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Following the annual meeting of its shareholders, the board of directors of Columbus, Ohio-based State Auto Financial Corporation declared a regular cash dividend of $0.0325 per share, payable on June 28, 2002, to shareholders of record on June 12.

This is the 44th consecutive cash dividend declared by the company’s board since STFC had its initial public offering of common stock on June 28, 1991.

State Auto Financial Corporation is a regional property and casualty insurance holding company engaged primarily in writing personal and commercial automobile, homeowners, commercial multi-peril, workers’ compensation and fire insurance. The company currently markets its products through more than 22,000 agents associated with approximately 3,800 agencies in 26 states. Products are marketed primarily in the Midwest and Eastern United States, excluding New York, New Jersey and the New England states.