Minn.-based Securian Names Hal R. Harris National Sales Vice President

Securian Financial Group, Inc. has named Hal R. Harris, Naples, Fla., as its national sales vice president of individual annuities. Harris will lead all individual annuity sales management and marketing efforts within Securian Retirement Savings, a manufacturer and marketer of individual and group annuities to high net worth individuals and small employers.

“Hal has the experience we need to build distribution,” said Bruce
Shay, senior vice president, Securian Financial Group, Inc. “His background as a regional manager, wholesaler, and investment sales executive will be invaluable to the effort to grow our network.”

Harris’ previous position was vice president and Southeast Regional manager at Security Benefit. Prior to that, he was senior vice president, Investments, at Smith Barney.

According to Securian’s written statement, over the past three years, Securian’s individual annuity sales rose at a compound rate of 27 percent as a result of the strategic growth initiative launched in 2002. The initiative included rapid development of a full suite of competitive products, market-standard services, updated technology and a wholesaling operation to expand distribution.

In 2005,Securian merged its retirement plan and individual annuity units to focus on the accumulation and management of retirement assets at the retail, group and institutional levels. In addition to increasing economies of scale, the consolidated unit provides the capacity to expand distribution and increase sales in the retirement market where the two businesses often market through the same channels.

Based in St. Paul, Minn., Securian Financial Group provides financial advice for individuals and businesses in the form of insurance, retirement plans and investments. Affiliates include Minnesota Life Insurance Co., Advantus Capital Management, and Securian Financial Services, Inc. .

SOURCE: Securian Financial Group