Veteran Chicago financial services executive Michael Fisher has been appointed director of new market development by Country Insurance & Financial Services and will manage its newly created Chicago district office. Fisher’s hiring as director of new market development accelerates the organization’s plans to offer insurance and investment products in Chicago for the first time in its 80-year history.
Bloomington, Ill-based Country Finacial said it plans to open an 8,000-square-foot Chicago district office at 55 W. Monroe in June. The office will be fully staffed to handle marketing, claims and underwriting to support its Chicago-based agents. Additional branch offices will open in the Chicago neighborhoods of of Beverly, Bridgeport and Clearing this year.
The company statement indicated that it plans to have 20 Chicago locations and about 100 employees. The company will immediately recruit within Chicago for its agent work force. It expects to serve the entire city by the end of 2009. Country agents will offer Chicagoans a range of products and services, including auto, home and life insurance as well as retirement planning services, investment management and annuities.
“Our strategy in recent years has been to diversify from our traditional base in small town and suburban Illinois into other geographic markets throughout the U.S. With much of this expansion strategy accomplished and with our growing presence just outside of Chicago, we believe the time is right for our move into the city,” says John Blackburn, Country Financial chief executive officer.
The company has a major presence in collar areas, serving 60 Chicagoland communities from 80 offices. It also has a small base of customers who have moved into the city from current markets and maintained their relationship with Country.
Fisher, 48, spent 25 years in various management positions with Harris Bank N.A., culminating with his appointment as market president in the company’s South Suburban market. Prior to this position, Fisher was responsible for 25 banking locations within the city of Chicago in his role as vice president and regional operations manager.
“I’m delighted at the prospect of leading the Country expansion into the Chicago market,” says Fisher. “We will be very competitive in the market and give Chicago customers another very compelling choice in selecting an insurance and financial services provider.”
Country Insurance & Financial Services and its alliances serve about one million households and businesses throughout the United States through 2,000 exclusive agents in 14 Midwestern and Western states.
Source: Country Insurance & Financial Services
Topics New Markets Illinois
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