-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PW9Fy55Z0vKxJbCU75pliOm7PUBR6NV1nt9CK9EH+8Gw2M+P7ktrKnH7popjLI3R
 1wScWd1S2RqydUzHjBE+1Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-09-002203.txt : 20090109
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-09-002203.hdr.sgml : 20090109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090109165038
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-09-002203
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090109
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090109

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CNA FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000021175
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				366169860
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNA
		STREET 2:		333 S. WABASH
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60604
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3128225000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNA
		STREET 2:		333 S. WABASH
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60604

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MOTAMED THOMAS F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190185

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05823
		FILM NUMBER:		09519282

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD
		CITY:			WRREN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07059
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9089033700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD
		CITY:			WARREN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07059
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd228872.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000021175</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CNA FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190185</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MOTAMED THOMAS F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>333 SOUTH WABASH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60604</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>130464</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-01-02</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-01-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>80000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Common stock respresents the underlying security of restricted stock units granted to the reporting person, each restricted stock unit representing a contingent right to receive one share of CNA Financial Corporation common stock.  The restricted stock units vest in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date (January 2, 2009); provided, however, that no restricted stock unit shall vest on such vesting date unless the reporting person has been continuously employed by CNA Financial Corporation from the grant date until such vesting date except as otherwise specified in award terms and employment agreement.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The stock appreciation rights paid in CNA Financial Corporation Common Stock vests annually in four equal installments commencing on January 2, 2010 except as otherwise specified in  award terms and employment agreement.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas F.  Motamed</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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