- AFG to add specialist workers’ compensation carrier with leading market share in the Southeastern U.S.
- Additional $1.0 billion of cash to invest leverages AFG’s superior investing talent
- Expected to generate double digit returns; immediately accretive to AFG’s 2014 earnings
American Financial Group (NYSE/NASDAQ: AFG) today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Summit Holdings Southeast, Inc. and its related companies (together, “Summit”), from Liberty Mutual Insurance in an all-cash transaction. Based in Lakeland, FL, Summit is a leading provider of workers’ compensation solutions in the Southeastern United States, with approximately $520 million of premium written. Following the transaction, Summit will continue to operate under the Summit brand as a member of AFG’s Great American Insurance Group.
Under the terms of the transaction, AFG will pay Liberty Mutual Insurance an estimated $250 million at closing. The purchase price will be subject to adjustment between signing and closing for, among other things, changes in Summit’s GAAP tangible book value. AFG’s total capital investment in Summit will be approximately $400 million, inclusive of a capital contribution by AFG at closing. The transaction is expected to close in the first or second quarter of 2014, following customary regulatory approvals. AFG will not use any external financing in the acquisition.
Carl H. Lindner III, Co-Chief Executive Officer of AFG, commented, “Summit has an excellent long- term track record of underwriting outperformance. We value their underwriting discipline, talented management team and value-based service model. Their business model fits well with our P&C Group’s strategic focus and complements our Great American Insurance Group specialty workers’ compensation offerings available through our other specialty P&C businesses. We look forward to welcoming Carol Sipe, Summit Group’s President and CEO, and her team to the AFG family.”
