chair’s insights
NAILBA Has Your Back!
modern, fresh ideas and
initiatives and improved
systems to help you get
the most from your NAILBA
membership. We, the NAILBA
Board of Directors and Dan,
have actively reached out to
carrier executives, IMO leaders
and BGA principals to listen
and learn about industry
MYRA PALMER
challenges and how NAILBA
NAILBA CHAIR
can enhance its value.
Independent brokerage
distribution and the way we
t is an honor to serve as
do business has changed
your Chair during this
significantly since our
critical time in NAILBA’s
pioneers established NAILBA.
history. My goal as your
NAILBA has and always will
2019 Chair is to build upon
embrace change. NAILBA
that renewed NAILBA energy
needs you to help us and is
and spirit infused into our
Association. My goal includes doing more to help you master
the rapid changes in our
continued development and
business model. Under the
execution of the predictions
leadership of CEO Dan LaBert,
2018 Chairman Jeff Mooers
NAILBA has refined the tools
penned in his inaugural
and resources we provide our
column one year ago.
membership. This includes
Many of Jeff’s 2018
predictions are taking shape. updating and streamlining our
online and digital platforms.
You can see:
Before the end of last year,
• Increase and strengthen
NAILBA
delivered a new and
relationships with IMO’s;
efficient
website with updated
• The NAILBA Charitable
resources including webinars,
Foundation had a record-
podcasts, professional and
breaking year in 2018;
agency resource materials,
• Agency Successor
and more. These changes
Networking Group (ASNG)
will truly enhance your
continues to grow into 2019
NAILBA member experience.
through increased webinars
Something as simple as
and forums;
renewing your annual NAILBA
• Refined and revamped
membership or updating your
webinars and professional
agency profile can now be
development resources;
• An engaging online, social done at NAILBA.org. This is
only the beginning! We will
media and print publication
continue to regularly identify
presence;
services and programs, you –
• Increased member
benefits and service provider our members – value the most.
In 2019, be prepared for a
discounts.
new and improved advocacy
Our CEO Dan LaBert has
and digital engagement
taken the helm of our
opportunities through our
Association and injected
website, NAILBA.org. Visit our
I
website regularly and watch
for announcements on new
and exciting digital content
including exclusive industry
articles and insights, revised
and increased professional
development opportunities,
industry diversity and
inclusion initiatives, increased
outreach to federal and
state legislative branches
and regulatory agencies
on proposals and policies
impacting NAILBA members
and our industry.
Pursuant to member
feedback, I am also
announcing a new Industry
Affairs Committee. This
committee will discuss various
industry issues (contract
changes, commission
accounting, new products and
services, etc.) and impact on
the brokerage general agency,
consumers and industry
partners. This committee will
meet via conference call 3x
per year and will develop five
(5) discussion topics to be
presented at NAILBA’s Annual
Meeting for casual, roundtable
discussion with industry and
carrier partners. Do you want
to serve on this committee?
If so, contact Dan LaBert at
[email protected].
We strengthened our
strategic alliances with
organizations and industry
advocates, such as NAIFA.
As regulation and statutory
changes come at you in an
ever more rapid pace, NAILBA
is advocating for you with our
partners at NAIFA.
NAILBA Members have
actively participated in
NAIFA events for many years
and hundreds maintain
dual membership. Our two
organizations have always
been allies. Independent
brokerage and independent
producers are the pillars of
independent distribution.
NAIFA assists with our ongoing
federal efforts but also helps
us face the growing number of
state regulatory challenges.
The 2018 advocacy wins
resulting from this partnership
1) DOL Fiduciary Rule - The
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
(case filed by NAILFA) vacates
the DOL’s fiduciary rule in full.
2) Tax Reform - NAIFA, along
with coalition partners, meet
with Treasury officials and staff
from the Federal Insurance
Office seeking clarification
that the sale and servicing
of insurance is part of the
“business of insurance,” and
therefore should be excluded
from the definition of a
“specified services trade or
business” in any regulations
or guidance for purposes of
section 199A. 3) Retirement
Savings - The House passed
the “Family Savings Act”
which includes some, but
not all, of the employer-
sponsored retirement savings
plan provisions in the
NAIFA-supported Retirement
Enhancement Savings
Act (RESA). 4) Producer
Licensing - Thirty states
...CONTINUED ON PG. 33
“You are the one who will continue to grow
independent brokerage. And NAILBA has your back! ”
Myra Palmer, 2019 NAILBA Chairperson, The Palmer Agency
@ #NAILBA37 Remarks to Membership.
www.nailba.org 5