Business, Free News Articles, Home and Garden, Manufacturing

Almost Heaven Saunas, one of the Leading Sauna Manufacturers in the U.S. is Acquired by Harvia

HOLLAND, Mich. -- Almost Heaven Saunas is being acquired by Harvia, the leading sauna heater and component manufacturer. Harvia Oyj, has announced that it is purchasing U.S. sauna manufacturer, Almost Heaven Saunas. This acquisition will enable Harvia to offer better and more extensive service to its customers in North America and provide Almost Heaven Saunas with added products and resources to continue its growth in the consumer sauna business.

Almost Heaven Saunas was established in 1978 and has seen rapid growth in recent years. The company manufactures thousands of saunas each year with 2018 sales volume exceeding $10 million. The company employs approximately 40 people and has a sales office and product showroom in Holland, Michigan and manufacturing facilities in Renick, West Virginia.

"The acquisition of Almost Heaven Saunas is a significant step in developing our business in North America. Almost Heaven Saunas has been Harvia's client since 2013. The company's growth has been strong in the last few years, which combined with the work done with our other clients and distributors has resulted in positive sales development for Harvia in North America," says Tapio Pajuharju, CEO of Harvia.

According to Almost Heaven Sauna president, Rick Mouw, "This acquisition is a wonderful opportunity for Almost Heaven Saunas. To be a part of the Harvia Group aligns us with a truly great global sauna company. We can continue our growth with the added resources and expertise that Harvia provides, while at the same time supporting and servicing Harvia's other distribution channels in North America."

The transaction is expected to be complete by January 2019.

Learn more: https://almostheaven.com/

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Business, Free News Articles

Strategic Benefits Advisors Promotes Three Consultants to Director Level

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors (SBA) today announced the advancement of retirement plan consultants Kim Shumate, David Runsick and Harry Souder to the role of director. Shumate, Runsick and Souder were promoted in recognition of their sustained contributions to SBA, including their proven success leading complex projects to high-value outcomes and fostering strong client relationships.

Kim Shumate
Shumate joined SBA as a senior benefits consultant in 2011, bringing with her over 28 years' experience as a retirement plan consultant. Since joining SBA, she has spearheaded numerous key projects, including the recent transitions of a Fortune 500 plan sponsor's defined contribution (DC), defined benefit (DB), health and welfare and non-qualified plans to new outsourcing providers.

David Runsick, Q.P.A.
Runsick joined SBA in 2005 as a senior benefits consultant. He possesses over 20 years of benefits industry experience specializing in DC plans. David is expert in many areas including complex error correction and compliance issues.

Harry Souder
Souder has been a benefits consultant at SBA since 2003. A nearly 30-year practitioner of actuarial and outsourcing consulting, he has extensive experience working with both DB and DC plans of all sizes. Harry is exceptional at large-scale data projects and complex benefit calculations.

"Strategic Benefits Advisors works hard to cultivate a team of deeply knowledgeable and effective leaders in employee benefits consulting," said SBA Co-Founder and Principal Mindy Zatto. "We are pleased to elevate Kim, David and Harry to the director level and look forward to their continued contributions to the success of SBA and our clients."

About Strategic Benefits Advisors:
Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 500 to over 250,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition.

With an average of over 20 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry.

For more information, visit http://www.sba-inc.com/.

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Business, Free News Articles

LBA Ware CEO to Discuss Loan Originator Compensation Trends in Today’s Market at MBA Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference

MACON, Ga. -- LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, today announced that its Founder and CEO Lori Brewer will be a panelist at the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) 2019 Independent Mortgage Bankers (IMB) Conference, which will be held January 28-31 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. In the panel, Brewer will reveal definitive data that answers the question on everyone's mind, "Are lenders cutting loan originator (LO) comp?"

The session, "Managing LO Comp to the Bottom Line," will take place Tuesday, January 29, from 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. PT in the Bayview Room. Loretta Salzano, president of law firm Franzen and Salzano, and Lauren Patel, Human Resources Director at loanDepot.com, will co-panel the session with Brewer.

As part of the conference's Business Operations & Compliance track, the session will cover current business and legal challenges faced by many mortgage businesses - including declining margins, LO compensation trends and evolving roles requiring new skillsets and regulations complicating the compensation of LOs - and discuss possible regulatory relief on the horizon.

