Please join DFS for a Cybersecurity Symposium in honor of the 5th anniversary of New York's Cybersecurity Regulation (23 NYCRR Part 500) and help us spread the word to your respective members.

The Symposium will take place virtually over the course of three Tuesday mornings, in March, April, and May.  You can register for each of these events at:

Nicholas “Nick” Romo knows the impact life insurance can have and works to protect families every day.

Romo didn’t start out in the insurance and financial services industry, but he was drawn to it by two factors. First, he saw two of his friends who opened successful insurance offices. They were helping people who weren’t being served by large investment companies, and he knew that he, too, could make a difference. Second, he saw the real-life effects of not having insurance, as several family members passed away unexpectedly without life insurance—or without enough coverage. He knew that, if they had been covered, it would have been much easier for their families. “I thought it could be my role to help people in those situations,” he says.

Last year, the Appellate Division, Third Department, found Regulation 187 to be unconstitutionally vague. The Appellate Division concluded that “ambiguities in the language employed, coupled with [the regulations] lack of clear standards for how these provisions will ultimately be enforced” bestow upon DFS “virtually unfettered discretion” in enforcing the regulation, thereby rendering it unconstitutionally vague.

Legislative Update

The Legislature this week ratified new lines for New York’s Congressional and state legislative districts. The once in a decade process marked the first time that Democrats in the State Legislature held complete control over the reapportionment process. Preliminary indications point to Congressional Democrats having the opportunity to pick up three seats in New York.

Under the newly adopted State Senate lines, New York City will gain one seat in Brooklyn and Queens. These new lines largely reflect the growth in population in New York City over the last decade.

NAIFA-New York has learned that Lincoln Financial Group is suspending new sales of its MoneyGuard product in the state of New York, with a final day to submit applications of March 25th.

The New York State Senate has voted to confirm Adrienne A. Harris as Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS).

Robert Quinlan, MBA, LUTCF, LACP, has been in the insurance and financial services industry for over 35 years and plans to stay for many, many more.

A Family Tradition

Quinlan is the second in a three-generation tradition of military service. After college, he followed in the footsteps of his mother, who served as a U.S. Army captain in World War II. Quinlan served three years as an active-duty Field Artillery Officer. His daughter, NAIFA Colorado past president and West Point graduate Kathleen Owings, also served as a U.S. Army captain, earning the Bronze Star Medal for her service in Iraq.

State Attorney General Letitia James dropped out of the race for governor on Thursday and said she’ll instead seek a second term as New York’s chief law-enforcement official.

“I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general,” James said in a prepared statement.

“There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job. I am running for re-election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do.”

The move followed heavy criticism from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that James’ investigation of sexual harassment allegations against him was politically motivated.

Cuomo resigned in August, one week after James — using outside investigators — released a report that accused him of harassing 11 women, including nine current or former state employees.

Welcome new members who joined NAIFA-New York this November!

Belonging to your professional association sets you apart from the competition by ascribing to a Code of Ethics, voluntarily investing & participating in a performance-driven networking group, and serving your industry through advocacy and community service.

Opposition to Nomination of Acting Superintendent Harris

Twenty-five New York-based organizations called on Governor Hochul to rescind her nomination of Adrienne Harris for Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (“DFS”). Their statement stated, in part, that: