NASSAU, BS – 25 January, 2012. Colina Insurance Limited, a leading life and health insurer, is set to host the second edition of CONNECT, the company’s sustainable insurance literacy and financial planning programme, at 6:30pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort. This session, themed “Who’s getting what you’ve got when you’re gone?” will focus on the life claims process as well as the legal considerations and importance of choosing the right beneficiary, including factors that affect whether the proceeds of a life insurance policy are distributed as the insured intends.

Life insurance is one of the most flexible estate planning tools available and many people’s most valuable asset. Naming a suitable beneficiary of a life insurance policy is one of the most important contractual rights of a policyowner, yet all too often it does not receive the attention it deserves. “Who’s getting what you’ve got when you’ve gone?” is designed to focus thought among clients and the general public on the soundness of their estate planning strategy regardless of their socio-economic category.

Presenters will discuss the factors that should qualify or disqualify a person from consideration as a beneficiary, the benefits of naming a corporate trust as a beneficiary, the life claims process from submission to final payout, and the impact of the Married Women’s Property Act on how life insurance proceeds are distributed.

The panel will include Janice Butler, Manager of the Central Processing Unit at Colina; Mary Rodland, Head of Fiduciary at Ansbacher (Bahamas) Limited; Millicent Wong, Assistant Manager of Colina’s Life & Disability Claims Unit; and E. Terry North, Partner at Alexiou, Knowles & Co. Counsel & Attorneys-at-Law.

“Studies conducted by several leading global research firms have shown that consumers  find insurance terminology and information relative to insurance the most difficult to comprehend when compared to other sectors,” says Colina’s Vice President of Life Operations, Wendy Butler. “CONNECT will allow Colina an opportunity to make a long-term commitment aimed at informing individuals of their rights and responsibilities as policyowners and helping them develop a long-term strategy which will allow them to make informed financial planning decisions.”

Through CONNECT, Colina will conduct free forums designed to help consumers gain a comprehensive knowledge of how to manage their life insurance and related financial planning products. More than 200 persons attended the inaugural session held in October 2011.

About Colina Insurance Limited

With more than $525 million in total assets and over $115 million in total equity, Colina Insurance Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited) is The Bahamas’ largest provider of life and health insurance and related financial planning products. The Company has a presence in The Bahamas spanning over 150 years. Colina remains steadfast in its commitment to more than 100,000 life and health policyholders whose coverage gives them Confidence for Life. Colina is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

To be verified during the month of November 2011, annuitants must visit any of the following Colina locations and be verified by one of our Customer Service Representatives.

• 21 Collins Avenue
• Rosetta Street
• Carmichael Road (Walk-In Medical Clinic bldg)
• Village Road
• Oakes Field (The Nassau Guardian bldg)
• East Mall & Poinciana Dr (Freeport)
• Don Mckay Blvd (Marsh Harbour)
• Turnquest Star Plaza (George Town)
• Clients may also visit CFAL (3rd Fl, 308 East Bay St)

The following must be presented at time of verification:

• Annuity card, and
• Valid Passport, Drivers License, or Voters Card

Annuitants residing outside of The Bahamas, or those who are unable to visit our offices physically may download the Life Certificate Form, complete it and have it validated by a Notary Public and delivered to our office at the address below.

Colina Insurance Limited
21 Collins Avenue, P. O. Box N-4728
Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas

Annuitants who fail to verify on or before November 30, 2011 will have their payments suspended, until such time as this process is completed. Should you require additional information, please contact our Customer Service Centre at 356-8300.

Download Life Certificate Form

In September, a month that has come to be known by many for its abundance of bills and scarcity of resources, Colina Insurance Limited is launching a 4-week promotion called the Less Stress Makeover – a promotion where participants answer the question “what’s your stress?” in order to win one of several prizes, including an all-expense-paid vacation to a premier Family Island resort. The promotion is being offered by Colina to raise awareness of the role of insurance in warding off the common stresses associated with financial unpreparedness.

