8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 26, 2012

CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-5823	36-6169860
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

333 S. Wabash, Chicago, Illinois	60604
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (312) 822-5000

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.

On April 26, 2012, the registrant issued a press release announcing that Hardy Underwriting Bermuda Limited (Hardy) shareholders have voted to approve the registrant’s proposed acquisition of Hardy. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2012, subject to regulatory approvals. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits:

See Exhibit Index.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		CNA Financial Corporation
		(Registrant)
Date:  April 26, 2012	By	/s/ D. Craig Mense
		(Signature)
		D. Craig Mense Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	CNA Financial Corporation press release, issued April 26, 2012, announcing that Hardy Underwriting Bermuda Limited (Hardy) shareholders have voted to approve the registrant’s proposed acquisition of Hardy.

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EX-99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:

U.S. MEDIA:	ANALYSTS:
Katrina W. Parker, 312-822-5167	Marie Hotza, 312-822-4278
Sarah J. Pang, 312-822-6394	David C. Adams, 312-822-2183
EUROPEAN MEDIA:
Alan O'Sullivan, +44 (0) 207-395-7017

CNA ANNOUNCES APPROVAL FROM HARDY SHAREHOLDERS ON CNA ACQUISITION

Chicago, April 26, 2012 - Today, CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA) announced that Hardy Underwriting Bermuda Limited (LSE: HDU) shareholders have voted to approve CNA's proposed acquisition of Hardy. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the second quarter, subject to regulatory approvals.

“We are delighted to be moving ahead with the transaction,” said Tom Motamed, chairman and chief executive officer, CNA. “Hardy is a specialized Lloyd's underwriter with a respected brand and a long history of disciplined underwriting. The acquisition provides CNA with a key platform for expanding our global business and accessing the $35 billion Lloyd's marketplace.”

In March of this year, CNA announced that the boards of CNA and Hardy had reached an agreement on the terms of an acquisition by CNA of Hardy. Today's shareholder vote was the next important step in the acquisition process. Upon closing of the transaction, Hardy will continue to operate under its own brand and its existing leadership team.

About CNA

Serving businesses and professionals since 1897, 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. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. CNA is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation.

This press release may include statements which relate to anticipated future events (forward-looking statements) rather than actual present conditions or historical events. These statements generally 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 Financial. For a detailed description of other risks and uncertainties affecting CNA Financial, please refer to CNA Financial's filings with the SEC, available at www.cna.com.

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

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