News from Van Wyk Risk & Financial Management

Van Wyk Named EMC Insurance Companies' Premier Partner For Second Year In A Row

GRAND RAPIDS, April 1, 2008 - Van Wyk Risk & Financial Management (Van Wyk) is pleased to announce that it has earned Premier Partner status with EMC Insurance Companies (EMC) for the second year in a row. In 2007, Van Wyk was named the first-ever Premier Partner agency in Michigan. This year, Van Wyk continues in its reign as the only Premier Partner in the state.

Premier Partner status is awarded to the top two percent of EMC agents nationwide. Agents are rated on seven performance criteria, including retention, growth and profitability. Earned points are tallied for each of the performance criteria and then averaged over a three-year period to determine Premier Partner status. Earning the designation in one year does not guarantee the same status the following year.

"I credit our talented team of professionals for their contributions toward achieving and maintaining Premier Partner status," said Van Wyk CEO Max Van Wyk. "Our strong partnership with EMC is yet another reason why Van Wyk is the company where clients come for good."

"The Van Wyk team consistently delivers on its promises - both to its clients and its partners - and deserves to be placed in an elite category within our company," said EMC Insurance Companies Resident Vice President Jason Bogart, CPCU, ARM. "I am excited about what we will accomplish together in the years ahead."

Van Wyk Risk & Financial Management was founded in Grand Rapids in 1982 as the Van Wyk Insurance Agency. The independent firm is a fast-growing, full-service provider of risk management, insurance and related services to businesses and individuals. With a client retention rate that is the envy of the industry, Van Wyk is known as the company where clients come for good.

EMC Insurance Companies is built on almost 100 years of serving policyholders and independent insurance agents. Today, EMC has grown to become one of the largest property and casualty insurance groups with more than 2,300 employees and assets of nearly $3 billion. Nationally, EMC ranks among the top 60 insurance organizations.