Emerson Reid, Group Brokerage Associates To Merge

Philadelphia-based insurance wholesaler Emerson, Reid & Co. and Group Brokerage Associates announced the two firms have an agreement to merge.

The companies did not disclose financial terms. They said their combined entity would continue operations under the Emerson Reid corporate identity.

George Rosiak, Emerson Reid president, said, "We are pleased to welcome John Hobson and the GBA team members to Emerson Reid. This merger further solidifies our footprint as the leading employee benefits wholesaler in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Together we will continue our mission of positioning our broker partners to expand and protect their business."

John Hobson, Group Brokerage Associates president, said combined size and strength from the merger "will enable us to provide our brokers and their clients with the leverage they need to compete in today's marketplace."

"Emerson Reid and Group Brokerage Associates are exclusively focused on bringing the industry's best carriers to our broker customers. Our combined carrier base, service standards and technology will create an exciting new opportunity for our broker clients in Pennsylvania."

Emerson Reid said it plans to maintain operations from both locations while incorporating several technology-driven resources and leveraging economies of scale to provide the highest level of service to independent agents and brokers.

A wholesale-only distributor of group employee benefit products through third-party agents and brokers, Emerson, Reid & Co. Inc. was founded in 1974.

The firm said it manages over $2 billion in insured premium, 200,000 covered medical lives and 7,200 group disability policies. Emerson Reid has offices and true General Agency contracts in southern Connecticut, Downstate New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware

GBA offers professional group insurance services.