Benefit Advisors Network Forms Partnership To Provide International Benefit Solutions

CLEVELAND, OH (12/7/09) --- The members of Benefit Advisors Network (BAN) can provide their clients with international benefit solutions through their recently announced alliance partnership with California-based Global Benefit Associates (GBA).

GBA provides value-added solutions for international employee benefits needs and assists BAN members in managing their non-US benefit programs. GBA delivers competitive and cost-efficient services, tools and resources to meet every aspect of a client’s global, corporate strategy.

“The relationship BAN has forged with Global Benefit Associates will allow our members, or Smart Partners®, to work with GBA in order to provide their clients with seamless integration of high quality international benefit expertise through a single platform,” says BAN Director Deane Elek.

“GBA’s consultants bring a unique cross-section of experience to address clients’ global benefit requirements, and they can undertake assignments involving any location in the world. We are thrilled to be working with them,” Elek continues.

That feeling is mutual, according to GBA’s Rudolf von Tomaszewski, CLU. “Global Benefit Associates provides the clients of BAN members with a complete package of international benefit solutions,” notes von Tomaszewski, Principal – West Coast with GBA. “Our professionals are committed to serving all of the BAN Smart Partners®."

Specific services that GBA will provide to BAN’s Smart Partners® include:

A single source for international and local country services;

Greater global consistency in managing company benefit and/or compensation policies and objectives;

Cost savings and underwriting advantages leveraged through the use of a single, knowledgeable global advisor; and

Access to local country services through GBA’s affiliated network.

BAN is the premier national network of independent benefit advisory and consulting companies in the United States. BAN’s Smart Partners® are widely regarded as the ‘best of the best’ in their respective markets, and many of their clients require expertise that understands and can deliver global solutions.

About Benefit Advisors Network

Benefit Advisors Network is a federated association of benefits brokers who leverage their combined size to bring employers the right solutions at competitive prices. BAN recently announced plans to expand into 21 additional markets across the country. Unlike many other industry organizations, BAN only selects one firm per market or market segment to join the organization. That unique structure and philosophy allow members to share best practices, unencumbered by concern about the presence of their competitors. Together they represent more than 10,000 employer groups and 8.5 million employees. For more information about Benefit Advisors Network contact Director Deane Elek at (440) 528-0301 or visit the organization’s website at www.benefitadvisorsnetwork.com.