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Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services has launched a new venture into the U.S. market, with IA American Life Insurance Company, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Quebec-based insurer already operates south of the border with IA Pacific.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to increase our presence in the U.S. and build on our recent successes in providing financial security and peace of mind for our policyholders,” said Michael Stickney, president of IA American. “We’ve laid a solid U.S. foundation, and now we’re focusing on growth in underserved middle-income markets.”

IA American is starting off with SecureLife Plus, a universal life product introduced by IA Pacific’s U.S. division in 2008. The policy offers coverage to individuals up to age 120, with new features such as increased maximums on term riders, a new waiver of surrender charge endorsement and an accelerated death benefit.

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Fuller Landau buys insurance and tax specialist

Montreal accounting and consulting firm has announced the acquisition of GDTS, which specializes in insurance and tax consulting. As a result of the deal, GDTS has been rebranded as FLG Inc.

“GDTS is a first-rate firm that mirrors Fuller Landau’s vision,” declared Michael Newton, managing partner of Fuller Landau LLP and co-managing partner of FLG Inc. “Both organizations offer strong family business consulting practices that are complementary yet provide enough synergic opportunities to increase the value to our clientele and to the marketplace.”

Fuller Landau has been on an expansion campaign over the last three years, aiming to become the top consulting service provider to small and medium-size enterprises in Quebec.

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Vinifera 2010 set for March 10

Women in Capital Markets (WCM) has announced the date of Vinifera 2010, one of the top social events on the calendar for Toronto’s financial services industry.

The event returns to The Carlu on of March 10, 2010, and will feature an exclusive group of Toronto’s top female chefs, including

• Anne Yarymowich from FRANK; • Christine Cushing from Fearless in the Kitchen on the W Network; • Amar Patel of Indian Rice Factory; • Dufflet Rosenberg of Dufflet Pastries; • Esther Benaim, co-owner Great Cooks on Eight; and • Dinah Koo, owner Koo & Co. Anne Martin.

Proceeds from Vinifera will go toward the Heather L. Main Memorial Scholarship Fund, an endowment that encourages young women to pursue careers within the capital markets and financial industries.

(02/24/10)