Representatives  Bachus and Bean, Steve Bartlett and Robert Rusbuldt to Address 6th Annual Insurance Reform Summit

(February 5, 2009 – Washington, D.C.) — Financial services and insurance industry heavyweights will headline the 6th Annual Insurance Reform Summit presented by Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University. The Summit will be held on Wednesday, March 4, at the  Reagan Building and International Trade Center in

Washington, D.C. from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Speakers scheduled to be at the event include Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL), ranking minority member of the House Financial Services Committee and Congresswoman Melissa Bean, co-author of the National Insurance Act. Key industry leaders will also address the Summit, including Steve Bartlett, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Roundtable; and Robert Rusbuldt, Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc., and Therese Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Reactions to the current regulatory environment as well as industry priorities under a new administration will be discussed during the Summit. Other topics on the agenda include the role of federal regulation, perspectives on solvency for U.S. insurance competitiveness, and how the financial services crisis is driving insurance reform debate. A panel discussion will present expert perspectives on consumer protection issues that are escalating during this period of industry turmoil. Panelists will include Scott Harrington, PhD, Alan B. Miller Professor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; Peter G. Gallanis, President, National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations; and, Roger H. Schmelzer, President, National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds.

 “While issues such as the creation of an Office of Insurance Information and the role of an Optional Federal Charter have been simmering for some time, the unprecedented collapse of financial service giants has created a strong sense of urgency that these issues be addressed by the Obama Administration,” said Elizabeth Coit, Executive Director of Networks Financial Institute.

2009 marks the sixth year for the Insurance Reform Summit, recognized as a keystone venue where industry thought leadership, government and academia converge to address the issues driving insurance regulation. Registration information is available at www.networksfinancialinstitute.org or by calling  (317) 536-0281; toll-free 800-603-7113.

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