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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000948572-97-000016.txt : 19970329
<SEC-HEADER>0000948572-97-000016.hdr.sgml : 19970329
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000948572-97-000016
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	10-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19961231
FILED AS OF DATE:		19970328
SROS:			NYSE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ITT HARTFORD GROUP INC /DE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874766
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411]
		IRS NUMBER:				133317783
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		10-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13958
		FILM NUMBER:		97566780

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HARTFORD PLZ
		CITY:			HARTFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06115
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8605475000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HARTFORD PLAZA T-15
		CITY:			HARTFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06115
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>10-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. - 10K
<TEXT>

================================================================================
                                    FORM 10-K

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)
[X]  ANNUAL REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES  EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934
          For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

                                       OR

[ ]  TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION  13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
          For the transition period from ____________ to ______________

                         Commission file number 0-19277

                            ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         DELAWARE                                         13-3317783
(State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                      Identification Number)

                HARTFORD PLAZA, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115-1900
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (860) 547-5000

Securities  registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: the following,  all
of which are registered on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.:
     Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
     6.375% Notes due November 1, 2002
     7.30 % Debentures due November 1, 2015
     7.70 % Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A, issued 
            by Hartford Capital I
     8.35 % Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series B, issued 
            by Hartford Capital II

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed  by  Section  13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  registrant
was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No[ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained to the best
of  registrant's  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

As of February 28, 1997,  there were  outstanding  117,850,480  shares of Common
Stock,  $.01 par value per share, of the registrant.  The aggregate market value
of the  shares of Common  Stock held by  non-affiliates  of the  registrant  was
$8,795,584,275,  based on the  closing  price of $75.00  per share of the Common
Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on February 28, 1997.

                      Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Portions of the  Registrant's  definitive  proxy  statement  for its 1997 annual
meeting of shareholders  are  incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form
10-K.
================================================================================
<PAGE>

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

ITT  Hartford  Group,   Inc.  and  its  subsidiaries   ("The  Hartford")  is  an
international insurance and financial services organization offering commercial,
personal,  and reinsurance property and casualty coverages as well as individual
life and annuities, employee benefits and investment product services.

Founded in 1810, The Hartford has grown from a local fire  insurance  company to
an internationally recognized insurance and financial services enterprise.



                                    CONTENTS


         ITEM  DESCRIPTION                                                 PAGE

PART I    1    Business of The Hartford                                     2
          2    Properties                                                   8
          3    Legal Proceedings                                            8
          4    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders          8

PART II   5    Market for The Hartford's Common Stock and Related 
               Stockholder Matters                                          8
          6    Selected Financial Data                                      9
          7    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
               Condition and Results of Operations                          10
          8    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                  33
          9    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on 
               Accounting and Financial Disclosure                          33

PART III  10    Directors and Executive Officers of The Hartford            33
          11    Executive Compensation                                      33
          12    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners 
                and Management                                              33
          13    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions              33

PART IV   14    Exhibits, Financial Statements, Schedules and 
                Reports on Form 8-K                                         33
                Signatures                                                 II-1
                Exhibits Index                                             II-2
<PAGE>
PART I


Item 1.  BUSINESS OF THE HARTFORD
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)

GENERAL

ITT Hartford Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("The Hartford"), headquartered in
Connecticut,  are among the largest  providers  of both  property  and  casualty
insurance  and life  insurance  products in the United  States.  (The terms "The
Hartford"  and the  "Company"  when  used  herein,  refer  to one or more of ITT
Hartford Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.) Hartford Fire Insurance
Company ("Hartford Fire"),  founded in 1810, is the oldest and best known of The
Hartford's  subsidiaries.  Hartford Fire and its subsidiaries write insurance in
all fifty  states.  At December  31, 1996,  the total  assets and  stockholders'
equity of The Hartford were $108.8 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively.

ITT Hartford Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation,  was formed in December,  1985
as a wholly-owned  subsidiary of ITT Corporation  ("ITT"). On December 19, 1995,
ITT distributed all of the outstanding shares of ITT Hartford Group, Inc. to ITT
shareholders  of record in an action  known herein as the  "Distribution".  As a
result of the Distribution, The Hartford became an independent,  publicly traded
company.  In connection with this transaction,  ITT transferred the ownership of
First State Insurance Company,  together with its subsidiaries  ("First State"),
and Fencourt Reinsurance Company, Ltd.  ("Fencourt"),  both of which were wholly
owned   subsidiaries  of  ITT,  to  ITT  Hartford  Group,   Inc.  prior  to  the
Distribution.  Additional information regarding the Distribution may be found in
Note 2 of  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  in  Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results of  Operations
("MD&A") within the Distribution section and "Distribution Agreement" within the
Capital Resources and Liquidity section.

As a holding  company,  ITT Hartford  Group,  Inc. has no  significant  business
operations of its own and, therefore, relies on the dividends from its insurance
company  subsidiaries,  which are  primarily  domiciled in  Connecticut,  as the
principal  source  of cash  to  meet  its  obligations.  Additional  information
regarding the cash flow and liquidity needs of ITT Hartford  Group,  Inc. may be
found in the Capital Resources and Liquidity section of the MD&A.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Hartford  consists of four  business  segments:  North  American  Property &
Casualty,  Life,  International,  and Runoff.  The following is a description of
each  segment,   including  a  discussion  of  principal  products,  methods  of
distribution,  and  competitive  environments.  Additional  information  on  The
Hartford's business segments may be found in the MD&A on pages 10 to 19 and Note
1 and Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


NORTH AMERICAN PROPERTY & CASUALTY

The  Hartford's  North American  Property & Casualty  segment is the 8th largest
property and casualty insurance  operation in the United States based on written
premiums  for the year ended  December  31, 1995,  per A.M.  Best.  With written
premiums of $5.7 billion for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  North  American
Property & Casualty  is the  largest of the  Company's  segments.  In 1996,  the
states  producing 5% or more of this  segment's  written  premiums were New York
(12%),  California (10%), Florida (7%),  Connecticut (6%) and Illinois and Texas
(5% each).

Principal Products
- ------------------

The Hartford's  North  American  Property & Casualty  segment  consists of three
major lines of  business:  Commercial,  Personal  and  Reinsurance.  These lines
provide a wide range of insurance  coverages  for  individuals  and  businesses.
Commercial is the largest line of business with $3.2 billion in written premiums
in  1996.  Workers'  compensation,   property,  automobile,  liability,  marine,
agricultural  and bond coverages are offered by the Commercial line of business.
The  Hartford  ranks among the largest  carriers  of personal  lines  insurance,
providing homeowners,  automobile and fire coverages to individuals across North
America  including a special  program  designed  exclusively  for members of the
American Association of Retired Persons ("AARP").  Additionally, The Hartford is
a major international reinsurer, with operations in Hong Kong, Spain, the United
Kingdom,  Germany and Canada. (See the Reinsurance section of Item 1 under Other
Matters for additional information.)

Methods of Distribution
- -----------------------

The North American Property & Casualty segment provides  insurance  products and
services  through  its home  office  located in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  and 39
domestic regional offices. The Company markets its products nationwide utilizing
a variety of  distribution  networks  including the use of  approximately  6,000
independent agents and direct marketing. Independent agents, who often represent
other  companies as well,  are  compensated  on a  commission  basis and are not
employees of The Hartford.  Additionally,  the Company  assumes  insurance  from
other  insurers  and cedes  insurance  to other  insurers or  reinsurers  in the
worldwide reinsurance market.

Competition
- -----------

The property and casualty insurance industry is a highly challenging environment
in which The Hartford  competes with other stock  companies,  mutual  companies,
self insurers and other underwriting  organizations.  Intense  competition among
insurers,  combined  with the continued  effects of the last economic  downturn,
have created  difficult market  conditions in the domestic property and casualty
industry.   This   competitive   environment  is  created  by  tremendous  price
competition,  consolidation  and  globalization  of companies,  exploration  and
utilization  of  alternative   distribution  techniques  and  emphasis  on  cost
containment and reduction.  

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
A  major  competitive  advantage  of The  Hartford  is the  exclusive  licensing
arrangement with AARP to provide personal automobile,  homeowners and home-based
business  insurance  products  to its members  through the year 2002.  Favorable
"baby   boomer"   demographics   are  expected  to  increase   AARP   membership
significantly during this period. During 1996, The Hartford's  relationship with
AARP was further strengthened when it was awarded a contract to provide customer
service for all health  insurance  products  offered through AARP's Group Health
Insurance  Program  effective  January 1, 1998.  Additionally,  The Hartford has
implemented expense management  disciplines within the North American Property &
Casualty  segment  which  are  designed  to  maintain  efficient  and  effective
underwriting, servicing and claim settlement operations.

LIFE

The Hartford's Life segment provides  insurance and retirement  products for the
benefit of  millions  of  individuals.  This  segment has been among the fastest
growing major life insurance  operations for the past several years, as measured
by assets. The Hartford's  domestic life insurance  operations achieved the rank
of 8th largest life insurer in the United States at December 31, 1995,  based on
statutory  admitted  assets  according to A.M.  Best. In the past year, the Life
segment's total assets have grown 25% to $76.3 billion at December 31, 1996. The
Life segment generated $4.4 billion in revenues and $249 in net income in 1996.

The Life  segment,  headquartered  in Simsbury,  Connecticut,  operates in three
principal  divisions:   Investment  Products,  Individual  Life  Insurance,  and
Employee  Benefits.  Each  division  has grown  significantly  in  revenues  and
operating income. In addition,  the Life segment maintains a Corporate Operation
through which it reports net investment  income on assets  representing  surplus
not  assigned to any of its  business  segments  and certain  other  revenue and
expenses not specifically allocable to any of its business segments.

Principal Products
- ------------------

The Investment  Products division focuses on the savings and retirement needs of
the growing  number of  individuals  who are  preparing  for  retirement or have
already  retired.  This division  offers fixed and variable  annuities,  certain
deferred  compensation  and retirement plan services,  mutual funds,  investment
management  services and certain other financial  products.  The Individual Life
Insurance   division  markets  both  variable  and  fixed  universal   life-type
contracts,  as well as single premium variable life and term life products.  The
primary  products of the Employee  Benefits  division  include group life, group
long-term and short-term managed disability, stop-loss and supplementary medical
coverage to employers and  employer-sponsored  plans,  and accidental  death and
dismemberment,  travel and special risk coverage to employers and  associations,
as well as specialty  business such as corporate  owned life insurance  ("COLI")
and reinsurance.

Methods of Distribution
- -----------------------

The Life segment sells a variety of individual and group financial  services and
insurance  products  through a combination of  broker-dealers,  licensed agents,
third party  administrators  and a direct sales force.  The Investment  Products
division primarily distributes through broker-dealers and financial institutions
for individual  sales,  and through  employees of the Company for  institutional
sales. The Individual Life Insurance  division  distributes its products through
insurance agents, broker-dealers and financial institutions,  typically assisted
by a dedicated group of Company  employees.  Employee Benefits division products
are distributed  through  insurance  agents and brokers,  usually  assisted by a
dedicated group of Company employees.

Competition
- -----------

The life  insurance  industry in the United  States is highly  competitive  with
approximately 2,000 insurers vying for business. Competitive factors in the life
insurance  industry  include,  but are not limited to, price,  name recognition,
quality of distribution systems and financial ratings. In the individual annuity
market, sales volume is also dependent on fund performance, an array of fund and
product  options,  product design and credited rates.  The Company was rated the
number  one  writer  of  variable  annuities  for 1996 with a 13%  market  share
according to the Variable Annuity and Research Data Service.

INTERNATIONAL

The Hartford's  International  segment consists of European companies offering a
variety of  insurance  products  designed to meet the needs of local  customers.
These companies  include ITT London & Edinburgh  ("L&E"),  headquartered  in the
United Kingdom, Zwolsche Algemeene ("Zwolsche"), located in both the Netherlands
and Belgium,  and ITT Ercos in Spain. The  International  segment generated $1.6
billion in revenues and $139 in net income in 1996.  Assets totaled $5.3 billion
at December 31, 1996.

Principal Products
- ------------------

L&E offers both personal and commercial  lines property and casualty  insurance.
Personal lines include  automobile,  homeowners and creditor  (including  credit
life) products. Commercial lines include property and liability products sold to
small to medium sized  clients.  L&E also provides  marine  products  within the
London market. Zwolsche sells property and casualty and life insurance products.
Personal  lines products at Zwolsche  include  automobile,  hospitalization  and
homeowners.  Commercial  products,  including  automobile,  are sold to small to
medium  sized  clients.  Zwolsche  life  insurance  operations  offer term life,
mortgage and pension products.  ITT Ercos provides both personal and commercial,
property and casualty, and life insurance products.

Methods of Distribution
- -----------------------

The  International  segment  conducts the majority of its business  through over
10,000 independent brokers in Western Europe. 

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>
These  brokers are not  employees  of The  Hartford  and often  represent  other
companies as well. As such, they are compensated on a commission basis.

Competition
- -----------

In the  International  segment,  competition in personal lines  insurance  comes
primarily  from  direct  writers,  while  in the  commercial  insurance  market,
competition  comes largely from  "composites".  Composites are well  established
companies with both life and property and casualty  operations.  Within Europe's
life  insurance  industry,  there also exists heavy  competition  from banks and
direct writers.

RUNOFF

The Hartford's  Runoff segment  consists of the property and casualty  insurance
operations of The Hartford  which have ceased  writing new and renewal  business
and the closed book of  guaranteed  rate contract  business  ("Closed Book GRC")
which includes life products with fixed or indexed rates that are guaranteed for
a specific period.  Closed Book GRC had no new or renewal business as of the end
of 1994. The Runoff segment has no new product sales,  distribution  system,  or
competitive  issues.  The property and casualty insurance  operations  primarily
include   First  State,   located  in  Boston,   Massachusetts   and   Fencourt,
headquartered in Bermuda.

The  primary  objective  of the Runoff  segment is to ensure the full and timely
payment  of all  runoff  liabilities.  Specifically,  the  primary  focus of the
property and casualty insurance  operations is the proper disposition of claims,
the resolution of disputes,  and the collection of reinsurance  proceeds related
to policies  written and reinsured  prior to 1985. The Closed Book GRC's primary
focus is to closely  match the interest  rate  sensitivities  of the assets with
those of the  liabilities,  as well as,  matching  the duration of its assets to
that of its liabilities.


OTHER MATTERS

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY RESERVES

The Hartford  establishes  reserves to provide for the estimated costs of paying
claims made by  policyholders or against  policyholders.  These reserves include
estimates  for both  claims  that have been  reported  and those  that have been
incurred  but not yet  reported to The  Hartford  and include  estimates  of all
expenses  associated with processing and settling these claims.  This estimation
process is primarily  based on historical  experience  and involves a variety of
actuarial  techniques which analyze trends and other relevant  factors.  Further
discussion on The Hartford's  property and casualty reserves may be found in the
Reserves section of the MD&A. In addition,  a separate process including a study
which reviewed and identified environmental and asbestos exposures in the United
States,  was performed in 1996 and is fully discussed in the  Environmental  and
Asbestos Claims section of the MD&A.

The  Hartford  continually  reviews its  estimated  claims and claim  adjustment
expense  reserves  as  additional  experience  and other  relevant  data  become
available and reserve  levels are adjusted  accordingly.  Such  adjustments  are
reflected in net income of the period in which they are made.

The Hartford  continues to receive claims asserting  damages from  environmental
pollution   and  related   clean-up   costs  and  injuries   from  asbestos  and
asbestos-related  products. Due to deviations from past experience and a variety
of social,  economic and legal  issues,  the  Company's  ability to estimate the
future  policy  benefits,   unpaid  claims  and  claim  adjustment  expenses  is
significantly impacted.

Certain  liabilities for unpaid claims,  principally  for  permanently  disabled
claimants,  terminated reinsurance treaties and certain contracts that fund loss
run-offs for unrelated parties have been discounted to present value. The amount
of the  discount  was  approximately  $472 and $451 as of December  31, 1996 and
1995, respectively,  and the amortization of the discount had no material effect
on net income during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

In  the  judgment  of  The  Hartford's  management,  all  information  currently
available has been properly  considered in establishing  the reserves for unpaid
claims and claim adjustment expenses.

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY RESERVES (CONTINUED)

A reconciliation of liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment  expenses
is  herein  referenced  from  Note  1(c)  of  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.  A table depicting the historical development of the liabilities for
unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses follows.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CLAIM AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT
                       EXPENSE LIABILITY DEVELOPMENT - NET
                        FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,


                                      1986    1987     1988     1989     1990    1991     1992     1993     1994     1995    1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities for unpaid claims and
<S>                                 <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>    
  claim adjustment expenses  [1]    $5,903  $7,262   $8,168   $8,666   $9,366  $9,796  $11,103  $11,441  $11,623  $12,047 $13,389
Cumulative paid claims and claim
  expenses
     One year later                  1,808   2,089    2,296    2,545    2,789   2,879    2,806    2,832    2,983    2,797      --
     Two years later                 2,916   3,323    3,618    4,013    4,428   4,465    4,415    4,602    4,667       --      --
     Three years later               3,683   4,187    4,577    5,132    5,511   5,605    5,655    5,755       --       --      --
     Four years later                4,275   4,846    5,341    5,863    6,304   6,507    6,507       --       --       --      --
     Five years later                4,743   5,392    5,872    6,435    6,979   7,173       --       --       --       --      --
     Six years later                 5,168   5,787    6,320    6,944    7,505      --       --       --       --       --      --
     Seven years later               5,481   6,155    6,733    7,360       --      --       --       --       --       --      --
     Eight years later               5,803   6,492    7,094       --       --      --       --       --       --       --      --
     Nine years later                6,103   6,815       --       --       --      --       --       --       --       --      --
     Ten years later                 6,397      --       --       --       --      --       --       --       --       --      --
Liabilities reestimated
     One year later                  6,293   7,437    8,342    8,879    9,636  11,053   11,311   11,484   11,856   13,078      --
     Two years later                 6,422   7,619    8,432    9,052   10,780  11,202   11,354   11,691   13,020       --      --
     Three years later               6,718   7,719    8,482   10,200   10,905  11,315   11,582   12,810       --       --      --
     Four years later                6,885   7,827    9,645   10,342   11,151  11,653   12,740       --       --       --      --
     Five years later                7,021   9,117    9,829   10,578   11,515  12,794       --       --       --       --      --
     Six years later                 8,504   9,287   10,068   10,972   12,649      --       --       --       --       --      --
     Seven years later               8,652   9,521   10,478   12,075       --      --       --       --       --       --      --
     Eight years later               8,878   9,943   11,550       --       --      --       --       --       --       --      --
     Nine years later                9,298  10,991       --       --       --      --       --       --       --       --      --
     Ten years later                10,321      --       --       --       --      --       --       --       --       --      --
Deficiency                          $4,418  $3,729   $3,382   $3,409   $3,283  $2,998   $1,637   $1,369   $1,397   $1,031    $ --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

            PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CLAIM AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE
                         LIABILITY DEVELOPMENT - GROSS
                        FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

                                                                                                   1993     1994    1995     1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>           <C>                                                                               <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>    
Net reserve  [1]                                                                                $11,441  $11,623  $12,047 $13,389
   Reinsurance recoverables                                                                       5,385    5,568    5,209   4,703
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Gross reserve  [2]                                                                         $16,826  $17,191  $17,256 $18,092
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net reestimated reserve                                                                         $12,810  $13,020  $13,078
   Reestimated reinsurance recoverables                                                           6,007    6,103    5,371
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Gross reestimated reserve                                                                  $18,817  $19,123  $18,449
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Gross deficiency                                                                           $ 1,991  $ 1,932  $ 1,193 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
The above tables exclude the liabilities and claim  developments for reinsurance
coverage  written for related  parties  that fund  ultimate net  aggregate  loss
run-offs  since changes to those  reserves do not illustrate the manner in which
those reserve estimates changed.

[1]  Liabilities,  net of  reinsurance  for unpaid  claims and claim  adjustment
     expenses excluded,  were $495, $550 and $500 of December 31, 1994, 1995 and
     1996, respectively.

[2]  Liabilities,  gross of reinsurance  for unpaid claims and claim  adjustment
     expenses  excluded,  were $244, $280 and $211 as of December 31, 1994, 1995
     and 1996, respectively.

Included  in the  tables  above is the  impact of the  change in The  Hartford's
method of discounting to present value certain workers'  compensation  reserves,
principally for permanently  disabled claimants,  which was effective January 1,
1994. See Note 1(b) of Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements for further
discussion of this accounting change.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>
LIFE RESERVES

In accordance with applicable insurance regulations under which the Life segment
operates,  life insurance  subsidiaries  of The Hartford  establish and carry as
liabilities  actuarially  determined  reserves  which are calculated to meet The
Hartford's  future  obligations.  Reserves  for life  insurance  and  disability
contracts are based on actuarially recognized methods using prescribed morbidity
and mortality tables in general use in the United States modified to reflect The
Hartford's actual  experience when  appropriate.  These reserves are computed at
amounts that,  with  additions from premiums to be received and with interest on
such reserves  compounded  annually at certain assumed rates, are expected to be
sufficient to meet The Hartford's  policy  obligations at their maturities or in
the event of an insured's death.  Reserves include  unearned  premiums,  premium
deposits, claims reported but not yet paid, claims incurred but not reported and
claims in the  process of  settlement.  Reserves  for  assumed  reinsurance  are
computed on bases essentially comparable to direct insurance reserves.

For The Hartford's individual life, universal life and interest-sensitive  whole
life policies,  reserves are set according to premiums collected,  plus interest
credited,  less charges. Other fixed death benefit reserves are based on assumed
investment  yield,  persistency,  mortality  and  morbidity as per commonly used
actuarial tables, expenses and margins for adverse deviations. For the Company's
group  disability  policies,  the level of  reserves  is based on a  variety  of
factors including particular diagnoses, termination rates and benefit payments.

The  stability  of The  Hartford's  annuity  and other  interest-sensitive  life
insurance  reserves is  enhanced by policy  restrictions  on the  withdrawal  of
funds.  Withdrawals in excess of allowable  penalty-free  amounts are assessed a
surrender  charge during a penalty  period of  approximately  seven years.  Such
surrender  charge is initially a percentage  of the  accumulation  value,  which
varies by product,  and generally decreases gradually during the penalty period.
Surrender  charges are set at levels to protect The Hartford  from loss on early
terminations  and to reduce the likelihood of  policyholders  terminating  their
policies during periods of increasing  interest rates,  thereby  lengthening the
effective  duration of policy liabilities and improving the Company's ability to
maintain  profitability  on such policies.  In addition,  The  Hartford's  fixed
market value  adjusted  annuities  discourage  surrender by  policyholders.  The
Hartford's  reserves  comply  in all  material  respects  with  state  insurance
department  statutory  requirements;  however,  in  the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements,  life insurance reserves are determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, which may vary from statutory requirements.

REGULATION AND PREMIUM RATES

Insurance  companies are subject to  comprehensive  and detailed  regulation and
supervision  throughout the United States. The extent of such regulation varies,
but generally has its source in statutes which delegate regulatory,  supervisory
and administrative powers to state insurance departments. Such powers relate to,
among other things,  the standards of solvency which must be met and maintained;
the licensing of insurers and their  agents;  the nature of and  limitations  on
investments; premium rates; claim handling and trade practices;  restrictions on
the size of risks  which  may be  insured  under a single  policy;  deposits  of
securities for the benefit of policyholders;  approval of policy forms; periodic
examinations of the affairs of companies;  annual and other reports  required to
be filed on the financial  condition of companies or for other purposes;  fixing
maximum  interest  rates on life  insurance  policy loans and minimum  rates for
accumulation  of  surrender  values;  and the  adequacy  of  reserves  and other
necessary  provisions for unearned premiums,  unpaid claims and claim adjustment
expenses and other liabilities, both reported and unreported.

Regulatory  requirements  applying to property and casualty  premium  rates vary
from state to state,  but generally  provide that rates shall not be inadequate,
excessive  or  unfairly  discriminatory.  Rates  for  many  products,  including
automobile and homeowners insurance, are subject to prior regulatory approval in
many  states.  Ocean  marine  insurance  rates are exempt from rate  regulation.
Subject to regulatory requirements,  management determines the rates charged for
its policies.  Methods for arriving at rates vary by product,  exposure  assumed
and size of risk.

While premium rates in the property and casualty  insurance business are for the
most part subject to regulation,  such rates are not in most  instances  uniform
for all  insurers  within a given  jurisdiction,  or in all  jurisdictions.  The
Hartford is a member of various fire, casualty and surety rating  organizations.
For some lines of business,  The Hartford  uses the rates and rating plans which
are filed by these organizations in the various states, while for other lines of
business it uses loss cost data  published by such  organizations.  The Hartford
also  uses  its  own  independent   rates  or  otherwise   departs  from  rating
organization rates, where appropriate.

Most states have enacted  legislation which regulates  insurance holding company
systems such as The Hartford.  This  legislation  provides  that each  insurance
company in the system is required to register with the  insurance  department of
its state of domicile  and furnish  information  concerning  the  operations  of
companies  within the holding  company  system which may  materially  affect the
operations, management or financial condition of the insurers within the system.
All transactions within a holding company system affecting insurers must be fair
and  equitable.  Notice to the insurance  departments  is required  prior to the
consummation  of  transactions  affecting the ownership or control of an insurer
and of certain  material  transactions  between an insurer and any entity in its
holding  company system.  In addition,  certain of such  transactions  cannot be
consummated without the applicable insurance department's prior approval.

State  insurance   regulation   requires   property  and  casualty  insurers  to
participate   in  assigned  risk  plans,   reinsurance   facilities   and  joint
underwriting  associations,  which are  mechanisms to provide risks with various
basic or minimum  insurance  coverage  when they are not  available in voluntary

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>
markets.  Such  mechanisms  are  most  prevalent  for  automobile  and  workers'
compensation  insurance,  but a majority of states also mandate participation in
so-called  FAIR Plans or Windstorm  Plans  providing  basic  property  coverage.
Additionally, some states mandate such participation in facilities for providing
medical  malpractice  insurance.  Participation  is based  upon the  amount of a
company's  written  premiums in a particular  state for the classes of insurance
involved.

The extent of insurance  regulation on business outside the United States varies
significantly among the countries in which The Hartford operates. Some countries
have  minimal   regulatory   requirements,   while  others   regulate   insurers
extensively.   Foreign  insurers  in  many  countries  are  faced  with  greater
restrictions   than   domestic   competitors   domiciled   in  that   particular
jurisdiction.  The Hartford's International operations are comprised of insurers
licensed in their respective countries and, therefore,  are subject to generally
less restrictive domestic insurance regulations.

RATINGS

Reference is made to the Capital  Resources  and  Liquidity  section of the MD&A
under "Ratings".

RISK-BASED CAPITAL

Reference is made to the Capital  Resources  and  Liquidity  section of the MD&A
under "Risk-based Capital".

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES

Reference  is made to the  Regulatory  Initiatives  section  of the  MD&A  under
"Legislative Initiatives".

INSOLVENCY FUND

Reference  is made to the  Regulatory  Initiatives  section  of the  MD&A  under
"Insolvency Fund".

REINSURANCE

In accordance  with normal industry  practice,  The Hartford is involved in both
the cession and  assumption of insurance  with other  insurance and  reinsurance
companies. For property and casualty operations,  these reinsurance arrangements
provide greater diversification of business and limit The Hartford's maximum net
loss arising from large risks or catastrophes.

A major portion of The Hartford's property and casualty  reinsurance is effected
under general reinsurance contracts known as treaties, or, in some instances, is
negotiated on an individual risk basis,  known as facultative  reinsurance.  The
Hartford also has in-force  excess of loss contracts with other  reinsurers that
protect it against a specified  part or all of certain  losses  over  stipulated
amounts.

The ceding of insurance does not discharge the original insurer from its primary
liability to the policyholder. The original insurer would remain liable in those
situations  where the reinsurer is unable to meet the obligations  assumed under
reinsurance  agreements.  The Hartford has  established  strict  standards  that
govern the  placement of  reinsurance  and monitors  ceded  insurance  security.
Virtually all of The Hartford's property and casualty reinsurance is placed with
reinsurers  that  meet  strict  financial  criteria   established  by  a  credit
committee.

Relative to life operations,  The Hartford reinsures with other companies. As of
December 31, 1996, the maximum amount of life insurance retained on any one life
by any of the life operations is approximately $1.3,  excluding accidental death
benefits.

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS

An important  element of the financial  results of The Hartford is the return on
invested  assets.  The Hartford's  investment  activities are generally  divided
between  property and casualty  insurance  and life  insurance.  The  investment
portfolios of both the property and casualty and the life operations are managed
based  on  the  underlying   characteristics  and  nature  of  their  respective
liabilities.

The investment objective of property and casualty operations is the maximization
of after-tax income  consistent with long-term capital growth and maintenance of
appropriate liquidity to meet corporate and policyholder  obligations.  Property
and casualty  investment  strategies are developed based on a variety of factors
including business needs, regulatory requirements and tax considerations.

The primary  investment  objective  of the Life  segment's  general  account and
guaranteed  separate accounts is to maximize  after-tax returns  consistent with
acceptable  risk  parameters  (including  the  management  of the interest  rate
sensitivity  of  invested  assets  to that of  policyholder  obligations).  Life
operations  use  various  derivatives  to  modify  the  characteristics  of  its
investments.

