Could consolidation in life insurance market lead to mutual company dominance?
Data show a decrease in the number of businesses in the industry, but stock companies maintain majority rule.
Industry News
Benefits Think Looking to be acquired? Start here
Advisers who want to sell their businesses or merge with another company should start by asking themselves these vital questions, says columnist Jack Kwicien.
Jack Kwicien
Daymark Advisors
Consumer-centric platforms lead industry advancement
Recent Mercer acquisition of Thomsons Online Benefits cements broker requirement to be comfortable with technology or be left behind.
Anthem-Cigna deal cast by U.S. as risk to patients, providers
Witnesses say combination will squeeze reimbursement rates as the insurers counter that merger will lower healthcare costs.
Can Microsoft do for sales what Google did for search?
By acquiring LinkedIn, the software giant hopes to help salespeople zoom in on their prospects.
Biggest business moves of 2016: M&As, antitrust suits and rising organic growth
This year saw record merger & acquisition activity from industry giants such as Aetna, with much continuing to play out into 2017.
Aetna starts bid to salvage Humana deal in U.S. antitrust trial
Aetna's attempt to assuage U.S. antitrust concerns over its $37 billion takeover of Humana by selling assets to a smaller company landed with a resounding thud.
Benefits Think 5 unanticipated outcomes of agency M&As
Many of these transactions are wrought with issues that are largely avoidable, says columnist Wendy Keneipp.
Wendy Keneipp
Q4intelligence
Anthem and Cigna set for court fight to save $48 billion merger
Anthem Inc.’s proposed merger with Cigna Corp. would reduce health-care competition and raise costs for consumers, U.S. antitrust lawyers will argue Monday when the government goes to court to block the transaction.
Symantec to buy LifeLock for $2.3B
One of the world’s largest cybersecurity companies agrees to buy identity-theft protection services company for about $2.3 billion including debt to expand in services for identity protection.
By
Kiel Porter
MetLife profit falls 52% on costs of retail unit’s spinoff `
MetLife Inc., the largest U.S. life insurer, said third-quarter profit tumbled 52% on derivative losses and costs tied to the spinoff of a U.S. retail business as CEO Steve Kandarian reorganizes the company.
M&A frenzy said to squeeze smaller agencies
But indie sellers are also often eager to return after non-compete clauses expire.
Anthem, Cigna may be forced to reveal merger-dispute documents
Letters and e-mails between the two companies may become evidence in the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking to halt the $48 billion.
MetLife files for spinoff of U.S. unit after weighing IPO
MetLife Inc. has filed for a spinoff of a U.S. retail unit after considering alternate plans to sell the business or exit through an initial public offering.
5 ways to grow your brokerage with a remote service model
OneDigital has grown from a small start-up to a $150M firm by segmenting customers and doing more with less.
Benefits Think 5 options for brokerage ownership transition
Variables often center on accessing liquidity, maintaining control and preserving a legacy, but there are many more factors to consider, says consultant Bob Coen.
Bob Coen
BCI Group, Inc.
Insurance agency mergers continue at high rate
The increase in interest is raising prices; however buyers need to make sure their purchases are worth the cost, OPTIS Partners reports.
Exit interview: Troy Underwood on benefitsCONNECT departure
The founder and CEO addresses selling to benefitexpress, where the company is headed and what he will do next.
Aetna gets December trial date to make case for Humana deal
The decision on the trial’s timing comes after the DOJ tried to persuade a U.S. District judge to delay the start until January, after the companies’ self-imposed merger deadline.
Cigna talks about plan B as U.S. challenge to Anthem bid looms
Chief Executive Officer David Cordani faces a tough task: persuading investors and lawyers that the health insurer is committed to a troubled $48 billion takeover, while also talking up its prospects as an independent company.
