TAG Financial Institutions Group

Background

TAG Financial Institutions Group, LLC (TAG Financial) is a specialized investment banking firm headquartered in New York City, focusing on middle-market companies within the financial services sector. Established in 2012, the firm is dedicated to providing attentive service, creative ideas, skilled execution, and extraordinary value creation for dynamic, mid-sized businesses. Since its inception, TAG Financial has closed over 400 transactions, totaling an aggregate transaction value exceeding $3.2 billion.

Key Strategic Focus

TAG Financial's strategic focus encompasses a comprehensive suite of investment banking services tailored to the financial services industry. The firm's core objectives include:

• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Advisory Services: Providing specialized buy and sell-side advisory services for mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and divestitures.

• Capital Raising Assignments: Leveraging strong industry relationships with debt and equity providers to support clients' financing needs and enhance business value.

• Valuation Services: Offering focused expertise to help clients understand the value of their businesses in the current marketplace.

The firm specializes in various sectors, including:

• Insurance Risk-Bearing Entities: Property & Casualty Carriers, Life & Health Carriers, Reinsurance Companies, Captives & Captive Managers.

• Business Services: Professional Employer Organizations, Payroll Processing & HR Outsourcing Entities, Staffing & Recruiting Companies, Benefits Administration, Collection & Asset Recovery Companies.

• Banking & Asset Management: Asset Managers & Investment Companies, Community Banks, Mortgage Banks, Specialty Lending.

• Insurance Distribution & Services Companies: Wholesalers & Managing General Agents (MGAs), Retail Agencies & Brokerages, Third-Party Administrators & Claims Adjusters, Premium Finance Entities, Insurance Technology (InsurTech).

• Specialty Finance, Alternative Investments & Other: Life Settlements, Insurance Premium Finance, Consumer Finance, Leasing Companies, Asset-Based Lenders, Financial Technology.

Financials and Funding

As a privately held firm, TAG Financial does not publicly disclose detailed financial information. However, the firm's significant transaction volume and aggregate transaction value exceeding $3.2 billion since 2020 reflect its robust financial performance and market presence.

Technological Platform and Innovation

TAG Financial distinguishes itself through its comprehensive approach to investment banking, combining decades of advisory experience, a superior reputation, and a broad network of relationships. The firm's professionals possess focused expertise, qualifications, and experience that enable them to address and accomplish each client's specific needs comprehensively. This entrepreneurial mindset allows TAG Financial to understand the obstacles clients face and uncover opportunities to help them grow and build their businesses.

Leadership Team

TAG Financial's leadership team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the financial services industry:

• Steven Nigro: Managing Partner and Founder. With over 35 years of experience, Steven has completed close to 200 transactions. He previously served as CFO and Treasurer of Tower Group, Inc., and CFO of OTA Limited Partnership. Steven is a Certified Public Accountant in New York and a FINRA licensed General Securities Principal, Financial and Operations Principal, and Investment Banking Representative.

• Kieran Pinney: Managing Partner and Founder. Kieran has significant experience in investment banking, focusing on the financial services sector. He has been instrumental in building TAG Financial's practice and expanding its market presence.

• Gregory Nelson: Managing Director. Gregory leads the TAG Capital Solutions Group, focusing on meeting the capital needs and corporate finance objectives of insurance carriers and other risk-taking entities. He brings extensive experience in capital management, corporate finance, and risk management advice.

• Rachel Wender: Managing Director. Rachel joined TAG Financial from Ash Brokerage, where she led mergers and acquisitions, investments, and strategic partnership activities. She focuses on expanding TAG Financial's practice within the life insurance, annuity, long-term care, and disability income distribution sectors.

• Katherine Derrenberger: Director. Katherine leads the execution group at TAG Financial and has been involved in closing over 200 transactions. She is known for her exemplary execution, transaction, and client management skills.

Leadership Changes

In January 2022, TAG Financial announced several significant leadership changes:

• Promotion of Katherine Derrenberger: Elevated to Director, recognizing her contributions in leading the execution group and managing numerous transactions.

• Hiring of Rachel Wender: Joined as Managing Director to expand the firm's practice within the life insurance and annuity distribution sectors.

• Appointment of Raymond Neff: Joined the advisory board of TAG Capital Solutions Group, bringing extensive experience in the insurance industry.

In August 2023, Warren May joined TAG Financial as a Senior Advisor, bringing over 40 years of experience in the financial services profession. He focuses on assisting with business development, efficiency, diversification, perpetuation, and M&A solutions across a broad spectrum of distributors and channels.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The investment banking sector, particularly within the financial services industry, is highly competitive and characterized by firms offering a range of