Topic
Mergers and Aqcuisitions
Anti-trust issues unlikely if Intact acquires RSA Canada: Analyst
November 16, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIntact Financial Corp. is unlikely to encounter any opposition from Canada’s competition regulator in acquiring RSA plc’s Canadian insurance operations, an expert from DBRS Morningstar predicts. “We see a material difference between the life insurance market and the P&C market…
Intact sets 50% growth target for BrokerLink
November 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIntact Financial Corp. is aiming to grow its brokerage subsidiary to a $3-billion-a-year operation, CEO Charles Brindamour told investment banking analysts recently. “BrokerLink recently surpassed $2 billion in premiums as it continues to grow organically and through acquisitions,” Brindamour said…
Why the impact of an Intact-RSA combo would vary by province
November 6, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThings could get interesting for brokers in Atlantic Canada if Intact takes over RSA’s Canadian operations, a Saskatchewan broker told Canadian Underwriter Friday. That being said, he felt if the proposed deal announced Thursday goes through, it would still leave…
Intact and Tryg preparing a joint offer to acquire RSA
November 5, 2020 by David GambrillA consortium composed of Intact Financial Corporation and Nordic property and casualty insurer Tryg A/S is preparing a cash offer to acquire RSA plc for £7.2-billion (about Cdn$12.3 billion). Intact is Canada’s largest property and casualty insurer, with a market…
The downside of selling for 4 times multiple during COVID
October 23, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDespite the economic disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, some brokerage owners could sell their business for multiples of more than four times revenue, but there is potential downside to this, Ontario brokers heard Wednesday at their annual convention. “About 15…
Brokerage M&A roundup: Westland and BrokerTeam announce deals
October 2, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWestland Insurance Group and BrokerTeam Group have both announced separate deals this past week. Westland Insurance Group Ltd. acquired two Alberta brokerages, effective Oct. 1. Surrey, B.C.-based Westland announced Friday it closed the acquisition of Carstairs, Alta.-based Ironside Insurance Brokers…
Fight continues over proposal to acquire property data provider CoreLogic
October 1, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA proxy battle is underway for control of the corporate parent of Canadian insurance technology vendor Symbility. Hedge fund advisor Senator Investment Group said Wednesday it is asking shareholders of CoreLogic Inc. to vote this November in favour of replacing…
The pandemic-induced change Intact says has ‘proven to work’
September 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachInsurers who sent most of their employees home to work have demonstrated remote access can indeed work — and even offer co-workers an opportunity to get to know each other’s families better — but it may be challenging over the…
Intact’s rationale for buying this bond and marine brokerage
September 16, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIntact Financial Corp.’s latest “tuck-in” brokerage acquisition is part of its ongoing expansion effort in the United States, chief financial officer Louis Marcotte suggested Tuesday. International Bond & Marine Brokerage Ltd. of Hoboken, N.J., announced Sept. 11 it is now…
Shareholders approve Aon-Willis merger
August 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAon plc’s proposed acquisition of Willis Towers Watson plc was approved Wednesday by both firms’ shareholders. The merger still requires approval from competition regulators in various jurisdictions (including Canada) plus the Irish High Court. Aon and Willis Towers Watson rank…
This blockbuster global brokerage merger goes to vote Aug. 26
August 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe industry will be closer to finding out whether the second and third-biggest global P&C brokerages will merge after shareholders of both Willis Towers Watson plc and Aon plc vote on Wednesday. Aon and Willis announced this past March that…
Why this BrokerLink exec thinks COVID could accelerate brokerage M&A
August 12, 2020 by David GambrillBefore the pandemic, hard market conditions and the increasing digitization of brokerages were already reasons for some broker principals to ponder selling the business and moving on, but the novel coronavirus may have further accelerated the pace of M&A, says…