may 2012 spotlight

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With summer approach-ing, we're

about to begin our second season of wellness activities. These will include several of our popular

wellness walks. I welcome the opportunity to get some fresh air and enjoy a few minutes of your company outside the office.

In addition, your DIFP wellness committee will be meeting soon to plan the calendar for the coming year. The team is considering a number of activities and experts who can visit our department to provide medical services, fitness assessments and other consultation. As you'll recall from our discussions last year, DIFP's efforts are part of the larger statewide wellness program that was launched in spring of 2011 by Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan.

Successful organizations across the country began wellness programs in the past two years in the hope that a healthier workforce would translate to cost savings with their health insurance plans. Indeed

Director Huff made appearances on three TV stations and a radio talk show in mid-April to encourage consumers to update their insurance coverage ahead of severe weather season. As you read in the

March Spotlight, DIFP recently launched an extensive awareness campaign in Joplin to educate consumers on insurance lessons learned from last year’s tornado. Links to the director’s TV interviews: KSN-TVKODE-TV

Director Huff educates Joplin TV viewers, radio listeners

Greetings from Director Huff

MIZZOU gearHEREG

ETYO

UR

OFFICIALLY LICENSED PRODUCTS FROMMISSOURI VOCATIONAL ENTERPRISES

MAY2012

above: Director Huff talks with morning host Alan Matthews of KODE-TV. right: Director Huff talks with morning host Chad Elliot of KZRG radio, a news-talk station.

in the spotlight

Letter from Director Huff.

Director Huff educates Joplin on insurance protection.

New team members, responsibilities, retirees, professional designations.

Employee milestones.

Success in Consumer Affairs.

Are you Storm Aware?

St. Louis Fire Department receives grant.

Thumbs Up.

Credit Union Commission meets here.

Weaver featured in bankers newsletter.

International regulators here to learn the Missouri way.

Show me your stripes.

DIFP hosts insurance regulators group.

Palmer addresses autism providers.

Outreach efforts.

Ask the HR Expert.

that has happened, but they've also found

employees have enthusiastically embraced the programs. And that's the case here. We get questions from our teams about twice a week asking when the wellness walks will start up again. They say "they're fun, they're good for us and we like the points for our Lifestyle Ladder progress." Also, you’ll see a great compliment from a state employee on page 7.

As you saw in emails last week, we have a 2012 version of our wellness walk T-shirts. Hopefully you've placed your order and turned in your money by now, ready for another season of walks.

One more note as summer approaches: We often relax a bit in the way we dress. But I want to compliment you and thank you for not getting carried away in that regard. I appreciate that we are able to maintain a professional appearance, which is a must in our offices.

As always, you have my gratitude for your hard work and all you do for Missouri and its citizens.

http://fourstateshomepage.com/fulltext-living-well?nxd_id=272672

http://fourstateshomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=276582

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Bob BeckInsurance financial analyst,Embalmers, PR

Kelly BowersProcessing tech IPharmacy, PR

Jennifer BrendelOffice support assistantNursing, PR

Cierra BondSOSA keyboardingTaxation,Insurance

Shannon MillsParalegalHealing Arts,PR

Allison ScharfAssistant trust examinerFinance

Kim SullensConsumer services specialist IConsumer Affairs,Insurance

Tammy KearnsLegal counselAdministration,Insurance

Lindsay TougawTax auditor IIInsurance

Rhonda Robinette-FogleProcessing techsupervisorDental, PR

New responsibilities Retired

Pete FleischmanInvestigatorCIU, PR

Shawn HernandezFinancial analyst IIIInsurance

Randy McDowellInvestigator IICIU, PR

New team members

Jennifer danz, financial examiner III,Insurance Company Regulation, received her accredited financial examiner designation

Jennifer danzAFE

Mark GriggsFinancial analyst/examinerCompany Regulation,Insurance

Andy HeitmannCounselConsumer Affairs,Insurance

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March/April 2012 employee milestones

20 years

Kevin BramlettConsumer CreditFinance

15 years

Vanessa BeauchampTattoo/Real Estate Appraisers/Respiratory Therapy/Occupational TherapyPR

