2015 Best Practices Study

Analysis of Agencies with Revenues Under $1,250,000

Key Benchmarks Profile

Revenues Expenses Profitability Employee Overview Producer Info Service Staff Info Technology Insurance Carriers Appendix

The Rule of 20 is a simple growth and profitability balancing equation that provides a quick way to determine whether or not an agency is creating value for its shareholders. It states that an agency will drive industry-standard shareholder returns if the sum of (a) its organic growth rate and (b) 1/2 of its EBITDA margin equals or exceeds 20. Generally speaking, an outcome of 20 or higher, regardless of the different combinations of growth and profitability, indicates that the agency’s shareholders can expect to earn 15% -17% per year through stock price appreciation and/or shareholder distributions.

Rule of 20 Outcome - 12/31/14

What is the Rule of 20?

Organic Growth

EBITDA Margin

Rule of 20 Outcome

Public Brokers

Willis Group

3.8% 22.8% 15.2

1/2 of EBITDA Margin

Organic Revenue Growth + =

Rule of 20 Score

Aon

2.0% 21.5% 12.8

Brown & Brown

3.5% 33.7% 20.4

• Provides a tool to benchmark agency performance • Helps frame the trade-off between growth and profitability

Arthur J. Gallagher 5.5% 20.5% 15.7 Marsh & McLennan 3.0% 21.4% 13.7

Average

Top 25% Profit

Top 25% Growth

Rule of 20

22.2

34.4

30.6

Financial Stability

Average

Top 25%

Balance Sheet Current Ratio

1.60:1

2.84:1 18.7%

Tangible Net Worth (% of Net Revenue)

4.4%

Receivables/Payable Ratio

*

*

Aged Receivables

% Receivables Aged Past 60 Days % Receivables Aged Past 90 Days

43.7%

*

2015 Best Practices Study

2.5%

0.0%

*Insufficient Data

Accounts Receivable

Agencies with Revenues Under $1,250,000

Average

Top 25% Profit Top 25% Growth

Agency Billed vs. Direct Billed % of P&C Revenues that are Agency Billed % of P&C Revenues that are Direct Billed

12.8% 87.2%

5.4%

18.0% 82.0%

94.6%

16

Note: See page 163 for an explanation of column headings