Presentations were given by numerous successful CRM customers such as CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Markel Corporation, Volvo Construction Equipment, AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, Scientific Games, and Comag Marketing Group. The conference offered a wide variety of breakout sessions on CRM portal development, advanced customization techniques, dashboarding and tips from Customer Effective's Microsoft CRM MVPs.

A special sneak preview of upcoming product capabilities for Microsoft Dynamics CRM was presented by Brian Galicia, Microsoft Product Manager. Brian highlighted Microsoft's roadmap for the Dynamics CRM product and previewed upcoming product releases in 2010.

'The user conference was fun, engaging, and nicely done to say the least,' said Kerry Benson, Managing Director/Chief Information Officer of Public Financial Management Inc. 'The sense of enthusiasm for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform exhibited by conference attendees convinced me that customers are pleased with the benefits and value they're receiving from their investment in CRM. I left the conference encouraged that my decision to invest in this strategic platform and engage Customer Effective as my implementation partner was indeed the right one.'

'We had already implemented a large part of our system before attending the conference, so although I was happy to attend with my team, I had no idea how much we would benefit,' said Allison Denlea, Business Process Supervisor at Markel Corporation. 'The conference was a great resource for networking with other CRM users and learning what other Customer Effective customers have done helped bring a new perspective and focus to the Markel CRM project. We greatly benefited from sending the project team to the conference and we look forward to attending next year!'

'Our goal in hosting our annual User Conference is to provide a platform for our customers, partners and consultants to share ideas on how to leverage Microsoft Dynamics CRM to drive business success,' said Scott Millwood, CEO of Customer Effective. 'While our team of experts certainly have a lot to share about how to best leverage Microsoft CRM, it was really our customer presentations and round table discussions that made the 2009 conference a big hit. These were lively and collaborative sessions featuring real world stories that help shine a light on the best ways to be successful with CRM. We look forward to doing this again in 2010.'

A video highlighting the conference can be viewed here: http://www.customereffective.com/2009_User_Conf_Video

About Customer Effective

Customer Effective, with headquarters in Greenville, S.C., is a leading innovator in customer interaction solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The company is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, CRM Consultant and Solution Implementer having completed hundreds of Microsoft CRM implementations and development projects. Recent CRM and Microsoft awards include recognition as the 2009 Microsoft Dynamics Financial Services Partner of the Year, being named to the 2009 Microsoft Dynamics President's Club, recipient of the 2008 and 2009 Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle distinction, and member of the 2008 Inc. 500 list. For more information, visit www.CustomerEffective.com.

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— WebWireID108144 —

'MassMutual is very proud to be listed as a Top 10 Volunteer Resource Provider and thanks the many volunteers that have made this recognition possible,' said Nick Fyntrilakis, Assistant Vice President, Community Responsibility, MassMutual. 'Our company has had a long history of helping to expand educational opportunities for students, and we salute Junior Achievement for its dedication to educating and preparing students for success in both their academics and careers, and look forward to continued collaboration.'

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. The Top 10 Volunteer Resource Provider list recognizes U.S. companies that provide the most volunteers to JA activities. This year the Top 10 collectively provided more than 13,000 volunteers to JA.

Jack E. Kosakowski, President of Junior Achievement USA, noted, 'Junior Achievement's volunteers are the backbone of our organization. They play a critical role in delivering our programs to students, but just as importantly, model the concepts taught by JA programs, such as leadership and teamwork. Our volunteers also provide students with valuable career role models and help them see the important connections between what they learn in school and life after graduation.'

MassMutual employees and financial professionals participate in a variety of JA activities throughout the year including: the MassMutual Achievers Conference; JA Job Shadow, where students visit MassMutual and shadow an employee for a day; the JA Stock Market Challenge, where students learn through hands on experience about investing in the stock market; and JA in a Day and JA classes, where MassMutual volunteers enter schools and teach students using their personal business and career experiences.

'We are very fortunate to have a great partnership with MassMutual and to be able to work with their employees to inspire and prepare our young people to succeed in the future,' said Jennifer Connolly, President of Junior Achievement Western Massachusetts. 'MassMutual believes in JA and in our young people, and together we are building a successful future for everyone.'

— WebWireID108121 —

(Springfield, MA) - When the Strunck family of Charlotte, North Carolina, recently sought to update their financial plans, they discovered that the intervening years and changes in their medical histories had limited their planning choices and increased their challenges.

For the Struncks, whose need for planning is heightened by their son having autism, the lesson was clear: 'Don't put these decisions off, because your family's well-being could be at risk,' said Mike Strunck.

'Thank goodness we were proactive with our early planning,' he added. 'Given some recent health issues, if we had waited, we might not have been able to put in place the plan that we did. We probably would have had to pay more for the policies we obtained, or not have been able to obtain them at all. We're grateful we got started when we did, and now we're even more grateful given our ability to tap the cash value of our whole life insurance policy* as the result of a recent job relocation and inability to sell our home.'

Despite such cautionary tales, many people put off making important financial decisions without realizing that stalling and procrastination can put them in harm's way.

'The worst thing that can happen is for you to look back in hindsight and say, 'I should have taken care of that,' because, needless to say, we don't get do-overs,' said Tara Reynolds, corporate vice president, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual).