10 years

Lisa WildhaberEmbalmersPR

5 years

Diana CoonceNursingPR

Pamela Ives HillAccountancyPR

Dale HobartMarket ConductInsurance

George McConnellPharmacyPR

Debbie DavisAdministration,Credit Unions

Robert JordanFinancial ExaminationsInsurance

Marc PetersonCaptive ProgramInsurance

Shelly SmithCosmetologyPR

Valerie StarkVeterinary/Hearing Instrument SpecialistsPR

Linda StephensCosmetology & BarberPR

Willard WardHealing ArtsPR

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Stephenson helps consumer stave off foreclosure

A Springfield man was having trouble with his long-term disability insurance company when he wrote a letter

to Governor Nixon asking for assistance because his family could lose their home. The governor’s office reached out to the department, and Shelly took over the case. The company was requesting the man, who bought a policy through his work before becoming disabled, repay nearly $12,000 after it miscalculated his benefit. On top of that, the company said if he didn’t repay the money, it would suspend his benefits for the next year. Shelly went back and forth with the company, and got the issue resolved. The company waived the man’s overpayment of nearly $11,000.

Success in Consumer Affairs

$11,000

$15,000

$230,419

$18,500

$28,000

Family receives nearly $15K with Stephenson’s helpA Carter County family filed a complaint with the department when their son’s life insurance company failed to pay the benefit upon their son’s death. The company notified the family that a payment would not be made because their son hadn’t elected conversion coverage on his life insurance after an illness forced him to leave his job. Shelly worked with the company and got it to allow the family to apply for the conversion policy and make a death claim. After deducting for premiums, the family received nearly $15,000.

Gross gets results for Saline County family

A Saline County family had extensive fire damage to their home over the holidays. After 10 weeks of delays from its insurance company, the family finally filed a complaint with the department. Once Kim

became involved, the company paid $230,419 to the family to rebuild their home.

Consumer gets the right coverage with Liston's help

A St. James man, who wanted to enroll in a Medigap plan when he became eligible for Medicare,

was misled and ended up joining a Medicare Advantage Plan, even though a plan wasn’t available in his area. The Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging and Medicare contacted the department and asked for assistance in helping the man enroll in a Medigap plan. Amy pointed out a misrepresentation in the man’s Medicare Advantage Plan, which allowed him to cancel the plan. After Amy obtained proof of his guaranteed issue rights, the man was then able to enroll into a Medigap plan without any lapse in coverage.

Thomas helps injured scuba diver twice

A Virginia Beach woman was seriously injured while scuba diving on vacation. The diving insurance she purchased from a company based in Missouri covered treatment for any diving related accidents for up to 52 weeks after the incident. But it failed to disclose

the time period with the woman, who sought additional treatment beyond the 52-week period. When the company began declining claims and stopped payment, Jeana became involved and got the company to reconsider the claims and extend payment. Later, the company stopped processing the claims for a second time, leaving the woman to ask for further assistance from Jeana. The company has since rectified the woman’s outstanding bills and issued an additional payment of $18,500.

Thomas educates company for Joplin teacherA Joplin teacher was having difficulty getting his insurance company to pay for additional damage found while rebuilding his home. Jeana got the company to issue a check for more than $28,000 to cover the newly discovered damage.

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Thomas sees the job throughA Joplin woman, who got department help after the Joplin tornado, requested additional assistance due to concerns she had with her insurance company not paying her contractor’s entire bill. After Jeana pointed out some inconsistent information in the handling of the claim, the company decided to pay the remainder of it. Since the department became involved, the woman has received an additional $46,215.

Backer rights a wrong, recovers nearly $9K

A Benton County woman filed a complaint due to an improper sale of a long-term care policy. An agent told the woman’s husband he couldn’t buy a policy because of his disabilities. The wife purchased a policy, but the agent included her

husband on it. Both assumed they were covered, but when the husband needed care, his claim was denied. The woman filed a complaint, saying if her husband wasn’t covered, she shouldn’t have been paying premiums for him. After Sheila’s involvement, the insurance company voided the husband’s coverage and issued $8,801.

Success in Consumer Affairs


CHeck out tHe state emergency management agency’s new website launched in March. It includes detailed videos on how to take shelter in different types of buildings, important information about

tornado sirens and weather alert radios, and links to severe weather texting services that can alert you to upcoming severe weather in your area.

new state website helps you prepare for severe storm season

$46,215

$50,137

$8,942

$8,801stormaware.mo.gov

Woman gets nearly $9K with Life Policy Locator A St. Louis woman believed she was a beneficiary on a life insurance policy taken out by one of her grandparents. She completed the forms for the Life Policy Locator and a match was made. She received a check for $8,942.

