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Higginbotham, the largest independent insurance, financial and HR services firm headquartered in Texas, has acquired the Fitts Agency Inc., a family-owned firm with a 150-year history in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The acquisition marks Higginbotham’s second in the western part of the state. Last year, the firm joined forces with WRM Group LLC.
"We're proud to put our resources behind a firm that shares our cultural and community values," said Higginbotham Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid in a statement. "This is a true, family-run local business. Every partner is from Tuscaloosa and every client relationship reflects the firm's deep, long-trusted ties to their community and region."
Founded in 1875 by J.H. Fitts of Tuscaloosa, the Fitts Agency has become the largest independently owned insurance agency in West Alabama, with partners that include fifth-generation Fitts family members. The Fitts name has been closely associated with Tuscaloosa since 1865 when J.H. Fitts founded J.H. Fitts and Company, one of the first chartered banks in Alabama which later became the City National Bank of Tuscaloosa.
"The success of our agency is directly tied to our exceptional group of employees," said Fitts CEO Forrest Fitts. "Professional development has always been a priority, with many of our staff earning advanced industry certifications like CIC, CRM and CPCU.
"Our agency and the service our customers expect from us are not going anywhere. We are simply continuing to strive for the best. This partnership will provide Fitts Agency with tools and resources to better serve our loyal customers, moving forward."
MarshBerry acted as the exclusive financial adviser to the Fitts Agency in the transaction.