SAN FRANCISCO (Standard&Poor's) May 28, 2009--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today said it assigned its 'A-' rating on Travelers Cos. Inc.'s pending $500 million senior unsecured debt drawdown from its universal shelf. The issuance has a 10-year maturity, and the company will use proceeds for general corporate purposes. The rating reflects Travelers' very strong market position, disciplined underwriting, and very strong capital. Travelers is a leading commercial and personal insurance provider in the U.S. In addition, Standard&Poor's views the company's enterprise risk management framework and practices as excellent. Travelers reported consolidated pretax income of $727 million in the first quarter of 2009, a healthy combined loss and expense ratio of 90.6%, and total shareholders' equity of
