The Hartford said it plans to expand sales of life and benefit products to commercial business and tap into its property-casualty sales force to sell the products.

Hartford, Conn.-based The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. said it plans to include its nationwide network of 10,000 independent agents selling p-c insurance in a new initiative to distribute pension products, group benefits and individual life insurance to business owners.

In addition, the company said Greg Boyko, currently president and chief executive officer of Hartford Life Insurance K.K. in Japan, will return to the United States Oct. 1 to lead the carrier's new cross-selling initiative. Mr. Boyko will be replaced by David Levenson as CEO in Japan.

Mr. Boyko will report to Ramani Ayer, chairman and chief executive officer for The Hartford. Jack Kennedy, director of the cross-sell initiative, will report to Mr. Boyko.

"Serving as a primary source for a business customer's multiple insurance and investment needs helps our agents sell more products and, in turn, grow their own businesses," Mr. Ayer said.

He noted, "Research by The Hartford indicates that 78 percent of businesses with 21 to 100 employees wish they could turn to a single source for all of their financial needs. We want that single source for p-c, life and investment products to be The Hartford."

Mr. Boyko will continue to serve as chairman of Hartford Life Insurance K.K. and will also be charged with positioning the carrier as a global retirement leader by leveraging the company's existing U.S. and international relationships.

Mr. Boyko will remain a representative of The Hartford in U.S.-based organizations that promote business relationships between the U.S. and Japan, including the Japan Society and the U.S.-Japan Business Council, the insurer said.

Since April 2006 Mr. Boyko has served as president and CEO of Hartford Life Insurance K.K. Previously, he was executive vice president and director of Hartford Life International, responsible for the global expansion of The Hartford's lines of business--including investment products, life insurance and group benefits--into Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

Before joining International, he was chief financial officer and treasurer of Hartford Life Inc.

Special Reports /

The Hartford To Use P-C Agents In Life-Benefit Sales

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