BB&T Insurance to Acquire Liberty Benefit

BB&T Insurance Services, an insurance broker, will expand its California operations with the acquisition of Liberty Benefit Insurance Services. BB&T says Liberty will operate as BB&T-Liberty Benefit Insurance Services, an employee benefits broker. The acquisition adds 25 employees to BB&T Insurance Services and is expected to be completed October 1.

BB&T says Liberty partners with large commercial clients in the San Francisco Bay Area to help them manage rising health-care costs, changing regulations and complex benefits administration. BB&T entered the state in June 2008 with its acquisition of UnionBanc Insurance Services, and currently operates California agencies in Folsom, Fullerton, Glendale, Irvine, Pleasanton, San Diego and San Francisco.

BB&T says competitive benefits programs are a prerequisite for companies seeking to attract and retain top talent. Liberty touts its expertise in proprietary technology and carrier relationships, as well as services such as plan analysis, HR consulting and financial auditing, BB&T adds.