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Canada’s national newspaper for financial professionals with a circulation of more than 31,000 financial advisors, industry executives and portfolio managers notes that Mr. Lobbezoo succeeds Nicole Benson. Read more

Mr. Lobbezoo succeeds Nicole Benson, Chief Executive Officer and President of Valeyo, who remains on the CAFII Board as the director from her member organization.

Toronto – The Canadian Association of Financial Institutions in Insurance (CAFII) is pleased to announce that Chris Lobbezoo has been elected Chair of its Board of Directors. Mr. Lobbezoo succeeds Nicole Benson, who has completed a two-year term as Chair.

Mr. Lobbezoo, Vice-President of Creditor Insurance at RBC Insurance, brings 25–years of financial industry experience to the role of CAFII Board Chair. RBC Insurance is the brand name for the insurance operating entities of Royal Bank of Canada, and is among the largest Canadian bank-owned insurance organizations with approximately 2,900 employees who serve more than five million clients globally.

“I want to congratulate Nicole Benson for her leadership as CAFII Board Chair over the past two years,” said Mr. Lobbezoo. “During her tenure, our Association has expanded its use of customer satisfaction research on the products that CAFII members offer, and gained deeper insight into the insurance expectations of Canadians. We have also increased our focus on consumer education so that we can help Canadians understand more about the insurance options that our members provide.”

Ms. Benson, who is Chief Executive Officer and President of Valeyo, the primary distribution partner of Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company, remains on the CAFII Board as the director from her member organization.

“I would like to thank my fellow directors, the volunteers who serve on CAFII committees, and the Association’s management team for their support during my term as Chair,” said Ms. Benson. “I wish Chris the best of luck in leading CAFII to continued success.”

The Canadian Association of Financial Institutions in Insurance (CAFII) is a not-for-profit industry association dedicated to the development of an open and flexible insurance marketplace. CAFII was established in 1997 to provide a voice for financial institutions involved in selling insurance through a variety of distribution methods. CAFII believes consumers are best served when they have easy access to insurance, meaningful choice in coverage options, and competitive pricing. The Association’s members offer a variety of insurance products including travel, life, health, property and casualty, and credit protection insurance (CPI). These products are provided through client contact centres, consumer-friendly websites and apps, direct mail, agents and brokers, and travel agents.

CAFII works with government and regulators (primarily provincial/territorial) to develop a legislative and regulatory framework for the insurance sector that helps ensure Canadian consumers have access to insurance products that suit their needs. The Association’s aim is to ensure appropriate standards are in place for the distribution and marketing of all insurance products and services.

CAFII’s members include the insurance arms of Canada’s major financial institutions – BMO Insurance; CIBC Insurance; Desjardins Insurance; National Bank Insurance; RBC Insurance; ScotiaLife Financial; and TD Life Insurance Company; along with major industry players Assurant Canada; The Canada Life Assurance Company; Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company; CUMIS Services Incorporated; Manulife (The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company); and Sun Life.

Media contact:
David Moorcroft, Public Affairs Advisor, david@strategy2communications.com;