“At Colina we know the stress that financial uncertainty can cause,” says Melanie Hutcheson, Corporate Communications Officer at Colina. “Our comprehensive life and health insurance plans are proven tools in providing peace of mind in the aftershocks of life’s unpredictable events. And now there’s one more: the Less-Stress Makeover.”

To participate in the contest, entrants must visit the website LessStressMakeover.com and answer the question “What’s your stress?” For several winners each week, Colina will offer prizes to meet the stated need, providing solutions for major stress-inducing challenges like rising college tuition, struggling to maintain a healthy savings account, escalating gas and grocery prices, and mounting utility bills. The grand prize is a 4-day/3-night stay at Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina with round-trip airfare courtesy of BahamasAir. There are also daily mini-stress-busters like mini-spa treatments or an escape to the movies which will be won randomly by radio station listeners.

“‘What’s your stress?”’ may be a tongue in cheek catchphrase, but we hope that it will garner enough attention to get people thinking about how financial planning can help alleviate some of the stressors in their lives” says Hutcheson. “Many of the prizes offer practical solutions to everyday stressors and, in this economy, they can meet a real need. There are also some feel-good prizes for those who just need a little pick-me up. Ultimately, the goal is to raise awareness of the need to plan for life’s what-ifs.”

To learn more about the campaign, visit LessStressMakeover.com.

About Colina Insurance Limited

Colina Insurance Limited (“Colina”) is The Bahamas’ largest provider of life and health insurance and related financial planning products. Colina is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company and services more than 100,000 clients throughout The Bahamas. Colina is the flagship company of publicly traded parent Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited (“CHBL”), which has more than $545 million in total assets and over $111 million in total equity.

About Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina

Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina is a premier resort community offering the ultimate in casual, elegant living. In September 2011 the resort was recognized as a 2011 Fodor’s Choice selection. This distinction designates Cape Eleuthera Resort as a leader in its field for service, quality, and value in 2011.

1. What does “Prime Rate” mean?The Prime Rate is the lowest loan interest rate charged by commercial banks to their most credit worthy clients. It is used as a base from which interest rates on bonds issued by the Government of The Bahamas and loan to the private sector are determined. Although this rate is set by the commercial banks themselves, it is directly related to the Central Bank’s Discount Rate. [x]
2. How has the drop in the Prime Rate affected policyholders of Colina?As the majority of Colina’s investments are tied to the Prime Rate, the Company’s investment income will decline. Therefore, the Company has had to make commensurate reductions in certain benefits enjoyed by owners of its participating policies. Specifically, there will be a change in the dividend on deposit interest rate for most policyholders and a change in the dividend scales. Non-participating policies do not benefit from dividends and are not affected by either change. [x]
3. What is a “participating” policy?A participating policy is an insurance contract that allows the policyholder to share in the experience of a block of insurance policies via policyholder dividends. [x]
4. What are policyholder dividends and are they guaranteed?Policyholder dividends are a means for a company to share a portion of the surplus of its participating policies with its participating policyholders. The benefits are provided annually and are based on the company’s dividend scale. However, dividends are not guaranteed and will fluctuate depending on the actual experience of the participating policies. [x]
5. How does Colina determine its dividend scale?There are many factors that are considered when determining the policyholder dividend scales, including the company’s investment returns and the claims experience and expenses of the participating block of policies. [x]
6. Does Colina have different classes of participating policies? How can a participating policyholder determine the class of his/her policy?Colina has two classes of participating policies, the Canada Life Closed Par block and an Open Par block. The Canada Life Closed Par block is comprised of participating policies of the former Canada Life which were transferred to Colina during the January 1, 2004 acquisition. The Open Par block is comprised of all other participating policies, including Canada Life participating polices which were retained by Canada Life.Participating policyholders may contact a Customer Service Representative  at any of the following locations to ascertain the class (Canada Life Closed Par or Open Par) in which your policy is held.
   
