Indianapolis, IN, March 4, 2024 / PR Newswire / – INS Capital Group, a leading advisory firm to the financial services industry, announces its Agency Market Forecast for 2024.  This past year, the team assisted both buyers and sellers in over 40 transactions representing nearly $250M in transaction value.  With additional talent and resources the team is ready to assist agencies with their transaction needs.  Outlined below is a forecast of where we see the Agency Marketing heading in 2024.

2024 Agency Outlook – What’s Next ?

Many indicators for 2024 are getting big headlines.  Inflation is trending down.  The economy and employment are both cooling, unemployment increasing.  Rate cuts appear in the works.

Do we have a soft landing?  No one is making that call.  Credible concerns about a recession remain. Can business expect smooth sailing for 2024?  No.  It’s rarely ever that easy.

Agency Growth:

Carriers calming down?  Carrier responses to increases in reinsurance costs, inflation, and CAT losses have been substantial and for the most part understandable.  Is there a hope that rate increases may moderate, and carrier markets may stabilize?  Both would be welcomed by most agency owners.   The industry is strong and stable, yet certain lines may have more recovery ahead.

GDP growth may be modest.   Certain regions have strong growth.  Other areas are less vibrant.  Be smart about targeting resources.  Growth opportunities exist for owners strategically identifying niches in their operating region or sector that have positive trends. There is ample data on www.bea.gov .   It’s worth drilling down on this site to gain data specific to your zip code, county, and operating region.  

Here is a place to start.  https://www.bea.gov/system/files/stgdppi1q23.png

M&A Trends:

Sellers are getting younger.  Top dollar valuations require longer-term selling involvement and leadership.  The private equity buyers have improved culturally for successful integration of the agency and the people.  Savvy sellers are banking a chunk for retirement and re-upping a portion for another exit down the road with their new private equity owner.

Selectivity is apparent.  Many buyers are more focused on the type of agency that is desired.  Moreover, organic growth history is in high demand. That said, buyers with a generalist approach, personal lines appetite, and add on deals are active as well.

Fundamentals are on trend. Merger and acquisition aspects such as a quality book, niche business, and respectable financial history are highly valued.   Licensed, experienced people with agency tenure are always in demand.

Best wishes for a prosperous 2024.  We’re here to help!  Reach out today to get started.

About INS Capital Group

INS Capital Group is an advisory firm providing consulting and assistance with M&A transactions and capital solutions.  With an extensive network of buyers, sellers, and lenders, INS Capital Group can help businesses navigate a wide variety of transactions. 

INS offers buy and sell-side advisory, due diligence, valuations, perpetuation consulting, and access to capital via debt and equity options.  Over the past 30 years, the team has completed over 750 transactions representing more than $4B in value with market values ranging from $1M-$250M.

INS clients are insurance agencies, wholesale brokers and insurance networks. With expanded capabilities, INS continues expansion into the Registered Investment Advisor, CPA/Accounting practices, other financial services, and main street businesses.

For more information, please visit INS Capital Group at https://www.inscapitalgroup.com.

Indianapolis, IN, January 9, 2024 / PR Newswire / – INS Capital Group, a leading advisory firm to the financial services industry, announces record growth for 2023.  This past year, the team assisted both buyers and sellers in over 40 transactions representing nearly $250M in transaction value.  With additional talent and resources the team is ready to assist agencies with their transaction needs.

“In  2023, we’ve built a strong team of expertise here at INS Capital.  We’ve assisted our clients with a variety of needs this year leading to our record growth in dealflow.  Our team has ability to assist in buy/sell transactions, strategic perpetuation consulting, and securing capital in Insurance Distribution and Registered Investment Advisor markets.”, said Chris McAtee, President of INS Capital Group.

Select Transactions

• Fortuna General  INS sell side client; buyer Towerstone, an IMA company. 

• Neff & Associates Insurance Services INS sell side client; buyer AJ Gallagher.

• Johnson Insurance Agency INS sell side client; buyer General Agency Inc, a KAP Platform Partner

• A Private South Florida Retail Agency INS sell side client; buyer NSI Insurance Group.

• Iron Range INS sell side client; buyer Tricor Insurance.

• Snider, Stroh, Jarrett Financial Registered Investment Advisor INS sell side client; buyer OUCU Financial.

The team at INS Capital Group is excited for 2024 and looking forward to assisting agency buyers and sellers with their transaction needs.  For owners considering next steps in their agency transition, reach out to our team for a discussion today.  INS Capital Group has the capacity and resources to execute a wide variety of transactional needs.

About INS Capital Group

INS Capital Group is an advisory firm providing consulting and assistance with M&A transactions and capital solutions.  With an extensive network of buyers, sellers, and lenders, INS Capital Group can help businesses navigate a wide variety of transactions. 

INS offers buy and sell-side advisory, due diligence, valuations, perpetuation consulting, and access to capital via debt and equity options.  Over the past 30 years, the team has completed over 750 transactions representing more than $4B in value with market values ranging from $1M-$250M.

INS clients are insurance agencies, wholesale brokers and insurance networks. With expanded capabilities, INS continues expansion into the Registered Investment Advisor, CPA/Accounting practices, other financial services, and main street businesses.

