EXHIBIT 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  I, James N. Land, Jr., the undersigned, of P. O. Box 822,
Short Hills, New Jersey 07078, make, constitute, and appoint Edgar W. Blanch,
Jr., of P.O. Box 1409, Boerne, Texas 78006, my true and lawful attorney-in-fact,
in my name, place and stead sign the E. W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. Annual Report
to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.


                                       /s/ James N. Land, Jr.



(Acknowledgment)


STATE OF New Jersey)
                                               ) SS.
COUNTY OF Morris)



                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 2nd
day of March, 1999, by James N. Land, Jr.


                                      /s/ Percy Pacheco
                                      Signature of Notary Public





<PAGE>



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  I, Paul B. Ingrey, the undersigned, of 11 Capri Court, Palm
Coast, Florida, 32137, make, constitute, and appoint Edgar W. Blanch, Jr., of
P.O. Box 1409, Boerne, Texas 78006, my true and lawful attorney-in-fact, in my
name, place and stead sign the E. W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. Annual Report to the
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.



                                       /s/ Paul B. Ingrey



(Acknowledgment)


STATE OF Florida)
                                               ) SS.
COUNTY OF Flagler)



                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 27th
day of February, 1999, by Paul B. Ingrey.


                                       /s/ Stephanie M. Bernhard
                                       Signature of Notary Public




<PAGE>



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  I, William B. Madden, the undersigned, of 4520 Belfort,
Dallas, Texas 75205, make, constitute, and appoint Edgar W. Blanch, Jr., of P.O.
Box 1409, Boerne, Texas 78006, my true and lawful attorney-in-fact, in my name,
place and stead sign the E. W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. Annual Report to the
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.


                                      /s/ William B. Madden



(Acknowledgment)


STATE OF Texas)
                                               ) SS.
COUNTY OF Dallas)



                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 1st
day of March, 1999, by William B. Madden.


                                      /s/ Lola Richert
                                      Signature of Notary Public




<PAGE>



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  I, Steven G. Rothmeier, the undersigned, of P. O. Box 11901,
St. Paul, Minnesota 55111-0901, make, constitute, and appoint Edgar W. Blanch,
Jr., of P.O. Box 1409, Boerne, Texas 78006, my true and lawful attorney-in-fact,
in my name, place and stead sign the E. W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. Annual Report
to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.


                                      /s/ Steven G. Rothmeier



(Acknowledgment)


STATE OF Minnesota)
                                               ) SS.
COUNTY OF Dakota)



                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 26th
day of February, 1999, by Steven G. Rothmeier.


                                      /s/ Cathy A. Brandes
                                      Signature of Notary Public




<PAGE>



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  I, Joseph D. Sargent, the undersigned, of 25 Colony Road, West
Hartford, Connecticut 06117, make, constitute, and appoint Edgar W. Blanch, Jr.,
of P.O. Box 1409, Boerne, Texas 78006, my true and lawful attorney-in-fact, in
my name, place and stead sign the E. W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. Annual Report to
the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.


                                      /s/ Joseph D. Sargent



(Acknowledgment)


STATE OF Connecticut)
                                               ) SS.
COUNTY OF Hartford)



                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 1st
day of March, 1999, by Joseph D. Sargent.


                                      /s/ Eileen Bresnal
                                      Signature of Notary Public




<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  I, Chris L. Walker, the undersigned, of 15430 Masons Pointe,
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347, make, constitute, and appoint Edgar W. Blanch,
Jr., of P.O. Box 1409, Boerne, Texas 78006, my true and lawful attorney-in-fact,
in my name, place and stead sign the E. W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. Annual Report
to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.


                                      /s/ Chris L. Walker



(Acknowledgment)


STATE OF Minnesota)
                                               ) SS.
COUNTY OF Hennepin)



                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 24th
day of March , 1999, by Chris L. Walker.


                                      /s/ Mary K. Wright
                                      Signature of Notary Public




<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  I, Frank W. Wilkinson, Jr., the undersigned, of 2240 W. Lake
Isles Parkway, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405, make, constitute, and appoint Edgar
W. Blanch, Jr., of P.O. Box 1409, Boerne, Texas 78006, my true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, in my name, place and stead sign the E. W. Blanch Holdings,
Inc. Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.


                                      /s/ Frank S. Wilkinson, Jr.



(Acknowledgment)


STATE OF Minnesota)
                                               ) SS.
COUNTY OF Hennepin)



                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 2nd
day of March, 1999, by Frank S. Wilkinson, Jr.


                                      /s/ Mary K. Wright
                                      Signature of Notary Public