Calabasas, Calif.-based Countrywide Insurance Group has announced that it has hired Steve Cardinal, formerly with Allstate, as president and chief operating officer of Countrywide Insurance Services.

The company said Mr. Cardinal will oversee all aspects of Countrywide Insurance Services, an agency that offers homeowners, auto insurance, renters, personal umbrella, and life insurance products as well commercial insurance products and business services.

In addition, the firm said, he will be spearheading new efforts to hire agents in branches and call centers in an agency expansion of Countrywide's home loan customer base and Countrywide Insurance Group's products and services to businesses.

Prior to joining Countrywide Insurance Group, Mr. Cardinal served as regional distribution leader for the Southwestern United States for Allstate Insurance Company, where he led a region that included 3,000 insurance professionals and 120 financial services agents.

Countrywide said Mr. Cardinal has 16 years of agency sales and agency management experience, having served in several sales and leadership positions at MetLife, in addition to Allstate.

Countrywide Insurance Group said it had net earned premiums earned of $948 million last year. Besides personal and commercial lines programs, the firm recently launched a new auto insurance product it is introducing on state-by-state basis; launched a national home warranty program; and has recently entered the affluent homeowners insurance business.

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Cardinal Joins Countrywide As COO

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