Exhibit 99(ii)

                                                     CONTACT:
                                                     James C. Rowan Jr.
                                                     Office:  (860) 722-5180

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                        HSB GROUP, INC. DECLARES DIVIDEND

HARTFORD,  Conn.,  April 18, 2000 -- The Board of Directors  of HSB Group,  Inc.
(NYSE-HSB) today declared the regular quarterly  dividend of 44 cents per share.
The dividend will be payable on July 27, 2000 to  shareholders  of record at the
close of business on July 10,  2000.  This marks the 130th  consecutive  year in
which Hartford Steam Boiler has paid a dividend,  one of the longest  records of
the New York Stock Exchange.


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