Mortgage Life Insurance

Mortgage Life Insurance insures a specific debt, your mortgage. In protecting your mortgage you are securing one of your largest liabilities. Upon an accident or death your mortgage will be paid for by the insurance company.
Securing your debts from unseen harm is the benefit to any insurance plan. If you have been laid off, started your own business, or just don't carry life insurance now might be the time to look at a mortgage life policy. It can be built in with your mortgage payment and will be less than a life insurance policy. Meek and Associates can help provide coverage. Contact us today!

Marketing Through Financial Insitututions

Meek and Associates provides complete marketing assistance for any program. With various partnerships Meek and Associates is capable of direct mail, statement stuffers, email marketing. Ensuring the best marketing program is essential when introducing any product to customers. Meek and Associates works to ensure complete security and ease of use for both the Financial Institution and the customer. Contact Us today to discuss Marketing Opportunities.

Insurance Through A Financial Insitution

Financial Institutions provide various Insurance products. Offering those products allows for a consistent financial outlook. Saving money is a crucial component, but insuring safety and protection for those assets is as important. Making sure you are able to protect your assets from un seen loss is what and Insurance policy can cover. Every customers must look at their financial picture and decide what is the most appropriate policies. Financial Institutions provide advisory positions to present the scope of products and resources. Discuss your opportunities with your Financial Institution. Meek and Associates works alongside your Financial Institution to provide the resources and solutions your customers need. Deliver consistent service and protection for your assets.

Life Insurance

How much Life Insurance Do I Need?
Life Insurance can be the most important Insurance product one will buy outside of Home owner's and Auto. Life Insurance will protect your debts and secure your beneficiary's. There is nothing worse than suffering through a tragedy and then realizing there is no one to pay the mortgage. The first thing to remember is not to be scared into buying a policy. Listen and research your opportunities. Take some time to think about it and make the right decision.
Life Insurance is important no matter when or how you decide to purchase it. There is Term Insurance, which is just that. It will most likely be the cheapest and only provides coverage for a certain amount of time. Whole Life Insurance will insure just that, your whole life. It is typically the most expensive and will provide coverage up to a certain dollar amount. Ensuring all of your debts are covered is essential when looking at a whole life policy. Life Insurance provides essential coverage and should be looked at carefully and fully discussed. Contact us today with any questions. The next question is where to buy it!

What Is An Annuity?

An Annuity is a contract between someone and an insurance company. An annuity provides a certain amount of return for a period of time. There are two types of annuities: Fixed and Variable. Fixed will provided a specified return. Variable will provide a minimum and the maximum is determined by the stock market. Variable Annuities only fit a very specified buyer, typically mutual funds are more appropriate. Fixed Annuities provide a healthy return and have a set amount. They provide stability and when C.D. rates are down are the best alternative. Annuities provide tax benefits as well. Talk with your adviser about your opportunities to discover the potential.

Mortgage Life Insurance

Mortgage Life Insurance will protect the mortgage customer in case of death or disability. Customers are able to receive peace of mind that their mortgage will be covered and paid off in the event of an emergency. The Financial Institution or Lender receives coverage on assets in case of emergency. Mortgage Life helps protect assets outside of Life Insurance coverage, and covers customer's largest debt. Mortgage Life can be offered at point of sale through Loan Officers or direct mail. More and more protection is offered only through point of sale to save on mailing costs. Mortgage Life is a product designed to protect the insurer and the Lender.

Lending Processing

Mortgage markets are always volatile. They continue to have immediate growth and decline. The primary concern with the marketplace is how to manage customer and employees. Outsourcing lending provides immediate customer attention, and lowers overall costs. Financial Institutions are able to control costs, and limit expenses. Meek and Associates provides a service with 24/7 lending. Allowing customers complete access. Manage your risks, and gain more customers today.

Collateral Protection

Collateral Protection through Financial Institutions provides coverages just for individuals needing coverage. We do not implement blanket coverage to all loan customers. Saving the majority the expense. Collateral Protection provides specific protection for customers. The most important aspect with collateral protection is customer service. Meek and Associates Insurance Group partners with key providers to ensure continuous and efficient service. We are currently running a discount on any site visit to the vendors to look at the facility and process. Managing your customers expectations and needs are the key to a successful operation.

Why Everyone Needs Identity Theft Protection

An elaborate identity theft scheme has reached the highest levels of the U.S. financial system, striking the personal bank account of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his wife.  According to a D.C. police report, Anna Bernanke's purse was stolen last August from her chair at a Capitol Hill Starbucks.  It contained her Social Security card, checkbook, and ID's.

