Professional Links

The National Association of Surety Bond Producers traces its origins to 1942 and serves as the national association and resource for surety bond producers and allied professionals. Recognized as a leading voice for the surety profession, NASBP works to strengthen professionalism, expertise, and innovation in surety while advocating for its use worldwide. Its members specialize in providing contract and commercial surety bonds for construction projects and other obligations, helping contractors, businesses, public owners, private owners, and individuals obtain the financial assurance and protection that surety bonds provide. Through advocacy, education, publications, professional development, industry outreach, and member engagement, NASBP supports producers as trusted advisors who understand the surety marketplace, underwriting requirements, and the business strategies needed to achieve surety credit. Today, NASBP continues to promote the value of surety bonding, advance the interests of professional surety bond producers, and serve as an important forum for collaboration among producers, carriers, contractors, public officials, and other stakeholders impacted by surety bonds.

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America serves as a national thought leader and trusted advisor for the surety and fidelity industry. Based in Washington, D.C., SFAA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all segments of the industry, with more than 450 member companies that collectively write 98 percent of surety and fidelity bonds in the public and private sectors. Through advocacy, education, promotion, regulatory services, statistical reporting, technical assistance, and member engagement, SFAA works to advance the value of surety and fidelity bonding as essential tools for financial protection, economic growth, and risk management. Its efforts support construction surety, commercial surety, and fidelity bond markets by helping businesses grow, protecting companies and consumers, supporting critical infrastructure, and providing policymakers with accurate, data-driven insight into the impact of proposed laws and regulations. Today, SFAA continues to promote confidence in the industry while serving as a respected forum for members, stakeholders, and public officials committed to strengthening the role of surety and fidelity bonds nationwide.

The National Bond Claims Association traces its roots to the early 1970s, when Bob Wavrek, bond claims manager for Westfield Insurance Company – Ohio Farmers Insurance Company, and Richard McGhee, head of Westfield’s bond underwriting department, envisioned an annual gathering for bond claims professionals. What began as a small company-focused meeting was formalized in 1974 as the Westfield Bond Claim Open and Seminar, held at Westfield’s campus and limited to company representatives. As participation grew in the years that followed, the seminar expanded to include additional company representatives, attorneys, and consultants, ultimately developing into a respected national organization. Led by a core group of members, including the late John Mercogliano, the association became known as the National Bond Claims Association. Today, the NBCA is guided by a Board of Directors composed of senior claims representatives from major U.S. bonding companies and serves a membership of approximately 350 professionals working in the fidelity and surety bond industry.

The American Bar Association Fidelity and Surety Law Committee traces its origins to 1933 and has long served as a leading national forum for professionals working in fidelity, surety, construction, bond claim, and related legal disciplines. As part of the ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, the FSLC supports claim and legal professionals through respected publications, substantive educational programming, and meaningful opportunities for professional connection. Its conferences and committee activities bring together attorneys, claims representatives, consultants, industry leaders, and subject-matter experts to examine developments in fidelity and surety law, claims handling, construction disputes, commercial crime, emerging technology, and related insurance issues. Through its books, articles, CLE programs, newsletters, and national meetings, the Committee provides a collaborative setting for members to exchange ideas, analyze evolving legal trends, and strengthen professional practice. Today, the FSLC continues to advance the fidelity and surety community by promoting education, scholarship, leadership, and relationships across one of the most specialized areas of insurance and bond law.

The Surety Claims Institute traces its origins to 1975, when the Sandler, Balkin law firm in Kansas City and Contract Surety Consultants in Wichita invited Midwest-based surety company claims representatives to a two-day retreat at the Lake of the Ozarks. Designed as an informal setting for education, professional discussion, and fellowship, the event was initially sponsored by Bernard L. Balkin, C. A. “Joe” Doolittle, Carl Gilliland, and David Pharis, and featured programming on claims handling techniques, emerging case law, and developments affecting the fidelity and surety industry. As interest grew, the gathering expanded to include additional claims professionals, attorneys, consultants, and families, eventually becoming known as the Midwest Surety Association. By 1990, its continued growth led to the formation of a not-for-profit corporation, later known as the Surety Claims Institute. Today, SCI has grown from a regional meeting into a nationally recognized organization, offering high-quality educational programs, accredited continuing education opportunities, and a professional forum for fidelity and surety claims representatives, attorneys, consultants, and industry leaders to exchange ideas, share experience, and strengthen claims practice.