Cobbs, Allen & Hall and Virtus Benefits Join National Network of Benefit Consultants

Benefit Advisors Network Experiences 16% Growth in First Half of 2011

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cobbs, Allen & Hall of Birmingham, AL, and Virtus Benefits, Inc., of Nashville, TN, are the most recent firms to become members of Benefit Advisors Network (BAN), the premier national network of employee benefit brokerage and consulting firms. With seven new members already accepted into the network in 2011, Benefit Advisors Network is experiencing unprecedented growth. The staff is ready to provide members with the networking opportunities and services they seek from their affiliation.

“Both Cobbs, Allen & Hall and Virtus Benefits bring valuable experience and benefits consulting acumen into the existing expertise within Benefit Advisors Network,” said Perry Braun, Executive Director. “BAN is focused on helping independently owned brokerage firms improve and grow their business with the support of national partners and resources. We have several large initiatives on track for 2011, including carrier partnerships and a new client-friendly website, that will greatly benefit all of our members and their clients.”

Founded in 1887 as the John G. Smith Company, Cobbs, Allen & Hall began as an insurance and mortgage brokerage firm. It has grown to be the 52nd largest privately held insurance brokerage firm in the U.S and is currently ranked in the Top 100 of all U.S. insurance brokerage firms. Moving away from a generalist approach in 2003, Cobbs, Allen & Hall offers claims administration, management and advocacy, loss control, as well as safety consultation. In addition, Cobbs, Allen & Hall is working on initiatives focused on risk management and insurance integration software.

“We have gained tremendous advantages from organizations similar to Benefit Advisors Network on the P&C side,” said Grantland Rice III, President. “We look forward to the same type of collaboration and advantages on the benefits side.”

Virtus Benefits, Inc., was founded in 2004 to offer group insurance to the Mid-Tennessee market. Bringing more than two decades of industry experience and unparalleled consultative service, Virtus focuses on character and excellence in all their interactions. Virtus provides a complete suite of needs-driven consulting and brokerage services, as well as a proven, innovative approach to benefit design and risk management.

“BAN’s goals and nationwide reach enticed us to look further into the organization,” said David Johnson, Sr. Partner. “Sharing and developing best practices, as well as other collaborative opportunities is what we are looking for from our membership in BAN.”

About Benefit Advisors Network

Founded in 2002 by five agencies, BAN is an exclusive, premier, national network of independent, employee benefit brokerage and consulting companies. They deliver industry leading tools, technology, and expertise to member firms so that they can deliver optimum results to their employee benefit customers. BAN’s members, known as Smart Partners^® partly because of their highly collaborative interactions, are screened prior to being granted membership to ensure they distinguish themselves from their competitors through their knowledge of the industry, their ethical approach, their business acumen, and their strategic vision.

To preserve and enhance the intimate level of sharing between the Smart Partners^®, BAN turns away more candidates than they accept, ensuring that its members are peers with the most progressive and innovative employee benefit consultants and brokers from throughout the entire country.

For more information about Benefit Advisors Network, call 440-528-0301 or visit www.WhySmartPartners.com.

For information about how to become a SmartPartner^®, please contact Steve Yarcusko at 440-338-3558 or [email protected] or Christina Verba at 440-528-0301 or [email protected].

Benefit Advisors NetworkWendy Skoch Hart, 440-528-0304
[email protected]

Source: Benefit Advisors Network