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Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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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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