A delay in purchasing life insurance can 'cost' a consumer in one of at least three ways, according to Reynolds:

1. As you get older, the cost of purchasing a life insurance policy increases. 'Putting off the purchase of life insurance for even one year could cost tens of thousands of dollars more over the life of the policy,' said Reynolds.

2. If you develop health problems, a new life insurance policy can cost you even more, as premiums reflect your deteriorating health.

3. If your health condition is serious or life threatening, you could be denied life insurance coverage altogether.

The same is true for disability income and long term care insurance. In fact, a study conducted by the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance in 2008 found that 70 percent of submitted life/long term care insurance combo policy applications by individuals between the ages of 45 and 54 were accepted by insurers, compared to around 61 percent of applicants between ages 65 and 74.

'Many people neglect to think about one 'hidden' consequence of losing or changing a job,' said Reynolds. 'Most people may think about health insurance, but forget that life insurance and even disability insurance coverage may end the minute they walk out the door. If their employer-provided coverage is all that they have to rely on, they may be left exposed. Planning ahead with permanent insurance solutions can help solve for this and provide options.'

Health problems that crop up while waiting to begin or refresh planning can also create difficulties. When it came time to develop his family's financial plans, another MassMutual policyholder (who asked that his full name not be used for privacy purposes) shared that one of the important decisions was purchasing life insurance to provide for his wife and two children. Convertible term life insurance made the most sense at the time so that he could convert his temporary coverage to permanent as his needs and budget changed. He and his financial professional had the foresight to include a safeguard: a waiver of premium rider** should he become disabled and unable to pay for the premiums for his policy.

Years later, the policyholder was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disorder, the kind of health change that many Americans undergo but one that, once diagnosed, can make obtaining insurance more costly or – in the worst cases – impossible.

'I hate to think of the difficult spot we'd be in today if we had put off our planning,' he said. 'The choices my wife and I made just a few short years ago helped make sure our family has a permanent safety net, regardless of how my eye condition progresses, and that's incredibly important as our family grows.'

People often put off planning because they don't know where or how to begin, or they don't believe they can afford to implement the plan. Working with a Financial Professional can clarify options and help with decision-making. 'You cannot afford to avoid or neglect planning. That's not an option, especially today,' said Reynolds. 'If nothing else, our current economy has taught many people that they need to be proactive in setting up safety nets to protect what they have, and to take control over what they can control for their financial health today and tomorrow.'

Because health and life circumstances can change abruptly and without warning, choosing permanent insurance, such as whole life insurance, can be a smart choice. As long as policyholders pay their premiums, the insurance coverage remains in force, creating a permanent yet flexible base for a long-range plan that includes guarantees of cash value growth, ability to earn dividends,*** and a generally tax-free death benefit.

To hear from other MassMutual policyholders or if you are a policyholder and would like to tell us your story, visit www.massmutual.com/customervoices.

* Distributions under a policy (including cash dividends, withdrawals and partial/full surrenders) are not subject to taxation up to the amount paid into the policy (the cost basis). If the policy is a Modified Endowment Contract, policy loans and/or distributions are taxable to the extent of gain and are subject to a 10% tax penalty. Access to cash values through borrowing, withdrawals or partial surrenders can reduce the policy's cash value and death benefit, increase the chance the policy will lapse, and may result in a tax liability if the policy terminates before the death of the insured.

** Riders are available at an additional cost.

*** Dividends are not guaranteed.

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According to Hugh O'Toole, senior vice president and head of sales and client management for MassMutual's Retirement Services Division, MassMutual's nonprofit expertise and financial stability are attractive to advisors and their clients in the nonprofit space. 'MassMutual's strength in consolidating multiple plans under a single provider is highly valued in this market,' says O'Toole. 'In addition to tremendous growth in the healthcare market, MassMutual has achieved sales success in several nonprofit sub niches including charitable 501c(3) organizations, private education, and religious organizations,' he adds.

'We recently completed the consolidation of $100 million in retirement plan assets from 403(b), 401(a), 457(b) and 457(f) retirement plans for a large healthcare organization with more than 3,200 employees,' says M. Palmer Whitney, national managing director for MassMutual's nonprofit market. 'The nonprofit market presents unique challenges and the regulatory environment can be overwhelming for plan sponsors. Even in complex situations, MassMutual has the expertise to achieve a smooth, successful transition.'

For more information about MassMutual's retirement services, please call your retirement plan advisor or contact MassMutual at (888) 626-4911.

— WebWireID108094 —

The 'Get Body Beautiful' program, which kicked off Nov. 1, is an interactive, multi-media program that includes: on-site community fitness classes at local malls and churches; radio programs; Internet-based tracking; and a dedicated Web site to help women track their progress.

'Get Body Beautiful' is the brainchild of Atlanta's Andrea Riggs, a national lifestyle and wellness expert. Her company, 'Body Beautiful,' a minority- and women-owned firm founded in 1998, helps women of color achieve better health through lifestyle, nutrition and fitness.

