The 1997 directory of agents and brokers is based on companies' responses to a Business Insurance questionnaire.

The directory is published as an editorial service; there is no charge to be included. However, companies must generate at least $500,000 in gross revenues from commercial retail brokerage in order to be listed in the directory.

Listings begin with the address, telephone and fax number of the company. Next, premium volume and gross revenues for both 1996 and 1995 are listed, as well as the percentage of gross revenues generated from U.S.-based clients and non-U.S.-based clients. The percentage of gross revenues generated from commercial retail brokerage is next, followed by a breakdown in dollars as generated through U.S. offices versus non-U.S. offices. The percentages generated from wholesale brokerage, reinsurance brokerage, personal lines brokerage, fee-based services, investment income and other activities follow.

The number of employees in full-time equivalent and commercial retail brokerage offices for 1996 and 1995 also are included.

Next, the year founded, parent company and the percentage of commercial retail brokerage generated from commissions and fees are given.

Acquisitions, locations of retail brokerage branch offices and non-retail brokerage subsidiaries are provided next, followed by a list of the states in which companies are licensed as excess/surplus lines brokers. Principal officers and a contact for readers seeking more information complete the listing.

If you wish to locate a company by state or country, refer to the geographical index following the directory listings. Locations of home offices as well as retail brokerage branch offices are included.

All figures are listed in U.S. dollars. The applicable yearly average exchange rate was used to convert figures for non-U.S. based organizations. Exchange rates are noted on the page one chart, except the following: Argentinian peso=$1.001 (fiscal year ending 7/31/96), $1.003 (FYE 7/31/95); Austrian schilling=$0.094 (FYE 12/31/96), $0.100 (FYE 12/31/95); British pound=$1.560 (FYE 12/31/96), $1.578 (FYE 12/31/95), $1.548 (FYE 6/30/96), $1.584 (FYE 3/31/97), $1.566 (FYE 3/31/96); Canadian dollar=$0.733 (FYE 12/31/96), $0.731 (FYE 12/31/95), $0.734 (FYE 3/31/97), $0.735 (FYE 3/31/96), $0.735 (FYE 7/31/96), $0.728 (FYE 7/31/95), $0.734 (FYE 8/31/96), $0.730 (FYE 8/31/95), $0.733 (FYE 9/30/96), $0.728 (FYE 9/30/95); Chilean peso=$0.002 (FYE 12/31/96 and 12/31/95); Colombian peso=$0.001 (FYE 12/31/96 and 12/31/95); Dutch guilder=$0.588 (FYE 12/31/96), $0.623 (FYE 12/31/95); French franc=$.196 (FYE 12/31/96), $0.201 (FYE 12/31/95); German mark=$0.665 (FYE 12/31/96), $0.698 (FYE 12/31/95); Hong Kong dollar=$0.129 (FYE 6/30/96 and FYE 6/30/95); Japanese yen=$0.009 (FYE 3/31/97), $0.011 (FYE 3/31/96); Mexican peso=$0.131 (FYE 12/31/96), $0.155 (FYE 12/31/95); South African Rand=$0.222 (FYE 3/31/97), $0.271 (FYE 3/31/96).

The information in each entry was compiled by Business Insurance based on data supplied by the agents and brokers. Although every effort is made to publish complete and accurate information, no public records are available against which to verify the information supplied by privately-held brokers.

If you would like to receive a questionnaire to be listed next year, contact Matt Scroggins, Business Insurance, 740 N. Rush St., Chicago, Ill. 60611-2590; 312-649-5483.