CORE INSURANCE
Westfield | September 09, 2022
Successfully executing on its Specialty Insurance expansion strategy, Westfield today announced its entrance into the international specialty market via the purchase of Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 from Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. As a leading property and casualty (P&C) insurance company in the United States, this acquisition accelerates Westfield Specialty’sSM rapid growth after a strong first year in the U.S. market.
Subject to regulatory approval, the acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2023 for a purchase price of approximately $125 million.
“This acquisition is our first step in establishing a global franchise for Westfield, The international specialty market fits well with our growth ambitions and the opportunity with Lloyd’s Syndicate 1200 jump-starts our entry into this market.”
-Ed Largent, Westfield President, CEO and Board Chair
Syndicate 1200 has an estimated $650 million book of business, which is focused on various lines of specialty insurance. Lloyd’s holds licenses around the globe to underwrite property and casualty business with an “A+” S&P financial strength rating.
Westfield brings deep expertise and experience to the international specialty market. Westfield Specialty President and industry veteran Jack Kuhn has a proven track record of success leading global, multi-billion-dollar specialty businesses and emphasized Westfield’s commitment to international expansion.
We’ve had our sights set on the international specialty market since launching our specialty business a year ago, so this is Westfield executing on our original strategy, We considered multiple pathways but acquiring Syndicate 1200 emerged as a unique opportunity because it gets us into the international specialty market quickly with an established platform while capitalizing on current market dynamics,said Kuhn.
Kuhn recently announced Graham Evans to the Westfield Specialty executive management team as Executive Vice President, Head of International Insurance. Like Kuhn, Evans has deep international specialty expertise from leadership roles at Chubb, CNA, AXIS and his most recent role leading Endurance/Sompo’s European operations. Evans will develop Westfield Specialty’s international strategy and will lead the integration of Lloyd’s Syndicate 1200.
Jack and Graham have enjoyed a long professional relationship spanning more than 20 years in the international specialty market, Together, they will shape the business and build an even stronger portfolio of international business,continued Largent.
The international operation will reside within Westfield Specialty, which currently writes specialty business in the U.S. Under Kuhn’s leadership, the team is targeted to write $250 million of premium in 2022 during its first full year of operation.
Largent echoes the long-term international commitment adding, This is Westfield acting on a timely, strategic opportunity; investing in our business and deploying capital to create value for our customers. Like Lloyd’s, Westfield has a long history approaching 175 years in business and we couldn’t be more excited about this new chapter and working with the Syndicate 1200 team.
Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, served as financial advisor to Westfield on this transaction.
Westfield is an $8.8 billion (GAAP assets) property-casualty insurance company underwriting commercial, personal, surety and specialty lines of insurance in the U.S.
About Westfield
Westfield was founded in 1848 by a small group of hard-working farmers who believed in the promise of the future and the power of the individual. Today, as a leading property and casualty (P&C) insurance company in the United States, we remain true to their vision and are dedicated to making a positive difference in our customers’ lives.
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LIFE INSURANCE
Ohio National | September 07, 2022
In the life insurance industry, something totally new comes along only once in a great while. Game changers are rare, and this is one of them. Ohio National Financial Services, Inc. proudly announces the first and only indexed whole life insurance product, providing what no other life policy can: guaranteed protection, stability and index-based growth potential.
Indexed whole life from Ohio National provides a lifelong death benefit and cash accumulation guarantee, along with fixed premiums regardless of changes in health. These features have served generations of policyholders in the company’s traditional whole life products. With new indexed whole life, customers can get similar guarantees plus the opportunity to grow cash value in relation to stock market indexes such as the S&P 500® and Russell 2000®. Indexed-based allocation options offer significant growth potential, but because funds are not invested directly in the market, there is no risk of loss due solely to market performance.
The cash value can be accessed during the insured’s lifetime, generally on a tax-preferred basis, for almost any purpose, from supplementing retirement income to starting a business.
“Our new indexed whole life product is an important breakthrough for Ohio National and the financial professionals who sell our products, We’re thrilled to offer them a unique tool to help their clients reach their financial goals.”
-Karl Kreunen, vice president of product marketing
This product is something financial professionals can’t find anywhere else, We’re passionate about helping them develop client relationships and build their businesses with the addition of indexed whole life to their portfolios,added Pat McEvoy, senior vice president of life distribution and sales.
Ohio National’s debut indexed whole life product, Prestige Indexed 10 Pay, features 10 years of fixed premium payments and is currently available through independent financial professionals in all states except CA and NY.
About Ohio National
Since 1909, Ohio National has been committed to helping individuals, families and businesses protect what matters most. Through our network of financial professionals across 49 states (all except New York), the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and through affiliated operations in South America, we provide the insurance products that help our policyholders achieve financial security and independence. As of December 31, 2021, its affiliated companies have $40.8 billion total assets under management. Products are issued by The Ohio National Life Insurance Company and Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation. Recognized as a Leader in Workplace Equity by Ellequate.
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CORE INSURANCE
World Insurance Associates LLC | August 30, 2022
World Insurance Associates LLC (WIA), a Top 50 Insurance Brokerage, announced today that it acquired The Woody Insurance Group (Woody Insurance) of Prairie Village, KS on August 1, 2022. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The Woody Insurance Group has been providing insurance to individuals and businesses in the Kansas and Missouri communities for over 20 years. They also have a focus on the construction industry.
“Our top goal is to make the insurance-buying process easy and thorough for our customers, We provide highly customized solutions to any business or personal need and look forward to continuing this approach as part of World.”
-Chris Woody, President, The Woody Insurance Group
I’m pleased to welcome Woody Insurance to the World family, They are well known for their unparalleled customer service and will be a nice fit within the World company,says Rich Eknoian, CEO and Co-Founder of WIA.
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla provided legal counsel to WIA. Myers Longhofer LLC provided legal counsel to The Woody Insurance Group. No other advisors, diligence firms or legal counsel were disclosed.
About World Insurance Associates LLC
World Insurance Associates LLC (World) is headquartered in Iselin, N.J., and is a nationally ranked, full-service insurance organization providing individuals and businesses with top products and services across personal and commercial insurance, employee and executive benefits, retirement and financial services and human capital management solutions. Since its founding in 2011, World has completed 155 acquisitions and serves its customers from more than 250 offices across the United States. World is ranked #34 on the 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business list by Business Insurance, ranked #2 on the Fastest Growing Brokers list by Business Insurance and is a Top-50 ranked personal lines agency by Insurance Journal.
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