'The health disparities that exist in the African-American and Hispanic communities are simply unacceptable,' says Nancy Flake Johnson, president and CEO of the Atlanta Urban League. 'Whether you're talking about heart disease, diabetes, obesity or breast cancer, all of these conditions are preventable with proper nutrition and regular physical activity. The Atlanta Urban League is thankful for the Aetna grant and proud to partner with Andrea Riggs and 'Body Beautiful' to bring 'Get Body Beautiful' to women of color throughout the metro Atlanta area, because it's a fun and effective way to learn about nutritious delicious food, shopping and cooking techniques and strategies and to get physically active with other women who care about their health. And Andrea makes it so much fun we know we can help metro Atlanta women to engage in healthier lifestyles for themselves and their families with this program.'

'Body Beautiful' focuses on health and wellness campaigns for corporate and community groups, and produces high-energy, fitness content for TV and distribution. Riggs is a regular on the Atlanta business and social scene, the 'Atlanta's Biggest Loser' trainer on WXIA Alive, and contributes monthly to several national publications. She often trains celebrities and Atlanta's business executives, all while doing business and building the Body Beautiful and GET LEAN brands with leading corporations and consumers.

"With 78 percent of African American women overweight and at risk for major illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, this program equips women with the lifestyle and fitness tools they need to increase their physical activity and improve their health, feeling and looking good for life,' Riggs said.

'This is a dynamic, upbeat program that empowers African-American women to take control of their lives, improve their health and serve as positive role models for everyone they touch,' said Cynthia Follmer, president of Aetna's Georgia market. 'As a company that shares that passion for promoting wellness and healthy living, Aetna is proud to participate in this effort.'

Aetna provides health benefits to more than 600,000 members in Georgia.

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Nineteen-year-old singing sensation Jordin Sparks and her mom, Jodi Sparks, today publicly pledged not to text and drive by leaving their mark - in this case, their thumbprints, on a pledge banner making its way around the country this holiday season. The move kicks off a 30-city tour, "X the TXT: Thumbs Up to the Safest Holiday Ever," sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company during which teens and their families will be asked to add their thumbprints to the banner as a public pledge not to text and drive. Teens who sign the pledge will receive thumb bands they can wear as a reminder and symbol of their pledge.

The holidays are one of the deadliest times of the year for teen drivers. By taking the pledge, Allstate and Sparks hope teens and parents will take personal action to help save lives this holiday season and beyond.

"Unfortunately, it can be easy to forget the dangers of texting and driving when you get behind the wheel. That's why it is important for teens, their friends and families to acknowledge its risks and pledge together not to do it," said Sparks. "I'm glad to take this public pledge with Allstate, because sending a text isn't worth taking a life."

The tour will include live pledge events in each tour city throughout the holiday season and a "Top the Tally" competition to see which city can gather the most thumb pledges. The general public will also be encouraged to get involved by joining a Facebook cause page and taking a virtual pledge not to text and drive. Allstate will donate $1 to the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) for every Facebook "Thumbs Up" pledge supporter (www.facebook.com/thumbsuppledge).

Texting is one of the most dangerous distractions facing teens today. According to a recent Allstate Foundation study, 82% of driving teens claim to use cell phones while driving, and 49% admit to being extremely distracted by texting and instant messaging while driving. Recent research conducted by Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute reveals that texting while driving can increase the risk of an accident by 23 times.

The study also shows parents can have a profound effect on their teen's driving behavior. 81% of teens admit their parents have the most influence on how they drive, and 79% say they are most likely to take driving safety advice from their parents.

"Everyone is susceptible to distractions behind the wheel. Our kids learn about what is acceptable driving behavior from us and as parents, it is important that we lead by example and make this a family issue," added Jodi Sparks.

"Allstate has a long history of promoting safe driving. Our teen driving programs inspire ongoing discussions about safe driving and we know that save lives, said Joan Walker, senior vice president of corporate relations. "The peace of mind that comes from taking the pledge not to text and drive is the best gift anyone could give their loved ones. It helps to ensure teens return home safely for the holidays and every day."

For a complete list of tour cities, tour schedule, and to download the family pledge, please visit www.facebook.com/thumbsuppledge.

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In a new report produced by Lloyd's 360 Risk Insight and the Microinsurance Centre, Insurance in developing countries: exploring microinsurance and other commercial opportunities, the size of the potential market is estimated to be between 1.5 and 3 billion policies, with significant demand for a range of products, including health, life, agricultural and property insurance. Over 135 million people are currently covered with microinsurance which around 5 % of the potential market. Annual growth rates are currently over 10%.

Launching the report, Lloyd's Finance Director, Luke Savage, said:

'Bringing insurance to three billion low income individuals is a real opportunity to reduce poverty and give individuals the ability to invest in sustainable projects without the fear of loss from natural catastrophes or other destructive forces.

''But it is not a one way trade. There are benefits for commercial insurers too, which include larger and diversified risk pools, first mover advantage into new markets, market intelligence and innovations that can be applied to other business activities,' he said.

The demand for microinsurance is set to rise on the back of the global recession, with 50-90 million people predicted to be plunged back in to poverty over 2009.

While recessionary pressures will influence the amount seeking microinsurance, the policies and business itself will be further shaped by numerous variables, including: economic growth; urbanisation; financial sector development; climate change; and information technology.