   21 Collins Avenue
   Rosetta Street
   Carmichael Road
   Oakes Field
   Freeport, Grand Bahama
   Marsh Harbour, Abaco
   George Town, Exuma.
   [x]
7. What will be the percentage adjustment in the dividend scale for both the Open Par and Canada Life Closed Par block of business, and how do these compare with previous years?The dividend scale on the Open Par block of policies will be reduced by 15%. This means, for instance, that an open par policy that would have earned a dividend of $100 before the change will earn $85 after the change. The closed par block has benefited from favorable financial performance since the acquisition and has built up a large surplus. While this block is also affected negatively by the reduction in the prime rate, its existing surplus permits Colina to increase its dividend scale. Colina shall increase the policyholder dividend scale on the Closed Par block of policies by 30%.
   
   In this instance, a closed par policy that would have earned dividends of $100 before the change will earn $130 after the change.The change in dividend scales for the two blocks differ as the agreement to acquire Canada Life’s insurance portfolio requires that Colina segregate the transferred participating policies and base their future policyholder dividends on their experience only. You should note that prior to this change Colina has maintained its policyholder dividend scales since 2006 when the dividend rates on the Canada Life and Imperial Life participating portfolios were increased by 15% and 10%, respectively. [x]
8. How will this impact the dividend on deposit credited rate?The dividend on deposit credited rate will be reduced from the current 3.5% to 3.0% for all plans except for Crown Partner. The Crown Partner rate will remain at the contractual minimum rate of 3.5%. [x]
9. How does the Dividend Scale differ from the interest rate on dividends on deposit?Dividend scale rates should not be confused with the interest rate on dividends on deposit. The interest rate on dividends on deposit is the rate of return credited to the policyholder for dividends left on deposit with the company. The dividend scale rate on the other hand determines what amount of dividends will be paid for a particular year. This is similar to the cash value scale which determines what the cash value is for a particular year. [x]
10. Will this change affect any guaranteed policy values?This change will not affect any guaranteed policy values. There will be no change to cash values and, for the most part, there will be no change in death benefits. Some participating policyholders have elected to use their dividends to purchase additional insurance via a paid up addition or enhancement target option. With the change in dividend scales, future open par policy dividends may purchase less additional insurance while closed par policy dividends may purchase more. [x]
11. How often should policyholders expect changes in the dividend scale?While annual reviews are conducted, every review will not result in a change in the dividend scales. Nonetheless, Colina will respond to significant events by reviewing its policyholder dividend scales. [x]

Colina is the largest life and health insurer in The Bahamas and has a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

Issued 15 August, 2011

NASSAU, BS – 11 May, 2011. Colina Insurance Limited (Colina) today announced that it has signed an agreement with The International Medicine Institute (IMI) of the University of Miami (UM) to provide advanced education and training programmes for healthcare practitioners and administrators within Colina’s network. This new knowledge and technology transfer relationship gives Bahamian physicians, nurses and group health plan administrators access to the medical and administrative resources and facilities available at the university teaching hospital through funding by Colina.

Benefits

Key to the agreement is collaboration via exchange of knowledge and technologies between IMI and local physicians.  Under the terms of this agreement, affiliated physicians will have an opportunity to travel to the South Florida medical campus of the Miller School of Medicine of the University of Miami for an interactive and dynamic learning experience observing the advanced application of specialty-specific procedures and techniques in close collaboration with a UM attending physician. The agreement also includes programme certification, physician access to Continuing Medical Education (CME) conferences and research collaborations. Administrators similarly benefit from exchange visits and support staff training.

The agreement with Colina is IMI’s first in The Bahamas and the region. It has similar arrangements in South  America. Practitioners and health plan administrators who participate in the programmes gain advanced knowledge in their specialty and are available to transfer knowledge to their local cohorts, thus elevating the overall national administrative and medical practice standard.

“Every day, advances are being made to transform the medical profession and we are excited to partner with the University of Miami to bring awareness of this expertise to local physicians,” said Executive Vice Chairman of Colina, Emanuel M. Alexiou. “The University of Miami is a leader among medical facilities in the southern United States and a major provider of healthcare services to The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Our affiliation with this world-class teaching and research institution will enable local providers to be exposed to cutting edge trends that will enable them to better serve our community. It also allows Colina the deeper educational resources to develop more informed clients who will then have the knowledge to be more proactive when it comes to their health.”