For a further discussion of strategies including derivative utilization, see the
Investments  section  of the MD&A under  "Life  Asset and  Liability  Management
Strategies" , as well as Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

EMPLOYEES

The Hartford had approximately 22,000 employees as of December 31, 1996.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE HARTFORD

Information about the executive  officers of The Hartford who are also directors
and/or  nominees for election as directors is set forth in The  Hartford's  1997
Proxy Statement.  In addition to those executive  officers who are listed in the
1997 Proxy Statement, listed below are the following Company executive officers,
the majority of whom have served in similar  positions for The Hartford prior to
the Distribution (referred to herein as "Hartford Fire"):

JOHN F. DONAHUE,  61, became  Senior Vice  President,  International/Reinsurance
Operations of The Hartford in June 1996. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice
President,

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>
Business Development and Director of reinsurance  operations of The Hartford. He
also served as Senior  Underwriting  Officer of Hartford Fire. Mr. Donahue holds
the designation of Chartered Property/Casualty  Underwriter. He was elected Vice
President of Hartford Fire in 1980 and named Director of the commercial lines of
business for Hartford Fire in 1987.

JOSEPH H. GAREAU,  50, has been Executive  Vice  President and Chief  Investment
Officer of Hartford  Fire since 1993 and became  Executive  Vice  President  and
Chief Investment Officer of the Company in December 1995. Prior to that time, he
served as Senior Vice  President and Chief  Investment  Officer for the domestic
property and casualty  operations of Hartford  Fire. Mr. Gareau was elected Vice
President of Hartford Fire in 1987.

HELEN G.  GOODMAN,  56, has been  Senior  Vice  President,  Human  Resources  of
Hartford Fire since 1994 and became Senior Vice  President,  Human  Resources of
the  Company in  December  1995.  Prior to that time,  she held the  position of
Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Tambrands Inc.

EDWARD L. MORGAN,  53, has been Senior Vice President,  Corporate  Relations and
Government Affairs of Hartford Fire since 1993 and became Senior Vice President,
Corporate Relations and Government Affairs of the Company in December 1995. From
1991 to 1993, he served as Vice President and Director of Corporate Relations of
Hartford  Fire.  Prior  to that  time,  Mr.  Morgan  held the  position  of Vice
President of Corporate Relations at Allstate Insurance Company.

JAMES J. WESTERVELT,  50, has been Senior Vice President and Group Controller of
Hartford  Fire since 1994. He was appointed to the same position for the Company
in December 1995. He was elected Vice  President and became Group  Controller in
1989.

MICHAEL S. WILDER,  55, has been Senior Vice  President  of Hartford  Fire since
1987 and General  Counsel of Hartford  Fire since  1975.  He became  Senior Vice
President and General Counsel of the Company in December 1995.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

The Hartford owns the land and buildings  comprising  its Hartford  location and
other  properties  within the  greater  Hartford,  Connecticut  area which total
approximately 1.6 million square feet. The Hartford's international subsidiaries
own  approximately  202  thousand  square  feet of  office  space in the  United
Kingdom,  218  thousand  square feet of office space in the  Netherlands  and 94
thousand square feet of office space in Spain. In addition,  The Hartford leases
approximately  5.1 million  square  feet  throughout  the United  States and 156
thousand square feet in other countries.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Hartford is a defendant in various lawsuits arising out of its business.  In
the opinion of  management,  final outcome of these matters will not  materially
affect the consolidated financial position,  results of operations or cash flows
of The Hartford.

The Hartford is involved in claim  litigation  arising in the ordinary course of
business and  accounts for such  activity  through the  establishment  of policy
reserves.  As  further  discussed  above  and  in the  MD&A  under  the  section
Environmental   and  Asbestos   Claims,   The  Hartford   continues  to  receive
environmental  and  asbestos  claims  which  involve   significant   uncertainty
regarding  policy  coverage  issues.   Regarding  these  claims,   The  Hartford
continually  reviews its overall reserve  levels,  reserving  methodologies  and
reinsurance coverages.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders of The Hartford during the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE HARTFORD'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The Hartford's  common stock is traded on the New York Stock  Exchange  ("NYSE")
under the trading  symbol  "HIG." On December 20,  1995,  the common stock began
regular trading on the NYSE.

The following table presents high and low closing prices for the common stock of
The Hartford on the NYSE for the periods indicated,  and the quarterly dividends
declared per share:


                          Common Stock Price       Dividends
                            High        Low         Declared
- ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------
1996
First quarter             $53.00     $47.13          $0.40
Second quarter             54.13      45.50           0.40
Third quarter              59.63      50.75           0.40
Fourth quarter             69.50      59.13           0.40
- ----------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------------
1995
Fourth quarter [1]       $49.13      $48.13          $  --
- ----------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------------
[1] Represents the period from December 20, 1995 (the day regular trading of The
Hartford's  common stock  commenced on the NYSE) through  December 29, 1995 (the
last trading day in 1995).

At February 28, 1997, there were approximately  60,000 shareholders of record of
The Hartford's common stock.

In 1997,  The  Hartford  expects to continue to pay  quarterly  dividends on its
common  stock  of  $0.40  per  share.  Dividend  decisions  will be based on and
affected by a number of factors,  including the operating  results and financial
requirements of The Hartford on a stand-alone basis and the impact of

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>
regulatory  restrictions  discussed in the Liquidity Requirements section of the
MD&A. Prior to the Distribution,  dividends that The Hartford declared were paid
to ITT, which then paid dividends to its shareholders.

There are also  various  legal  limitations  governing  the  extent to which The
Hartford's insurance  subsidiaries may extend credit, pay dividends or otherwise
provide funds to ITT Hartford Group,  Inc. as discussed in the Capital Resources
and Liquidity section of the MD&A under "Liquidity Requirements".

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

                                                               1996            1995           1994           1993           1992
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>         
Revenues                                                $    12,473    $     12,150   $     11,102   $     10,338   $      9,862
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
   accounting changes [1]                                       (99)            559            632            537           (274)
Net income (loss) [1] [2]                               $       (99)   $        559   $        644   $        537   $       (653)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total assets                                            $   108,840    $     93,855   $     76,765   $     66,179   $     54,180
Long-term debt and redeemable preferred stock                 1,032           1,022            682            842            867
Company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
   securities of subsidiary trusts holding solely
   parent junior subordinated debentures                      1,000              --             --             --             --
Stockholders' equity                                    $     4,520    $      4,702   $      3,184   $      4,012   $      3,679
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE DATA [3]
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
   accounting changes [1]                               $     (0.84)   $       4.77   $       5.40    $      4.59    $     (2.34)
Net income (loss) [1] [2]                               $     (0.84)   $       4.77   $       5.50    $      4.59    $     (5.58)
Dividends declared per common share [4]                 $      1.60    $       6.65   $       1.94    $      1.90    $      1.16
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPERATING DATA
   COMBINED RATIOS
North American Property & Casualty [5]                        105.2           104.5          102.5          103.6          112.3
Worldwide Property & Casualty [5] [6]                         105.1           104.1          102.2          104.8          114.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
[1]  1996  includes  other  charges  of $693,  after-tax,  or $5.91  per  share,
     consisting  primarily of environmental  and asbestos reserve  increases and
     recognition  of losses  on the  closed  book of  guaranteed  rate  contract
     business (for  additional  information see MD&A).  1992 includes  after-tax
     reserve  strengthening  actions (as  described in item 5 below) of $759, or
     $6.48 per share.
[2]  1994 includes $12,  after-tax,  or $0.10 per share,  for the net cumulative
     effect of accounting changes for accounting for certain investments in debt
     and  equity  securities  and the  change in the  method of  discounting  to
     present  value  certain  workers'  compensation  reserves  (for  additional
     information see Note 1(b) in Notes to Consolidated  Financial  Statements).
     1992  includes  a net  charge  of $379,  or $3.24  per  share,  for the net
     cumulative   effect  of   accounting   changes   for   postemployment   and
     postretirement benefits other than pensions.
[3]  Actual number of average common shares  outstanding at December 31, 1995 of
     117.1 is retroactively presented for all prior periods.
[4]  Prior to the  Distribution,  dividends that The Hartford declared were paid
     to ITT, which then paid dividends to its shareholders.
[5]  1996 excludes the impact of $660,  before-tax,  environmental  and asbestos
     charge.  Including the impact of this charge,  the combined  ratio for 1996
     was  116.9  for  the  North  American  Property  &  Casualty  segment  (for
     additional  information  see MD&A) and 114.7 for the  Worldwide  Property &
     Casualty.  The 1992 combined ratio excludes the impact of $900, before-tax,
     of reserve  strengthening  actions  taken to address loss  developments  in
     surplus  lines and  reinsurance  at First State  Insurance  Company and its
     subsidiaries reported in the Runoff Segment and $250 of legal defense costs
     associated with environmental-related claims. Including the impact of these
     actions,  the  combined  ratio for 1992 was  135.4  for the North  American
     Property  &  Casualty  segment  and  133.7  for the  Worldwide  Property  &
     Casualty.
[6]  For the periods after 1992, the combined  ratios exclude the results of the
     Runoff segment.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>

Outlined in the table below are U.S.  Industry  Combined  Ratios for each of the
five years ended December 31:

                                                                1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
U.S. Industry Combined Ratios  (a)                             107.0          106.4          108.4          106.9          115.7
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(a)  U.S. Industry  Combined Ratio  information  obtained from A.M. Best. 1996's
     combined ratio is an estimate prepared as of January 1997.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>


ITEM 7.
           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)

MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND ANALYSIS  SHOULD BE READ IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES BEGINNING ON PAGE F-1.

Certain of the statements  contained herein (other than statements of historical
fact) are forward-looking  statements.  Such forward-looking statements are made
pursuant to the safe harbor  provisions  of the  Private  Securities  Litigation
Reform  Act  of  1995.  The  forward-looking  statements  are  made  based  upon
management's  expectations and beliefs concerning future  developments and their
potential  effect  upon  ITT  Hartford  Group,   Inc.  ("The  Hartford"  or  the
"Company").  There  can be no  assurance  that  future  developments  will be in
accordance  with  management's   expectations  or  that  the  effect  of  future
developments  on The Hartford will be those  anticipated by  management.  Actual
results could differ  materially from those expected by The Hartford,  depending
on  the  outcome  of  certain  factors,   including  those  described  with  the
forward-looking statements herein.

Certain  reclassifications have been made to prior year financial information to
conform to the current year presentation.

================================================================================
INDEX
================================================================================

Distribution                                                10
Consolidated Results of Operations: Operating Summary       10
North American Property & Casualty                          12
Life                                                        14
International                                               17
Runoff                                                      18
Reserves                                                    20
Environmental and Asbestos Claims                           20
Investments                                                 22
Capital Resources and Liquidity                             29
Regulatory Initiatives                                      32
Effect of Inflation                                         32

================================================================================
DISTRIBUTION
================================================================================
On December 19, 1995, ITT Corporation ("ITT") distributed all of the outstanding
shares of common stock of The Hartford to the  shareholders  of ITT common stock
(the  "Distribution"  or  "Spin-off").  As a  result  of the  Distribution,  The
Hartford became an independent publicly-traded company. "Regular Way" trading of
The  Hartford's  common stock on the New York Stock  Exchange  (under the symbol
"HIG") commenced on December 20, 1995. In connection with this transaction,  ITT
transferred First State Insurance Company,  together with its subsidiaries,  and
Fencourt Reinsurance Company, Ltd., both of which were wholly owned companies of
ITT, to The Hartford prior to the Distribution. Consistent with the Consolidated
Financial  Statements  and related  Notes,  the financial  information  included
herein  reflects the results of The Hartford as if it were a separate entity for
all periods presented. For additional information,  see "Distribution Agreement"
under Capital Resources and Liquidity.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:  OPERATING SUMMARY
================================================================================

OVERVIEW
                                                                                      1996               1995               1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>                <C>                <C>           
Earned premiums                                                             $       10,076     $        9,628     $        8,753
Net investment income                                                                2,523              2,420              2,259
Net realized capital gains (losses)                                                   (126)               102                 90
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL REVENUES                                                            12,473             12,150             11,102
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits, claims and claim adjustment expenses                                       8,942              7,769              7,314
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                    1,678              1,658              1,513
Other expenses                                                                       2,171              1,981              1,423
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES                                       12,791             11,408             10,250
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                                     (318)               742                852
Income tax expense (benefit)                                                          (219)               180                214
Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock                                                 --                 (3)                (6)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGES                  (99)               559                632
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax expense of $7                       --                 --                 12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NET INCOME (LOSS)                                                             (99)               559                644

Less:    Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax expense of $7              --                 --                 12
         Net realized capital gains, after-tax  [1]                                     57                 67                 59
         Other charges                                                                (693)                --                 --
         Allocated Distribution items                                                   --                 14                 50
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         CORE EARNINGS                                                       $         537     $          478     $          523
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
[1]  1996 excludes the Closed Book GRC (see below) net realized  capital loss of
     $137, after-tax. This amount is included in other charges.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>
Net income,  excluding the impact of accounting  changes,  net realized  capital
gains,  after-tax,  other charges and allocated  Distribution items was $537 for
1996  compared  with $478 for 1995 and $523 in 1994.  The Hartford  defines this
presentation of after-tax operational results as "core earnings".

Core earnings  increased $59, or 12%, to $537 in 1996 due primarily to increased
revenues  earned on a  growing  annuity  asset  base,  growth in net  investment
income,  increased group insurance premiums and favorable mortality  experience,
partially  offset  by  after-tax   underwriting  losses  resulting  from  higher
catastrophes in 1996.

1995 core earnings  decreased  $45, or 9%, from 1994 due primarily to the impact
of the Dow  Corning  breast  implant  claims  settlement,  a loss  from a single
industrial fire covered by the Industrial Risk Insurance ("IRI") pool and losses
attributable  to  Hurricane  Opal.  Additionally,  results in the closed book of
guaranteed rate contract  business  ("Closed Book GRC") reflected  losses due to
lower  investment  earnings  on  mortgage-backed   securities,   the  result  of
prepayment  experience  in excess  of  assumed  levels.  Improved  property  and
casualty net  investment  income and growth in sales of annuities  and corporate
owned life  insurance  ("COLI")  products  partially  offset  the core  earnings
decline.

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGES

Items  excluded  from  core  earnings  include  the  impact of the  adoption  of
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards ("SFAS") No. 115,  "Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities", and the change in the method
of  discounting to present value certain  workers'  compensation  reserves,  the
cumulative net effect of which totaled $12, after-tax, recorded as of January 1,
1994. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 115, the amortized cost basis of mortgage-backed
interest-only  investments  were written  down to fair value and  reflected as a
cumulative  effect  of  accounting  change of $(30)  after-tax.  A change in the
method of discounting certain workers'  compensation reserves from one that used
statutory  interest rates to one utilizing a "risk-free" market rate resulted in
a $42 after-tax cumulative effect benefit.

NET REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS

See Investment Results in the Investments discussion.

OTHER CHARGES

Net income for 1996 includes other charges related to environmental and asbestos
reserve  increases,  net of taxes,  of $(429) in the North  American  Property &
Casualty segment and $(81) at First State in the Runoff segment (as discussed in
the Environmental and Asbestos Claims section),  recognition of losses on Closed
Book GRC of $(169) (as  discussed in the Runoff  section)  and other,  primarily
foreign  tax-related  items,  of $(2) in each of the North  American  Property &
Casualty and Life segments and $(10) in the Runoff segment.

ALLOCATED DISTRIBUTION ITEMS

As part of the  Distribution,  The Hartford  was  allocated  amounts  originally
recorded at the ITT corporate level.  The allocations  resulted in net income of
$14 and $50 in 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  For more  information on liability
sharing arrangements related to the Distribution,  see "Distribution  Agreement"
and "Tax Allocation Agreement" under Capital Resources and Liquidity.

INCOME TAXES

The  effective  tax  rates  for  1996,  1995 and  1994  were  20%,  24% and 25%,
respectively, excluding the impact of other charges in 1996. Tax-exempt interest
earned on invested  assets was the principal cause of effective rates lower than
the 35% U.S. statutory rate. Income taxes paid in 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $170,
$302 and $317,  respectively.  For additional  information,  see "Tax Allocation
Agreement" under Capital Resources and Liquidity.

PER COMMON SHARE

The following  table  represents  per common share data and return on equity for
the past three years:

                                     1996       1995      1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares
   outstanding [1]                  117.3     117.1      117.1
Operating income (loss)            $(2.71)    $6.34      $7.28
Net income (loss)                  $(0.84)    $4.77      $5.50
Return on equity [2] [3]             (2.3)%    12.6%      15.4%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
[1]  Actual  number of common shares  outstanding  at December 31, 1995 of 117.1
     million is retroactively presented for December 31, 1994.
[2]  Calculated by dividing net income by average  equity  excluding  unrealized
     gain (loss), after-tax.
[3]  1996  return on equity  excluding  the other  charges  noted above from net
     income was 13.8%.

SEGMENT RESULTS

The  Hartford's  reporting  segments  reflect the  management  structure  of the
Company. These segments consist of North American Property & Casualty, Life, and
International,  all of which represent ongoing  operations,  and Runoff.  Runoff
includes operations which have ceased writing new and renewal business.

Certain  transactions  between  segments  occur  during the year that  primarily
relate to tax settlements, insurance coverage, expense reimbursements,  services
provided and capital  contributions.  Certain  reinsurance  stop loss agreements
exist between the segments which specify that for  consideration  received,  one
segment will reimburse  another for losses incurred in excess of a predetermined
limit.  Also, one segment may purchase  group annuity  contracts from another to
fund pension costs and claim annuities to settle casualty claims.

The following is a summary of core earnings by segment.

                                     1996      1995       1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
N. A. Property & Casualty           $ 270     $ 251      $ 309
Life                                  251       221        149
International                          87        91         62
Runoff                                (71)      (85)         3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   CORE EARNINGS                    $ 537     $ 478      $ 523
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

A description of each segment,  as well as an analysis of the operating  results
summarized  above, is included on the following pages.  Reserves,  Environmental
and Asbestos Claims, and Investments are discussed in separate sections.

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
================================================================================
NORTH AMERICAN PROPERTY & CASUALTY
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING SUMMARY

                                                                                      1996               1995               1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>                <C>                <C>           
Earned premiums                                                             $        5,657     $        5,662     $        5,504
Net investment income                                                                  661                646                606
Net realized capital gains                                                              15                 29                 69
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL REVENUES                                                             6,333              6,337              6,179
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits, claims and claim adjustment expenses                                       4,994              4,315              4,070
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                    1,154              1,178              1,121
Other expenses                                                                         584                510                524
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES                                        6,732              6,003              5,715
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                                     (399)               334                464
Income tax expense (benefit)                                                          (248)                61                104
Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock                                                 --                 (3)                (6)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGES                (151)               270                354
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax expense of $7                       --                 --                 12
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          NET INCOME (LOSS)                                                           (151)               270                366

Less:    Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax expense of $7              --                 --                 12
         Net realized capital gains, after-tax                                          10                 19                 45
         Other charges                                                                (431)                --                 --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         CORE EARNINGS                                                      $          270     $          251     $          309
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Core earnings for the North American  Property & Casualty  segment were $270, an
increase of $19 from 1995,  primarily  due to a $53  increase in  after-tax  net
investment  income partially offset by a $37 increase in after-tax  underwriting
loss.  The  increased  underwriting  loss  resulted  from  significantly  higher
catastrophe  and winter  storm losses in 1996  partially  offset by two material
items discussed in the following  Summary  Underwriting  Results section,  which
adversely affected underwriting results in 1995. 1995 core earnings of $251 were
down $58 from 1994 due to the two  material  items  noted,  as well as decreased
income  from  third  party  servicing  contracts  and  very  favorable  workers'
compensation loss experience in 1994.

Within the North American Property & Casualty segment,  management  analyzes the
results of  operations by the  following  four major  components on a before-tax
basis:

                                     1996      1995       1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Underwriting results               $ (986)  $  (270)   $  (182)
Net investment income                 661       646        606
Net realized capital gains             15        29         69
Other miscellaneous expenses           89        71         29
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
  Operating income                 $ (399)  $   334    $   464
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

The following discussion summarizes  underwriting results by major operation (as
defined  below) and other  miscellaneous  expenses.  As  previously  noted,  net
investment  income  and net  realized  capital  gains are  covered in a separate
discussion in the Investments section. Other charges, consisting primarily of an
increase  in  environmental  and  asbestos   reserves,   are  discussed  in  the
Environmental and Asbestos Claims section.

SUMMARY UNDERWRITING RESULTS

Underwriting  results  represent  premiums  earned less incurred  claims,  claim
adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses. The following table shows written
premiums,  underwriting  results and combined  ratios for The  Hartford's  North
American Property & Casualty segment.

                                     1996      1995       1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Written premiums                  $ 5,688   $ 5,670   $  5,648
Underwriting results [1]          $  (326)  $  (270)  $   (182)
Combined ratio [1] [2]              105.2     104.5      102.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
[1] 1996  excludes the impact of $660,  before-tax,  environmental  and asbestos
charge.  Including  the impact of this charge,  the combined  ratio for 1996 was
116.9 for the North American Property & Casualty  segment.
[2] "Combined ratio" is a common industry measurement of the results of property
and  casualty  insurance  underwriting.  This  ratio is the sum of the  ratio of
incurred claims and claim expenses to premiums earned (the "loss ratio") and the
ratio of  underwriting  expenses  incurred to  premiums  written  (the  "expense
ratio").  A combined  ratio  under 100.0  generally  indicates  an  underwriting
profit. Federal income taxes, net investment income, deferred policy acquisition
costs and other  non-underwriting  expenses  are not  reflected  in the combined
ratio.

Written  premiums  for this  segment  were up slightly in 1996 and 1995 from the
respective  prior year's  results.  Continued  growth in target  markets such as
reinsurance,  small commercial  accounts and business written under an exclusive
licensing  arrangement with The American Association of Retired Persons ("AARP")
was offset by decreased premiums from mid-to-large  commercial accounts,  agency
personal  lines  and  residual  markets.  The  conversion  of  certain  workers'
compensation  business to large deductible programs also depressed the growth in
written premiums.

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>
1996  underwriting  losses  before-tax  increased $56 over 1995 primarily due to
severe  weather-related  catastrophe  experience,  most  notably  several  first
quarter winter storms and Hurricane Fran in September.  These events drove total
catastrophe  losses in 1996 to exceed 1995 by  approximately  $130 causing a 2.3
point increase in the combined ratio.

Underwriting  results for 1995 were $88 lower than the prior year largely due to
the impact of two items: a $40 loss, net of reinsurance,  in connection with the
settlement of claims against Dow Corning  Corporation  alleging  product defects
arising  from  breast  implants,  and a net $32  loss  resulting  from a  single
industrial fire covered by the IRI pool. These non-recurring items increased the
combined ratio by 1.3 points in 1995. The 1994 combined ratio of 102.5 was lower
than  both  the  adjusted  (excluding  the  non-recurring  items)  1995 and 1996
combined  ratios by 0.7  points and 0.4  points,  respectively,  largely  due to
favorable loss experience in workers' compensation in 1994.

The  North  American  Property  &  Casualty  segment  consists  of  three  major
operations:   Commercial,  Personal  and  Reinsurance.  A  description  of  each
operation, including an analysis of underwriting results, follows.

Commercial
- ----------
                                     1996      1995        1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Written premiums                  $ 3,211   $ 3,335     $ 3,427
Underwriting results              $  (201)  $  (227)    $  (119)
Combined ratio                      105.7     106.6       102.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

Commercial Insurance Operations (CIO) provides workers' compensation,  property,
automobile,  liability,  marine,  agricultural  and bond coverages to commercial
accounts  throughout  the United  States and Canada.  Excess and  surplus  lines
business not normally  written by standard lines insurers is also provided.  CIO
is organized into three customer market segments:  Commercial Business Insurance
Operations (CBI),  Commercial  Affinity Segment (CAS), and Specialty  Commercial
Lines  (SCL).  CBI provides  standard  commercial  business  for small  accounts
(Select Customer) and mid-sized insureds (Key Accounts). Agricultural, livestock
and marine  products are also managed within CBI. CAS provides  commercial  risk
management  products and services to members of affinity groups and customers of
financial institutions. SCL provides insurance through retailers and wholesalers
to large  commercial  clients and  insureds  requiring a variety of  specialized
coverages.  SCL's  results  include  the bond lines and First  State  Management
Group,  a leading  underwriter  of excess and surplus  lines  business  produced
primarily through wholesale brokers.

Written premiums decreased 4% in 1996 to $3.2 billion, compared to a 3% decrease
in the  previous  year.  A decline in workers'  compensation  premium  from less
profitable  involuntary  workers'  compensation  pools and increasingly  intense
price competition are the primary causes for the 1996 decrease.  The decrease in
1995 premium volume reflected the conversion of workers'  compensation  business
to large deductible programs and a reduction in The Hartford's  participation in
the less profitable voluntary and involuntary workers' compensation pools.

1996 underwriting results improved $26 compared with the prior year,  reflecting
the  impact in 1995 of a $40 loss,  net of  reinsurance,  in  connection  with a
settlement of claims against Dow Corning  Corporation  alleging  product defects
arising from breast  implants.  Excluding  the impact of this  settlement on the
prior year comparison,  1996  underwriting  results  deteriorated $14 from 1995,
reflecting a 0.3 increase in the combined  ratio to 105.7 from the adjusted 1995
level.  This decline was due to  deterioration  in property  results  which were
adversely  impacted by severe  catastrophes  and winter storms and several large
losses.  Despite intense  competition,  workers'  compensation results partially
offset the 1996  deterioration  reflecting the impacts of  legislative  reforms,
depopulation in residual pools and effective managed care related initiatives.

1995 underwriting  performance  deteriorated $108 compared with 1994, increasing
the combined ratio 4.1 points to 106.6.  Excluding the impact of the Dow Corning
settlement,  1995 results declined $68 over 1994. This decline was the result of
higher claims and claim  adjustment  expense costs in workers'  compensation and
liability products and the increase in intensity of competition.

Personal
- --------
                                     1996      1995        1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Written premiums                  $ 1,864   $ 1,813     $ 1,740
Underwriting results              $  (110)  $   (21)    $   (56)
Combined ratio                      105.2     100.9       102.7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

Personal operations  provides  automobile,  homeowners,  home-based business and
fire coverages to individuals throughout the United States and Canada.  Personal
operations  are organized to provide  customized  products and services to three
market  opportunities:  the  membership  of  AARP  through  a  direct  marketing
operation;  customers  who prefer local agent  involvement  through a network of
independent  agents;  and  members  of  other  affinity  groups  through  a  new
organization  that is  building  from the AARP  operation  competencies.  AARP's
exclusive licensing  arrangement continues through the year 2002, thus providing
the Company with an important competitive advantage.

Written  premiums  increased 3% in 1996 compared to a 4% increase in 1995.  Both
years  include  strong  growth  in AARP  premium  which is  benefiting  from the
favorable  expansion of this demographic group,  partially offset by a selective
disinvestment in unprofitable states and under-performing  agents. AARP premiums
represented 64% of the 1996 Personal operations premium, up from 62% in 1995 and
59% in 1994.

Underwriting  results decreased by $89 in 1996, with a 4.3 point increase in the
combined  ratio.  These results were due to severe  catastrophe and winter storm
losses,  partially offset by improved  automobile  profitability  resulting from
expanded cost containment  initiatives.  Underwriting results improved by $35 in
1995 over 1994 with a corresponding  1.8 point improvement in the combined ratio
due to lower catastrophe losses and improved automobile results.

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
Reinsurance
- -----------
                                     1996      1995        1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Written premiums                    $ 613    $  522       $ 481
Underwriting results                $ (15)   $  (22)      $  (7)
Combined ratio                      102.8     104.3       101.8
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

The  Hartford  assumes   reinsurance   worldwide   through  its  seven  Hartford
Reinsurance  Company  ("HartRe")  offices  located in Hartford,  San  Francisco,
Toronto,  London,  Madrid,  Munich and Hong Kong. HartRe primarily writes treaty
reinsurance through professional  reinsurance brokers covering various property,
casualty, specialty and marine classes of business.

Written premiums increased 17% in 1996 and 9% in 1995 primarily due to growth in
U.S.  casualty and specialty  lines.  This growth resulted from a combination of
new business  opportunities,  an increased level of renewals,  and continued new
product  development  in  specialty  lines,  partially  offset by a reduction in
domestic and international property and marine rates.

1996 underwriting  results increased $7 compared with 1995. Excluding the impact
of the 1995 IRI fire loss described  previously,  underwriting results decreased
$25 in 1996 due to underwriting  losses of $11, resulting from a strategic shift
in the business mix to longer-tailed  casualty and specialty lines,  catastrophe
and severe winter storm losses of $5 and several large individual risk losses of
$9.

1995  underwriting  results  decreased  $15 compared  with 1994 due primarily to
HartRe's  participation  in the IRI pool which suffered its largest single loss.
HartRe's  share of that single loss was $32.  Excluding the impact of this loss,
HartRe  generated an  underwriting  gain of $10 and a combined  ratio of 97.4 in
1995.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

Other miscellaneous  expenses,  which also include  miscellaneous  income items,
were  $89 in 1996,  up from $71 in 1995.  This  increase  was  primarily  due to
increased debt costs from additional  borrowings  partially  offset by increased
service  fee  income  from  third  party  administration  and  involuntary  pool
servicing  contracts.  Two major national servicing  contracts,  entered into in
1996, contributed to this increase in service fee income.

Other  miscellaneous  expenses for 1995 of $71 increased from $29 in 1994.  This
increase was largely attributable to a decrease in service fee income from third
party administration and involuntary pool servicing contracts.  The reduction in
service fee income was due to lower servicing  carrier  allowances caused by the
substantial   depopulation  of  workers'  compensation  and  involuntary  pools.
Increased debt costs also impacted other miscellaneous expenses in 1995.

