Two affiliateswill merge into the company, effective Jan. 1, 2017, as part of an effort to createadditional business operating efficiencies.

Accordingto disclosures in the management's discussion and analysis section of COUNTRY Mutual's2015 annual statement,as obtained by SNL on April 1, the insurer plans to assume the active policies andoutstanding claims of Massachusetts-based HolyokeMutual Insurance Co. in Salem and Connecticut-based

The threeinsurers currently are part of an intercompany pooling arrangement under which COUNTRYMutual maintains a participation percentage of 92%, with Holyoke Mutual and MiddlesexMutual maintaining participation rates of 4.6% and 3.4%.

The twoNew England companies rank among the older active P&C insurers under SNL coverage.Middlesex Mutual was established in 1836, and Holyoke Mutual was formed seven yearslater. COUNTRY Mutual acquired control of Middlesex Mutual in 1997 and Holyoke Mutual in 2000.

is the ultimate controlling entity for COUNTRY Mutual and its affiliates.