DISB Starts the 2008 Fiscal Year with a New Look
DISB rolled out its social marketing and branding campaign early October in the hopes of becoming a better known household name in the District. The agency is launching a new logo and other materials to highlight its work—strong consumer protection and effective business regulation.
 

In the Captive Limelight
As one of the leading domiciles for captive insurance in the United States, the District of Columbia has become a domicile of choice for the fast-growing alternative risk marketplace, said DISB Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton to about 100 attendees at the sixth annual conference of the Captive Insurance Council of the District of Columbia. Learn more about his report.
 

Getting the Message Across
Starting October, DISB officially launched an integrated branding and social marketing campaign to make the agency better known to the District’s population.

DISB Launches Its First Biennial Report
The combined Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking recently released its first Biennial Report, a 28-page publication highlighting the five bureaus and their core functions, as well as special programs and new initiatives.

DISB Hosts Successful Insurance Open House
More than 60 insurance licensees and industry representatives attended DISB’s second annual Insurance Open House for updates on the agency’s insurance regulatory requirements and procedures, as well as its overall work in financial regulation and protection.
 

DISB Approves Decreases in Workers’ Compensation Rates
The agency recently approved the 2008 workers’ compensation rate filings by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.

Commissioner Promotes Small Business Resources at Retail Summit
Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton introduced two key resources for small businesses at the Retail Summit organized by the Washington, DC Economic Partnership mid-September.

Viatical Settlements Act Introduced
The Council introduced the Viatical Settlements Licensing Act of 2007 to regulate this business, an area of concern, as viatical settlements have been identified as one of the top 10 investment scams.

Industrial Bank Enjoys Its District Homecoming
Industrial Bank was recently chartered as a District bank, a homecoming for the 73-year-old bank that recently converted from a national banking association.

National Insurance Act of 2007 Pending
Two bills are pending for the federal regulation of the insurance industry—in the Senate and in the House—to authorize establishing a system for federal chartering, licensing, regulation and supervision of insurers and insurance producers.

District Plays Host to NAIC Fall Meeting
Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton welcomed more than 1,600 attendees to the 2007 Fall National Meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) by applauding the NAIC for its responsiveness to changing market needs, and continued efforts to strengthen state-based insurance regulation.

DISB Hires Consumer Advocate
The department recently hired a new consumer advocate in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Administration. He will oversee consumer protection activities and strategies.

DISB Commissions Study on Impact of Subprime Mortgages in the District
The agency recently contracted with the DC-based Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit research group, to study the impact of subprime mortgage lending on the District’s economy and communities.

A New Health Insurance Web Portal
DISB is collaborating with the Department of Health and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer to develop a one-stop Internet site with health insurance information for District residents.

DISB Marked September’s Life Insurance Awareness Month
For the second year in a row, DISB marked September as Life Insurance Awareness Month to keep consumers informed with tips about life insurance throughout the month.