NEW YORK -- (Business Wire)

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HIX”, announced today monthly distributions of $0.0850per common share for March, April and May 2011.

The distribution schedule appears below:

This press release is not for tax reporting purposes but is being provided to announce the amount of the Fund’s distributions that have been declared by the Board of Directors. In early 2012, after definitive information is available, the Fund will send shareholders a Form 1099-DIV, if applicable, specifying how the distributions paid by the Fund during the prior calendar year should be characterized for purposes of reporting the distributions on a shareholder’s tax return (e.g., ordinary income, long-term capital gain or return of capital).

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc., a diversified, closed-end management investment company, is managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., and is sub-advised by Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of the investment manager.

Contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102 for additional information, or consult the Fund’s web site at www.leggmason.com/cef.

Data and commentary provided in this press release are for informational purposes only. Legg Mason and its affiliates do not engage in selling shares of the Fund.

Contacts:

Legg Mason & Co., LLC
Brenda Grandell, 212-857-8087
Director, Closed-End Funds

Source: Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.