By BRETT ZONGKER Associated Press Writer

Identity Theft

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052970203674704574334752489414792.html

Identity theft happens to people every year. It has happened to people inside Meek and Associates. Protecting customers from Identity Theft provides a necessary product. Customers do not have the time to work through the process to put their identity back. There are hours to be spent on the phone dealing with customer support and ensuring protection. An insurance policy ensures the best care and most efficient resolution.

Switching Products

Financial Institutions have the privileged with customers. They are trusted and secure futures. Switching products is often a difficult task. Meek and Associates Insurance Group works with your institution to accurately pick products, and work with staff to implement the program. Ensuring a long product cycle is our job. Your institution receives full disclosure and immediate assistance from our staff with any of your needs. Products and services will always change but Meek and Associates promises to work to make your products work for your customers and build a stronger relationship.

Insurance Products Delivery System

It is no doubt that insurance is being delivered in a different way than thirty years ago. There are fewer and fewer travelling salesmen. Insurance products are delivered to customers at point of sale, electronically through click thru's, electronic contact forms, statement stuffers. Meek and Associates works with your institution to identify the best delivery method for your customers. Often finding the best mix produces the best results. Through direct marketing and online marketing Insurance products help insure your clients.

Debt Protection

Debt Protection is offered to customers through loan officers at closing. Accidental Death is a real threat and Debt Protection provides your customers with insurance against catastrophe. Meek and Associates works with your loan officers to train employees and develop the best sales tactics. Meek and Associates additionally provides quarterly newsletters to update loan officers on industry changes and product offerings. Debt Protection or Cancellation is a product designed to ensure customer protection.

Flood Certification

A flood is the inundation of normally dry land resulting from the rising and over flowing of body of water. There are 3 types of flooding:

1. A rising flood caused by prolonged rain or melting snow
   
   
2. Flash floods
   
   
3. Wind driven floods tides

Meek and Associates sponsors a Flood program that accurately identifies a flood zone and insurance rates. Meek and Associates works to administer a plan to fit your association or institution. Our flood program is competitively priced and accurate. We accept quotes online, through fax, or mail. Ensuring an accurate determination helps to price your customer's insurance program. Meek and Associates will work to cut costs and provide a more accurate program.

Talk about it Tuesday

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/smallbusiness/la-fi-bizmakeover4-2009aug04,0,3882979.story

The Chicago Tribune ran an article about an State Farm insurance agency in California trying to carve out it's niche. It makes some very valid points that as the producer you must be in control of your customers. Allowing customers, or anyone outside of your company to control that relationship you will loose that relationship. As the Insurance Agency it is your responsibility to maintain those relationships. The first step is to define your market, and then create a marketing plan. It is important for every agency to correctly identify the target market and then develop a plan on how to find that market. This article has some valuable information for any business, but especially insurance, as consumers are more empowered and willing to walk away from providers.

Identity Theft

Identify theft is a growing problem. As more consumers shop online and use electronic data the more theft is becoming prevalent.
As a financial institution you have the opportunity to provide necessary coverage for customers. The institution is able to provide group rates for customers otherwise inaccessible to them. Meek and Associates sponsors and Identity Theft solution for your customers that provides brand recognition and essential safety.

Insurance Brokerage Income Up

First-quarter bank holding company (BHC) insurance brokerage income of $3.03 billion was up 15.0% from $2.63 billion in fourth quarter 2008, which marked the lowest point of quarterly insurance income since 2005, according to the Michael White-Prudential Bank Fee Income ReportTM. 

 

Insurance income is indicating a rebounding industry, and shows opportunity to for growth.  With income belwo 2005 levels there is still opportunity for growth within the industry.  As consumers seek out new products institutions are continuing to meet their needs.  Insitutions are beginning to seak out new products and new delivery systems.  Insurance products provide a value added solution for customers.  Mortgage customers are eligible for complementary coverage with certain programs to protect their assets.  Providing added value gives the consumer a buying incentive and provides a competitive advantage in the current marketplace.  Insurance also provides peace of mind during uncertainty and give assurance that their assets are protected.   

Benefits to an AD&D Product

AD&D covers your customers assets while providing income revenue to your Bank or Financial Institution. Benefits to working with Meek and Associates.

• No financial risk; Meek and Associates – the Marketing Company – absorbs all the marketing expenses of the direct response effort
• Completely turnkey operations; Meek and Associates handles all data management, production and mailing, enrollment and fulfillment, customer service, premium billing. Facilitation of claims are handled separately
• Absolute ease of implementation; you provide the list of customers – Meek and Associates does the rest
• Toll free customer service gives your customers answers to all their questions
• Meek and Associates offers a privacy solution to protect non-public information of your customers

Provide your customers with a complementary offer that helps them and builds relations for you.

