BERKLEY BIGWIGS VISIT THE PHILIPPINES

(Left Photo) Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of W.R. Berkley Corporation — MR. WILLIAM R. BERKLEY (Middle Photo) Mr. Fernando Correa Urquiza, President of Berkley International, LLC (Right Photo) EVP and Chief Finance Officer Daniel L. Villanueva, Berkley/Family First President Mr. Luie C. Dy Buncio and WRBC’s Senior Vice President for Specialty Operations, William Robert Berkley, Jr.

BERKLEY'S OWNERS and top officials recently paid the country a visit. No less than the owner himself who is also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of W.R. Berkley Corporation — MR. WILLIAM R. BERKLEY — led the contingent that came straight from Greenwich, USA.

Mr. Berkley came with his son, Senior Vice President for Specialty Operations, William Robert Berkley, Jr. They were also joined by Mr. Fernando Correa Urquiza, President of Berkley International, LLC and Messrs. Craig Abel and Steve Reck of Global Direct.

The visit can only be construed as a concrete testimony to the company’s unwavering confidence in the economy of the country as well as its continuing trust in the local management and staff.

Further, and more importantly, it is a manifestation of the company’s commitment to all planowners like you that the company is here to stay and to see your investments flourish until such time when it will have borne fruit in your hands.

It is auspicious indeed that at the same time that they came, 11 December to be exact, Berkley International Plans — whose plan you bought through Family First — obtained, for the 3rd straight year now, a corporate credit rating of A+ which, you may know by now, means an above-average capacity to meet all future financial obligations compared with other corporations.

The A+ rating, coupled with the fact that the owner lent his name to the company and that this company is performing exceedingly well financially, should reassure you, our planowners, that your investment is in good hands.

As 2004 ushers in, allow us to thank, in behalf of the owners, all of you, our beloved customers, for your continuing faith in the company and its people. It is your trust that inspires us to just get better everyday! – Gina Cruz