Winged Keel Group

Winged Keel Group

Independent life insurance broker for portfolios

Overview

Winged Keel Group structures and administers large block life insurance portfolios for sophisticated clients, including business owners, investors, executives, and ultra-affluent families. Its services involve designing and managing customized life insurance programs using a mix of planning strategies and products to meet long-term financial goals. The company operates with an extensive, enduring infrastructure to deliver consistent, high-quality work over time, distinguishing itself through deep specialization in large portfolios and a long track record since 1989, rather than relying on quick, one-off solutions. The overarching goal is to help clients secure lasting financial protection and coverage aligned with their long-term objectives, delivered with reliability

Significant Headcount Growth

About Winged Keel Group

Simplify's Rating
Why Winged Keel Group is rated
B+
Rated A on Competitive Edge
Rated A on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Consulting

Financial Services

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1989

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • July 2026 SBSI added Chicago reach and deeper PPLI expertise.
  • Winged Keel places over $5 billion of new life insurance annually.
  • Open roles in Boston, Manhattan, Atlanta, and Washington show continued hiring momentum.

What critics are saying

  • Integration failures across four acquisitions since January 2025 can distract producers and advisors.
  • Chicago SBSI, Minneapolis MBW, and Denver Bridge each demand retention through 2026.
  • PPLI faces IRS scrutiny; a compliance misstep could damage trust and trigger client flight.

What makes Winged Keel Group unique

  • Winged Keel is a national high-end life insurance brokerage with 19-market coverage.
  • It dominates PPLI, administering over $10 billion of separate account assets.
  • GTCR backed Winged Keel in January 2025, accelerating acquisition-led expansion.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

4%

1 year growth

4%

2 year growth

4%
Business Wire
Jul 2nd, 2026
Winged Keel Group Expands National Presence and PPLI Leadership, Welcomes SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions)

Winged Keel Group (“Winged Keel”) today announced it has acquired SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions), a Chicago-based independent insurance advisory fi...

InsuranceNewsNet
Jul 1st, 2026
Winged Keel Group expands national presence and PPLI leadership, welcomes SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions).

Winged Keel Group expands national presence and PPLI leadership, welcomes SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions). Business Wire NEW YORK-(BUSINESS WIRE)- Winged Keel Group ("Winged Keel") today announced it has acquired SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions), a Chicago-based independent insurance advisory firm serving ultra high net worth and family office clients nationwide. SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions), which has an established Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) practice, is led by Howard Sharfman and Warren McGuire, two highly respected industry leaders. The entire team has joined Winged Keel, further strengthening the firm's presence across the country and establishing a new Winged Keel office in Chicago. This integration extends Winged Keel's position as the leading national platform for the structuring, implementation, and administration of high-end life insurance solutions. "We're thrilled to welcome the SBSI, Inc. team to Winged Keel," said Eric Naison-Phillips, CEO of Winged Keel. "Howard, Warren, and their talented team have built an outstanding organization with a strong track record of client-centric success in the ultra high net worth life insurance market, including in PPLI. Their team brings deep relationships with centers of influence, financial institutions, and family offices, along with a culture aligned with Winged Keel's focus on growth, innovation, and integrity, all of which will help us advance our evolution and deliver even more value to clients." SBSI, Inc. has been advising clients on life insurance solutions for more than 100 years. They are among the nation's largest firms specializing in life insurance and wealth transfer solutions for ultra high net worth individuals and families with multi-generational wealth. Over the past decade, the firm has placed over $18 billion of life insurance coverage. "This is a fantastic combination of two leading firms in the high-end life insurance space," said Sharfman. "I have admired Winged Keel for years, especially their leadership in PPLI. From a position of strength and through the integration of our people, relationships, and capabilities, we will create new opportunities and a clear long-term succession plan to deliver more value to our clients well into the future. Through this integration with Winged Keel, we are also expanding our geographic reach, gaining access to new resources and infrastructure, collaborating with some of the industry's top talent, and elevating our culture with a firm that shares our values. We're excited to partner with Eric and the team, learn from each other, and continue building something special." Sharfman and McGuire are now Principals of Winged Keel. In addition, Sharfman has joined the firm's Executive Management Committee. Winged Keel, which entered into a strategic partnership with GTCR, LLC, in February 2025, continues its significant activity in acquiring and integrating leading firms in the ultra high net worth life insurance market. This transaction marks Winged Keel's fourth acquisition since the GTCR investment, joining strategic acquisitions that established offices in St. Louis and Minneapolis, and expanded the firm's presence in Denver. Winged Keel will continue exploring opportunities that enhance the team's ability to serve the dynamic needs of clients and advisors nationally and advance its position as the insurance brokerage platform of choice. About Winged Keel Group Winged Keel Group is the premier national platform for the structuring, implementation, and administration of high-end life insurance solutions. With coverage teams across 19 markets nationally, the firm specializes in Traditional Life Insurance, Business Continuation Insurance, Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuities, and Corporate-Owned Life Insurance portfolios. For more information on Winged Keel Group, please visit www.wingedkeel.com. Securities offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Winged Keel Group is independently owned and operated. #06302026-5701084 Contact Information: Jacob Boston Managing Director, Marketing and Communications Winged Keel Group 212.527.8000