Reducing Risk

Insurance products like Homeowner's/Auto helps to curb risk on your banks or credit unions investment.  Insurance products provide necessary coverage on your customers assets.  Homeowner's and Auto can be done through web-links and virtually.  Meek and Associates provides a seamless process for your bank or credit union and your customers.  Providing Insurance through your institution reduces your risk and controls your customers risk.

Online Solutions

Meek and Associates has developed online solutions for your customer's insurance products.  Your Bank or Credit Union can provide insurance products entirely through the internet.  Processing is handled and managed by Meek and Associates and all development is done alongside your Bank or Credit Union ensuring a seamless interaction.  Meek and Associates provides your customers with the products they need with an accurate and timely delivery system. 

Building Customer Relationship

I recently heard that to have a secure relationship with a customer a bank or credit union needs seven points of contact.  Many times the bank or credit union has secured those contacts, but there is opportunity for more growth within the relationship.  Insurance provides the opportunity to expand those relationships and build more customer contact.  Insurance provides the coverage they need on the asset the bank or credit union finances.  Meek and Associates works to extend your customer service once again to the customer to further build your relationship.

Finding Fee Income

Meek and Associates works to provide net fee income for your financial institution.  One way to find that income is with a product like AD&D.  An AD&D product has been around for over thirty years, but still has a strong place in the market.  The insurance provider administers the mailing to checking and savings account customers.  A mailing generates another contact with your customer and offers an introductory free period.  The insurance provides coverage in case of an emergency or accident.  Two mailings a year will significantly support your bottom line.

Web Site Up

The start of the website is complete!  www.meek-associates.com is officially live.  I have some updates to complete to join the blog with the site and getting more information up, but the basics are started!

Finding Fee income

The FDIC is increasing dues in the coming months and as everyone continues to search for solutions Insurance and Annuities solutions provide income to institutions as fees increase.  Insurance products provide protection for assets and provide peace of mind.

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance or term assurance is life insurance which provides coverage for a limited period of time, the relevant term. After that period, the insured can either drop the policy or pay annually increasing premiums to continue the coverage. If the insured dies during the term, the death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary. Term insurance is often the most inexpensive way to purchase a substantial death benefit on a coverage amount per premium dollar basis.

Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against disasters. A standard policy insures the home itself and the things you keep in it.

Homeowners insurance is a package policy. This means that it covers both damage to your property and your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage you or members of your family cause to other people. This includes damage caused by household pets.

Damage caused by most disasters is covered but there are exceptions. The most significant are damage caused by floods, earthquakes and poor maintenance. You must buy two separate policies for flood and earthquake coverage. Maintenance-related problems are the homeowners' responsibility.

Rollovers

If a person who is nearing retirement or has recently changed jobs, rolling over their employer sponsored plan to fund an IRA is referred to as a Rollover. A rollover can be done at any time.

There are two types of rollovers, indirect and direct. An indirect rollover, the check is made out in the customer's name and the customer has 60 days to deposit it into a new qualified account. The check is reduced by 20% mandatory withholding in the case of an indirect rollover of an employer-sponsored plan into an IRA. Any amount of the distribution (including the amount withheld) that is not rolled over into the IRA within 60 Days is subject to income tax and potentially a 10% penalty tax.

A direct rollover, the check is made out to the trustee or custodian of the new IRA account who will then allocate it according to the client's direction. The company receiving the money will facilitate the transfer from the employer.

Annuities Support Bank Growth

October 20, 2008- U.S. annuity fee income grew 5.5% to 74.1 million in the first half of 2008, "This growth in annuity commissions offset a 5.8% decline in securities brokerage income." Senior Vice President Aurthur Osman said.
-Michael White, LPL Financial Institution Services Report: Community Bank Investment Programs

Accidental Death and Disability

AD&D stands for Accidental Death & Dismemberment and is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States

• In 2007, an estimated 625,328 people died from accidents/unintended injuries
• Over the past few years, the rate of deaths from fall of people over 65 has risen over 32%
• The U.S. Government has set a goal of no more than 17.5 accidental deaths per 100,000 people by the year 2010.

An AD&D program can help you or a loved one in a time of need by protecting your largest assests and ensuring coverage.

What is an Annuity

Meek and Associates is proud to announce a partnership enabling the sale of Annuities. Annuities offer secure investments and are especially sought after in this volatile marketplace.

What is an Annuity?
An annuity is a long-term, interest-paying contract offered through an insurance company. An annuity can be “deferred” as a means of accumulating income while deferring taxes, or it can be “immediate” and pay you an income now and as long as you live.

