Big Finance and Insurance Services Inc., started five years agoin Laguna Niguel, is setting the stage for an IPO in late fourthquarter or early 2001. The plan culminates nearly a year ofplanning that has included an initial $5 million private stockplacement and $17-million stock offering at $3.50 per share. About$14.5 million has been derived from joint ventures and variousinstitutions, with $2.5 million coming from a retail component.

Dallas-based E.W. Blanch, a subsidiary of E.W. Blanch HoldingsInc., will facilitate total fulfillment of the on-line insurancesales cycle, from quotes to policy issue. The firm's technologyalso can be implemented in multiple distribution sources, such asdirect point of sale. The joint venture will combine marketing anddistribution of leading-edge insurance products to manage risk,eliminate inefficiencies and take advantage of new revenueopportunities.

BigFNI serves as a "back office" for brokers or a tool forlenders and insurers. Financial and insurance institutions have thecapability of coupling online underwriting criteria on-line withBigFNI's risk analysis engine to receive only qualified loan orinsurance applicants. BigFNI actually rates and closes transactionsfor partnered institutions rather than just sending referrals. Therisk analysis engine also serves as a centralized data collectionpoint for organizations offering employee insurance packages.BigFNI's proprietary Odyssey Engine enables real-time processing ofconsumer applications.