A national insurance brokerage has acquired a Fresno-based employee benefits brokerage.

Villane Ward Insurance Services, Inc. is now part of Relation Insurance Services, which has more than 500 employees in more than 30 locations across the U.S.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Villane Ward, which operated under the trade name Ahart Insurance Services, specializes in mid-market clients, offering group benefits including health care, HR and benefit compliance, benefit administration, self-insurance and individual insurance.

The acquisition is expected to bring together complimentary portfolios in the Fresno area, according to a news release.

“We are very proud to have built such a successful full-service employee benefits firm,” said Daniel J. Ward, chairman and chief financial officer, Villane Ward Insurance Services, Inc. “We’re thrilled to be joining Relation, as it’s the perfect complement for our employees and clients. Relation will greatly expand our current capabilities and potential opportunities, while allowing us to continue providing the first class customer service our clients have come to expect and deserve.”

The deal is expected to bring “further competitive advantages” to Villane Ward’s clients, said Jenni Villane, president of Villane Ward.

“Relation is large enough to offer us some additional back room support, but not too large that our clients will feel lost in a change to our culture,” Villane said. “The team at Relation is focused on the fact that our business is built mainly on relationships, trust and comfort.”