"2019 will be a challenging year for many independent mortgage bankers. Decreasing volume, increasing rates and unrelenting operational demands require lenders to be very diligent and strategic about their recruiting and compensation decisions," Brewer said. "I look forward to sharing insights on how lenders are adjusting LO comp plans to reflect market changes, and what lenders can do to incentivize more production while also streamlining efficiencies within lending organizations."

Also that day, Brewer will provide a demonstration of LBA Ware's flagship platform CompenSafe(TM) in the general session, "TechLive - Technology Solutions for the Mortgage Lifecycle," taking place from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. PT in the Grand Ballroom. The session, led by MBA Chief Economist and Vice President of Research and Industry Technology, Michael Fratantoni, Ph.D., will provide a platform for the executives of six leading mortgage technology firms to show how their products are solving business problems for mortgage lenders. In this interactive session, attendees are invited to ask questions and participate in live polling.

About LBA Ware:

Founded in 2008, LBA Ware's mission is to inspire opportunity by delivering solutions that are essential to the way mortgage companies operate. We are a trusted partner and play a key role in our clients' success by enabling them to motivate, incentivize and better leverage the human potential within their organizations. Our applications automate traditionally manual business processes for which an existing software solution does not exist, empowering lenders to create an integrated software environment that maximizes their productivity and operational efficiency.

For more information about LBA Ware and our software solutions, visit https://lbaware.com.

Twitter: @LBAWare @MBAMortgage #MBAIMB19 #mortgagebanking

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Business, Free News Articles, Software

Anow Closes 2018 with 110-percent Year-over-Year Increase in Orders Processed Through Its Digital Appraisal Office Management Technology

RED DEER, Alberta -- Digital appraisal management software developer Anow reported a record 110 percent year-over-year increase in appraisal orders processed through its core appraisal office management platform in 2018 despite an industry-wide, market-driven drop in orders per customer. The announcement follows a year punctuated by major product launches and enhancements as the growing firm continues to lead the appraisal industry in innovation.

"We're proud to put appraisal firms that use Anow light years ahead of their competition," said Anow Founder and President Marty Haldane. "In 2019, we'll continue to redefine the speed, efficiency and transparency with which appraisers work with mortgage lenders and other clients."

Just last month, Nations Valuations Services integrated Anow's appraisal management software into its AppraisalTRAX(TM) management system, fueling faster turn times for its 16,000-strong appraiser network and an improved experience for its mortgage lender customers.

In September, Anow filed patents to protect its proprietary mass collaboration technology, which enables teams of appraisers to radically reduce turn times by working simultaneously on appraisal reports and which Anow expects will power the next generation of bifurcated appraisal products.

Anow also filed patents on its proximity-based assignment system designed to improve the borrower experience and reduce friction in the inspection-setting process.

In August, the company announced its forthcoming Anow Enterprise, a platform for mortgage lenders that enables instant, on-demand appraisal booking and leverages artificial intelligence to pair lender deadlines and quality-control criteria with the best appraiser for the job based on availability, travel schedule and workload.

May 2018 saw the introduction of Anow Connect, a platform that connects appraisal firms directly with their customers via a branded, mobile-first portal that automates appraisal order acceptance, scheduling, status updates, file sharing, messaging, report delivery and payment collection.

Anow also rolled out over 4,100 feature enhancements designed to simplify the lives of appraisers and help make their businesses more efficient. These included significant enhancements to Anow's mobile appraisal and home inspection platforms; simplification of Anow's payment collections, payment processing and payroll systems; significant improvements to the APIs that facilitate integrations with Anow's partners; enhanced reporting; and architectural changes to accommodate the platform's growing volume of appraisers and orders.

Anow also added new capabilities that enable multiple appraisal companies to more seamlessly work together and gave users the ability to import work history into Anow.

Anow is currently accepting participants for a closed beta of its next appraisal software innovation, Anow NEXUS, which is being developed with input from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the National Association of Appraisers (NAA) and the Business Association of Real Estate Appraisers (BAREA). For more information, see https://anow.com/NAA.

ABOUT ANOW:

Anow is an appraisal management software developer that simplifies the way real estate appraisers manage their businesses. Launched in 2011 by multi-generational appraisal professional Marty Haldane, Anow streamlines a wide range of everyday appraisal processes while offering unmatched business insights to help appraisers compete in today's digital environment. Powerful order tracking, job assignment, collaboration and scheduling tools allow appraisers and administrative staff to save time, assign appraisals more easily and deliver exceptional service to clients and mortgage lenders from any web-enabled device. Advanced reporting enables business owners to manage fee competition and turn times with ease. Anow is headquartered in Red Deer, Alberta.

