Northwestern Mutual Named A Top Innovative User Of Technology In The U.S.

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual today announced that it has been named one of the top innovative users of technology  in the U.S., according to the 2013 InformationWeek 500 – the annual list recognizing companies' innovative use of information technology. Northwestern Mutual ranks No. 129on the list.

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InformationWeek also named Northwestern Mutual's Enterprise Venture Fund, a technology innovation portfolio management approach, one of the "20 Great Ideas to Steal in 2013." Through the Enterprise Venture Fund, business leaders across the company explore new and innovative technologies while reducing the financial and operational risks associated with the adoption of those new technologies. Over the past five years, the value added by the EVF totaled more than $17 million.

"Our goal with the Enterprise Venture Fund is to ensure we invest in the right technologies at the right time to provide the greatest positive impact to the entire company and our clients," said Karl Gouverneur, vice president and chief technology officer. 

According to Gouverneur, the Enterprise Venture Fund ensures Northwestern Mutual's new technology investments either succeed quickly and affordably, or fail fast and inexpensively. This process ultimately helps ensure cost efficiency prior to making a significant investment and increases the potential for success when the idea is rolled out on a broader scale.   

InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual InformationWeek 500 listing.  As one of the largest and most trusted information networks of IT professionals, InformationWeek 500 has tracked the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of some of the best-known organizations in the country. Unique among corporate rankings, the InformationWeek 500 spotlights the power of innovation in information technology.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual is among the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2013 according to FORTUNE® magazine and has helped clients achieve financial security for more than 156 years.

As a mutual company with $1.4 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual has no shareholders. The company focuses solely and directly on its clients and seeks to deliver consistent and dependable value to them over time.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a holistic approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, limited purpose federal savings bank; Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual