Short Takes: Laughlin Group Hires An Insurance Trainer

Laughlin Group of Companies, a leading marketer of annuities to banks, has hired a veteran trainer of insurance agents as part of a new focus on life insurance.

The Beaverton, Ore.-based firm wants to beef up its staff of agents to 100 this year, so it has brought on Danny Crossman, a former Equitable Cos. district manager.

Laughlin, which currently employs 10 agents who sell life insurance through banks, was acquired in October by Allstate Life Insurance Co., Northbrook, Ill.

Founded in 1978, Laughlin has 150 banking clients to which it markets fixed and variable annuities.

Mr. Crossman will work in Laughlin's insurance services division, set up three years ago to research various life insurance trends in anticipation of selling that product through banks.

Along with insurance experience, Mr. Crossman, 48, had a 10-year stint in banking. He worked in the internal consulting department at BankAmerica Corp.

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