Integrity Marketing Group has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Ash Brokerage, an Indiana-based financial advisory and general agency brokerage. As part of the deal, Tim Ash, CEO of Ash Brokerage, will become a managing partner in Integrity. The transaction is scheduled to close upon regulatory approval.
Ash Brokerage was founded more than 50 years ago by Jim Ash to provide health insurance to groups and individuals in the Fort Wayne, Ind., area. The brokerage has since expanded to include life insurance, long-term care, disability, annuities and retirement products. In 1997, Jim Ash transitioned leadership of the brokerage to his son, Tim Ash.
Today, Ash Brokerage is one of the largest insurance brokerages in the US, with 400 employees nationwide. Last year, the firm helped to place more than $2 billion in premium while underwriting $25 billion of face amount. Ash Brokerage also provides consultative, outcome-based insurance services to registered investment advisors. “It is rare to find an organization with a 50-year track record of sustained excellence,” said Bryan W. Adams, co-founder and CEO of Integrity. “Ash Brokerage is a company that has continually focused on innovation. Tim, Jim and their committed team have always been conscientiously moving forward to maximize their impact on the people they serve and the place they call home. “Ash Brokerage has created a strong culture of family and community, resulting in time-honored client relationships and impressive employee retention. This partnership is consistent with Integrity’s continued focus on transforming the industry to better serve Americans with their life, health and wealth planning needs. “By combining the systems, strengths and expertise of our two organizations, Integrity and Ash Brokerage will have an even greater impact on the lives of the agents, advisors, carriers and consumers we collectively serve. We couldn’t be more honored to welcome Ash Brokerage to the Integrity family, and we look forward to an exciting future as we work to innovate the industry together.” Read next: Integrity snaps up Arizona agency “We are in the business of impacting lives, and service is our calling card,” Tim Ash said. “We honor the relationships we enjoy with the thousands of financial advisors we serve and the clients who depend on them, as well as our family of teammates. Everyone at Ash Brokerage is incredibly passionate about safeguarding the financial freedom and security of American families. “It’s why we’re so committed to developing products and strategies that empower our advisors to provide their clients with the best solutions for every situation. By partnering with Integrity, Ash Brokerage will have access to a more diversified mix of life, health and wealth solutions, enabling our advisors to design and deliver more holistic offerings for their clients. “The breadth and depth of Integrity’s data and technology perfectly complements our own extensive systems and services, which allows our team to compete at an even higher level. We’ve chosen to unite so we could have a greater impact on the lives of the people and communities we serve. That shared commitment is the heart of this partnership, and we are thrilled about the opportunities ahead of us for the next 50 years and more.” “For over 50 years, Ash Brokerage has provided our customers with unparalleled support to help them feel secure in their future,” Jim Ash said. “Our heritage is well-matched by Integrity’s forward-thinking leadership and strong core values, which align so closely with our own. In addition, we’re proud and honored to join Integrity’s partner network, where we’ve seen wonderful collaboration among industry legends who are driven to make our industry better. Working together will help all of us gain critical insights and achieve better outcomes for Americans. This partnership is special – very special.”
