Finance and Insurance

South Metro Denver is home to a growing number of leading companies in the finance and insurance industry.  In fact, metro Denver has been called the “Wall Street of the West”. This sector encompasses firms engaged in financial transactions and in facilitating those transactions.  Companies involved in banking and finance, investments, securities, lending, and insurance carriers and insurance brokerages would all be included in this key industry group.

The Charles Schwab Corp and Pulte Mortgage LLC, two major financial services companies, announced expansion plans in the SEBP area in 2009.  Charles Schwab, which presently employs 1300 in South Metro Denver, intends to bring 500 new jobs to Douglas County over a three year period.  Pulte Mortgage LLC is building a national headquarters building in Arapahoe County.

Major finance and insurance employers in the area include FirstData Corporation, Oppenheimer Funds, Western Union, Charles Schwab & Co., Wells Fargo Bank NA, FirstBank, US Bank, Nordstrom National Credit Bank, and Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Co.

The University of Denver, Daniels College of Business is ranked in the top 10 nationally for academic excellence in accounting and the financial services industry.   The key reasons to locate financial services and insurance companies to the area are a highly qualified workforce, outstanding quality of life, low to moderate costs of doing business, a pro-business environment and competitive tax structure, and a central location with global access.

Denver – Aurora MSA Occupational Salaries 2007*
Financial Analysts - $77,040
Financial Specialists - $62,510
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents - $80,200
Insurance Claims and Processing Clerks - $38,300
Insurance Sales Agents - $66,530
Insurance Underwriters  - $58,240

*Mean annual salary data is for the 10 county Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)    

Suggested web sites:
www.firstdata.com
www.schwab.com
www.greatwest.com
www.oppenheimerfunds.com
www.wellsfargo.com
www.firstbank.com
www.westernunion.com
www.usbank.com
www.aboutnordstrom.com
www.du.com
www.daniels.du.edu
www.coloradolendingsource.org
www.chfainfo.org

For more information please contact Lynn Myers at 303-531-8385