Press Releases

CARMEL, Ind., Dec. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today announced that during the fourth quarter of 2011 it repurchased 2,346,230 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $14.1 million under its $100 million share repurchase program.  The shares were repurchased at an average cost of $6.02 per share and represented 1.0% of the total outstanding shares as of September 30, 2011.  Total shares repurchased under the program to date total 11,119,904 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $69.8 million, at an average cost of $6.28 per share.  As of September 30, 2011, CNO had approximately 243.2 million shares outstanding.

Ed Bonach, CEO, said, "Our excess capital generation continues to allow us to buy back stock at attractive prices, while further reducing leverage on our balance sheet."

As required under the terms of its Senior Secured Credit Agreement, CNO also made a principal prepayment today of the same amount as the fourth quarter share repurchases ($14.1 million).  This prepayment will fully satisfy the remaining scheduled principal amount that is due on June 30, 2016 and will also reduce the scheduled principal amount that is due on March 31, 2016.  The next scheduled principal payment under the facility of $10.0 million is due September 30, 2012.   

The proforma debt to total capital ratio (as defined in our Senior Secured Credit Agreement) at September 30, 2011 would reduce to 17.8% from 18.0% as a result of the aforementioned transactions.

About CNO 

CNO is a holding company.  Our insurance subsidiaries – principally Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company and Washington National Insurance Company – serve working American families and seniors by helping them protect against financial adversity and provide for a more secure retirement.  For more information, visit CNO online at www.CNOinc.com.

SOURCE CNO Financial Group, Inc.