Source: The Canadian Press

Industrial Alliance, Canada’s fourth-largest life insurer, expects to increase its size through both acquisitions and general growth, chief executive Yvon Charest said Tuesday.

“In terms of growing the operation, we have lots of different initiatives,” Charest told an audience at the company’s investor day in Toronto.

“We don’t know if we will do a home run or just singles with each of them.”

Charest said the company’s earnings have rebounded nicely from the results delivered during the global financial meltdown.

“We are reminding everyone that our earnings are pretty much back to pre-crisis levels,” he said, adding they have returned to about 95% of what they were before the 2008 crisis.

He also said the Quebec-based insurance company is disciplined and is prepared to walk away from deals that aren’t fully in its interest.

Industrial Alliance and Financial Services Inc. (TSX:IAG) is still looking toward the U.S. market for growth, the chief executive said.

It recently acquired Texas-based American-Amicable Holding Inc. in a cash deal for $145 million the will be carried out through Industrial’s U.S. subsidiary, IA American Life Insurance, based in Phoenix, Ariz.


The firm has also said it expects to grow in the U.S. by serving more middle class families.

Industrial Alliance shares were up 29 cents at $34.85 in afternoon trading Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.