Kingsway announces a new acquisitionKingsway announces the acquisition of Mendota Insurance Company
09:15 EST Wednesday, January 24, 2007
TORONTO, Jan. 24 /CNW/ - (TSX:KFS, NYSE:KFS) Kingsway Financial Services Inc. ("Kingsway") today announced it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Mendota Insurance Company ("Mendota"). Mendota is a wholly owned subsidiary of TheSt. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. The transaction includes Mendota's wholly owned subsidiaries, Mendakota Insurance Company and Mendota Insurance Agency, Inc. The transaction is scheduled to be completed following receipt of regulatory approvals. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. It is anticipated that the purchase price will be funded through internal sources, a portion of which may include Kingsway's existing undrawn credit facilities.
Mendota is the dedicated non-standard automobile insurance operation of St. Paul Travelers. The company is licensed in 43 states and currently writes business in 20 states through a network of about 6,000 independent agency locations. Mendota is headquartered inSt. Paul, Minnesota and in calendar year 2006 wrote approximately $175 million of non-standard automobile premiums.
"We are extremely pleased with the acquisition of Mendota," said Bill Star, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kingsway. "This transaction is consistent with our strategy to become a dominant player in the non-standard automobile market in theUnited States as evidenced by this acquisition and our existing subsidiaries devoted to this line of business. Mendota is a well-run organization and we look forward to the company's continued success and contribution post-closing to the profitability of Kingsway."