Kemper Appoints Stephen McAnena as CEO
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 27 2026
0mins
Kemper Corporation (KMPR) announced the appointment of Stephen McAnena as President and CEO, effective June 1. McAnena will also join Kemper's Board of Directors. Interim CEO, C. Thomas Evans, Jr., will return to his role as Kemper's Executive Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel. Most recently, McAnena served as Executive Vice President and COO at Horace Mann (HMN). Kemper also announced the appointment of Anthony DeSantis to its Board of Directors, effective June 1. He has held senior leadership roles at various insurers including American Family, The General, Farmers, and AIG, among others.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy KMPR?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on KMPR
Wall Street analysts forecast KMPR stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
1 Hold
2 Sell
Moderate Sell
Current: 24.350
Low
35.00
Averages
47.50
High
60.00
Current: 24.350
Low
35.00
Averages
47.50
High
60.00
About KMPR
Kemper Corporation is an insurance holding company. The Company is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the property and casualty insurance and life insurance businesses. It is engaged in providing personalized solutions to individuals, families, and businesses through its Kemper Auto and Kemper Life brands. The Company conducts its operations through two operating segments: Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life Insurance. The Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance segment includes specialty personal automobile and commercial automobile insurance. These products are distributed primarily through independent agents and brokers. The Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance segment, based in Chicago, Illinois, conducts business in approximately 22 states under the Kemper Auto brand. The Life Insurance segment's principal products are individual life, accident, supplemental health and property insurance. The Company conducts its operations solely in the United States.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Investigation into Kemper Corporation Securities Violations
- Investigation Background: Johnson Fistel, PLLP is investigating whether Kemper Corporation violated state or federal securities laws, focusing on investor losses and their recoverability under federal securities laws, indicating serious concerns about the company's compliance.
- Loss Disclosure: On May 6, 2026, Kemper admitted that the increase in minimum liability limits effective January 1, 2025, has led to greater attorney involvement in claims and higher loss costs, suggesting potential financial risks for the company.
- Market Reaction: Kemper's relevant California rate filing indicates an aggregate increase of 6.9%, with about 50 points on bodily injury, which may affect investor confidence in the company's future profitability.
- Legal Services: Johnson Fistel is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm that recovered approximately $90.725 million for investors in 2024, demonstrating its strong capabilities in securities fraud and shareholder litigation.
See More
Kemper Appoints New CEO and Board Member
- Executive Appointment: Kemper announced the appointment of Stephen McAnena as the new CEO, effective June 1, aiming to leverage his extensive industry experience to drive strategic growth for the company.
- Board Changes: McAnena will also join the company's board, further enhancing the leadership team's expertise and decision-making capabilities, which is expected to bring new perspectives and growth opportunities to Kemper.
- Interim CEO Transition: Current interim CEO C. Thomas Evans will return to the role of executive vice president, secretary, and general counsel, ensuring stability and compliance during the transition period.
- New Board Member: Anthony DeSantis will also join the board effective June 1, strengthening the company's governance structure and enhancing the diversity and expertise of the board.
See More
Kemper Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Disappointing Financial Results: Kemper reported a GAAP net loss of $1.7 million or $0.03 per share for Q1 2026, falling short of expectations primarily due to significant pressures in California's personal auto business and statutory profit refunds in Florida.
- Cost Savings Initiative: The company has identified over $60 million in annual run-rate savings, most of which has already been implemented, aiming to reduce the Specialty Auto expense ratio from approximately 22% to below 20%, thereby improving financial health and competitive positioning.
- Premium Growth Momentum: Policies in force increased by 4.9% sequentially in Florida and Texas, while the Commercial Auto segment achieved over $1 billion in written premium for the first time, indicating strong performance in key growth markets.
- Future Outlook: Management expects to see initial benefits in Q2, particularly from rate adjustments in California and the rollout of new products, although challenges remain in the short term, with a focus on reallocating business towards more profitable markets.
See More
Kemper Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.32
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Kemper Corporation's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share, payable on June 2, 2026, aimed at rewarding shareholders and enhancing investor confidence.
- Record Date for Shareholders: The record date for this dividend is set for May 18, 2026, ensuring that investors holding shares before this date will receive the payout, which may encourage long-term shareholder retention.
- Company Asset Scale: With approximately $12 billion in assets, Kemper stands as one of the nation's leading specialized insurers, committed to providing personalized insurance solutions that meet the needs of individuals, families, and businesses, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Broad Customer Base: Kemper serves over 4.5 million policies and is supported by 24,100 agents and brokers, along with 7,400 associates, demonstrating its significant influence and customer service capabilities within the insurance industry.
See More
Kemper Completes Sale of Property and Casualty Distribution Operation
- Transaction Completion: Kemper Corporation has completed the sale of its property and casualty distribution operation to Confie, which includes Newins Insurance Agency Holdings, LLC, indicating a strategic shift for the company.