For more information, visit https://anow.com/.

Twitter: @AppraisersNow #DigitalAppraisal

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Business, Free News Articles, Software

SafeChain Digitizes Property Deed Transfer and Conveyance for Perry County, Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- SafeChain, the industry leader in wire fraud prevention software and blockchain implementation for land title, announced today it has completed the digital conversion of Perry County, Ohio's deed transfer and conveyance process between the engineer and auditor. Beginning January 7, the Perry County Engineer's office will be able to digitize property deeds before the inspection and mapping process.

Moving forward, each deed will receive a digital stamp backed by blockchain for added transparency and security, eliminating the need for physical authorization. The deeds will then be electronically transferred to the county Auditor's office for conveyance.

"As public servants, our top priority is to ensure that we operate as efficiently as possible to best serve our constituents - regardless of the size of our jurisdiction," said Perry County Auditor Drew Cannon. "By working with SafeChain and the Perry County Engineer to modernize our operations and eliminate the need for a physical stamp, we've completed a key step for a 100 percent digital deed transfer and conveyance process. Through this project, we are providing transparency for property owners about their deed status, while also increasing our operational efficiency."

Perry County marks another successful public-private partnership in which SafeChain has worked with local government officials to utilize the latest technology to transact property more efficiently. Its second successfully executed use case was deed issuance with Franklin County, Ohio. SafeChain's previous endeavors also include its commercial wire fraud product, SafeWire(TM). With the completion of the Perry County project, SafeChain has, for the third time, leveraged blockchain to positively impact the real estate transfer process, representing significant progress on Ohio's goal to transfer all real property using blockchain.

"When SafeChain entered the real estate industry, we knew that tackling the industry's biggest challenges in both the public and private sectors was the only way to truly innovate a process that has existed for hundreds of years," said Tony Franco, CEO and co-founder of SafeChain. "Perry County is a great example of how innovation comes from across the state and isn't limited to metropolitan jurisdictions. By eliminating these physical and analog processes, SafeChain is excited to continue partnering with forward-thinking elected officials to improve the taxpayer experience of transacting property."

About SafeChain:

SafeChain makes real estate transactions safer and modernizes operations for both the public and private sectors of the land title industry. Built by real estate title experts in collaboration with banking technologists, SafeChain tackles the inefficiencies of the home buying and selling process from the inside-out to help title companies, mortgage bankers, realtors and local governments decrease costs and deliver a better experience for customers. Leveraging the most advanced technologies, including blockchain, SafeChain increases the speed and security of real estate closings to deliver faster transactions and better consumer confidence.

For more information visit: https://www.safechain.io/.

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Business, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Free News Articles

Pet King Brands Celebrates 20 Years as a Leader in the Pet Health Products Industry

WESTMONT, Ill. -- Pet health products company, Pet King Brands, Inc. - the maker of veterinarian-recommended brands ZYMOX(R) Dermatology and Oratene(R) Brushless Oral Care - celebrates 20 years of helping pets find relief from problematic ear, skin and mouth conditions.

This is a major milestone in the history of the woman-founded and -owned company and signifies the importance of offering pet owners and pet healthcare professionals alternatives to antibiotics and harsh chemicals to aid in the management of some of the most common health issues affecting the majority of pets.

Founded in 1998 by Pamela K. Bosco, Pet King Brands utilizes its patented LP3 Enzyme System in all of its solutions from ear products to skin topicals to shampoo and conditioning rinse and brushless oral care products. All of Pet King Brands' products are manufactured in the United States.

"Twenty years ago, the issues of drug-resistant health conditions in people and animals were just starting to be talked about," said Bosco, President and founder of Pet King Brands. "As a result, people started to search for a healthier, more effective alternative for their own and their pet's healthcare."

Pet King Brands began with three products and now provides a full spectrum of topical dermatological products for problematic ears and skin - available with or without added hydrocortisone - as well as a full line of oral care products that don't require brushing to be effective. Since first being introduced through veterinarian clinics nationwide, Pet King Brands has distributed over 1 million bottles of its flagship product ZYMOX(R) Otic Ear Solution and continues to expand its pet health products line.

