Pan-American Life Insurance Group

General information

1911
Incorporation of Pan-American Life Insurance Company

1912
First policy is issued to Crawford Ellis, founder of the company. First policy issued on April 23.

1919
A female member of the sales force, B. B. Macfarlane, was solely responsible for the development of business in the State of Louisiana.

1926
First volume of “Revista Pan-Americana Edición Latinoamericana” was distributed to LATAM Agents.

1929
Fulfilled goal of becoming a company of “All Americas” reaching 20 states and 13 LATAM countries.

1941
A declaration of war did provide a challenge, but the company was still able to grow.

1952
Ground was broken and construction for a new Home Office in New Orleans began in June, 1950.

1961
After 56 years as President, Crawford Ellis became the first Chairman of the Board. And a new leadership, John Ruddock, assumed the presidency.

1964
In February 1964 G. Frank Purvis became President succeeding John Ruddock Purvis.

1970
Pan-American Life was authorized to do business in 31 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and 13 jurisdictions in Latin America.

1974
Wallace B. Schmitz became President and Purvis assumed the position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

1982
New Home Office building located at 601 Poydras Street. John Roberts succeeds Wallace Schmitz as President.

1989
Assets had grown to over $2.1 billion and insurance was growing to over $19 billion. Surplus had grown to over $104 million.

2004
John Kelly was elected the new Chairman of the Board and assumed the title of President while a nationwide search for the next President commenced.

José S. Suquet was elected as president, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors.

José Suquet was the first President of Hispanic heritage, a native of Cuba, one of the company’s original countries.

2007
The Board of Directors and senior management transformed Pan-American Life into a stock company owned by a mutual holding company.

2010
Pan-American Life received a ratings upgrade from A.M. Best to “A”.
Operations begin in Costa Rica, making Pan-American Life one of the few private insurance companies authorized to operate in the country.

2011
Celebrated 100 years of continued service and dedication to families in the United States and Latin America.

2012
PALIG acquired approximately $675 million in MetLife Alico/Algico assets across 15 countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

2015
Pan-American Life Insurance Group and Mutual Trust Financial Group merged their mutual holding companies creating a company with enhanced growth opportunities, diversification and financial strength.

2016
For the first time in its history, PALIG saw revenue and total premium exceed $1 billion.