Company Website: http://www.thehartford.com
HARTFORD, Conn. -- (Business Wire)

The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) announced today that, following discussions with certain holders of its 6.1% senior notes due 2041 (the “Notes”), it has amended its pending solicitation of consents (the “Consent Solicitation”) from holders of the Notes to increase the consent fee from $10.00 to $17.50 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (the “Consent Fee”) for which consents are validly delivered (and not validly revoked) and to extend the expiration time from 5 p.m., New York City time, on April 11, 2012 to noon, New York City time, on April 13, 2012, unless earlier terminated or further extended by The Hartford in its sole discretion (the “Expiration Time”). If The Hartford accepts valid consents of holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (the “Requisite Consents”), holders who validly deliver their consent by the Expiration Time will be eligible to receive the Consent Fee.

The purpose of the Consent Solicitation is to terminate the replacement capital covenant entered into by The Hartford dated as of October 17, 2008 in connection with the issuance by The Hartford of $1,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 10% fixed-to-floating rate junior subordinated debentures due 2068. The proposed termination of the replacement capital covenant requires, among other conditions, the consent of the holders of Notes representing at least a majority in aggregate principal amount.

For a complete statement of the terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation, holders of the Notes should refer to the Consent Solicitation Statement, dated April 2, 2012, and the accompanying letter of consent (together, the “Solicitation Documents”) (in each case, as amended or supplemented, including as amended by this press release). Holders who have previously delivered consents need not take any further action in order to receive the increased Consent Fee if the Consent Solicitation is successful.

Consents may be revoked at any time prior to the earlier of the date on which the Requisite Consents are obtained and the Expiration Time, which is referred to as the “Revocation Deadline,” but not thereafter.

If the proposed termination of the replacement capital covenant is approved, the termination will be binding on all holders of the Notes, including those that did not deliver their consent, and only holders validly delivering their consent on or prior to the Expiration Time will receive the Consent Fee.

Copies of the Solicitation Documents may be obtained by holders of the Notes from the Information and Tabulation Agent for the Consent Solicitation, Global Bondholder Services Corporation, at (866) 540-1500.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are the Solicitation Agents for the Consent Solicitation. Questions regarding the Consent Solicitation may be directed to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (800) 558-3745 and to Goldman, Sachs & Co. at (800) 828-3182.

None of The Hartford, the Information and Tabulation Agent, the Solicitation Agents or any of their respective affiliates makes any recommendation as to whether holders of the Notes should deliver their consent to the proposed termination of the replacement capital covenants pursuant to the Consent Solicitation, and no one has been authorized by any of them to make such recommendation. Each holder of the Notes must make its own decision as to whether to give its consent.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION OF CONSENTS.

THE CONSENT SOLICITATION IS BEING MADE ONLY PURSUANT TO THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS THAT THE INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT WILL DISTRIBUTE TO HOLDERS OF THE NOTES. HOLDERS OF THE NOTES SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE CONSENT SOLICITATION, BECAUSE THOSE DOCUMENTS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE VARIOUS TERMS OF, AND CONDITIONS TO, THE CONSENT SOLICITATION.

About The Hartford

The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: HIG) is a leading provider of insurance and wealth management services for millions of consumers and businesses worldwide. The Hartford is consistently recognized for its superior service, its sustainability efforts and as one of the world's most ethical companies.

HIG-F

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.

Contacts:

The Hartford
Media Contacts:
Shannon Lapierre, 860-547-5624
shannon.lapierre@thehartford.com
or
Dave Snowden, 860-547-3397
david.snowden@thehartford.com
or
Investor Contacts:
Sabra Purtill, 860-547-8691
sabra.purtill@thehartford.com
or
Ryan Greenier, 860-547-8844
ryan.greenier@thehartford.com

Source: The Hartford