Keyport Life hires Aetna exec to spur annuity sales in banks.

Keyport Life Insurance Co. has named a senior vice president and chief sales officer to help fuel annuity sales through banks.

John E. Arant 3d, 49, joined the Hartford, Conn., company last week after more than 20 years in sales and marketing at Aetna Life and Casualty Co. He replaces Gerald Johnson, who retired from Keyport late last year.

At Keyport, Mr. Arant will oversee sales of annuities and life insurance products through Keyport's two primary distribution channels: financial institutions and brokerages.

$1 Billion in Sales Seen

He joins the company after 22 years at Aetna, where he most recently was vice president of marketing and sales in the global investment management unit.

Keyport sold $800 million of annuities through banks last year. Mr. Arant said sales should top $1 billion this year, with help from a variable annuity the company recently introduced in partnership with the Colonial Group, a Boston-based mutual fund company.

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