Mr Savage pointed out that the partnership between business and government in this field is not new, highlighting the success of government subsidised schemes.

The report looks at the role of regulation in building and improving the provision of microinsurance, including:

- Responding to the implications of limited data and information on policyholders and different risk structures.

- Ensuring that products are appropriate to the needs of low-income consumers in terms of coverage, structure and even language.
- Recognition and if necessary regulation of fast and cost-effective settlement mechanisms, which may include simpler documentation requirements and claims handling by the distribution channel

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"Chinese exporters are under the global spotlight," said Andre Dallaire, Chubb's chief executive for Greater China. "Now more than ever, Chinese companies need to understand product liability risks in the countries where they do a high volume of business to protect themselves effectively as suppliers to those foreign markets."

The seminar, also co-hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, attracted more than 120 financial officers and other corporate executives from Hangzhou and neighboring cities in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Speakers emphasized that Chinese companies doing business in foreign markets face more litigious environments and greater liability exposures - often on grounds that are not applicable to the domestic Chinese market - and stressed the urgency of implementing effective risk management practices.

Last year, China reported exports totaling $252.3 billion to the United States and $292.9 billion to the European Union.

Chris Lees, Chubb's head of casualty insurance for the Asia-Pacific region, cited three product sectors where government regulations are becoming increasingly strict: food, beverage and toys. "The Chinese government has come down hard in these areas in particular, and many companies are complying with the requirements to avoid losing their licenses," he said.

Over the last two years in the U.S. and European markets, questions concerning product safety have been raised about Chinese exports, prompting recalls ranging from toys to tires. Most recently, tainted drywall imported from China has sparked legislation in the United States. For many manufacturers, the potential reputational and financial consequences of a product recall prompt even more vigilant risk management standards.

"Good companies will go beyond government regulations and existing customer safety and insurance requirements. They will see the competitive advantages and potential cost efficiencies of implementing a comprehensive risk management approach to producing safe and reliable products," said Lees.

Member insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies form a multi-billion dollar organization providing property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers through 8,500 independent agents and brokers worldwide. Chubb's global network includes branches and affiliates throughout Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and Latin America. For more information on Chubb, visit www.chubb.com.

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'Insurance and banking might sound like they're related […] but for the most part, insurance and banking function on two completely different levels,' states the InsuranceAgents.com article titled, 'The Difference Between Insurance and Banking'. 'Banking is a dependable and constant institution where, for the most part, consumers know what they're getting. Insurance, on the other hand, is based on a number of subjective variables that makes it a different experience for each separate individual.'

One's eligibility in the various realms of banking depend mainly on their credit as well as their assets. However, insurance is a more complicated entity. Before being approved for coverage, insurance companies must deem if the individual is eligible. They do this by:

-Determining how much risk the individual possesses and shapes their premiums based on that risk
-Determining the specific terms and conditions of the policy that the individual will be offered
-Determining—if a claim is filed—whether or not that claim is valid or fraudulent
-Determining how much will be paid out per the terms and conditions outlined in the individual's policy.

These factors are all different on a person-to-person basis which makes each insurance case a unique one. Underwriters are employed by insurance companies to assess each individual case and evaluate their factors. On the other hand, banking is more cut and dry as to how it functions for each individual.

Regardless, both banking and insurance offer their own unique advantages to consumers. Visit InsuranceAgents.com today to learn more about insurance as well as to learn ways to save on insurance.

staff contribution: Kyle Fitzsimmons

— WebWireID107676 —

Bangalore, India - Infosys BPO Limited, the business processing outsourcing subsidiary of Infosys Technologies, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding interests of McCamish Systems LLC, a premier business process solutions provider, based in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. The acquisition is expected to be completed later this year subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions. The upfront consideration for the deal is USD 38 million with up to an additional USD 20 million payable to the sellers if McCamish Systems achieves certain financial targets in the future. The acquisition is expected to enhance Infosys' capability to deliver end-to-end business solutions for the insurance and financial services industries.

Founded in 1985, McCamish Systems provides innovative solutions to the insurance and financial services industries leveraging their proprietary VPAS™, PMACS and Deferral+™ platforms. Consistently rated among the top platforms in the industry, VPAS™ supports both traditional and non-traditional life insurance and annuities. McCamish Systems also offers integrated sales and administration support solutions that are 409A-compliant to the retirement and financial services industries. The company counts half of the top 20 insurers among its many clients. For the year ended 31 December 2008, McCamish Systems reported revenue of USD 38.2 million. The company has approximately 260 employees based in their Atlanta delivery center.

"We look forward to this combination with McCamish, and welcome an exceptional group of professionals with strong skill sets to the Infosys family who will enrich our service capabilities in the USA," said Amitabh Chaudhry, CEO and MD, Infosys BPO. "The deal will enable us to bring together a convergence of operations and technology. Infosys BPO has in-depth knowledge of the insurance and financial services sector, and this deal reinforces our leadership position in providing business platform services. Also, this will contribute positively to our strategy of growing non-linear revenue." he added.

