Speed is one of the most underrated competitive factors in the fixed annuity business. A client who has decided on a carrier is making a time sensitive decision. Rate environments shift. Funding windows close. The longer a contract takes to issue, the greater the risk of delays, changes, or lost momentum.
Wichita National built its application process around one number: 60 minutes. Every application received in good order is reviewed within an hour of arrival. The entire process is built around consistently achieving that standard.
What 60 Minutes Looks Like in Practice
A typical case moves through Wichita National in a predictable rhythm. The agent submits the application. The application enters the review workflow immediately, where it is reviewed for completeness and processed as efficiently as possible. The agent receives confirmation in real time as the case moves forward.
The result is a 98 percent in good order rate across applications received. Most cases move on the first pass, with no rework, no kickback, and no waiting on missing information.
Why the Process Is Different
Moving an application from submission to issue often involves multiple systems and handoffs. Each step creates another opportunity for delays, duplicate work, or communication gaps.
Wichita National has designed its application process to minimize those delays. The technology, workflows, and operational processes work together to move applications efficiently from submission through review and issuance. Rather than relying on disconnected manual steps, the process is designed to keep applications moving.
That operational focus is what helps Wichita National consistently review applications within 60 minutes.
What This Means for Agents and Their Clients
For agents selling in the annuity market, carrier speed translates directly into placed cases. Clients who wait weeks for contracts have time to second guess. Agents who cannot answer questions about timing lose confidence with their clients. Carriers who cannot deliver on promised timelines lose placement on future cases.
Wichita National's process is designed to reduce friction wherever the company has control.