OUTLOOK

Difficult market  conditions and intense price  competition  within the property
and casualty  industry show no signs of diminishing  in the near term.  However,
two  major  actions  were  completed  in 1996  which  management  believes  will
counterbalance  these negative  external factors and position the North American
Property & Casualty segment for significant improvement in operating performance
in 1997.  First, the adverse impact on earnings from  environmental and asbestos
liabilities that had been  experienced in prior years was addressed  through the
establishment  of  additional  reserves upon  completion of a thorough  database
review as  described  in the  Environmental  and  Asbestos  Claims  section.  In
addition,  the North  American  Property & Casualty  segment was  reorganized to
maximize responsiveness to its customers by grouping market segments and product
lines according to their respective markets and further strengthening an already
strong,  results-focused  management team. As a result of these actions, as well
as dedication to growing targeted market segments,  rigorous expense  management
and utilization of alternative  distribution  channels,  management believes the
North  American  Property  &  Casualty  segment  stands  poised to  successfully
overcome the challenges ahead.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
LIFE
================================================================================

OPERATING SUMMARY
                                                                                      1996               1995               1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                <C>               <C>           
Earned premiums and other considerations                                     $       3,068      $       2,643     $        2,116
Net investment income                                                                1,323              1,114                922
Net realized capital gains (losses)                                                     --                 (4)                 1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL REVENUES                                                             4,391              3,753              3,039
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits, claims and claim adjustment expenses                                       2,435              1,978              1,909
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                      241                193                145
Other expenses                                                                       1,337              1,251                764
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES                                        4,013              3,422              2,818
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          OPERATING INCOME                                                             378                331                221
Income tax expense                                                                     129                113                 71
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          NET INCOME                                                                   249                218                150

Less:    Net realized capital gains (losses), after-tax                                 --                 (3)                 1
         Other charges                                                                  (2)                --                 --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         CORE EARNINGS                                                        $         251      $         221      $        149
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>
Core  earnings in the Life segment  increased  $30, or 14%, to $251 in 1996 from
$221 in 1995  primarily  reflecting  (i) an  increase  in earnings of $32 in the
Investment Products division  principally driven by an increase in total account
value due to sales of individual annuities and stock market appreciation, (ii) a
$7  increase  in  the  Individual  Life  Insurance  division  due to  growth  in
individual life insurance in force and favorable mortality experience,  (iii) an
increase in earnings of $13 in the Employee Benefits division principally due to
an increase in group insurance premiums and favorable  morbidity  experience and
(iv) a decrease in core earnings of $22 in the Corporate  Operation division due
primarily to a guaranty fund adjustment of $10 in 1995 resulting from lower than
expected  insolvencies in the insurance  industry as well as an increase in debt
service costs in 1996.

Core earnings  increased  $72, or 48%, to $221 in 1995 from $149 in 1994 largely
due to (i) a $30 increase in the Investment Products division principally driven
by an increase in total account  value,  (ii) an $11 increase in the  Individual
Life  Insurance  division  principally  due to growth in the  inforce  block and
favorable  mortality  experience  and expense trends and (iii) a $21 increase in
the Employee Benefits division  principally due to an increase in group premiums
and  favorable  morbidity  experience,  as well as growth  in the COLI  block of
business.

The Life segment  operates in three principal  divisions:  Investment  Products,
Individual Life Insurance and Employee  Benefits as outlined in the table below.
In addition,  the Life segment maintains a Corporate  Operation through which it
reports net investment income on assets representing surplus not assigned to any
of its business segments and certain other revenue and expenses not specifically
allocable to any of its business segments.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SUMMARY RESULTS BY DIVISION

                                                              1996                        1995                        1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Core                        Core                     Core
                                                     Revenues      Earnings      Revenues      Earnings      Revenues   Earnings
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>  
Investment Products                               $    1,018    $      146    $      761    $     114     $     571     $  84
Individual Life Insurance                                472            44           408           37           391        26
Employee Benefits                                      2,834            79         2,523           66         2,049        45
Corporate Operation                                       67           (18)           61            4            28        (6)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL                                    $    4,391    $      251    $    3,753    $     221     $   3,039     $  149
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The following describes each division,  including products and services offered,
and analyzes the above results.

Investment Products
- -------------------

The Investment Products division markets fixed and variable annuities,  deferred
compensation   plan  services  for  municipal   governments  and   corporations,
structured  settlements and other special purpose annuity contracts,  investment
management  contracts,  and mutual  funds.  The Company was rated the number one
writer of variable  annuities for 1996 with a 13% market share  according to the
Variable Annuity and Research Data Service.

Revenues increased $257, or 34%, to $1.0 billion in 1996 from $761 in 1995. This
increase  was  principally  the result of a $216  increase in premiums and other
considerations,  reflecting a substantial  increase in aggregate fees earned due
to the division's growing block of separate account assets. The average separate
account  assets of this segment  increased  to $37.5  billion in 1996 from $26.3
billion in 1995 primarily due to sales of individual  annuities of approximately
$10  billion  in 1996 and $7  billion  in 1995,  as well as  significant  market
appreciation  in both 1996 and 1995. In addition,  the average  general  account
assets of this  segment  increased  to $7.7 billion in 1996 from $6.5 billion in
1995  largely  as a result of  growth  in the  general  account  portion  of the
individual  variable annuity products of the Investment  Products division.  The
growth in this division in 1996 also resulted in an increase in total  benefits,
claims and expenses of $199, or 34%, to $791 in 1996 from $592 in 1995.  The 38%
growth in average  account value in 1996,  coupled with an overall  reduction in
individual  annuity expenses as a percentage of total individual annuity account
value to 28 basis  points in 1996 from 31 basis points in 1995,  contributed  to
the growth in core earnings of $32, or 28%, to $146 in 1996 from $114 in 1995.

Similar  factors  generated  an increase  in 1995,  as  compared  with 1994,  in
revenues of $190, or 33%,  average  general  account assets of $1.3 billion,  or
26%, average  separate  account assets of $8.0 billion,  or 44%, total benefits,
claims and  expenses  of $149,  or 34%,  core  earnings  of $30,  or 36%,  and a
reduction in individual  annuity  expenses as a percentage  of total  individual
annuity account value to 31 basis points in 1995 from 35 basis points in 1994.

Individual Life Insurance
- -------------------------

Individual Life Insurance  products include  variable life insurance,  universal
life insurance,  interest-sensitive whole life insurance and term life policies.
Individual Life Insurance  business also includes  modified  guaranteed life and
traditional whole life.

Revenues  increased  $64, or 16%, to $472 from $408 in 1995.  This  increase was
primarily due to a $47 increase in premiums and other considerations, reflecting
an increase in cost of  insurance  charges and  variable  life fees applied to a
larger

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>
block of business as  insurance  in force  increased to $52 billion in 1996 from
$48 billion in 1995. Total benefits,  claims and expenses increased $54, or 15%,
to $404 in 1996 from $350 in 1995.  This  increase  reflects the increase in the
block of  individual  life  insurance  business  offset  partially  by favorable
mortality  results.  The combination of business growth and favorable  mortality
experience  resulted in an  increase  in core  earnings of $7, or 19%, to $44 in
1996 from $37 in 1995.

Two other events,  along with those mentioned  above,  influenced the results of
1995 compared with 1994.  In 1994,  the Life segment  assumed $218 of individual
life insurance reserves from the Pacific Standard Life Insurance  Company.  This
affected  both  revenues  and total  benefits,  claims  and  expenses  for 1994.
Expenses  were  also  positively   influenced  by  the   consolidation   of  the
professional  functions previously performed in Minneapolis,  Minnesota into the
Life  segment's  Simsbury,   Connecticut  location.   The  combination  of  this
acquisition,   internal  growth,  expense  management  and  favorable  mortality
experience caused core earnings in this division to increase $11, or 42%, to $37
in 1995 from $26 in 1994.

Employee Benefits
- -----------------

Employee  Benefits  consists  of two areas of  operation:  Group  Insurance  and
Specialty  Insurance  Operations.  Through the Group  Insurance  Operation,  the
Company markets group long-term and short-term managed  disability,  group life,
stop   loss,   and    supplementary    medical   coverage   to   employers   and
employer-sponsored  plans and  accidental  death and  dismemberment,  travel and
special risk coverage to associations.  The Specialty  Insurance  Operation unit
consists of the Company's COLI business, life/health reinsurance operations, and
international operations.

Revenues  increased  $311,  or 12%, to $2.8 billion in 1996 from $2.5 billion in
1995.  This  increase was largely the result of (i) a $162  increase in premiums
and other considerations, reflecting a $226 increase in group insurance premiums
from strong group disability  sales and renewals,  partially offset by a decline
in leveraged COLI premiums as a result of the Health  Insurance  Portability and
Accountability  Act of 1996 ("HIPA Act of 1996", as discussed below) legislation
and (ii) a $149 increase in net investment income,  primarily due to an increase
in COLI account values.  Total benefits,  claims and expenses increased $295, or
12%, to $2.7 billion in 1996 from $2.4 billion in 1995. This increase  generally
reflected  an  increased  block of group  disability  business  and other  group
insurance  and an  increase  in the  Life  segment's  COLI  block  of  business,
partially offset by a $41 decrease in dividends to  policyholders  primarily due
to the  elimination  of sales of leveraged  COLI as a result of the enactment of
the HIPA Act of 1996. In addition,  expenses in the group insurance business, as
a percentage of premiums, have declined over the past several years. This trend,
along with favorable mortality and morbidity experience,  as well as the factors
mentioned  above,  resulted in an increase in core  earnings in this division of
$13, or 20%, to $79 in 1996 from $66 in 1995.

Sales of  leveraged  COLI  were  $867 and $306 in 1995 and  1994,  respectively.
Revenues  increased  $474,  or 23%, in 1995,  primarily  due to a $353  increase
related to COLI premiums. Total benefits, claims and expenses increased $442, or
22%, in 1995 of which $344 related to COLI.  The  additional  growth in the COLI
and group insurance business, expense reductions associated with the decision to
exit the fully insured medical business,  and factors similar to those discussed
above for 1996 caused core earnings in this division to increase $21, or 47%, to
$66 in 1995 from $45 in 1994.

OUTLOOK

Management believes that it has developed and implemented strategies to maintain
and  enhance its  position  as a market  leader  within the  financial  services
industry,   to  continue  the  Life  segment's  asset  growth  and  to  maximize
shareholder  value.  The Life  segment's  strong market  position in each of its
businesses,  coupled with the growth potential management believes exists in its
markets, provides opportunities to increase sales of the Life segment's products
and services as individuals  increasingly save and plan for retirement,  protect
themselves  and their  families  against  disability  or death and prepare their
estates for an efficient transfer of wealth between generations.

The HIPA Act of 1996 phases out the  deductibility  of interest on policy  loans
under COLI by 1998,  thus  eliminating  all future sales of leveraged  COLI. The
leveraged  COLI product has been an important  contributor to the Life segment's
profitability   in  recent  years  and  will   continue  to  contribute  to  the
profitability  of the Life  segment in the future,  although the level of profit
will decline  after 1998.  However,  the Employee  Benefits  division has growth
opportunities   through   variable   COLI  and  other   non-qualified   deferred
compensation  vehicles,  reinsurance and international  operations.  The Company
expects  continued growth in core earnings for the Life segment in 1997. See the
Capital Resources and Liquidity section under "Subsequent Events".

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>
================================================================================
INTERNATIONAL
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING SUMMARY
                                                                                      1996               1995               1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                <C>               <C>           
Earned premiums                                                              $       1,342      $       1,309     $        1,116
Net investment income                                                                  205                183                135
Net realized capital gains                                                              79                 48                 23
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL REVENUES                                                             1,626              1,540              1,274
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits, claims and claim adjustment expenses                                         931                901                757
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                      284                276                241
Other expenses                                                                         201                179                163
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES                                        1,416              1,356              1,161
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          OPERATING INCOME                                                             210                184                113
Income tax expense                                                                      71                 61                 37
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          NET INCOME                                                                   139                123                 76

Less:    Net realized capital gains, after-tax                                          52                 32                 14
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         CORE EARNINGS                                                       $          87      $          91      $          62
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The  International  segment includes direct insurance  business written by local
companies in the United Kingdom, namely ITT London & Edinburgh,  the Netherlands
and Belgium, Zwolsche Algemeene, and Spain, ITT Ercos. These companies primarily
offer  property and casualty  products in both  personal and  commercial  lines.
Zwolsche  Algemeene and ITT Ercos also offer life products  designed to meet the
needs of local customers.

Core earnings in the  International  segment of $87 in 1996 decreased $4, or 4%,
from 1995,  following a $29, or 47%, increase in 1995 over 1994. The decrease in
earnings  from  1995 was  primarily  the  result of  deteriorating  underwriting
results due to  heightened  competition  in the United  Kingdom and  unfavorable
foreign exchange impacts,  partially offset by growth in net investment  income.
1996 revenues of $1.6 billion were $86, or 6%, higher than 1995 primarily due to
growth at Zwolsche Algemeene and 1995 results at ITT Ercos only reflecting eight
months of activity  due to its  acquisition  by the Company in May 1995.  Growth
over  1995  was  dampened  by soft  market  conditions  in the  United  Kingdom.
Additionally,  the  U.S.  dollar  strengthened  during  1996  compared  to 1995,
resulting in unfavorable  foreign  exchange  translation  movements  during 1996
resulting  in  approximately  $37 and $3 of the  decrease in  revenues  and core
earnings, respectively.

1995  revenues of $1.5 billion and core  earnings of $91 were $266,  or 21%, and
$29,  or 47%,  respectively,  higher  than  1994,  the  result of  significantly
improved  investment  and  underwriting  performance,  premium  growth,  and the
acquisition  of ITT Ercos.  Favorable  foreign  exchange  translation  movements
during 1995 accounted for  approximately  $89 and $2 of the increase in revenues
and core earnings, respectively.

The International  segment is organized into the following three business units:
ITT London & Edinburgh,  Zwolsche  Algemeene and ITT Ercos.  In addition,  Other
primarily represents home office expenses associated with managing international
operations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY RESULTS BY BUSINESS UNIT

                                                              1996                        1995                        1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Core                        Core                     Core
                                                     Revenues      Earnings      Revenues      Earnings      Revenues   Earnings
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>   
ITT London & Edinburgh                            $   1,088     $      56     $    1,071    $      66     $     945     $   46
Zwolsche Algemeene                                      459            32            416           25           328         17
ITT Ercos                                                78             3             51            2            --         --
Other                                                     1            (4)             2           (2)            1         (1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total                                    $   1,626     $      87     $    1,540    $      91     $   1,274     $   62
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

ITT London & Edinburgh
- ----------------------

1996  revenues at ITT London & Edinburgh of $1.1 billion  increased  $17, or 2%,
over 1995.  Core earnings of $56 decreased  $10, or 15%, from 1995 primarily the
result of deteriorating  underwriting  results due to heightened  competition in
the United Kingdom,  partially offset by growth in net investment income.  Also,
strengthening  of the U.S. dollar resulted in negative  foreign exchange impacts
on revenues of $15 and core  earnings of $2. The increase in revenues was due to
improved investment income,  partially offset by a shortfall in written premiums
due to the intense  competitive  climate in the United  Kingdom.  Personal lines
underperformed  the prior year where  shortfalls  in automobile  were  partially
offset by improvements in personal credit insurance,  including life. Commercial
lines sales were also dampened due to the increasingly competitive market.

                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>
1995 revenues at ITT London & Edinburgh of $1.1 billion and core earnings of $66
were $126,  or 13%,  and $20,  or 44%,  respectively,  higher  than 1994.  These
increases were due to significant improvement in investment performance, premium
growth  and  foreign   exchange   rates,   offset  somewhat  by  slightly  lower
underwriting results. Commercial lines growth moderated during the year due to a
more  competitive  market.  Personal  lines  growth  was  mixed  with  continued
improvement in automobile and creditor products.

Zwolsche Algemeene
- ------------------

Zwolsche  Algemeene's  1996  revenues of $459 and core  earnings of $32 improved
$43, or 10%, and $7, or 28%,  respectively,  compared with 1995. These increases
were due to improved premium growth and stronger  underwriting  results.  Due to
the strengthening U.S. dollar,  foreign exchange had an adverse effect of $20 on
revenues and a negligible impact on core earnings.  Property and casualty growth
in 1996 was relatively strong in motor as market pricing  improved.  Performance
was also strong in life savings and mortgage products business.

Zwolsche  Algemeene's  1995  revenues of $416 and core  earnings of $25 improved
$88, or 27%, and $8, or 47%,  respectively,  compared with 1994. These increases
were due to improved investment  performance,  moderate premium growth, stronger
underwriting results and foreign exchange impacts.  Property and casualty growth
in 1995 was moderate as market  pricing slowly  improved.  Strong growth in life
savings and pension  products was partially offset by lower than expected growth
in mortgage savings product business.

ITT Ercos
- ---------

The Hartford  acquired ITT Ercos in May 1995.  1996 revenues at ITT Ercos of $78
exceeded the eight months  reported for 1995 by $27. Core earnings of $3 were $1
higher than 1995.  During 1996 the company has  consolidated  its branch offices
into one centralized  location and reorganized its national sales  organization.
These actions were taken to improve  expense  competitiveness  and service which
will position the company for future growth.

OUTLOOK

The outlook for 1997 for commercial and personal lines at ITT London & Edinburgh
is a continuation of heightened  competition.  Personal lines should  experience
strong  growth in  homeowners  business due to an agreement  entered into during
1996 with Nationwide Building Society.  This agreement provides exclusive rights
to ITT London & Edinburgh to sell homeowners products to the retail customers of
Nationwide.  Continuing  competition from direct writing  companies and entry by
non-traditional risk bearers into markets such as homeowners is anticipated.

The outlook at  Zwolsche  Algemeene  for 1997 is for  moderate  written  premium
growth in property  and casualty  due to an increase in  competition.  Continued
growth is also expected for life operations.  Sales expectations of life savings
and  pension  products  in the  Netherlands  continue  to be strong due to their
associated tax advantages and expected  continued low interest rate environment.
The Company continues to explore the viability of opportunities in both life and
property  and casualty  business in the  Netherlands  in 1997 as the  government
continues to review moving  certain  social  security  programs into the private
sector.

Relative to ITT Ercos, the outlook in the Spanish market is for moderate growth.
ITT  Ercos  will  build  on the  improved  expense  and  operational  foundation
established  in 1996 to expand its presence in both life and  non-life  business
during 1997.

The  International  segment  continues to explore  acquisition  opportunities in
Western Europe, Latin America and Asia.

================================================================================
RUNOFF
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


OPERATING SUMMARY
                                                                                      1996               1995               1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                <C>               <C>           
Earned premiums                                                              $           9      $          14     $           17
Net investment income                                                                  334                477                596
Net realized capital gains (losses)                                                   (220)                29                 (3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL REVENUES                                                               123                520                610
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits, claims and claim adjustment expenses                                         582                575                578
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                       (1)                11                  6
Other expenses                                                                          49                 35                 23
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES                                           630                621                607
         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                                      (507)              (101)                 3
Income tax expense (benefit)                                                          (171)               (35)                 1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NET INCOME (LOSS)                                                            (336)               (66)                 2

Less:    Net realized capital gains (losses), after-tax  [1]                            (5)                19                 (1)
         Other charges                                                                (260)                --                 --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         CORE EARNINGS                                                       $         (71)     $         (85)     $           3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
[1]  1996  excludes  the Closed Book GRC net  realized  capital  losses of $137,
     after-tax. This amount is included in other charges.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>
The  Runoff   segment   consists  of  operations  of  The  Hartford  which  have
discontinued  writing  new and  renewal  business.  The  property  and  casualty
operations of the Runoff segment primarily include First State Insurance Company
and its  subsidiaries  ("First State") and Fencourt  Reinsurance  Company,  Ltd.
("Fencourt"). The primary focus of these operations is the proper disposition of
claims,  resolving disputes and collecting  reinsurance proceeds related largely
to business underwritten and reinsured prior to 1985.

The Runoff  segment also consists of Closed Book GRC which had no new or renewal
business as of the end of 1994.  Substantially  all of the products  included in
Closed Book GRC are guaranteed  investment  contracts with  guaranteed  fixed or
indexed rates for a specific period. Prior to 1996, Closed Book GRC was reported
as a component of the Life segment.

Closed Book GRC results have been negatively  affected by lower investment rates
and  earnings in the  related  investment  portfolio  (primarily  consisting  of
collateralized  mortgage  obligations  and mortgage  backed  securities)  due to
prepayments  experienced  in excess of  assumed  levels in years  prior to 1995.
Closed  Book GRC was also  affected by the  interest  rate rise in 1994 when the
duration of its assets  lengthened  relative to that of the liabilities.  Due to
the reduced  investment  earnings  and  duration  mismatch,  the  portfolio  had
insufficient  assets to fully fund its liability  commitments.  During the third
quarter of 1996,  the Life segment  transferred  assets in the amount of $200 to
the Runoff  segment to  adequately  fund  Closed  Book GRC so that  future  cash
infusions would be minimal.

Although the Closed Book GRC asset portfolio as a whole is duration matched with
its  liabilities,  certain  investments  continue to have a longer maturity than
their corresponding liabilities and will need to be liquidated prior to maturity
in order to meet the  specific  liability  commitments.  To protect the existing
value of these investments,  the Company entered into various hedge transactions
in late September 1996 which  substantially  eliminated  further  fluctuation in
fair value of the investments due to interest rate changes.

The  Hartford's   accounting  policy  for  impairment  of  investments  requires
recognition of an other than temporary  impairment charge on a security if it is
determined  that the  Company is unable to  recover  all  amounts  due under the
contractual   obligations  of  the  security.  In  addition,   the  Company  has
established  specific  criteria to be used in the  impairment  evaluation  of an
individual  portfolio  of  assets.  Specifically,  if  the  asset  portfolio  is
supporting a runoff  operation,  is forced to be liquidated prior to maturity to
meet liability  commitments,  and has a fair value below amortized  cost,  which
will not materially fluctuate as a result of future interest rate changes,  then
an other than temporary  impairment has been  determined to have occurred and is
recognized.  The Company then  continues to review the impaired  securities  for
appropriate valuation.

With the initiation of the hedge transactions,  which eliminated the possibility
that the fair value of the Closed Book GRC  investments  would  recover to their
current  amortized  cost,  an  other  than  temporary  impairment  loss of $(82)
after-tax was  determined  to have occurred and was recorded in September  1996.
Also,  during the third  quarter,  Closed Book GRC had asset sales  resulting in
proceeds of approximately $500 and a realized loss of $(55) after-tax. The asset
sales  were  undertaken  as a result of  liquidity  needs and  favorable  market
conditions for certain  securities.  Other charges of $(32)  after-tax were also
incurred in the third quarter.

During the fourth quarter of 1996, an additional other than temporary impairment
loss of $(6) after-tax was determined to have occurred, and has been included in
realized losses.

Other  charges  primarily  consist of a $169 third  quarter  1996  charge in the
Closed Book GRC (as discussed  previously) and an increase in environmental  and
asbestos  reserves at First State of $81 as discussed in the  Environmental  and
Asbestos Claims section.

Revenues  decreased  76% in 1996 and 15% in 1995 as a result of a decline in net
investment  income for both periods and net realized  capital losses for 1996 in
Closed Book GRC.  Runoff  segment core earnings  increased $14 in 1996 over 1995
and  decreased $88 in 1995 from the prior year.  These results  reflect the core
earnings  of  Closed  Book GRC of $(51),  $(68) and $1 for 1996,  1995 and 1994,
respectively.

OUTLOOK

Management  expects that the net income (loss) from Closed Book GRC in the years
subsequent  to 1996 will be  immaterial  based on  current  projections  for the
performance of the assets and  liabilities  associated  with Closed Book GRC and
expectations  regarding  future  asset sales and the  stabilizing  effect of the
hedge  transactions.  However,  no assurance  can be given that,  under  certain
unanticipated economic  circumstances,  further losses in respect of Closed Book
GRC will not occur in the  future.  Additionally,  except for the  uncertainties
related to dispute resolution,  reinsurance  collection,  and those discussed in
the  Environmental  and Asbestos Claims section,  management does not anticipate
the future financial  performance of the property and casualty operations of the
Runoff  segment  to have a  material  effect  on the  operating  results  of the
Company.

                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>
================================================================================
RESERVES
================================================================================
The  Hartford  establishes  property  and  casualty  reserves to provide for the
estimated costs of paying claims made by policyholders or against policyholders.
These reserves  include  estimates for both claims that have been reported,  and
those that have been incurred,  but not yet reported,  and include  estimates of
all expenses  associated with  processing and settling these claims.  Estimating
the ultimate cost of future claims and claim adjustment expenses is an uncertain
and complex process.  This estimation process is based largely on the assumption
that past  developments  are an  appropriate  predictor  of future  events,  and
involves a variety of actuarial  techniques that analyze experience,  trends and
other relevant factors.  The  uncertainties  involved with the reserving process
have  become  increasingly  unpredictable  due to a number  of  complex  factors
including  social and  economic  trends and  changes  in the  concepts  of legal
liability and damage awards. Accordingly,  final claim settlements may vary from
the present estimates, particularly when those payments may not occur until well
into the future.

The  Hartford  continually  reviews its  estimated  claims and claim  adjustment
expense  reserves  as  additional  experience  and other  relevant  data  become
available and reserve levels are adjusted accordingly. Adjustments to previously
established  reserves, if any, will be reflected in the operating results of the
period in which the  adjustment  is made.  In the  judgment of  management,  all
information  currently  available has been  properly  considered in the reserves
established  for claims  and claim  adjustment  expenses.  For a  discussion  of
environmental  and  asbestos  claims  and the  uncertainties  related  to  these
reserves, refer to the next section.

In accordance with the insurance laws and regulations under which Life operates,
life insurance  subsidiaries of The Hartford  establish  actuarially  determined
reserves to meet their  obligations  on their  outstanding  life and  disability
insurance contracts, as well as reserves for their universal life and investment
contracts.  Reserves for life  insurance and  disability  contracts are based on
mortality and morbidity tables in general use in the United States,  modified to
reflect The Hartford's experience. Management believes that these reserves, with
additions  from  premiums to be  received,  and with  interest on such  reserves
compounded  annually at certain  assumed  rates,  will be sufficient to meet The
Hartford's  policy  obligations  at  their  maturities  or in  the  event  of an
insured's death.  Reserves for universal life insurance and investment  products
represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges.

================================================================================
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ASBESTOS CLAIMS
================================================================================
The Hartford  continues to receive claims asserting  damages from  environmental
exposures and for injuries from asbestos and asbestos-related  products, both of
which affect the North American  Property & Casualty,  International  and Runoff
segments.  Environmental  claims  relate  primarily  to  pollution  and  related
clean-up costs.  With regard to these claims,  uncertainty  exists which impacts
the ability of insurers and  reinsurers  to estimate  the ultimate  reserves for
unpaid  losses  and  related  settlement  expenses.   The  Hartford  finds  that
conventional  reserving  techniques  cannot  estimate the ultimate cost of these
claims  because of inadequate  development  patterns and  inconsistent  emerging
legal  doctrine.  For the  majority  of  environmental  claims and many types of
asbestos claims,  unlike any other type of contractual claim, there is almost no
agreement or consistent  precedent to determine what, if any, coverage exists or
which,  if any,  policy years and insurers or reinsurers may be liable.  Further
uncertainty arises with  environmental  claims since claims are often made under
policies,  the existence of which may be in dispute, the terms of which may have
changed over many years,  which may or may not provide for legal defense  costs,
and which may or may not contain  environmental  exclusion  clauses  that may be
absolute or allow for fortuitous events. Courts in different  jurisdictions have
reached disparate  conclusions on similar issues and in certain  situations have
broadened the  interpretation  of policy coverage and liability issues. In light
of the extensive claim settlement process for environmental and asbestos claims,
involving  comprehensive fact gathering,  subject matter expertise and intensive
litigation, The Hartford established an environmental claims facility in 1992 to
defend itself  aggressively  against  unwarranted  claims and to minimize costs.

Within the property and casualty insurance  industry,  progress has been made in
developing sophisticated, alternative methodologies utilizing company experience
and supplemental  databases to assess  environmental  and asbestos  liabilities.
Consistent with The Hartford's practice of using the best techniques to estimate
the Company's  environmental  and asbestos  exposures,  a study was initiated in
April 1996. The Hartford, utilizing internal staff supplemented by outside legal
and actuarial consultants, completed the study in October 1996.

The study included a review of identified  environmental and asbestos  exposures
of  North  American  Property  &  Casualty,  U.S.  exposures  of The  Hartford's
International  segment  and  exposures  of the Runoff  segment,  and covered the
Company's  Commercial,  Personal,  and Reinsurance  operations.  The methodology
utilized a ground up  analysis  of policy,  site and  exposure  level data for a
representative  sample of The Hartford's  claims.  The results of the evaluation
were  extrapolated  against the balance of the claim  population to estimate the
Company's overall exposure for reported claims.

In addition to estimating  liabilities  on reported  environmental  and asbestos
claims,  The Hartford  estimated  reserves for claims  incurred but not reported
("IBNR"). The IBNR reserve was estimated using information on reporting patterns
of  known  insureds,   characteristics  of  insureds  such  as  limits  exposed,
attachment points and number of coverage years involved,  third party costs, and
closed claims.

Included in The Hartford's  analysis of environmental and asbestos exposures was
a review of applicable reinsurance

                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>
coverage. Reinsurance coverage applicable to the sample was used to estimate the
reinsurance  coverage that applied to the balance of the reported  environmental
and asbestos claims and to the IBNR estimates.

An international  actuarial firm reviewed The Hartford's  approach and concluded
that the way the Company studied its exposures, the thoroughness of its analysis
and the way The Hartford came to its estimates was reasonable and comprehensive.

Upon  completion of the study and assessment of the results in October 1996, The
Hartford  determined  that its  environmental  and asbestos  reserves  should be
increased,  on an undiscounted basis, by $493 (net of reinsurance) and $292 (net
of reinsurance), respectively.

Reserve  activity for both reported and  unreported  environmental  and asbestos
claims, including reserves for legal defense costs, for the years ended December
31, 1996 and 1995, was as follows (net of reinsurance):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        ENVIRONMENTAL AND ASBESTOS CLAIMS
                      CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES

                                                                          1996                             1995             1994
                                                    --------------------------------------------     ------------     -----------
                                                      Environmental     Asbestos        Total          Total [1]       Total [1]
                                                    ---------------- -------------- ------------     ------------     -----------

<S>                                                   <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>        
Beginning liability                                   $         926    $       410    $   1,336       $    1,334    $     1,311

Claims and claim adjustment expenses incurred                   603            322          925              163            145

Claims and claim adjustment expenses paid                      (124)           (35)        (159)            (161)          (122)

Other [2]                                                        34             20           54               --             --

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending liability [2] [3]                              $       1,439    $       717    $   2,156       $    1,336    $     1,334
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
[1]  Prior to December 31, 1995,  reserves were not split between  environmental
     and asbestos exposures.
[2]  The 1996 ending liability includes  reclassifications of reserves that were
     not previously identified as environmental and asbestos.
[3]  The ending  liabilities  are net of  reinsurance on reported and unreported
     claims of $1,972, $1,939 and $1,463 for 1996, 1995 and 1994,  respectively.
     Gross of reinsurance,  the years ending December 31, 1996 and 1995 reserves
     for  environmental  and  asbestos  were  $2,342  and  $1,786 and $1,707 and
     $1,568,  respectively.  The 1995 reinsurance  amount includes $440 of ceded
     incurred but not reported  ("IBNR")  claims for which the  equivalent  1994
     classification has not been identified.
</FN>
</TABLE>
The Hartford's pretax operating  earnings have been impacted over the last three
years by  incurred  environmental  and  asbestos  claims  and  claim  adjustment
expenses as follows:  $925 in 1996, $163 in 1995 and $145 in 1994 with all years
reported net of reinsurance.

The Hartford  believes that the  environmental and asbestos reserves reported at
December 31, 1996 are a reasonable  estimate of the ultimate remaining liability
for these claims based upon known facts,  current assumptions and The Hartford's
methodologies.  Future social,  economic,  legal or legislative developments may
alter the original  intent of policies  and the scope of coverage.  The Hartford
will  continue to evaluate new  developments  and  methodologies  as they become
available for use in supplementing  the Company's ongoing analysis and review of
its environmental and asbestos  exposures.  These future reviews may result in a
change in reserves, impacting The Hartford's results of operations in the period
in which the reserve estimates are changed.  While the effects of future changes
in facts,  legal and other issues could have a material effect on future results
of  operations,  The Hartford does not expect such changes would have a material
effect on its liquidity or financial condition.

                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>
================================================================================
INVESTMENTS
================================================================================
An  important  element of the  financial  results of The  Hartford  is return on
invested assets.  The Hartford's  investment  activities are divided between the
reportable segments of North American Property & Casualty, Life,  International,
and Runoff. The investment  portfolios for these operations are managed based on
the underlying characteristics and nature of their respective liabilities.

NORTH AMERICAN PROPERTY & CASUALTY

The investment  objective of the North American  Property & Casualty  segment is
the  maximization of after-tax income  consistent with long-term  capital growth
and  maintenance  of appropriate  liquidity to meet  corporate and  policyholder
obligations.  Investment  strategies are developed based on a variety of factors
including business needs, regulatory requirements and tax considerations.

During  1996,  the North  American  Property & Casualty  segment  continued  its
strategy  of  maximizing   after-tax  income  through  increased   ownership  of
tax-exempt  municipal  bonds. On an after-tax  basis,  municipal bonds generally
continued to provide significant incremental income over taxable securities.  In
1996,  net purchases of  tax-exempt  municipal  bonds of $2.0 billion  increased
holdings to 55% of total invested  assets compared to 44% and 26% as of December
31,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.  In addition  to  employing  new cash flow to
purchase  municipal bonds,  lower yielding taxable bonds were sold with proceeds
reallocated to the higher after-tax yielding municipal market.

A supplemental  benefit resulting from the purchase of municipal bonds continued
to  be  the  improvement  in  credit  quality.  While  the  bond  portfolio  has
consistently  remained  "AA" average  quality over many years,  municipal  bonds
purchased in 1996 had an average  rating of "AA+",  an  improvement on the "AA-"
rating on the taxable bonds sold.

Another  strategy   employed  in  1996,  which  increased  income  and  provided
diversification,  was the purchase of additional high yield securities. The high
yield sector also achieved excellent total return performance in 1996.  Holdings
of high yield  investments  increased to $708, or 6%, of total  invested  assets
compared to $505,  or 4%, at December  31,  1995.  Included in December 31, 1996
high yield  holdings  were $135 in  emerging  market  bonds  compared  to $60 at
December 31, 1995.

The North  American  Property & Casualty  segment also continued its strategy of
increasing  equity  exposure.  In 1996,  $275 of net  purchases  of common stock
increased holdings to $1.3 billion, or 10%, of total invested assets at year end
compared to $922, or 8%, of total invested assets at year end 1995.

Increased  holdings of municipal  bonds,  high yield securities and common stock
were  partially  accomplished  through the sale of more interest rate  sensitive
collateralized  mortgage  obligations  (CMO)  and  residential  mortgage  backed
securities  (MBS).  At December 31, 1996,  holdings in CMO and MBS were $868, or
7%, of total invested assets  compared to $1.7 billion,  or 14%, at December 31,
1995.

Total invested assets were $12.8 billion at December 31, 1996 and were comprised
primarily of fixed  maturities  of $11.3 billion and other  investments  of $1.5
billion,  primarily equity securities.  Real estate investments consisted of $29
of land after the sale of substantially all real estate in 1995. The table below
summarizes fixed maturity holdings by type.


                    FIXED MATURITIES BY TYPE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1996                1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FAIR                FAIR
TYPE                           VALUE   PERCENT     VALUE   PERCENT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

Corporate                     $2,160     19.1%    $2,427     22.8%
CMO                              655      5.8%     1,462     13.7%
Municipal-tax-exempt           7,123     63.2%     5,171     48.5%
Gov't/Gov't agencies-U.S.         15      0.1%       249      2.3%
Asset backed securities ("ABS")  206      1.8%       239      2.2%
Gov't/Gov't agencies-For.        279      2.5%       255      2.4%
MBS-agency                       213      1.9%       244      2.3%
Commercial MBS                   107      0.9%        14      0.1%
Municipal-taxable                 68      0.6%        75      0.7%
Redeemable pref'd stock           47      0.4%        --       --
Short-term                       419      3.7%       531      5.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES    $11,292    100.0%   $10,667    100.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

This segment maintains a high quality fixed maturity portfolio.  At December 31,
1996,  approximately  93%  of the  fixed  maturity  portfolio  was  invested  in
investment-grade  securities. The table below summarizes fixed maturity holdings
by credit quality.

               FIXED MATURITIES BY CREDIT QUALITY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                1996                1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
                              FAIR                FAIR
 CREDIT QUALITY              VALUE   PERCENT     VALUE    PERCENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

 AAA                        $4,296     38.0%    $4,570     42.8%
 AA                          2,538     22.5%     2,137     20.0%
 A                           1,683     14.9%     1,862     17.5%
 BBB                           799      7.1%       649      6.1%
 Gov't                         720      6.4%       252      2.4%
 BB & below                    581      5.1%       459      4.3%
 Not rated                     256      2.3%       207      1.9%
 Short-term                    419      3.7%       531      5.0%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES  $11,292    100.0%   $10,667    100.0%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

The  taxable  equivalent  duration  of the  December  31,  1996  fixed  maturity
portfolio was 5.0 years compared to 4.4 years at December 31, 1995.  Duration is
defined as the market price  sensitivity of the portfolio to parallel  shifts in
the yield curve.

The  North  American  Property  &  Casualty  segment  uses a  minimal  amount of
derivatives in managing its investments.  The notional amount of derivatives was
$1 and $14 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>
Investment Results
- ------------------

The table below  summarizes  the North  American  Property & Casualty  segment's
results for the past three years.

                                       1996     1995      1994
 ---------------------------------------------------------------

 Net investment income, before-tax     $661     $646      $606
 Net investment income, after-tax [1]   531      478       440
 Yield on average invested assets,
    before-tax [2]                     5.52%    5.77%     5.65%
 Yield on average invested assets,
    after-tax [1] [2]                  4.44%    4.28%     4.09%
 Net realized capital gains,
    before-tax                         $ 15     $ 29      $ 69
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
 [1]  Due to the significant holdings in tax-exempt investments an after-tax net
      investment income and after-tax yield are also included.
 [2]  Represents net investment  income  (excluding net realized  capital gains)
      divided by average invested assets at cost (fixed  maturities at amortized
      cost).

For the year ended December 31, 1996,  before-tax net investment income was $661
compared to $646 in 1995,  an increase of 2%,  while  after-tax  net  investment
income  increased 11%.  Although  before-tax  yields on average  invested assets
decreased to 5.52% in 1996 from 5.77% in 1995, the after-tax  yield increased to
4.44% in 1996 from 4.28% in 1995.  The  increase in  before-tax  net  investment
income was  primarily  due to  increased  ownership  of high  yield  securities,
duration  extension  of 0.6 years and an  increase  in  invested  assets.  While
before-tax  yield decreased due to an increased  allocation to common stocks and
municipal bonds and the sale of taxable bonds,  increases in after-tax yield and
income were primarily due to the strategic  increase in allocation to tax-exempt
municipal bonds.

For the year ended December 31, 1995,  before-tax net investment income was $646
compared to $606 in 1994, an increase of 7%, while  after-tax  income  increased
9%. Before-tax yields on average invested assets increased to 5.77% in 1995 from
5.65% in 1994.  The  after-tax  yield  increased  to 4.28% in 1995 from 4.09% in
1994.  The increases in net  investment  income and yields were primarily due to
the  transition  from lower  yielding  taxable  bonds and real estate along with
increased ownership of tax-exempt municipal bonds.

Net realized capital gains declined to $15 in 1996 from $29 in 1995. Included in
1996 activity was the  generation  of $77 of realized  gains in the common stock
portfolios  which were partially  offset by losses incurred in the sale of lower
yielding taxable bonds and certain real estate writedowns.

Net  realized  capital  gains  decreased  to $29 in 1995  from $69 in 1994.  The
reduction was primarily  from the impact of the sale of the majority of the real
estate portfolio along with the sale of the lower yielding  taxable bonds,  both
at realized losses.

LIFE

The Life segment's investment  operations are managed by its investment strategy
group which reports directly to senior management of the Company and consists of
a risk management unit and portfolio  management  unit. The risk management unit
is responsible for monitoring and managing the segment's asset/liability profile
and  establishing  investment  objectives  and  guidelines;  and, the  portfolio
management unit is responsible for determining, within specified risk tolerances
and investment guidelines, the general asset allocation,  duration and convexity
and other  characteristics  of the  segment's  general  account  and  guaranteed
separate  account  investment  portfolios.  The investment staff of The Hartford
executes the strategic  investment  decisions of the portfolio  management unit,
including  the  identification  and  purchase  of  securities  that  fulfill the
objectives of the investment strategy group.

The  primary  investment  objective  of the Life  segment  general  account  and
guaranteed  separate accounts is to maximize  after-tax returns  consistent with
acceptable  risk  parameters  (including  the  management  of the interest  rate
sensitivity of invested assets to that of policyholder obligations). The segment
is exposed to two primary sources of investment risk:  credit risk,  relating to
the uncertainty associated with the continued ability of a given obligor to make
timely payments of principal and interest,  and interest rate risk,  relating to
the market price and/or cash flow variability  associated with changes in market
yield curves. Credit risk is managed through industry and issuer diversification
and asset  allocation.  Interest  rate risk is managed as part of the  segment's
asset/liability  management  strategies,  including  the use of certain  hedging
techniques (which may include the use of certain financial derivatives), product
design,  such as the use of the market value  adjustment  feature and  surrender
charges,  and proactive  monitoring  and  management  of certain  non-guaranteed
elements of the segment's  products (such as the resetting of credited  interest
rates for policies that permit such  adjustments).  For a further  discussion of
hedging strategies,  including  derivatives  utilization,  see the discussion on
Asset  and  Liability  Management  Strategies  below,  as well as the  Notes  to
Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 1996,  the Life segment  continued its objective of managing  exposure to
securities  that  "underperform"  in a falling  interest rate  environment.  The
segment  concentrated  on reducing  exposure to CMO and MBS asset  sectors,  and
re-deployed  the funds  into  public  and  private  corporate  bonds,  and other
nonresidential  asset-backed  securities.  At December 31, 1996, holdings in CMO
and  residential  MBS  were  $1.5  billion,  or 12%,  of total  invested  assets
excluding policy loans compared to $2.7 billion, or 23%, at December 31, 1995.

At December  31,  1996,  approximately  10.3% of the  segment's  fixed  maturity
portfolio  was invested in private  placement  securities  (including  Rule 144A
offerings).  Private placement  securities are generally less liquid than public
securities.  However, covenants for private placements are generally designed to
mitigate  the  impact of such  increased  liquidity  risk.  Most of the  private
placement securities in the segment's portfolio are rated by rating agencies.

Invested assets, excluding separate accounts,  totaled $16.3 billion at December
31, 1996 and were comprised of $12.2 billion of fixed  maturities,  $3.8 billion
of policy loans,  and other  investments  of $276.  Policy loans,  which carry a
weighted-average interest rate of 11.9%, as of December 31, 1996, are secured by
the cash value of the life policy.  These loans do not mature in a  conventional
sense, but expire in conjunction with the related policy liabilities.  The table
below summarizes fixed maturity holdings by type.

                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>

                    FIXED MATURITIES BY TYPE
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                1996                1995
- ------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
                              FAIR                FAIR
TYPE                         VALUE   PERCENT     VALUE  PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

Corporate                   $6,536     53.7%    $5,146    45.0%
CMO                          1,050      8.6%     2,071    18.1%
Gov't/Gov't agencies-U.S.      145      1.1%       260     2.3%
ABS                          2,216     18.2%     1,782    15.6%
Gov't/Gov't agencies-For.      287      2.4%       223     1.9%
MBS-agency                     401      3.3%       673     5.9%
Commercial MBS               1,007      8.3%       348     3.0%
Municipal-taxable              203      1.7%       130     1.1%
Short-term                     332      2.7%       817     7.1%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES  $12,177    100.0%   $11,450   100.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

The Life segment continued to maintain a high quality fixed maturity  portfolio.
As of December 31, 1996, approximately 99.7% of the fixed maturity portfolio was
invested  in  investment-grade  securities.  The table  below  summarizes  fixed
maturity holdings by credit quality.


               FIXED MATURITIES BY CREDIT QUALITY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                1996                1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
                               FAIR                FAIR
 CREDIT QUALITY               VALUE   PERCENT     VALUE   PERCENT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
 AAA                         $2,951     24.3%    $3,688     32.2%
 AA                           1,445     11.9%     1,502     13.1%
 A                            4,737     38.9%     3,561     31.1%
 BBB                          2,404     19.7%     1,276     11.1%
 Gov't                          273      2.2%       523      4.6%
 BB & below                      35      0.3%        29      0.3%
 Not rated                       --      --          54      0.5%
 Short-term                     332      2.7%       817      7.1%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES   $12,177    100.0%   $11,450    100.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

The  estimated  maturities  of the fixed and variable  rate  investments  in the
general  account,  along with the  respective  yields at December 31, 1996,  are
reflected below.  Asset-backed  securities including CMO and MBS are distributed
to  maturity  year  based  on the  Company's  estimate  of the  rate  of  future
prepayments  of principal  over the  remaining  lives of the  securities.  These
estimates are developed using  prepayment  speeds  reported in broker  consensus
data and can be  expected to vary from actual  experience.  Expected  maturities
differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                        1997        1998         1999        2000        2001     Thereafter     Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
     Variable Rate*
<S>                                  <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>   
     Amortized cost                  $   112    $     65     $     84     $   183     $   114     $   675       $1,233
     Market value                    $   111    $     85     $    111     $   180     $   112     $   634       $1,233
     Pre-tax yield **                   5.87%       6.67%        6.64%       6.49%       6.72%       6.93%        6.71%

     Fixed Rate
     Amortized cost                      672         466          491         476         331       1,013        3,449
     Market value                        674         466          490         479         333         999        3,441
     Pre-tax yield  **                  6.82%       7.04%        6.84%       7.23%       7.20%       7.23%        7.07%

BONDS AND NOTES
     Variable Rate *
     Amortized cost                       52          92           33          91          15         186          469
     Market value                         52          70           33          92          15         185          447
     Pre-tax yield **                   6.41%       5.81%        5.62%       5.97%       5.95%       6.81%        6.30%

     Fixed Rate
     Amortized cost                      925         396          704         737         623       3,592        6,977
     Market value                        940         397          708         743         624       3,644        7,056
     Pre-tax yield **                   6.77%       7.14%        6.69%       6.81%       6.80%       7.22%        7.02%

TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES
     Amortized cost                   $1,761      $1,019       $1,312      $1,487      $1,083      $5,466      $12,128
     Market value                     $1,777      $1,018       $1,342      $1,494      $1,084      $5,462      $12,177
     Pre-tax yield **                   6.72%       6.94%        6.72%       6.85%       6.90%       7.17%        6.97%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
       *Variable rate securities are instruments for which the coupon rates move
       directly  with or based upon an index  rate.  Included  in  holdings  are
       interest-only  securities and inverse  floaters which represent less than
       1%  and  2%,  respectively,   of  the  Life  segment's  invested  assets.
       Interest-only  securities,  for which cost approximates  market,  have an
       average  life of 5.1 years and earn an average  yield of 14.70%.  Inverse
       floaters, for which cost approximates market, have an average life of 4.7
       years and earn an average yield of 6.30%.  Average  yields are based upon
       estimated cash flows using prepayment speeds reported in broker consensus
       data.

       **  Pre-tax  yield  does not  reflect  yields on  derivative  instruments
       although derivative  adjustments are included in fixed maturity amortized
       cost and market value.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>
Investment Results
- ------------------

The table below summarizes the Life segment's results for the past three years.

                                      1996      1995     1994
 ---------------------------------------------------------------

 Net investment income, before-tax   $1,323   $1,114     $922
 Yield on average invested assets,
    before-tax [1]                     8.51%    8.30%    8.56%
 Net realized capital gains
    (losses), before-tax                 --      $(4)      $1
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
 [1]  Represents net  investment  income  (excluding net realized  capital gains
      (losses))  divided by average invested assets at cost (fixed maturities at
      amortized cost).

For the year ended December 31, 1996,  before-tax net investment  income totaled
$1.3  billion  compared to $1.1 billion in 1995,  an increase of 19%.  Yields on
average  invested  assets  increased  to 8.51% in 1996 from  8.30% in 1995.  The
increase in net  investment  income was  primarily  due to an increase in policy
loans,  new  business  cash  flow  invested  in fixed  maturities  and asset mix
changes.  The increase in before-tax  yield was primarily due to the increase in
policy loan yields;  excluding  policy loans,  the before-tax yield decreased to
7.09% from 7.37% in 1995.  The decrease in  before-tax  yield  excluding  policy
loans  was the  result  of  sales  and  maturities  of  higher  yielding  assets
reinvested at lower average yields.

For the year ended December 31, 1995,  before-tax net investment  income totaled
$1.1 billion compared to $922 in 1994, an increase of 21%.  Before-tax yields on
average  invested  assets  decreased  to 8.30% in 1995 from  8.56% in 1994.  The
increase in before-tax net investment income was primarily due to an increase in
policy loans and additional new business cash flow invested in fixed maturities.

There were no net realized  capital gains (losses) in 1996. Net realized capital
losses  decreased  to a $(4) loss in 1995 from a $1 gain in 1994.  During  1995,
certain mortgage-backed securities were written down to fair value in accordance
with generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  These writedowns  amounted to
$(45)  and were  substantially  offset by gains  generated  on the sale of other
fixed maturity investments.

Asset And Liability Management Strategies
- -----------------------------------------

The Life segment employs  several risk  management  tools to quantify and manage
interest  rate  risk  arising  from  its  investments  and  interest   sensitive
liabilities. Management monitors the changes in present value between assets and
liabilities  resulting  from various  interest rate scenarios  using  integrated
asset/liability  measurement systems and a proprietary system that simulates the
impacts of parallel and non-parallel  yield curve shifts.  Based on this current
and prospective  information,  management implements risk reducing techniques to
improve the match between assets and liabilities.

Derivatives  play an important role in  facilitating  the management of interest
rate risk,  creating  opportunities  to fund  product  obligations  efficiently,
hedging against risks that affect the value of certain liabilities and adjusting
broad investment risk  characteristics  when dictated by significant  changes in
market  risks.  As an end user of  derivatives,  the  segment  uses a variety of
derivatives,   including  swaps,  caps,  floors,  forwards  and  exchange-traded
financial  futures  and  options in order to hedge  exposure  to price,  foreign
currency  and/or  interest  rate risk on  anticipated  investment  purchases  or
existing assets and liabilities.  The notional  amounts of derivative  contracts
represent the basis upon which pay and receive  amounts are  calculated  and are
not  reflective  of  credit  risk  for  derivative  contracts.  Credit  risk for
derivative  contracts  is limited  to the  amounts  calculated  to be due to the
Company on such contracts.  The Company maintains prudent policies regarding the
financial  stability  and  credit  standing  of  its  major  counterparties  and
typically  requires  credit  enhancement  provisions to further limit its credit
risk. Many of these derivative  contracts are bilateral  agreements that are not
assignable  without the consent of the relevant  counterparty.  Notional amounts
pertaining  to  derivatives  totaled  $3.4  billion at  December  31, 1996 ($2.7
billion related to life insurance investments and $749 related to life insurance
liabilities) and $4.0 billion at December 31, 1995 ($3.4 billion related to life
insurance   investments  and  $565  related  to  life  insurance   liabilities).
Management  believes that the use of derivatives allows the Company to sell more
innovative  products,  capitalize  on market  opportunities  and  execute a more
flexible investment  strategy for its general account portfolio.  The strategies
described  below are used by the  segment  to manage  the  aforementioned  risks
associated with its obligations.

Anticipatory Hedging -- For certain liabilities, the Life segment commits to the
- --------------------
price of the product prior to receipt of the associated premium or deposit.  The
segment routinely executes  anticipatory  hedges to offset the impact of changes
in asset  prices  arising from  interest  rate  changes,  pending the premium or
deposit  payment and the resulting  purchase of an asset.  These hedges  involve
taking a long  position in interest  rate  futures or entering  into an interest
rate swap with duration characteristics equivalent to the associated liabilities
or anticipated  investments.  The notional amount of  anticipatory  hedges as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $392 and $718, respectively.

Liability  Hedging -- Several  products  obligate  the Life  segment to credit a
- ------------------
return to the contract  holder  which is indexed to a market  rate.  In order to
hedge risks  associated with these products,  the Life segment  typically enters
into interest rate swaps to convert the contract rate into a rate that trades in
a more liquid and  efficient  market.  This  hedging  strategy  enables the Life
segment to customize  contract terms and  conditions to customer  objectives and
satisfies the segment's asset/liability matching policy. Additionally,  interest
rate swaps are used to convert certain fixed contract rates into floating rates,
thereby allowing them to be appropriately  matched against floating rate assets.
The notional amount of derivatives used for liability hedging as of December 31,
1996 and 1995 was $749 and $565, respectively.

Asset  Hedging  -- To meet the  various  life  policyholder  obligations  and to
- --------------
provide prudent  investment risk  diversification,  the Life segment may combine
two or more financial instruments to achieve the investment characteristics that
match  the  associated  liability.   The  use  of  derivatives  in  this  regard
effectively  transfers  unwanted  investment risks or attributes to others.  The
selection of the  appropriate  derivatives

                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>
depends on the investment risk, the liquidity and efficiency of the market,  and
the asset and liability characteristics.  The notional amount of asset hedges as
of December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.

Portfolio  Hedging -- The Life  segment  periodically  compares the duration and
- ------------------
convexity of its portfolios of assets to their  corresponding  liabilities,  and
enters into  portfolio  hedges to reduce any  difference to  acceptable  levels.
Portfolio  hedges reduce the mismatch  between assets and liabilities and offset
the potential  cash flow impact  caused by interest  rate changes.  The notional
amount of  portfolio  hedges as of December  31, 1996 and 1995 was $755 and $1.0
billion, respectively.

Life Insurance Liability Characteristics
- ----------------------------------------

Insurance  liabilities,  other than  non-guaranteed  separate accounts,  totaled
$27.3 billion, net of ceded reinsurance, at December 31, 1996 and were backed by
$37.0 billion in total assets including  investments of $26.7 billion.  Matching
of the duration of the investments with respective  policyholder  obligations is
an explicit objective of the Life segment's management  strategy.  The segment's
insurance policy  liabilities,  along with estimated duration periods based upon
internal actuarial  assumptions,  can be summarized based on investment needs in
the following five categories at December 31, 1996:

                   ESTIMATED DURATION YEARS [1]
                           (IN BILLIONS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
                        BALANCE AT      LESS                   OVER 
                          DECEMBER    THAN 1     1-5    6-10     10
    DESCRIPTION           31, 1996      YEAR   YEARS   YEARS  YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------

Fixed rate asset
 accumulation vehicles       $10.3      $0.7    $5.9    $3.7     $-
Indexed asset
 accumulation vehicles         0.2       0.2       -       -      -
Interest credited asset
 accumulation vehicles        13.6       4.2     5.1     3.7    0.6
Long-term pay out
 liabilities                   2.7       0.1     0.6     0.8    1.2
Short-term pay out
 liabilities                   0.5       0.5       -       -      -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
  TOTAL                      $27.3      $5.7   $11.6    $8.2   $1.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]  The duration of liabilities reflects management's  assessment of the market
     price  sensitivity of the  liabilities to changes in market interest rates,
     and is not necessarily  reflective of the projected liabilities' cash flows
     under any specific scenario.

Fixed Rate Asset Accumulation  Vehicles -- Products in this category require the
- ---------------------------------------
Life  segment to pay a fixed rate for a certain  period of time.  The cash flows
are not interest  sensitive because the products are written with a market value
adjustment  feature  and the  liabilities  have  protection  against  the  early
withdrawal of funds through surrender charges.  The primary risk associated with
these  products is that the spread between  investment  return and credited rate
may not be sufficient to earn the segment's  targeted  return.  Product examples
include  fixed rate  annuities  with a market  value  adjustment  and fixed rate
guaranteed  investment  contracts.  Contract  duration is reflected above and is
dependent on the policyholder's choice of guarantee period. The weighted average
credited  policyholder rate for these  policyholder  liabilities was 6.60% as of
December 31, 1996.

Indexed Asset Accumulation  Vehicles -- Products in this category are similar to
- ------------------------------------
the fixed rate asset accumulation  vehicles, but require the Life segment to pay
a rate that is determined by an external index. The amount and/or timing of cash
flows  will  therefore  vary  based on the level of the  particular  index.  The
primary  risks  inherent in these  products  are similar to the fixed rate asset
accumulation  vehicles,  with an  additional  risk that changes in the index may
adversely affect  profitability.  Product  examples  include  indexed-guaranteed
investment contracts with an estimated duration of up to two years. The weighted
average  credited  rate for these  contracts  was 5.78% as of December 31, 1996,
excluding policy loans.

Interest  Credited  Asset  Accumulation  Vehicles --  Products in this  category
- -------------------------------------------------
credit  interest  to  policyholders,  subject to market  conditions  and minimum
guarantees.  Policyholders  may  surrender  at book  value  but are  subject  to
surrender charges for an initial period. The primary risks vary depending on the
degree of insurance element  contained in the product.  Product examples include
universal  life  contracts  and the  general  account  portion of the  segment's
variable annuity products.  Liability duration is short to intermediate-term and
is reflected in the table above. The average credited rate for these liabilities
was 5.52% as of December 31, 1996, excluding policy loans.

Long-term  Pay Out  Liabilities  -- Products in this  category are  long-term in
- -------------------------------
nature and may contain significant actuarial (including mortality and morbidity)
pricing risks. The cash flows are not interest  sensitive,  but do vary based on
the timing and amount of benefit  payments.  The primary risks  associated  with
these  products are that the benefits  will exceed  expected  actuarial  pricing
and/or the  investment  return will be lower than  assumed in  pricing.  Product
examples include structured  settlement  contracts,  on-benefit annuities (i.e.,
the annuitant is currently receiving benefits thereon) and long-term  disability
contracts.  Contract duration is generally 6 to 10 years but, at times,  exceeds
30 years.  Policy  liabilities  under  these  contracts  are not  interest  rate
sensitive.

Short-term  Pay Out  Liabilities -- These  liabilities  are short-term in nature
- --------------------------------
with a duration of less than one year. The primary risks  associated  with these
products are determined by the non-investment contingencies such as mortality or
morbidity.  Liquidity  is of  greater  concern  than for the  long-term  pay out
liabilities. Products include individual and group term life insurance contracts
and short-term disability contracts.

INTERNATIONAL

Consistent  with the  investment  objectives  of the North  American  Property &
Casualty segment, the investment  objectives of the International segment are to
optimize  after-tax  returns on  invested  assets and  preserve  capital,  while
meeting  obligations  to  policyholders.  The  International  segment  primarily
comprises  the  investment  activities  of  ITT  London  &  Edinburgh,  Zwolsche
Algemeene and ITT Ercos,  which are  primarily  engaged in property and casualty
insurance.

                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>
Investments  are made in maturities and  currencies  which reflect the nature of
the liabilities.

Invested assets,  excluding separate accounts, were $3.0 billion at December 31,
1996  and  were  comprised  of  fixed  maturities  of  $2.5  billion  and  other
investments of $521,  primarily  equity  securities.  The table below summarizes
fixed maturity holdings by type.

