As we enter 2020 and a whole new decade, we are reflecting on the factors that have affected insurance agency sellers in 2019. In our role as an M&A firm specializing in the independent insurance agency space, Springtree Group recommends…

There’s no denying that the insurance market is hot; insurance agency acquisition events are breaking records and 2020 looks like it will continue this upward trend. If you’re looking toward retirement, or otherwise considering exiting the insurance space, the current…

Buyer’s remorse is something we all want to avoid. When you’re investing hundreds of thousands or millions into a high-level opportunity like an independent insurance agency, the stakes are even higher. Today we’re sharing tried-and-true tips on how to avoid…

In order to secure a top bid when you’re ready to sell your independent insurance agency, focusing on profitability is key. Two agencies of comparable size carrying contracts with the same carriers can sell for significantly different amounts based on…

When selling any business, timing is key. To maximize your potential profit, selling your agency in a strong market is always ideal. Predicting recessions is tricky, but here are some facts: The US has seen 12 recessions from 1945 to…

The private insurance market has a blind spot. Owners and agents are aging, but fewer than half have a perpetuation plan in place. The following 5 Keys to Successful Perpetuation Planning will help you create a plan that will facilitate…

Most small business owners consider selling their ventures at least twice in their first decade of operation, and challenging fields like insurance are no exception to the rule. If you’re trying to determine whether this is the right time to…

Over the past several years, demand for insurance agencies has been growing steadily. While this is excellent news for would-be sellers, buyers must find the right balance between scrambling to place a competitive offer quickly and doing their due diligence….

Once you have decided to move forward with selling your insurance agency, it can seem like the most difficult part of the process is finding a qualified buyer. However, you may find that negotiations are often where the challenge truly…

There are many different reasons why insurance agency owners may choose to sell a successful business, which means there are also an equal number of potential Merger and Acquisition (M&A) strategies. Simply wanting to leave the industry or to focus…

  When exploring your options for selling your business, it’s important to think about how the sale will impact different stakeholders in your company. Your dedicated team has helped you make your business the success that it is today. The…

  After a long and successful career, many owners of independent insurance agencies decide they want to sell their business. Changing life circumstances like retirement or health issues and shifts in business interests can affect an owner’s desire to sell….

Selling your insurance agency requires a lot of careful planning and patience. It can take months to find qualified buyers, allow them to review your agency, and to arrange financing for the transaction. While it may take time to sell…

  Technology in the insurance industry is changing at breakneck speeds. This shift is affecting insurance agencies from all sides. Every aspect of daily life is now influenced by technology. Insurance companies are not exempt from this fast-paced transition. The…

Mergers and acquisitions amongst insurance agencies continue to grow. That’s great news whether you’re buying or selling. However, the deal of the decade isn’t worth the paper it’s written on if it’s poorly executed. Business ventures such as these require…

Whether you currently own an insurance agency or are considering acquiring an existing agency, this is a great time to be involved in the industry. Several contributing factors, including beneficial legislation, macroeconomic conditions, and a hard market resulting in increased premiums, have been catalysts to a continued growth in the insurance industry for many agencies nationwide.

When considering the sale of their brokerage, most insurance agency owners focus on the valuation of the business and finding a qualified buyer for the transaction. Understandably, their primary objective is to pocket as much profit on the sale of…

In today’s marketplace, every small business runs on technology. Coffee shops use credit card readers that plug into iPads. Pest control companies schedule appointments through online calendar systems. And boutique marketing agencies leverage cloud-based project management tools and CRMs. Modern…

You’ve paid your dues as a broker and you’re ready to take your career to the next level by purchasing an independent insurance agency. Or maybe you’re an established agency owner and want to broaden your market reach by acquiring…

Browse any industry journal these days, and you’re bound to see reports of the booming market for independent insurance agencies. In fact, 2017 looks to be a record-setting year for M&A activity in the insurance arena, with reported transactions for…

If you’re thinking about selling your independent insurance agency, 2018 could be a great time to make it happen. Several economic factors have come together to create a “seller’s market,” but there’s no telling how long this window of opportunity…

