WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire the life and property and casualty insurance operating divisions of Roseland, N.J.,- based Crump Group Inc. Crump is the largest independent wholesale distributor of life insurance and one of the largest providers of wholesale commercial insurance brokerage and specialty programs in the U.S.
Under the terms of the agreement, BB&T will acquire Crump Life Insurance Services and Crump Property & Casualty Insurance Services for $570 million in cash. The transaction, which exceeds BB&T's acquisition criteria, is expected to add approximately $300 million in annual revenue to BB&T Insurance. BB&T expects to record approximately $570 million of intangibles as a result of this acquisition. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the first quarter. This transaction does not include Crump's retirement services business (Ascensus).
"As the largest independent wholesale life insurance distributor in the country, the Crump acquisition significantly expands and strengthens our insurance operations," said Kelly S. King, BB&T's chairman and chief executive officer. "The deal is a great strategic fit for BB&T, immediately increasing and diversifying our fee income while driving stronger revenues."
Wade Reece, BB&T Insurance chairman and chief executive officer, said Crump represents a transformational opportunity for BB&T Insurance. "We've known and respected Crump for years and consider them an industry leader," Reece said. "This is an opportunity for BB&T to become a significant and strategic player in the high-growth, high-margin life insurance distribution business and expand our property and casualty business."
Currently, BB&T's wholesale insurance operations include property and casualty broker CRC Insurance Services, managing general agent Southern Cross TAPCO Underwriters and managing general underwriter AmRisc LLP.