Financial Advisors are in the best position possible to be of service to their clients during this recent wave of banking news.

“Kevin O'Leary thinks regional banks and their shares are doomed. ... wherein small regional banks will consolidate into super-regionals.” – March 30, 2023

Who would better know what to do now, in this place, with their knowledge, than a financial advisor? When I say, "financial advisor," I am talking about a real intelligence advisor, not a robo artificial intelligence advisor. A real financial advisor with decades of experience with designations like the following: CFP, ChFC, CLU, LACP, LUTCF.

Recognizing the best in the insurance and financial services industry, the NAIFA Quality Award is now accepting applications through August 31, 2023.

The NAIFA Quality Award recognizes the best of the best in our industry. It celebrates outstanding advisors and agents who provide quality care, adhere to ethical standards, and is not solely based on annual production numbers. The NQA is open to all agents and advisors to apply, however, only active NAIFA members are eligible to be recognized.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is pleased to announce its move to a new headquarters location in Arlington, Virginia. The new headquarters will be located at 1000 Wilson Boulevard in Suite 1890 aptly named for the year that NAIFA was founded.

The move is another milestone in NAIFA’s transformation that began in 2019 with the membership’s vote to restructure the association. The new headquarters’ proximity to Capitol Hill will facilitate more interaction between members and legislators while also providing ample space for training events and conferences.

Bregman Financial & Insurance Services was founded in 1969 by Dutch immigrant, Peter Bregman, father of current CEO Marc Bregman, LUTCF, loyal NAIFA member since 1997. Peter’s sister was widowed at a young age, which instilled in him a passion for ensuring that all his family members were protected by life insurance. He started in the industry as an agent with Metropolitan Life. During his first year in the business, he set a goal to hand out 30 business cards a day saying “I’m Peter Bregman, and I work for Metropolitan Life. If you need life insurance, call me. Here’s my card.” Peter made MDRT his first year in the business and every year until his retirement 40 years later. Peter’s first employee, Esther Crest retired in 2022 at the age of 97.

Aflac District Coordinator Terry Anderson's interest in the insurance industry started with a snowmobile accident that reinforced for him a fundamental truth about insurance—when people get hurt or sick, they still need money to pay the bills. Two years later, Anderson was talking with a customer in his store who was an Aflac agent. She told him that, when someone gets hurt or sick, Aflac pays the claim quickly and Anderson asked himself, “Why didn’t I know about this after my accident?” From that conversation, he decided to start his career in insurance.

Andrew Holt is the Government Relations and Grassroots Manager at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). NAIFA works on behalf of its members to promote a favorable regulatory environment, provide professional education services, and ensure ethical professional conduct for insurance and financial advisors.

Andrew spent several years of his career in the political arena, getting his start as an intern for a senate race in South Carolina, where he found his passion for connecting voters with elected officials. This eventually led to his current position at NAIFA, where he influences public and elected officials on legislative priorities, engages volunteers in grassroots efforts, and leads grassroots lobbying efforts at the state level.

Cody Schoonover is a PAC Manager for NAIFA. Before NAIFA, he was the Sr. Associate at PLUS Communications, a Beltway-based consulting firm specializing in coalition building, grassroots mobilization, advertising, digital engagement, message development, and media relations. Cody earned his BA in political science from The Ohio State University.

In the highly competitive insurance industry, brokers and agencies are constantly seeking new ways to drive growth. Agents must reach sales targets, and agencies must attract and retain high-performing talent. Fortunately, innovations in digital sales platforms are making these goals achievable.

John Boothman of NAIFA partner iLife Technologies will give you actionable tips on how to incorporate more digital solutions into your business to drive growth and keep up in today's ever-changing market.

See John D. Richardson, RICP® LACP®, loyal member since 2003, in action on NAIFA Talent Development Center partner Advisorist's Virtual Advisor Power Hour (VAPH) this Wednesday, April 26 at 12 pm eastern.

John will discuss why more advisors should be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and how this shift in attitude and mindset can lead to greater success in their professional careers.

Marc Kiner, CPA, is a co-founder of the National Social Security Advisor (NSSA^®) Certificate program and a new NAIFA member as of early March.

Over his three-decade career as a CPA, Kiner grew increasingly interested in the inner workings of Social Security benefits. In 2008, he bought three books on Social Security, read them cover to cover, and emerged with more questions than answers. So, he sought out an expert and was referred to Jim Blair, then the District Manager of the Piqua, OH, Social Security office. Blair worked for SSA for 35 years before retiring on December 31, 2010.

SECURE 2.0 is here, but what does that mean for your clients' retirement and estate planning? On Tuesday, May 9, from 12 pm to 3 pm eastern, join NAIFA and the Society of Financial Service Professionals for an Advanced Practice Center live virtual event, as three industry experts discuss the impact of SECURE 2.0, what it means for your clients, and why now is the best time to prepare.