Advancements

Some of the first fruits of the partnership will be the introduction of Telehealth to the Bahamian private sector, and The Bahamas’ designation as an approved site for CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies such as videoconferencing to support long-distance consultations, referrals and health-related education in partnership with local physicians. Telehealth will offer patients access to immediate live consultations with doctors in the top 41 medical institutions in the Unites States and 150 others worldwide. Telehealth is expected to be especially beneficial to Family Island populations where healthcare providers are few in number or where there is a gap in availability of key specialties.

CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an investigational treatment for severe aortic stenosis (abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve). The procedure has medical tourism implications for The Bahamas as it is still an alternative treatment not yet available in the United States.

In September, Colina and IMI will cohost a major conference for local physicians featuring senior obesity and cardiovascular specialists from UM.

About Colina Insurance Limited

With more than $525 million in total assets and over $115 million in total equity, Colina Insurance Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited) is The Bahamas’ largest provider of life and health insurance and related financial planning products. The Company has a presence in The Bahamas spanning over 150 years. Colina remains steadfast in its commitment to more than 100,000 life and health policyholders whose coverage gives them Confidence for Life. Colina is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

About International Medicine Institute

The International Medicine Institute (IMI) is the international division of the University of Miami Health System and Miller School of Medicine. The IMI plays a key role in bringing the global community a comprehensive Institute providing the highest quality healthcare, education and cutting-edge research. The IMI facilitates services to patients from all corners of the world for consultation with renowned physicians, advanced treatment technologies, leading-edge medical therapies, and state-of-the-art surgical procedures. The Education and Training Center provides excellence in medical education and training to physicians and other healthcare professionals worldwide. The Research Division is poised to partner with international physicians and organizations to generate new knowledge through research projects and clinical trials.

After producing Generations of Bahamian Culture, the 2010 corporate calendar featuring familiar personalities and new faces of The Bahamas’ visual and performing arts scene, Colina Insurance Limited releases its 2011 calendar under the theme The Art of Charity. The calendar highlights the work of 12 local charitable organizations who, through service, have contributed greatly to nation building. From humanitarian aid and disaster relief to music education and animal rights, the organizations featured in the calendar bring to light the diversity of non-profit groups at work to alleviate suffering in The Bahamas.

Each organization’s mission statement was used to inspire a graphic illustration by artist Theo McClain of local branding and advertising firm Karma Design. The illustration was then paired with a quote that draws attention to the plight that the organization is helping to alleviate. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the calendar was also designed as a promotional tool for the featured organizations, and lists the dates of each organization’s major fundraising events in order to boost interest, support and donations for their key initiatives.

The calendar launched in December with a showing of the featured artwork and a silent auction of limited first edition prints. With art enthusiasts and patrons of the respective charities on hand, funds raised from the sale of the 12 pieces totalled $8,000 and were donated to each of the charities just before Christmas.

“This programme was an important opportunity for Colina to continue its celebration of key service organizations that make a difference in the lives of Bahamians,” says Melanie Hutcheson, Corporate Communications Officer at Colina. “For the past 17 years our pivotal role in corporate social responsibility has been as organizers and presenting sponsors of the annual Red Ribbon Ball – the largest fundraiser for the Bahamas AIDS Foundation. We proudly undertake The Art of Charity calendar as an avenue to provide organizations like the AIDS Foundation with another opportunity to raise awareness about the work they are doing in the community.”

The calendar features Rotary Clubs of Nassau (volunteerism); Zonta Club of Nassau (advancing the rights of women; the Bahamas Scout Association (youth development); REACH (autism awareness); Bahamas Humane Society (ethical treatment of animals); Ranfurly Homes for Children (abandoned and neglected children); Bahamas National Trust (environmental sustainability); Nassau Music Society (music education); Bahamas Historical Society (historical preservation); Bahamas AIDS Foundation (HIV/AIDS treatment, research and support); The Salvation Army (humanitarian aid); and The Bahamas Red Cross (disaster relief), featured on the cover.

