Insurance Agency Merger & Acquisition Update: June 2019

Rolling 12-Month Activity by Buyer-Type (% Total)

Rolling 12-Month # Transactions by Buyer-Type

Rolling 12-Month Activity by Seller-Type (% Total)

Significant 2019 Broker Transactions

Private Equity-backed Ownership Changes

Other Observations and Comments

• The pace and aggressiveness of the buyers continue to push pricing and transaction counts to new limits

• Pretty quiet during Q2-2019 in the Top 100 group, with only one transaction closed during the quarter D

• Out of 67 total PE /Hybrid buyers active since 2008, 28 made acquisitions in 1H-2019, the highest total of any 6- month period other than 1H-2018 when 30 completed one or more acquisitions.

Explanation and sources of data:

Data is for U.S. and Canadian transactions in the insurance distribution sector for both retail and wholesale producers, including managing general agencies/managing general underwriters (MGA/MGU). These agencies and brokers provide property/casualty insurance, employee benefits, or any combination thereof. 

Data for reported and announced transactions have been obtained from various sources, including press releases, trade press articles, company websites and direct communications with buyers.   

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OPTIS Partners, LLC is a boutique investment banking and consulting firm with offices in Chicago, focused exclusively in the insurance distribution marketplace. Optis Partners provides buy-side and sell-side M&A services, ownership succession planning, fair market valuation and related consulting services. OPTIS was ranked as the fifth most active agent-broker M&A advisory firm in 2014 and 2015 by SNL Financial.

This analysis was prepared by Timothy J. Cunningham, managing director, and Daniel P. Menzer, senior partner. 

To learn more about OPTIS Partners LLC, please visit their website.