S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc. Opens Chicago Customer Center as Part of National Expansion

		S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc., marked the opening of its new Chicago Customer Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception on Wednesday, September 28. Left to right: Chicago Housing Authority CEO Terry Peterson, Marillac House CEO Sister Catherine Mary Norris, S.USA President and CEO Vikki L. Pryor and S.USA Board of Directors Chairman and President and CEO of Ulster Savings Bank Clifford Miller cut the ribbon, opening the Center located at 55 East Jackson Blvd. (PRNewsFoto) CHICAGO, IL USA

CHICAGO, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc. marked the opening of its Customer Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by government and business officials as well as guests from Chicago non-profit organizations. During the late afternoon ceremony at 55 East Jackson Boulevard, S.USA President and Chief Executive Officer Vikki L. Pryor presented a company contribution of $5,000 to Marillac House, which serves Chicago's East Garfield neighborhood by providing social services and programs for young children, teens, pre-teens and expectant mothers. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050929/CGTH044 ) "This is a successful company with a spirit that Chicagoans applaud," said Paul O'Connor, executive director of World Business Chicago. S.USA, with a mission of making life insurance accessible and affordable to working Americans, is expanding nationally while diversifying its distribution channels and products. Domiciled in Arizona and licensed in over 40 states, the company has its home office in Newark, NJ. A.M. Best, the independent rating firm, gives S.USA an A- (Excellent) group rating for operating performance, financial strength and market profile. At the outset, S.USA's employee roster in Chicago numbers 17 people. S.USA's Customer Center will assist regional policyholders with product information and services. On an upper floor of the same building, S.USA has established the company's Marketing and Sales Office. The Chicago Customer Center is the fourth established SBLI USA's family of companies in a plan of national expansion. Other locations are in New York, Puerto Rico and Buffalo, NY. "We hope the community will look to us as a resource and partner -- one that understands their needs," said Pryor. "As our country faces its challenges and people find their own way, we want to help empower them in their lives, beginning with the information they need to make financial decisions. We want to help make them stronger, not just financially, but in every way. We are here to contribute to the growth of the Chicago community. Giving back to the community is part of our business model." Noting that S.USA and other groups are celebrating Life Insurance Awareness Month during September, Pryor said that the company hopes to help improve the financial situation of an estimated 50 million Americans who do not have life insurance protection. Many, she said, are "in the diverse communities often overlooked by other financial services companies." S.USA designs its Customer Centers as relaxed, yet professional environments where customers can feel at ease while making important decisions about their financial futures. In Chicago, as at other Centers, there are kiosks where customers can quickly and simply take financial self-assessment quizzes, learn in English or Spanish about S.USA's products and services, and obtain insurance quotations. The Centers also have play areas with games and plasma TVs to entertain children while parents are occupied. Currently, S.USA's products are offered in Illinois through the Customer Center and three bank insurance agencies: Banco Popular, Wells Fargo and Citibank. The company's web site also provides information at http://www.susa.com . "Strengthening our retail presence is part of our plan for growth. For S.USA to succeed and increase our brand awareness, we have to put Customer Centers right where the people are," said Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, M. Nasim Ali. The company, he said, plans to partner with community groups and host events such as Family Health and Wellness Days, a program that has been well- received in Buffalo and Puerto Rico. "Giving back to the community is part of our business model," said Pryor. "We're there to help financially empower people and provide them with the information they need to make informed financial decisions." Each year the company participates in community events that raise money for AIDS and breast cancer research, and provide services and food and clothing to the needy. About S.USA S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc., a financial services company that is committed to the value-conscious consumer. S.USA is dedicated to building lifelong relationships with customers and empowering them with the education and tools they need to take control of their financial destinies by offering affordable, flexible and easy-to-access products through a variety of integrated channels, including direct mail, telemarketing, the Internet and licensed agents, as it expands nationally. Additional information about S.USA products and services can be found at http://www.susa.com .