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Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (aHIXa) Sets New Rate and Announces Distributions for the Months of September, October a

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^{Published in Business and Finance on Friday, August 12th 2011 at 5:10 GMT by Market Wire}  

NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE: HIX) announced today monthly distributions of $0.0825per common share for September, October and November 2011. The Fund had previously paid a monthly distribution of $0.0850 per share since September 2010.

The distribution schedule appears below:

The Fund has decreased its distributions to a level that better approximates the current level of net investment income generated by its investment portfolio. As the Fund reinvests principal and income, it reinvests at lower levels relative to current distribution rates as interest rates remain low.

This press release is not for tax reporting purposes but is being provided to announce the amount of the Funda™s distributions that have been declared by the Board of Directors. In early 2012, after definitive information is available, the Fund will send shareholders a Form 1099-DIV, if applicable, specifying how the distributions paid by the Fund during the prior calendar year should be characterized for purposes of reporting the distributions on a shareholdera™s tax return (e.g., ordinary income, long-term capital gain or return of capital).

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc., a diversified, closed-end management investment company, is managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., and is sub-advised by Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of the investment manager.

Contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102 for additional information, or consult the Funda™s web site at [ www.leggmason.com/cef ].

Data and commentary provided in this press release are for informational purposes only. Legg Mason and its affiliates do not engage in selling shares of the Fund.