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| MEDIA:                                                          |   | ANALYSTS: |
| Katrina W. Parker, 312/822-5167             |   | Nancy M. Bufalino, 312/822-7757 |
| Sarah J. Pang, 312/822-6394       |   | Marie Hotza, 312/822-4278 |
|                                                            |   | David C. Adams, 312/822-2183 |

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|                                                |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|                                           |   | Results for the Three Months Ended March 31 (a) |
| ($ millions)                                   |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Net operating income                           |   | $ | 216 |   |   | $ | 223 |   |
| Net realized investment gains                  |   | 8 |   |   | 22 |   |
| Net income from continuing operations          |   | 224 |   |   | 245 |   |
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations |   | (1 | ) |   | — |   |
| Net income                                     |   | $ | 223 |   |   | $ | 245 |   |

|     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a) | References to net operating income (loss), net realized investment gains (losses), net income (loss) from continuing operations and net income (loss) used in this press release reflect amounts attributable to CNA, unless otherwise noted.  Management utilizes the net operating income financial measure to monitor the Company's operations.  Please refer to Note N of the Consolidated Financial Statements within CNA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for further discussion of this measure. |

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|                                                              |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders       |
|                                                         |   | Results for the Three Months Ended March 31 |
|                                                         |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Net operating income                                         |   | $ | 0.80 |   |   | $ | 0.83 |   |
| 2008 Senior Preferred dividend                               |   | — |   |   | (0.09 | ) |
| Net operating income attributable to CNA common stockholders |   | 0.80 |   |   | 0.74 |   |
| Net realized investment gains                                |   | 0.03 |   |   | 0.08 |   |
| Net income from continuing operations                        |   | 0.83 |   |   | 0.82 |   |
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations               |   | — |   |   | — |   |
| Net income attributable to CNA common stockholders           |   | $ | 0.83 |   |   | $ | 0.82 |   |

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|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net written premiums increased $83 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The increase in net written premiums was primarily driven by new business across our Professional & Management Liability lines of business.  Average rate was flat for the first quarter of 2011, as compared to a decrease of 1% for the first quarter of 2010 for the policies that renewed in each period.  Retention rates of 85% and 86%were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period. |

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|---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net income decreased $2 million and net operating income improved $2 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | The combined ratio increased 2.4 points for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The loss ratio increased 2.7 points, primarily due to the impact of a higher current accident year loss ratio and decreased favorable net prior year development. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | CNA Specialty produced first quarter combined ratios of 94.9% and 92.5% in 2011 and 2010, or 97.6% and 96.4% before the (2.7) point and (3.9) point impacts related to catastrophes and development-related items. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net written premiums decreased $1 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.   Although premiums written continue to be impacted by decreased insured exposures, including negative audit premium, the trend has improved.  Average rate increased 2% for the first quarter of 2011, as compared to an increase of 1% for the first quarter of 2010 for the policies that renewed in each period.  Retention rates of 79% and 78% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net income improved $29 million and net operating income improved $33 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The increase in net operating income was primarily due to higher net investment income, driven by favorable limited partnership income, and decreased expenses, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | The combined ratio improved 2.1 points for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The loss ratio increased 1.2 points, primarily due to increased catastrophe losses and less favorable impacts from development-related items, partially offset by an improved current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratio.  The expense ratio improved 3.0 points primarily due to the favorable impact of recoveries on insurance receivables written off in prior years and the impact of IT Transformation costs incurred in the first quarter of 2010. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | CNA Commercial produced first quarter combined ratios of 107.7% and 109.8% in 2011 and 2010, or 102.3% and 106.6% before the 5.4 point and 3.2 point impacts related to catastrophes and development-related items. |

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|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net loss increased $18 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  This increase was primarily due to the $15 million after-tax favorable impact in 2010 of reserve development arising from a commutation of an assumed reinsurance agreement and less favorable performance on our remaining pension deposit business, partially offset by lower expenses.  In 2010, expenses were unfavorably impacted by IT transformation costs. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
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| • | Net loss increased $30 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010, driven by lower net investment income partially offset by lower net incurred claims, both resulting from the Loss Portfolio Transfer consummated in the third quarter of 2010.  Under the Loss Portfolio Transfer, approximately $1.6 billion of net A&EP claim and claim adjustment expense reserves were ceded under a retroactive reinsurance agreement.  As a result of that transaction, the investment income allocated to the Corporate & Other Non-Core segment decreased because of the lower net reserve base and associated risk capital.  Claim adjustment expenses are lower because the counterparty to the Loss Portfolio Transfer is responsible for the A&EP claims handling.  Additionally, net loss increased due to higher interest expense and decreased net realized investment results.  The increase in interest expense primarily relates to the use of debt to fund a portion of the 2010 redemption of preferred stock. |