J. Gordon Beckham Jr., President and CEO, McCamish Systems said, "McCamish wakes up every day with one objective in mind - delivering world-class business solutions to our clients through continuous improvement. Our combination with Infosys is wholly consistent with this objective. Leveraging the domain expertise of our associates and platforms with Infosys' industry-leading technology and BPO capabilities will be a game changer for the insurance and financial services industries. We are ready to roll."

The combination is expected to enable McCamish to service larger portfolios of transactions for clients and expand into global markets. This will establish Infosys as a key player in providing business platform services.
About Infosys BPO Limited

Infosys BPO Limited www.infosys.com/bpo, the Business Process Outsourcing subsidiary of Infosys Technologies, was set up in April 2002. Today, it is ranked among the leading BPO companies in India by NASSCOM, Dataquest, the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals, Red Herring, FAO Today, NelsonHall, and others. Infosys BPO focuses on integrated end-to-end outsourcing and delivers transformational benefits to its clients through reduced costs, ongoing productivity improvements, and process reengineering. Infosys BPO operates in India, the Czech Republic, China, the Philippines, Poland, Thailand, Mexico and Brazil and employs over 16,400 persons. It closed FY 2008-09 with revenues of US $316.2 million.
About Infosys Technologies Limited

Infosys Technologies Limited (NASDAQ: INFY) defines, designs and delivers IT-enabled business solutions that help Global 2000 companies win in a Flat World. These solutions focus on providing strategic differentiation and operational superiority to clients. With Infosys, clients are assured of a transparent business partner, world-class processes, speed of execution and the power to stretch their IT budget by leveraging the Global Delivery Model that Infosys pioneered. Infosys has over 105,000 employees in over 50 offices worldwide. Infosys is part of the NASDAQ-100 Index and The Global Dow. For more information, visit www.infosys.com.
Infosys Safe Harbor

Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, those regarding Infosys BPO's future plans for the McCamish business, the expected closing date of the acquisition, the expected benefits of the acquisition, management plans relating to the acquisition, the ability to complete the acquisition considering the various closing conditions, the expectations as to the growth opportunities from the acquisition of the McCamish business, and the expectations regarding the integration of McCamish into Infosys BPO. The statements contained in this release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These statements, and any other forward-looking statements contained in this release, are based on the current expectations or beliefs of management of Infosys and Infosys BPO, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that, if they were to never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual outcomes, levels of activity, performance or achievements, including the realization of the expected benefits effects of the acquisition, to be materially different from those anticipated in this release include among others, the inability to integrate successfully McCamish within Infosys BPO or to realize synergies from such integration; failure to retain key employees; the economic environment of the industries in which Infosys BPO and McCamish operate, as well as facts relating to McCamish that may impact the benefits of the acquisition to Infosys BPO; and other factors affecting the operation of the respective businesses of Infosys BPO and McCamish. These forward-looking statements are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Infosys' SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2009, and our other recent filings, and actual results may differ materially from those projected by forward-looking statements. We may make additional written and oral forward-looking statements but do not undertake, and disclaim any obligation, to update them.

— WebWireID107746 —

Teaching consumers about life insurance, the different types and how they pay, helps them to understand the basic need to have life insurance coverage to protect their families at a time when they need help the most.

Term life insurance is bought for a specific period of time and at a certain amount of coverage. If the owner dies any time during the term, his/her beneficiary, usually the spouse or a family member, will receive the full amount of the policy. This person can use the money to cover the cost of the funeral and provide support for the family until they are able to get back on their feet.

Whole life policies are bought with a specific payout in mind, but they provide limited benefits until enough has been paid in premiums and dividends to cover that amount. When that amount is reached, the policy is said to have matured. Whole life policies may be cashed out at anytime by the owner or used as collateral to support a loan. Only whole life policies actually build cash value over time.

For more information about the different types of life insurance available and why it is needed to help a family in their time of need, consumers can visit http://www.life.insurance123.co.za

Website: http://www.justinharrisonmarketing.com/

Blog: http://www.justinharrison.co.za

Skype: justinharrison

MSN: justin@justinharrison.com

Fax: +27 (0) 86 670 2485

Mobile: +27 (0) 83 324 9932

— WebWireID107690 —

'A [quality] business insurance agent will help their client customize a policy to protect their company,' the article, Business Insurance Agents: Who They Are & What They Know, describes. 'And business insurance agents should be easy to find—either online, by referrals, or the old fashioned way (phonebook).'

Before an insurance agent become officially qualified, he/she must meet several requirements. On top of being at least 18 years old, they have to have taken insurance educational and training classes and work from a business insurance agent in order to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge. Throughout their training, they also have to continue to fulfill their state's education requirements.

Unlike other insurance agents, business insurance agents are fairly easy to get in touch with. The fastest way to contact one is to compare free business insurance quotes online. This allows several business insurance agents to view information and contact consumers with reliable policies at affordable rates.

Business owners looking to adequately protect their growing business should consult a business insurance agent about the most efficient policy.

Staff contribution: Rafael Onak

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Other than knowing the ins and outs of their insurance policy, the insurance consumer should also know the specific roles of the policyholder as well as the insurance provider. 'As a consumer, you should know that your policy is a contract that acts as an agreement that both you and your insurance company will act in 'good faith,'' the article, 'How Insurance Companies Operate,' states. 'That means it is your responsibility to know your policy inside and out so if you ever have to file a claim, it is for a specifically covered event. That way the claim process will go smoothly for both you and your insurance company.'