                    FIXED MATURITIES BY TYPE
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                1996                1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                              FAIR                FAIR
TYPE                         VALUE   PERCENT     VALUE  PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

Corporate                     $544     21.6%      $261    10.8%
Gov't/Gov't agencies-U.S.      121      4.8%        57     2.4%
Gov't/Gov't agencies-For.    1,418     56.2%     1,203    49.8%
Short-term                     440     17.4%       893    37.0%
- ------------------------ ---------- -------- --------- ---------
   TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES   $2,523    100.0%    $2,414   100.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

As of  December  31,  1996,  the  fixed  maturity  portfolio  consisted  of 100%
investment  grade securities with no security rated lower than A. Minimal use is
made of derivatives which, if purchased, are used for hedging market and foreign
exchange risk.  The table below  summarizes  fixed  maturity  holdings by credit
quality.

               FIXED MATURITIES BY CREDIT QUALITY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                1996                1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                            FAIR                FAIR
 CREDIT QUALITY            VALUE    PERCENT    VALUE    PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

 AAA                      $1,876      74.4%   $1,428      59.1%
 AA                          203       8.0%       89       3.7%
 A                             4       0.2%        4       0.2%
 Short-term                  440      17.4%      893      37.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES $2,523     100.0%   $2,414     100.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

Investment Results
- ------------------

The table below  summarizes  the  International  segment's  results for the past
three years.

                                        1996     1995      1994
 ---------------------------------------------------------------

 Net investment income, before-tax      $205     $183      $135
 Yield on average invested assets,
    before-tax [1]                      7.05%    7.10%     6.10%
 Net realized capital gains, before-tax  $79      $48       $23
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
 [1]  Represents net investment  income  (excluding net realized  capital gains)
      divided by average invested assets at cost (fixed  maturities at amortized
      cost).

For the year ended December 31, 1996,  before-tax net investment  income totaled
$205 compared to $183 in 1995, an increase of 12%.  Before tax yields on average
invested  assets  decreased  to 7.05% in 1996 from 7.10% in 1995.  The change in
income reflected the full year of investment results from ITT Ercos (acquired in
May,  1995), a change in asset  composition  favoring longer  maturities,  and a
modest increase in cash flow.

For the year ended December 31, 1995,  before-tax net investment  income totaled
$183 compared to $135 in 1994, an increase of 36%.  Before-tax yields on average
invested  assets  increased to 7.10% in 1995 from 6.10% in 1994. The increase in
before-tax net investment  income was primarily due to increased  operating cash
flow and the  acquisition of ITT Ercos in May 1995,  while the increase in yield
was the result of higher yields in the international bond and equity market.

Net  realized  capital  gains  increased  to $79 in 1996 from $48 in 1995 due to
increased  sales in 1996 of both  fixed  maturity  and  equity  securities.  Net
realized  capital gains  increased to $48 in 1995 from $23 in 1994,  again,  the
result of greater sales of fixed maturity and equity securities.

RUNOFF

The  primary  objective  of the Runoff  segment is to ensure the full and timely
payment of all runoff  liabilities.  The ongoing  strategy of this segment is to
match  closely the interest rate  sensitivities  of the assets with those of the
liabilities.

Invested assets were $5.5 billion at December 31, 1996 and were mostly comprised
of fixed maturities.  The Runoff segment uses derivatives  related to the Closed
Book GRC. As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Runoff  segment had  derivatives
with  an  aggregate   notional   amount  of  $7.5  billion  and  $5.6   billion,
respectively,  for asset/liability management purposes. The Company entered into
various hedge transactions  related to Closed Book GRC with a notional amount of
$4.0  billion in  September  and  October  1996 which  substantially  eliminated
further  fluctuation  in fair value of the Closed  Book GRC  investments  due to
interest rate changes.  (For additional  information on Closed Book GRC, see the
Runoff section.) The table below summarizes fixed maturity holdings by type.

                    FIXED MATURITIES BY TYPE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                1996                1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                              FAIR                FAIR
TYPE                         VALUE    PERCENT    VALUE  PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

Corporate                   $2,366      43.3%   $2,587    39.0%
CMO                          1,140      20.8%    1,691    25.5%
Gov't/Gov't agencies-U.S.      259       4.7%      362     5.4%
ABS                            625      11.5%      649     9.8%
Gov't/Gov't agencies-For.      146       2.7%      145     2.2%
MBS-agency                      37       0.7%      218     3.3%
Commercial MBS                 179       3.3%       77     1.1%
Municipal-taxable               85       1.6%       87     1.3%
Short-term                     620      11.4%      821    12.4%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES   $5,457     100.0%   $6,637   100.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

The Runoff segment  maintains a greater than 99% investment grade fixed maturity
portfolio. The table below summarizes fixed maturity holdings by credit quality.

               FIXED MATURITIES BY CREDIT QUALITY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                1996                1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                            FAIR               FAIR
 CREDIT QUALITY            VALUE    PERCENT    VALUE    PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

 AAA                      $1,871      34.2%   $2,804     42.2%
 AA                          679      12.4%      691     10.4%
 A                         1,722      31.6%    1,615     24.3%
 BBB                         255       4.7%      357      5.4%
 Gov't                       296       5.4%      272      4.1%
 BB & below                   14       0.3%       12      0.2%
 Not rated                    --       --         65      1.0%
 Short-term                  620      11.4%      821     12.4%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES $5,457     100.0%   $6,637    100.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>

Investment Results
- ------------------

The table  below  summarizes  the Runoff  segment's  results  for the past three
years.

                                       1996      1995     1994
 ---------------------------------------------------------------

 Net investment income, before-tax     $334     $477      $596
 Yield on average invested assets,
    before-tax [1]                     5.27%    5.85%     7.13%
 Net realized capital gains
    (losses), before-tax              $(220)     $29       $(3)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
 [1]  Represents net  investment  income  (excluding net realized  capital gains
      (losses))  divided by average invested assets at cost (fixed maturities at
      amortized cost).

For the year ended December 31, 1996,  before-tax net investment  income totaled
$334 compared to $477 in 1995, a decrease of 30%.  Before-tax  yields on average
invested  assets  decreased to 5.27% in 1996 from 5.85% in 1995.  Before-tax net
investment  income decreased  primarily due to asset sales and maturities in the
Closed Book GRC.  The  decrease in yield was  primarily  the result of sales and
maturities of higher yielding securities in the Closed Book GRC.

For the year ended December 31, 1995,  before-tax net investment  income totaled
$477 compared to $596 in 1994, a decrease of 20%.  Before-tax  yields on average
invested  assets  decreased to 5.85% in 1995 from 7.13% in 1994. The decrease in
before-tax  net  investment  income  was  primarily  the  result  of  sales  and
maturities of higher yielding securities and hedge costs in the Closed Book GRC.
The decrease in yield resulted  primarily from impact related to prepayments and
hedge costs associated with the Closed Book GRC.

Net realized  capital  losses were $220 in 1996  compared to a $29 gain in 1995,
primarily due to Closed Book GRC. (For additional  information  regarding Closed
Book GRC see the Runoff section.) Net realized capital gains increased to $29 in
1995 from a $3 loss in 1994 primarily due to gains taken in Fencourt.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Hartford has a  disciplined  approach to managing the risks arising from its
assets and  liabilities.  Portfolio  management  is organized to bring  together
portfolios with similar investment criteria and objectives,  group common styles
and provide more  consistent  investment  management.  All investment  activity,
including  setting policy and defining  acceptable risk levels and  counterparty
qualifications,  is subject to the regular review and approval by The Hartford's
Finance  Committee.  The Hartford has a stringent  investment credit policy that
focuses   on  credit   quality,   limits   credit   concentrations,   encourages
diversification and requires frequent  creditworthiness reviews. The Company has
established exposure limits, diversification standards and review procedures for
all credit risk whether borrower, issuer or counterparty.  The Hartford analyzes
interest rate risk using various models including a proprietary,  multi-scenario
cash flow  projection  model that  forecasts  liabilities  and their  supporting
investments, including derivatives.

The  Investment  division has a compliance  function to affirm that  derivatives
transactions meet Company policy, are effectively  hedging identified risks, and
remain appropriately correlated. All derivatives strategies satisfy at least one
of the following objectives:  to hedge risk arising from interest rate, price or
foreign exchange rate volatility; to manage liquidity; or to control transaction
costs.  The  Company's  derivatives  counterparty  exposure  policy  establishes
market-based   credit  limits,   favors   long-term   financial   stability  and
creditworthiness, and typically requires credit enhancement/credit risk reducing
agreements. To initiate contracts,  counterparties must generally be rated A-/A3
or better by rating agencies.  Credit risk is measured as the amount owed to The
Hartford based on current market  conditions.  Payment  obligations  between The
Hartford and its counterparties are netted and quantified monthly. Collateral is
pledged/held  to the extent the current  value of  derivatives  exceed  exposure
thresholds. As of December 31, 1996, the Company's counterparty exposure, net of
$17 collateral held, was $27.

SEPARATE ACCOUNT PRODUCTS

Separate  account  products  are  those  for  which a  separate  investment  and
liability account is maintained on behalf of the policyholder. Separate accounts
reflect two  categories of risk  assumption:  non-guaranteed  separate  accounts
totaling $39.9 billion,  wherein the policyholder assumes  substantially all the
risk and reward,  and  guaranteed  separate  accounts  totaling  $10.6  billion,
wherein The Hartford contractually guarantees either a minimum return or account
value  to the  policyholder.  Investment  strategy  varies  by fund  choice,  as
outlined  in the  fund  prospectus  or  separate  account  plan  of  operations.
Non-guaranteed  products include variable annuities and variable life contracts.
Guaranteed  separate account products  primarily consist of modified  guaranteed
individual annuity and modified guaranteed life insurance, and generally include
market value adjustment provisions to mitigate the  disintermediation  risk upon
surrenders.

Additional  investment  risk is hedged  using a  variety  of  derivatives  which
totaled $86 and $133 in  carrying  value and $2.4  billion  and $2.7  billion in
notional  amounts at  December  31, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  For a further
discussion of strategies,  including  derivative  utilization,  see the previous
discussion on Asset and Liability Management  Strategies as well as the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>
================================================================================
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
================================================================================
Capital resources and liquidity  represent the overall financial strength of The
Hartford and its ability to generate strong cash flows from each of the business
segments  and borrow funds at  competitive  rates to meet  operating  and growth
needs.  The  capital  structure  of The  Hartford  consists  of debt and equity,
summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996             1995              1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>              <C>               <C>          
Short-term debt                                                                 $         500    $         886     $         902
Long-term debt                                                                          1,032            1,022               596
Company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary
  trusts holding solely parent junior subordinated debentures ("QUIPS")                 1,000                --               --
Subsidiary preferred stock                                                                 --                --               86
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL DEBT                                                            $       2,532    $       1,908     $       1,584
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity excluding unrealized gain (loss), net of tax                             $       4,168    $       4,457     $       4,403
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax                                                        352              245            (1,219)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                            $       4,520    $       4,702     $       3,184
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          TOTAL CAPITALIZATION EXCLUDING UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS), NET OF TAX     $       6,700    $       6,365     $       5,987
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt to equity excluding unrealized gain (loss), net of tax                                61%              43%               36%
Debt to capitalization excluding unrealized gain (loss), net of tax                        38%              30%               26%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

CAPITALIZATION

The Hartford's total  capitalization  excluding  unrealized gain (loss),  net of
tax,  increased  by $335 in 1996.  This  change was a result of  additional  net
borrowings  totaling $624,  partially  offset by a net loss of $99 and dividends
declared of $188 on The Hartford common stock.

In 1995,  total  capitalization  excluding  unrealized gain (loss),  net of tax,
increased  by $378 from 1994 as a result of  earnings  of $559,  additional  net
borrowings  of $410 and  capital  contributions  of $250,  partially  offset  by
dividends  declared of $779 on The  Hartford  common  stock held by ITT prior to
December 20, 1995 and redemption of subsidiary preferred stock totaling $86.

DEBT

Total debt in 1996 increased $624 compared to a $410 increase in the prior year.
The  Hartford  used the  proceeds  of these  additional  borrowings  to fund the
insurance  operations  of its  subsidiaries,  and in 1995,  to  partially  repay
outstanding  commercial  paper  and other  short-term  debt,  redeem  subsidiary
preferred stock and pay dividends.

As of December 31, 1996,  The Hartford had an unsecured  aggregate  $2.0 billion
credit  facility with  twenty-nine  participating  banks which is comprised of a
$1.5 billion five year revolving  credit facility and a $500  short-term  credit
facility.  This  facility is  available  for general  corporate  purposes and to
provide additional  support to the Company's existing  commercial paper program.
At December 31, 1996,  there were no outstanding  borrowings under the facility.
On February 10, 1997, Hartford Life, Inc. ("HLI"), a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
The Hartford,  entered into a $1.3 billion unsecured  short-term credit facility
with four banks.

During 1996, The Hartford  expanded its  commercial  paper program by increasing
the maximum  allowable  outstanding  amount of unsecured  short-term  commercial
paper notes from $1.0 billion to $2.0 billion.

In  connection  with a shelf  registration  statement  filed  with and  declared
effective  by the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")  in 1995,  The
Hartford  registered for sale up to an aggregate $1.0 billion of debt securities
and preferred  stock.  In 1995,  the Company issued and sold $500 in senior debt
securities.  The intended use of the proceeds  from the sale of such  securities
has been and will continue to be primarily for the repayment and/or  replacement
of outstanding  commercial  paper and other  short-term  debt. This reflects The
Hartford's  strategy  of  managing  its  capital  within  acceptable  ranges  of
volatility  and financial  ratings while  achieving the lowest  long-run cost of
capital that is reasonably possible. On October 2, 1996, this shelf registration
statement was amended for an additional  $1.25 billion of securities,  making an
aggregate  of  $1.75  billion  available  for  sale.  The  amended  registration
statement also expanded the type of securities which could be offered under this
shelf registration  statement by including provisions for the offering of common
stock,  depositary shares,  warrants,  stock purchase contracts,  stock purchase
units and junior  subordinated  deferrable  interest  debentures of the Company,
preferred  securities  of any of the  Hartford  Trusts  (referred  to below) and
guarantees by the Company with respect to the preferred securities of any of the
Hartford  Trusts.  After the  issuance of QUIPS on October  30,  1996  discussed
below,  The Hartford had $1.25 billion  remaining on this shelf  registration at
December 31, 1996.

On January 19,  1996,  The  Hartford and several  wholly-owned  special  purpose
trusts  ("Hartford  Trusts")  formed by The Hartford  filed with the SEC a shelf
registration  statement  for the  potential  offering  and  sale of $500 of debt
securities  and  preferred  stock,  including  up to an  aggregate  $500  Junior
Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest  Debentures  of The  Hartford  and  Preferred
Securities  of the Hartford  Trusts which were issued as discussed  below.  (For
additional  information,  see Notes 5 and 6 of Notes to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.)

                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>
COMPANY  OBLIGATED  MANDATORILY  REDEEMABLE  PREFERRED  SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY
TRUSTS HOLDING SOLELY PARENT JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ("QUIPS")

On February 28, 1996,  Hartford Capital I, a subsidiary trust, issued 20,000,000
Series A, 7.7% Cumulative  Quarterly Income Preferred  Securities.  The proceeds
from  the  sale of  these  securities  were  used  to  acquire  $500  of  Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures from The Hartford. The Hartford used
the  proceeds  from the sale of such  debentures  for the partial  repayment  of
outstanding  commercial paper and short-term bank indebtedness.  (For additional
information, see Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

On October 30, 1996, Hartford Capital II, a subsidiary trust, issued 20,000,000,
Series B, 8.35% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred  Securities.  The proceeds
from  the  sale of  these  securities  were  used  to  acquire  $500  of  Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures from The Hartford. The Hartford used
the proceeds from the sale of such  debentures for general  corporate  purposes.
(For  additional  information,  see Note 6 of Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.)

SUBSIDIARY PREFERRED STOCK

During 1995,  Hartford Fire Insurance Company  ("Hartford Fire"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Hartford, redeemed $86 of its Class A Preferred Stock - Series
2.

DIVIDENDS

In 1996, The Hartford  declared $188 and paid $140 in dividends to shareholders.
In 1995,  The  Hartford  paid  dividends to ITT  consisting  of cash of $384 and
non-cash of $395 prior to the Distribution.

On October 17,  1996,  The  Hartford  declared a dividend on its common stock of
$0.40 per share payable on January 2, 1997 to all  shareholders  of record as of
November 29, 1996.

In 1997,  The Hartford  expects to continue  paying  quarterly  dividends on its
common  stock of $0.40 per  share.  Dividend  decisions  will be based  on,  and
affected by, a number of factors,  including the operating results and financial
requirements  of The  Hartford  on a  stand-alone  basis  and the  impact of the
regulatory restrictions discussed in the Liquidity Requirements section below.

RATINGS

The following table summarizes The Hartford's significant U.S. member companies'
financial ratings from the major independent rating organizations as of February
10, 1997:


                             A.M.   DUFF    STANDARD
                             BEST   &       & POOR'S   MOODY'S
                                    PHELPS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
INSURANCE RATINGS:
  Hartford Fire               A+      AA       AA        Aa3
  Hartford Life               A+     AA+       AA        Aa3
  Hartford Life & Accident    A+     AA+       AA         --
  ITT Hartford Life &
   Annuity                    A+     AA+       AA         --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER RATINGS:
  ITT Hartford Group, Inc.:
   Senior debt                 --      A+        A        A2
   Commercial paper            --     D-1       A-1       P-1
  Hartford Capital I and
   II quarterly income
   preferred securities        --      A        A-        A2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

On February 10, 1997,  Standard & Poor's  reaffirmed its  claims-paying  ability
ratings  and  various  other  ratings of The  Hartford  group of  companies.  On
September  24,  1996,  Standard  &  Poor's  announced  that it had  reduced  the
claims-paying ability ratings and various other ratings of The Hartford group of
companies.  In announcing the rating  change,  Standard & Poor's stated that the
action was based primarily on increased concern with the overall strength of The
Hartford's  consolidated  capital,  partially  offset  by  a  superior  business
position within the markets that The Hartford operates.

On January 23, 1997,  Moody's  Investors  Service  announced  that it downgraded
various  ratings of The Hartford and its  subsidiaries,  including the financial
strength  ratings of The  Hartford's  insurance  subsidiaries,  and the  ratings
assigned to the quarterly income preferred  securities of Hartford Capital I and
Hartford Capital II. Moody's  indicated that the action reflected The Hartford's
financial leverage,  the remaining risks as to adequacy of loss reserves related
to the  Company's  environmental  and  asbestos  exposures,  and the  continuing
intense competition in The Hartford's ongoing business segments.

On  February  10,  1997,  ratings  from Duff & Phelps  were  reaffirmed  for The
Hartford's  significant U.S. member  companies.  On February 10, 1997, A.M. Best
placed the ratings of The Hartford's  significant  member companies under review
with developing implications.

LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS

The liquidity requirements of The Hartford have been and will continue to be met
by funds from  operations  as well as the  issuance of  commercial  paper,  debt
securities and bank borrowings.  The principal sources of funds are premiums and
investment  income as well as  maturities  and  sales of  invested  assets.  The
Hartford is a holding company which receives  operating cash flow in the form of
dividends  from its  subsidiaries,  enabling it to service debt and pay business
expenses.

Dividends to ITT Hartford Group, Inc. from its subsidiaries are restricted.  The
payment of  dividends  by  Connecticut-domiciled  insurers is limited  under the
insurance  holding 

                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>
company laws of  Connecticut.  Hartford Fire adheres to these laws which require
notice to and approval by the state insurance  commissioner  for the declaration
or payment of any dividend, which together with other dividends or distributions
made within the preceding  twelve months,  exceeds the greater of (i) 10% of the
insurer's  policyholder  surplus as of December 31 of the preceding year or (ii)
net income (or net gain from  operations,  if such  company is a life  insurance
company) for the twelve-month  period ending on the thirty-first day of December
last preceding,  in each case determined  under statutory  insurance  accounting
policies.  In  addition,  if any  dividend  of a  Connecticut-domiciled  insurer
exceeds the  insurer's  earned  surplus,  it requires the prior  approval of the
Connecticut  Insurance  Commissioner.  For this reason,  any statutory  dividend
which may be paid to ITT Hartford Group,  Inc. by its insurance  subsidiaries in
1997 requires prior approval.

The  insurance  holding  company  laws of the other  jurisdictions  in which The
Hartford's  insurance  subsidiaries  are  incorporated  (or deemed  commercially
domiciled)  generally contain similar  (although in certain  instances  somewhat
more restrictive) limitations on the payment of dividends.

The primary uses of funds are to pay claims, policy benefits, operating expenses
and  commissions,  and to purchase new  investments.  In addition,  The Hartford
carries a significant  short-term  investment  position and accordingly does not
anticipate selling intermediate and long-term fixed maturity investments to meet
any liquidity needs. For a discussion of the Company's investment objectives and
strategies, see Investments section.

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

As  part  of the  Distribution  Agreement  entered  into  by The  Hartford,  ITT
Destinations,  Inc., and ITT Industries,  Inc. ("the former ITT  subsidiaries"),
provisions  were outlined  addressing the disposition of shared  liabilities.  A
shared  liability  is  defined as a  liability  arising  out of, or related  to,
business  conducted  by ITT  prior to the  Distribution  that was not  otherwise
specifically  related  to  one  of  the  former  ITT  subsidiaries.   Under  the
Distribution  Agreement,  responsibility  for shared  liabilities shall be borne
equally by each of the former ITT  subsidiaries,  including  related  attorney's
fees and other  out-of-pocket  expenses.  As of  December  31,  1996,  all known
liabilities covered by this agreement have been accrued.

TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT

ITT and The Hartford have entered into a Tax  Allocation  Agreement  whereby The
Hartford will pay a share of ITT's  consolidated tax liability for the tax years
that The Hartford was included in ITT's consolidated  federal income tax return.
The Tax Allocation  Agreement provides for the attribution to specific companies
of any state,  local and foreign  taxes related to periods prior to December 20,
1995.

RISK-BASED CAPITAL

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") adopted regulations
establishing  minimum  capitalization  requirements  based on risk-based capital
("RBC") formulas for both property and casualty  companies  (effective  December
31, 1994) and life companies  (effective  December 31, 1993).  The  requirements
consist of formulas  which  identify  companies  that are  undercapitalized  and
require specific regulatory actions. RBC is calculated for property and casualty
companies after adjusting capital for certain  underwriting,  asset,  credit and
off-balance sheet risks. The RBC formula for life companies  establishes capital
requirements relating to insurance,  business, asset and interest rate risks. As
of December 31, 1996, each of The Hartford's  insurance  subsidiaries within the
North American  Property & Casualty and Life segments have more than  sufficient
capital to meet the NAIC's RBC requirements.

CASH FLOW 

                                     1996      1995       1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating
   activities                    $    994  $  1,094   $    823
Cash used for investing
   activities                    $ (1,035) $ (1,597)  $ (3,336)
Cash provided by financing
   activities                    $     59  $    533   $  2,509
Cash - end of year               $    112  $     95   $     55
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

During 1996, cash provided by operating activities decreased from the prior year
due primarily to increased policy  acquisition costs related to strong growth in
the Life segment.  During 1995, cash provided by operating  activities  improved
over 1994 due to increased revenues and collections on reinsurance recoverables.
The changes in cash provided by both investing and financing  activities between
years were primarily due to declines in investment-type contracts written in the
Life segment  coupled  with  increases in  investment-type  contract  maturities
resulting in cash (used) provided of $(390), $530 and $2,584 for the years ended
December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.  These funds,  along with cash
reserves, were invested in securities held by The Hartford. Operating cash flows
in each of the last three years have been more than  adequate to meet  liquidity
requirements.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 10, 1997, HLI filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  relating to an initial public offering of up to 20% of HLI
common stock.  HLI is the holding  company parent of The Hartford's  significant
life insurance and related subsidiaries.  Management intends to use the proceeds
from  the  offering  to  reduce  certain  debt   outstanding,   to  fund  growth
initiatives,  and  for  other  general  corporate  purposes.  Management  of The
Hartford believes the offering will strengthen the Company's  financial position
and flexibility.  If and when the offering is completed,  The Hartford's current
intent is to continue to  beneficially  own at 

                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>
least 80% of HLI, but it is under no contractual obligation to do so.

On February 14, 1997, HLI filed a shelf registration  statement for the issuance
and sale of up to $1.0  billion  in the  aggregate  of senior  debt  securities,
subordinated  debt securities and preferred stock of HLI ("the HLI securities").
HLI intends to use the proceeds  from any  offering  for the  repayment of debt,
including  outstanding  commercial paper and other third party  indebtedness and
the   satisfaction  of  other   obligations,   for  working   capital,   capital
expenditures,  investments  in or loans to  subsidiaries  and for other  general
corporate purposes.

================================================================================
REGULATORY INITIATIVES
================================================================================

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES

Although  the  Federal  government  does not  directly  regulate  the  insurance
business,  Federal initiatives often have an impact on the insurance industry in
a variety of ways.  Legislation has not been introduced in the current  Congress
but has in recent  sessions  which,  if enacted,  would result in  substantially
greater  Federal  regulation  of the property  and  casualty and life  insurance
industries. Current and proposed Federal measures which may significantly affect
the life insurance  business include medical testing for  insurability,  tax law
changes affecting the tax treatment of life insurance products and its impact on
the relative  desirability of various personal  investment vehicles and proposed
legislation to prohibit the use of gender in  determining  insurance and pension
rates and benefits.  Such measures which may  significantly  impact the property
and casualty industry include possible  modifications to the Superfund  program,
the tax laws  governing  property  and  casualty  insurance  companies,  Federal
catastrophe fund legislation and tort reform proposals.

INSOLVENCY FUND

In all states,  insurers  licensed to transact  certain classes of insurance are
required to become members of an insolvency  fund. In most states,  in the event
of the  insolvency  of an insurer  writing  any such class of  insurance  in the
state,  all  members  of the fund are  assessed  to pay  certain  claims  of the
insolvent insurer. A particular state's fund assesses its members based on their
respective  written  premiums in the state for the classes of insurance in which
the insolvent insurer is engaged. Assessments are generally limited for any year
to one or two percent of premiums written per year depending on the state.  Such
assessments  paid by The Hartford  approximated $14 in 1996, $15 in 1995 and $23
in 1994.

================================================================================
EFFECT OF INFLATION
================================================================================

The rate of  inflation as measured by the change in the average  consumer  price
index has not had a material effect on the revenues or operating  results of The
Hartford during the three most recent fiscal years.

                                     - 32 -
<PAGE>
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules elsewhere herein.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE HARTFORD

Certain of the information  called for by Item 10 is set forth in the definitive
proxy  statement  for the  1997  annual  meeting  of  shareholders  (the  "Proxy
Statement")  filed or to be  filed  by The  Hartford  with  the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  within  120 days  after  the end of the last  fiscal  year
covered by this Form 10-K under the caption  "Item 1.  Election  of  Directors -
Directors and Nominees" and "The Board of Directors and Its Committees - Section
16(a) Beneficial  Ownership Reporting  Compliance" and is incorporated herein by
reference.  Additional  information required by Item 10 regarding The Hartford's
executive  officers  is set forth in Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the  caption
"Executive Officers of The Hartford" and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information  called for by Item 11 is set forth in the Proxy Statement under
the captions  "Compensation  of Executive  Officers" and "The Board of Directors
and its  Committees - Directors'  Compensation"  and is  incorporated  herein by
reference.


ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information  called for by Item 12 is set forth in the Proxy Statement under
the caption  "Stock  Ownership  of  Directors,  Executive  Officers  and Certain
Shareholders" and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

None.

PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  Documents filed as a part of this report:

     1. Consolidated  Financial Statements.  See Index to Consolidated Financial
Statements elsewhere herein.

     2. Consolidated  Financial Statement  Schedules.  See Index to Consolidated
Financial Statement Schedules elsewhere herein.

     3. Exhibits. See Exhibit Index elsewhere herein.

(b) On October 18, 1996, The Hartford filed a Form 8-K,  reporting under Item 5,
Other Events,  a press release  announcing  third quarter losses due to asbestos
and environmental  and Closed Book GRC charges,  and the election of Ramani Ayer
as the Company's next chairman.

(c)  See Item 14(a)(3).

(d)  See Item 14(a)(2).


                                     - 33 -
<PAGE>

            INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES


                                                                        Page(s)
Report of Management                                                     F-1   
Report of Independent Public Accountants                                 F-2
Consolidated  Statements  of Income for the three years ended  
  December 31, 1996                                                      F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995             F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three
  years ended December 31, 1996                                          F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years 
  ended December 31, 1996                                                F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                               F-7-26
Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Affiliates            S-1
Supplementary Condensed Financial Statements                             S-2-3
Supplementary Insurance Information                                      S-4
Reinsurance                                                              S-5
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                                        S-6
Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty 
  Insurance Operations                                                   S-7


                              REPORT OF MANAGEMENT


The management of ITT Hartford Group,  Inc. ("The  Hartford") is responsible for
the  preparation  and  integrity of  information  contained in the  accompanying
consolidated  financial  statements and other sections of the Annual Report. The
financial   statements  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles,  and, where necessary,  include amounts that are based on
management's  informed  judgments  and  estimates.   Management  believes  these
statements  present  fairly The  Hartford's  financial  position  and results of
operation,  and,  that any other  information  contained in the Annual Report is
consistent with the financial statements.

Management has made available The Hartford's  financial records and related data
to Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent  public  accountants,  in order for them to
perform an audit of The  Hartford's  consolidated  financial  statements.  Their
report appears on page F-2.