The past 12 months saw robust mergers and acquisitions activity for insurance agencies. Across the country, agency owners in their 60s and 70s who are transitioning into retirement provided opportunities for savvy buyers to acquire existing agencies with a strong…

Without fail, the phones in our office ring seemingly non-stop during the last quarter of the year, as insurance agency owners call to ask about selling their agency before year-end. Arranging a successful sale—and ensuring that you get the full…

When it comes to leveraging new technologies in business, many insurance agency owners are still in the Industrial Age. Fewer than half of all independent insurance agents use e-newsletters, text messages, social networks or instant messaging, according to last year’s Insurance Digital Transformation Survey, which polled more than 4,300 independent insurance agents nationwide. The majority also admitted that their business lacked key technology tools, like client portals and claims download. Given that digital tools are practically ingrained in the DNA of Millennial clients and commonly used by Gen Xers, agency owners and brokers who omit these options could not only fall behind the competition, but flat out miss reaching a significant segment of the marketplace.

As an insurance agency owner, you aspire to someday reap the fruits of your labors from building your book of business. That may mean living off the earnings from the sale of your agency when you retire, or using the…

If you are planning to sell your insurance agency in a few years, you could make a greater profit by moving up your timeline. That’s because we’re in a perfect storm for insurance agency owners, with several factors working in their favor for a transfer event.

When it comes time to sell your insurance agency, you want to get top dollar for the business. Whether a prospective buyer agrees with you about what the agency is worth is a different matter. The current practice for agency valuations is more complicated than just calculating a multiple for retained commissions. Discover what prospective buyers are looking for, and how to drive significant value for the business in anticipation of a sale.

If you dream of running your own insurance agency, you can follow various paths to make the vision a reality. You could start from scratch and build your client base, purchase an established agency, or purchase a book of business. The latter option often provides an easy point of entry for brokers who are just starting out, as well as a cost-effective option for those who want to expand an existing agency quickly.

A good business exit strategy can take years to come together, because businesses are the least liquid investment you can make. Much of the value of your insurance agency resides in intangible elements, like your relationships with vendors and clients, your ability to manage employees, your attention to detail, and your vision for the future. If you are considering selling your insurance agency, you need a great exit strategy to ensure that you get the full value of your business.

Demand from individuals wanting to buy an insurance agency has been strong for the past several years, which is great news for sellers. The flip side is that the seller’s market can make it hard for buyers, who are facing more competition and need to be savvy to get a good value. If you are considering an insurance agency acquisition, here are a few factors that can help you distinguish a great deal from a bad egg.

When it comes time to sell your business, having a professional handle the sale makes a profound difference. A business broker doesn’t just take the extra work of a sale off your hands; they know how to value, price and…

Why is it that some insurance agencies sell within a matter of weeks, while others linger on the market for months, or even years? Although vetting qualified buyers and negotiating financing arrangements can take time, the real or perceived value…

After devoting the latter half of your career to building a solid book of business, the time has finally come to sell your insurance agency. You envision the years of serving clients and building relationships with your team paying off…

Deciding to sell your insurance business is a big step and should not be taken in haste. You want to ensure that the entire process runs smoothly, and more importantly, you want to guarantee that you will find a suitable…

As with any business venture, cash flow is a crucial factor that will dictate the growth of your independent insurance agency. Having cash in the bank not only determines which opportunities you can pursue, but also the pace at which…

Mergers and acquisitions are not for the faint of heart, and a successful transaction takes patience, careful planning, and rigorous due diligence. Many independent insurance agency owners looking to sell their agency underestimate the time and expertise involved in coordinating…

A solid client list is the foundation of any successful insurance agency. After all, without clients, there are no commissions, and therefore no revenues. Building a client base can take years and requires patience and discipline. But, many independent insurance…

Successful insurance agents are knowledgeable about their industry, nurture good relationships with their carriers, and go the extra mile for their clients. But a select group of agents possess something more. They have an entrepreneurial spirit—they long to be their…

