Private Equity Through The Lens of Commercial & Contract Surety
Includes a Live Web Event on 07/21/2026 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
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Register
- Non-member - $199
- Member - $99
Private equity investment is reshaping businesses across nearly every sector—including many of the companies and contractors that surety professionals support. But what does private equity ownership mean from a surety perspective, and how can producers and underwriters effectively evaluate the opportunities and risks it presents?
This virtual seminar will explore private equity through the distinct lenses of both commercial and contract surety. Join Matt Nowaczyk and Kevin White of Applied Surety Underwriters as they examine how private equity structures, investment strategies, and ownership transitions can influence credit quality, financial reporting, management decisions, and long-term business stability.
Designed for both surety bond producers and surety company underwriters, this session will provide practical insights into evaluating privately backed firms, identifying key underwriting considerations, and understanding how private equity involvement may create both enhanced opportunities and unique challenges within commercial and contract surety portfolios.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of:
- Common private equity ownership structures and investment approaches.
- The impact of private equity on contractor growth, acquisitions, and succession planning.
- Financial and operational indicators that warrant closer scrutiny during the underwriting process.
- Differences in evaluating private equity-backed risks in commercial versus contract surety.
- Strategies for producers and underwriters to effectively communicate with clients, owners, and investors during periods of change.
Whether you work primarily in commercial surety, contract surety, or both, this seminar will equip you with the knowledge and practical tools needed to navigate an increasingly important trend influencing the surety marketplace.
Matt Nowaczyk
Senior Vice President, Head of Commercial Surety
Applied Surety Underwriters
Matt Nowaczyk is Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Surety at Applied Surety Underwriters, leading the company's U.S. commercial surety operations. Based in Chicago, he brings more than 17 years of industry experience, having previously spent seven years with ACE and seven years with Intact before joining Applied in 2023.
Throughout his career, Matt has specialized in underwriting private equity-backed businesses and contractors, successfully managing this segment without a loss to date. His expertise in evaluating ownership structures, financial risk, and growth strategies provides valuable insight into the evolving intersection of private equity and the surety marketplace.
Kevin White
Vice President, Regional Underwriting Officer
Applied Surety Underwriters
Kevin White is a Vice President and Regional Underwriting Officer with Applied Surety Underwriters, where he is responsible for building agency partnerships and assessing risk for the company's large contract surety business across the Eastern United States. Prior to joining Applied in 2023, Kevin held underwriting and leadership roles with Argo Group and Westfield Insurance, bringing extensive experience in contract surety and producer relationship management. The full profile also reflects earlier executive positions in equipment finance and commercial lending with Key Equipment Finance and GE Capital.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, Kevin combines an analytical, entrepreneurial mindset with a broad financial services background that includes equipment financing, M&A advisory, corporate development, and business strategy. His diverse experience gives him a unique perspective on evaluating growth, ownership transitions, and the financial dynamics that shape both contractors and private equity-backed organizations in today's surety marketplace.
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