ABIA conference will discuss how to grow insurance sales.

Banking and insurance executives will discuss how to grow bank-based insurance sales during the American Bankers Insurance Association's (ABIA) 2003 Annual Conference at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel in Atlanta, Oct. 8-10, 2003.

The conference features more than 50 sessions designed to deliver comprehensive marketing strategies, compliance information and networking opportunities. Keynote speakers include: Wayne A. Abernathy, assistant secretary for financial institutions at the Department of the Treasury; and Aubrey B. Patterson, chairman and CEO of BancorpSouth based in Tupelo, Miss., and chairman of the American Bankers Association.

Sessions from the AB1A Best Practices Panel feature expert-led presentations and peer group discussion on exemplary business practices for servicing international clients' insurance and investment needs; acquisition alternatives for community banks; agency integration; compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule; and selling life, property and casualty coverage.

The ABIA Annual Conference is the largest annual meeting of the bank insurance industry and more than 500 attendees am expected. Registration costs $895 for ABIA members, and $1,495 for nonmembers. For more information, please call (800) BANKERS or register online at www.theabia.com.