AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                   EXHIBIT 99

      CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

            PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the
Annual Report of American Financial Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for
the period ended December 31, 2002 (the "Report"), the undersigned officers of
the Company, certify, pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that to the best of their knowledge:

       (1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a)
            or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934; and

       (2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of
            operations of the Company.




March 27, 2003                        BY: s/Carl H. Lindner
--------------------------                -----------------------------------
Date                                      Carl H. Lindner
                                          Chairman of the Board and
                                            Chief Executive Officer




March 27, 2003                        BY: s/Fred J. Runk
--------------------------                -----------------------------------
Date                                      Fred J. Runk
                                          Senior Vice President and Treasurer





















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