The discrepancy between the regions can be accounted for due to the size of the region and the resulting volume of loan transactions per region.  However, two other factors seem to have contributed to the variance in the closing volume per region.

1) First, many Allstate Sales Leaders and Managers are still unfamiliar with PPC LOAN and the services we provide.  The greatest instance of this seems to be in the central and northern portion of the western United States.  PPC LOAN hopes to continue to spread awareness of the services we provide by attending Allstate meetings, presenting at seminars and webinars, and issuing periodic publications such as the Management Newsletter and the Allstate Agency Value Index.

2) The second reason for the skewed data seems to stem from the fact that the regions with the most closings have allowed a greater number of Agents (typically outside buyers) to purchase and merge multiple agencies.  PPC LOAN understands and respects the fact that each region has specific goals and reasons for approving certain deal structures and is thus not arguing for or against the merging of multiple agencies.  However, mergers do allow agents to benefit from economies of scale realized from operating out of a single location, thus making approvals for mergers more likely.

Instant equity: By purchasing and merging smaller books of business a buyer is able to quickly increase the market value of their agency.  Smaller agencies on average sell for a lower multiple than that of larger agencies due to financing obstacles presented by restricted cash flow.  Once purchased and merged, the increased cash flow instantly adds market value.