Insurance Agency Insights

Agency Best Practices: Culling Your Book

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Peter is joined by Jon Jamieson, CIC - AgileCap's new Senior Agency Advisor. In a quick, 12-minute conversation they cover the ins and outs of doing a periodic culling of your agency's book of business. Learn why this is a best practice for agencies who want to grow strategically.

Acquisition and Due Diligence Mini-Series, Part 2: 4 Keys to a Successful Due Diligence Process

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 13:00:00 -0400

This is the second of five episodes focused on helping agency owners understand what's involved in acquiring a new agency in order to build their existing business.

In this episode, Peter and Doug discuss due diligence - a critical step in considering any acquisition. In due diligence, a prospective agency buyer enters into a formal process with the owner of an agency he/she is considering purchasing. The process allows for an investigation of the agency's financials, operations, and legal details so that the prospective buyer can understand the agency business, assess it against competitors, and look for any signs that might suggest problems at the agency.

Peter discusses the 4 keys he has found helpful in ensuring success in due diligence.

Acquisition and Due Diligence Mini-Series, Part 1: Insurance Agency Acquisition Financing

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 16:00:00 -0400

This is the first of five episodes focused on helping agency owners understand what's involved in acquiring a new agency in order to build their existing business.

In this episode, Peter and Doug talk about how to approach, find, prepare for, and secure insurance agency acquisition financing.

We're aware that agency owners may want to grow through acquisition, but they may not think they can afford it, or don't believe that they're eligible for funding. We want to walk you through how agency owners can set themselves up to borrow money in order to acquire an agency and bring their business to the next level.

Don't Forget Technology as Part of Your Agency Acquisition Due Diligence

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0500

How Agency Financing Has Helped Agency Owners, Tales from the AgileCap Archives

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0400

Peter and Kyle Castle, AgleCap Lending Advisor, talk about the ways that agency owners have been able to buy, invest, grow, and sustain their agencies through borrowing. This isn't a shameless plug for AgileCap, it's a series of tales from Kyle's lending experiences, that show how agency owners have been able to seize opportunities for growing their agencies, even when they had a hard time finding financing for one reason or another. It's worth listening to if you're an agency owner who's considering growing your agency in any way in the coming year. You'll pick up valuable tips and insights.

The Lending Landscape, part 2, with guest, Mike Wagar, SVP at Westfield Bank

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 13:00:00 -0400

Peter and Mike discuss what it means to be a traditional lender, like a federally chartered bank. They talk about the importance of finding the right borrower-lender fit over the course of your agency's lifespan. Mike polishes up his crystal ball and he and Peter talk about the future of lending over the coming 12-24 months, and why it sometimes makes sense to inter-refer clients to other lenders, in the client's best interest.

The Lending Landscape, part 1, with guest, Kelly Drouillard, SVP at Live Oak Bank

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 16:00:00 -0400

Peter and Kelly discuss SBA lending, the importance of finding the right borrower-lender fit, and the future of M&A and lending as the insurance industry enters an initial recovery phase from the COVID pandemic.

M & A Insights with guest, Sam Patterson

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Peter and Doug are joined by Sam Patterson of Springtree Group to discuss how to execute an acquisition as a buyer or a seller, when to bring in third party facilitators (lawyers and accountants, for example), when acquisitions tend to happen through a normal year, the impact that COVID has had on the M+A market and pricing, and the outlook for the insurance industry in a post-COVID world.

M & A: The What, Where, When, and How of Acquisitions.

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:00:00 -0400

With a background as an acquisitions advisor to multibillion dollar corporations, Peter offers his insights into strategic growth through M&A. Whether you want to grow your agency in size, grow in a geographic area, or grow your product line offerings, a merger or acquisition could be a valuable strategy for your agency. Peter and Doug discuss various aspects of M&A that agency owners should be aware of when thinking about agency growth (Part 1 of 2).

How to work with a lender in times of trouble

Fri, 08 May 2020 15:00:00 -0400

With the unforeseen pandemic we find ourselves in today, Peter and Doug discuss what agencies should know about working with a lender. Peter explains the criteria that lenders use in considering whether to make a loan, and how the criteria change in an economic downturn. He also shares information about how agency owners can best prepare their businesses for borrowing, in case they need funding during the coming months.

What could happen in the insurance agency world over the next several weeks, months, years?

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 15:00:00 -0400

In this first episode, Peter is joined by Doug Burke, investment banker and advisor to the insurance industry, to discuss the US economy during this pandemic period and how it impacts the insurance agency industry in particular. There are some potential positives for insurance, as it tends to be a "recession muted" industry. And there are some potential downsides, as some sectors of insurance are more economically fragile. Peter shares insights into the possible timing of a recovery, and thoughts about what agencies can do to shore up their business during this uncertain economic time.