Northwestern Mutual Life has been recognized as "America's Most Admired" life insurance company by Fortune magazine.

T. Ronald Hahs, Northwestern district agent in Cape Girardeau, said Northwestern was one of four companies that have maintained its No. 1 position in its respective industries over the past 16 years that Fortune has ranked "Most Admired." Others include Boeing, J.P. Morgan and Kimberly-Clark. Fortune recognizes "Most Admired" in 49 industry groups.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, headquartered in Milwaukee, has assets of $72 billion, and 1997 revenue of more than $12 billion. The company has more than 7,200 agents in the United States.

The local agency is the T. Ronald Hahs Agency, 1307 Mount Auburn Road.

Bank purchase

Security State Bancshares Inc., a two-bank holding company headquartered at Charleston, has announced it is purchasing the Bank of Atkins, Ark.

SSB owns First Security Bank, a $91.9 million operation in Charleston, and Security Bank of Pemiscot, a $41.7 million operation in Caruthersville.