EXHIBIT 99.7

                                     CONSENT

      I hereby consent to being named in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that was initially filed by
The St. Paul Companies, Inc. ("St. Paul") on December 10, 2003 (and any
amendments thereto) as a person who will become a director of The St. Paul
Travelers Companies, Inc. upon the consummation of the transactions described
therein.



February 13, 2004


                                      /s/ Robert I. Lipp
                                     -------------------
                                       Robert I. Lipp