- Focus on Core Business: This transaction allows Kemper to further concentrate on its independent agent distribution channel, particularly in the specialty auto insurance sector, optimizing resource allocation for long-term value growth.
- Employee Transition: Employees associated with the business have transitioned to Confie as part of the transaction, ensuring continuity of operations and stability in customer service.
- Company Background: Kemper has approximately $12 billion in assets, serves over 4.5 million policies, and is represented by about 24,100 agents and brokers, dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of its customers.
See More
KEMPER CORP: UBS Lowers Price Target from $56 to $48
- Target Price Adjustment: UBS has reduced the target price for Kemper Corp from $56 to $48.
- Market Impact: This adjustment reflects UBS's updated outlook on Kemper Corp's performance in the market.
See More
Investigation into Kemper Corporation Securities Violations
- Investigation Background: Johnson Fistel, PLLP is investigating whether Kemper Corporation violated state or federal securities laws, focusing on investor losses and their recoverability under federal securities laws, indicating serious concerns about the company's compliance.
- Loss Disclosure: On May 6, 2026, Kemper admitted that the increase in minimum liability limits effective January 1, 2025, has led to greater attorney involvement in claims and higher loss costs, suggesting potential financial risks for the company.
- Market Reaction: Kemper's relevant California rate filing indicates an aggregate increase of 6.9%, with about 50 points on bodily injury, which may affect investor confidence in the company's future profitability.
- Legal Services: Johnson Fistel is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm that recovered approximately $90.725 million for investors in 2024, demonstrating its strong capabilities in securities fraud and shareholder litigation.
See More
Kemper Appoints New CEO and Board Member
- Executive Appointment: Kemper announced the appointment of Stephen McAnena as the new CEO, effective June 1, aiming to leverage his extensive industry experience to drive strategic growth for the company.
- Board Changes: McAnena will also join the company's board, further enhancing the leadership team's expertise and decision-making capabilities, which is expected to bring new perspectives and growth opportunities to Kemper.
- Interim CEO Transition: Current interim CEO C. Thomas Evans will return to the role of executive vice president, secretary, and general counsel, ensuring stability and compliance during the transition period.
- New Board Member: Anthony DeSantis will also join the board effective June 1, strengthening the company's governance structure and enhancing the diversity and expertise of the board.
See More
Kemper Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Disappointing Financial Results: Kemper reported a GAAP net loss of $1.7 million or $0.03 per share for Q1 2026, falling short of expectations primarily due to significant pressures in California's personal auto business and statutory profit refunds in Florida.
- Cost Savings Initiative: The company has identified over $60 million in annual run-rate savings, most of which has already been implemented, aiming to reduce the Specialty Auto expense ratio from approximately 22% to below 20%, thereby improving financial health and competitive positioning.
- Premium Growth Momentum: Policies in force increased by 4.9% sequentially in Florida and Texas, while the Commercial Auto segment achieved over $1 billion in written premium for the first time, indicating strong performance in key growth markets.
- Future Outlook: Management expects to see initial benefits in Q2, particularly from rate adjustments in California and the rollout of new products, although challenges remain in the short term, with a focus on reallocating business towards more profitable markets.
See More
Kemper Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.32
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Kemper Corporation's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share, payable on June 2, 2026, aimed at rewarding shareholders and enhancing investor confidence.
- Record Date for Shareholders: The record date for this dividend is set for May 18, 2026, ensuring that investors holding shares before this date will receive the payout, which may encourage long-term shareholder retention.
- Company Asset Scale: With approximately $12 billion in assets, Kemper stands as one of the nation's leading specialized insurers, committed to providing personalized insurance solutions that meet the needs of individuals, families, and businesses, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Broad Customer Base: Kemper serves over 4.5 million policies and is supported by 24,100 agents and brokers, along with 7,400 associates, demonstrating its significant influence and customer service capabilities within the insurance industry.
See More
Kemper Completes Sale of Property and Casualty Distribution Operation
- Transaction Completion: Kemper Corporation has completed the sale of its property and casualty distribution operation to Confie, which includes Newins Insurance Agency Holdings, LLC, indicating a strategic shift for the company.
- Focus on Core Business: This transaction allows Kemper to further concentrate on its independent agent distribution channel, particularly in the specialty auto insurance sector, optimizing resource allocation for long-term value growth.
- Employee Transition: Employees associated with the business have transitioned to Confie as part of the transaction, ensuring continuity of operations and stability in customer service.
- Company Background: Kemper has approximately $12 billion in assets, serves over 4.5 million policies, and is represented by about 24,100 agents and brokers, dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of its customers.
See More
KEMPER CORP: UBS Lowers Price Target from $56 to $48
- Target Price Adjustment: UBS has reduced the target price for Kemper Corp from $56 to $48.
- Market Impact: This adjustment reflects UBS's updated outlook on Kemper Corp's performance in the market.
See More
