N@N

HARTFORD, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) today hosted Insurance and Financial Services (IFS) Day, designed to increase access to higher education and raise awareness of careers in the insurance and financial services industries among underrepresented high school students. Through the companyas signature education program, Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment), IFS Day offers high school students exposure to opportunities offered through Travelers EDGE, while providing a framework within which they can see and embark on a path to success.

"Not only is Travelers doing incredibly important work in the community, but theyare also engaging key business organizations like ours to create an even broader impact"

aAs the first in my family to go to college, I struggled with figuring out where to get advice on my education and career,a said Bryant Dominguez, a junior at the University of Connecticut who is studying actuarial science. aTravelers took me under its wing as an EDGE scholar and provided me with the resources, training and support I needed to keep my academics and life path on track. This summer, I interned with the Community Relations department, and that allowed me to see first-hand the type of company I can work for when I graduate if I keep working hard.a

In addition to supporting the students, [ Travelers ] also works closely with education and business partners, including the Metro Hartford Allianceas [ Insurance and Financial Services (IFS) Cluster ].

aNot only is Travelers doing incredibly important work in the community, but theyare also engaging key business organizations like ours to create an even broader impact,a said Susan Winkler, Executive Director of the IFS Cluster. aLike Travelers, we recognize that todayas students are tomorrowas workforce, and we couldnat be more proud to partner with them to continue giving our youth more opportunities to succeed, which will ultimately create a better region for all of us in which to live and work.a

At the event, students were given an introduction to the Travelers EDGE program, which includes academic advisement, professional mentoring, tuition assistance, computer skills development and exposure to a leading corporation and industry. In the past, Travelers EDGE has focused on recruitment at the college level, and IFS Day marked a broader reach for the company by including recruitment of high school students, who are now eligible to apply for scholarships.

Marlene Ibsen, Vice President of Community Relations for Travelers, said, aTravelers EDGE is envisioned as a pipeline that helps students better understand career and academic opportunities at an early age. After all, the earlier we can reach students and guide them on the path to college, the more likely we are to influence outcomes. Our IFS Day is an important milestone in extending that pipeline.a

Along with the IFS Cluster, Travelers also partners with Career Beginnings, Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program (CPEP), High School, Inc., the University of Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University and Capital Community College. During the 2010 a" 2011 school year, Travelers mentored and provided financial assistance to foster the development of 52 Connecticut students. Since the programas 2007 launch, scores of employees have supported the scholars as mentors. IFS Day took place at Travelers Claim University in Windsor, Conn.

About Travelers
Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and 2010 revenues of approximately $25 billion. Travelers stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: [ TRV ]) and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company provides support for charitable organizations in the community through the Travelers Foundation and with corporate funding and in-kind services. The companyas community giving is focused on education, community development and the arts. Travelers employees are consistently active in community initiatives and perform thousands of hours in volunteer time each year. For more information, visit [ www.travelers.com ].

About Travelers EDGE
Established in 2007, Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment) provides a holistic approach to education through partnerships with colleges, universities and community-based programs to increase the pipeline of underrepresented students to college. Travelers EDGE partnerships are currently in Connecticut, Maryland and Minnesota.

About the Insurance and Financial Services Cluster
Connecticut's Insurance and Financial Services (IFS) Cluster was established in 2003 to foster cooperation and collaboration between business, academia and state government. The successful partnership continues to be a model for workforce development and economic development in the U.S.