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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 June 30 (a) |   | Results for the Six Months Ended June 30 (a) |
| ($ millions)                                   |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Net operating income                           |   | $ | 116 |  |   | $ | 269 |  |   | $ | 332 |  |   | $ | 492 |  |
| Net realized investment gains                  |   | 10 |  |   | 13 |  |   | 18 |  |   | 35 |  |
| Net income from continuing operations          |   | 126 |  |   | 282 |  |   | 350 |  |   | 527 |  |
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations |   | — |  |   | 1 |  |   | (1 | ) |   | 1 |  |
| Net income                                     |   | $ | 126 |  |   | $ | 283 |  |   | $ | 349 |  |   | $ | 528 |  |

|     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
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| (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 June 30 |   | Results for the Six Months Ended June 30 |
|                                                         | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Net operating income                                         | $ | 0.43 |  |   | $ | 1.00 |  |   | $ | 1.23 |  |   | $ | 1.83 |  |
| 2008 Senior Preferred dividend                               | — |  |   | (0.09 | ) |   | — |  |   | (0.19 | ) |
| Net operating income attributable to CNA common stockholders | 0.43 |  |   | 0.91 |  |   | 1.23 |  |   | 1.64 |  |
| Net realized investment gains                                | 0.04 |  |   | 0.05 |  |   | 0.07 |  |   | 0.13 |  |
| Net income from continuing operations                        | 0.47 |  |   | 0.96 |  |   | 1.30 |  |   | 1.77 |  |
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations               | — |  |   | — |  |   | — |  |   | 0.01 |  |
| Net income attributable to CNA common stockholders           | $ | 0.47 |  |   | $ | 0.96 |  |   | $ | 1.30 |  |   | $ | 1.78 |  |

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|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net written premiums increased $36 million for the second quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The increase in net written premiums was primarily driven by new business.  Average rate was flat for the second quarter of 2011, as compared to a decrease of 2% for the same period in 2010 for the policies that renewed in each period.  Retention of 85% was achieved in each period. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net income decreased $70 million and net operating income decreased $54 million for the second quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The decrease in net operating income was primarily due to a lower level of favorable net prior year development. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | The combined ratio increased 13.2 points for the second quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The loss ratio increased 12.6 points, primarily due to a lower level of favorable net prior year development and the impact of a higher current accident year loss ratio.  The expense ratio increased 1.2 points, primarily due to higher underwriting expenses as we continued our investments across this business segment. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | CNA Specialty produced second quarter combined ratios of 92.2% and 79.0% in 2011 and 2010. Excluding the impacts of favorable reserve development and catastrophe losses, our combined ratios were 99.3% and 97.1% for the same comparable periods. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net written premiums increased $42 million for the second quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  This increase was primarily driven by new business across several lines of business as well as continued positive rate impacts.  Average rate increased 2% for the second quarter of 2011 and 2010 for the policies that renewed in each period.  Retention of 78% was achieved in each period. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net income decreased $64 million and net operating income decreased $86 million for the second quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The decrease in net operating income was primarily due to a lower level of favorable net prior year development and higher catastrophe losses, partially offset by improved non-catastrophe current accident year underwriting results. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | The combined ratio increased 19.3 points for the second quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  The loss ratio increased 19.8 points, primarily due to a lower level of favorable net prior year development and increased catastrophe losses, partially offset by an improved non-catastrophe current accident year loss ratio. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | CNA Commercial produced second quarter combined ratios of 117.7% and 98.4% in 2011 and 2010. Excluding the impacts of favorable reserve development and catastrophe losses, our combined ratios were 107.0% and 110.7% for the same comparable periods. |

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|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net loss decreased $1 million for the second quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  This improvement was primarily due to lower expenses and improved investment results, substantially offset by unfavorable claim experience in our long term care business and less favorable performance on our remaining pension deposit business. |

|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| • | Net results decreased $23 million for the second 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, the decrease in net results was driven by decreased net realized investment results and higher interest expense. The increase in interest expense primarily relates to the use of debt to fund a portion of the 2010 redemption of our preferred stock. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by increased favorable net prior year development. |

