Posted on Thu, Oct. 22, 2009

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MMA to expand in Kansas

BY JERRY SIEBENMARK

The Wichita Eagle

A faith-based financial services company is increasing its presence in Kansas.

Goshen, Ind.-based MMA has combined two independent financial services agencies in Harvey County into a company-owned agency, officials said this week.

The two agencies, North Newton-based RPH Financial and Financial Partners in Hesston, are now part of MMA's central Kansas operations, based in Hesston.

Pete Flaming, managing director of MMA in central Kansas, said the deal for the two agencies was not a merger, though "there were some dollars for their book of business that was shared."

The combination creates an agency with nine staff, including Flaming and four financial services advisers: Gary Rediger, Dennis LeFevre, John Sommer and Kakim Kunantaev.

Flaming said the combination creates the only MMA-owned agency in the state.

MMA provides a range of financial services, such as investments, insurance and banking.

The combination is part of a "still unfolding effort" by MMA to focus on nine core markets in the U.S. where there is the heaviest concentration of members belonging to Anabaptist faith groups including Mennonite, Flaming said.

Central Kansas is one of those core markets, he said.

MMA, founded in 1945 by the Mennonite Church, previously was called Mennonite Mutual Aid.

With the combination, "we hope to have a more prominent presence in Kansas," Flaming said.

He added that MMA also serves individuals and groups not connected to the Anabaptist faith.

Besides Hesston and Newton, MMA operates an office in Hillsboro.

Reach Jerry Siebenmark at 316-268-6576 or jsiebenmark@wichitaeagle.com.

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