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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group - Products and Services

We offer a full range of workers' compensation products and services - including third-party administrator services and alternative risk financing options. All of our product offerings are tailored to meet our clients' specific needs. Contact an EAIG agent and learn how we can develop a solution that's right for your organization.

Alternative Markets

We look past the typical to provide fresh perspectives.

Eastern recognizes there are times when traditional workers’ compensation programs may not provide the best solution for our clients. That's why we offer an alternative markets program – with non-traditional insurance products and risk financing services for those who want to share in underwriting profits and investment income.

We focus on doing one thing and doing that one thing well: providing superior workers' compensation products and services to businesses and organizations. Since 1997, we have built a strong reputation for being a "best in class" provider of workers' compensation products and services. We've achieved this position by creating supportive relationships and providing our employees and clients with the tools and resources they need to win with integrity.

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From telemarketing scams to identity theft, fake check scams and business fraud, senior citizens lose an estimated $3 billion annually — a 12 percent increase from 2008, Tim Summers, the state director of AARP Montana, said last week.

 In an attempt to help prevent what Summers called "epidemic" fraud, dozens of people showed up at the downtown Holiday Inn in Missoula to watch the American Association of Retired Persons' presentation on outsmarting con artists.

 The presentation, which largely focused on “keeping sharp,” included lectures from several experts, and dozens of brochures packed with information.

 Montana Attorney General Tim Fox was one of those experts.

 “I always like talking with Montana’s senior citizens,” Fox said to an audience largely made up of that demographic. “And you’re a very savvy group. But somehow, one in every four seniors in Montana have been successfully scammed.”

 Fox said in today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever to be scammed, especially for those who aren’t necessarily accustomed to using technology. The key to preventing fraud, Fox said, is equipping seniors with the knowledge of how to identify it as it’s happening.

 Fox talked specifically about the tricks con artists use while scamming, including their ability to change caller ID using voice-over-Internet-phones. With this kind of technology, Fox said, con artists can made it look like they’re calling from legitimate businesses, or even federal agencies such as the IRS and the FBI.

 “Why do the phone companies let this happen?” a man asked from the audience.

 Fox explained that voice-over-Internet-phones are extremely difficult to trace and in most cases, law enforcement — let alone phone companies — can’t even track down the scammers.

 Fox also added that scams can happen anywhere, including over the phone, at your door and on the Internet. And the scammers are merciless.

 One senior was told over the phone that he'd won thousands of dollars, in return for making small payments, Fox said. The man's wife had just died of cancer and he wanted a new start. Over the course of several months, the man lost $75,000.

 Another woman with dementia was scammed out of thousands.

 Some women were even scammed through an online dating site. The con artist used Tim Fox’s photo on the site, telling the women he was starting a business and needed money. Collectively, the women sent the man more than $150,000. Authorities were able to track the man down and prosecute him, a rare case.

 “When my wife heard people were scammed using my photo on a dating site my wife said, ‘I don’t know what those girls saw in him,’” Fox said with a laugh. “But really, scam can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, what education you’ve had or how old you are.”

 Fox said he knows what it’s like to be getting older and more out of touch with technology. The audience applauded when Fox said he’d be turning 59 soon.

“Oh, he’s just a kid,” a woman laughed as she clapped.

 Next up was state Auditor Monica Lindeen, who serves as commissioner of securities and insurance. She talked about the other ways scams can happen — with people you trust.

 Lindeen said part of her job is to check on Montana’s financial advisors, to ensure that they aren’t pulling Ponzi schemes, a form of fraud in which people are tricked into investing in a nonexistent enterprises.

 “Ninety-nine percent of our financial advisors in town do a really good job for their consumers,” Lindeen said. “But there are always bad apples. And before I had this job, I knew there were bad apples trying to take our hard- earned money, but I had no idea how many there were.”

 Lindeen said most people pulling Ponzi schemes aren’t even licensed financial advisors. The best way to prevent this sort of a scam is to check your advisor out, make sure he or she is licensed, and backed by a real company.

 Lindeen said that seniors are and will continue to be a prime target for scammers because three-fourths of the nation’s wealth is held by seniors.

 The presentation also included lectures from Tim Summers, the state director of AARP Montana, and Alex Ward, the president of AARP Montana.