Insurance companies employ underwriters whose job it is to assess each applicant's risk and determine whether or not they are fit for coverage and at what price. Spreading risk and balancing independent losses is how insurance companies try to make a profit. The key is gaining more revenue from premiums than losing from successful claims.

According to the article, almost all adults need insurance of one form or another and most can't afford to not get the most out of what they're paying for. That is why insurance consumers should do whatever they can to be informed and educated so they can optimize the maximum benefits of their insurance policies.

To learn more about saving on health, home, auto, life, business, and specialty insurance, visit InsuranceAgents.com.

— WebWireID107215 —

As part of the project with Customer Effective, CAPTRUST created an online fiduciary management tool for retirement plan sponsors – the first of its kind in the industry. The company was also able to build a portal for financial advisors twice as fast than with any other development strategy.

'We sought out a technology solution that would make our processes more efficient and consistent across all client touch points and let us make rapid changes,' says Garrett Klas, Application Development Manager at CAPTRUST. 'With xRM and the expertise offered by Customer Effective, we are able to better support the expansion of our business with unique advisory tools that we can get to market quickly.'

About Customer Effective

Customer Effective, with headquarters in Greenville, S.C., is a leading innovator in customer interaction solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The company is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, CRM Consultant and Solution Implementer having completed hundreds of Microsoft CRM implementations and development projects. Recent CRM and Microsoft awards include recognition as the 2009 Microsoft Dynamics Financial Services Partner of the Year, being named to the 2009 Microsoft Dynamics President's Club, recipient of the 2008 and 2009 Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle distinction, and member of the 2008 Inc. 500 list. For more information, visit www.CustomerEffective.com.

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— WebWireID107670 —

New York, NY . As the stock market fell, and unemployment soared, members of Generation Y (those born between 1975 and 1991) said their biggest financial regret was not building up a cash cushion (68%), followed by amassing too much credit card debt (43%), according to MetLife's recent 'Lessons Learned' poll. To protect their assets and/or increase financial security in the event of another significant financial crisis, of those GenYers taking action, 70% are building a 'rainy day fund,' 61% are reducing spending on non-essential items and 18% are consulting a financial advisor.

However, this attitude may be short-lived. According to the poll, while 74% of Baby Boomers (ages 46-65) say the financial crisis had at least some influence on the way they save/plan for retirement, just 56% of Generation Y agrees. In addition, 54% of GenYers say that their approach to retirement savings/investments hasn't changed at all as a result of the financial crisis, and of those in Generation Y who have been influenced, just one-in-five (20%) believes that the influence will be permanent, compared to 31% of Boomers.

'While Generation Y has no doubt been impacted by the financial crisis – job loss was particularly high among this demographic – it remains to be seen whether or not the economic downturn spurred permanent behavioral changes,' said Julia Lennox, vice president, Retirement Products, MetLife. 'Though 66% of Generation Y still managed to pay down debt, and 44% made regular contributions to their 401(k) plans over the past year, 56% haven't done any retirement or financial security-related activities. Now is a good time for younger individuals to take advantage of the long investment time horizon ahead of them and start building a financial safety net.'

According to the poll, conducted in late September 2009, while all generations 'learned lessons' from the financial crisis, members of Generation Y are far more optimistic about their ability to financially recover, and are more eager to participate in market gains than their older counterparts. Nearly half (47%) of Generation Y believes that participating in market gains is more important than protecting their portfolios against market losses compared with 73% of Baby Boomers, who rank protection against losses ahead of participation in any market gains. Generation Y is also less likely than its older counterparts to be taking a more conservative approach to retirement savings/investments.

Other findings from the poll include:

The Trust Factor: While trust in financial institutions in general has decreased for 64% of Baby Boomers, half (54%) of Generation Y say that their trust in financial institutions remains unchanged over the past 12 months. A majority (53%) of GenYers also say that their faith in traditional retirement safety nets has stayed the same

Seeking Guidance: More than other age groups, Generation Y is increasingly interested in asking for guidance from a financial advisor. One in five (21%) of these young people say they are more likely to tap a financial advisor as a result of the economic downturn, versus 15% of Boomers and 12% of the older Generation X (born between 1964 and 1974).

Personal Recovery Outpaces Economic Recovery: Generation Y is much more optimistic that its own personal financial recovery will materialize more quickly than economic recovery in general. Nearly half (49%) say their personal financial recovery will happen in less than two years, while only 29% believe the economy will recover that quickly. A total of 42% of Generation Y believes the economy will recover in three to four years.

In light of these findings, MetLife has developed some financial tips for Generation Y to help deal with the specific financial issues that this group is currently facing – steps to build a secure financial safety net for the future:

Start Building a Liquid, Accessible Emergency Fund that covers 3 to 6 months of expenses: A money market account is a good option for holding those funds, and take a look at FDIC insured online banks, as they may have better rates than your local bank. GenYers need this fund, not to buy the latest cool electronic device, but because emergencies happen. The fund can help keep GenY from accumulating debt just to pay the unexpected car repair or medical bill.