An essential element in meeting management's  financial  responsibilities is The
Hartford's system of internal controls. These controls, which include accounting
controls and the internal auditing program,  are designed to provide  reasonable
assurance that assets are safeguarded, and transactions are properly authorized,
executed and recorded.  The controls,  which are documented and  communicated to
employees in the form of written  codes of conduct and policies and  procedures,
provide for careful  selection  of  personnel  and for  appropriate  division of
responsibility.  Management  continually  monitors  for  compliance,  while  The
Hartford's  internal  auditors  independently  assess the  effectiveness  of the
controls and make  recommendations  for improvement.  Also,  Arthur Andersen LLP
took  into   consideration   The  Hartford's  system  of  internal  controls  in
determining the nature, timing and extent of its audit tests.

Another important element is management's  recognition of its responsibility for
fostering  a strong,  ethical  climate,  thereby  ensuring  that The  Hartford's
affairs are  transacted  according  to the  highest  standards  of personal  and
professional  conduct. The Hartford has a long-standing  reputation of integrity
in business  conduct and  utilizes  communication  and  education  to create and
fortify a strong compliance culture.

The Audit  Committee  of the Board of  Directors  of The  Hartford,  composed of
non-employee  directors,  meets  periodically  with the  external  and  internal
auditors to evaluate the  effectiveness of work performed by them in discharging
their  respective  responsibilities  and to assure their  independence  and free
access to the Committee.

                                      F-1
<PAGE>

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


TO ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.:

We have audited the  accompanying  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets of ITT Hartford
Group,  Inc. ("The  Hartford") (a Delaware  corporation)  and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related  Consolidated  Statements of Income,
Stockholders'  Equity and Cash  Flows for each of the three  years in the period
ended  December  31,  1996.  These  consolidated  financial  statements  and the
schedules referred to below are the responsibility of The Hartford's management.
Our  responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements and
the schedules based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly,  in all material  respects,  the financial  position of The Hartford and
subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1996  and  1995,  and the  results  of their
operations  and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As  discussed  in Note 1 of  Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  The
Hartford  adopted  new  accounting   standards   promulgated  by  the  Financial
Accounting Standards Board, changing its method of accounting, effective January
1, 1994,  for certain  investments in debt and equity  securities.  The Hartford
also changed,  effective  January 1, 1994,  its method used to discount  certain
workers' compensation liabilities.

Our  audits  were  made for the  purpose  of  forming  an  opinion  on the basic
financial  statements  taken as a whole.  The  schedules  listed in the Index to
Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules are presented for the purpose of
complying with the Securities and Exchange  Commission's  rules and are not part
of the basic  financial  statements.  These schedules have been subjected to the
auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and,
in our  opinion,  fairly  state in all  material  respects  the  financial  data
required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic  financial  statements
taken as a whole.



                                                           ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
February 10, 1997


                                      F-2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                                                    For the years ended December 31,
                                                                                -------------------------------------
(In millions, except for per share data)                                            1996           1995         1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REVENUES
<S>                                                                             <C>            <C>          <C>     
  Earned premiums                                                               $ 10,076       $  9,628     $  8,753
  Net investment income                                                            2,523          2,420        2,259
  Net realized capital gains (losses)                                               (126)           102           90
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL REVENUES                                                               12,473         12,150       11,102
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES
  Benefits, claims and claim adjustment expenses                                   8,942          7,769        7,314
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                1,678          1,658        1,513
  Other expenses                                                                   2,171          1,981        1,423
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES                                          12,791         11,408       10,250
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                                        (318)           742          852
  Income tax expense (benefit)                                                      (219)           180          214
  Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock                                             --             (3)          (6)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGES                    (99)           559          632
  Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax expense of  7                   --             --           12
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NET INCOME (LOSS)                                                          $    (99)      $    559     $    644
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes                    $  (0.84)      $   4.77     $   5.40
Cumulative effect of accounting changes                                               --             --         0.10
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                                               $  (0.84)      $   4.77     $   5.50
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares outstanding (1)                                     117.3          117.1        117.1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Cash dividends declared per share                                             $   1.60             --           --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(1)  Actual number of weighted average common shares outstanding at December 31,
     1995 of 117.1 is  retroactively  presented for the years ended December 31,
     1995 and 1994.
</FN>
</TABLE>

    The accompanying Notes to Consolidated  Financial Statements are an integral
part of the above statements.

                                      F-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                                  As of December 31,
                                                                                           -------------------------------
(In millions, except for share data)                                                                1996             1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           ASSETS
Investments
- -----------
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $31,178
<S>                                                                                        <C>              <C>          
   and $30,892)                                                                            $      31,449    $      31,168
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost of $1,581 and $1,192)                   1,865            1,342
Policy loans, at outstanding balance                                                               3,839            3,380
Other investments, at cost                                                                           486              785
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total investments                                                                           37,639           36,675
Cash                                                                                                 112               95
Premiums receivable and agents' balances                                                           1,797            1,890
Reinsurance recoverables                                                                          11,229           11,801
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                                  3,535            2,945
Deferred income tax                                                                                1,480            1,150
Other assets                                                                                       2,596            2,451
Separate account assets                                                                           50,452           36,848
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL ASSETS                                                                         $     108,840    $      93,855
      ====================================================================================================================

                                                          LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits, unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses
      Property and casualty                                                                $      18,303    $      17,536
      Life                                                                                         4,371            3,894
Other policy claims and benefits payable                                                          22,220           22,770
Unearned premiums                                                                                  2,797            2,766
Short-term debt                                                                                      500              886
Long-term debt                                                                                     1,032            1,022
Company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trusts
  holding solely parent junior subordinated debentures                                             1,000               --
Other liabilities                                                                                  3,645            3,431
Separate account liabilities                                                                      50,452           36,848
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                          104,320           89,153
      ====================================================================================================================

                                                      STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock - authorized 200,000,000, issued 119,194,412 and
 118,762,331 shares, par value $0.01                                                                   1                1
Treasury stock - 1,638,000 shares                                                                    (30)            (30)
Capital surplus                                                                                    1,642            1,636
Cumulative translation adjustments                                                                    40               48
Unrealized gain on securities, net of tax                                                            352              245
Retained earnings                                                                                  2,515            2,802
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                   4,520            4,702
      ====================================================================================================================
            TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                     $     108,840    $      93,855
      ====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
of the above statements.

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



(In millions)                                                                                                   Shares
                                                                         Amounts                            (in thousands)
                                                      -------------------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                                             1996           1995            1994             1996           1995
                                                      -------------------------------------------  ------------------------------

COMMON STOCK AND CAPITAL SURPLUS
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>             <C>                  <C>                   
   Balance, beginning of year                        $      1,637    $     1,357     $     1,357          118,762             --
   The Hartford Distribution:  [1]
      Issuance of common stock in connection
       with the Distribution                                   --             --              --               --        117,069
      Common stock issued to a subsidiary of
       the Company                                             --             30              --               --          1,408
      Other                                                    --             --              --               --            230
   Other                                                        6            250              --              432             55
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Balance, end of year                                   1,643          1,637           1,357          119,194        118,762
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TREASURY STOCK
   Balance, beginning of year                                 (30)            --              --           (1,638)            --
   Common stock issued to a subsidiary of
    the Company                                                --            (30)             --               --         (1,408)
   Other                                                       --             --              --               --           (230)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Balance, end of year                                     (30)           (30)             --           (1,638)        (1,638)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CUMULATIVE TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS
   Balance, beginning of year                                  48             24             (28)
   Translation adjustments                                     (8)            24              52
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Balance, end of year                                      40             48              24
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON SECURITIES, NET OF TAX
   Balance, beginning of year                                 245         (1,219)             78
   Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on
    investment securities, net of tax  [2]                    107          1,464          (1,297)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Balance, end of year                                     352            245          (1,219)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RETAINED EARNINGS
   Balance, beginning of year                               2,802          3,022           2,605
   Net income (loss)                                          (99)           559             644
   Dividends declared on common stock                        (188)          (779)           (227)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Balance, end of year                                   2,515          2,802           3,022
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMMON         $      4,520    $     4,702     $     3,184          117,556        117,124
   SHARES OUTSTANDING
=================================================================================================================================
<FN>
[1]  For information regarding The Hartford Distribution, see Note 2 of Notes to
     Consolidated Financial Statements.
[2]  The 1994 change in unrealized  loss on securities,  net of tax,  includes a
     gain of $303 due to the  adoption of SFAS No. 115 as discussed in Note 1(b)
     of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
of the above statements.

                                      F-5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                            For the years ended December 31,
                                                                                         ------------------------------------
(In millions)                                                                                 1996         1995         1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S>                                                                                      <C>           <C>          <C>     
   Net income (loss)                                                                     $     (99)    $    559     $    644
   Cumulative effect of accounting changes                                                      --          --           (12)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes                             (99)         559          632
ADJUSTMENTS TO NET INCOME (LOSS)
   Depreciation and amortization                                                                81           85           80
   Net realized capital (gains) losses                                                         126         (102)         (90)
   Change in receivables, payables and accruals                                                (38)         (45)         (67)
   Accrued and deferred taxes                                                                 (449)         (56)        (125)
   Increase in liabilities for future policy benefits, unpaid claims and claim
     adjustment expenses and unearned premiums                                                 968          804          610
   Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs                                              (589)        (413)        (484)
   Decrease in reinsurance recoverables and other related assets                               611          320          241
   Other, net                                                                                  383          (58)          26
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                    994        1,094          823
=============================================================================================================================
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Purchase of investments                                                                 (33,424)     (43,153)     (41,777)
   Sale of investments                                                                      14,602       14,759       15,702
   Maturity of investments                                                                  17,856       26,873       22,815
   Additions to plant, property and equipment                                                  (69)         (76)         (76)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                    (1,035)      (1,597)      (3,336)
=============================================================================================================================
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Short-term debt, net                                                                       (386)        (142)         516
   Long-term debt, net                                                                          --          552           13
   Net proceeds  from  issuance  of  company  obligated  mandatorily  redeemable
     preferred  securities of  subsidiary  trusts  holding  solely parent junior
     subordinated debentures                                                                   969           --           --
   Dividends paid                                                                             (140)          --           --
   Investments, advances and dividends to ITT Industries, Inc.                                  --         (314)        (427)
   Net receipts from (disbursements for) investment and universal life-type contracts
     credited to (charged from) policyholder accounts                                         (390)         530        2,584
   Redemption of subsidiary preferred stock                                                     --          (86)        (177)
   Other, net                                                                                    6           (7)          --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                     59          533        2,509
=============================================================================================================================
   Foreign exchange rate effect on cash                                                         (1)          10           (2)
=============================================================================================================================
   Increase (decrease) in cash                                                                  17           40           (6)
   Cash - beginning of year                                                                     95           55           61
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CASH - END OF YEAR                                                                  $    112    $      95    $      55
=============================================================================================================================

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
- -------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR:
   Income taxes                                                                           $    170    $     302    $     317
   Interest                                                                               $    142    $      95    $      74

NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Capital contribution                                                                   $     --    $     180    $      --
   Dividends paid                                                                         $     --    $     395    $      --

</TABLE>

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
of the above statements.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>

                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)

1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

ITT Hartford  Group,  Inc.  together with its  consolidated  subsidiaries  ("The
Hartford" or the "Company")  provide property and casualty and life insurance to
both   individual   and   commercial   customers   in  the  United   States  and
internationally.

In  June  1995,   the  Board  of  Directors  of  ITT   Industries,   Inc.   (the
"Corporation"),  formerly ITT Corporation ("ITT"),  approved the distribution to
holders of the  Corporation's  common stock of all outstanding  shares of common
stock of The  Hartford on a pro rata basis (see Note 2). The  Hartford  became a
publicly  traded  company that includes the  insurance  businesses of the former
ITT. For purposes of these financial statements,  all references to The Hartford
include  the  assets,  liabilities  and  results of  operations  of First  State
Insurance Company and its subsidiaries  ("First State") and Fencourt Reinsurance
Company,  Ltd., which were transferred to The Hartford prior to the distribution
(see Note 2).

These financial statements present the financial position, results of operations
and cash flows of The  Hartford as if it were a separate  entity for all periods
presented.  The Corporation's  historical basis in the assets and liabilities of
certain  companies,  that were  previously not a part of The Hartford,  has been
carried over and included in the  accompanying  financial  statements as if such
companies had been transferred for all periods presented, in a manner similar to
pooling of interest  accounting.  All  material  intercompany  transactions  and
balances  between  The  Hartford,  its  subsidiaries  and  affiliates  have been
eliminated.  The consolidated  financial statements are prepared on the basis of
generally  accepted  accounting  principles  which  differ  materially  from the
accounting prescribed by various insurance regulatory authorities.

The preparation of financial  statements,  in conformity with generally accepted
accounting  principles,  requires  management to make estimates and  assumptions
that affect the reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and  disclosure of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the  reported  amounts of revenues  and expenses  during the  reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The most significant estimates include those used in determining deferred policy
acquisition  costs and the liability for future policy  benefits,  unpaid claims
and claim  adjustment  expenses.  Although some variability is inherent in these
estimates, management believes the amounts provided are adequate.

Certain  reclassifications have been made to prior year financial information to
conform to current year presentation.

(b)  CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

On  November  14,  1996,  the  Emerging  Issues  Task Force  ("EITF")  reached a
consensus on Issue No. 96-12,  "Recognition of Interest Income and Balance Sheet
Classification  of Structured  Notes".  This Issue requires  companies to record
income on certain structured securities on a retrospective  interest method. The
Company adopted EITF No. 96-12 for structured securities acquired after November
14,  1996.  Adoption  of EITF No.  96-12 did not have a  material  effect on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement
of Financial  Accounting  Standards ("SFAS") No. 125,  "Accounting for Transfers
and Servicing of Financial Assets and  Extinguishment  of Liabilities"  which is
effective for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
liabilities  occurring  after  December 31,  1996.  This  statement  established
criteria for determining  whether  transferred assets should be accounted for as
sales or secured  borrowings.  Subsequently,  in December  1996, the FASB issued
SFAS  No.  127,  "Deferral  of  Effective  Date of  Certain  Provisions  of FASB
Statement No. 125, which defers the effective date of certain provisions of SFAS
No.  125 for one  year.  Adoption  of SFAS  No.  125 is not  expected  to have a
material effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

Effective  January 1, 1996, The Hartford  adopted SFAS No. 121,  "Accounting for
the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of
".  This  statement  establishes  accounting  standards  for the  impairment  of
long-lived assets,  certain  identifiable  intangibles,  and goodwill related to
those  assets  to be  held  and  used  and for  long-lived  assets  and  certain
identifiable  intangibles  to be disposed  of.  Adoption of SFAS No. 121 did not
have a  material  effect on the  Company's  financial  condition  or  results of
operations.

In October  1995,  the FASB  issued SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based
Compensation",  which is effective in 1996 for calendar year end  companies.  As
permitted by SFAS No. 123, The Hartford continues to measure  compensation costs
of employee  stock option plans using the intrinsic  value method  prescribed by
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and has made pro forma disclosures of
net income and earnings per share as if the fair value method prescribed by SFAS
No. 123 had been applied. For additional information, see Note 8.

Effective  January 1, 1994, The Hartford  adopted SFAS No. 115,  "Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." The standard requires, among
other things,  that securities be classified as  "held-to-maturity",  "available
for sale" or "trading"  based on the  company's  intentions  with respect to the
ultimate disposition of the security and its ability to effect those intentions.
The classification  determines the appropriate  accounting  carrying value (cost
basis or fair value)

                                      F-7
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(b)  CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (CONTINUED)

and, in the case of fair value,  whether the  adjustment  impacts  Stockholders'
Equity  directly  or is  reflected  in the  Consolidated  Statements  of Income.
Investments in equity securities had previously been and continue to be recorded
at fair value with the  corresponding  impact included in Stockholders'  Equity.
Under SFAS No. 115, The Hartford's  fixed maturities are classified as available
for sale and accordingly, these investments are reflected at fair value with the
corresponding  impact included as a component of Stockholders' Equity designated
"unrealized  gain (loss) on  securities,  net of tax". At December 31, 1996, the
net unrealized gain on securities,  net of tax of $190, was $352 including a net
unrealized  gain  pertaining to equity  securities of $186. EITF Issue No. 93-18
prescribes  specific  accounting   treatment  with  respect  to  mortgage-backed
interest-only investments.  EITF Issue No. 93-18 reached the conclusion that the
measure of impairment of these  instruments  should be changed from undiscounted
cash  flows  to fair  value.  Accordingly,  the  amortized  cost  basis  of such
instruments, that were determined to have other-than-temporary impairment losses
at the time of the initial  adoption of SFAS No. 115,  was written  down to fair
value  and  reflected  as a  cumulative  effect  of  accounting  change of $(30)
after-tax as of January 1, 1994 in the accompanying  Consolidated  Statements of
Income.

Effective  January  1,  1994,  The  Hartford  elected  to change  its  method of
discounting to present value certain workers' compensation reserves, principally
for  permanently  disabled  claimants.  This change involved  discounting  these
reserves at a market  interest  rate as compared to  previously  used  statutory
rates  ranging from 3 to 3.5  percent.  The market rate,  which  approximated  7
percent at January 1, 1994,  represents  the rate of return The  Hartford  could
receive on risk-free  investments with maturities  comparable to the duration of
the claim  liabilities.  This  accounting  change  resulted  in a $42  after-tax
cumulative  effect benefit which is reflected in the  accompanying  Consolidated
Statements of Income. The total amount of the reserve discount was $472 and $451
at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

The  Hartford's  cash flows were not  impacted  by these  changes in  accounting
principles.

(c)  PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS

Policy acquisition costs,  representing  commissions,  premium taxes and certain
other  underwriting  expenses,  are deferred and  amortized  over policy  terms.
Estimates of future revenues,  including net investment income and tax benefits,
are compared to  estimates of future  costs,  including  amortization  of policy
acquisition  costs,  to determine if business  currently in force is expected to
result in a net loss.  No  revenue  deficiencies  have  been  determined  in the
periods presented.

The Hartford  establishes  reserves to provide for the estimated costs of paying
claims made by  policyholders or against  policyholders.  These reserves include
estimates  for both  claims  that have been  reported  and those  that have been
incurred  but not yet  reported to The  Hartford  and include  estimates  of all
expenses  associated with processing and settling these claims.  This estimation
process is primarily  based on historical  experience  and involves a variety of
actuarial  techniques  which  analyze  trends  and  other  relevant  factors.  A
reconciliation  of liabilities for unpaid claims and claim  adjustment  expenses
and a table  depicting the historical  development of the liabilities for unpaid
claims and claim adjustment expenses follows:


                                              December 31,
                                       ----------------------------
                                           1996     1995      1994
                                       ----------------------------
BEGINNING LIABILITIES FOR UNPAID
  CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT
  EXPENSES-GROSS                        $17,536  $17,435   $17,284
Reinsurance recoverables                  4,939    5,317     5,339
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
BEGINNING LIABILITIES FOR UNPAID
  CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT
  EXPENSES-NET                           12,597   12,118    11,945
ADD PROVISION FOR UNPAID CLAIMS
   AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
     Current year                         5,075    5,041     4,841
     Prior years     (1)                  1,049      254        55
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL PROVISION FOR UNPAID CLAIMS
  AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES           6,124    5,295     4,896
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS PAYMENTS
     Current year                         2,082    1,905     1,891
     Prior years                          2,797    3,032     2,832
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL PAYMENTS                            4,879    4,937     4,723
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign currency translation                 47        6        65
Cumulative effect of accounting
  changes   (2)                              --       --       (65)
ITT Ercos   (3)                              --       34        --
Other reclassifications                      --       81        --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
ENDING LIABILITIES FOR UNPAID
  CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT
  EXPENSES-NET                           13,889   12,597    12,118
Reinsurance recoverables                  4,414    4,939     5,317
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
ENDING LIABILITIES FOR UNPAID
   CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT
   EXPENSES-GROSS                       $18,303  $17,536   $17,435
===================================================================
[1]  See Note 14(b)  Environmental and Asbestos Claims.  Excludes the effects of
     foreign exchange adjustments.
[2]  Refer to Note 1(b) above for further  discussion of the accounting  changes
     involving the discounting of reserves.
[3]  Represents  beginning  balances for liabilities for unpaid claims and claim
     adjustment expenses of ITT Ercos, a subsidiary acquired during 1995.

The  Company  has an  exposure  to  catastrophe  losses  which  can be caused by
significant  events  including  hurricanes,  severe winter storms,  earthquakes,
windstorms  and  fires.   The  frequency  and  severity  of   catastrophes   are
unpredictable  and the exposure to a catastrophe is a function of both the total
amount  insured in an area  affected by the event and the severity of the event.
Catastrophes generally impact limited geographic areas; however,  certain events
may produce significant damage in

                                      F-8
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)


(c)  PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

heavily  populated areas. The Company  generally seeks to reduce its exposure to
catastrophe  losses  through  individual  risk  selection  and the  purchase  of
catastrophe reinsurance.

(d)  LIFE INSURANCE OPERATIONS

Life  insurance  revenues are  comprised of life  insurance  premiums  which are
recognized when due from  policyholders,  accident and health premiums which are
recognized  when earned and  policyholder  charges on  universal  life-type  and
investment contracts. Realized capital gains and losses on security transactions
associated with the Company's immediate  participation  guaranteed contracts are
excluded from revenues and deferred,  since under the terms of the contracts the
realized gains and losses will be credited to  policyholders  in future years as
they  are  entitled  to  receive  them.  Policy  acquisition  costs,   including
commissions  and  certain   underwriting   expenses  associated  with  acquiring
business,  are deferred and amortized over the estimated lives of the contracts,
generally 20 years.  Generally,  acquisition  costs are  deferred and  amortized
using the retrospective  deposit method. Under the retrospective deposit method,
acquisition  costs are  amortized in proportion to the present value of expected
gross profits from surrender charges, investment, mortality and expense margins.
Actual gross profits can vary from management's estimates resulting in increases
or decreases in the rate of amortization.  Management periodically updates these
estimates,  when appropriate,  and evaluates the  recoverability of the deferred
acquisition cost asset. When appropriate,  management revises its assumptions on
the estimated gross profits of these  contracts and the cumulative  amortization
for the books of business are reestimated and readjusted by a cumulative  charge
or credit to income.

Liabilities  for future  policy  benefits are computed by the net level  premium
method  using  interest  assumptions  ranging  from  3% to 11%  and  withdrawal,
mortality and morbidity  assumptions  appropriate  at the time the policies were
issued.  Health  reserves  are  stated at amounts  determined  by  estimates  on
individual  cases and estimates of unreported  claims based on past  experience.
Liabilities  for  universal  life-type  and  investment  contracts are stated at
policyholder account values before surrender charges.

The Company maintains separate account assets and liabilities which are reported
at fair value.  Separate  account assets are segregated from other  investments,
and investment income and gains and losses accrue directly to the policyholders.
Separate  accounts  reflect two  categories of risk  assumption:  non-guaranteed
separate  accounts,  wherein the  policyholder  assumes the investment risk, and
guaranteed separate account assets, wherein the Company contractually guarantees
either a minimum return or account value to the policyholder.


(e)  FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Foreign  currency  translation  gains and losses are reflected in  Stockholders'
Equity. Balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rates in effect at
each year end and income statement  accounts are translated at the average rates
of  exchange  prevailing  during  the  year.  The  national  currencies  of  the
international operations are generally their functional currencies.

(f)  INVESTMENTS

The  Hartford's  investments  in fixed  maturities  include bonds and commercial
paper which are classified as "available for sale" and  accordingly  are carried
at fair value with the after-tax  difference  from cost reflected as a component
of Stockholders' Equity designated "unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of
tax".  Equity  securities,  which include  common and  non-redeemable  preferred
stocks,  are  carried  at fair  value with the  after-tax  difference  from cost
reflected in  Stockholders'  Equity.  Fair value for fixed maturities and equity
securities  approximate those quotations published by applicable stock exchanges
or received from other reliable sources.  Net realized capital gains and losses,
after  deducting  life and  pension  policyholders'  share,  are  reported  as a
component  of revenue and are  determined  on a specific  identification  basis.
Policy loans are carried at outstanding balance which approximates fair value.

The Company's  accounting policy for impairment requires recognition of an other
than  temporary  impairment  charge on a security if it is  determined  that the
company is unable to recover all amounts due under the  contractual  obligations
of the security.  In addition,  the Company has established specific criteria to
be used in the  impairment  evaluation  of an  individual  portfolio  of assets.
Specifically, if the asset portfolio is supporting a runoff operation, is forced
to be liquidated prior to maturity to meet liability commitments, and has a fair
value below amortized cost,  which will not materially  fluctuate as a result of
future interest rate changes,  then an other than temporary  impairment has been
determined to have  occurred and is  recognized.  The Company then  continues to
review the impaired securities for appropriate valuation on an ongoing basis.

During 1996, it was determined that a portfolio of assets within the closed book
of guaranteed rate contract business ("Closed Book GRC") was impaired.  With the
initiation of certain hedge transactions,  which eliminated the possibility that
the fair value of the Closed Book GRC investments would recover to their current
amortized  cost, an other than  temporary  impairment  loss of $88 after-tax was
determined to have occurred and was recorded.

(g)  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Hartford uses a variety of derivative financial instruments including swaps,
caps, floors, forwards and exchange traded financial futures and options as part
of an overall risk management strategy. These instruments are used as a means of
hedging exposure to price, foreign currency and/or interest rate risk on planned
investment purchases or existing assets and

                                      F-9
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)


(g)  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

liabilities.   The  Hartford  does  not  hold  or  issue  derivative   financial
instruments  for trading  purposes.  The  Hartford's  accounting  for derivative
financial  instruments  used to manage risk is in  accordance  with the concepts
established in SFAS No. 80,  "Accounting for Futures  Contracts",  SFAS No. 52 ,
"Foreign  Currency   Translation",   American   Institute  of  Certified  Public
Accountants  Statement of Position  86-2,  "Accounting  for Options" and various
EITF pronouncements.  Written options are used, in all cases in conjunction with
other  assets  and  derivatives  as part of the  Company's  asset and  liability
management  strategy.  Derivative  instruments are carried at values  consistent
with the  asset or  liability  being  hedged.  Derivatives  used to hedge  fixed
maturities or equities are carried at fair value with the  after-tax  difference
from cost reflected in  Stockholders'  Equity.  Derivatives  used to hedge other
invested assets or liabilities are carried at cost.

Derivatives  must be  designated  at  inception  as a  hedge  and  measured  for
effectiveness  both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The Hartford's minimum
correlation  threshold for hedge  designation is 80%. If  correlation,  which is
assessed  monthly and measured  based on a rolling  three month  average,  falls
below 80%, hedge  accounting  will be terminated.  Derivatives  used to create a
synthetic asset must meet synthetic accounting criteria including designation at
inception and  consistency  of terms  between the  synthetic and the  instrument
being  replicated.  Synthetic  instrument  accounting,  consistent with industry
practice,  provides that the synthetic asset is accounted for like the financial
instrument  it is intended  to  replicate.  Derivatives  which fail to meet risk
management  criteria  are  marked to market  with the  impact  reflected  in the
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Gains or losses on financial  futures  contracts entered into in anticipation of
the future  receipt of product cash flows are  deferred  and, at the time of the
ultimate purchase, reflected as a basis adjustment to the purchased asset. Gains
or losses on futures  used in invested  asset risk  management  are deferred and
adjusted  into the basis of the  hedged  asset  when the  contract  futures  are
closed, except for futures used in duration hedging which are deferred and basis
adjusted on a quarterly  basis.  The basis  adjustments  are amortized  into net
investment income over the remaining asset life.

Open forward  commitment  contracts are marked to market  through  Stockholders'
Equity.  Such  contracts are recorded at settlement by recording the purchase of
the specified  securities at the  previously  committed  price.  Gains or losses
resulting from the termination of the forward  commitment  contracts  before the
delivery  of the  securities  are  recognized  immediately  in the  Consolidated
Statements of Income as a component of net investment income.

The cost of options entered into as part of a risk management strategy are basis
adjusted to the  underlying  asset or liability and amortized over the remaining
life of the hedge.  Gains or losses on  expiration or  termination  are adjusted
into the basis of the  underlying  asset or  liability  and  amortized  over the
remaining asset life.

Interest  rate swaps  involve the  periodic  exchange  of  payments  without the
exchange of underlying  principal or notional amounts.  Net receipts or payments
are accrued and recognized  over the life of the swap agreement as an adjustment
to income. Should the swap be terminated,  the gain or loss is adjusted into the
basis of the asset or liability and amortized  over the remaining  life.  Should
the hedged asset be sold or liability  terminated  without  terminating the swap
position,  any swap  gains or losses are  immediately  recognized  in  earnings.
Interest   rate  swaps   purchased  in   anticipation   of  an  asset   purchase
("anticipatory transaction") are recognized consistent with the underlying asset
components such that the settlement  component is recognized in the Consolidated
Statements  of Income  while the  change in  market  value is  recognized  as an
unrealized gain or loss.

Premiums paid on purchased  floor or cap agreements and the premium  received on
issued cap or floor  agreements (used for risk management) are adjusted into the
basis of the applicable asset and amortized over the asset life. Gains or losses
on  termination  of such  positions  are adjusted into the basis of the asset or
liability  and  amortized  over the  remaining  asset  life.  Net  payments  are
recognized as an adjustment to income or basis adjusted and amortized  depending
on the specific hedge strategy.

Forward  exchange  contracts  and foreign  currency  swaps are  accounted for in
accordance with SFAS No. 52. Changes in the spot rate of instruments  designated
as hedges of the net  investment  in a foreign  subsidiary  are reflected in the
cumulative translation adjustments component of Stockholders' Equity.

(h) EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings  per  share  for the  years  ended  December  31,  1995 and  1994  were
determined  based on the actual number of common shares  outstanding at December
31, 1995 of 117.1 million.

