26North Reinsurance Holding Company (“26North Re”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Independent Insurance Group, LLC (“Independent Group”), which operates Independent Life Insurance Company (“Independent Life”), the only carrier exclusively dedicated to issuing structured settlement annuities for personal injury claimants and their families.
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The acquisition marks 26North Re’s entry into the U.S. insurance market and establishes its first onshore platform, complementing its existing Bermuda- and Cayman-domiciled operations. Independent Life will continue to operate under its existing brand following the close of the transaction, preserving the relationships and service standards that settlement planners and their clients rely on. 26North Re intends to build on that foundation, backing the business with long-term capital and proprietary asset origination to accelerate growth.
“This partnership will strengthen Independent Life’s leading franchise and provide the resources to enable consistent competitive pricing for settlement planners and claimants. For the people those settlements serve, 26North Re’s backing reinforces the certainty they have always counted on,” said 26North Senior Partner Cole Charnas. “We look forward to working alongside the management team on the next phase of the company’s expansion.”
With this transaction, 26North Re enters the structured settlement market, a specialized segment of the U.S. insurance industry in which long-dated liabilities, rigorous underwriting standards and disciplined asset management are prerequisites for all participants.
“Joining 26North Re gives Independent Life access to institutional-scale capabilities. Under 26North’s stewardship, we are positioned to serve more clients, in more markets with greater confidence than ever before,” said Independent Group CEO Donald Herrema.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals, including review by applicable state insurance departments.
RBC Capital Markets is serving as financial advisor to 26North Re and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel. Piper Sandler & Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Independent Group and Mayer Brown LLP is acting as legal counsel.
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