Topic Mergers and Aqcuisitions
Do digitally efficient brokerages make better acquisition targets?
December 2, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoBrokerage owners shouldn’t just invest in digitization for its own sake, says one financial advisor. They should do it to make a purchase and integration easier for consolidators. Consolidators don’t necessarily expect small brokerages to digitize before acquisition, said Alex…
Does digitizing help smaller brokerages appeal to buyers?
November 28, 2022 by Alyssa Di SabatinoSmall or family-owned brokerages prioritizing digitization strategies will be in a better position to grow through a merger or acquisition, experts told Canadian Underwriter. But it may be easier said than done, given financial or resource constraints faced by many…
Definity’s plans for brokerage, insurer M&A
November 28, 2022 by Jason ContantDefinity Financial Corporation is interested in both P&C brokerage and carrier acquisitions, the insurer’s president and CEO Rowan Saunders confirmed during a recent virtual fireside chat with RBC Capital Markets. “Even though we’ve just recently done a significant acquisition in…
How young, aspiring brokerage owners can outflank the consolidators
November 24, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWith the older generation of brokers retiring, opportunities are abound for young brokers who want to buy into an existing independent brokerage, said panellists in Canadian Underwriter’s LinkedIn Live event, ‘How to become a young brokerage owner.’ “[Independent broker owners]…
What selling a brokerage and ‘The Bachelor’ have in common
November 17, 2022 by Philip PoradoDating takes time, and hours of preparation – even The Bachelor takes a full season for the prospective bride-to-be to sort through all the contestants. And the process of selling your brokerage is no different, according to a brokerage M&A…
Behind the upcoming CEO change at Westland
November 15, 2022 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance Group is looking to evolve its leadership and talent by bringing in different backgrounds and perspectives, the brokerage’s outgoing CEO, Jason Wubs, told Canadian Underwriter in a recent interview. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Jamie Lyons will become president…
Three options for selling your brokerage
November 11, 2022 by Philip PoradoA consistent stream of property and casualty brokerage acquisition announcements over the past few years likely has a lot of brokerage owners thinking about how they’ll eventually exit the business. For most sales transactions, there are three basic options. One…
Why Intact Financial’s CEO says insurance market cycles aren’t ‘dead’
November 11, 2022 by David GambrillProperty and casualty insurance market cycles are by no means ‘dead’ — not because of insurers’ competitive behaviour, but because claims cost shocks often trigger the need to shore up pricing, according to Intact Financial Corporation CEO Charles Brindamour. Brindamour…
BrokerLink starts the month with 3 new M&A deals
November 8, 2022 by Jason ContantBrokerLink continues to expand in Ontario and Alberta with the acquisition of three more brokerages in those provinces. The Intact Financial Corporation subsidiary acquired D.G. Smith Insurance Brokers and Teck Insurance Brokers Limited (both Ontario-based) and Robinson Insurance Centre of…
Aspiring brokerage owners share the biggest obstacles for ownership
November 8, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhat’s the biggest barrier to brokerage ownership for the 30% of brokers who aspire to one-day buy their own firm? Financing, according to results from a Canadian Underwriter online survey. Of the 30% of broker respondents who want to own, exactly…
What’s on Dec? | Episode 1 | Brokerage M&A
November 8, 2022 by Canadian UnderwriterIn the inaugural 15-minute episode of CU’s What’s on Dec?, Smythe LLP partner Mike Berris discusses how market forces affect multiples and brokers’ selling habits. He also talks about how the current interest rates will influence M&A activity, business issues…
What happens to wealth advisors when P&C brokers buy them out?
November 4, 2022 by Philip PoradoSuccession planning is a key component of the acquisition strategies employed by P&C brokers buying wealth management, retirement planning and employee benefits advisories. That said, P&C brokerage buyers aren’t looking for the sellers to leave right away after the sale.…