WALNUT CREEK, CA--(Marketwire - March 14, 2011) - The MassMutual Financial Group has announced that the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency, under the leadership of CEO Robert Fakhimi, has earned an eighth Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company's (MassMutual) National Chairman's Trophy. With this most recent trophy, Fakhimi's agency has received the prestigious award for performance in eight of the last nine years.

MassMutual has an extensive field force of more than 5211 agents in 84 national offices. The Chairman's Trophy reflects an individual agency's accomplishments in revenue growth, recruitment and productivity. Only a select group of general agents win the award annually.

"My team always puts our clients first and everyone is highly motivated to do an exceptional job," Fakhimi said. "Our support services and I consistently dedicate ourselves to encouraging the career field agents to reach their full potential and work effectively with clients to help them achieve their financial goals."

The San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency has produced numerous outstanding career professionals since General Agent Robert Fakhimi joined as head of the office in 2001. Agents from San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency are top performers -- the office has produced esteemed Freshman Five honors five times in the last seven years. This year the agency led all MassMutual Agencies in Annuities Production as well as overall total premium. The Agency is headquartered in Walnut Creek, with additional offices in San Francisco, Roseville, Fremont and Milpitas.

About the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency LLC

With roots going back to 1891, the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency LLC is a significant contributor to the local economy, as shown by the following figures about the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency and its detached offices (as of December 31, 2010):

• More than 36,000 policyholders and clients¹

• Managing over $863 Million in assets (including assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual and its subsidiaries)

• More than $4.7 billion in life insurance face amount in force²

• Will return more than $8.3 million in dividends to its participating policyholders in 2009³

Robert Fakhimi is CEO and Managing Partner of the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency LLC. Headquarters is in Walnut Creek and branch offices are located in San Francisco, Fremont and Milpitas. Mr. Fakhimi can be reached at 888-803-3631, ext. 320 or by e-mailing him at rfakhimi@finsvcs.com. Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, member SIPC, Inc. 2121 N. California Blvd. Suite 395 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 979-2300.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit massmutual.com.

¹ An insured, owner, or payer of a MassMutual policy or contract.
² Amount of individual life insurance in force at the end of the period related to products issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, C.M. Life Insurance Company and MML Baystate Life Insurance Company. 
³ The amount of dividends to whole life policyholders in 2009.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Erica Zeidenberg
925-631-0553