The insurance world is unique among business sectors, in that cash flows and profitability depend on several factors, from premiums set by carriers to policy renewal rates, new business, and overhead. Unlike more traditional retail business models, where owners can…

The past year has been a seller’s market for independent insurance agencies, as low interest rates, high valuations and a large number of buyers created the perfect storm for those looking to leave their business behind. Despite the positive factors,…

One of the most exciting aspects of owning an independent insurance agency is growing the business. Building a solid team and expanding operations are gratifying experiences that make the long hours and effort needed to establish a strong client base worthwhile. But, growing an agency is not without its challenges, foremost of which often is finding the necessary capital for expansion. Learn where to look–and where not to–for the funds to grow your business.

Whether they want to hire new producers, launch a marketing campaign, buy a book of business or transfer the agency to a family member, an agency owner generally will need to arrange an agency loan to fulfill their plans. Since most insurance agencies have limited access to capital from banks, working with a broker who has connections to multiple specialty lenders is a smart solution. Rather than asking the agency owner to put up personal assets or real property as collateral, these lenders can put together loan packages based on three primary criteria…

Many independent insurance agency owners build their business with the goal of selling the agency when they reach their 60s or 70s and using the proceeds to fund a comfortable retirement. But what happens if things don’t go as planned? A downturn in the business market—or worse, the death of the owner—can force an unplanned or unfavorable sale, which could have a negative impact on the owner, owner’s heirs, or agency employees.

The 2014 Future One Agency Universe Study estimates that 14 percent of independent agencies do not have a perpetuation plan in place, although industry insiders believe the number is much higher. Often, agency owners are so focused on managing the day-to-day business that they don’t consider what the future may hold. Here are three approaches to business perpetuation planning that can help ensure that your independent agency continues when you are no longer at the helm, and also ensure that you get the most value from your business while facilitating a smooth transition to new ownership.

As more Baby Boomers near retirement age, an estimated 50% to 75% of U.S. insurance agencies will transition ownership within the next ten years. However, both buyers and sellers are finding themselves in a difficult situation, because most traditional lenders…

You’ve reached a point in your life and career where you’ve decided it might be time to sell your insurance agency. Regardless of what the plan is for your next chapter, the timing of the sale of your agency is…

Each year, thousands of baby boomers move one step closer to retirement. For those who have spent the bulk of their career building an independent insurance agency, the plans to leave the workforce often include plans to sell the business….

Carl opened his insurance agency in 1986, and over the years, he has developed a loyal client base. His annual revenues are close to $500,000, which affords him a comfortable living and supports his five-person staff. But, after nearly three…

Many people in the world of business dream big; the inclination to reach for the stars is part of what makes a successful entrepreneur. When it comes to finding a buyer for your insurance agency, however, this tendency may work…

You have built your book of business over years, maybe decades, and now you are looking toward a new chapter in your life. Whether you plan to retire or focus your attention on another venture, selling your insurance agency is…

If you are well organized, have a knack for numbers, and enjoy meeting new people, a career in insurance sales can be very lucrative. But, just because you do well as an agent that is no guarantee that you will…

Welcome to the October edition of the Independent Agencies for Sale Bulletin from STG. Our sources for potential opportunities for you come through our ever-growing group of more than 5,000 sell-side intermediaries, broken financing deals, and our research activities. This…

In the insurance industry, the majority of independently owned agencies are smaller operations with a single office. An agent with a three- or four-person support staff will build a profitable business over 15 or 20 years, establishing a loyal client…

Insurance agents who are looking to grow or sell their business or consolidate debt often have difficulty finding the right lending solution. That’s because most banks and other lenders don’t understand the nuances of the insurance industry and how cash…

Building a small business is no easy task. Time, energy, money and, often, personal sacrifices are given and made to create and maintain a successful business. Once operations and management have reached a healthy functionality, you may think your investment…

In our latest report on independent insurance agencies for sale, we have noted that national M&A activity so far this year has continued to trend lower than average when compared to the same period over the last five years. The…