 For more information, please visit INS Capital Group athttps://www.inscapitalgroup.com.

Indianapolis, IN, October 3, 2023 / PR Newswire / – INS Capital Group, a leading advisory firm to the financial services industry, announces the addition of Kelly Drouillard as a Director to help facilitate their continued growth.  Between closed and active deals, INS has over 30 engagements with transaction values approaching $200Million through September.

“The marketplace has faced significant growth since our firm first opened.  As we wrap up 2023, we expect that activity to continue growing,” said Chris McAtee, President of INS.  “Because of this expansive growth, we continue to add to our team of experts in the field.”

Drouillard has an extensive background in insurance banking and M&A.  She has 35 years of experience and $1B in insurance industry deals spanning retail to reinsurance.  Kelly is a faculty member for The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.  She has served in various industry trade association committee roles and was instrumental in founding the Insurance Networks Alliance, an industry group of insurance networks.

In six short years, INS Capital Group has averaged a 30% growth rate per year and advised on over 100 successful transactions with total value exceeding $500Million.  “Kelly has an outstanding track record in the industry, a strong client consulting base and will help INS as we continue our growth and expansion of our products and solutions for our clients.  The support of INS will further expand her capabilities as well.” said Chris McAtee.

“Having previously worked with Kelly for many years, this will be exciting for INS Capital Group and our clients,” said Brian Henson, Managing Director.    “She will help us provide best in class buy and sell side service and be a wealth of insurance knowledge internally to our younger associates.”

About INS Capital Group

INS Capital Group is an advisory firm providing consulting and assistance with M&A transactions and capital solutions.  With an extensive network of buyers, sellers, and lenders, INS Capital Group can help businesses navigate a wide variety of transactions.  

INS offers buy and sell-side advisory, due diligence, valuations, and access to capital via debt and equity options.  Over the past 20 years, the team has completed over 500 transactions representing more than $4B in value with market values ranging from $1M-$250M.
INS clients have traditionally been insurance agencies, wholesale brokers and insurance networks. With these new expanded capabilities, INS plans to continue expansion into the Registered Investment Advisor, CPA/Accounting practices, other financial services, and main street businesses.

For more information, please visit INS Capital Group at https://www.inscapitalgroup.com.

Indianapolis, IN, April 11, 2023 / PR Newswire / – INS Capital Group, a leading advisory firm to the financial services industry, announces strategic team additions to meet the demands of growth in the business merger and acquisition marketplace.  In 2016, firm founder Chris McAtee started INS Capital with a vision to provide quality, professional advice to business owners with M&A, due diligence, valuations and capital raising needs.

“The marketplace has faced significant growth since our firm first opened. As we look into 2023, we expect that activity to double if not more,” said Chris McAtee, President of INS.  “To meet the demand, we welcome two new additions to our team.”

Brian Henson, Managing Director, comes to INS Capital Group with 20 years of experience in commercial banking supporting a wide range of industries and clients.  Brian’s specialties are structuring and evaluating M&A transactions, due diligence, valuations, and financial analysis.

Matt Sprang, Director, has more than 25 years of commercial banking experience with 16 years solely focused on the insurance agency channel.  Matt's experience gained national scope, partnering with agents, carriers, associations, and aggregators total with transaction volume exceeding $1B. 

In six short years, INS Capital Group has averaged a 30% growth rate per year and advised on over 100 successful transactions with total value exceeding $500M.  “We are excited to grow our team, and look forward to expanding the advisory services we currently provide,” said Chris McAtee.

INS clients have traditionally been insurance agencies, wholesale brokers and insurance networks. With these new expanded capabilities, INS plans to continue expansion into the Registered Investment Advisor, CPA / Accounting practices,and other financial services or main street businesses.

June 9, 2022-INS Capital Group, a leading M&A Advisory and Capital Solutions Firm that focuses on the Insurance Industry, is pleased to announce that Brian Henson has joined the firm as a Managing Director and Partner.  Brian has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry with a decade of experience in assisting clients in M&A, succession planning, debt placement, and valuations.  Mr. Henson’s previous role was Director of Underwriting for Oak Street Funding where he focused on various industries including Insurance, Registered Investment Advisors, CPA Firms, Energy, Digital Forensics, and others.  Prior to 2012, he served in various underwriting and portfolio management roles for several large banks in the Indianapolis area.  In his career Mr. Henson has analyzed or reviewed approximately 2,500 transactions representing $20 Billion of market value.

“I am so excited to partner again with Chris McAtee and work with the rest of the INS Capital team and help deepen their already significant expertise in the insurance industry but also expand into other service-based industries.  I’m really looking forward to supporting existing and new clients to execute on their business and strategic goals.”, commented Henson.  “I’ve been watching INS Capital grow significantly from a distance and the timing was perfect to come onboard and help maintain that momentum.”

Chris McAtee, the firm’s Founder and President, stated, “We believe Brian is an ideal fit to help INS in the next chapter of growth and success.  He has a long track record of execution and results while delivering for his clients.  Brian’s extensive experience in the insurance industry as well as his work with Registered Investment Advisors and CPA Firms will further round out our expertise and allow us to further support our client’s capital initiatives.  We are extremely excited to have him on board.”