FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is one of the nation’s most trusted energy providers, a study of business customers by one of the nation’s top human behavior and analytics firms determined.

I&M, an operating company of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), was one of just 13 U.S. utilities to earn the designation of Cogent Syndicated 2020 Most Trusted Business Partners. I&M and other utilities earned the designation by demonstrating the business leadership and customer focus that have made them premier companies.

Business customers now rank their utility as their most trusted provider overall, outranking their primary bank and all other vendors, according to the report from Escalent, based in Livonia, Mich.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to temporarily shutter their operations, businesses have trusted their providers to work with them and the business community as a whole. Utilities rose to that challenge and established themselves as trusted partners,” said Chris Oberle, senior vice president at Escalent. “Utilities immediately began supporting their customers with the enhanced offerings and economic support that business customers were seeking from a quality provider. As a result, loyalty among business customers has strengthened greatly.”

I&M began communicating with customers early in the COVID-19 pandemic about payment plans and other options to help them with their utility bills. I&M has also served as a resource for business customers by informing them about the variety of government and other assistance available to businesses and posting the information at IndianaMichiganPower.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Brian Bergsma
Director of Communications and Government Affairs
317-670-3561
bebergsma@aep.com