Life Policy Locator successful for Dunklin County manA Dunklin County man got a big recovery when he utilized the department’s Life Policy Locator. Once the proper forms and documents were submitted to the department, the information was sent along to the state’s licensed life insurance companies participating in the program. A match was made and the man received a check for $50,137.

http://stormaware.mo.gov/

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Director Huff joins St. Louis Fire Department for check presentation

Director Huff joins as St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson accepts the contribution.above: A St. Louis firefighter demonstrates an escape with the EZ Scape Integrated Self Rescue Belt.Left: Chief Jenkerson demonstrates equipment for Director Huff.

Whitney Curtis photo

Helps purchase life-saving equipment for firefighters

Fireman’s fund insurance co. and Parcel Insurance Plan in March made a $36,949 donation to the St. Louis Fire Department. The grant will fund state-of-the-art escape kits that allow firefighters to safely exit

upper floors of a burning building through a window. The check brings the total amount donated by Fireman’s Fund to Missouri fire departments to $1 million.

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Your DIFP wellness committee wants your feedback, too. As always, please send any comments or suggestions to DIFP wellness ambassador Travis Ford.

w lk

well nessDIFP

2012

THe neW WorkpLace WeLLness program has been in place for Missouri state employees for almost a year now, and they

are responding. The director of wellness programs at Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan recently received this positive feedback:

Workplace wellness: shaping up to be a hit

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accomplishments from DIFP staff

“I want to highly commend the Wellness initiative, with Wellness Ambassadors and messages. It is the most effective approach the state has provided to me in the past 20 years prompting me to diet better and exercise more. This extends to my coworkers as well who participate more in wellness activities than in the past. Please continue the good work as I look forward to our next office wellness activity and wellness tips.”

"As a professional engineer in several states, I was pleasantly surprised a whileback when APELSLA sent me a letter reducing my annual licensing fee due to a more efficient process. Typically, 'government agencies' and 'efficiency' are not in the same paragraph, nor the same book for that matter.

At about the same time, the Tennessee board added a $400 'Privilege Tax' for all professionals. Many engineers put their licenses on 'not active' status to be excluded from the tax. So, the state increased the engineering licensing fee to make up the shortcomings. I was so angry, I sent the Governor of Tennessee a copy of the letter from Missouri! It now costs me $470 ($400 Privilege tax + $70 Licensing fee) per year to maintain a license in Tennessee whereas in Missouri it is $35 for two years.

I am very proud to be a Missourian!"

Professional engineer commends board's efficiency

Judy kempker, executive director of the Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects, received this letter in March from a licensee:

mailto:[email protected]

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Difp received a compliment from Maiden Re (a reinsurance company) wanting to let us know how professional our examiners are, that they worked extremely hard when they

were there and did an excellent job of explaining to her what information they needed and why. She said that she had heard terrible things about the Risk-focused exam but that she found it to be painless and gave our department credit for it being that way.

The woman also went on to say that we are the best insurance department that she works with and that analyst/examiner Mark Griggs is very patient. She also plans to pass on how wonderful the department is to Director Huff at the next IRES meeting.

shelly Herzing

Market conduct's Herzing awarded by national regulators group

"One of the best insurance departments"

Crutchfield recovers money

Karen Crutchfield

A consumer complained she bought a long-term care policy but was unable to use the policy because the company refused to honor her claim that she needed home health assistance. The woman said if she wasn't eligible

for benefits, she shouldn't have been paying premiums for all those years. With investigator II Karen Crutchfield's involvement, the company agreed and refunded $1,063 for premiums paid. The woman sent Karen a thank-you note.

THe insurance reguLatory examiners society has awarded market conduct examiner II Shelly Herzing its Rookie of the Year Scholarship for 2012.

The scholarship is awarded to four state regulators – with less than two years of service – who have demonstrated exceptional promise, professionalism and a commitment to continual improvement. This $1,000 scholarship may be applied toward IRES-sponsored courses and seminars and travel expenses in 2012.

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Nelson receives alumnus award from William Woods

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Office of atHLetics executive

director tim LueckenHoff in April was inducted into the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation Boxing Hall of Fame. The foundation said honorees show a commitment to making “a positive impact inside and outside of the boxing ring.”Tim was recognized for his leadership in developing national boxing officials training seminars. The foundation also said Tim was directly involved in transitioning the national Association of Boxing Commissions (where he serves as president) from a strictly boxing regulatory organization to a combative sports association, which now encompasses the regulation of mixed martial arts.

