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RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BB&T Insurance Services, the nation's sixth largest insurance broker, today said it plans to expand its metro Orlando, Fla., operation with the acquisition of J. Rolfe Davis Insurance of Maitland.

A property and casualty and employee benefits specialist, J. Rolfe Davis provides a full range of risk management services for businesses and families throughout the country.

Founded in 1942 by former Orlando mayor J. Rolfe Davis, the privately-held broker is ranked among the nation's top 100 large insurers by Business Insurance magazine.

"J. Rolfe Davis is one of the most highly respected insurance agencies in the United States," said Wade Reece, chairman and chief executive officer of BB&T Insurance Services. "Being selected by them as their acquisition partner is a significant honor and a bestowed trust that we do not take lightly.

"We've wanted to build a solid presence in metro Orlando for some time now, and this new partnership, combined with nearby BB&T-Burkey Risk Services, certainly puts us in that position."

BB&T acquired Burkey Risk Services of Maitland and Boynton Beach in March. The J. Rolfe Davis transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Terms were not disclosed.

BB&T Insurance Services also operates Florida agencies BB&T-Iler Wall & Shonter of St. Petersburg, BB&T-Wyman, Green & Blalock of Bradenton, and BB&T-Landrum Yaeger of Tallahassee.

With more than 130 employees, J. Rolfe Davis is made up of five divisions: commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, personal lines, financial services, and retirement plans.

"Combining forces with BB&T Insurance allows us to be part of the nation's sixth largest insurance agency while continuing to focus our resources on customized business solutions for our clients," said David McKinney, chief executive officer of J. Rolfe Davis.

"Our agency has been part of the greater Orlando community for more than 65 years. On behalf of my partners, Don Boone and Bruce Arrow, we look forward to providing our clients the same local support they've always enjoyed backed by the size and support of an industry leader."

McKinney, Boone and Arrow will continue in their leadership positions with BB&T-J. Rolfe Davis.

BB&T Insurance Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Branch Banking and Trust Company. Founded in 1922, it operates 100 insurance agencies in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky and California.

Branch Banking and Trust Company is the principal subsidiary of Winston-Salem N.C.-based BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT). With $137 billion in assets, BB&T Corp. is the nation's 14th largest financial holding company. More information about the company is available at www.BBT.com.