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The roots of American Fidelity Assurance Company (AFA) were established on the remote, dusty roads winding
through cotton and wheat fields in southwest Oklahoma. My grandfather, C.W. Cameron, facing the struggles to survive the Great Depression,
found innovative ways to help others survive those hard times by helping them protect their ability to work and earn a living.
From those roots and the principles of dedication, hard work and the desire
to provide financial security to working Americans has grown one of the largest private, family-owned life and health insurance
companies in the nation. Serving our niche markets with four core products: disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance
and supplemental health insurance, AFA has grown to have more than 1 million Customers and more than 1.6 million policies in force.*
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Despite the challenges of this uncertain economic time, 2008 was another strong year for American
Fidelity Corporation (AFC). I am proud of the performance of AFA, the flagship business in our corporation, and I feel
strongly that our long-standing conviction to conservative and disciplined business practices allowed us to be prepared
for these unprecedented times.We continued to manage our company conservatively, as we have done for nearly 50 years. It is
this focus on our core strengths and our core markets that allowed us continued growth in 2008 while other companies struggled to maintain.
The results from our core markets were on track and an excellent sales year was marked
by growth in our products and revenue in our education and automobile industry segments. Efficiencies continued to improve as
our business units focused on ways to better serve our Customers and brokers through systems, growth and training. The
strengthening of their existing portfolio and reduction of expenses situates our American Public Life operation for
clear focus on 2009, and the Life Division experienced solid growth in their Latin American business.
Along with many other validations of our financial strength, AFA remains among the top
2.8 percent in our industry with an A rating from TheStreet.com, and our A+ rating from A.M. Best
was confirmed for the 18th consecutive year.
Another 2008 highlight includes our ranking on FORTUNE magazine's list of the 100 Best
Companies to Work For in America. Knowing the effort and dedication our Colleagues put in to fulfill our promise to
our Customer, making the list for the sixth consecutive year is a testament to our strategic initiative to be an Employer
of Choice for our Colleagues. |
Focus on our Customer will continue to be our number one priority. In order to continue to
provide a quality environment for our Colleagues and our Customers, efforts will focus on increasing sales
and maximizing efficiencies and technologies as well as providing quality and innovative products to our Customers.
While we cannot predict how the markets will unfold as we move forward in 2009, our roots
run deep and our conservative approach to business allows us to remain poised for success through financial
strength, quality products and commitment to our Customer.
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