Exercise Your Right to Vote
We’d like to transition to a mutual holding company.
West Bend Mutual Insurance Company would like to change our structure and create a mutual holding company.
What’s the change?
West Bend’s board of directors has approved a strategic initiative to form a mutual holding company. Mutual holding companies have become a common way to structure a mutual insurance business. Just as we operate today, West Bend Mutual Holding Company will continue to be governed by our policyholders and will continue to provide insurance coverage through our independent agency partners. Policyholders who are members of West Bend Mutual Insurance Company will automatically transition to become members of the new mutual holding company.
Why the change?
A mutual holding company structure will benefit West Bend Mutual Insurance Company and its policyholders by, among other things, (i) giving us the opportunity to pursue expansion through subsidiary companies while maintaining our mutuality, (ii) enhancing our ability to acquire and grow ancillary or non-insurance businesses, (iii) giving us enhanced access to capital and other forms of financing, (iv) placing us in a more flexible position to take advantage of opportunities such as acquisitions of other mutual insurance companies, and (v) increasing our competitiveness by enhancing efficiency, management, and financial flexibility.
West Bend Mutual Insurance Company will convert to a stock insurer, be renamed West Bend Insurance Company (WBIC), and become an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the newly organized mutual holding company.
What does this change mean to our policyholders?
West Bend Mutual Holding Company will continue to operate under the principles and culture of a mutual company, owned by our policyholder-members who will transition with the same member rights. It’s important to note that existing West Bend Mutual Insurance Company insurance policies and rates will be unaffected by this structure change. West Bend’s policyholders and all policies will be obligations of WBIC.
Important Milestones
Record Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Anticipated Mail Date: Monday, October 23, 2023
OCI Hearing Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Special Meeting Date: Friday, December 8, 2023
For more details, review these documents:
Review the Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting
You can also request an electronic copy be sent to your e-mail or a paper copy be mailed to you by calling 877-283-0322 or sending an e-mail to
WestBendProxy@equiniti.com before November 29, 2023. Please provide your Voter ID during any phone or e-mail correspondence.
Vote now on this organizational transition.
Read the provided materials carefully.
Locate your Control Number on your Proxy Card and click the “Vote” button.
On the next page, cast your vote for or against by checking the appropriate box, then click confirm.
You must cast your vote by 11:59 p.m., Central Time, on December 7, 2023.
Where is my Control Number?
Got Questions?
Who are the Board of Directors?
Who are the Board of Directors
How do I vote?
How do I vote?
You are encouraged to read the proxy statement prior to completing the proxy.
The proxy materials describe the specific matters to be voted on. You may cast your vote by any one of the following four methods:
- By Internet
Please enter your control number in the box provided above. Your control number is found on the proxy notice previously mailed to you. Your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 10, 2019. If you need your control number, please contact us at 800-966-6871. - By Telephone
Call 800-966-6871. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day. You must use the 12-digit control number shown on the front of your notice to vote. Your vote by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 10, 2019. - By Mail
You must request a paper copy of the proxy statement and proxy by calling 877-478-5046 and these materials will be mailed promptly to you. To facilitate timely delivery of the materials, we need to receive your request as soon as possible. Complete the proxy as instructed and return it in the envelope provided. Your vote by mail must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 10, 2019. - In Person
If you attend the annual meeting of members you can vote in person. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at the Jeweler's Mutual Company home office at 5900 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Will my vote be secure and confidential using the online proxy voting procedures?
Will my vote be secure and confidential using the online proxy voting procedures?
The online proxy voting system provided by AST Fund Solutions, LLC maintains a high level of security to ensure the confidentiality of your vote. Security includes the following:
- Secure Socket Layer (SSL). This is a security feature that encrypts all information that travels between the online proxy voting system and the computer of the voting member.
- Control Number. Each member receives a personalized voting control number upon receipt of their proxy package. AST Fund Solutions, LLC verifies these numbers and displays the correct proxy information.
Has Ameritas contracted for the services of a proxy solicitor?
Has Ameritas contracted for the services of a proxy solicitor?
Yes. AST Fund Solutions, LLC is the proxy solicitation firm providing the voting services to members of record for this proxy. Should you have questions please call 877-478-5046 to speak to an AST Fund Solutions, LLC representative Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Can I return the signed proxy card and vote online or by telephone?
Can I return the signed proxy card and vote online or by telephone?
You should only vote using one method. The only reason for you to vote again would be to change your previous vote. Please remember that since your voting instructions are processed in the order in which they are received, your last vote received will be the one that counts.
Who is entitled to vote?
Who is entitled to vote?
Members of record at the close of business on March 6, 2019, will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting of members. The Notice of Annual Meeting of Members was mailed to members of record.
Can I revoke my proxy?
Can I revoke my proxy?
Yes. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted:
- By sending a written notice to the company expressly revoking your proxy.
- By signing and forwarding to the company a later-dated proxy that is received by the company at or prior to the meeting.
- By attending the meeting and voting in person. Please remember that since your voting instructions are processed in the order in which they are received, your last vote received will be the one that counts.
