Business Details
Insurance Agency M&A and Financing Experts
The Springtree Group is a privately owned firm dedicated to serving entrepreneurs within the insurance industry. For over three decades, we have provided specialized mergers and acquisitions advisory services, financing solutions, and strategic consulting to insurance agencies and brokerages. Our expertise spans the entire lifecycle of agency ownership, from growth capital acquisition to business transition planning. With a team comprising seasoned professionals who have built, managed, and sold their own companies, we bring a unique perspective to every engagement. Our services are tailored to agencies generating under $5 million annually, with a particular focus on Baby Boomer owners preparing for retirement. We maintain relationships with a national network of lenders, buyers, and industry partners to facilitate seamless transactions.Our proprietary processes combine equity financing, asset-based lending, and commission-backed loans to create customized financial packages. As an industry leader, we emphasize confidentiality, competitive valuations, and access to pre-vetted buyers. Our commitment to innovation ensures clients receive solutions not available through traditional advisory firms. Through strategic partnerships and a dedicated research team, we deliver actionable market intelligence and targeted acquisition opportunities. Our track record demonstrates consistent value creation, with clients achieving 55% higher net proceeds when utilizing our services compared to unrepresented sellers.
Services
Agency Valuation
M&A Advisory
Transition Planning
Commission-Based Loans
Buyer Representation
Financing Solutions
SBA Loan Programs
Equity Financing
Agency Brokerage
Strategic Consulting
Highlights and features
- We provide 30 years of industry experience in insurance M&A advisory.
- Our proprietary financing platforms offer unique loan structures unavailable elsewhere.
- We maintain a national network of 5,000+ sell-side intermediaries and vetted buyers.
- Our team comprises former insurance agency owners with hands-on operational expertise.
- Confidentiality protocols protect client interests during sensitive ownership transitions.
Services
M&A Advisory
We guide insurance agency owners through the complete mergers and acquisitions process. Our services include business valuation, buyer-seller matching, negotiation support, and transaction execution. With specialized knowledge of insurance industry regulations and market dynamics, we ensure optimal deal structures that maximize client returns while minimizing operational disruption during ownership transitions.
Commission-Based Loans
Our commission-backed loan programs provide liquidity using future commission receivables as collateral. Designed specifically for insurance agencies, these financial solutions support business expansion, owner buyouts, and acquisition funding. We structure flexible repayment terms aligned with commission payment schedules to maintain cash flow stability for our clients.
Transition Planning
We develop customized succession strategies for insurance agency owners preparing for retirement. Our planning services address business valuation, tax implications, employee retention, and client transition protocols. We implement systems ensuring smooth leadership changes while preserving business value and operational continuity during ownership transfers.
Financing Solutions
Our comprehensive financing options include SBA loans, equity financing, and asset-based lending tailored to insurance industry needs. We connect clients with specialized lenders offering competitive rates for agency acquisitions, working capital, and growth initiatives. Our structured financial packages accommodate both buyers and sellers in insurance business transactions.
Buyer Representation
We assist aspiring insurance entrepreneurs in identifying and acquiring suitable agencies. Our services include market analysis, valuation assessments, and negotiation support. We provide access to exclusive listings and facilitate financing arrangements through our lender network. Our due diligence process ensures buyers make informed decisions when acquiring established insurance businesses.
People
Sam Patterson
CEO
Sam Patterson leads Springtree Group with a focus on innovative solutions for insurance entrepreneurs. With 30 years in the industry, he provides strategic direction and maintains the firm's commitment to superior client service through continuous market innovation and relationship development.
Ammie Bell
COO
Ammie Bell oversees client experience initiatives at Springtree Group. She specializes in guiding agency owners through complex business decisions while maintaining operational excellence. Her leadership ensures clients receive personalized support aligned with their long-term strategic objectives.
Questions
How do you determine my insurance agency's market value?
We conduct comprehensive valuations considering revenue streams, client retention rates, book quality, market position, and growth potential. Our 30-year industry experience ensures accurate assessments aligned with current market conditions.