The 2011 “Art of Charity” calendar is a publication of the Communications Department at Colina. Please contact Melanie Hutcheson, Corporate Communications Officer, at 396.2000 or melanie.hutcheson@colina.com if you have questions concerning the calendar or the artist or if you would like to donate to the charities featured.

NASSAU, Jan 28, 2010 – Publicly held commercial real estate and automated ticketing company RND Holdings Limited today announced that it has sold majority interest in the company to Colina Insurance Limited, the country’s largest life and health insurer. Colina, which has owned shares in RND since the latter’s initial public offering in 1998, now holds in excess of 50% of the equity in RND Holdings Limited, whose principal subsidiary, RND Properties Limited, manages the rental of commercial facilities RND Plaza West, RND Plaza Freeport and RND Plaza Abaco.

RND Chairman Jerome Fitzgerald says the move is a shot in the arm that will establish certain synergies to increase the company’s cash flow and bolster investor confidence. “We saw this move to expand our relationship with Colina as being particularly opportune during these difficult economic times,” says Fitzgerald. “Linking RND with Colina, a respected financial services institution with a long term view of investments, will bring value to shareholders and ensure that this company, which is strong now, will get even stronger in the future.”

Colina Executive Vice President, Emanuel Alexiou added, “Colina has had a long and favourable relationship with Mr. Fitzgerald. The RND properties are strong assets and we are pleased to expand our strategic and financial ties to RND through this real estate investment.”

Both RND and Colina advise that the transaction will not affect staffing levels at the company as no redundancies are expected to take place as a result of the new ownership structure.

NASSAU, January 20, 2010 – Today, Colina Insurance Limited and its affiliate companies donated $50K to The Bahamas Red Cross Society to mobilize relief efforts to Haiti after the country was struck by a 7.0 scale earthquake on Tuesday January 12. The group of companies, including Colina, CFAL, Ansbacher Bahamas Ltd, Genesis Fund Services Ltd, The Nassau Guardian and The Walk in Medical Clinic along with staff and agents of the respective businesses, collectively raised donations in response to a global plea for aid. The earthquake left hundreds of thousands of Haitians in need of food, clothing, and medical attention, and the country’s capital in ruins.

Melanie Hutcheson, Corporate Communications Officer at Colina, says it is times like these when Corporate Bahamas can really make invaluable contributions to the lives of its neighbours. “When you have lost your hospitals, police stations, and practically your government, one is likely to feel hopeless and confused” she says. “Colina and its affiliate companies understand that it is our corporate responsibility to provide assistance in the capacity we are able during this global disaster. Food and clothing are a necessity, however, cash donations will help to organize these goods quicker to the people who need it. We are happy to do what we can in the global plight to address some of the humanitarian needs of the Haitians right now.”

Colina made its donation to the Bahamas Red Cross Society through an established relief fund. Caroline Turnquest, Director General Bahamas Red Cross, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Society. “It is responsible corporate citizens like Colina that make the difference in bringing quick relief to those unfortunate individuals affected by this unexpected disaster” she said. “The Bahamas Red Cross is thankful to know that we have corporate partnerships in our society who join us in our fight to provide help to those who really can’t afford to fight for themselves. Their efforts should be applauded.”

The Bahamas Red Cross is a branch of the International Red Cross Society established in 1939 under the support of the British Red Cross. The Society is a nonprofit organization that offers a wide range of assistance to members of the community who suffer loss as a result of fire, hurricane, or any other form of natural disaster. The local branch has created a relief fund for Haiti accessible at any Royal Bank of Canada, account number (05165 2893865). Persons interested in donating can eithercall the hotline at 380.2222, visit any RBC banking location or visit the Society’s Facebook page online.

