COLUMBUS, Ga., Dec. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the
leading provider of voluntary insurance at the work site in
the United States, celebrated the
company's 60th anniversary in style today as Chairman
and CEO Dan Amos, along with
executives and family, rang the closing bell at the New York Stock
Exchange. Aflac was officially founded on Nov. 17, 1955, by brothers John, Paul and William Amos, who saw a need for
financial protection when an unexpected medical situation occurs.
Listed as AFL, Aflac first appeared on the New York Stock Exchange
in 1974.
"When I think of the humble beginnings of our company in a
six-room leased building in Columbus,
Georgia, with only 16 employees and 60 sales agents, it is
almost impossible to conceive where we are today," Amos said.
"After 60 years, we are a Fortune 500 company with revenues at
nearly $23 billion, employing more
than 10,000 people in the United
States and Japan, with more
than one hundred thousand associates and brokers selling our
products. Our founders were onto something back in 1955, and we are
so proud to uphold the traditions they set forth 60 years ago."
In addition to the 60th anniversary celebration,
Aflac is also commemorating 40 years of serving policyholders in
Japan as well as its 20-year
relationship with the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta. Earlier this year, Aflac announced
that it had exceeded $100 million in
contributions to the fight against childhood cancer, much of which
has been provided by the company's independent sales agents who
donate directly from their commission checks.
Also on hand was the iconic Aflac Duck, who lent a wing in
ringing the bell to end the week of trading at the Stock Exchange.
This marks the third trip for the Aflac Duck there, his first trip
being in 2010 to celebrate his 10th birthday. Now a
15-year-old icon, the Duck is responsible for elevating Aflac's
brand recognition to more than 90 percent from near single digits
when the campaign was first introduced.
About Aflac:
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt,
Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For six decades, Aflac insurance
policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on
recovery, not financial stress. In the
United States, Aflac is the leading provider of voluntary
insurance at the work site. Through its trailblazing One Day
PaySM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process,
approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business
day. In Japan, Aflac is a leading
provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4
households. Aflac individual and group insurance products help
provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For
nine consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere
magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2015,
Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies
to Work For in America for the 17th consecutive year. Also, in
2015, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired
Companies for the 14th time, ranking the company No. 1 in
innovation for the insurance, life and health category. Aflac
Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One
Day PaySM, visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.
Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of
Columbus and American Family Life
Assurance Company of New York.
Media contacts – Jon Sullivan,
706.763.4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact – Robin Y.
Wilkey, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX: 706.324.6330, or
rwilkey@aflac.com.
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SOURCE Aflac