The award is given to a graduate college alumnus who has made exemplary contributions to his or her profession.

Lueckenhoff inducted into St. Louis boxing hall of fame

above: Tim and Joy Turner, a part-time inspector with the Office of Athletics since 1993, who was also inducted.

right: Tim and Joy pose with their 10 fellow inductees.

Insurance market reguLation division director angeLa neLson

received a Graduate College Award from William Woods University, during the school’s National Alumni Weekend.

The award is given to a graduate college alumnus who has made exemplary contributions to his or her profession. The award noted Angela’s work on behalf of consumers in the state (during her time as Consumer Affairs Division director), her work on the Joplin recovery efforts and work on implementation of the autism insurance mandate.

She was nominated by teams at the divisions of Consumer Affairs and Market Regulation.

Left: Angela and Dr. Michael Westerfield, vice president and dean of the Graduate College.

In the Spotlight








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R ICH WEAVER recently was featured in the Missouri Bankers Association’s

newsletter. The commissioner of the Division of Finance said in the article that state-chartered banks are improving, but challenges still lie ahead.

“We’re in recovery mode right now,” Rich said. He says the number of Missouri’s problem banks has fallen to 60 from its peak of 77 in August of last year. “Sixty is way too high,” he said. “But we are headed in the right direction.”

Although Missouri banks are beginning to see signs of a turnaround, Rich says there are challenges with soft loan demand,

Weaver featured in MBA’s newsletterMissouri Credit Union Commission meets in Jefferson City

The Credit Union Commission meets on April 30 in the Truman Building.

From left: New commission Chairman John Hanneke, Credit Unions Division General Counsel Joe Martin and Director Ken Bonnot, and commission member Cathy Stroud.

making it harder for banks to maintain earnings. That may pressure some banks to take on excessive risks to pump up loan volume.

“Over lending is what created the problem, and it won’t get us out,” Rich said, advising bankers, “Don’t overreach into something you don’t understand. The loss could be higher than anything you might earn.”

We’re in recovery mode right now.

Rich Weaver

‘‘Missouri, Bowling Green, was approved to serve as vice chairman of the Young Bankers Board of Directors for the coming year. Amy Jobson, First Missouri Bank, Brook eld, was approved to serve as a director on the Young Bankers Board from the Mark Twain Region. Five bankers retiring from the Board were recognized. They are: Immediate Past Chairman John Klebba, Legends

Volume 68, Number 4 • THE NEWSPAPER OF THE MISSOURI BANKERS ASSOCIATION • Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Missouri Banker

Visit our web site at http://www.mobankers.com

Do you have an employee or know a coworker who will celebrate a 50-year banking career anniversary this year? If so, you should nominate them for membership in the 50 Year Club. May 1 is the deadline to nominate a banker for the Missouri Bankers Foundation

50 Year Club. The 2012 inductees will be recognized during the luncheon on Thursday, June 7, at the MBA Annual Convention being held at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark. Any Missouri banker who will have attained at least 50 years or more of credited service anytime during 2012 is eligible to become a 50 Year Club member this year. The nominee may have been a director, of cer or employee of a Missouri bank, bank holding company or bank holding company subsidiary.

U.S. military service counts in the 50-year span if the nominee was in banking prior to and subsequent to the time spent in military service. Years of banking service rendered in other states may be credited, and the bank membership in the Missouri Bankers Association must be current. The 50 Year Club Award may be presented

posthumously if the candidate has quali ed for the award prior to death. A nomination form was published in the March issue of The Missouri Banker and is available on the MBA web site at www.mobankers.com. On the home page, click on the membership menu button and then on “Fifty Year Club” in the drop-down menu. There will be a link to the form. For more information, contact Rachael Preston at the MBA, 573-636-8151, or via email at [email protected].

May 1 is deadline for50 Year Club nominations

Brad Gregory

David Turner

Ken Littlefield

Ken Littlefield nominated for MBA chairman; David Turner to serve as chairman-elect Ken Little eld’s nomination to serve as MBA chairman for 2012-13 was approved at the April 12 meeting of the MBA Board of Directors. David Turner’s nomination to serve as chairman-elect in the coming year also was approved. Brad Gregory’s appointment by Little eld to serve as MBA treasurer also was approved by the Board. Little eld and Turner will stand for election at the Annual Convention during the business meeting on June 7.

