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(June 10, 2008) There’s a new man at the top of Russell Investments. The company announced today that John Schlifske, the executive vice-president at Northwestern Mutual, is Russell’s new CEO and president effective immediately.

According to Northwestern Mutual, Schlifske — who replaces Craig Ueland — was responsible for all aspects of its investment products and services business, including annuities, mutual funds, advisory products and the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company.

Schlifske was also Northwestern Mutual Investment Services’ CEO as a broker-dealer.

“I am honoured to have an opportunity to lead such a talented and globally preeminent organization,” says Schlifske. “I am committed to continuing Russell’s already strong growth, while maintaining the values that have brought us to where we are today. I am even more optimistic about Russell’s future than I was when the companies came together in 1999.”

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Richardson distributes Credit Suisse structured notes

(June 10, 2008) On Tuesday, Richardson Partners Financial announced that it is distributing Credit Suisse’s Canadian Registered Structured Notes.

The company will resell the notes to Canadian investors on a fully underwritten basis. According to the company, Richardson is the first dealer to have an agreement like this with Credit Suisse’s Canadian Structured Notes Program.

“We are excited to be associated with Credit Suisse,” says Sue Dabarno, Richardson’s president and CEO. “We have been working closely with Credit Suisse for a while and feel that we share the same values in managing wealth while seeking to bring institutional-type solutions to our clients.”

The company has worked with Credit Suisse before — it introduced the Buffered Accelerated Return Equity Securities structure in August 2007.

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RBC Insurance partners with Aon Reed Stenhouse

(June 10, 2008) RBC Insurance revealed Tuesday that Aon Reed Stenhouse is now the company’s exclusive broker for comprehensive commercial property and casualty and trade credit insurance solutions to Canadian business owners.

Neil Skelding, RBC Insurance’s president and CEO, says the new partnership will allow the company to “provide Canadian businesses — large and small — with innovative advice and effective solutions tailored to meet their insurance needs.”

Aon gives business owners a way to access specialized industry experience and customer service experience.

“RBC Insurance business clients will benefit from being presented with multiple options from a group of insurers, rather than just one,” says Chris Fawcus, president and CEO of Aon.

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Royal & SunAlliance changes name

(June 10, 2008) Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Company of Canada is getting a makeover. The company’s changing its name to, simply, RSA.

The business was created 10 years ago, after SunAlliance and Royal Insurance merged.

“Given the fundamental changes that the business has gone through, it’s the right time to modernize our identity to support our profitable growth strategy. The new brand name and logo will be implemented with immediate effect,” the company said in a press release.

(06/10/08)