Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

MEDIA:                                           ANALYSTS:
Charles M. Boesel, 312/822-2592                  Dawn M. Jaffray, 312/822-7757
Katrina W. Parker, 312/822-5167

                 CNA FINANCIAL ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF SALE OF ITS
                          INDIVIDUAL LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS

  CHICAGO, April 30, 2004 --- CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA) today
announced that it has completed the sale of its individual life insurance
business to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. for approximately $700
million. The business sold includes term, universal and permanent life
insurance policies and individual annuity products.

About CNA

  CNA is the country's fourth largest commercial insurance writer and the 11th
largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include
standard commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property
and casualty coverages. CNA services include risk management, information
services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more
information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. CNA is a registered service
mark, trade name and domain name of CNA Financial Corporation.


                            Forward-Looking Statements
  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.

  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.


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