Research Protection Products: Products such as life and disability insurance are generally less expensive when purchased early in life. Proper budgeting helps to assure that individuals will have the money to buy products that will help protect them and their family later, and help protect their future savings. Disability income insurance is especially important, as one of the primary assets for individuals in their 20s is future earnings.

Purchase Renter's Insurance: A landlord's property insurance will not replace the things individuals own if their apartment is damaged. And while 20-somethings may not think they have many valuables to insure, they need to consider the amount of money it would cost to replace clothes, electronics, jewelry and other valuables should a fire occur, natural disaster strike, or a theft take place. Renter's insurance can cost as little as $100 a year.

Create a Budget that includes debt payments & have a plan to keep total debt in check: Items paid with debt cost so much more when they're not paid off promptly. Be wary of going overboard on credit cards – especially department store and other retail cards.

Get Bonus Money: If your company offers a 401(k) plan with a company match (matching company contributions), be sure to put enough money in your 401(k) to qualify for the company match – it's one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to begin saving for retirement.

Take it With You: When changing jobs, consider rolling over your 401(k) to your new employer's plan if allowed or to a traditional or a Roth IRA with a reputable firm – do not take a lump sum payment. The taxes, tax penalties, and fees associated with cashing-out early can severely diminish the account value. Converting to a Roth IRA can be advantageous in one's 20s, when most people are in a lower tax bracket.

Stay Healthy: Getting healthy and staying fit when you're young through proper nutrition and exercise can mean fewer illnesses and workplace absences -- and less medical costs -- throughout your working life. A major retirement concern among employees is the cost of healthcare in retirement, so take advantage of workplace wellness programs if they're available.

Get Advice: Seek out a qualified financial advisor who can help you plan for the long term. Face-to-face advice is the key to helping individuals of all ages put the puzzle pieces together and take action.

Methodology

Harris Interactive® fielded the study on behalf of MetLife from September 23-25, 2009 via its QuickQuerySM online omnibus service, interviewing a nationwide sample of 2,191 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Pat Connor at MetLife, (212) 578-7039, email: pconnor@metlife.com.

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With the acquisition of CareMedic, Ingenix will offer solutions that address each major component of the hospital revenue cycle: patient registration, eligibility verification, financial clearance, coding and compliance, bill submission, denials management, and remittance processing. Ingenix and CareMedic's combined products and services will create a comprehensive suite of solutions for hospitals to manage the revenue cycle and improve financial performance – from the time a patient begins the registration process with a health care provider to the time payment for that care is received. This will be the industry's only enterprise-wide solution that identifies inefficiencies as they occur, so clients can take practical actions to receive appropriate reimbursements and reduce costs throughout the process.

CareMedic provides hospitals with an enterprise platform of enabling technologies and services that optimize revenue cycle efficiency and improve cash flow, margins and productivity. CareMedic's products and services include the Electronic Financial Record (eFR®) platform, which makes nearly real-time patient financial information accessible across departments within a hospital, helping clients take the right actions at every step of the revenue cycle to receive payments faster and more efficiently. With the eFR platform, CareMedic provides the industry's most complete, historical view of a patient's consolidated financial record with a provider organization. CareMedic's capabilities will complement Ingenix's coding and compliance expertise and automated credit balance resolution provided by its INTELLIJET® platform. CareMedic will also expand Ingenix's existing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) capabilities with patient financial management services, accounts receivable management, secondary billing and denials recovery, and other managed services offerings. CareMedic has contracts with more than 2,500 provider facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Said Vince Schmitz, CFO of MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, WA, and client of CareMedic and Ingenix, 'The combination of Ingenix and CareMedic is powerful and will bring many benefits to the industry. Being a long-time user of products and services from both companies has significantly increased our yield at MultiCare. I look forward to the innovation that the combined intellectual capital and resources of these two organizations can create.'

Bill Miller, executive vice president of Health Care Delivery at Ingenix, said, 'With CareMedic, we will transform RCM from a group of fragmented, claims-centric processes to a more comprehensive, patient-centric financial information management system. The RCM systems available today lack interoperability between front-end and back-end functions, slowing cash flow and impeding a hospital's ability to collect payment for services that have been provided. Our vision and combined capabilities will create a customizable enterprise-wide analytics solution for hospitals that seamlessly connects to other systems.'

Sheila Schweitzer, CEO of CareMedic, said, 'With Ingenix's expertise in reimbursement, health information management and consulting, and our expertise in enterprise-wide RCM, we will create a unified solution that makes hospitals more efficient at managing cash flow and enhances our commitment to helping clients get paid. As part of Ingenix, we will be able to provide clients with additional services and continued innovations that help them use capital more effectively and improve operational efficiency.'

Hospitals and health care systems are faced with increasingly complex and changing reimbursement rules and practices. According to the American Hospital Association, hospitals lost $65.9 billion in 2007 alone due to bad debt, uncompensated care and underpayment by commercial insurers and Medicare and Medicaid programs, while approximately 21% of U.S. hospitals had negative total margins. CareMedic addresses these pressures and has a track record with clients of helping to reduce or eliminate underpayment by Medicare and Medicaid.

