At its annual meeting, IMSA Board members confirmed Scott Curtis, SeniorVice President of Raymond James & Associates, as Chairman of thestandards-setting organization.

"As the entire financial services industry continues down the path ofregulatory modernization, IMSA's national insurance focused sales andsuitability standards, compliance solutions, efficiency services,and consumer educational tools should be very valuable," said Curtis."IMSA is very well positioned to continue making material and meaningfulcontributions to insurance manufacturers, distributors, regulators, andconsumers."

In addition, Kevin Slawin, President, Allstate Financial Distribution, hasbeen approved as Chair-Elect. "IMSA not only sets the standards for ethicalbusiness practices," said Slawin, "but IMSA also helps insurance companiesto reach those standards through compliance solutions, infrastructure toolsand industry collaboration with regulators and distributors. All of thisultimately protects the consumer."

The IMSA Board also welcomed new member Paul Mistretta, Chief OperationsOfficer for ING's Life Business Group. "The ethical business practicespromoted by IMSA have never been more important than they are in today'smarket climate," said Paul Mistretta, "and I look forward to serving on aBoard that represents a key voice for market conduct in the life insuranceindustry."

Dr. Brenda Cude, Professor of Housing and Consumer Economics at theUniversity of Georgia, and a Consumer Representative to the NationalAssociation of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), was approved for a newthree-year term.

"The wealth of knowledge and experience represented on our Board ofDirectors is a tremendous asset to IMSA," said IMSA President and CEO BrianAtchinson. "This is an important time for Americans as they confront theneed for financial security and are concerned about purchasing suitableinsurance products to meet their needs. These distinguished professionalsbring valuable viewpoints on industry and consumer issues as we establishnational standards that promote ethical business practices to benefitconsumers, companies and distributors."

Atchinson provided the following background on the chairman and new boardmembers:

At Raymond James & Associates, Scott Curtis is responsible for Financialand Retirement Services, Mutual Funds Research and Marketing, and variousinitiatives related to Raymond James & Associates' private client group.Scott transitioned to his current role after two years as President ofPlanning Corporation of America, Raymond James' insurance agency, beginningin February 2003.

Kevin Slawin is responsible for all of Allstate Financial's non-proprietarydistribution channels, including independent agents, banks, Broker-Dealersand specialized brokers. He is also CEO of Allstate Bank. Prior to hiscurrent role, he served in various positions within Allstate Financial,including head of technology and operations as well as its CFO.

Before joining ING's Life Business Group as Chief Operations Officer inApril, 2005, Paul L. Mistretta served as Executive Vice President atAmerican General Life Insurance Companies (an AIG company). Prior to thatposition, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer atFirst Colony Life Insurance (a Genworth Financial company).

Dr. Brenda Cude is a Professor of Housing and Consumer Economics at theUniversity of Georgia who served on the IMSA Board for her initialthree-year term from 2005-2008. She is also a Consumer representative tothe NAIC. Her research interests focus on how consumers acquire and useinformation before making buying decisions.

IMSA is the premier, national standards-setting organization for the lifeinsurance, annuity and long-term care insurance marketplace forindividually sold products. Qualified companies commit to maintaining highethical standards and to being fair, honest, and open in the way theyadvertise, sell and service their products. IMSA updates its standardsregularly with input from a Standards Advisory Committee consisting ofrepresentatives from AARP, NAIC, FINRA, rating agencies, and productdistribution organizations. For more information and a list ofIMSA-qualified companies, visit www.IMSAethics.org.

For information, contact:Jennifer Kalita240-744-3021