The CLA Agency was founded in 1973 by John Raimondo and Mike Kempski. Twenty-eight CLA employees, including Raimondo and Kempski will join Beneficial Insurance Services. The agency's professional staff will continue serving customers from its office in Newtown Square. "Our affiliation with Beneficial opens up a broad array of financial products and services to our agency's customers," said Kempski.
Beneficial Insurance Services was formed in 2005 by Beneficial Bank to acquire the business of Paul Hertel and Co., Inc., which serves as the foundation for the Company's continued growth in insurance revenue. Paul Hertel and Co. has been serving business customers since 1908. With the addition of CLA, the annual premium volume of Beneficial Insurance Services is expected to exceed $100 million, with anticipated annual revenue of approximately $10 million.
"This acquisition is consistent with our business plan aimed at increasing non-interest income and business development opportunities, and is expected to be accretive to our 2008 earnings," said Gerard Cuddy, Beneficial's president and CEO. "We're particularly excited about the strength and expertise that John and Mike and their team of insurance professionals will bring to our existing insurance agency. This expands our product offering and revenue stream in the insurance area, and also allows us to more effectively serve our customers."
CLA co-founder Raimondo said, "We share many things in common with Beneficial, including our absolute commitment to providing our customers with high quality, personal service."
Beneficial Mutual Bancorp is a community-based, diversified financial services company providing consumer and commercial banking services, along with insurance and wealth management services. Its principal subsidiary, Beneficial Bank, has served individuals and businesses in the Delaware Valley area for more than 150 years.