In addition to veterinarian clinics across the country, Pet King Brands' ZYMOX(R) and Oratene(R) products are available in pet specialty stores and through online retailers.

"It's always been our mission to provide solutions, but first, do no harm. Our enzymatic solutions represent cutting-edge technology without the side effects associated with antibiotics," added Bosco. "We are very proud to not have deviated from our mission since we started 20 years ago but more so, we are so thankful that ZYMOX and Oratene have had such a positive impact on the comfort and health of so many pets across the country."

About Pet King Brands, Inc.

Pet King Brands is led by President and Founder, Pamela Bosco, who first introduced ZYMOX to the veterinary world in 1998. Based on years of research, she knew she had a product that was going to change the way people managed pet ear infections. Pet King Brands' patented LP3 Enzyme System is used in the most complete and complex enzymatic dermatology and oral care products available on the market for both small and large animals.

Its ZYMOX Dermatology products remain a stark contrast to other products on the market, offering effective solutions that are easy to use, free of harsh chemicals and antibiotics, and made in the United States. In addition to its skin topicals, Pet King Brands' product family includes ear care products, brushless oral care products, shampoos and conditioning rinses.

The ZYMOX and Oratene lines represent true advances in the field of veterinary healthcare. Bosco owes her discovery to her brother, Michael Pellico, the bioscientist credited with adapting his enzyme technology in Biotene(R) - the #1 dentist-recommended product for people suffering from Dry Mouth and owned by GlaxoSmithKline - and making it safe for use in animals. Pet King Brands' unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals is the reason they take such great pride in delivering high-quality products that are safe as well as effective. ZYMOX and Oratene are available through veterinarians and select retailers.

To learn more visit https://www.zymox.com/.

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Business, Construction and Building, Free News Articles, Reports and Studies

Study: Housing Workforce Shortage Is Barrier to Affordability

OAKLAND, Calif. -- According to California's Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), the golden state must dramatically increase the productive capacity of its residential construction sector in order to create enough new housing to improve affordability. However, new research released today by Smart Cities Prevail shows the industry has failed to make the investments necessary to compete for the more than 200,000 new workers necessary to meet this ambitious goal.

Click here to read the report Rebuilding California: The Golden State's Housing Workforce Reckoning (PDF): https://www.smartcitiesprevail.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SCP_HousingReport.0107.pdf

Click here to read the executive summary of the report (PDF): https://www.smartcitiesprevail.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SCP_EXEC.summary_0110.pdf

"The data shows residential construction work is more dangerous, economically risky, and lower paying than most other jobs in our economy," said study author Scott Littlehale. "When you consider these dynamics alongside the industry's aging workforce, its failure to institutionalize investments in apprenticeship training, and a shrinking supply of young workers and immigrants, it is clear why the housing sector is struggling to attract the new workers it needs."

While construction jobs require longer commutes, more flexibility in work hours, and far higher risk of workplace injury and death than other jobs, Littlehale found residential construction workers earn 24 percent less per year than all other jobs on average, and less than half have health insurance coverage through their employer. Wage theft in the industry has grown by 400 percent since 1972. When adjusted for cost of living, California's median construction wage ranks 46th in the United States.

Compounding the problem, Littlehale found, is that the labor pool on which residential construction firms have relied since the 1980s is shrinking. California's stock of young male workers without a college degree has fallen since 2005, and its supply of non-naturalized immigrants has decreased by almost 350,000 between 2005 and 2016.

"Because of its decades-long reliance on a lower-wage, lower skilled workforce, California's housing construction industry finds itself ill-equipped to compete in today's labor market," Littlehale added. "Considering the inherent physical dangers and economic volatility, the work simply does not pay enough to lure workers away from other states or other industries."

While construction requires substantially more pre-employment training than most other jobs, Littlehale notes the residential construction industry has largely avoided institutionalized investments in apprenticeship. The few programs that are offered are managed only by employers and funded on a "voluntary" basis-and produce 90 percent fewer workers than "joint labor-management" programs financed through collective bargaining agreements and prevailing wage laws.

"Housing contractors have no real incentive to invest in training programs that would attach a more stable supply of skilled labor to the industry unless their competitors are doing it too," Littlehale said. "As a result, the industry lacks a training pipeline capable of attaching an adequate supply of skilled workers to residential construction careers."