Citybiz
Dec 9th, 2025
Winged Keel Group Appoints William "Bill" Ventura as Senior Director and Client Relationship Manager

Winged Keel Group appoints William "Bill" Ventura as Senior Director and Client Relationship Manager. William "Bill" Ventura Winged Keel Group is proud to announce the addition of William "Bill" Ventura as a Senior Director and Client Relationship Manager. Based in Orlando, Ventura will play a key role in advancing Winged Keel's growth by strengthening the firm's relationships with financial institutions and advisors across Florida. Ventura reports to Donna Litke, Managing Director, Sales and Development, at Winged Keel. "We're excited to welcome Bill to the team and to benefit from the insight he brings from more than 25 years working with financial institutions and advisors," said Litke. "His experience transforming how advisors integrate life insurance and wealth transfer solutions into their practices, understanding of complex planning strategies, and deep relationships throughout Florida will help to accelerate our growth." Ventura previously spent over 20 years with Lincoln Financial Distributors, where he led point-of-sale collaboration within the nation's leading financial institutions. As Sales Vice President, Ventura drove record-breaking results, earning Lincoln's Hall of Fame (2017) and two President's Cup (2017, 2019) awards. He most recently served as Head of Strategic Growth at Modern Life, a technology-driven Brokerage General Agency. Ventura holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP(R) and Accredited Estate Planner (AEP(R) designations. "I'm thrilled to bring my experience and perspective to Winged Keel and be part of a team that continues to drive meaningful growth for the firm," said Ventura. "We have a tremendous opportunity to elevate the experience for financial institutions and advisors as we serve the dynamic needs of high-net-worth clients. I'm proud to join a team recognized as a leader in the high-end life insurance industry and look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to bring innovative solutions to clients." Welcoming Ventura underscores Winged Keel's continued momentum following its 2025 investment partnership with GTCR, reinforcing the firm's commitment to scaling its platform, expanding into new markets, and delivering world-class solutions to clients and partners. About Winged Keel Group Winged Keel Group is the premier national platform for the structuring, implementation, and administration of high-end life insurance solutions. With coverage teams across 15 markets nationally, the firm specializes in Traditional Life Insurance, Business Continuation Insurance, Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuities, and Corporate-Owned Life Insurance portfolios. For more information on Winged Keel Group, please visit www.wingedkeel.com.

Business Wire
Oct 6th, 2025
Winged Keel Group Further Expands Southwest Presence with Acquisition of Bridge Life

Winged Keel Group (“Winged Keel”) today announced the acquisition of Bridge Life, a Denver-based provider of advanced life insurance planning for affluent an...

Sea Duck Joint Venture
Oct 2nd, 2025
Winged Keel Group Names Jacob Boston as Managing Director, Marketing and Communications

Winged Keel Group is pleased to announce the addition of Jacob Boston as Managing Director, Marketing and Communications.

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