0000899140-01-500368.txt : 20011031 0000899140-01-500368.hdr.sgml : 20011031 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000899140-01-500368 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20011029 ITEM INFORMATION: Other events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20011029 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BERKLEY W R CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000011544 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331] IRS NUMBER: 221867895 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15202 FILM NUMBER: 1768950 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 165 MASON ST STREET 2: P O BOX 2518 CITY: GREENWICH STATE: CT ZIP: 06836-2518 BUSINESS PHONE: 2036293000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 165 MASON ST STREET 2: PO BOX 2518 CITY: GREENWICH STATE: CT ZIP: 06836-2518 8-K 1 wrb964795b.txt CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2001 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 29, 2001 W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 0-7849 22-1867895 -------------- ---------------- ------------------- (State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.) incorporation) 165 Mason Street, P.O. Box 2518, Greenwich, CT 06836-2518 ---------------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 629-3000 -------------- Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Item 5. Other Events Reference is made to the press release of W. R. Berkley Corporation (the "Company") relating to the announcement of the commencement of a public offering of 2,800,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The press release was issued on October 29, 2001. A copy of the press release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (a) Financial statements of businesses acquired: None. (b) Pro forma financial information: None. (c) Exhibits: 99.1 Press Release dated October 29, 2001 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION By: /s/ Eugene G. Ballard ------------------------------------ Name: Eugene G. Ballard Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Date: October 29, 2001 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit: ------- 99.1 Press Release dated October 29, 2001 EX-99.1 4 wrb964795c.txt PRESS RELEASE EXHIBIT 99.1 ------------------------------------------ W. R. Berkley Corporation NEWS 165 Mason Street, P.O. Box 2518 RELEASE Greenwich, Connecticut 06836-2518 (203) 629-3000 ------------------------------------------ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eugene G. Ballard Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 203-629-3000 W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION COMMENCES PUBLIC OFFERING GREENWICH, CT, October 29, 2001 -- W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: BER) announced today that it has commenced a public offering of 2,800,000 shares of its common stock. Proceeds of the offering will be used to provide additional capital for its insurance subsidiaries and for general corporate purposes. The Company has also granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 420,000 additional shares to cover over-allotments. The offering is being lead-managed by Morgan Stanley and is being co-managed by Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and Merrill Lynch & Co. A written prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from the underwriters. A shelf registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has become effective. This announcement is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company, which operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: specialty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance, regional property casualty insurance and international. *******