(Denver, CO – July 8, 2024). IMA Financial Group, a North American insurance brokerage firm specializing in risk management, insurance, wholesale brokerage and wealth management, is realizing a major milestone this week with the rebrand of two strategic partners as IMA companies. Newton, Massachusetts-based EBS Insurance Brokers and Wallingford, Connecticut-based Sinclair Risk & Financial Management will do business as IMA Boston and IMA Connecticut respectively beginning on July 1, 2024.
Since 2020, IMA Financial Group has pursued 28 strategic partnership agreements with firms throughout the insurance brokerage and financial services industries. Instead of traditional mergers or acquisitions, IMA creates strategic partnerships with like-minded companies who embrace IMA’s mantra of building the “Broker of the Future” through investments in technology, training and support to deliver the best results to clients and position the company for future growth. Following the opening of its first office in New York City in May 2024, IMA’s presence in the Northeast is represented by companies who share IMA’s passion for client service, associate experience and community impact.
“Our partnership model has delivered strong and consistent revenue growth for our firm and our partners,” said IMA Financial Group Chairman and CEO Rob Cohen. “We welcome EBS and Sinclair as the newest IMA branches that bring a dynamic local presence, specialty expertise and allow us to deliver unparalleled value in the Northeast and beyond.”
Built for the Future of Commercial Insurance
EBS and Sinclair are two of the largest, independent insurance brokerages in New England. Sinclair, with offices in Wallingford and Norwalk, Connecticut, joined IMA as a strategic partner in August 2023 and boasts expertise in construction, manufacturing, health care and social service nonprofits, as well as a focus on providing commercial insurance and employee benefits to middle-market businesses and personal insurance lines to high-net-worth individuals.
“With IMA’s strong foundation and nationwide resources complementing Sinclair’s diverse specialty knowledge, we are better positioned than ever to accelerate growth and enhance our client experience,” said Matt Bauer, President of Sinclair Risk & Financial Management. “Alongside the company’s commitment to supporting positive change in the communities they serve, IMA is truly building something special in the Northeast.”
Based in Newton, Massachusetts, EBS is one of the biggest names in insurance in the Boston metropolitan area offering health and welfare plan administration, executive and international benefits and financial services. EBS joined IMA as a strategic partner in December 2023 and brought aboard decades of employee benefits experience that bolstered one of IMA’s fastest-growing business divisions.
“We have been so impressed by IMA’s vision in embracing the opportunity in employee benefits and helping our firm bring our local expertise to a national audience,” said EBS Founder and Managing Partner Paul Rooney. “We’re proud to complement a growing team in the Northeast that is committed to a client-focused approach and making an impact in the communities where we work and live.”
Alongside IMA’s partnership with New York-based York International Agency, LLC in 2022 which has since rebranded as IMA New York, IMA has steadily grown its presence in one of the most competitive insurance markets in the U.S. Today, IMA has clients in all 50 states with 17 regional offices in 20 states that collaborate and align client services throughout the enterprise.
About IMA Financial Group
IMA Financial Group is an independent broker defining the future of insurance through comprehensive and consultative risk and wealth management services. A majority employee-owned and managed company, its 2,400-plus associates in offices across the country are empowered by a shared mission to protect assets and make a difference.