Ken Littlefield Little eld is president of Central Trust Bank and vice chairman of administration of Central Bancompany, Inc. Jefferson City. He received his B.S. and M.A. both in economics from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. He has worked for the OCC and has served as banking commissioner in both Missouri and Texas. He also served as executive vice president for credit review for First Interstate Bancorp in Los Angeles, Calif., before joining Central Bancompany in 1995 as executive vice president of risk administration.

David Turner Turner is chairman, president and CEO of Hawthorn Bank and Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc., Jefferson City. He received his B.A. in accounting and business administration from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, and is a graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Turner joined Exchange Bank (later to become Hawthorn Bank) as an assistant auditor in 1978. He held various positions and was elected president and member of the Board of Exchange Bank in 1997. Turner served as MBA treasurer in 2004-05 and was a member of the MBA State Treasurer’s Task Force and the MBA Budget and Audit Committee. He has served as a member and chairman of the VEBA Board of Trustees.Brad Gregory Gregory, president and CEO, Bank of Bolivar, began his banking career at Commerce Bank, Kansas City after graduating from Drury College, Spring eld, in 1978. He moved to Bolivar to work for Commerce Bank of Bolivar which merged

into Commerce Bank of Spring eld. He served in various positions and was named community president in the Bolivar market for Commerce. He was among a group of investors that formed a de novo bank, Bank of Bolivar, in 1997. He was named president and CEO. Gregory is a member of the MBA Board of Directors and was appointed recently by the Governor and con rmed by the Missouri Senate to serve on the Missouri Development Finance Board.Young Banker Board Adam Trower, Community State Bank of

Bank, Linn; Treasurer Dan Robb, Jonesburg State Bank, Jonesburg; Young Bankers Board Representative Jay Nowak, Bank of Washington, Washington; Legislative Affairs Chairman Rob Barrett, Heritage State Bank, Nevada; and Pony Express Regional Director Bill Cassity, Rushville State Bank, Rushville.

Page 9

The Missouri Banker April 19, 2012

Weaver: Missouri banking is in recovery mode Banking in Missouri is in an overall good condition and improving. That’s the good news from Missouri Commissioner of Finance Rich Weaver. He says earnings are improving and there has been a net decline in the charge off of loans. “We’re in recovery mode right now.” Another sign of improvement in the banking industry is the number of problem banks in Missouri has declined during the past eight months. In August of 2011, Missouri’s problem banks peaked at 77. Weaver notes that Missouri has 60 banks on its problem list. “Sixty is way too high,” he says, “but were are headed in the right direction.” The FDIC uses CAMELS 4 and 5 ratings to de ne a problem bank, while Missouri’s Division of Finance includes the 3 rating. Prior to the most recent economic crisis, the lowest number of problem banks was ve or six, Weaver says. He notes that the peak of 77 represents the highest percentage of problem banks in the 50 years that Missouri has been tracking those numbers. In 1992, there were 112 problem banks out of about 500 charters in the state.

Good news Where’s the good news in those numbers? Weaver says that while there are still 20 percent of the banks with problems, the other 80 percent of banks have actually performed quite well through the crisis and the recovery. He said a good bank is well diversi ed and good at identifying and managing risk. Weaver says the key is to have good management and to identify, monitor and mitigate risk. He says that good underwriting of the loan portfolio is another leading factor to success and staying off the problem list. It may

be basic, but Weaver says it’s important for bankers to know their customers and to understand their businesses. “There’s a lot of hard work in managing risk,” Weaver says. “By their nature,” Weaver says, many of our banks are conservative and won’t become involved with a portfolio they don’t understand. They are smart enough to know they don’t understand certain businesses or products.”

Today’s challenges One of the biggest challenges facing bankers today is the soft loan demand, which makes it harder to maintain earnings. Weaver says that small banks have fewer avenues to develop fee income. Another challenge is the misconception that banks are not making loans. “Banks are in the business of making loans,” he says. “If a bank sees a good credit risk, it will make the loan.”

But, they can’t make the loan if no one wants to borrow. Weaver says businesses are stockpiling cash because of uncertainty with what is happening in Congress, the economy and gas prices. While the economy is beginning to improve, it’s not improving as fast as the industry would like. Weaver points out that unemployment is too high and because there’s still excess inventory in housing, that sector is staying at. The number of problem banks has created a signi cant increase in the workload at the Division of Finance. Since 2008, there have been 10 failures in Missouri. Compare that to the period between 1992 and 2008 when there were no failures.

