United Fire Group Surety has named Holmes Murphy & Associates its 2022 Surety Agency of the Year. Holmes Murphy also received this recognition in 2012 and 2020. “We created the annual UFG Surety Agency of the Year award to celebrate a standout partner that surpassed business expectation the prior year,” Dennis Richmann, vice president and director of UFG Surety, said in a prepared statement. “Identifying that winning agency each year is always a challenge — we believe our surety bond partners throughout the U.S. are the best in the business.” The recognition is based upon several measurable benchmarks, including loss ratio, written premium, growth and new business. Richmann said Holmes Murphy saw nearly 20% growth and a less than 1% loss ratio. Holmes Murphy’s partnership with UFG is about helping contractors grow, a news release said. “We’re both looking for the right way to move forward with a client; provide them feedback, provide them a solution so they can be able to bid on the work that they need to execute their business plan,” Jay Freiermuth, senior vice president of surety at Holmes Murphy, said in a prepared statement. UFG has been in the surety bonds industry since 1952 and works with independent agents across the country.