Can you help finance the purchase of an insurance agency?
Yes, we offer specialized financing solutions including commission-based loans, SBA programs, and equity financing tailored to insurance industry requirements. Our lender network provides competitive options for qualified buyers.
What's your approach to confidential business transitions?
We implement strict confidentiality protocols throughout the transaction process. Our targeted buyer outreach ensures discreet negotiations while protecting client business interests and maintaining operational stability.
How long does the insurance agency sale process typically take?
Most transactions complete within 90-150 days. Our streamlined process includes valuation, marketing, due diligence, and closing support. We maintain timelines through proactive coordination between all involved parties.
Do you work with agencies of all sizes?
We specialize in agencies generating under $5 million annually. This market segment requires specialized expertise that we've developed through decades of focused experience in the insurance brokerage industry.
What sets Springtree Group apart from other advisors?
Our exclusive insurance industry focus, proprietary financing platforms, and 30-year heritage delivering 55% higher net proceeds for clients differentiate us from generalist business brokers and traditional advisory firms.
Reviews (7)
Kenneth Nolley
Sep 26, 2021
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I am EXTREMELY satisfied with the services that Springtree Group provided during the recent sell of my P&C book of business. Prior to connecting with Ammie, I had considered the possibility of selling my small book of business for almost a year. The problem was that I didnt know where to start or what actions to take. Ammie was VERY professional and responsive to my questions (even though some were probably silly). Springtree Group made the entire process A LOT easier than I could have ever imagined. If you are considering selling your agency or book of business, I would HIGHLY recommend working
Frank Barbella
Jun 23, 2021
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Sam, Ammie, and team are a delight to deal with! We have done two purchases and one sale with them over our relationship and they have all been smooth with great communication. I highly recommend them if you are looking to sell or acquire a firm.
Ann Swierkiewicz
May 29, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness
I am thoroughly satisfied with the services provided by the Springtree Group, LLC, which found a buyer for one of my businesses and assisted with the transaction, leading to the successful closing of the transaction.
I am thoroughly satisfied with the services provided by the Springtree Group, LLC, which found a buyer for one of my businesses and assisted with the transaction, leading to the successful closing of the transaction.
James Chipwood
Jan 04, 2021
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I have now had a handful of experiences with this company and feel the need to leave a review relating as to how unprofessional Springtree Group is. If I were a seller, I would look elsewhere for a M&A firm to represent my Agency for sale. I initially was introduced to Sam Patterson via an Agency For Sale that I found listed on another website and had asked for more information related to the Agency. I was contact via Sam, spoke briefly and he forwarded a Non-Disclosure Agreement along with the Springtree Group legal contract. From there after all was signed, I proceeded to get passed to Aimee
Stacy Smith
Dec 27, 2020
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I reached out to this company to expand my national agency by purchasing another agency in Florida. I was uncomfortable about the lack of transparency regarding the costs and fees this brokerage was planning to charge and about the fact that Sam was asking me to pay about 4 times the net gross sales figures so I had my CPA look it over. My CPA came back advising me not to move forward because the way the deal was structured was a violation of SBA lending guidelines and because it would take far to long to recover the acquisition costs. Once I declined to move forward on these grounds Sam became
Dominick Gendusa
Dec 15, 2020
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I acquired an agency out of state in April of 2020 with the help of Springtree. They did a great job getting the deal to move along when either party needed to get documents or other items accomplished. Acquisitions are a team effort by the buyer, seller and broker. Springtree is fair to both parties and has both of their best interests in mind. Plan on using them again as soon as they find my next acquisition target for me.
Shaun Storm
Sep 28, 2020
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I cannot relate to the previous poster in any way except for the fact that Sam is professional. I personally have closed 2 transactions with Sam and Ammie at Spring Tree Group. I am also in the process of refinancing my agency through them. They have been responsive, informative, and very helpful getting deals done. I had initially had issues with SBA and how long they were taking and Sam helped me get set up with Agilecap to get the deal done. I feel bad that you had a bad experience but maybe there were other circumstances. I use Springtree almost exclusively when possible.