The Division began licensing mortgage

originators in 2010 and went through the rst round of annual renewals in 2011. They now have 3,000 licensed mortgage originators. He explains that when the license process began, a number of applicants were denied. “It’s an educational process, and now the applicants understand what we need,” he says. The licensing requires an applicant to have continuing education, a criminal check and nancial responsibility. Before the new program took effect, the Division already was responsible for broker licensing. Weaver says the smooth transition into including mortgage originators can be attributed to having a well trained staff and a good system in place. Five full-time employees were added to the Division staff for the new licensing responsibilities. The Division employs 75 safety and soundness bank

examiners, 10 compliance examiners and four trust examiners. “As regulators we look at risk management of the commercial side,” Weaver explains. “It’s important that a bank can demonstrate to us that they are on top of risk management.” He says the Division recognizes that there is no “one size ts all” for Missouri banks. But Weaver encourages all bankers to know and understand their balance sheets so they can show the examiners how they can mitigate their risks.

As of Dec. 31, there were 280 state charters in Missouri and 29 national banks in the state. Weaver says there has been an increase in national charters converting to state charters. “We don’t promote conversion,” Weaver says, “but we are always willing to talk to an institution considering it to be sure they meet our requirements.” Weaver says the economic

downturn and how it’s been prolonged has surprised him. “We are a long way off from good times,” he says. “It will be at least two to three years before we get the numbers to where we’d like to see them.” Weaver says he is concerned that the low loan demand cycle may prompt some banks to feel pressure to take on excessive risk to pump up loan volume. “Over lending is what created the problem, and it won’t get us out.”

Weaver’s advice to the Missouri banking industry is to “ride it out and don’t take risk on Return on Assets.” He says, “Don’t over reach into something you don’t understand. The loss could be higher than anything you might earn on the loan.” “We’ll know we’re in recovery when the banks’ top customers start coming in wanting to take out loans to expand their businesses.”

Missouri Commissioner of Finance Rich Weaver

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NAIC International Fellowship Program

visiting feLLoWs

Abdulaziz Alsewia is the assistant actuary at the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency. He has been with the agency for nearly eight years and has been an assistant banking examiner and an assistant insurance supervisor.

Abdulaziz participates in supervisory visits and on-site examinations, evaluates an insurance company’s ability to pay claims and reviews the financial statements of insurance companies and insurance service providers.

He received his degree in mathematics from King Saud University and earned his masters in risk management at the University of Southampton in England. He is also a member of the Institute of Risk Management.

During his time at DIFP, Abdulaziz wants to learn the technical regulatory aspects of insurance from a supervisory perspective. He hopes to improve his actuarial experience and improve on concepts for risk assessment.

uma maheswari is the assistant director at the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) in India, where she has worked for nearly 10 years.

She works in the actuarial and investments department of the IRDA and is responsible for reviewing investment returns for compliance, analyzing audit and inspection reports, reviewing policies and procedures through reports for internal risk control and assisting in preparing guidelines to investment regulations for the protection of policyholders.

Uma earned her degree in statistics from Madras University and got her masters in statistics and computer applications from Periyar University.

During her time at DIFP, Uma wants to focus on the regulations, along with fraud prevention, actuarial activities and investment analysis.

Difp is Hosting tWo veteran reguLators from India and Saudi Arabia

through the NAIC’s International Fellowship Program. uma maheswari (India) and Abdulaziz alsewia (Saudi Arabia) will be with us through May 18.

During the fellows’ time at DIFP, they will visit each section, learning the practices and procedures of our regulators, as well as sharing experiences from their countries’ regulatory systems. They’ll also visit some larger Missouri domestics and take in a few sites around central Missouri.

Both fellows, who are being mentored by Consumer Affairs Director Matt Barton and Administration Division Counsel Mayme Young, bring a wealth of regulatory knowledge and experience into this program.

They are working out of Truman 530 near the reception desk. If you see them in the office, please make them feel welcome by stopping in and saying, “Hi.”

Abdulaziz, Uma and Mayme.

International regulators learning the Missouri way

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Difp on marcH 22 hosted the Securities and Insurance Licensing Association, a national organization composed of members of

the insurance licensing and securities registration industries. Several DIFP employees are members, including special investigator E.J. Jackson, who organized the event.