Andy Slavitt, CEO of Ingenix, said, 'Innovation and talent are key to solving health care's biggest challenges. We're combining the great teams at CareMedic and Ingenix to deliver innovation with the common vision of simplifying the system, reducing waste and centering health care around the patient.'

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The findings from new research* commissioned by Prudential among finance directors at UK businesses found 24% of companies expect staff to work beyond retirement age in the next 10 years, with the proportion of people in the workforce who are past traditional retirement ages expected to more than double to 1.8 million people**.

Larger companies expect to see an even greater proportion of their workforce working beyond retirement, with 39% of finance directors at larger firms expecting to have to accommodate requests from staff to work longer.

UK companies anticipate this will mean around 6.3% of their workforce (equivalent to 1.8 million people across the UK working population) will be made up of people working beyond statutory retirement ages in 10 years, more than double the current proportion of 2.6% of company workers (equivalent to around 752,700 people***) who currently work past retirement.

The study also found that in the past 12 months alone, 7% of finance directors have reported an increase in the number of employees asking to work past traditional retirement ages.

Martyn Bogira, Prudential's Director of Defined Contribution Solutions, said: "As health and longevity continue to improve and people look to fund a longer life in retirement, it is inevitable that compromises have to be made.

"The statutory retirement age for men and women is due to rise to 68 by 2046, so working longer will be a fact of life for those entering the workforce today but these findings suggest that increasing numbers of pensioners will be forced to work later far sooner than this. Employers have told us that their staff costs could rise as their employees work for longer.

"Workers face the stark choice of either having to save more for their pension from an earlier age or having to work longer if they are to avoid taking a significant drop in their standard of living in retirement. Early pension saving is critical and we strongly encourage people not to delay starting a pension."

The research also identified a clear North/South divide. Companies in the north of the country expect an average of 16.2% of their staff to work past the statutory retirement age compared with an average of 2.4% in Greater London and the South East.

- ENDS -

The information contained in Prudential UK's press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions. Full consumer product information can be found at www.pru.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
* Survey conducted by Continental among 507 financial directors of UK companies, 300 from small and medium sized organisations and 207 from large companies. Survey was conducted in October 2009.
** ONS Labour Market statistics: There are currently 28.95 million people in the UK in full and part time employment. 1.8 million = 28.95 x 6.3%.
*** 752,700 people = 28.95 x 2.6 per cent.

About Prudential
"Prudential" is a trading name of The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, which is registered in England and Wales. This name is also used by other companies within the Prudential Group, which between them provide a range of financial products including life assurance, pensions, annuities, equity release, savings and investment funds. Registered Office at Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH. Registered number 15454. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Media enquiries:
Juliette Emblem
Prudential
3 Sheldon Square
Westminster
London
W2 6PR
020 7150 3177
www.pru.co.uk

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A few years ago, a person would have been forced to take a day off from work to travel about to different insurance agencies in order to collect quotes for comparison. To many, this was just too much hassle. So, they often took the first insurance offer they came across. Today, people can go to a single website and collect quotes from several agencies at the same time, then look at the quotes next to one another to compare prices and coverage.

Consumers wishing to learn how comparison shopping for insurance online works and to request insurance quotes may do so by visiting http://www.compareinsurancequotes.co.za. Members of the press wishing to learn more about the surge in interest in online comparison shopping may obtain more information by contacting

Natasha Rietveld

Justin Harrison Marketing

+1 (973) 552-4571

Mendham, New Jersey, USA

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Educating consumers about insurance choices involves explaining what each type of coverage provides for and how it affects the total rate quote. Telling consumers which coverage is optional and how changing deductibles also affect the rates being quoted and the amount of protection one has if involved in an accident is another important part of educating consumers.

It is the belief of CarInsuranceSA.Co.za that everyone is entitled to have all of the information necessary to make an informed decision about which policy to purchase based on individual needs rather what is most convenient to the agent or insurance company. They also believe that consumers should be able to look at quotes and tell if they are for the exact same coverage so that they know if they are comparing oranges to oranges when shopping for prices.

For more information about car insurance in South Africa and the different choices available to them, individuals can visit http://www.carinsurancesa.co.za. Interested parties may request additional information about the content of this release by contacting

Natasha Rietveld

Justin Harrison Marketing

+1 (973) 552-4571

Mendham, New Jersey, USA

— WebWireID107471 —

An increased number of leads in the life insurance industry means that more people are at least thinking about their families' future needs and looking into what it would cost to provide them with protection in the event of death.

Life insurance comes in two basic forms, whole life and term. Whole life insurance is best bought when one is young. This type of policy gains cash value over time and can be cashed out or used as collateral for a loan if needed. Term life provides the same amount of coverage on day 1 as on the last day of the term. Most terms are done in 5 year increments, meaning that a new policy must be purchased every five years.

For more information about the types of life insurance available and their rates, visit http://www.lifeinsurance-southafrica.co.za. For more information about the web site or the content of this release, contact

Natasha Rietveld

Justin Harrison Marketing

+1 (973) 552-4571

Mendham, New Jersey, USA

— WebWireID107469 —