2.  THE DISTRIBUTION

On December 19, 1995, ITT distributed  all of the  outstanding  shares of common
stock  of  The   Hartford  to  the   shareholders   of  ITT  common  stock  (the
"Distribution"  or "Spin-off").  As a result of the  Distribution,  The Hartford
became an  independent  publicly-traded  company.  "Regular  Way" trading of The
Hartford  common  stock  securities  on the New York Stock  Exchange  (under the
symbol  "HIG")   commenced  on  December  20,  1995.  In  connection  with  this
transaction, ITT transferred First State and Fencourt Reinsurance Company, Ltd.,
both of which were  wholly-owned  companies of ITT, to The Hartford prior to the
Distribution.

The Distribution Agreement entered into by The Hartford, ITT Destinations, Inc.,
and  ITT  Industries,   Inc.  ("the  former  ITT  subsidiaries")  addressed  the
disposition of shared liabilities.  A shared liability is defined as a liability
arising out of, or related

                                      F-10
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2.  THE DISTRIBUTION (CONTINUED)

to, business  conducted by ITT prior to the Distribution  that was not otherwise
specifically  related  to  one  of  the  former  ITT  subsidiaries.   Under  the
Distribution Agreement,  responsibility for shared liabilities generally will be
borne  equally  by  each  of the  former  ITT  subsidiaries,  including  related
attorney's fees and other out-of-pocket  expenses.  As of December 31, 1996, all
known liabilities covered by this agreement have been accrued.

Additionally,  ITT and The Hartford have entered into a Tax Allocation Agreement
whereby The Hartford  will pay a share of ITT's  consolidated  tax liability for
the tax years that The  Hartford  was  included  in ITT's  consolidated  Federal
income tax return. The Tax Allocation  Agreement provides for the attribution to
specific  companies  of any state,  local and foreign  taxes  related to periods
prior to December 20, 1995.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
3. INVESTMENTS

                                                                                 For the years ended December 31,
                                                                       --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 1996              1995             1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME

<S>                                                                        <C>              <C>               <C>       
Interest income                                                            $    2,483       $     2,384       $    2,167
Dividends from unaffiliated companies                                              55                38               47
Real estate income                                                                  7                34               62
Other investment income                                                            25                36               79
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross investment income                                                         2,570             2,492            2,355
Less:   Investment expenses                                                        47                72               96
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NET INVESTMENT INCOME                                                   $    2,523       $     2,420       $    2,259
=========================================================================================================================

(b) COMPONENTS OF NET REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS (LOSSES)

Fixed maturities                                                           $     (247)      $        63       $      (24)
Equity securities                                                                 135                77               83
Real estate and other                                                             (11)              (35)              26
Less:   Increase (decrease) in liability to policyholders for
        realized capital gains                                                      3                 3               (5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NET REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS (LOSSES)                                     $     (126)      $       102       $       90
=========================================================================================================================

(c) UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON EQUITY SECURITIES

Gross unrealized gains                                                     $      336       $       199       $      118
Gross unrealized losses                                                           (52)              (49)            (103)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized gains                                                              284               150               15
Deferred income tax expense                                                        98                52                5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized gains, net of tax                                                  186                98               10
Balance - beginning of year                                                        98                10               78
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   CHANGE IN UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)                          $       88       $        88       $      (68)
=========================================================================================================================

(d) UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON FIXED MATURITIES

Gross unrealized gains                                                     $      717       $       943       $      228
Gross unrealized losses                                                          (446)             (667)          (2,164)
Unrealized (gains) losses credited to policyholders                               (13)              (51)              46
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized gains (losses)                                                     258               225           (1,890)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)                                              92                78             (661)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of tax                                         166               147           (1,229)
Balance - beginning of year                                                       147            (1,229)             303
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CHANGE IN UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)                            $       19       $     1,376       $   (1,532)
=========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      F-11
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

(e)   FIXED MATURITY INVESTMENTS

                                                                                    As of December 31, 1996
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Gross            Gross
                                                                  Amortized        Unrealized        Unrealized
                                                                    Cost              Gains            Losses        Fair Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BONDS AND NOTES
  U. S. gov't and gov't agencies and authorities
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>         
    (guaranteed and sponsored)                                $        389      $         15     $         (4)     $        400
  U. S. gov't and gov't agencies and authorities
    (guaranteed and sponsored) - asset-backed                        2,992               177             (143)            3,026
  States, municipalities and political subdivisions                  7,524               143              (38)            7,629
  International governments                                          2,230                82               (6)            2,306
  Public utilities                                                   1,228                16              (12)            1,232
  All other corporate including international                        8,483               190             (150)            8,523
  All other corporate - asset-backed                                 4,814                63              (66)            4,811
  Short-term investments                                             1,812                --               --             1,812
  Certificates of deposit                                            1,661                29              (27)            1,663
  Redeemable preferred stock                                            45                 2               --                47
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES                                    $     31,178      $        717     $       (446)     $     31,449
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    As of December 31, 1995
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Gross            Gross
                                                                  Amortized        Unrealized        Unrealized
                                                                    Cost              Gains            Losses        Fair Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BONDS AND NOTES
  U. S. gov't and gov't agencies and authorities
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>         
    (guaranteed and sponsored)                                $        947      $          9     $        (12)     $        944
  U. S. gov't and gov't agencies and authorities
    (guaranteed and sponsored) - asset-backed                        5,521               267             (420)            5,368
  States, municipalities and political subdivisions                  5,322               148              (11)            5,459
  International governments                                          1,933                79               (5)            2,007
  Public utilities                                                   1,295                37               (2)            1,330
  All other corporate including international                        7,240               263             (134)            7,369
  All other corporate - asset-backed                                 4,031                96              (63)            4,064
  Short-term investments                                             3,065                --               --             3,065
  Certificates of deposit                                            1,538                44              (20)            1,562
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total fixed maturities                                   $     30,892      $        943     $       (667)     $     31,168
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The amortized  cost and estimated  fair value of fixed  maturity  investments at
December 31, 1996 by maturity are shown to the right.  Asset-backed  securities,
including MBS and CMO's,  are distributed to maturity year based on estimates of
the rate of future  prepayments  of principal  over the  remaining  lives of the
securities.  These estimates are developed using  prepayment  speeds reported in
broker  consensus  data and can be  expected  to vary  from  actual  experience.
Expected maturities differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment
provisions.
                                     Amortized
MATURITY                                Cost       Fair Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------
One year or less                    $    4,363    $     4,382
Over one year through five years        10,675         10,789
Over five years through ten years        8,963          9,042
Over ten years                           7,177          7,236
- --------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL                          $   31,178    $    31,449
==============================================================

                                      F-12
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

3.  INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

(e)  FIXED MATURITY INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

Sales of fixed maturities,  excluding short-term fixed maturities, for the years
ended  December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994 resulted in proceeds of $11.3  billion,
$10.7 billion and $10.2  billion,  gross gains of $161,  $210 and $188 and gross
losses (including writedowns) of $(408), $(147) and $(212), respectively.  Sales
of equity  security  investments for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994 resulted in proceeds of $1.4 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.7 billion,  gross
gains of $184,  $150 and $135 and  gross  losses  of  $(49),  $(73)  and  $(52),
respectively.

(f)  CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Included  in  fixed  maturity   investments  at  December  31,  1996  and  1995,
respectively,  were $39 of Orange County,  California  Pension Obligation Bonds,
$17 of which were carried in the general  account and $22 of which were included
in The Hartford's  separate account assets.  During 1996, all interest  payments
due were received. The bonds were sold in January 1997 for $40.

Excluding U.S. government and government agency investments, The Hartford is not
exposed to any significant credit concentration risk.

(g) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL  INSTRUMENTS NOT DISCLOSED  ELSEWHERE AS OF DECEMBER
31, 1996 AND 1995

Balance Sheet Items
                                1996                1995
                          ------------------  -------------------
                            Carrying   Fair     Carrying  Fair
                             Amount   Value        Amount  Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
  Other investments         $4,265   $4,355     $4,066    $4,082
Liabilities
  Other policy claims
   and benefits payable*    11,707   11,469     12,727    12,767
  Short-term debt              500      500        886       886
  Long-term debt             1,032    1,044      1,022     1,172
  QUIPS **                   1,000      993         --        --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
* Excludes  corporate owned life insurance ("COLI") and universal life insurance
contracts  totaling  $10.5  billion and $10.0  billion at December  31, 1996 and
1995,  respectively.  

** Represents company obligated  mandatorily  redeemable preferred securities of
subsidiary trusts holding solely parent junior subordinated debentures.

The following  methods and  assumptions  were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial  instrument  above for which it is practicable to do so:
policy and mortgage loan carrying amounts approximate fair value; investments in
partnerships and trusts are based on external market valuations from partnership
and trust management; other policy claims and benefits payable are determined by
estimating  future cash flows discounted at the current market rate;  short-term
debt carrying  amounts  approximate  fair value;  and long-term debt,  including
QUIPS,  is based on external  valuation  using  discounted  future cash flows at
current market interest rates.

(h)  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The  Hartford  uses a variety of  derivative  financial  instruments,  including
swaps, caps, floors,  forwards and exchange traded financial futures and options
in order to hedge exposure to price, foreign currency and/or interest rate risks
on anticipated investment purchases or existing assets and liabilities. Approved
derivatives  usage must  support at least one of the  following  objectives:  to
manage the risk to the operation  arising from price,  interest rate and foreign
currency volatility,  to manage liquidity,  or to control transaction costs. The
notional amounts of derivative  contracts represent the basis upon which pay and
receive  amounts are calculated  and are not  reflective of credit risk.  Credit
risk for derivative  contracts is limited to the amounts calculated to be due to
The Hartford on such contracts. Payment obligations between The Hartford and its
counterparties  are  typically  netted on a quarterly  basis.  The  Hartford has
policies  regarding  the financial  stability  and credit  standing of its major
counterparties and typically  requires credit enhancement  provisions to further
limit  its  credit  risk for  derivative  contracts.  Many of  these  derivative
contracts are bilateral  agreements that are not assignable  without the consent
of  the  relevant  counterparty.   Notional  amounts  pertaining  to  derivative
financial  instruments  totaled $11.1 billion and $9.8 billion ($8.3 billion and
$7.9 billion related to life insurance operations investments,  $2.6 billion and
$1.7 billion on life insurance operations  liabilities and $200 and $200 related
to variable rate debt) at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

(h) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

A summary  of  derivatives  for The  Hartford,  segregated  by major  investment
category, was as follows as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                  1996                                                       Amount Hedged (Notional Amounts)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Total                    Purchased                  Interest     Foreign       Total
                                         Carrying    Issued Caps   Caps, Floors                    Rate     Currency     Notional
ASSETS HEDGED                               Value   $ Floors (C)  & Options (D)   Futures (E)   Swaps (H)   Swaps (F)      Amount
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset-backed securities  (excluding
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>        
  inverse floaters and anticipatory)   $    7,429  $     500   $      2,454    $      --   $       941   $      --    $     3,895
Inverse floaters (A)                          408         98            856           --           346          --          1,300
Anticipatory  (G)                              --         --             --          287           105          --            392
Other bonds and notes                      21,800        456            748           50         1,265         125          2,644
Short-term investments                      1,812         --             --           --            --          --             --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES                 31,449      1,054          4,058          337         2,657         125          8,231
Equity securities, policy loans and
  other investments                         6,190         --             --           --            19          --             19
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS                  $   37,639  $   1,054   $      4,058    $     337   $     2,676   $     125    $     8,250
==================================================================================================================================
    TOTAL DERIVATIVES - FAIR VALUE  (B)            $     (10)  $         35    $      --   $       (27)  $      (9)   $       (11)
==================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                  1995                                                        Amount Hedged (Notional Amounts)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Total                    Purchased                  Interest     Foreign       Total
                                         Carrying    Issued Caps   Caps, Floors                    Rate     Currency     Notional
ASSETS HEDGED                               Value   $ Floors (C)  & Options (D)   Futures (E)   Swaps (H)   Swaps (F)      Amount
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset-backed securities  (excluding
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>        
  inverse floaters and anticipatory)   $   8,543   $     118   $      3,433    $     323   $       290   $      --    $     4,164
Inverse floaters (A)                         892         560            354           18           681          --          1,613
Anticipatory  (G)                             (3)         --             --          478           240          --            718
Other bonds and notes                      18,671         33             66          336           798         187          1,420
Short-term investments                      3,065         --             --           --            --          --             --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES                31,168        711          3,853        1,155         2,009         187          7,915
Equity securities, policy loans and
  other investments                         5,507         --             --           --            18          --             18
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS                 $   36,675  $     711   $      3,853    $   1,155   $     2,027   $     187    $     7,933
==================================================================================================================================
     TOTAL DERIVATIVES - FAIR VALUE  (B)           $     (32)  $         4 7   $      --   $      (113)  $     (24)   $      (122)
==================================================================================================================================
<FN>
(A)  Inverse  floaters are  variations of  collateralized  mortgage  obligations
     ("CMO's") for which the coupon rates move inversely with an index rate such
     as the London  interbank  offered rate ("LIBOR").  The risk to principal is
     considered  negligible as the  underlying  collateral for the securities is
     guaranteed or sponsored by government  agencies.  To address the volatility
     risk  created by the coupon  variability,  The  Hartford  uses a variety of
     derivative instruments, primarily interest rate swaps and caps and floors.

(B)  The fair value of derivative  instruments,  including swaps,  caps, floors,
     futures,  options and forward  commitments,  was determined using a pricing
     model which is validated  through  quarterly  comparison  to dealer  quoted
     prices for 1996, and using dealer quoted prices for 1995.

(C)  The 1996 data includes  issued caps of $433 with a weighted  average strike
     rate of 8.21%  (ranging  from 7.0% to 9.5%) and over 93%  maturing  in 2000
     through 2005. In addition,  issued floors  totaled $621, and had a weighted
     average strike rate of 5.16% (ranging from 4.88% to 7.85%) with all of them
     maturing  by the end of 2005.  The 1995 data  includes  issued caps of $475
     with a weighted  average  strike rate of 8.5%  (ranging from 7.0% to 10.4%)
     and over 85% maturing in 2000 through  2004.  In  addition,  issued  floors
     totaled $236, had a weighted average strike rate of 8.1% (ranging from 5.3%
     to 10.9%) and mature through 2007 with 76% maturing by 2004.

(D)  The 1996 data includes purchased floors of $2.6 billion,  purchased options
     of $11 and  purchased  caps of $1.4  billion.  The  floors  had a  weighted
     average  strike  rate of 5.77%  (ranging  from 3.70% to 7.85%) and over 95%
     mature in the years 1997 through 2001. The options mature in 1997. The caps
     had a weighted  average strike rate of 7.68% (ranging from 4.40% to 10.13%)
     and over 77% of them mature in the year 1997  through  2001.  The 1995 data
     includes  purchased  floors  of $2.1  billion  and  purchased  caps of $1.8
     billion.  The floors had a weighted  average  strike rate of 5.7%  (ranging
     from 3.7% to 6.8%) and over 87% mature in 1997 through 1999. The caps had a
     weighted  average strike rate of 7.6% (ranging from 4.5% to 10.1%) and over
     82% mature in 1997 through 2000.

(E)  As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, over 71% and 95% ,  respectively,  of the
     notional futures contracts expire within one year.

(F)  As of  December  31,  1996 and  1995,  over 42% and 25%,  respectively,  of
     foreign  currency swaps expire within one year; the balance mature over the
     succeeding 4 to 5 years.

(G)  Deferred gains and losses on anticipatory  transactions are included in the
     carrying value of fixed maturity  investments in the  Consolidated  Balance
     Sheets. At the time of the ultimate purchase, they are reflected as a basis
     adjustment to the purchased  asset.  At December 31, 1996, The Hartford had
     $5.7 in net deferred  gains for futures,  interest rate swaps and purchased
     options. The Hartford expects to basis adjust the $5.7 of deferred gains in
     1997.  At December 31, 1995,  The Hartford had $12.9 in net deferred  gains
     for futures,  interest rate swaps and purchased  options of which $12.6 was
     basis adjusted in 1996.

(H)  The  following  tables  summarize  the  maturities  of interest  rate swaps
     outstanding at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related weighted average
     interest pay rate or receive rate. The variable rates  represent spot rates
     (primarily 90 day LIBOR).

</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      F-14
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

(h) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      Interest Rate Swaps
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                          Latest
                    1996                        1997      1998       1999      2000       2001    Thereafter   Total    Maturity
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAY FIXED/RECEIVE VARIABLE
<S>                                          <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C> 
   Notional value                            $    --    $   50    $   165    $   35    $   162    $   334    $   746       2016
   Weighted average pay rate                      --%      5.7%       5.8%      5.5%       5.5%       5.6%       5.6%
   Weighted average receive rate                  --%      3.2%       1.5%      6.5%       6.3%       6.7%       5.2%
PAY VARIABLE/RECEIVE FIXED
   Notional value                            $    86    $   25    $   486    $   74    $   582    $   399    $ 1,652       2007
   Weighted average pay rate                     7.5%       --%       6.4%      6.7%       7.0%       6.8%       6.8%
   Weighted average receive rate                 5.6%       --%       5.6%      5.7%       6.2%       5.8%       5.9%
PAY VARIABLE/RECEIVE DIFFERENT VARIABLE
   Notional value                            $    19    $   15    $    --    $  200    $    --    $    44    $   278       2007
   Weighted average pay rate                     5.9%      5.7%        --%      6.4%        --%      12.9%       7.4%
   Weighted average receive rate                 3.7%      5.5%        --%      5.0%        --%       6.4%       5.2%
TOTAL INTEREST RATE SWAPS                    $   105    $   90    $   651    $  309    $   744    $   777    $ 2,676       2016
TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE PAY RATE                  7.2%      5.7%       6.2%      6.4%       6.7%       6.6%       6.5%
TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE RECEIVE RATE              5.2%      3.8%       4.4%      5.4%       6.2%       6.3%       5.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      Interest Rate Swaps
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                         Latest
                    1995                        1996      1997       1998      1999       2000    Thereafter   Total    Maturity
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAY FIXED/RECEIVE VARIABLE
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>            <C> 
   Notional value                            $    15    $    50    $    --    $  453    $    31    $  229    $   778        2004
   Weighted average pay rate                     5.0%       7.2%        --%      8.1%       7.1%      7.8%       7.8%
   Weighted average receive rate                 5.8%       5.9%        --%      5.8%       5.7%      5.9%       5.8%
PAY VARIABLE/RECEIVE FIXED
   Notional value                            $   120    $    68    $    25    $   25    $    35    $  295    $   568        2007
   Weighted average pay rate                     5.9%       8.6%       5.9%       --%       5.9%      4.3%       5.4%
   Weighted average receive rate                 2.8%       7.9%       4.0%       --%       6.5%      6.7%       5.6%
PAY VARIABLE/RECEIVE DIFFERENT VARIABLE
   Notional value                            $   161    $    18    $    36    $   12    $   200    $  254    $   681        2004
   Weighted average pay rate                     5.5%       6.2%       3.7%      3.4%       4.5%     16.3%       5.6%
   Weighted average receive rate                 6.5%       8.1%       5.6%      5.2%       6.8%      5.9%       6.5%
TOTAL INTEREST RATE SWAPS                    $   296    $   136    $    61    $  490    $   266    $  778    $ 2,027        2007
TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE PAY RATE                  5.6%       7.8%       4.6%      7.6%       5.0%      6.4%       6.5%
TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE RECEIVE RATE              4.9%       7.2%       4.9%      5.4%       6.6%      6.3%       5.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-15
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

(h) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
In addition,  interest rate sensitivity  related to certain  liabilities in life
insurance  operations and variable rate debt in property and casualty  insurance
operations (as described in Note 5) was modified primarily through interest rate
swap agreements.  The notional amount of the life insurance operations liability
agreements,  in which life insurance  operations generally pay one variable rate
in exchange for another,  was $2.6 billion and $1.7 billion at December 31, 1996
and 1995,  respectively.  As of December 31, 1996, the weighted average pay rate
was 5.6% and the weighted average receive rate was 6.5%. These agreements mature

A  reconciliation  between  notional  amounts at  December  31, 1996 and 1995 by
derivative type and strategy is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   December 31, 1995                         Maturities/      December 31, 1996
                                     Notional Amount       Additions       Terminations [2]    Notional Amount
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY DERIVATIVE TYPE
<S>                                   <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>       
Caps                                  $     2,284        $    1,293         $    1,715         $    1,862
Floors                                      2,380             2,184              1,165              3,399
Swaps/ Forwards                             3,822             4,299              2,852              5,269
Futures                                     1,155             3,776              4,594                337
Options                                        --                14                  3                 11
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL  [1]                         $     9,641        $   11,566         $   10,329         $   10,878
===============================================================================================================

BY STRATEGY
Liability                             $     1,708        $    2,057         $    1,137         $    2,628
Anticipatory                                  718             2,117              2,443                392
Asset                                       3,051             1,583              2,253              2,381
Portfolio                                   4,164             5,809              4,496              5,477
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL  [1]                         $     9,641        $   11,566         $   10,329         $   10,878
===============================================================================================================
<FN>
[1]  Excludes  $200 of swaps  related  to  variable  rate debt.  For  additional
     information, see Note 5.
[2]  During 1996, the Company had no significant gain or loss on terminations of
     hedge positions using derivative financial instruments.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
4. INCOME TAX
                                                                               For the years ended December 31,
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    1996                     1995                    1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
<S>                                                        <C>                      <C>                     <C>          
                 U.S. Federal                              $        (529)           $         599           $         763
                 International                                       211                      143                      89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                     $        (318)           $         742           $         852
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
     Current  -  U.S. Federal                              $          84            $         247           $         227
                 International                                        83                       64                      45
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL CURRENT                                               167                      311                     272
     Deferred -  U.S. Federal                                       (381)                    (142)                    (65)
                 International                                        (5)                      11                       7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL DEFERRED                                             (386)                    (131)                    (58)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)                $        (219)           $         180           $         214
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      F-16
<PAGE>


             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
4. INCOME TAX (CONTINUED)

Deferred  tax assets  (liabilities)  include the  following  for the years ended
December 31:

                                                                         1996                                1995
                                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           U.S. Federal       International       U.S. Federal     International
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                      <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C>         
Discounted loss reserves                                 $       793        $          1        $       751        $         --
Net operating loss carryforwards                                 154                  --                 --                  --
Employee benefits                                                138                 (10)               137                  (7)
Earnings from foreign subsidiaries                               123                  --                111                  --
Other insurance related items                                     51                 (70)               346                 (76)
Reserve for bad debts                                             26                  --                 14                  --
Accelerated depreciation                                          17                  (1)                16                  --
Unrealized gains                                                (141)                (47)               (95)                (35)
Other                                                            319                   3               (130)                  1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL                                               $     1,480        $       (124) *     $     1,150        $       (117)*
=================================================================================================================================
<FN>
* Included in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
</FN>
</TABLE>

No  additional  provision  was made  for U.S.  taxes  payable  on  undistributed
international  earnings  amounting to  approximately  $383 at December 31, 1996,
since these amounts are permanently reinvested.

A reconciliation  of the tax provision at the U.S. Federal statutory rate to the
provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   For the years ended December 31,
                                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          1996                   1995                   1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>                    <C>                    <C>          
Tax provision (benefit) at U.S. Federal statutory rate            $        (111)         $         260          $         298
Tax-exempt interest                                                         (97)                   (53)                   (45)
Foreign tax rate differential                                                (2)                    (1)                   (10)
Other                                                                        (9)                   (26)                   (29)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAX                                $        (219)         $         180          $         214
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
5.  Debt                                                      1996                                       1995
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Weighted Average                           Weighted Average
                                                    Amount        Interest Rate [1]            Amount       Interest Rate [1]
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM DEBT
<S>                                            <C>                         <C>            <C>                       <C> 
   Commercial paper                            $        445                6.0%           $       732               5.9%
   Bank loans and other short-term debt                  55                5.6%                    54               5.8%
   Current maturities of long-term debt                  --                --                     100               7.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL SHORT-TERM DEBT                 $        500                6.0%           $       886               6.1%
=================================================================================================================================

LONG-TERM DEBT
   DOMESTIC
     Notes, due 1998                           $        200                8.2%           $       200               8.2%
     Notes, due 2001                                    200                8.3%                   200               8.3%
     Notes, due 2002                                    300                6.4%                   300               6.4%
     Notes, due 2015                                    198                7.3%                   198               7.3%

   INTERNATIONAL
     Notes, due 2002                                    134                6.4%                   124               6.7%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT                  $      1,032                7.3%           $     1,022               7.3%
=================================================================================================================================
<FN>
[1]  Represents  the weighted  average  interest  rate at the end of the period.
     Weighted  average cost of short-term debt does not include cost of interest
     rate swaps.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      F-17
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

5.  DEBT (CONTINUED)

SHORT-TERM DEBT - The Hartford's  commercial  paper ranks equally with its other
unsecured and  unsubordinated  indebtedness.  Effective  December 20, 1996,  The
Hartford  entered into an unsecured  aggregate $2.0 billion credit facility with
twenty-nine  banks which is  comprised  of a $1.5  billion  five year  revolving
credit  facility  and a  $500  short-term  credit  facility.  This  facility  is
available for general corporate  purposes and to provide  additional  support to
the Company's  commercial  paper  program.  At December 31, 1996,  there were no
outstanding  borrowings under the facility. On February 10, 1997, Hartford Life,
Inc.  ("HLI"),  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of The Hartford,  entered into a $1.3
billion unsecured short-term credit facility with four banks.

During 1996, The Hartford  expanded its  commercial  paper program by increasing
the maximum  allowable  outstanding  amount of unsecured  short-term  commercial
paper notes from $1.0 billion to $2.0 billion.

LONG-TERM  DEBT  -  The  Hartford's  long-term  debt  securities  are  unsecured
obligations  of The Hartford and rank on a parity with all other  unsecured  and
unsubordinated  indebtedness.  On October 11, 1995,  The Hartford filed with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  a shelf  registration  statement  for the
potential  offering  and  sale  of up to  an  aggregate  $1.0  billion  in  debt
securities and preferred stock. On November 3, 1995, the Company issued and sold
$500 in senior debt  securities in two tranches ($300 of 6.4% notes due 2002 and
$200 in 7.3% debentures due 2015).  On October 2, 1996, this shelf  registration
statement was amended for an additional  $1.25 billion of securities,  making an
aggregate  of  $1.75  billion  available  for  sale.  The  amended  registration
statement also expanded the type of securities which could be offered under this
shelf registration  statement by including provisions for the offering of common
stock,  depositary shares,  warrants,  stock purchase contracts,  stock purchase
units and junior  subordinated  deferrable  interest  debentures of the Company,
preferred  securities  of any of the  Hartford  Trusts  (referred  to below) and
guarantees by the Company with respect to the preferred securities of any of the
Hartford Trusts. After the issuance of Company Obligated Mandatorily  Redeemable
Preferred   Securities  of  Subsidiary   Trusts  Holding  Solely  Parent  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures on October 30, 1996 discussed  below,  The Hartford had
$1.25 billion remaining on this shelf registration at December 31, 1996.

On January 19,  1996,  The  Hartford and several  wholly-owned  special  purpose
trusts ("Hartford  Trusts") formed by The Hartford filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission a shelf  registration  statement for the potential offering
and sale of $500 of debt  securities  and  preferred  stock,  including up to an
aggregate  $500  Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest  Debentures  of  The
Hartford and Preferred  Securities  of the Hartford  Trusts which were issued as
discussed in Note 6.

Interest rate risk relative to The  Hartford's  debt  portfolios is  selectively
managed through  interest rate swap  agreements.  The following table summarizes
the maturities of these interest rate swaps outstanding at December 31, 1996 and
the related weighted average interest pay rates and receive rates.

RECEIVE VARIABLE/PAY
FIXED                          1997     Thereafter      TOTAL
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Notional value                 $200          $--        $200
Weighted average receive
   rate                        5.87%          --        5.87%[1]
Weighted average pay rate      6.18%          --        6.18%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
[1]   Rate represents six month LIBOR as of December 31, 1996.

The fair value of the  interest  rate swaps on  short-term  debt at December 31,
1996 and  December  31,  1995 was $(1) and $(3),  respectively.  Any credit risk
related to these swaps is considered remote.

Interest  expense  incurred  related to short- and long-term  debt totaled $108,
$101 and $76 for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

6. COMPANY OBLIGATED  MANDATORILY  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY
TRUSTS HOLDING SOLELY PARENT JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

On February 28,  1996,  Hartford  Capital I, a special  purpose  Delaware  trust
formed by The Hartford,  issued 20,000,000  Series A, 7.7% Cumulative  Quarterly
Income Preferred Securities ("Series A Preferred Securities"). The proceeds from
the sale of the  Series A  Preferred  Securities  were used to  acquire  $500 of
Junior   Subordinated   Deferrable  Interest   Debentures,   Series  A  ("Junior
Subordinated  Debentures"),  issued  by The  Hartford.  The  Hartford  used  the
proceeds  from  the  sale  of  such  debentures  for the  partial  repayment  of
outstanding commercial paper and short-term bank indebtedness.

Series A Preferred  Securities  represent undivided  beneficial interests in the
assets of Hartford Capital I. The Hartford owns all of the beneficial  interests
represented  by Series A Common  Securities  of Hartford  Capital I.  Holders of
Series A Preferred  Securities are entitled to receive  preferential  cumulative
cash  distributions  accruing  from  February 28, 1996 and payable  quarterly in
arrears  commencing March 31, 1996 at the annual rate of 7.7% of the liquidation
amount of  $25.00  per  Series A  Preferred  Security.  The  Series A  Preferred
Securities  are subject to  mandatory  redemption  upon  repayment of the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  at maturity or their  earlier  redemption.  Holders of
Series A Preferred Securities have limited voting rights.

