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Zurich successfully completes its cash tender offer for preferred securities

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Zurich, August 7, 2009 – Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) announced today that its cash tender offer for certain outstanding securities (subordinated debt) expired at 5 p.m., New York City time, on August 6, 2009 (the “Expiration Date”). The offering was to purchase up to USD 728 million aggregate principal amount of Series III Floating Rate Enhanced Capital Advantaged Preferred Securities (“ECAPS”) and Series IV and V Fixed/Floating Rate Trust Preferred Securities on the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated July 9, 2009 (“Offer to Purchase”). The aggregate principal amount of each series validly tendered as well as the corresponding maximum amount to be purchased are set forth in the table below.

Series Amount tendered Maximum amount to be purchased
III USD 92.4 million USD 64 million
IV USD 290.9 million USD 206 million
V USD 612.2 million USD 458 million

In line with the Offer to Purchase, all securities tendered have been pro-rated to the maximum principal amounts to be purchased. Holders of securities who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw their securities prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 17, 2009 (the “Early Tender Date”) will receive the applicable total offer consideration set forth in the Offer to Purchase with respect to the securities that were accepted for payment, plus accrued distributions. Holders who validly tendered their securities after the Early Tender Date but prior to the Expiration Date will receive the applicable base offer consideration set forth in the Offer to Purchase with respect to the securities that were accepted for payment, plus accrued distributions. Zurich expects to pay the tender offer consideration of approximately USD 600 million, including accrued distributions, to investors on August 11, 2009. Securities that have been tendered but not accepted for payment will be promptly returned to the tendering holders.

The successful completion of the tender offer, together with the newly issued subordinated bond of EUR 425 million (approx. USD 600 million) with a coupon of 7.5% on July 24, 2009, provide Zurich with a number of benefits. First, Zurich is achieving a capital gain of USD 137 million while incurring only a small increase in interest expenses. This gives Zurich a total net benefit in excess of USD 120 million. Second, Zurich has improved the quality of its capital as the overall debt is reduced by USD 137 million while equity is increased by the same amount. In addition, the maturity profile of the debt is extended. Finally, the overall impact of these two transactions is expected to be capital neutral to slightly positive from a regulatory, rating agency and economic capital perspective. They are another good example of Zurich's financial discipline and strict capital management.

Disclaimer & Cautionary Statement

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase nor the solicitation of an offer to sell the securities. Each tender offer was made only pursuant to the tender offer documents, including the Offer to Purchase that Zurich distributed to holders of the securities. The tender offers were not made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the tender offers were required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, they were deemed to be made by the dealer managers on behalf of Zurich.

Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries.

For additional information please contact:

Group Media Relations
Phone: +41 (0)44 625 21 00, Fax: +41 (0)44 625 26 41

Investor Relations
Phone: +41 (0)44 625 22 99, Fax: +41 (0)44 625 36 18

Zurich Financial Services Ltd
Mythenquai 2, P.O. Box, 8022 Zurich, Switzerland
SIX Swiss Exchange/SMI: ZURN
Valor: 001107539