COVID’s impact on brokerage M&A: Myth versus reality
December 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to raise money from major banks to finance mergers and acquisitions, but well-run brokerages will still be attractive to buyers, suggests an expert in brokerage valuation. “When COVID hit, the banks…
How Aon and Willis are progressing on proposed merger
August 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe acquisition of Willis Towers Watson plc by Aon plc is on track to close in less than a year as Aon officials don’t seem concerned the deal will be blocked by competition regulators. “We are exactly on track with…
SPECS acquired by New York consulting firm
September 17, 2019 by Greg MeckbachSpecialized Property Evaluation Control Services, better known as SPECS, has been acquired by J.S. Held LLC, an American consulting firm, the companies announced Tuesday. SPECS, based in Langley, B.C., does property damage assessments, restoration consulting, construction project administration, risk management,…
Jardine Lloyd Thompson acquired by Marsh & McLennan
April 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMarsh & McLennan Companies Inc.’s acquisition of London, England-based Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc is now complete, New York City-based Marsh & McLennan announced Monday. The deal – which could form the world’s largest commercial property and casualty brokerage –…
Hub acquires two western-Canadian brokerages
November 9, 2018 by Jason ContantGlobal insurance brokerage Hub International announced this week it has acquired the assets of two western-Canadian brokerages. Hub acquired on Wednesday the assets of Tri-Line Agencies Inc., a full-service, independent brokerage headquartered in Rose Valley, Sask. Tri-Line Agencies offers personal…
How “differentiated” technology will change M&A valuations
October 3, 2018 by Jason ContantBuyers are increasingly targeting “differentiated” technology in merger and acquisition (M&A) deals, knowing they are going to be judged on the potential of what they can achieve with the technology they are purchasing. The value of an acquisition will increasingly…
This Top 5 liability insurer is looking for firms to buy
August 15, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe corporate parent of Canada’s fourth-largest liability insurer – American International Group Inc. – is actively looking for companies to acquire. “I always look for acquisitions,” said Brian Duppereault, CEO of New York City-based AIG, during a recent earnings call.…
Will more Canadian commercial insurers look south for acquisition targets?
April 26, 2018 by Greg MeckbachBuying American commercial insurers is a “strategy that could prove rewarding” for Canadian insurance companies, executives from Toronto-based DBRS wrote in a report released Thursday. Expanding into the U.S. commercial space “requires significant resources,” wrote Stewart McIlwraith, senior vice president…
WeGoLook in discussions with Canadian insurers as acquisition by Crawford & Company proceeds
December 12, 2016 by Canadian UnderwriterWeGoLook LLC has “discussions ongoing” with several Canadian insurance carriers, the Oklahoma City-based firm’s chief executive officer told Canadian Underwriter Monday. WeGoLook provides “an array” of insurance services for automobiles, accident scenes, damaged property, document retrieval, salvage and courier services,…