Topic Mergers and Aqcuisitions
Ownership critical to independence: broker exec
May 10, 2022 by Gloria CilliersBrokers are justified in thinking independence is shrinking due to increased consolidation in the P&C industry, according to Lorie Phair, president of the Canadian Broker Network (CBN), Canada’s largest network of independent brokers. To think ownership does not influence a…
Four Canadian brokerages swept up in latest M&A deals
April 11, 2022 by Jason ContantWestern Canada is the target for the latest rounds of acquisitions from large Canadian P&C brokerages. Intact Financial Corporation subsidiary BrokerLink and Westland Insurance Group announced recent acquisitions in northern and southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Westland Insurance Group also…
Five factors driving M&A activity in 2022
March 15, 2022 by Philip PoradoCalendar 2021 marked the first full year of positive mergers and acquisitions (M&A) performance for the world’s deal makers since 2016, said research compiled for WTW’s Quarterly Deal Performance Monitor. The research, conducted in partnership with the M&A Research Center…
Top 4 brokerage steps into new province with acquisition
March 8, 2022 by Jason ContantFounding Navacord broker partner Jones DesLauriers has announced Navacord’s inaugural partnership in Quebec with the addition of Abatis Risk Management (Abatis Gestion de Risques inc.) to its ranks. “The addition of Abatis deepens the Jones DesLauriers’ commercial bench strength, further…
What BrokerLink looks for in an M&A deal
March 7, 2022 by Jason ContantBrokerLink looks at best practices when making an acquisition, recognizing that each deal is unique and doesn’t follow a boiler template, says the brokerage’s president, Joe D’Annunzio. “One of the things for us is we look at best practices,” D’Annunzio…
BrokerLink execs discuss expansion strategy
March 4, 2022 by Jason ContantBrokerLink’s M&A strategy remains focused on regions where it currently does business and is not looking to get into other verticals at the moment, senior executives at the brokerage tell Canadian Underwriter. “The focus continues to be Ontario, Alberta, and…
Why this broker was fined $700 after an acquisition
March 3, 2022 by David GambrillAn Alberta broker has been fined $700 for failing to transfer her broker’s license when the Co-operators General Insurance Company took over the ownership of her brokerage. Brokers in Alberta and other provinces must have a license that is connected…
National brokerage acquires two Ontario-based firms
March 3, 2022 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance Group Ltd. has announced the acquisition of two Ontario-based brokerages: Stewart Morrison Insurance Brokers Ltd. and Transure Insurance Inc. Stewart Morrison Insurance provides home, auto, business, farm and agribusiness, and lifestyle insurance. It has offices in Lindsay, Fenelon…
How independent brokers can compete with the ‘big boys’
February 18, 2022 by Gloria CilliersOf the list of things keeping independent brokers up at night, none is more daunting than finding ways to compete with an “overwhelming amount of consolidators swallowing the industry,” say members of Canada’s largest network of independent brokers. “It’s a…
Definity grows commercial portfolio, eyes M&A
February 14, 2022 by Philip PoradoFocus on improving its commercial business has paid off, Definity Financial Corporation’s president and CEO Rowan Saunders told a Feb. 14 fireside chat with BMO Capital Markets equity analyst Tom MacKinnon. “It’s really a very different-looking portfolio now than it…
Is M&A growth better than organic growth?
February 9, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhen it comes to expanding your brokerages business, M&A may not always be better than organic growth, said panellists during a Canadian Underwriter webinar on Feb. 8. Doug Morrow, CEO and managing partner, Excel Insurance Group, sent a plea…
Why Intact beat its own expectations in recent quarters
February 9, 2022 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation expects its combined ratio to marginally improve in Canada as it continues to beat its own financial result expectations, the insurer’s chief financial officer says during an earnings call. Canada’s largest insurer saw operating direct premiums written…