Voya hires JPMorgan’s Eisenbach as Martin builds retirement unit

By Sonali Basak

October 13, 2015 at 09:27 AM

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(Bloomberg) — Voya Financial Inc., the U.S. insurer formerly owned by ING Groep NV, hired Karen Eisenbach, formerly of JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s asset-management business, to focus on marketing retirement products to institutional and retail clients.

Eisenbach will be based in Windsor, Connecticut, Voya said in a statement Tuesday. She was most recently executive director for retirement marketing at JPMorgan, the insurer said.

Voya Chief Executive Officer Rodney Martin has been focusing on asset management and retirement, which are both less capital-intensive than insurance policies that can be in-force for decades. In April, he hired Charles Nelson, formerly of Great-West Lifeco Inc., as CEO of the retirement business with more than $100 billion under management.

"As we look to grow and find new ways to reach customers, especially through digital and data-driven initiatives, strong marketing leadership will be critical for our success," Nelson said in the statement.

Voya joins MetLife Inc. and Prudential Financial Inc., the two largest U.S. life insurers, in looking beyond the industry for marketing talent as the companies turn to technology and advertising to boost sales. Prudential in February added Allison Landers from Toronto-Dominion Bank to bolster digital offerings. MetLife in December announced that it hired Esther Lee, who previously worked at AT&T Inc., as global chief marketing officer.

Eisenbach managed her own consulting business and worked at Nationwide Financial Services and National City Bank before JPMorgan, New York-based Voya said. She received a degree in finance from Ohio State University. A representative for JPMorgan didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

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