 Director of Communications for AARP Montana Stacia Dahl said these fraud presentations are important for seniors because they are less likely to Google the telltale signs of a scam while they’re in the midst of one. AARP’s goal is to equip seniors with knowledge of scams before they happen.

 There is even a community shredding event planned for Sept. 10 in Home Depot’s parking lot. Dahl said people can bring their bank statements and other personal info that needs to be thrown away and AARP and the Office of Public Safety will shred it for them.

 “This is to help protect people’s identities,” Dahl said. “Some con artists will still dumpster-dive for people’s Social Security numbers and bank information. So it’s important that stuff be destroyed.”

 The key statement made by every speaker at the presentation on Wednesday was, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

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Joint  Press  Release OF  BELIZE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION AND BELIZE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION

 As many of you may be aware, the Government of Belize is currently undertaking a fiscal debt restructuring exercise. With the global economic recession and the continuing economic lethargy, many countries have experienced a substantially increased fiscal debt burden. Over the past several years, while Belize has fared better than many including within the Caribbean and Central American region in weathering the recession, growth has largely remained stunted resulting in lower than expected tax revenues. The result is that the Government believes that the fiscal debt is not on a sustainable trajectory and that it is in the country’s long-term best interest that the restructuring is done to make it sustainable. This is the second debt restructuring exercise by the Government. The first was successfully completed in early 2007.

 While the Government has undertaken these restructuring efforts, Belize’s international financial services industry has continued to grow steadily. Save and except for a temporary reduction in the throes of the global recession in 2008 and 2009, Belize IBC annual incorporations and renewals are at all time highs. This is supported by the continued entry and licensure of multi-jurisdictional international financial services practitioners. Belize’s international trust continues to experience increasing popularity while its relatively small but ever-growing international banking sector holds its highest deposits in the sector’s history.

 Throughout this process of growth, there have been no legislative interventions whatsoever arising as a result of any Government debt restructuring exercise. Instead in 2009, Mutual Funds (Fees) Regulations were introduced to allow for the effective implementation of the registration process of private, professional and public mutual funds in Belize. In 2010, the legislature enacted the International Foundations Act and in early 2012, the International Limited Liability Companies Act came into force. All these laws were clearly introduced to enhance the offering of products in Belize’s international financial services sector. The Government of Belize has demonstrated itself to be a very strong supporter of Belize’s international financial services sector and the sector and its members and stakeholders have no cause to believe otherwise.

 As regulator and regulated, we look forward to the continued growth and development of Belize’s international financial services sector with the full support of the Government of Belize.

 The International Financial Securities Regulatory Commission was established to promote investor confidence in the securities and capital markets by providing more structure and government oversight.

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With the rules on country-by-country reporting, the EU has created a framework where businesses in the extractive and logging industries have to publish their payments to governments relating to the exploitation of natural resources. This will assist populations of resource-rich countries to hold their governments accountable for these proceeds.

 In addition, a country-by-country reporting is also required from EU credit institutions (banks). This will ensure that trust in the financial sector is regained. On 12 April 2016, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive which imposes on EU and non-EU multinational groups the publication of a yearly report on the profit and tax paid and other information.

 Extractive and logging industries: sectoral Country-by country reporting

 In the European Union, companies with activities in the extractive and forestry must disclose the payments they make to governments on a country-by-country basis and, where appropriate on project-by-project basis. This enhances government accountability and facilitates the adoption of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative by countries.

 The International Financial Securities Regulatory Commission was established to promote investor confidence in the securities and capital markets by providing more structure and government oversight.

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According to a recent report from Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), firms providing financial services through “digital investment advice” require sound supervision and governance, plus effective ways of determining appropriateness of advices, conflicts of interest, client risk tolerance and portfolio rebalancing. Likewise, the report provides helpful tips for investors and emphasizes the importance of training and education for financial experts who utilize digital investment advice applications.

 FINRA released the report to provide the public effective practices pertaining to digital investment advice services and to inform member companies of their duties under FINRA regulations. The report highlights the fact that global expenditures on online wealth-management services will continue to grow substantially.

 "We believe that the report offers guidance and information for FINRA member companies and investors regarding vital aspects of the fast-growing field of digital investment advice," noted Richard Ketchum, FINRA’S Chairman and CEO. "As these services evolve, member firms must ascertain that the main objectives of investor protection – for instance, comprehending and answering customers' requirements and goals – also support the foundation of these new tools."

