============================================================================== UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) March 31, 2004 ------------------------------------- CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 1-5823 36-6169860 (State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) CNA PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60685 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (312) 822-5000 Not Applicable (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) ============================================================================== Page 1 of 2 Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits: Exhibit No. Description ----------- ----------- 99.1 CNA Financial Corporation press release, issued March 30, 2004. Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure The information in this Current Report is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On March 30, 2004 Registrant issued a press release announcing that the previously announced sale of its individual life insurance business to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (Swiss Re), initially expected to close on March 31, 2004, is now anticipated to be completed on April 30, 2004, subject to certain customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION Dated: March 31, 2004 /s/ Robert V. Deutsch -------------------------------- By: Robert V. Deutsch Its: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Page 2 of 2