As Seen In Rebel Nation: Colby Arceneaux Brings It Full Circle In Oxford
Colby Arceneaux Brings It Full Circle In Oxford: From The Gridiron To The Boardroom
Ole Miss alumni, athlete founds unique and innovative insurance company, Upstream Life.
Leave it to an Ole Miss alumni–and former Rebel football and baseball player on the field–to come up with an original and innovative business that, the founder suggests, aims to put the South on the radar as a major life insurance player–as well as provide excellent, unique customer service and services.
Colby Arceneaux is the co-founder of Upstream Life, a life insurance company that creates the products they provide, not just selling them on behalf of other agencies. The norm today for most insurance agencies is to represent or act as brokers for the big national firm. Colby’s approach is different because Upstream is the national firm–a unique state domiciled life insurance company (either in Louisiana or Mississippi–the decision has not yet been made). His competitors are the big boys–but most of them, of course, are based out of the larger national markets. Upstream is as Southern as–well–SEC sports.
“We wanted to start our company, create unique products, and manage investment based in Mississippi, and Louisiana, ” Colby tells us. “And what’s been great so far is that our clients and associates that come down here for business are taken aback by the culture, the authenticity of the friendliness and all of the great things the south has to offer. But we are also here to help the Southern-based lower-to-middle market companies that need investment from one source but don’t have the resources a J.P. Morgan would require to even review or the time to gather all of the numerous lenders that a smaller bank would require them to assemble to even obtain, say, $3 million in capital. We want those companies in our investment portfolio.”
Upstream Life Insurance was founded in 2015, Colby says. “It’s full service life insurance that will also offer annuity products,” he says, “so our goal is to create a life insurance company that will create new products and bridge the gap between fixed and variable annuities. It’s great both for the consumers and the agents. We’ll be a national insurance carrier but we will proudly be domiciled in the South which, again, is important to us,” he continues.
Based in Oxford, having just moved back to his college town a mere few weeks ago, Colby notes that his background in finance as the CFO for a family business led him to see the need for a new type of capital provider especially in the lower-middle market. “Those companies and businesses really have an incredibly difficult go of it when it comes to obtaining capital to start up or expand,” he explains. “In trying to access capital in my role as CFO in for our family run energy service business, we also decided to be a company that could help those others, like us, in similar situations. My partner, Derek Hebert, and his family have an extensive background in insurance product and services so we brainstormed, created unique life insurance products, –and plan to manage an initial $5 billion right here out of Oxford.”
“We’ve been successful to this point and have met our initial goals,” Colby answers when asked where Upstream is now, “and we’ve also satisfied all of the regulatory bodies that we’re involved with. There’s a strenuous approval process to go through and we’ve worked very hard to get to this point. Getting through the regulatory environment and meeting the requirements has been our biggest hurdle, so the biggest success and biggest challenge thus far have been the same, really.”
Colby says Upstream has partnered with marketing agencies and IMOs, along with a network of independent agencies, and are getting the company’s product into their hands.
His love of Ole Miss came from his family’s relationship with former Ole Miss head coach, Ed Orgeron–that explains how a South Louisiana guy made the move to Ole Miss, Colby says. “I’ve known him all of my life and he recruited me to play ball here at Ole Miss along with Coach Frank Wilson, with football and baseball scholarships. But my love of the University really grew even more when I met my future wife here. Morgan is a North Mississippi native and we’ve been married now for seven years, together for more than ten, and she had loved Ole Miss from early on, naturally.” The couple is the parents of two children: son, Duke, who will be three in November and daughter, Piper, who turns one in November.
Playing safety on the football team and a second baseman “by trade”, Colby admits that he always has the urge to put the jersey back on when he attends Rebel games. “Happens all the time,” he laughs. “I go hang out on the field with my kids and I do get the bug, without a doubt!”
Graduating in 2010 with both a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting, Colby went on to Tulane Graduate School where he obtained both a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Energy and then to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to gain expertise in Mergers and Acquisitions. Obviously his background was preparing him for the entrepreneurial venture he went on to indeed start.
But where does he see Upstream in five years?
“We see ourselves managing and continuing to expand our unique insurance business,” Arceneaux answers. “We’re not a traditional insurance company now and we won’t be then,” he predicts with an obvious air of certainty.
“I’m so excited and happy to be back in Oxford,” Arceneaux concludes. “It’s fantastic. We love the hometown feel and we’re so glad to have the business here, as well.
To learn more about Upstream Life, visit UpstreamLife.us or call 1-877-543-3504.
Upstream Life Offers Most Competitive MYG Annuity Rates in the Country
Wink, Inc. Shows Upstream Life Crediting the Highest Rates
Dallas, Texas. April 8, 2020– Upstream Life Insurance Company, established in 1912, is offering the most competitive Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) rates in the nation, according to market research firm Wink, Inc.’s AnnuitySpecs Tool. The company is presently offering the most competitive MYGA rates for numerous guarantee periods, including their 3-, 5-, 7-, 10-, and 15-year MYG Annuity product terms.
“Upstream Life plans on being a leader in the life insurance and annuity market” exclaimed Derek Hebert, President and CEO of Upstream Life. He continued, “Our competitive product offerings uniquely reflect the value proposition that we want to offer to consumers who are concerned about outliving their retirement funds.”
Research from Wink’s Sales & Market Report shows that 37.8% of MYGA sales are in three-year annuity durations, another 44.7% is allocated to five-year MYGAs, and another 10.6% of sales are allocated to seven-year MYGA product terms. Upstream Life Insurance Company presently offers Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities with terms of 3-, 5-, and 7-year terms, as well as 10-, and 15-years.
