Western & Southern move could bring up to 150 jobs to Cincinnati

Up to 150 new jobs could come to Cincinnati as part of a plan by Western & Southern Financial Group to relocate an Indiana-based unit to the Queen City.

Western and Southern is moving the operations of The Lafayette Life Insurance Company from Lafayette, Ind. - and those 150 jobs -  to Cincinnati by the middle of this year.

"Lafayette Life is a very important high-performing part of our family of companies," John F. Barrett, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Western & Southern said. "In Cincinnati, we have the capacity and resources to help build on Lafayette Life's strengths and enhance its support by taking full advantage of our scale through the back office services we have built."

Current Indiana-based, full-time employees will be given an opportunity to move to Cincinnati, those who decide to stay put will be offered a severance package.

"While Indiana and the Lafayette community both have been outstanding places to do business, we need to more fully leverage the resources and financial strength available through Western & Southern to ensure a successful second century for Lafayette Life and our customers," said Jerry B. Stillwell, president and chief executive officer of Lafayette Life. "Our policyholders and producers will receive even greater value through improved products and enhanced services as a result of this move."

Lafayette provides life insurance and annuity products to individuals and small businesses. Like many other member companies under the Western & Southern umbrella, Lafayette Life will remain a unique insurance company -  retaining its name, marketing and distribution structure. Lafayette Life has been a member of Western & Southern Financial Group since 2005.and is a 105 year-old company licensed in 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Western and Southern Communications

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