NASSAU, January 15, 2010 –  Colina Insurance Limited embarked upon a new creative project this year to highlight the contributions of local artists who have helped to shape the Bahamian cultural identity. “Generations of Bahamian Culture”, the 2010 concept calendar developed by Colina with Cacique Award winning photographer Wendell Cleare, features artists across the cultural landscape of Bahamian society.  Each month showcases a different niche of the Bahamian visual and performing arts scene and juxtaposes venerable cultural icons alongside contemporary rising stars. The calendar images can be viewed here.

This venture is the second concept calendar for Colina, a follow-up to last year’s “Bahamas Sacred Sanctuaries”, which featured historically and architecturally important churches throughout The Bahamas.   Melanie Hutcheson, Corporate Communications Officer at Colina says of the 2010 initiative, “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with so many artists on one project. The quality of talent reflected in the calendar is a virtual Who’s Who of local entertainment and art. There are many people out there who say that The Bahamas has no culture of its own but this calendar proves them wrong. The “Generations” project is our way of drawing more attention to the role these great Bahamians play in our everyday nation building.”

For more than 50 years Bahamians and visitors to these Islands have been touched by the inimitable tenor of Bahamian singer Ronnie Butler, featured in February with TaDa, a contemporary singer/songwriter making a name for herself on the world stage.  At age 72, with an enviable catalogue of hit songs, Butler’s favourite recording is still Burma Road, a 1960s musical interpretation of one of Nassau’s most famous cases of unrest. Butler has a fan in TaDa, a 21st-century crooner who got her start, as many do, singing in church. “It was a privilege to work on this project alongside Ronnie Butler who is a mentor of mine” she says. “He is truly a Bahamian icon, and has done so much for up and coming artists like myself.  Ronnie and I represent the entertainment industry of the past paralleled with the present. We both share the same hopes, dreams and aspirations for a much bigger, brighter, developed and supported music industry in our country. Kudos to Colina for being a pioneer by supporting Bahamian artists who are trying to enhance what we know to be culture.”

In the November image, actress Claudette “Cookie” Allens is pictured with newcomer Renel Brown who, at 14 made her debut on the silver screen in 2008 playing the title role in the movie Rain, the edgy coming-of-age film written, produced and directed by Bahamian filmmaker Maria Govan. Allens is herself a prominent stage actress recognized for her stellar performances in many traditional folk comedic plays. Her voice first rang out in the theatre in the 1960s when, as a member of the University Players, she performed Bahamian and Caribbean plays to audiences only recently accustomed to hearing their dialect spoken on stage. An actress for more than four decades, Allens was honoured in 2006 by the National Independence Committee for her prolific and groundbreaking work in theatre, film and radio.

“For 40 years I have witnessed the art of acting grow in this country,” says Allens. “I am humbled by the fact that Colina has chosen to honour me in this way. This significantly encourages those aspiring artists to continue their quest for excellence…I am encouraged to perform at my best for another 40 years.”

Marion Bethel, a lawyer by profession, and a poet by nature, has published two volumes of poetry – Guanahani, My Love and Bougainviella Ringplay.  She makes an appearance in October’s homage to poetry alongside Ishmael Smith and Andrew Burrows of Ruff Kutz. “This is a wonderful time for artists to be working in our various crafts,” says Bethel.  “The support of Bahamian private enterprise in our creative endeavours is necessary and vital.  This collaboration must be deepened and Colina’s production of this calendar is indeed commendable. The calendar is absolutely beautiful and should be circulated far & wide throughout The Bahamas.”

The calendar also features sculptors Antonius Roberts and Kelley Knowles; artists John Cox and Heino Schmid; chefs Tracey Sweeting and Jamall Petty; artisans Telator Strachan and Nadia Campbell; junkanooers Winston “Gus” Cooper and Chris Justilien; writers Patricia Glinton-Meicholas and Garth Bucker; filmmakers Gavin McKinney and Kareem Mortimer; dancers Robert Bain and Simone Davies; and playwrights James Catalyn and Cleveland Eneas III (aka Anku Sa Ra) who appear on the cover.