OREANDA-NEWS. MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) today announced that its board of directors has adopted proxy access amendments to the company’s bylaws, enabling eligible shareholders to have their own director nominees included in the company’s proxy materials. The board proactively adopted these amendments as part of its ongoing commitment to corporate governance best practices.

Under the amendments, the company will include in its proxy materials nominees for up to 20 percent of the board who are proposed by a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, who own 3 percent or more of the company’s outstanding shares of common stock continuously for at least three years. The shareholders and nominees must satisfy requirements specified in the bylaws. Proxy access will first be available to shareholders in connection with MetLife's 2016 annual shareholders meeting.

“MetLife is pleased to proactively enact proxy access for our shareholders,” said Cheryl W. Gris?, lead director. “This decision by the board is the result of our ongoing commitment to governance best practices and responsiveness to our shareholders.”

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.