The housing industry last produced new housing on the scale called for by HCD in the 1970s and 1980s. This was also a period when more residential construction workers were covered by collective bargaining agreements mandating competitive wage levels, fringe benefits, and apprenticeship training standards. But data shows that since then, productivity per unit of labor in construction has been declining, even as it has grown by more than 30 percent on average in other economic sectors.

"As the industry moved away from arrangements that were able to attract, retain and re-supply the industry's stock of skilled labor, it has generally relied on a large number of low wage workers to meet increased production demands," Littlehale observed. "That option no longer exists, so housing contractors need a strategy to attract and retain more skilled workers."

Though the housing sector has focused on regulatory reforms to accelerate approvals of new construction, Littlehale believes such changes are unlikely to affect the industry's overall productivity without addressing the shrinking labor pool and lagging productivity.

"Ultimately, housing builders' reservoir of low-wage, less-skilled labor is not refilling itself," Littlehale concluded. "The industry should consider labor-management cooperation measures like prevailing wage and collective bargaining agreements because they are consistently associated with higher wages, increased apprenticeship enrollment, more production efficiency, and fewer workplace safety problems. By improving labor market competitiveness, wider utilization of these workforce development arrangements would help restore California residential building to the production engine it once was."

Scott Littlehale has authored numerous studies on the U.S. political economy, labor related public policy and the construction industry since 1993. He served on the technical committee of CASA - The Committee to House the Bay Area - between 2017 and 2018. Follow him on Twitter.

Smart Cities Prevail is a leading national non-profit research and education organization focused on the construction industry. Learn more at https://www.smartcitiesprevail.org/, or by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Twitter: @CaCitiesPrevail @FactChecker23 #workforcestudy #constructionjobs

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Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, Opinion and Commentary

‘A New Stupid Low for Golden Globes – Flu Shots for All,’ says Dr. Harte

CORTE MADERA, Calif. -- Dr. Don Harte, noted chiropractic activist and former Libertarian State Senate candidate, is "outraged by the dog-and-pony flu shot show during the recent Golden Globes awards. But it was entertaining, in a very weird way, including the shock and disgust of some of the intended victims, notably William Defoe."

Dr. Harte relates, "What happened was that one of the two celebrity hosts, Sandra Oh, announced, very excitedly, 'Roll up your sleeves, Hollywood, because you're all getting flu shots.' The other 'genius' host, Andy Samberg, added that if you're an 'anti-vaxxer, you could put a napkin on your head and you'll be skipped.' Dr. Harte calls this stunt "medical care, by shame."

Dr. Harte declares, "This Hollywood publicity stunt for the flu vaccine is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen from celebrities! But it does go with the flu shot itself, which is, perhaps, the stupidest of all the vaccines available. It's concocted, every year, from three or four strains of influenza from the year before. Since influenza almost always mutates, the flu shot is never up to date with what is presently out there. And, despite blatant playing with statistics from the CDC, influenza is NOT a dangerous disease. Know anyone who died from the flu? This is all a bad, dangerous joke, but a profitable joke for Big Pharma."

"Contrary to the CDC propaganda, annual deaths from the flu," Dr. Harte explains, "are less than 400 per year, most if not all, I would assume, are of people who are already in very bad shape. On the other hand, severe side effects, including the dreaded, paralyzing Guillain-Barre Syndrome, sometimes leading to death, can come from the flu shot itself."

Dr. Harte wonders about "the irresponsibility of alleged 'medical professionals' from the local Rite-Aid performing a medical procedure without knowing medical histories, without receiving informed consent." He further explains, "But, then, informed consent is not part of the whole vaccination thing. Post World War II, the world learned about the importance of medical informed consent, from the Nuremburg Trials. Flu vaccination, and every other kind of vaccination is, somehow, exempt from this basic ethical standard."

Here's three scientific facts to fix your celebrity-induced confusion, offers Dr. Harte:
(1) Every vaccine works by short-circuiting normal immune responses, which causes chronic inflammation, which can include the brain;
(2) Every vaccine contains multiple substances that are poisonous to the immune system and the nervous system, which can and will cause serious illness.
(3) The Great Myth of Vaccination, that it has saved millions of lives from the infectious plagues of the past is simply untrue. What saved millions was better sanitation... clean water, sewer systems, refrigeration for food.

"Finally," explains Dr. Harte, "the best way to avoid the flu is to get healthy. Eat well, exercise, rest appropriately, and get your nervous system free of interference by regular chiropractic care. Your nervous system runs your immune system, so take care of it! The best way to get the flu is to get a flu shot. So why do it?"