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|                                                          |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Segment Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 |
| ($ millions)                                             | CNA Specialty |   | CNA Commercial |   | Total P&C Operations |   | Life & Group Non-Core |   | Corporate & Other Non-Core |   | Total |
| Net operating income (loss)                              | $ | 114 |  |   | $ | 39 |  |   | $ | 153 |  |   | $ | (19 | ) |   | $ | (18 | ) |   | $ | 116 |  |
| Net realized investment gains (losses)                   | 5 |  |   | 8 |  |   | 13 |  |   | 1 |  |   | (4 | ) |   | 10 |  |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations             | $ | 119 |  |   | $ | 47 |  |   | $ | 166 |  |   | $ | (18 | ) |   | $ | (22 | ) |   | $ | 126 |  |

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|                                                          |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Segment Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 |
| ($ millions)                                             | CNA Specialty |   | CNA Commercial |   | Total P&C Operations |   | Life & Group Non-Core |   | Corporate & Other Non-Core |   | Total |
| Net operating income (loss)                              | $ | 168 |  |   | $ | 125 |  |   | $ | 293 |  |   | $ | (18 | ) |   | $ | (6 | ) |   | $ | 269 |  |
| Net realized investment gains (losses)                   | 21 |  |   | (14 | ) |   | 7 |  |   | (1 | ) |   | 7 |  |   | 13 |  |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations             | $ | 189 |  |   | $ | 111 |  |   | $ | 300 |  |   | $ | (19 | ) |   | $ | 1 |  |   | $ | 282 |  |

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|                                                        |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Segment Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 |
| ($ millions)                                           | CNA Specialty |   | CNA Commercial |   | Total P&C Operations |   | Life & Group Non-Core |   | Corporate & Other Non-Core |   | Total |
| Net operating income (loss)                            | $ | 244 |  |   | $ | 170 |  |   | $ | 414 |  |   | $ | (37 | ) |   | $ | (45 | ) |   | $ | 332 |  |
| Net realized investment gains (losses)                 | 10 |  |   | 18 |  |   | 28 |  |   | (2 | ) |   | (8 | ) |   | 18 |  |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations           | $ | 254 |  |   | $ | 188 |  |   | $ | 442 |  |   | $ | (39 | ) |   | $ | (53 | ) |   | $ | 350 |  |

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|--------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                        |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Segment Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 |
| ($ millions)                                           | CNA Specialty |   | CNA Commercial |   | Total P&C Operations |   | Life & Group Non-Core |   | Corporate & Other Non-Core |   | Total |
| Net operating income (loss)                            | $ | 296 |  |   | $ | 223 |  |   | $ | 519 |  |   | $ | (17 | ) |   | $ | (10 | ) |   | $ | 492 |  |
| Net realized investment gains (losses)                 | 30 |  |   | — |  |   | 30 |  |   | (5 | ) |   | 10 |  |   | 35 |  |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations           | $ | 326 |  |   | $ | 223 |  |   | $ | 549 |  |   | $ | (22 | ) |   | $ | — |  |   | $ | 527 |  |

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|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                           |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Operations Gross Written Premiums |
|                                                      | Three Months Ended June 30 |   | Six Months Ended June 30 |
| ($ millions)                                              | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| CNA Specialty                                             | $ | 1,079 |  |   | $ | 1,043 |  |   | $ | 2,209 |  |   | $ | 2,093 |  |
| CNA Commercial                                            | 965 |  |   | 936 |  |   | 1,858 |  |   | 1,848 |  |
| Total P&C Operations                                  | $ | 2,044 |  |   | $ | 1,979 |  |   | $ | 4,067 |  |   | $ | 3,941 |  |