SILA’s chapters in St. Louis and Kansas City attended the event to learn more about the department. Consumer Affairs Director and member Matt Barton spoke about the functions and responsibilities of the department. The group also toured the department.

SILA provides an educational forum through which members can exchange information and ideas to resolve issues common to the industry. Industry and regulators also can come together to streamline and improve licensing and registration across the country. Also addressing the group were representatives from NAIC’s State Based Systems and Vertafore.

If you bLeed bLack and goLd and Truman is your favorite tiger,

then it’s time to show off your stripes.

missouri vocational enterprises (part of the Department of Corrections) recently announced it has become an authorized retailer for the University of Missouri merchandise. Now all state employees can show off their Tiger pride at the office, on their vehicles or at home with official Mizzou gear produced by MVE.

Check out the Mizzou items available from the MVE website.

Show me your stripes

DIFP hosts insurance regulators association

Consumer Affairs Director Matt Barton, a member of SILA, talks about the functions and responsibilities of the department.

Consumer Affairs special investigator and SILA member E.J. Jackson welcomes SILA. He organized the event.

Palmer addresses autism providers in Columbia

LegisLative director meLissa

paLmer spoke on April 21 to about 50 health care providers at MU’s Thompson Center for Autism. Melissa helped break down and explain Missouri’s new

landmark autism insurance law, signed by Gov. Jay Nixon in 2010.

As you’ve read in the Spotlight, DIFP’s implementation of the new law earned us an award from Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy group.

http://doc.mo.gov/mve/html/Products%20Home-2011.html

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Industry Outreach

captivating presentation: Captive Manager John Rehagen, right, and analyst Marc Peterson spread the word about Missouri’s Captive Insurance Program at the Captive Insurance Companies Association’s annual conference. It is the largest domicile neutral captive conference in the world. About 500 captive industry experts from around the world attended the conference. CICA provides educational seminars and networking opportunities with leading captive experts. Missouri is encouraging businesses to consider captive formation as a way to manage their risk and also as an economic development tool.

assisting agents: Insurance Licensing Manager Brenda Otto, center, and Licensing Supervisor Joan Pemberton hand out consumer publications to agents at the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents Small Agency Conference in Columbia in March.

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Consumer outreach

HeLping tornado victims: Consumer Services rep Jeana Thomas helps a tornado victim with her insurance questions following a Feb. 29 tornado in Branson. Director Huff and DIFP teams spent several days in Branson.

EDUCATING STUDENTS: DIFP communications team David Owen and Peggy Davis talk insurance with a student at Jefferson City High School. The two provided educational materials on insurance and credit at the school’s annual Student Health Fair. Students also could view a PowerPoint presentation on auto insurance.

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Ask the HR Expert.

How do I donate?

Contact your division representative on the committee. A few restrictions apply: Sick leave cannot be donated; the smallest donation accepted is one hour; you cannot designate a specific employee to receive your donation; and you cannot retract your donation once it has been given.

Who are the members of the Leave Share Committee?

One member from each division serves on the Leave Share Committee:Debbie Davis – Chairperson (Credit Unions)Lisa Schuster (Insurance)Kim Sandbothe (Finance)Laura Munsterman (Professional Registration)

What is leave share and how does it work?

Leave share helps state employees who have exhausted all their leave time and face extraordinary circumstances, such as a serious illness to themselves or their immediate family.

Any DIFP employee can donate annual or compensatory leave (“comp time”) to the leave share pool. Other department employees can apply to receive donated leave hours. Applications are reviewed by the DIFP Leave Share Committee to determine whether the employee’s situation meets the guidelines set out in 1CSR 20-5.025. Employees who qualify can be granted up to 504 hours of leave share, to be used within a four-month period. The employee must deplete all

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sick leave, annual leave and compensatory time before using leave share hours. Any leave share hours that are unused are returned to the pool.

How do I apply?

If you are a salaried DIFP employee and you have completed your required probationary period, you can apply for leave if you or any member of your immediate family (spouse or child) has suffered a catastrophic or life-threatening illness or injury or an illness or injury that could result in permanent disability. Application forms can be found on the DIFP Intranet site under the Human Resources section. You can also get a form from your division’s representative on the Leave Share Committee.

EditorsTravis Ford, Sarah Mengwasser,

Peggy Davis & David Owen

may 2012 spotlight

News & Politics