Fresh Starts

After a week of traveling to Nashville, Charlotte, and Atlanta.  It is good to be back and touch home base again.  Yesterday was a day spent in the office working to get caught up.  This week has to be used to finalize two or three opportunities and move forward.  Right now we are trying to find the balance between prospecting and completing transactions.  It is a changing time in business, but it is a great time for opportunity.  Now is the time to get some revenue started and are looking for ways to move forward and complete some transactions.  

Phone Calls

One lesson I am learning in business is patience.  It is hard to make fifty phone calls and only speak to three people the entire day.  It is a good start for business and is the right place to start for introductions.  The newsletter format is still not coming along.  I do not know how to start or what program would be the best for an e-newsletter.  I have been researching different options and am just not happy with my options right now.  I spent time looking into quickbooks this morning and am interested to get more involved with bookkeeping.  Any suggestions on newsletters is appreciates.

Starting

I have started to call independently and like everything it is harder than you imagine.  You have to define yourself, make a case and do that over and over throughout the day.  It was great to get on the phone and talk to people.  It is fun to feel productive.  Next up is the newsletter and website.  I have found a couple templates for a newsletter but am not happy with the options.  I am trying to find a program to create and design a simple newsletter to send out.  The newsletter will include information on our company as well as new product information.  It should be a quick and efficient way to touch base with clients and expand the product base.  The progress may be slow but there definitely is progress.  

Calls

Today was the start of cold calling.  I followed the following procedure.  Looking up institutions and making a list and then starting down the list identifying the correct contact and then having an open discussion to identify products they may need.  There is a market leader who has almost all of the control, and identifying new ways to approach the market is my goal.  I am trying to approach it as a conversation to see what products they may need.  We have a bundled product which can help them consolidate vendors and get better pricing.

Newsletter

There will be the first quarterly letter sent out in March detailing the product offerings from Meek and Associates Insurance group.  Partnerships are being made to increase product distribution and the newsletter is focused on increasing communication among all institutions to identify changes and innovations in the industry.  

Calls

At the beginning of the week we went on our last trip to an insurance provider.  After re establishing relationships we are ready to move forward and sell more products.  Today will be spent in the office getting emails out and paperwork together and tomorrow will be spent making calls.  Next week will be spent making calls all week to push the product to the banks.  We are also planning to have a website up and running by March 1st.

Calls

I travelled to Topeka today with my father and business partner.  We made several calls.  On one we encountered one of our competitors.  It is is interesting to start a business but also have a lot of luggage along with it.  It felt hopeful after seeing a few new prospects.  It is good to be out of the office and I hope I can structure my day to be partly in the office and then out everyday.  I need to decide if I should try to launch it from here or if I should start to work out of Chicago.  I think I am going to focus on credit unions for a time and see if I can make any head way.

RFP's

Working as a middle man, and the truth is I guess we are all middle men in some way you have to wait for other people.  I take half introduced ideas and try to get them finalized.  I have been waiting on proposals from companies for two weeks and still don't think I am even close to the end.  It is good to start the process and understand what they need to get the work done.  I also sleep in too late and need to start getting up.  My goal is just to work harder than everyone else.  That's really the only talent I have so I need to exploit it I guess.  So far this is much better than sitting in a cubicle having to deal with those people.  I just need to make more money and focus to make this work.

Internet

The next step for a small company is to get internet into the office.  Today AT&T came out and made sure the connection would work.  Now it is up to me to save the 250 dollars and make sure I can install the modem/router myself.  It should be an interesting day.  I have never set up a network and am buying the modem/router off craigslist to save money and then installing it myself.  It is a time to be thrifty and I hope that this exercise is worth it.  I also upgraded to unlimited minutes on my cell phone plan so that we will not install a line into the office.  Hopefully down the line we will have to have a line in the office for someone working there and can actually answer it, but for right now internet is a huge step.

Business Cards

How difficult is it to get a set of business cards made?  It has taken me two weeks and after many horrible proofs I go to another vendor.  The first vendor now says they are going to be printed tomorrow and will be put in the mail.  I would really like to see them before they are delivered to my front door and look like crap.  I am going to cancel the order with the first vendor and see if the second has any better luck.  This is even after visiting the first vendors office and looking at the cards and seeing how bad they look.

More Cleaning

The office now has 25 piles instead of four which in Kansas we call progress.  I am trying to organize and put all of the files away before I get more paperwork and so we can start the year off fresh.  We have only made a couple of calls but they went well and we will follow up with them this week.  It has been a good start and more to come but so far the office is coming together and it will be nice to have everything in a filing cabinet.  

Office Cleaning

After a quick trip to Dallas and Ohio we are back in the office today.  Running to Topeka and cleaning out old drawers trying to get things organized.  It is nice to have a clean start and feels like the first of the year.  I'm excited about the opportunities we now just need to capitalize on them.  This should get interesting.