CNA Announces Middle Market Focus Classes.

CHICAGO -- CNA recently announced an important growth strategy for 2008: the development of Middle Market focus classes. Selected based on historic profitability, assessed opportunity and competitive advantages and differentiators, these classes will be introduced quarterly with supporting information on how they can be best approached.

"During this soft market, we wanted CNA underwriters and agents to see evidence of our commitment to growing our Middle Market business," said Tony de Padua, senior vice president of Commercial Segments, CNA. "These new focus classes have proven to be profitable to CNA and identify a sweet spot within our complete Middle Market appetite."

This quarter, the global insurer's goal is to increase premium in the following classes: non-structural metal dealers/distributors, plumbing supplies and fixtures dealers/distributors; distributors of non-durable goods such as art, clothing, novelties and pet supplies; as well as distributors of food/drink products (excluding liquor liability). CNA underwriters can provide a complete list of eligible subclasses within these categories.

The new focus classes are one of the ways in which CNA is showing its commitment to Middle Market growth. In addition to sales support, agents can expect increased commissions for new package policies written in Middle Market focus classes, competitive pricing, and outstanding products and services they have come to expect from CNA.

CNA Middle Market accounts are generally defined as businesses with annual revenues in excess of $20 million that meet CNA underwriting guidelines, which are individually underwritten through the local branch offices. For more information on CNA Middle Market focus classes or related products and services, contact your agent or local CNA Branch; or visit www.cna.com.

CNA is the country's seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the 13th largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include standard commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA's services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. Please remember that only the relevant insurance policy can provide the actual terms, coverages, amounts, conditions and exclusions for an insured. All products may not be available in all states. CNA is a service mark registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT 

This press release includes statements which relate to anticipated future events (forward-looking statements) rather than actual present conditions or historical events. You can identify forward-looking statements because generally they include words such as "believes", "expects", "intends", "anticipates", "estimates", and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to a variety of inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected. Many of these risks and uncertainties cannot be controlled by CNA. For a detailed description of these risks and uncertainties please refer to CNA's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.cna.com.

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release are made by CNA as of the date of this press release. CNA does not have any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release, even if CNA's expectations or any related events, conditions or circumstances change.