Through years of hard work and resolve, you’ve built up a successful agency in a challenging industry. Now you’re ready to move on and reap the rewards of all your efforts. The process of selling your agency and ensuring you…

The insurance industry is undergoing rapid changes. Experts estimate that 75 percent of insurance agencies will undergo a transition of some kind in the next decade, as Baby Boomer owners eager to enjoy retirement look to sell their firms, and…

Springtree Group is pleased to present a sample of the insurance agencies for sale that we have listed for March 2014. The M&A market activity in the segments of our focus is average for this time of year. The hardening…

Springtree Group is pleased to present the December 2013 insurance agency listings for independent brokers and agents. National activity for the year has been average to good. The seller’s market for independent agencies was prevalent all year, as was the buyer’s market in the captive arena. The firming of P&C pricing in most sectors caused selling multiples to lift in anticipation.

The Ascension Insurance Agency, based in Leander, Texas, will be merging with the Nihill Agency, located in Spring Branch, Texas. This transaction closed on October the 29th, 2013 and was led by Paul Nihill, Principal of the Nihill Agency; Janie Lua, Principal of Ascension; and Springtree Group CEO, Sam Patterson.

“The merger of these insurance firms helps reinforce a sustainable and marked advantage for our highly acclaimed insurance operations. The addition of the Ascension organization and client base significantly enhances our position as a leading provider of insurance services in the Texas Hill Country,” said Nihill. “Ascension’s clients will benefit from emphasizing top of scale customer service, programs, claims experience, integrated client relations as well as the addition of seasoned staff and resources.”

The Springtree Group (STG), a national leader in providing a full spectrum of M&A and lending services to agents and brokers in the insurance industry, and Premium Finance Associates (PFA), a specialized marketer and manager of financing services for Property & Casualty policies on October 9th jointly announced the formation of a new insurance marketing venture.

The agreement calls for the development of a new jointly owned marketing company, Insurance Agent Loan (IAL). The two companies will pool resources and intellectual property to speed the development and adoption of financial products and services to support increased productivity, growth and profitability of Insurance Brokers and Agents.

Finding your way through the complex insurance M&A process can be as difficult as cutting through the thicket of a jungle. Amidst the dense vegetation are hidden dangers and unique obstacles that can quickly lead to trouble. But navigating what is to you, uncultivated land, can be much smoother and safer with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced third party — a Mergers and Acquisition advisor.

In this Webinar from Oak Street Funding on deal origination, guest speaker Sam Patterson of Springtree Group addresses acquisitions, insurance agency lending, and how to locate the right deal.

Sam Patterson, founder and principal of Springtree Group, has been named a member of the American Association of Insurance Management Consultants (AAIMCo).

The Springtree Group last week announced the merger of Reno based Excess Loss Insurance Services (EXL) by its client, Gatekeepers LLC. The transaction closed on June 14th, 2013 and was led by CW Conner, Principal of Gatekeepers Insurance and Chuck BERTOLINA, CEO of EXL and STG CEO, Sam Patterson.

DALLAS, TX and Boise, ID — July 1st, 2013 – Springtree Group (STG), a leader in providing the full spectrum of M&A and lending / financial services to Insurance Agents and Brokers today announced a formal strategic relationship with Pacific…

Springtree Group was recently highlighted in a feature article from PropertyCasualty360.com about the complexity of acquisition deals for mid-sized agencies when real estate is involved. The article follows the case of two insurance industry pros who contacted Springtree Group (STG)…

The recent economic upheaval was especially hard on the insurance industry. To remain competitive, insurance agents and brokers must become even more financially productive by utilizing proper financial tools to increase revenue and lower operating expense. Through its Strategic Partner…

Springtree Group (STG) and First Capital Funding Corp (FCFC) this week announced the details of a new mid-cap agency loan program. The new mid-cap program provides a new option for insurance agents and brokers in need of loan packages above the $5 million…

Springtree Group (STG) and Semper Fidelis Capital™ have announced a new SBA Loan Solutions™ Program designed for independent insurance agents and insurance brokers. The new program provides many customizable options for insurance agents and brokers that allow them to choose their…

