W. R. Berkley Corporation Has Been Informed That Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. Has Acquired Beneficial Ownership of At Least 12.5% of the Company’s Shares Pursuant to Previously Announced Agreements with the Berkley Family

Key Terms

beneficial ownership financial

Beneficial ownership means the person or entity that actually enjoys the benefits of owning shares or other assets — such as receiving dividends, voting rights, or price gains — even if the legal title is held in another name. For investors it matters because knowing who truly controls and profits from a company reveals who can influence decisions, exposes potential conflicts of interest or hidden concentration of power, and affects transparency and risk in the stock.

common stock financial

Common stock represents ownership shares in a company, giving investors a stake in its success and a say in important decisions through voting rights. It is the most common type of stock traded on markets and can provide income through dividends, as well as potential for value growth. For investors, holding common stock means sharing in the company’s profits and risks.

form 8-k regulatory

A Form 8-K is a report that companies file with the government to share important news quickly, such as changes in leadership, major business deals, or financial updates. It matters because it helps investors stay informed about significant events that could affect the company's value or stock price.

GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) (the “Company”) today announced that the Company has been informed by representatives of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd. (“MSI”), a leading Japanese property and casualty insurance carrier, that MSI has acquired beneficial ownership of at least 12.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock (the “Common Stock”) pursuant to MSI’s previously announced agreements with a company owned by members of the Berkley family and trusts for their benefit (collectively, the “Berkley Family”). None of MSI’s shares were purchased from the Berkley Family or the Company.

Under the agreements with the Berkley Family, MSI’s shares will be voted pursuant to the recommendations of the Berkley Family, except in limited circumstances where the MSI shares will be voted in the same proportion as all of the non-MSI shares are voted.

The Company has been informed by representatives of MSI that they expect to complete their investment under the agreements with the Berkley Family in the first quarter of 2026.

The description of the agreements between MSI and the Berkley Family are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements attached as exhibits to the Form 8-K filed by the Company on March 28, 2025. A copy of the Form 8-K can be found on the Investor Relations section of our website. For further information about Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd., please visit https://www.ms-ins.com/english/.

About W. R. Berkley Corporation
Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates worldwide in two segments of the property casualty insurance business: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess. For further information about W. R. Berkley Corporation, please visit www.berkley.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This is a “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon the Company's historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks could cause actual results of the industry or our actual results for the year 2025 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251205649802/en/

Karen A. Horvath

Vice President - External

Financial Communications

(203) 629-3000

Source: W. R. Berkley Corporation