On October 1, the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) rolled out its social marketing and branding campaign in the hopes of becoming a better-known household name in the District. After much planning and advice, the agency launched a brand new logo and a new set of collateral materials, which reflect different aspects of what we do—strong consumer protection and effective business regulation.

This logo was chosen for its simplicity and effectiveness in conveying the essence of DISB. The three triangles symbolize DISB’s three regulated industries of insurance, securities and banking. Together, the triangles form the shape of a diamond, a replica of the map of the District of Columbia. The simple design makes DISB’s name more prominent and easier to read than the previous logo.  

This campaign, as many of DISB’s other campaigns, focuses on one key element—the District consumer. The agency will continue to provide consumer protection, promote consumer-education campaigns and theme months, seminars and workshops on financial literacy in the community, while making a more concerted effort to make ourselves better known in the District.

During our most recent theme month, September—Life Insurance Awareness Month—DISB issued weekly consumer tips on various life insurance questions and issues. The agency also attended several District events such as ElderFest to interact with the public and to distribute educational materials. In the District of Columbia, the demand is high for consumer-education programs and financial literacy. Therefore, residents should feel free to check DISB’s website to learn more about our many programs and resources.

To match the other changes at DISB, we have revamped the consumer edition of the newsletter with a new name—DISPATCH—a minor play on the word, DISB. We left the previous name for the business edition, The Capital Connection, which you may also find on our website. In this issue, read about DISB’s successful Insurance Open House during Life Insurance Awareness Month in September and a special feature on charting the future of captives and alternative risk transfer. We discuss DISB’s new biennial report and the 2007 NAIC Fall Meeting. We have also commissioned a study to examine the impact of subprime mortgages in the District and a lot more. We hope this month’s topics will keep you coming back for more.

Happy Reading
Office of Communication and Public Affairs