April 25, 2011

(Rock Island, IL) - Royal Neighbors of America reported strong financial results for 2011. It generated revenue in excess of $100 million; grew its assets by $26 million to $792 million; and has a surplus of $211 million, resulting in a surplus ratio of 27%, significantly above the estimated industry benchmark of less than 8%.  These results highlight the strength and stability of the organization.

A.M. Best, an internationally respected insurance industry rating agency, continues to rate Royal Neighbors an A- (Excellent) for its overall financial strength and ability to meet ongoing obligations to certificateholders. The agency recognizes Royal Neighbors' strong level of risk-adjusted capitalization, well-established fraternal presence, and large membership base.

"Our 2011 financial report once again demonstrates that we remain among the most financially secure insurance carriers in the industry," said Cynthia Tidwell, President/CEO. "With these results, we are positioned to empower women to achieve financial protection and healthy lifestyles. It is estimated that 50 percent of women today are expected to live past 85, and many are not financially prepared. We have the opportunity and responsibility to offer them life insurance protection and financial education to help them make appropriate decisions."

She continued, "Our success also is driven by our independent agents who sell our products nationwide. Their level of experience and professionalism and their commitment to supporting our community-based initiatives show a deep understanding of our Insurance with a Difference^SM philosophy."

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance companies, exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance and annuity products to fulfill financial needs of growth, savings, and protection. Members receive valuable benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization's local chapters to help make a difference in their communities. The organization's philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of Neighbors^SM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with branch offices in Mesa, AZ, and Austin, TX, Royal Neighbors serves more than 215,000 members and is licensed to do business in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, call (800) 627-4762, or visit www.royalneighbors.org.

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Money Expert Shares the Advice He Follows

Financial how-to books come and go - they're published by the hundreds every year. But Peter Grandich, dubbed "The Wall Street Whiz Kid" by Good Morning America's Steve Crowley, says the one he relies on has been around for nearly 2,000 years.

"I get my financial guidance from the Bible," says Grandich, author of Confessions of a Wall Street Whiz Kid (www.confessionsofawallstreetwhizkid.com). "Money and possessions are the second most referenced topic in the Bible - money is mentioned more than 800 times - and the message is clear: Nowhere in Scripture is debt viewed in a positive way."

Grandich, who says his years as a highly successful Wall Street stockbroker left him spiritually depleted and clinically depressed, says the Bible is an excellent financial adviser, whether or not you're religious.

"The writers of the Bible anticipated the problems we would have with money and possessions; there are more than 2,000 references," he says. "Our whole culture now is built on the premise that we have to have more money and more stuff to feel happy and secure. Public storage is the poster child for what's wrong with America. We have too much stuff because we've bought into the myth fabricated by Wall Street and Madison Avenue that more stuff equals more happiness."  He adds, "That's the total opposite of the truth, and the opposite of what it says in The Bible."

What's Grandich's No. 1 most important biblical rule of finance? "God owns everything. You may have bought that house, but He gave you the money to buy it, so it's His."

Some other lessons from the ultimate financial guide?

• Do put money aside for investing: "One of the most revealing parables is Jesus' story about a wealthy master who left three servants in charge of his financial affairs when he went away on a long journey," Grandich says. "When he returned, two of the servants had multiplied the coins for which they were responsible. The third buried his to keep it safe." That last servant ended up out on his ear. The story is a lesson: We must invest our money - and invest wisely.

• Debt's not prohibited, but it should be avoided: The Bible clearly warns that the borrower will be a servant to the lender, but it also instructs us to lend money. That suggests that there are times when it's OK to borrow, but it should not become a way of life. The Bible also instructs us to repay what we've borrowed.

• The more you make, the more you should give. This is a hard one for people caught up in buying bigger and better things, but there are numerous references to charitable giving. The Bible says that it's quite all right to buy the bigger house - but the more you make and spend on yourself, the more you need to give to others. That doesn't include tithing, another very clear demand: God expects you to give 10 percent of your wealth to your place of worship.

• Don't focus on acquiring possessions. There are many, many warnings that accumulating stuff is dangerous. Material things are fleeting and they'll do you no good in the long run. What you put your effort into, that's where your heart will be, Grandich says.

About Peter Grandich

Peter Grandich became renowned in the financial industry when he predicted market crashes and rebounds in The Grandich Letter, a newsletter he created in 1984. It's currently a blog featuring his commentary on the world's economies and financial markets as well as social and political topics. Grandich is co-founder, with former New York Giants player Lee Rouson, of Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management Co., a firm that specializes in offering guidance from a Christian perspective to professional athletes and celebrities.

Lyons, NE - April 25, 2012 - Today the Center for Rural Affairs called upon Senate Agriculture Committee members to adopt crucial amendments to the Farm Bill proposal currently before the committee. They are expected to begin debate on amendments today, Wednesday, April 25th.

"Unfortunately, the farm bill proposal before the Senate Ag Committee slashes investment in rural small business development and value-added agriculture while increasing crop insurance subsidies for some of the nation's largest farms and wealthiest landowners. There are opportunities to fix some of these issues right now, while the Committee debates amendments to the bill," said Traci Bruckner of the Center for Rural Affairs.

According to Bruckner, the amendment* offered by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) is an important first step. It would deny farm subsidies to individuals with taxable income over $500,000 and married couples making over $1 million. The money saved would be invested in revitalizing rural communities through small business development, beginning farmer programs, value added agriculture and assistance for small towns in updating water and sewer systems.

Likewise, Bruckner stated that the amendment offered by Senator John Thune (R-SD), Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE), Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) helps reverse the perverse incentive in current farm policy to break up marginal, erosion prone grasslands.

"Their amendment limits crop insurance benefits and premium subsidies for crops grown on native sod or land that a producer cannot verify has ever been tilled," Bruckner continued.

As the Senate Agriculture Committee begins debating the next farm bill, they will undertake consideration of over 100 amendments offered by members of the committee. According to Bruckner, this is a time when much of the direction of the Senate Farm Bill will be determined.

"Moreover, in today's economy it is more important than ever that the Senate make wise choices," said Bruckner.

She further explained that under current and proposed farm policy, if one corporation farmed an entire state - her home state of Nebraska, for example - then the federal government would pay 60 percent of its crop insurance premiums on every acre, every year, even in times of record profits.

"This does not reflect rural America's priorities or our values. We face a simple choice, either lavish subsidies on mega-farms, or, invest in rural America's future. The best choice is obvious," Bruckner added. "And there will never be a more important time for rural Americans to let their Senators know how they come down on that choice than right now."


* The Sherrod Brown/Ben Nelson Amendment to the farm bill would deny farm payments to individuals with adjusted gross income of over $500,000. The savings would be used for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program ($25 million over 5 years), Value Added Producer Grant Program ($100 million over five years), beginning farmer programs ($45 million over 5 years), Water and Sewer replacement backlog ($150 million) and RBEG/RBOG business development programs ($10 million over 5 years).