Sun Life-Maxwell Deal May Signal More Insurance Acquisitions Ahead

After Sun Life Financial’s announcement that it will acquire Maxwell Health, benefit brokerages and advisory firms that serve small and midsize employers might be on the lookout for similar deals.

Expect more M&A attempts by insurance carriers to become more vertically integrated, says Jack Kwicien, a registered investment adviser and managing partner at Daymark Advisors, LLC, as well as an EBA columnist.

He says those opportunities largely involve the use of technology and synergistic product categories. Others include controlling as much of the distribution and interaction with employers. The ultimate aim is to improve employee engagement through more user-friendly experiences. ( read more)