HSB Upgraded

December 25, 2000

Following the completion of AIG’s acquisition of HSB Group Inc., the FSR on HSB Engineering Insurance Ltd. was upgraded from “AA” to “AAA” by Fitch. Also upgraded and removed from Rating Watch Positive was HSB Engineering’s capital securities rating, which rose from “BBB+” to “AAA.”

Concurrently, an “AAA” insurer FSR was assigned to Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. The rating outlook is stable.