Barbara McCleave
Neptune,NJ
Summary
Dynamic Financial Institutions Underwriter with a proven track record at Markel Corporation, excelling in account relationship management and analytical skills. Successfully increased GWP by 25% while managing a $3.5M renewal book. Adept at policy compliance and audit, fostering strong broker relationships to drive profitable growth and enhance client satisfaction.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Institutions Underwriter
Markel Corporation
Red Bank, NJ
09.2023 - 09.2025
- Underwriting new business and renewals in a profitable manner and according to authority level and established guidelines.
- Utilized underwriting tools to determine accurate classifications, rates and premium charges.
- Knowledgeable in coverage forms and policy language, appropriate utilization of forms and exclusions.
- Underwrote small, medium & large risks across the Financial Institutions product line that included Registered Investment Advisors, Financial Planners, Pension Consultants, Broker Dealers, Private Equity/Venture Capital & Fintech companies, ensuring comprehensive risk assessment and coverage.
- Managed a renewal book of business of $3.5M on average; solicited & selected new business that produced an underwriting profit.
- Addressed & resolved premium accounting/audit disputes on accounts.
- Successfully underwrote $1M+ (GWP) in new and renewal business in June 2025 contributing to a profitable portfolio in the Northeast Region and supporting company growth.
- Increased the GWP of the top CFI Wholesale Broker in the Northeast Region by 25%.
- Fostered relationships with both Retailers and Wholesalers via market facing.
- Retained strong business relationships with several assigned Wholesale brokers (ARC Excess & Surplus, PLRisk Specialty Ins., RT Specialty (various offices), RPS, Amwins Brokerage).
- Communicated with the Regional Manager and/or Product Line Leaders on individual accounts and made recommendations on coverage and pricing.
- Participated in any assigned special projects and underwriting meetings as required.
- Provided training and technical assistance to Associate Underwriters and underwriting support staff.
Financial Institutions Associate Underwriter
Markel Corporation
Red Bank, NJ
09.2021 - 09.2023
- Underwriting renewals in a profitable manner and according to authority level and established guidelines provided by Markel.
- Utilized underwriting tools to determine accurate classifications, rates and premium charges.
- Knowledgeable in coverage forms and policy language and appropriate utilization of forms and exclusions.
- Successfully underwrote Miscellaneous E&O & Financial Institutions risks across all lines of professional classifications.
- Managed a renewal book of business and implemented correct measures as needed to meet profitability expectations.
- Fostered relationships with Wholesale brokers in the Northeast Region via market facing/phone calls/emails.
- Communicated with Underwriting Manager and/or Product Line Leader on individual accounts and made recommendations on coverage and pricing; participated in underwriting meetings as required.
- Provided training/technical assistance to underwriting support staff.
Sr. Underwriting Support Specialist
Markel Corporation
Red Bank, NJ
05.2018 - 09.2021
- Responsible for providing administrative support to all areas of underwriting in the Professional and Management Liability departments.
- Maintained a high accuracy rate and strong attention to detail while handling a high volume of tasks that related to generating binders, processing endorsements, cancellations, BOR’s, renewal processing, archiving documents into the imaging system and policy issuance.
- Administered the underwriting process to ensure all renewals were completed and issued in a timely manner.
- This included managing the new business & renewal logs for all product lines.
- Completed and distributed insurance binders for Professional Liability, Management Liability and Lawyers Plus Accounts within processing standards established by the Underwriting Department.
- Obtained and reviewed the necessary information for policy servicing requests while upholding departmental service and accuracy standards.
- Communicated with brokers regarding renewal submissions, bind order follow-ups and subjectivities to facilitate policy issuance.
- Received recognition from Senior Underwriters/Management Team for responsiveness and ownership of responsibilities, contributing to the team success and client satisfaction.
Underwriting Support Specialist
Markel Corporation
Red Bank, NJ
05.2016 - 05.2018
- Responsible for providing administrative support to all areas of underwriting in the Professional and Management Liability departments.
- Maintained a high accuracy rate and strong attention to detail while handling a high volume of tasks that related to generating binders, processing endorsements, cancellations, BORs, renewal processing, archiving documents into the imaging system and policy issuance.
- Administered the underwriting process to ensure all renewals were completed and issued in a timely manner. This included managing the new business & renewal logs for all product lines.
- Completed and distributed insurance binders for Professional Liability, Management Liability and Lawyers Plus accounts within processing standards established by the Underwriting Department.
- Obtained and reviewed the necessary information for policy servicing requests while upholding departmental service and accuracy standards.
- Communicated with brokers regarding renewal submissions, bind order follow-ups and subjectivities to facilitate policy issuance.
- Received recognition from Senior Underwriters/Management Team for responsiveness and ownership of responsibilities, contributing to the team success and client satisfaction.
Financial Underwriting Analyst
American International Group
Neptune, NJ
08.1998 - 12.2015
- Obtained and analyzed available financial data to prepare and maintain numerous essential financial statements.
- Efficiently managed and reported on a portfolio of existing Premium Stabilization Fund and Rate Credit Liability accounts that totaled $24M in annualized premium.
- Handled various administrative functions that included updating and distributing of Association New Case Submissions, drafting Retention Agreements, Amendments and Administrative Service Commission Agreements for review and approval by Legal Counsel.
- Successfully compiled, organized and analyzed data relating to preparing financial statements and ad hoc experience reports, for the Association Retention and Non-Retention group plans in accordance with the terms of the existing Retention and Marketing Service Agreements.
- Developed renewals and participated in renewal meetings/conference calls to help coordinate the effort of obtaining rate action and/or benefit changes.
- Maintained the department Rate Repository database that included rate history for all Association group policies.
- Proactively updated and maintained the Association Imaging System with current up-to-date policy and rate information.
- This included the set-up of new cases, scanning and indexing of approved rate reviews, renewal/policy information, and marketing materials.
- Provided financial and analytical support to Senior Management, Association Business Partners and the Financial Underwriting Team, fostering collaboration and client-focused solutions.
Skills
- Account relationship management
- Requirements analysis
- Policy compliance and audit
- Research and resolution
- Proposal development
- Data reporting
- Team leadership
- Analytical skills
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Portfolio management
- E2 risk assessment tool
- ImageRight document system
Industry Training
- HIAA Industry Courses – Fundamentals of Health Insurance Part A & B, Completed
- The Institutes – AU 60: Evaluating Commercial Underwriting Risks, Completed
- S.N.A.P (Sales and Negotiation Program), Completed & Certificate received from Amplified Learning
Career Note
Previously employed as an Initial Claims Specialist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey and as an Emergency Room Registrar for Jersey Shore Medical Center. Also, previously employed as a Small Group Underwriter and Underwriting Assistant for First Option Health Plan.
Education
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJWork Preference
Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteHybridTimeline
Financial Institutions Underwriter
Markel Corporation
09.2023 - 09.2025
Financial Institutions Associate Underwriter
Markel Corporation
09.2021 - 09.2023
Sr. Underwriting Support Specialist
Markel Corporation
05.2018 - 09.2021
Underwriting Support Specialist
Markel Corporation
05.2016 - 05.2018
Financial Underwriting Analyst
American International Group
08.1998 - 12.2015
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Brookdale Community College