 FINRA’s report summarizes effective practices and regulatory guidelines in five key areas:

 1. Administration and oversight of algorithms, which also involves evaluating first the digital tools’ methodology used and the dependability and quality of raw data processed, plus monitoring continuously to check if the tools deliver what they promise to do, and evaluating whether the tool utilizes up-to-date models consistent with current market realities;

2. Customer profiling, which includes evaluating both their risk tolerance and risk acceptability, and resolving inconsistent or conflicting feedback in customer-submitted information;

3. Administration and oversight of portfolios and conflicts of interest, plus evaluating the risk, portfolio benefits and diversification qualities appropriate for a particular investor profile, and reducing – through transparency and prevention – issues that may result from the securities options for a specific portfolio;

4. Rebalancing, and in addition, proffering ways of how the rebalancing helps as well as methods that exhibit how the tools will serve to address drastic market conditions;

5. Training that enables financial professionals to understand the key assumptions and limitations of individual digital investment advice tools, and determine when use of a tool may not be appropriate for a client.

 In addition, the report recommends to investors that they assess whether their financial services firm is getting sufficient information to comprehend their needs and risk capability. Conflicts of interest can arise from digital investment advice, FINRA reminds investors; and that whatever advice given to them will depend largely on the investment strategy and appurtenant input data utilized in the digital application. Moreover, FINRA suggests that investors are well aware of the necessary fees they are charged and services provided, in particular, portfolio rebalancing and others.

 The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is recognized as the biggest independent securities regulation agency for all firms operating in the United States. FINRA commits to safeguard the interests of the investor as well as the integrity of the securities market through efficient regulation and appurtenant compliance and technology-based systems. FINRA covers substantially every aspect of the securities market – beginning with registration and education of all industry players to evaluation of securities companies, writing regulations, enforcement of such regulations and the federal securities laws, and the education of the investing public in general. Moreover, FINRA conducts investigations and other regulatory tasks for equities and options markets, including trade updates and other related industry services. Finally, FINRA serves as the main administrator for resolutions of disputes for investors and securities firms.

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FINRA offers securities professionals some of the industry’s most valuable education and training, particularly in compliance and regulatory matters. Conferences and educational events keep you informed about regulatory and rules developments, FINRA priorities and practical guidance on compliance issues.

 Conferences & Events

Sharpen your knowledge of the latest compliance news, rules and regulations at FINRA’s conferences and educational events.

 Online Learning

Stay current on compliance and regulatory topics right at your desk with FINRA’s convenient online learning courses.

 FINRA Institute at Wharton

High-potential executives receive rigorous instruction in securities laws and regulation.

 Continuing Education

Once registered, you are required to fulfill your CE requirements within 120 days after the 2nd anniversary of your initial registration.

 The International Financial Securities Regulatory Commission was established to promote investor confidence in the securities and capital markets by providing more structure and government oversight.

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Bacall Investment Tips: What Is Missing From 2016 Investment Advice?

Lots of advice, but it is focused on lackluster/tepid expectations. It seems 2015’s negative surprises and poor performance set the tone for 2016’s outlooks. Even articles that include “bull market” in their titles restate what went wrong and end up asking the question of whether stocks can rise again. The only certainties offered are that the U.S. stock market will be volatile and that it will not generate a double-digit return in 2016. A good example is the AP article, “Expect less and buy antacid: 2016 investment forecasts.”

Investing is becoming more of a grind. Expect it to stay that way.

Analysts, mutual-fund managers and other forecasters are telling investors to expect lower returns from stocks and bonds in 2016 than in past years. They’re also predicting more severe swings in prices. Remember that 10 percent drop for stocks that freaked investors out in August? It likely won’t take another four years for the next one.

That brings us to what is missing from most advice: Optimism and “cool” stocks. When attitudes and advice center in one area, taking a contrarian stance by focusing on overlooked or dismissed areas can often reward investors with lower risk and/or higher returns.

Disclosure: Author is fully invested in U.S. stocks and actively managed U.S. stock funds. Holdings include the five stocks mentioned below.

Contrarian investing using optimism

Contrarian investing is often linked to troubled, deeply discounted stocks. However, “contrarian” simply means going against a popular trend. Thus, selling a popular investment or buying stocks that others are ignoring are also examples of contrarian investing.

