W.R. Berkley EVP Baio Reports RSU Vesting and Tax Withholding on Form 4
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Richard M. Baio, EVP & CFO of W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB), reported insider transactions dated 08/15/2025. He received 16,126 shares upon vesting of performance-based restricted stock units granted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 covering the three-year performance period ending June 30, 2025. To satisfy tax withholding on the vesting, 744 shares were withheld at a price of $71.235. Following these transactions, reported beneficial ownership figures are 214,919 shares (direct) and 21,415 shares indirect via a 401(k) plan; the filing notes 211,550 shares underlying vested RSUs that have been deferred.
Positive
- Alignment with shareholders: Vesting of performance-based RSUs indicates compensation tied to multi-year performance metrics.
- Transparency: Form 4 discloses both the vesting and tax-withholding mechanics and lists deferred vested RSUs.
Negative
- Share dilution/overhang: A substantial amount of vested-but-deferred RSUs (211,550) remains outstanding and may affect future share counts.
- Tax withholding reduces reported direct ownership: 744 shares were withheld to satisfy taxes, lowering immediate direct shareholdings.
Insights
TL;DR: Routine executive equity vesting with share withholding for taxes; no new derivative or cash sales disclosed.
This Form 4 documents the vesting of performance-based RSUs totaling 16,126 shares across grants from 2020 to 2022, which is a common compensation realization event for senior executives. The withholding of 744 shares to cover taxes is an administrative disposition, not an open-market sale. The filing also highlights a substantive number of deferred vested RSUs (211,550) and standard indirect holdings via a 401(k) plan (21,415), which affect reported beneficial ownership but do not indicate changes to company strategy or material liquidity events.
TL;DR: Compensation plan functioning as intended; disclosures are routine and consistent with equity award policies.
The transactions reflect expected post-performance-period vesting under the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan and the use of share withholding to satisfy tax obligations. Such filings provide transparency on executive alignment with shareholder interests through equity-based pay. The presence of large deferred vested RSUs should be noted for disclosure purposes, but the report contains no indication of atypical insider trading or governance concerns.