ISBA Mutual policyholders will be receiving another dividend check in February, 2010. Jon W. DeMoss, ISBA Mutual's President and Chief Executive Officer, announced this dividend in his report to the ISBA Assembly at its meeting in December. DeMoss indicated that the company's Board of Directors had voted to pay a 10 percent dividend for 2009 earlier that week. He explained that most policyholders will therefore receive a check equal to approximately 10 percent of the premium they paid during 2009. This is the fifth year in a row that ISBA Mutual has paid out a policyholder dividend. With this dividend, ISBA Mutual will have returned more than $8 million to its policyholders in dividend payments. DeMoss also noted that A. M. Best had recently affirmed the company's financial strength rating of "A" (Excellent) and stable outlook for the coming year. He reported that the company expects to end the year with approximately $26 million in policyholders' surplus and approximately $57 million in total assets. Unlike many insurance companies, ISBA Mutual has not experienced a decline in the value of its investment portfolio. Investments are important for the generation of income that contributes to the payment of dividends. ISBA Mutual is the sponsored professional liability insurance provider of the Illinois State Bar Association and the company continues to work closely with the ISBA. In addition to sponsoring many worthwhile ISBA activities, ISBA Mutual is a full partner in providing Fastcase free of charge to all ISBA Members. ISBA President John G. O'Brien and President-Elect Mark Hassakis were recently elected to the ISBA Mutual Board of Directors. O'Brien also serves as the company's Secretary.