So, what is so special about adopting an optimistic attitude? Because it means having confidence in the future, and that shifts the investing strategy to future growth. Are the uncertainties and reversals revealed last year still at work? Of course. However, everybody knows about them, so today’s stock prices fully reflect that information. What is not yet included in the pricing is the expectation that today’s problems will be corrected by tomorrow’s actions. Instead, the 2016 advice says or implies that, because the solutions are not currently visible, we should not count on them occurring. This “wait until the dust settles” procrastination is the surest way of missing out on the largest, safest returns from stock investing. When the good news is obvious, prices are already up.

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Don't get ripped off by fake airline tickets, timeshare schemes or travel scams with our guide to six cons that target people booking holidays.

The first few months of the year are some of the busiest times for holiday bookings, as those fed up with the cold, wet weather think about escaping to sunnier climes.

But if you are about to book a holiday, you need to be on your guard, as fraudsters are ready to pounce on those distracted by the excitement of organizing a trip to a dream destination.

 Here we look at six of the common scams, the warning signs, and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

1. Dodgy accommodation websites

When booking a holiday, you need to keep your wits about your to avoid getting duped by a fake travel website.

A common crime sees fraudsters hacking into the accounts of well-known accommodation sites, or redirecting people to bogus imitations.

If you do book through one of these so-called “clone” websites, you could end up handing over money for a villa or apartment that simply doesn’t exist.

Always check the authenticity of travel providers before booking a holiday and a do a thorough online search to check the firm’s credentials.

If the company has been defrauding people – or has a bad reputation – it’s likely that consumers will have posted warnings about it.

Also look to see if the holiday provider is a member of a recognized trade body, such as Abta or Atol.

But watch out for “fuzzy” logos for trade associations – as well as for credit card companies – as this could be a warning sign that the site is not genuine. Be sure to do your research before parting with any cash.

 2. Fake airline tickets

You need to check – and check again – that the plane tickets you are buying are genuine. If not, you could end up parting with cash for a fake ticket, or a ticket that never arrives. Flights to West Africa are particularly prone.

If the flight prices you are looking at are considerably cheaper than competitors, proceed with caution, as this could be a scam.

You should also be wary if you are offered a discount for paying the whole bill upfront. Most legitimate bookings will require you to pay a deposit, and then the remaining balance a month or so before the trip.

The key is to go with your gut instinct: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Do all you can to ensure you are buying from a trusted and reputable source? Also bear in mind that buying direct from an airline will often work out cheaper.

 3. Watch out for fraudsters targeting big sporting events and caravan stays

It’s also worth noting that big sporting events are often targeted by conmen, with sports fans ending up out of pocket on hotels and tickets for events such as the recent World cup in Brazil.

In addition, criminals will often target caravan stays, and will post fake promotions for accommodation on Facebook, as well as advertising websites, Craigslist and Gumtree.

 4. Take care before posting holiday details on Facebook

Think carefully before posting any information about your forthcoming trip on a social-networking site, such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, as you could end up essentially advertising the fact you are going to be away.

Fraudsters will trawl sites such as these in search of details about people’s holiday plans, and could then target your empty property while you are away, safe in the knowledge that you are not at home.

If you do want to share details of your travels, be selective about the information you post, and avoid discussing holiday plans on sites which are accessible to the public.

 5. Watch out for copycat websites

If you need to apply for a new passport for your holiday, take care not to get caught out by a copycat website. These sites offer access to online Government services, but often charge a premium for a public service which is either free – or much cheaper – when accessed via the official site.

To avoid getting duped, go directly to the Gov.uk site.

Also exercise caution when applying for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – the card which entitles you to state-provided healthcare either at a reduced cost, or for free.

A host of unofficial sites will offer to help you through the application process – often for a fee of up to £25.

But there is no need to part with any cash, as you can apply for a card for free at Nhs.uk.

 6. Fraudulent resort presentations

Once you’re on holiday, keep your wits about you if you get invited to a so-called “holiday club” presentation in the resort in which you’re staying.

You may be persuaded into attending by the lure of a “free” holiday.

But if you’re not careful, you could get duped into buying a timeshare – and if you pay by bank transfer or cash, there is often no means of getting your money back.

 Reporting fraud

If you do suffer the misfortune of falling victim to fraud, you should register your concerns at Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.