Business Moves

BBVA Compass, Crest Insurance

Cody Ritchie and other senior members of the BBVA Compass Insurance Agency of Tucson, Ariz., acquired the firm’s assets to form a new company called Crest Insurance Group. The sale returns the agency’s ownership and management to Tucson. Ritchie has been named president, and Rudy Mathews is chief operating officer.

This agency’s roots can be traced back to the Mueller Agency. Bob Mueller founded the insurance agency in Tucson in 1975 and sold it to Compass Bank in 2003. Ritchie is among many members of the staff who have been with the company from Mueller to Compass and now Crest. All of the firm’s 15 brokers will remain with the agency.

Crest Insurance Group will continue to be located in the same offices at Williams Center. New e-mail addresses and Web site are pending.

“We are again operating as a locally owned independent insurance agency. We have a name and new logo that reflect our Southern Arizona roots and projects an image that encompasses our national customer base,” Ritchie said. “We also want to remember where we came from and want to acknowledge our founder, Bob Mueller.”

Brakke-Schafnitz, Signature

Matthew F. Schafnitz co-founder and CEO of Brakke-Schafnitz Insurance Brokers Inc. in Laguna Niguel, Calif., completed the purchase of Brakke-Schafnitz Insurance Brokers Inc. and the formation of the holding company, Signature Insurance Group.

After the purchase of Brakke-Schafnitz Insurance Brokers, a definitive agreement to form Signature Insurance Group was signed. The holding company, Signature Insurance Group consists of Brakke-Schafnitz Insurance Brokers Inc. (BSIB), Brakke-Schafnitz West (BSW), Saddleback Valley Insurance Centers (SVIC) and Infinity Assurance Group (IAG).

The combination of assets creates an insurance firm with the capability to provide diverse services to its customers, the company said. The venture will provide its customers a broader access to national and international insurers that issue comprehensive lines of commercial, business and personal insurance.

Signature Insurance Group (Formerly, BSIB, BSW, SVIC and IAG), is a large, independent insurance brokerage firm in Southern California, representing a number of national and international insurers. Signature Insurance Group currently serves its customers in all 50 states.

M.J. Hall and Co.

M.J. Hall and Co. Inc. opened an office in Fresno, Calif. The addition of the office will better serve pre-existing producers in Fresno as well as grow M.J. Hall’s production in the excess and surplus lines market in central California, the company said.