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Putting together a surety program can range from a simple project to a complex undertaking, depending on the variables involved. The key is to identify the specific variables, steps and level of complexity in advance, so the proper approach can be taken from the start. The more complex and potentially difficult…

Most surety deals for privately held companies require the personal guarantee of business owners, similar to bank credit.  When a business gets larger and stronger financially, personal guarantees may be eliminated at some point.  Keep in mind, however, that a surety is also an unsecured creditor, so the surety is…

Two insurance brokers from Oswald Companies were named among the nation’s best in the 2023 Power Broker awards by Risk & Insurance magazine. Lacy Rex, vice president and cyber strategic leader, was chosen in the cyber category. Jonida Stuewe, vice president and practice leader in property and global risk, won…

Cyberattacks are on the rise, with individuals being targeted by digital criminals who threaten to hack into personal information. While we all prefer to think it won’t happen to us, everyone is a potential target. Below are some tips to protect your personal online presence, including social media accounts, use…

Oswald Companies and Unison Risk Advisors are continuing their drive toward long-term, sustainable growth through leadership appointments and strategic advancements for the Employee Benefits Division. Steffany Larkins has been hired as the president of the Employee Benefits Division at Unison Risk Advisors (the parent company of Oswald) to lead Unison’s…

Employers could receive significantly higher civil penalties for violations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), due to a new directive that allows compliance officers to levy penalties for each violation, rather than grouping them together. As of March 26, OSHA compliance officers will be able to use the…

We have all seen the ads for designer drugs, promising to fix serious illnesses and even issues that may not be life threatening but can impact our quality of life. Some may even help you lose weight. Those drugs sound great but they come at a price – and employers…

We might as well admit that many companies look at surety bonds as a necessary evil. This is because it’s a product that usually requires a personal guarantee and may also impede a business owner from success if bonds cannot be obtained under reasonable terms and conditions. On the flip side,…

The holidays are the giving season but now that the celebration is over, make sure you have adequate coverage to protect your valuables from damage, loss and theft. Perhaps you received a beautiful piece of jewelry or art, a valuable watch, book or bottle of wine. Maybe you even found…

You need at least one good bonding relationship, and that relationship should be with your surety broker. A good surety broker can effectively guide you through what could otherwise be an unwieldy and confusing process. For companies where bonding is critical, you may also want your broker to help you…