Springtree Group (STG) this week announced a new formal strategic partnership with Bank of America – Practice Solutions (BoA). The new BoA / STG Strategic Partnership agreement calls for the two companies to pool resources and intellectual property to speed…

Springtree Group (STG), a Mergers and Acquisition consulting and financial support firm, announced its successful representation of Independent Insurance Group Benefits of Dallas in its merger with Marsh & McLennan Agency. Independent Insurance Group Benefits is an insurance brokerage firm specializing in group employee benefits. Marsh & McLennan…

There is no slowdown for this Houston based company. Springtree Group, a leading M&A and financial advisor for the Insurance community, is pleased to announce the purchase of Houston based Alden Enterprises and Budget Insurance by its client, US Insurance…

DALLAS, TX and SCOTTSDALE, AZ — December 10, 2012 – Springtree Group (STG), a leader in providing the full spectrum of M&A and financial services to Insurance Agents and Brokers is pleased to announce the merger of Scottsdale based Cannon…

Dallas, TX and Fort Wayne, IN (PRWEB) December 16, 2012 The current economic upheaval has been especially hard on the insurance and financial industries. To remain competitive insurance Agents and Brokers must become even more productive by uncovering hidden revenue…

As the year winds down, we are pleased to report that our ever-growing group of nearly 5,000 business intermediaries has provided us with a fresh crop of seller leads from independent insurance agencies and brokerages throughout North America (including Canada). As…

We are pleased to present this month’s Insurance Agent and Broker buying opportunities. The listings below represent a small sample of some of the new independents provided to us during the previous month. Having access to sellers can be difficult,…

For the month of September, we compiled listings for numerous independent insurance agencies and brokerages across the country. Springtree Group clients receive these confidential listings on a regular basis, giving them insider access to key seller information that often is…

Springtree Group works diligently to provide our clients with confidential listings of independent brokerages and insurance agencies for sale. Below are sample listings from the most recent month’s report. Continuing this month is the slow activity in the State of…

The excerpts below represent a small sampling of the numerous listings for Texas-based insurance agencies currently available.

Springtree Group is the largest company in the U.S. to offer a portfolio of financial services built specifically to support the insurance agent and brokerage community. In our daily conversations with insurance entrepreneurs two of their most pressing questions are,…

Springtree Group routinely provides our clients with confidential listings of insurance agencies and brokerages that are offered for sale. Access to this type of information can be difficult to obtain, because open exposure of the desire to sell can be…

The Springtree Group was recently chosen to be a Featured Resource on Businesses For Sale (BFS), a multi-national online marketplace that provides both business buyers and sellers from around the world the opportunity to highlight their business needs. Key for…

We are highly encouraged by the activity we are see in our pipeline of agency buyers and agency financing activities. Springtree Group (STG) has approximately 100 contracted qualified buyers looking for firms under $5M in commission revenues. We contract on…

Every month, Springtree Group (STG) provides confidential listings to our clients of insurance agencies and brokerages offered for sale. Having access to sellers can be difficult because open exposure of the desire to sell can be a concern for sellers,…

In the April edition of Insurance Agent and Broker Buying Opportunities provided to our subscription clients, we have more than a dozen confidential listings reaching from Central Florida to California. We work to provide our clients with these highly confidential…

DALLAS, March 20, 2012 – Springtree Group, a leading M&A and financial advisor for the Insurance Agent / Brokerage community, is pleased to announce the purchase of Tampa based Insurance-Source.com by its client, The Walton Group. The transaction closed on…

Each month, we provide highly confidential listings of insurance agency and broker buying opportunities to our subscription clients. We communicate regularly with our network of more than 3,100 business intermediaries as well our network of consultants, attorneys, CPAs, bankers, DOIs…

Vantage Agora Inc., a provider of back office processing, systems integration, custom application development to insurance and finance companies, today announced a formal development and marketing partnership with the Springtree Group, a leader in providing a full spectrum of financial…