning session were Dave Resseguie, the Founder and Chief Shepherd of The Resseguie Group and a contributing columnist for Advisor Today, and Megan Carpenter, CEO and Co-Founder of FiComm Partners, and Candice Carlton, the firm's Head of Advisor Education. 

Afternoon keynote speakers were Bill Acheson, a business and body language expert, and Morris Morrison. The presentation by Morrison elevated and inspired the crowd and provided a preview of his high-energy and motivational style that will be on display at NAIFA’s Apex sales summit at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, August 17-18.

LIMRA and Life Happens have published the results of their 2022 Insurance Barometer Study. The new study surveyed 8,517 individuals and shows two key trends: life insurance is key to financial security and gender gaps extend to life insurance coverage.

Financial Security with Life Insurance

While financial insecurity affects all age groups, more life insurance owners (68%) report feeling financially secure than non-owners (47%). Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic had increased awareness of the need for life insurance and 31% of those surveyed say they are more likely to buy life insurance this year.  

The Fortis Agency, headquartered in Holmdel, NJ, at the beautiful Bellworks Complex, recently hosted colleagues from outside the agency at a networking and discussion event focused on topics in advanced planning. Those in attendance included the agency's cofounders Christine Cox-West, Michael DeVizio, Michael Manginelli, and David West, proudly sporting their NAIFA membership pins. Guests included NAIFA Trustee Dennis Cuccinelli.

NAIFA is sad to learn that NAIFA-NC and NAIFA-Greensboro Past President Ernest “Ernie” Whichard, CLU, ChFC, passed away on April 12 in Marion, NC. 

Before retiring from Whichard Roach & Associates in 2016, Whichard served as President of the North Carolina and Greensboro chapters of NAIFA (then the National Association of Life Underwriters) and as a Board Trustee for NAIFA-National. He also served as President of the Kiwanis Club of Greensboro and the Greensboro Estate Planning Council.