The Independent Agents Association of Delaware and the InsuranceAgents & Brokers of Delaware have agreed to merge theirmemberships.

“Our members have clearly told us that they want a singleorganization to represent their interests in Delaware and our twoboards have agreed that we can better serve our members bymerging,” said Jeff Good, president of IAAD.

Mr. Good said the new organization will maintain affiliationswith both the Independent Agents Association of America and theNational Association of Professional Insurance Agents.

“We're very excited about the new organization,” said KevinNemith, board chairman of IAB of Delaware. “Our new voice will bestronger and clearer and our shared strength will create a betterpackage of products and services for our membership.”

Mr. Nemith said both organizations are already at work on manydetails associated with the merger. Due diligence is underway aswell as work on a final governance structure which will bepresented to the memberships of both organizations for a vote inthe next few months.

“Understand though,” Mr. Good said, “that this was not a vote totest the waters. Our two boards are fully committed to making thismerger successful for the benefit of all independent insuranceagents in Delaware.”

The organizations said the combined organization will be astrong voice for independent agents in legislative, regulatory andindustry affairs and would offer a variety of products and servicesdesigned to make independent agents more successful.