"The epitome of everything wrong with corporate America"

Attendees at NAILBA 28, held this week in balmy Hollywood, Fla., were offered a few choice thoughts about the economy and the business, according to reporter Linda Koco.

Leon Huffman, co-chair of the NAILBA government affairs committee and president of Huffman & Associates, Orlando, Fla., reviewed how developments in the economy and Congress are affecting the insurance business. The financial services industry “is portrayed as the epitome of everything wrong with corporate America,” he said. The government is “making aggressive moves to regulate our business, our fiduciary role, our suitability role, and even our supervisory responsibility over our own agencies.” After discussing many threats to the business, he urged NAILBA members to help NAILBA present the industry’s views. “We can’t do it alone. We need you to fight too. Silence is not an option.”

Jack Chiasson, exec director of NAILBA, said the fastest growing area of responsibility of NAILBA is “protecting the interests of the independent distribution channel.”