CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In June 2001, two faith-based providers of insurance and financial services -- Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL), based in Appleton, Wis., and Lutheran Brotherhood (LB), based in Minneapolis -- announced plans to merge. In September the AAL board of directors and LB general convention approved the merger that went into effect Jan. 1, 2002. The combined membership now has a new name to consider -- "Thrivent Financial for Lutherans."
Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood (AAL/LB), as the organization is now known, will send information and ballots to its members. Ratification and the necessary regulatory approvals are expected to be in place so the new name can be used about mid-2002.
"Proposing 'Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' as the new name for the fraternal organization is an important step in strengthening the work of Lutheran fraternals, while continuing to recognize historic ties to the Lutheran community," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America looks forward to continuing our collegial work with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through our distinctive roles as, together, we build the church and strengthen communities," Hanson said.
AAL/LB is the largest fraternal benefit society in the United States, with $58.6 billion in assets, 3 million members and more than 4,000 employees and field force members. In 2001, AAL and LB and their branches contributed more than $250 million in charitable outreach, and volunteers contributed nearly 20 million hours of service to their communities and Lutheran congregations.
AAL had 10,451 U.S. branches and more than $92 billion in life insurance. LB brought with it 1,055 branches and more than $50 billion in life insurance.
Separately, AAL and LB frequented the bottom of the Fortune 500 list. AAL/LB debuted in the middle of the list.
The merged organization's corporate center is based in Minneapolis, with operations remaining in Appleton. AAL/LB chairman of the board is John Gilbert, former chairman, president and CEO of AAL. Bruce Nicholson, AAL/LB president and CEO, held the same title in the former LB.
"The name 'Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' makes a bold statement about our approach to prudent financial planning and community outreach," said Nicholson. "The new name reinforces our commitment to helping Lutherans reach financial goals and participate in charitable giving and volunteering on behalf of the Lutheran community. In short, the name says 'we care about helping Lutherans, and the entire Lutheran community, thrive.'"
"We want an identity that positions us for the future while reflecting our heritage of serving Lutherans," said Gilbert. "Our longstanding and continuing commitment to the Lutheran community is reinforced in both the name and tagline, 'A Century of Serving the Lutheran Community.'"
A new corporate symbol accompanies the proposed name. The Thrivent heart "represents caring for, and unity with, the Lutheran community. The gold color suggests high-quality products and services, while the red accent symbolizes warmth and energy," according to an AAL/LB news release. -- -- --
Information about the AAL/LB merger is maintained at both http://www.aal.org/s -- the AAL Web site -- and http://www.luthbro.com/ - - the LB Web site.
Specific information about the new name and symbol is available at http://www1.aal.org/aal-lb/announcement/ on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
