Croatians with Swiss franc loans protest 'debt slavery'

Zagreb (AFP) - Thousands of Croatians with loans denominated in Swiss francs took to the streets of Zagreb Sunday to protest the increased debt burden caused by a surge in the Swiss currency.

Franak, the association of borrowers behind the protest, also called for the resignation of Central Bank governor Boris Vujcic.The police estimated that up to 10,000 p

eople took part in the protest by demonstrators accusing the Croatian government and central bank of failing to protect borrowers.

Swiss franc loans became popular in several central European countries in the 2000s, when interest rates on the currency were low.

Navient Reports First-Quarter 2015 Financial Results

WILMINGTON, Del., April 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navient (NAVI) today released first-quarter 2015 financial results that include $830 million of student loan purchases, $300 million of common share repurchases, and the acquisition of a new asset recovery and business process outsourcing firm focused on state and local public sector markets.

"We're pleased to begin our first full year as Navient by helping more recent college graduates successfully transition into repayment," said Jack Remondi, president and CEO, Navient. "Private credit quality also continued to improve, leading to a lower loan loss provision. During the quarter, we continued to make investments to enhance our service to clients and customers, and we continue to deliver on our growth plan by welcoming Gila to our family of top-performing asset recovery firms, adding 600 clients and accelerating our growth in business process outsourcing."

Norman-Spencer Adds Auto Dismantler Program

he Norman-Spencer Agency, Inc. has launched a new auto dismantler insurance program through its Northern Star Management transportation division. This national program is designed for professional salvage yards/dismantlers engaged in the sale of used parts to the public. Full package coverage is available and exposures such as towing, transporting and car sales can be accommodated under the program.

The auto dismantlers program is the fifth program available from the Northern Star Management transportation division, which includes specialty haulers, auto transporters, towing and collateral recovery.

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United Way to Receive Donation from Crestbrook Insurance®

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The United Way of DuPage/West Cook County, Illinois has received a $5,000 donation from Crestbrook Insurance Company in honor of the Forest Agency Insurance of Forest Park. The money will support parenting and education for families with young children in the Chicago area.

Crestbrook, an affluent market personal lines carrier from Nationwide Insurance®, offers its appointed independent agents an opportunity to make a difference in their communities with charitable donations through the Partners in Giving program.

The Long-Term Care Insurance Industry Ponders Its Future: Seven Trends To Watch

I recently returned from a few days at the long-term care insurance industry’s national conference, held this year in Colorado Springs. The organizers asked me to participate in a panel discussion on policy solutions to the challenges of financing long-term supports and services. But I also had an opportunity to listen to what insurance company executives, brokers, and actuaries had to say about their industry’s future.

TrustedChoice.com Referrals Generate Over $250,000 in Sales for Local Insurance Agency

Independent insurance industry: taking back market share through exponential growth in new website

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today, TrustedChoice.com, an insurance education website specializing in online referrals for independent insurance agencies and their insurance company partners, celebrated their first agency subscriber reaching $250,000 in referred sales.

“The customer was committed to using a Trusted Choice agent before we even spoke on the phone,” said Frank Rodriguez of Sound Business Insurance, Gig Harbor, WA, “The $30,000 account I received today from a TrustedChoice.com referral was just another great account. The largest referral I have closed was $72,000, a trucking company.”

Fremont Insurance Adds Depth to Commercial Lines and Product Development

FREMONT, Mich., April 8, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fremont Insurance Company is adding additional staff to meet increasing demands for commercial lines products. " With the unprecedented growth Fremont Commercial Lines has experienced, we need to make a significant investment in qualified staff, as well systems and product development capabilities to meet a rapidly evolving commercial market today and into the future," said Steve Monahan, President & CEO. Fremont is strengthening the commercial lines function with the promotion of Debb Koepplinger to Territory Sales Manager as well as hiring Deborah Miller and Jeffrey Cram as Senior Commercial Lines Underwriters. In addition, Fremont is creating a Product Development Unit spearheaded by Tim Keating promoted from his current role of commercial underwriter. Brad Roeber, COO indicated, "Additional staff resources are needed as we develop new specialty commercial products for our growing markets."

Deborah Miller

Deborah Miller is taking over the role of Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter and comes to us with over 23 years of commercial lines experience, with agency sales and management experience. Deborah has completed her CPCU, CIC and CPSR and is a licensed P & C producer.

Jeffrey Cram

Jeffrey Cram joins Fremont Insurance as a Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter and brings a wealth of experience to us as both a commercial lines producer and a commercial underwriter over his 26 year insurance career. Jeffrey has completed his CIC designation, and has been a licensed P & C producer since 1986.

Debb Koepplinger

Debb Koepplinger CISR, CPIA, moves up from Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter to the position of Territory Sales Manager. Debb's commercial underwriting experience as well as her years as a licensed producer adds depth to the Marketing department bench. In her new role, she will be able to apply her underwriting authority and knowledge of Fremont systems in her assigned agents' offices.

Tim Keating

Fremont Insurance has promoted Tim Keating from his role as a Supervisor of Commercial Lines Underwriting into the recently created Product Development Unit. Tim has 18 years of commercial underwriting experience, 14 of which are with Fremont Insurance. Tim will be primarily responsible for the development of new products and enhancements, specialty products and affinity programs while also coordinating pricing reviews.

About Fremont Insurance

Fremont Insurance is an affiliate of the Auto Club Group, servicing the Independent Agents of Michigan. The company has been a Pure Michigan company since 1876. Fremont Insurance is one of the fastest growing and most respected companies operating in Michigan. Fremont was ranked as the top company to do business with for the past four years by the members of the Michigan Association of Independent Agents. For more information about Fremont Insurance you can visit online at www.fmic.com, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FremontInsuranceCo, or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FremontIns.

Contact:

Chad Green
933 East Main Street
Fremont, MI 49412
cgreen@fmic.com