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|                                                           |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Segment Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 |
| ($ millions)                                              |   | CNA Specialty |   | CNA Commercial |   | Total P&C Operations |   | Life & Group Non-Core |   | Corporate & Other Non-Core |   | Total |
| Net operating income (loss)                               |   | $ | 130 |   |   | $ | 131 |   |   | $ | 261 |   |   | $ | (18 | ) |   | $ | (27 | ) |   | $ | 216 |   |
| Net realized investment gains (losses)                    |   | 5 |   |   | 10 |   |   | 15 |   |   | (3 | ) |   | (4 | ) |   | 8 |   |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations              |   | $ | 135 |   |   | $ | 141 |   |   | $ | 276 |   |   | $ | (21 | ) |   | $ | (31 | ) |   | $ | 224 |   |

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|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                           |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Segment Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 |
| ($ millions)                                              |   | CNA Specialty |   | CNA Commercial |   | Total P&C Operations |   | Life & Group Non-Core |   | Corporate & Other Non-Core |   | Total |
| Net operating income (loss)                               |   | $ | 128 |   |   | $ | 98 |   |   | $ | 226 |   |   | $ | 1 |   |   | $ | (4 | ) |   | $ | 223 |   |
| Net realized investment gains (losses)                    |   | 9 |   |   | 14 |   |   | 23 |   |   | (4 | ) |   | 3 |   |   | 22 |   |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations              |   | $ | 137 |   |   | $ | 112 |   |   | $ | 249 |   |   | $ | (3 | ) |   | $ | (1 | ) |   | $ | 245 |   |

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|                                                           |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Operations Gross Written Premiums |
|                                                      |   | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ millions)                                              |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| CNA Specialty                                             |   | $ | 1,130 |   |   | $ | 1,050 |   |
| CNA Commercial                                            |   | 893 |   |   | 912 |   |
| Total P&C Operations                                  |   | $ | 2,023 |   |   | $ | 1,962 |   |

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|---------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                         |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Operations Net Written Premiums |
|                                                    |   | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ millions)                                            |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| CNA Specialty                                           |   | $ | 739 |   |   | $ | 656 |   |
| CNA Commercial                                          |   | 828 |   |   | 829 |   |
| Total P&C Operations                                |   | $ | 1,567 |   |   | $ | 1,485 |   |

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|                                                   |
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|                                                   |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Calendar Year Loss Ratios |
|                                              |   | Three Months Ended March 31 |
|                                              |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| CNA Specialty                                     |   | 64.2 | % |   | 61.5 | % |
| CNA Commercial                                    |   | 75.3 | % |   | 74.1 | % |
| Total P&C Operations                          |   | 70.3 | % |   | 68.5 | % |

|                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                       |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Calendar Year Combined Ratios |
|                                                  |   | Three Months Ended March 31 |
|                                                  |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| CNA Specialty                                         |   | 94.9 | % |   | 92.5 | % |
| CNA Commercial                                        |   | 107.7 | % |   | 109.8 | % |
| Total P&C Operations                              |   | 101.9 | % |   | 102.1 | % |

|                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                          |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| CNA Specialty Effect of Catastrophe Impacts and Development-Related Items                |
|                                                                                     |   | Three Months Ended March 31 |
|                                                                                     |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophe impacts and development-related items |   | 97.6 |  % |   | 96.4 |  % |
| Effect of catastrophe impacts                                                            |   | 0.3 |   |   | 0.3 |   |
| Effect of development-related items                                                      |   | (3.0 | ) |   | (4.2 | ) |
| Combined ratio                                                                           |   | 94.9 |  % |   | 92.5 |  % |

|                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                          |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| CNA Commercial Effect of Catastrophe Impacts and Development-Related Items               |
|                                                                                     |   | Three Months Ended March 31 |
|                                                                                     |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophe impacts and development-related items |   | 102.3 |  % |   | 106.6 |  % |
| Effect of catastrophe impacts                                                            |   | 6.6 |   |   | 4.7 |   |
| Effect of development-related items                                                      |   | (1.2 | ) |   | (1.5 | ) |
| Combined ratio                                                                           |   | 107.7 |  % |   | 109.8 |  % |

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|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                                |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Operations Effect of Catastrophe Impacts and Development-Related Items |
|                                                                                           |   | Three Months Ended March 31 |
|                                                                                           |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophe impacts and development-related items       |   | 100.2 |  % |   | 102.1 |  % |
| Effect of catastrophe impacts                                                                  |   | 3.7 |   |   | 2.7 |   |
| Effect of development-related items                                                            |   | (2.0 | ) |   | (2.7 | ) |
| Combined ratio                                                                                 |   | 101.9 |  % |   | 102.1 |  % |

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