Lost in all of the hoopla over the extremely active M&A environment is the fact that the great majority of sell-side transactions occur due to many firms inability to perpetuate internally.

2012 was a record-breaking year for the number of announced insurance brokerage mergers and acquisitions, principally due to the higher capital gains tax that became effective in 2013. It was a year in transition, culminating with active third and fourth quarters. However, first-quarter 2014 was the most active first quarter...

You probably have seen the life insurance commercial that leads with the commentary that 10,000 Americans retire every day. News flash: some of that number is insurance agency owners and principals.

Agency and brokerage mergers & acquisitions have been on a steady upward climb since 2000, except for a blip in 2009 and 2010 due to the collapse of the economy. Those 2 down years were followed by a near blockbuster year in 2011, and the most active year since 2000...

Yes, you can go it alone. But theres a reason why successful sellers in all industries rely on advisors to guide them through the process.

Although the insurance agency business model is fairly simple, executing the model when you are subject to external forces beyond your control is your biggest challenge.

Agency principals have left thousands—and in some case millions—of dollars on the table by failing to properly prepare to exit their businesses.

Tim Cummingham discusses the slow M&A activity.