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|---------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                         |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Operations Net Written Premiums |
|                                                    | Three Months Ended June 30 |   | Six Months Ended June 30 |
| ($ millions)                                            | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| CNA Specialty                                           | $ | 683 |  |   | $ | 647 |  |   | $ | 1,422 |  |   | $ | 1,303 |  |
| CNA Commercial                                          | 880 |  |   | 838 |  |   | 1,708 |  |   | 1,667 |  |
| Total P&C Operations                                | $ | 1,563 |  |   | $ | 1,485 |  |   | $ | 3,130 |  |   | $ | 2,970 |  |

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|                                                   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Calendar Year Loss Ratios |
|                                              | Three Months Ended June 30 |   | Six Months Ended June 30 |
|                                              | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| CNA Specialty                                     | 60.8 | % |   | 48.2 | % |   | 62.5 | % |   | 54.8 | % |
| CNA Commercial                                    | 80.7 | % |   | 60.9 | % |   | 77.9 | % |   | 67.6 | % |
| Total P&C Operations                          | 71.3 | % |   | 55.1 | % |   | 70.8 | % |   | 61.8 | % |

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|-------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                       |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Calendar Year Combined Ratios |
|                                                  | Three Months Ended June 30 |   | Six Months Ended June 30 |
|                                                  | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| CNA Specialty                                         | 92.2 | % |   | 79.0 | % |   | 93.5 | % |   | 85.7 | % |
| CNA Commercial                                        | 117.7 | % |   | 98.4 | % |   | 112.6 | % |   | 104.1 | % |
| Total P&C Operations                              | 105.7 | % |   | 89.5 | % |   | 103.8 | % |   | 95.8 | % |

|                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                          |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| CNA Specialty Effect of Catastrophe Impacts and Development-Related Items                |
|                                                                                     | Three Months Ended June 30 |   | Six Months Ended June 30 |
|                                                                                     | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophe impacts and development-related items | 99.3 |  % |   | 97.1 |  % |   | 98.4 |  % |   | 96.8 |  % |
| Effect of catastrophe impacts                                                            | 0.6 |  % |   | 0.5 |  % |   | 0.5 |  % |   | 0.4 |  % |
| Effect of development-related items                                                      | (7.7 | )% |   | (18.6 | )% |   | (5.4 | )% |   | (11.5 | )% |
| Combined ratio                                                                           | 92.2 |  % |   | 79.0 |  % |   | 93.5 |  % |   | 85.7 |  % |

|                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                          |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| CNA Commercial Effect of Catastrophe Impacts and Development-Related Items               |
|                                                                                     | Three Months Ended June 30 |   | Six Months Ended June 30 |
|                                                                                     | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophe impacts and development-related items | 107.0 |  % |   | 110.7 |  % |   | 104.7 |  % |   | 108.5 |  % |
| Effect of catastrophe impacts                                                            | 12.5 |  % |   | 5.7 |  % |   | 9.5 |  % |   | 5.2 |  % |
| Effect of development-related items                                                      | (1.8 | )% |   | (18.0 | )% |   | (1.6 | )% |   | (9.6 | )% |
| Combined ratio                                                                           | 117.7 |  % |   | 98.4 |  % |   | 112.6 |  % |   | 104.1 |  % |

|                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                                |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Property & Casualty Operations Effect of Catastrophe Impacts and Development-Related Items |
|                                                                                           | Three Months Ended June 30 |   | Six Months Ended June 30 |
|                                                                                           | 2011 |   | 2010 |   | 2011 |   | 2010 |
| Combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophe impacts and development-related items       | 103.6 |  % |   | 104.6 |  % |   | 101.9 |  % |   | 103.4 |  % |
| Effect of catastrophe impacts                                                                  | 6.9 |  % |   | 3.3 |  % |   | 5.3 |  % |   | 3.0 |  % |
| Effect of development-related items                                                            | (4.8 | )% |   | (18.4 | )% |   | (3.4 | )% |   | (10.6 | )% |
| Combined ratio                                                                                 | 105.7 |  % |   | 89.5 |  % |   | 103.8 |  % |   | 95.8 |  % |

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