Those interested in a contract can contact Upstream Life’s sales team at (833) 850-8198, or marketing@upstreamlife.us.
For more information, go to www.upstreamlife.us.
About Upsteam Life Insurance Company
Upstream Life is a leading retirement service company with a surplus ratio of 43.98% as of March 30, 2020. The company’s investment portfolio was 98.53% investment grade bonds, at the close of the first quarter of 2020. Upstream is a Texas-domiciled corporation with administrative offices in Texas. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Upstream Life serves customers in 20 states and has been serving American consumers for more a century.
Wink, Inc. is the company behind the most comprehensive life insurance and annuity due-diligence tools, AnnuitySpecs and LifeSpecs at www.WinkIntel.com. Wink, Inc. is also the distributor of the quarterly Wink’s Sales & Market Report, and the annual Wink’s Index Intelligence Report. The staff of Wink, Inc. has the combined experience of more than 175 years working with insurance products, more than a decade of which is specifically in competitive intelligence. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the firm offers competitive intelligence and market research in the life insurance and annuity industries; serving financial services professionals, distributors, manufacturers, regulators, and consultants on both a domestic and global basis.
Upstream Life Insurance Ranks No. 37 on the 2020 Inc. 5000 With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 7,206%
In March 2020, Inc. Magazine revealed that Upstream Life Insurance ranked No. 37 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. This list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success and it represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
“This is an amazing group to be a part of when you look at the list and read about your fellow honorees,” said Derek Hebert, Chief Distribution Officer of Upstream Life Insurance. “And when you look back at past recipients, many of whom have gone on to become household names, it provides inspiration for the potential we have here with Upstream Life.”
“I want to thank our entire team for working together to grow the business over the last three years,” said Hebert. “Having come from a sports background, I know that you cannot have big-picture success unless everyone focuses on doing their job and playing their role especially when it comes to client services. I’d also like to thank our growing list of clients who over the years have allowed us to provide for their needs through a diverse range of products and services.”
“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. “There’s no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities.”
About Upstream Life Insurance Company
Upstream Life is a leading retirement service company with a surplus ratio of 43.98% as of March 30, 2020. The company’s investment portfolio was 98.53% investment-grade bonds, at the close of the first quarter of 2020. Upstream is a Texas-domiciled corporation with administrative offices in Texas. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Upstream Life serves customers in 22 states and has been serving American consumers for more than a century.
Upstream Life Ranks No. 3 on Inc. 5000’s 2021 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America
Inc. Magazine revealed that Upstream Life Insurance ranked No. 3 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. This list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success and it represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
Upstream Life is an industry leading life insurance company that provides fixed annuity products to the market. Upstream Life was founded to provide niche life insurance products that bridge the gap between fixed and variable annuities with both the client and agent in mind.
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including web sites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
Upstream Holdings, Inc. Announces BBB- Investment Grade Rating from Egan-Jones Ratings Company
Upstream Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that it has received an investment grade rating of “BBB-” from Egan-Jones Ratings Company, an independent, unaffiliated rating agency on the Company and Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”).
Egan-Jones is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO) and is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP). Egan-Jones is also certified by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of, the Notes referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.
About Upstream Holdings, Inc.
Upstream Holdings, Inc. is rapidly growing insurance holding company that provides best in class life insurance, annuity and retirement solutions to retirees in the U.S. The Company operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Upstream Life Insurance Company (“Upstream Life”) and Upstream Insurance Company of Tennessee (“Upstream Re”). Upstream Life is a nationally licensed life insurance company that designs and develops in-demand annuity products that are distributed through independent distribution channels. Upstream Re is a Tennessee licensed insurance company that provides reinsurance and capital for fixed annuity liabilities originated and administered by unaffiliated insurers. The Company also provides operational and regulatory infrastructure and expertise to enable asset managers and third-party investors to form, capitalize and manage their own reinsurance vehicles.
Upstream Life Insurance Company Announces $300 Million Transaction with Antarctica Capital
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Upstream Life Insurance Company (the “Company”) announced that they have entered into an agreement under which the Company may cede up to $300 million of fixed annuity statutory reserves to Antarctica Capital.
The reinsured block may consist of certain durations of the Company’s Secure Legacy MYGA statutory reserves over the 2023 and 2024 issue years. The transaction is expected to improve the Company’s capital position, including increases to free cash flow and RBC coverage.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of any securities that may be referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.
About Upstream Life Insurance Company
Upstream Life Insurance Company is a rapidly growing life insurance company headquartered in Oxford, MS. The Company provides best in class life insurance, annuity and retirement solutions to retirees in the U.S. Upstream Life is nationally licensed and exceeds in designing and developing in-demand annuity products that are distributed through independent distribution channels. For more information visit https://upstreamlife.us/.
About Antarctica Capital
Antarctica Capital is an international investment firm headquartered in New York with assets under management of approximately $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2022. Antarctica Capital is a registered investment advisor and is dedicated to investments in private markets and real assets and the establishment of long-term capital vehicles to leverage this investment focus. Antarctica Capital’s investment approach is active ownership with an inherent focus on sustainability and providing more than capital to develop companies. The firm has an absolute return focus, which leads the firm to rigorously evaluate and build conviction around idiosyncratic investment opportunities and build value through the implementation of its investment strategies, such as SIGA®, SARO® and SEREY™. For more information visit https://antarcticacapital.com/.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements included herein contain certain “forward-looking statements” which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or negative versions of those words, other comparable words or other statements that do not relate to historical or factual matters. The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic’s impact on the U.S. and global economy, as well as those described from time to time in our filings with the NAIC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
Upstream Life Insurance Company 877-543-3504
