INDEXIA / GROUPE SFAM acquired by ARDIAN

Meilleurtaux acquired 100% of Active Assurances, enabling the exit of financial sponsors Activa Capital and Bpifrance, as well as the founding management team. This strategic acquisition marks a shift in Meilleurtaux's business model: previously a simple comparator (lead generator) in auto/health insurance, the group now becomes a full-stack broker capable of selling, issuing, and managing contracts directly. The deal also strengthens its B2B wholesale brokerage capabilities through Active Assurances' subsidiary, Wazari

Latour Capital has successfully finalized the acquisition of a majority stake in the share capital of the target from its previous institutional sponsor, following a highly competitive auction process. This strategic transaction represents a significant milestone in the broker's evolution, marking its transition into a new phase of institutional scaling. The strategic rationale for the move centers on the acquirer’s objective to leverage the target’s unique digital-native distribution model, which demonstrated exceptional resilience and performance during period of global market volatility

Silver Lake acquired a majority stake (~70%) in Groupe Finizy (Meilleurtaux) from Goldman Sachs Private Equity. The transaction was executed outside of a formal auction process, pre-empting a sale that was initially planned for March 2020 but halted due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The management team, holding ~30%, reinvested in the new structure. A governance transition occurred simultaneously. The deal was initially equity-funded by Silver Lake.

Ardian acquired a majority stake in Finaxy from Equistone Partners Europe, which had owned the group since 2014. The transaction was valued at an Enterprise Value of €160 million, representing an aggressive multiple of approximately 14.5x EBITDA. To secure the asset in a competitive process managed by Lazard, Ardian submitted a preemptive offer that outpaced other finalists such as Parquest Capital and Abénex. The transaction is financed by a senior debt package provided by a pool of banks, representing approximately 5

Bridgepoint has acquired a majority stake in Financière CEP from the American private equity firm JC Flowers & Co and the group's founder, Hubert Guillard. This secondary LBO follows an unsuccessful sale process in 2017. The transaction was secured via a preemptive offer signed in early March 2020, just before the COVID-19 lockdowns. The management team, led by CEO Philippe Gravier, is reinvesting alongside Bridgepoint to support an ambitious growth project. The strategic rationale for the deal is to capitalize on CEP's leadership in the French loan insurance and mortgage brokerage markets

21 Invest France acquired a majority stake in FMA Assurances, partnering with founder and President Ludovic Dumont who retains an equity position and continues to lead the business. The transaction was supported by EY's M&A department (Jean-Louis Duverney-Guichard) on the seller side. The investment thesis centres on strengthening FMA's position on its existing segments and accelerating growth through organic development and bolt-on acquisitions in new niche insurance markets.

CVC Capital Partners acquired a 65.13% controlling stake in APRIL from its founder via Evolem. The transaction was followed by a Mandatory Simplified Tender Offer (OPAS) for the remaining shares, leading to the group's delisting. This strategic move allowed the group to exit the stock market and embark on a massive restructuring plan.

Goldman Sachs acquired a majority stake in Meilleurtaux, winning a competitive auction process managed by Rothschild & Cie. The seller, Equistone Partners Europe, realized a massive exit after acquiring the asset from BPCE in 2013. The transaction is financed by a debt package (TLA + TLB) representing roughly 4.0x EBITDA, a moderate leverage level designed to leave room for future external growth. The management team remains in place to pursue an aggressive build-up strategy.

Ardian entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a 65% majority stake in Siaci Saint-Honore. This LBO is characterized by a strong reinvestment from management (15%). The transaction is financed by a EUR250 million senior debt package (covenant-lite) and includes a EUR35 million acquisition line for future build-ups.

Equistone Partners Europe acquired a majority stake in Finaxy Group (c.80%), replacing the founding family office. The transaction values the group between €50 million and €100 million. Notably, the initial acquisition was reportedly completed without the use of debt, providing a clean balance sheet to fund an ambitious consolidation plan. The founder remains the CEO and a significant shareholder. The primary objective of this partnership is to double the group's revenue by targeting larger independent brokers with EBITDA margins exceeding 20–25%