Founded in 1967, Clark Consulting specializes in the Strategic Financing and Investment Solutions to the Unfunded Liabilities of Executive and Employee Benefit Obligations. Our exceptionally knowledgeable consultants advise on business risk management and leading-edge financial products that help companies finance the cost of their benefit programs. Clark maintains dozens of offices nationwide and services close to 3,000 clients.

Origins

Clark Consulting, originally known as Clark/Bardes, Inc. was founded by Robert K. Clark and David A. Bardes, pioneers of the benefit industry. The company implemented executive benefit plans in large public corporations including Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs), Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans, Group Term Replacement and Directors' Charitable Programs.

In the 1980s, Clark/Bardes, Inc. expanded its consulting services to include the banking industry and designed the first bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) policy in 1982 to help offset the expense of employee benefits. The Minnesota Bankers Association was the first of many banking trade organizations to endorse Clark/Bardes, Inc. executive benefit programs.

A decade later, Clark/Bardes, Inc. endorsements reached national levels when The American Bankers Association through its subsidiary, the Corporation for American Banking, endorsed us in 1990 as a premier provider of nonqualified benefit planning for the banking industry. In 1998, Clark/Bardes, Inc. became the first company in its industry to go public with its stock (CLKB) on the NASDAQ exchange. With increased capital, Clark/Bardes, Inc. expanded its services to include compensation consulting.

A New Century

Through continued acquisition, Clark/Bardes, Inc. increased its national reach in the areas of compensation and benefits consulting and financing solutions. Actuarial services and qualified plan design, implementation and administration strategies were also added to its consultancy. In 2001, Clark/Bardes, Inc. changed it’s name to Clark/Bardes Consulting and later transferred its listing from the NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:CBC). Clark/Bardes Consulting continued to acquire additional companies over the next two years then changed its name to Clark Consulting to better reflect a more fully integrated compensation and benefits service offering. In keeping with this change, in 2003 Clark Consulting changed its NYSE symbol from ‘CBC’ to ‘CLK’ (NYSE: CLK).

In both 2002 and 2003, Clark Consulting was named one of the nation's "200 Best Small Companies" by Forbes magazine. In addition, we were recognized in 2003 and 2004 by Consultants News as one of the "Top 75 Consulting Firms" in the world and in 2004 and 2005 by Consulting Magazine as a "Top Firm to Work For."

The Present

In the first quarter of 2007, Clark Consulting became a wholly owned subsidiary of AEGON, one of the world's largest life insurance and pension groups, and provider of investment products. While not all of Clark's operating groups were acquired, the Corporate Solutions group (most aligned with AEGON's other interests), continues to operate as Clark Consulting; however, autonomously within the Extraordinary Markets Division.

As such, Clark Consulting benefits from the strength and stability of AEGON and has access to capital for continued growth and development and professional management. These benefits are conferred to our clients through high quality products, services and professional talent.

Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, AEGON's three major markets are the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom; however, the company has a well-established international presence. AEGON entrusts its operating units with the advantage of in-depth resources, along with the freedom to operate independently and reflect the personality of local markets.

Clark Consulting continues to provide a full array of financial products, corporate- and bank-owned life insurance (COLI/BOLI), benefits consulting, and administrative support services. With nearly 3,000 clients, it remains an industry leader serving all clients with integrity and trust.