Short Takes: Keyport's Bank Sales Rocketed 131% in '98

Keyport Life Insurance Co. of Boston said its sales of variable annuities through banks jumped 131% last year, to $305 million.

The Liberty Financial Cos. subsidiary "had the highest percentage increase in variable annuity sales of any company that has major sales through banks," said Paul LeFevre, acting president of Keyport.

Product redesign and enhancements in late 1996 were largely responsible for the rise, he said.

Over all, Keyport's variable annuity sales rose 215%, to $584 million.

Standard & Poor's reaffirmed Keyport's AA rating last month.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER