A former New York, N.Y., insurance producer pleaded guilty to defrauding three life insurance companies of about $33 million, one year after he was sent to prison for three years for a similar life insurance scheme.

A former Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., financial advisor is now permanently barred from the industry for misappropriating more than $1.9 million of his clients’ funds and taking other actions to hide his scheme.

It appears life and health insurance companies in the U.S., Canada and Europe have been caught dining on fast-food profits – nearly $2 billion worth – when they encourage their members to eschew these treats in the name of wellness. At least that’s the case an article from Harvard researchers, published in the April 15 edition of American Journal of Public Health, tries to make.

Six months ago, Insphere Insurance Solutions announced plans to become the largest independent career agent distribution group. On Jan. 21, the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas-based company announced it has commenced operations with a force of 2,200 agents and offices in more than 40 states.

ING U.S. Retirement Services is focusing new attention on employer-sponsored higher education retirement plans by forming a new business development team focused on this segment of the 403(b) defined contribution market.

ING recently introduced an enhanced third-party administrator website featuring automated reporting capabilities and updated loan and distribution processing at its annual TPA Partners Advanced Training Forum.

Dutch financial services firm ING has named Rob Leary chief executive officer of ING Insurance U.S., days after announcing its intention to split its insurance and banking operations.

ING will separate its banking and insurance operations, with plans to sell the latter part of its company in the next four years.

An Iowa insurance agent and securities broker was arrested after he allegedly took more than $100,000 from his clients for his own personal use.

One of the nation’s largest independent career agency distribution groups has reached a deal to sell four insurance plans from UnitedHealthcare’s Golden Rule Insurance Co.