Winged Keel Expands U.S. Life Insurance Brokerage with BryanMark Acquisition
Winged Keel Group, a leading independent life insurance brokerage firm, has expanded its market presence through the acquisition of BryanMark Group, a St. Louis-based provider specializing in life insurance solutions for affluent and ultra-affluent clients. This acquisition aligns with Winged Keel's strategic growth plan following an investment by private equity firm GTCR earlier in 2025 aimed at accelerating the company's expansion and service capabilities.
The acquisition brings BryanMark Group's founder, Jason Hackmann, into Winged Keel as a Principal, leading the new St. Louis office and continuing to deliver specialized brokerage services. Hackmann's expertise in wealth accumulation, estate planning, and retirement benefits complements Winged Keel's focus on serving ultra-affluent families with sophisticated life insurance products.
Winged Keel operates across multiple U.S. cities, offering customized life insurance and annuity solutions including Traditional Life Insurance, Private Placement Life Insurance, and Corporate-Owned Life Insurance portfolios. The firm targets high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, emphasizing technology-driven client service and innovative insurance solutions.
GTCR’s investment supports Winged Keel’s objective to strengthen its market leadership and geographic footprint, especially in the Midwest. The acquisition of BryanMark Group exemplifies this strategy by enhancing Winged Keel’s advisory talent pool and expanding its operational reach.
This development reflects broader industry trends where specialized life insurance brokerages leverage private equity backing to consolidate market share and enhance technological infrastructure. Winged Keel’s expansion positions it as a competitive player in the ultra-affluent life insurance sector, addressing increasing demand for tailored wealth transfer and estate planning insurance products.
Overall, the Winged Keel-BryanMark transaction highlights the ongoing consolidation and growth within the life insurance brokerage industry, driven by strategic investments and partnerships that enhance service offerings and geographic diversification. It underlines the importance of specialized advisory expertise combined with scalable infrastructure in meeting the complex needs of high-net-worth clientele.