About Dr. Don Harte:

Dr. Don Harte, former medical student, is a principled, traditional chiropractor serving Marin and the Greater Bay Area since 1981. He is an activist in the struggle for free speech for chiropractors. Dr. Harte was named 2006 "Chiropractor of the Year" by the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA). He has served on the Boards of the WCA and the Council on Chiropractic Practice. His articles have been published in OMNI magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Chiropractic Journal and Journal of the California Chiropractic Association. Learn more at: https://www.chirodrharte.com/

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Business, Free News Articles

Bank of Southern California, N.A. Names Bill Lamison Vice President, Underwriter

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has announced the appointment of Bill Lamison as Vice President, Underwriter. He will join the company's established business banking team and will be responsible for structuring, analyzing and underwriting commercial credit for new clients as well as managing an existing portfolio of customers.

Mr. Lamison brings nearly 40 years of industry experience covering all aspects of commercial, consumer and real estate lending. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Senior Credit Analyst for the Commercial Real Estate Group at Silvergate Bank. Active in the community, he is a member of the La Jolla Rotary Club and supports fundraising efforts for La Jolla YMCA and United Way. Bill holds a bachelor's degree from Eisenhower College in New York.

"We are excited to welcome Bill to our business banking team," said Tony DiVita, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer. "Bill's depth of underwriting knowledge and industry experience will be instrumental as we continue to expand our reach and provide financing for even more small to mid-sized businesses throughout Southern California," concluded DiVita.

About Bank of Southern California:

A growing community bank, established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, Calif., is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products to individuals, professionals and small-to-medium sized businesses. The Bank's solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients.

The Bank currently operates ten branches in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, and the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, as well as production offices in Orange County and West Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com/ or call (858) 847-4780.

Tickers: OTC Pink:BCAL / OTC:BCAL / OTCMKTS: BCAL / OP: BCAL

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Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Free News Articles, Insurance

EPIC Insurance Brokers and HR Hotlink Partner for the Benefit of California New Car Dealers

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today a marketing and distribution agreement with HR Hotlink. Both firms are longtime valued partners of the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA).

EPIC serves as the statewide exclusive licensed broker for Health and Welfare Insurance Consulting and Workers Compensation Insurance for CNCDA members. EPIC also brokers Property & Casualty insurance to new car dealers throughout California.

HR Hotlink was conceived from a vision to simplify the entire world of employment, legal, compliance, and human resources functions for California automobile dealerships. The platform is an employee management solution that ensures dealerships are in compliance with state and federal regulations. While compliance is the main focus of HR Hotlink, it also includes robust solutions for recruiting, on-boarding, training and performance management.

According to Brian Maas, CNCDA's President, "Both EPIC and HR Hotlink have consistently provided outstanding service and value to our members and demonstrated a strong commitment to the association since we began working together. As the CNCDA-licensed broker in California - now in partnership with HR Hotlink - EPIC will continue to provide dealers with the help they need to navigate the increasing complexity of the California health insurance market."

Added John Connell, EPIC's Regional President, Employee Benefits West, "We are very excited about our collaboration with HR Hotlink to offer best in class employment management software and risk management resources to CNCDA members. The EPIC/HR Hotlink partnership provides a turnkey process to identify and mitigate risk, save money, and ensure legal and regulatory compliance."

About EPIC:
EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With run rate revenues of more than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

About HR Hotlink:
HR Hotlink does not merely automate human resource tasks, it "forces process" to assist compliance with federal and state labor regulations. HR Hotlink automates the required procedures in a step-by-step method that guides the correct process. The platform is regularly updated in response to legislative and regulatory changes. HR Hotlink provides online employment applications, a step-by-step automated rejection and acceptance process, automated drug and background reporting, auto-populated new hire packets, online employee handbooks, electronically tracked employee training, an information security program and much more. Please visit http://www.HRHotlink.com

About the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA):
The California New Car Dealers Association is the country's largest state association of franchised new car and truck dealers representing over 1,100 dealer members. CNCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new vehicles, and also engage in automotive service, repair and part sales. CNCDA promotes fair and ethical business practices through a wide range of educational programs, services and industry publications. Learn more about CNCDA at https://www.cncda.org/


Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance @CNCDA #HRHotlink

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