SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): April 16, 2001 -------------- E.W. BLANCH HOLDINGS, INC. --------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware ------------------------------------------ (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-11794 41-1741779 ---------------------------- ------------------------------------- (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 500 N. Akard, Suite 4500, Dallas, TX 75201 ------------------------------------------ (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (214) 756-7000 -------------- Item 5. Other Events. ------------ On April 15, 2001, the registrant entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Benfield Greig Group PLC and Barrel Acquisition Corporation. Such agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1. On April 16, 2001, the registrant and Benfield Greig Group PLC issued a joint press release regarding such agreement. Such release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1. On April 16, 2001, the registrant sent a letter to its employees regarding such agreement. Such letter is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.2. On April 16, 2001, the registrant sent a letter to its customers regarding such agreement. A form of such letter is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.3. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. --------------------------------- (a) Not applicable. (b) Not applicable. (c) Exhibits. 10.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 15, 2001, among Benfield Greig Group PLC, Barrel Acquisition Corporation and E.W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. 99.1 Press Release, dated April 16, 2001 99.2 Letter to employees, dated April 16, 2001 SIGNATURE 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. E.W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. Date: April 16, 2001 By: /s/ Daniel O'Keefe ----------------------------------- Daniel O'Keefe Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Exhibit Index 10.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 15, 2001, among Benfield Greig Group PLC, Barrel Acquisition Corporation and E.W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. 99.1 Press Release, dated April 16, 2001 99.2 Letter to employees, dated April 16, 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): January 25, 2001.

E. W. BLANCH HOLDINGS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware(State or other jurisdiction ofincorporation or organization) 1-11794(CommissionFile Number) 41-1741779(I.R.S. EmployerIdentification No.)

500 N. Akard, Suite 4500, Dallas, TX(Address of principal executive offices) 75201(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (214)756-7000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Item 5. Other Events

See attached Press Release

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Signature

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, thereunto duly authorized.

E. W. BLANCH HOLDINGS, INC. Date: February 2, 2001 By /S/ SUSAN WOLLENBERG Susan Wollenberg Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		Contact:		Todd Redepenning
January 26, 2001				(214) 756-7000

E.W. BLANCH HOLDINGS, INC. APPOINTS CHRIS WALKER AS CHAIRMAN AND CEO

Dallas, TX - E.W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EWB) said today that its Board of Directors has appointed Chris L. Walker, currently President and Chief Operating Officer, to the additional posts of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, replacing Ted Blanch, who has been named Chairman Emeritus. Mr. Blanch will work closely with Mr. Walker and other members of E.W. Blanch's senior management team to ensure a smooth transition, and is expected to serve in a consulting capacity thereafter. Mr. Walker's election culminates the succession planning that was begun when Mr. Walker was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in July 1995.

“The Board, on behalf of shareholders and employees, is grateful for Ted’s leadership, hard work and significant contributions in making E.W. Blanch a leading provider of integrated risk management and distribution services,” said Mr. Walker. “I am honored to be asked to build on what Ted has accomplished throughout his distinguished career, beginning with the founding of the company by his father in 1957, continuing after we went public in 1993, through today.”

E.W. Blanch Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated risk management and distribution services, including reinsurance intermediary services, risk management consulting and administration services and primary distribution services. The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with branch offices throughout the United States and strategic locations in Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Rim. For more information, check the Internet at www.ewb.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control and, accordingly, actual results may differ materially. The Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC includes a discussion of these risk factors and is incorporated herein by reference.

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