The month of August saw one majorinsurance-brokerage firm purchase the P&C brokerage operationsof a bank as USI Insurance Services announced its acquisition of TDInsurance Inc.

TD Insurance is one of the largest bank-owned insurance agenciesand brokerage firms in the United States, offering insurance andemployee-benefits products and services.

USI says it anticipates the acquisition, expected to close bythe end of September, will contribute $58.2 million in revenues onan annual basis.

A spokesman says USI will not be setting up offices in TD'sbanks but does plan to keep a close relationship with the bank'sclients.

USI also announced the acquisition of Suncoast InsuranceAssociates Inc. of  Tampa, Fla. Suncoast provides thedesign, delivery and servicing of professional-liability programsfor more than 1,500 professional firms throughout the SunshineState. The acquisition is expected to contribute approximately $3million to USI.

Other acquisitions announced in August:

• Itasca, Ill.-based insurance-broker Arthur J. Gallagheracquired retail-broker Blenheim Park Ltd., headquartered inCroydon, England; and Sunday and Associates Inc. of Sugarland,Texas.
• Confie Seguros, a New York-based brokerage firm, acquiredStonewood Insurance Services Inc., a general agency thatspecializes in writing California non-standard Personal Automobilecoverage.
• Integro Ltd. acquired Allan Chapman & James InsuranceBrokers Ltd. of Colchester, England. Allan Chapman & Jamesprovides specialist broking services to independent film,television and media clients.
• Farmington, Conn.-based online agency BOLT (Business OwnersLiability Team), acquired PFG Insurance Agency and Florida DirectInsurance Agency, establishing a regional office in Sarasota, Fla.with Robert Rizzo as regional director.
• Dayton, Ohio-based insurance broker Norman-Spencer Agency Inc.acquired New York-based Keenan Marine Insurance Agency LLC. KeenanMarine is a national Specialty Yacht agency.

In addition, Kansas City, Mo.-based broker Lockton says it hasentered into a joint venture with facultative reinsurance brokerSecurity Re, in Ecuador. The new venture, titled Lockton SecurityIntermediarios De Reaseguros S.A., is scheduled to commenceoperation in the coming weeks, subject to regulatoryapproval. Lockton says it has assumed a minority share inthe firm.