The Junior  Subordinated  Debentures bear interest at the annual rate of 7.7% of
the principal amount,  payable  quarterly in arrears  commencing March 31, 1996,
and  mature on  February  28,  2016.  The  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  are
unsecured and rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to all senior debt
of The  Hartford  and are  effectively  subordinated  to all existing and future
liabilities of its subsidiaries.

The  Hartford  has the  right  to  defer  payments  of  interest  on the  Junior
Subordinated Debentures by extending the interest

                                      F-18
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

6. COMPANY OBLIGATED  MANDATORILY  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY
TRUSTS HOLDING SOLELY PARENT JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES (CONTINUED)

payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarters for each deferral period, up to
the maturity date. During any such period,  interest will continue to accrue and
The Hartford may not declare or pay any cash dividends or  distributions  on The
Hartford's common stock nor make any principal,  interest or premium payments on
or  repurchase  any debt  securities  that rank pari passu with or junior to the
Junior Subordinated  Debentures.  In the event of failure to pay interest for 30
consecutive  days  (subject  to the  deferral  of any due date in the case of an
extension  period),  the  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  will  become due and
payable.  The Hartford  has  guaranteed,  on a  subordinated  basis,  all of the
Hartford  Capital  I  obligations  under  the  Series  A  Preferred  Securities,
including,   to  pay  the  redemption  price  and  any  accumulated  and  unpaid
distributions to the extent of available funds and upon dissolution,  winding up
or liquidation, but only to the extent that Hartford Capital I has funds to make
such payments.

On October 30,  1996,  Hartford  Capital II, a special  purpose  Delaware  trust
formed by The Hartford,  issued 20,000,000 Series B, 8.35% Cumulative  Quarterly
Income  Preferred  Securities  ("Series B Preferred  Securities").  The material
terms of the Series B Preferred  Securities  are  substantially  the same as the
Series A Preferred  Securities described above, except for the rate and maturity
date.  The Series B Debentures  bear interest at the annual rate of 8.35% of the
principal amount payable quarterly in arrears commencing  December 31, 1996, and
mature on October 30, 2026. The proceeds from the sale of the Series B Preferred
Securities were used to acquire $500 of Junior Subordinated  Deferrable Interest
Debentures,  Series B  ("Series  B  Debentures"),  issued by The  Hartford.  The
Hartford  used  the  proceeds  from  the  sale of such  debentures  for  general
corporate purposes.

Interest expense incurred with respect to the Series A Preferred  Securities and
Series B Preferred Securities totaled approximately $40 in 1996.

7. PENSION PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT PLANS

(a)  PENSION PLANS

The Hartford  has a number of  noncontributory  defined  benefit  pension  plans
covering most U.S. and international  employees.  Plans covering U.S.  employees
provide  pension  benefits that are based on years of service and the employee's
compensation  during the last ten years of employment.  The  Hartford's  funding
policy is to  contribute  annually  at an amount  between  the  minimum  funding
requirements  set forth in the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974
and the  maximum  amount  that can be  deducted  for  U.S.  Federal  income  tax
purposes.  Employees  of  international  subsidiaries  are  covered  by  various
postemployment benefit arrangements,  some of which are considered to be defined
benefit plans for accounting purposes.

The  following  table sets forth the defined  benefit  plans'  funded status and
amounts  recognized in the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  International  plans
represent an  immaterial  percentage of total pension  assets,  liabilities  and
expense and, for reporting purposes, are combined with domestic plans.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 December 31,
                                                                   ------------------------------------------
                                                                               1996                  1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTUARIAL PRESENT VALUE OF
<S>                                                                   <C>                  <C>           
   Vested benefit obligation                                          $       1,090        $          994
   Accumulated benefit obligation                                             1,207                 1,102
Actuarial present value of projected benefit obligation                       1,467                 1,423
Plan assets at fair value, primarily listed U.S. stocks and bonds             1,478                 1,291
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit obligation                11                  (132)
Unrecognized net loss                                                            10                   197
Unrecognized prior service cost                                                  72                    27
Unrecognized net obligation at January 1, 1986                                    9                     4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PENSION ASSET                                                   $         102        $           96
=============================================================================================================
Assumptions used in the accounting for the plans in 1996 and 1995 were:
    Benefit discount rate                                                      8.00%                 7.50%
    Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                           9.75%                 9.75%
    Rate of increase in compensation levels                                    4.25%                 4.75%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total pension costs for 1996, 1995 and 1994 include the following components:

                                                                                  For the years ended December 31,
                                                                   ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               1996               1995                  1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
<S>                                                                   <C>                  <C>                  <C>         
   Service cost - benefits earned during the year                     $          56        $        48          $         54
   Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                                104                 96                    90
   Actual return on plan assets                                                (189)              (271)                   (4)
   Net amortization (deferral)                                                   80                170                   (84)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NET PERIODIC PENSION COST                                       $          51        $        43          $         56
=============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      F-19
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

7. PENSION PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT PLANS
(CONTINUED)

(b)   INVESTMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN

          Prior to the Distribution,  employees of The Hartford  participated in
ITT's  Investment and Savings Plans.  As part of the  Distribution,  the Company
established  The  Hartford  Investment  and  Savings  Plan.   Substantially  all
employees  are  eligible  to  participate  in this plan under  which  designated
contributions,  which may be invested in common stock of The Hartford or certain
other investments,  are matched, up to 3% of compensation,  by the Company.  The
cost to The Hartford for the  above-mentioned  plans was approximately  $20, $19
and $19 for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

(c)   POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT PLANS

The  Hartford  provides  certain  health care and life  insurance  benefits  for
eligible retired employees.  A substantial  portion of The Hartford's  employees
may  become  eligible  for  these  benefits  upon  retirement.   The  Hartford's
contribution  for health care benefits  will depend upon the  retiree's  date of
retirement and years of service. In addition,  the plan has a defined dollar cap
which limits average Company contributions. The Hartford has prefunded a portion
of the health care and life insurance obligations through trust funds where such
prefunding can be accomplished on a tax effective basis.  Postretirement  health
care and life  insurance  expense  (benefit)  was  comprised of the following in
1996, 1995 and 1994:

                             1996          1995         1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost            $       6      $      6     $      7
Interest cost                  18            21           20
Return on assets               (7)           (6)          (4)
Net deferral                  (23)          (23)         (23)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  NET PERIODIC BENEFIT  $      (6)     $     (2)    $     --
===============================================================

The following table sets forth the funded status of the  postretirement  benefit
plans other than  pensions,  the amounts  recognized in The  Hartford's  balance
sheet  at  December  31,  1996  and  1995  and the  principal  weighted  average
assumptions inherent in their determination:

                                                1996       1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 Accumulated postretirement benefit
   obligation                              $     252  $     303
 Plan assets at fair value, primarily
   listed U.S. stock and bonds                    77         73
Accumulated postretirement benefit
   obligation in excess of plan assets          (175)      (230)
Unrecognized net (gain)/loss                     (24)        35
Unrecognized past service liability             (234)      (256)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   LIABILITY RECOGNIZED IN THE
     BALANCE SHEET                         $    (433) $    (451)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate                                  8.00%       7.50%
Rate of return on invested assets              9.75%       9.75%
Ultimate health care trend rate                6.00%       6.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------


The assumed rate of future  increases in the per capita cost of health care (the
health  care trend  rate) was 9.3% for 1996,  decreasing  ratably to 6.0% in the
year 2001.  Increasing  the table of health  care trend rates by one percent per
year would have the effect of increasing the accumulated  postretirement benefit
obligation  by $7 and the annual  expense  by $1. To the extent  that the actual
experience differs from the inherent  assumptions,  the effect will be amortized
over the average future service of the covered active employees.

8.    STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

Prior to the Distribution, certain employees of The Hartford were granted awards
under ITT's stock option incentive plans.  Effective  December 19, 1995,  awards
outstanding  under these plans that were held by employees of The Hartford  were
offered  substitute awards under the 1995 ITT Hartford Incentive Stock Plan (the
"Plan").  For the substitute awards, the number of shares subject to options was
increased and the option exercise price was decreased  immediately following the
Distribution  to  preserve,  as closely as possible,  the economic  value of the
options that existed prior to the Distribution.

Under the Plan,  the Company is authorized to issue up to 8,500,000  shares,  of
which no more  that  5,000,000  shares  may be  available  for  incentive  stock
options.  The Plan  contains a formula  that  determines  the maximum  number of
shares with  respect to which awards may be made in any one year and limits such
amount to 1.5% of the total of the  outstanding  shares plus treasury  shares as
reported in ITT Hartford's Form 10-K for the preceding year plus unused portions
of such limit from prior years. All options granted have an exercise price equal
to the market price of the Company's  stock on the date of grant and an option's
maximum  term  is  ten  years.  Certain  options  become  exercisable  upon  the
attainment of specified market price appreciation of the Company's common shares
or at seven years after the date of grant,  while the remaining  options  become
exercisable over a three year period commencing with the date of grant.

Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company established the ITT
Hartford  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  ("ESPP").  Under this plan,  eligible
employees  of The  Hartford  may  purchase  common stock of the Company at a 15%
discount  from the  lower of the  market  price at the  beginning  or end of the
quarterly  offering period. The Company may sell up to 2,700,000 shares of stock
to eligible employees under the ESPP, and 39,214 shares were sold in 1996.

The  Company  applies  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion No. 25 and related
interpretations   in  accounting  for  its   stock-based   compensation   plans.
Accordingly,  no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock option plan
and stock purchase plan. Had compensation cost for the Company's two stock-based
compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at

                                      F-20
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

8.    STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (CONTINUED)

the grant dates for awards under those plans  consistent with the method of SFAS
No. 123, the  Company's  net income  (loss) and earnings  (loss) per share would
have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

                                                1996      1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss):             As reported     $  (99)    $ 559
                               Pro forma        $(106)    $ 556
Earnings (loss) per share:     As reported     $(0.84)    $4.77
                               Pro forma       $(0.90)    $4.74
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The pro forma  disclosures  are not  representative  of the effects on net
income and earnings per share in future years.

The fair value of each option  grant is estimated on the date of the grant using
the  Black-Scholes  options-pricing  model with the  following  weighted-average
assumptions  used for grants in 1996 and 1995:  dividend  yield of 2.9% for both
years,  expected price variability of 20.8% for both years,  risk-free  interest
rates of 5.69% and 5.77% for the 1996 grants under 10,000 shares and grants over
10,000 shares,  respectively,  and 6.28% and 6.31%,  respectively,  for the 1995
grants; and expected lives of five and six years for both years.

A summary of the status of the Company's option plan as of December 31, 1995 and
1996 and changes during the periods December 19, 1995 through December 31, 1995,
and for the year ended December 31, 1996 are presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     1995 ITT HARTFORD INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
                              (shares in thousands)

                                                                                Shares Subject to Stock Option
                                                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Shares                  Weighted-Average Exercise Price
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                                <C>   
Balance transferred at December 19, 1995  [1]                              3,370                              $35.16
Vested exercises                                                              (1)                              33.38
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at December 31, 1995                                               3,369                               35.16
Grants                                                                     1,431                               52.05
Vested exercises                                                            (380)                              31.92
Cancellations (Un-vested)                                                    (32)                              45.86
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996                                               4,388                              $40.87
=================================================================================================================================
<FN>
[1]  Includes 1,129 shares issued in 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The weighted-average fair value of The Hartford stock options,  calculated using
the Black-Scholes  option-pricing model, granted during the years ended December
31,  1996 and 1995 were $11.21 and $10.01,  respectively.  The  weighted-average
fair value of shares sold under the ESPP in 1996 was $16.50.

The following table summarizes  information about stock options  outstanding and
exercisable (shares in thousands) at December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Options Outstanding                                       Options Exercisable
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------------
                     Number Outstanding      Weighted-Average    Weighted-Average               Number          Weighted-Average
     Range of       at December 31, 1996        Remaining         Exercise Price            Exercisable at       Exercise Price
 Exercise Prices                             Contractual Life                              December 31, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                      <C>                 <C>                    <C>                     <C>   
 $17.68 - $29.31              290                    4.3                 $19.08                   290                   $19.08
  32.74 - 43.41             2,686                    7.7                  37.35                 1,678                    35.36
  46.75 - 57.00             1,401                    9.1                  51.96                   170                    52.00
  58.25 - 68.50                11                    9.8                  64.21                    --                      --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $17.68 - $68.50            4,388                    7.9                 $40.87                 2,138                   $34.47
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-21
<PAGE>


             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

9.    REINSURANCE


The Hartford  cedes  insurance  to other  insurers in order to limit its maximum
loss. Such transfer does not relieve The Hartford of its primary liability.  The
Hartford also assumes  insurance from other  insurers.  Failure of reinsurers to
honor their  obligations  could result in losses to The  Hartford.  The Hartford
evaluates the financial  condition of its reinsurers and monitors  concentration
of credit risk.

The effect of reinsurance on property and casualty  premiums  written and earned
was as follows:

                            For the years ended December 31,
                        ------------------------------------------
                              1996            1995          1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIUMS WRITTEN
     Direct              $   6,798      $    6,898    $    6,786
     Assumed                   903             825           782
     Ceded                    (795)           (803)         (829)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
       NET               $   6,906      $    6,920    $    6,739
==================================================================
PREMIUMS EARNED
     Direct              $   6,850      $    6,895    $    6,717
     Assumed                   878             817           746
     Ceded                    (837)           (822)         (883)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
       NET               $   6,891      $    6,890    $    6,580
==================================================================

Reinsurance  cessions which reduce claims and claim expenses incurred were $651,
$678 and $1.0  billion for the years ended  December  31,  1996,  1995 and 1994,
respectively.

Life insurance net retained premiums were comprised of the following:

                               For the years ended December 31,
                             -------------------------------------
                                   1996       1995          1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross premiums               $    3,200   $  2,447    $    2,053
Assumed                             406        613           336
Ceded                              (421)      (322)         (216)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
   NET RETAINED PREMIUMS     $    3,185   $  2,738    $    2,173
==================================================================

Life insurance recoveries,  which reduce death and other benefits,  approximated
$239,  $162 and $113 for the  years  ended  December  31,  1996,  1995 and 1994,
respectively.

As of  December  31,  1996,  the Company had  reinsurance  recoverables  of $3.8
billion  from Mutual  Benefit Life  Assurance  Corporation  ("Mutual  Benefit"),
supported by assets in a security trust of $3.8 billion  (including policy loans
of $3.3 billion).  The risk of Mutual Benefit becoming insolvent is mitigated by
the reinsurance  agreement's  requirement  that the assets be kept in a security
trust  with  the  Company  as  sole  beneficiary.  The  Hartford  has  no  other
significant reinsurance-related concentrations of credit risk.


10.   TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Prior to the  Distribution  (see Note 2), The Hartford had substantial  dealings
with ITT and its affiliates as described below.

The Hartford and its U.S.  subsidiaries were included in ITT's consolidated U.S.
Federal  income tax return and received from ITT an income tax benefit  computed
in  accordance  with  a  tax-sharing  arrangement.  This  arrangement  generally
reimbursed The Hartford on a current basis for taxes it would have been refunded
if it had filed a separate U.S. Federal income tax return.  The balance due from
ITT as a result of the tax-sharing  arrangement was $90 at December 19, 1995 and
$52 at December  31,  1994.  The  Hartford  filed a separate  consolidated  U.S.
Federal income tax return for the period December 20, 1995 through  December 31,
1995 and will continue to file its owned consolidated returns thereafter.

ITT furnished The Hartford with technical, administrative, personnel, financial,
accounting and operating advice and assistance,  as well as other services.  The
Hartford  reimbursed  ITT for the cost of such  services.  These  reimbursements
totaled $16 in 1995 and $15 in 1994.

In June 1995, ownership of ITT Lyndon Insurance Company was transferred from ITT
to The Hartford via a capital contribution of $180,  representing the net assets
of the company.

In 1995,  The Hartford paid common stock  dividends to ITT  Corporation of $779,
including  cash  dividends of $384 and non-cash  dividends of $395. The non-cash
dividend was primarily Alcatel Alsthom Stock,  which represents a portion of the
total ITT holdings in that company.

11.   PREFERRED STOCK

During 1995, The Hartford  authorized  50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share.  The Company may not pay any common stock dividends unless
all preferred dividend requirements on Series A Preferred Stock (300,000 shares)
have  been met.  The  holders  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock  are  entitled  to
cumulative  dividends.  The  holders  of Series A  Preferred  Stock may not vote
separately  as a class,  but may vote  together as one class with the holders of
shares of common  stock.  No shares were issued or  outstanding  at December 31,
1996.

Hartford Fire Insurance Company ("Hartford Fire"), a subsidiary of The Hartford,
had no shares of Class A Preferred  Stock - Series 2 outstanding at December 31,
1996.  During 1995,  1,700,000  shares were redeemed at $50 per share.  Hartford
Fire had no shares of Class E Preferred Stock outstanding.  During 1995, 455,333
shares were redeemed at $10 per share.

                                      F-22
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

12.   STATUTORY RESULTS


                               For the years ended December 31,
                             -------------------------------------
                                  1996        1995          1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
STATUTORY NET INCOME (LOSS)
   Property and casualty
     operations              $    (103)   $    428    $      452
   Life operations                 190         133            85
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL                   $      87    $    561    $      537
==================================================================
STATUTORY SURPLUS
   Property and casualty
     operations              $    2,749   $   2,617   $    2,123
   Life operations                1,448       1,319        1,180
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL                   $    4,197   $   3,936   $    3,303
==================================================================

A significant  percentage of the consolidated  statutory  surplus is permanently
reinvested  or is subject to various  state and  foreign  government  regulatory
restrictions or other  agreements  which limit the payment of dividends  without
prior approval.  Any statutory dividend which may be paid to ITT Hartford Group,
Inc. by its insurance subsidiaries in 1997 requires prior approval.

The domestic  insurance  subsidiaries of ITT Hartford Group,  Inc. prepare their
statutory   financial   statements  in  accordance  with  accounting   practices
prescribed  by  the  State  of  Connecticut  Insurance  Department.   Prescribed
statutory  accounting practices include publications of the National Association
of Insurance  Commissioners  ("NAIC"), as well as state laws,  regulations,  and
general administrative rules.

13.   LEASES AND RENTALS

Total rental expense on operating leases was $110 in 1996, $121 in 1995 and $106
in 1994. Future minimum rental commitments are as follows:

1997                                                        $86
1998                                                         73
1999                                                         65
2000                                                         55
2001                                                         56
Thereafter                                                  280
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                      $615
================================================================

14.   CONTINGENCIES

(a)   LITIGATION

The Hartford is involved in various legal actions,  some of which involve claims
for substantial  amounts.  In the opinion of management,  the ultimate liability
with respect to such lawsuits is not expected to be material to the consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows of The Hartford.

(b)   ENVIRONMENTAL AND ASBESTOS CLAIMS

Historically,   The  Hartford  has  found  it  difficult  to  estimate  ultimate
liabilities  related to  environmental  and asbestos claims due to uncertainties
surrounding  these  exposures.   Within  the  property  and  casualty  insurance
industry,  progress  has  been  made in  developing  sophisticated,  alternative
methodologies  utilizing company experience and supplemental databases to assess
environmental  and  asbestos  liabilities.  A  study  which  incorporated  these
methodologies  was initiated by The Hartford in April 1996. The study included a
review of identified  environmental and asbestos exposures of the North American
Property & Casualty  segment,  U.S.  exposures of The  Hartford's  International
segment and exposures of the Runoff segment, and covered the Company's Personal,
Commercial and Reinsurance lines of business.  The methodology utilized a ground
up analysis of policy, site and exposure level data for a representative  sample
of The  Hartford's  claims.  The  results of the  evaluation  were  extrapolated
against the balance of the claim  population to estimate the  Company's  overall
exposure for reported claims. In addition to estimating  liabilities on reported
environmental and asbestos claims,  The Hartford  estimated  reserves for claims
incurred  but  not  reported  (IBNR).  The  IBNR  reserve  was  estimated  using
information on reporting patterns of known insureds, characteristics of insureds
such as limits exposed, attachment points and number of coverage years involved,
third party costs, and closed claims.  Also included in The Hartford's  analysis
of environmental and asbestos  exposures was a review of applicable  reinsurance
coverage. Reinsurance coverage applicable to the sample was used to estimate the
reinsurance  coverage that applied to the balance of the reported  environmental
and asbestos claims and to the IBNR estimates.

Upon  completion of the study and assessment of the results in October 1996, the
Company  determined  that its  environmental  and  asbestos  reserves  should be
increased,  on an undiscounted basis, by $493 (net of reinsurance) and $292 (net
of reinsurance), respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1996.

The Hartford  believes that the  environmental and asbestos reserves reported at
December 31, 1996, are a reasonable estimate of the ultimate remaining liability
for these claims based upon known facts,  current assumptions and The Hartford's
methodologies.  Future social,  economic,  legal or legislative developments may
continue to expand the  original  intent of policies  and the scope of coverage.
The Hartford will continue to evaluate new  developments  and  methodologies  as
they become  available for use in supplementing  the Company's  ongoing analysis
and review of its environmental and asbestos exposures. These future reviews may
result in a change in reserves,  impacting The Hartford's  results of operations
in the period in which the reserve  estimates are changed.  While the effects of
future changes in facts,  legal and other issues could have a material effect on
future  results of  operations,  The Hartford does not expect such changes would
have a material effect on its liquidity or financial condition.

                                      F-23
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

15.   SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

The Hartford maintained  separate account assets and liabilities  totaling $50.5
billion and $36.8 billion at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, which are
reported  at fair  value.  Separate  account  assets are  segregated  from other
investments and net investment  income and net realized capital gains and losses
accrue directly to the policyholder. Separate accounts reflect two categories of
risk assumption:  non-guaranteed  separate  accounts  totaling $39.9 billion and
$26.4  billion  at  December  31,  1996  and  1995,  respectively,  wherein  the
policyholder  assumes the  investment  risk, and  guaranteed  separate  accounts
totaling  $10.6  billion  and  $10.4  billion  at  December  31,  1996 and 1995,
respectively,  wherein The Hartford  contractually  guarantees  either a minimum
return or account  value to the  policyholder.  Included  in the  non-guaranteed
category  were policy loans  totaling  $2.0 billion and $1.7 billion at December
31, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Net investment income (including net realized
capital  gains and losses) and interest  credited to  policyholders  on separate
account  assets are not  reflected  in the  Consolidated  Statements  of Income.
Non-guaranteed separate accounts are not subject to claims that arise out of any
other business of The Hartford. Separate account management fees, net of minimum
guarantees, were $538, $387 and $256 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

The guaranteed separate accounts include modified guaranteed  individual annuity
and modified  guaranteed life insurance.  The average credited  interest rate on
these  contracts  was 6.6% at December 31, 1996.  The assets that support  these
liabilities  were  comprised of $10.3  billion in bonds as of December 31, 1996.
The portfolios are segregated  from other  investments  and are managed so as to
minimize   liquidity   and  interest   rate  risk.   To  minimize  the  risk  of
disintermediation  associated  with early  withdrawals,  individual  annuity and
modified  guaranteed life insurance contracts carry a graded surrender charge as
well as a market value adjustment.  Additional investment risk is hedged using a
variety of  derivatives  which totaled $86 in carrying value and $2.4 billion in
notional amounts as of December 31, 1996.


16.   SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On February 10, 1997, HLI filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  relating to an initial public offering of up to 20% of HLI
common stock.  HLI is the holding  company parent of The Hartford's  significant
life insurance and related subsidiaries.  Management intends to use the proceeds
from  the  offering  to  reduce  certain  debt   outstanding,   to  fund  growth
initiatives,  and  for  other  general  corporate  purposes.  Management  of The
Hartford believes the offering will strengthen the Company's  financial position
and flexibility.  If and when the offering is completed,  The Hartford's current
intent is to continue to  beneficially  own at least 80% of HLI, but it is under
no contractual obligation to do so.

17.   BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Hartford  provides  insurance and financial  services in the United  States,
Canada,  Western Europe,  Latin America and Asia. The Company's ongoing business
segments are North American  Property & Casualty,  Life and  International.  The
North American Property & Casualty segment offers insurance  coverages including
personal automobile and homeowners, commercial insurance for small, mid-size and
large  accounts,  specialty  risk  insurance and  reinsurance.  The Life segment
markets a variety of insurance and financial services which provides  investment
products such as individual  variable  annuities and market value adjusted fixed
rate annuities, deferred compensation plan services and mutual funds for savings
and retirement  needs, life insurance for income protection and estate planning,
and  employee  benefits  products  such as  group  life,  group  disability  and
corporate owned life insurance products.  The International  segment consists of
European companies offering a variety of insurance products  (primarily property
and casualty  products in both personal and commercial  lines)  designed to meet
the needs of local customers.

The following table outlines  revenues,  operating income and assets by business
segment and geographical segment information.

                                      F-24
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
17.   BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)                              For the years ended December 31,
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1996                     1995                   1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
<S>                                                        <C>                      <C>                     <C>           
  North American P&C                                       $         6,333          $         6,337         $        6,179
  Life                                                               4,391                    3,753                  3,039
  International                                                      1,626                    1,540                  1,274
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ongoing operations                                             12,350                   11,630                 10,492
Runoff                                                                 123                      520                    610
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL REVENUES                                      $        12,473          $        12,150         $       11,102
===========================================================================================================================
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
  North American P&C                                       $          (399)         $           334         $          464
  Life                                                                 378                      331                    221
  International                                                        210                      184                    113
  Other                                                                 --                       (6)                    51
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ongoing operations                                                189                      843                    849
Runoff                                                                (507)                    (101)                     3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                        $          (318)         $           742         $          852
===========================================================================================================================
ASSETS
  North American P&C                                       $        19,262          $        18,309         $       17,406
  Life                                                              76,266                   60,831                 42,992
  International                                                      5,330                    5,109                  4,398
  Other                                                                  2                        1                    (39)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ongoing operations                                            100,860                   84,250                 64,757
Runoff                                                               7,980                    9,605                 12,008
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL ASSETS                                        $       108,840          $        93,855         $       76,765
===========================================================================================================================

GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENT INFORMATION

REVENUES
  North America                                            $        10,698          $        10,480         $        9,696
  Western Europe and other                                           1,775                    1,670                  1,406
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL REVENUES                                      $        12,473          $        12,150         $       11,102
===========================================================================================================================
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
  North America                                            $          (567)         $           557         $          728
  Western Europe and other                                             249                      185                    124
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                       $          (318)         $           742         $          852
===========================================================================================================================
ASSETS
  North America                                            $       103,025          $        88,487         $       72,176
  Western Europe and other                                           5,815                    5,368                  4,589
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL ASSETS                                        $       108,840          $        93,855         $       76,765
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      F-25
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

18.  QUARTERLY RESULTS FOR 1996 AND 1995  (UNAUDITED)

                                                                          Three Months Ended
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              March 31,             June 30,            September 30,         December 31,
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1996       1995       1996       1995       1996       1995       1996       1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      
Revenues                                $   3,278  $   3,005  $   3,026  $   2,914  $   2,836  $   3,058  $   3,333  $   3,173

Benefits, claims and expenses               3,164      2,808      2,847      2,788      3,701      2,835      3,079      2,977

Income (loss) before cumulative
   effect of accounting changes                96        140        143        105       (543)       173        205        141

Net income (loss)                       $      96  $     140  $     143  $     105  $    (543) $     173  $     205  $     141

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Income (loss) before cumulative
   effect of accounting changes         $    0.82  $    1.19  $    1.22  $    0.90  $   (4.63) $    1.48  $    1.75  $    1.20

Net income (loss)                       $    0.82  $    1.19  $    1.22  $    0.90  $   (4.63)      1.48  $    1.75  $    1.20

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
   OUTSTANDING [1]                          117.2      117.1      117.2      117.1      117.2      117.1       117.3    117.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
[1]  In millions of shares;  1995 weighted average common shares  outstanding of
     117.1  reflects a retroactive  presentation  of the actual number of shares
     outstanding at December 31, 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      F-26
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SCHEDULE I

          SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS - OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

(In millions)                                                                        As of December 31, 1996
                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            Amount at which
                                                                                                           shown on Balance
                        Type of Investment                                 Cost            Fair Value            Sheet
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIXED MATURITIES
  Bonds and Notes
     U. S. gov't and gov't agencies and authorities
<S>                                                                  <C>                 <C>                <C>         
       (guaranteed and sponsored)                                    $       389         $         400      $        400
     U. S. gov't and gov't agencies and authorities
       (guaranteed and sponsored) - asset-backed                           2,992                 3,026             3,026
     States, municipalities and political subdivisions                     7,524                 7,629             7,629
     International governments                                             2,230                 2,306             2,306
     Public utilities                                                      1,228                 1,232             1,232
     All other corporate including international                           8,483                 8,523             8,523
     All other corporate - asset-backed                                    4,814                 4,811             4,811
     Short-term investments                                                1,812                 1,812             1,812
  Certificates of deposit                                                  1,661                 1,663             1,663
  Redeemable preferred stock                                                  45                    47                47
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES                                             31,178                31,449            31,449
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EQUITY SECURITIES
  Common Stocks
     Public utilities                                                         29                    33                33
     Banks, trusts and insurance companies                                   127                   165               165
     Industrial and miscellaneous                                          1,388                 1,626             1,626
  Nonredeemable preferred stocks                                              37                    41                41
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL EQUITY SECURITIES                                             1,581                 1,865             1,865
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES AND EQUITY SECURITIES                       32,759                33,314            33,314
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REAL ESTATE                                                                   60                    60                60

OTHER INVESTMENTS
  Mortgage loans on real estate                                                4                     4                 4
  Policy loans                                                             3,839                 3,839             3,839
  Investments in partnerships and trusts                                     244                   277               244
  Futures, options and miscellaneous                                         178                   235               178
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL OTHER INVESTMENTS                                             4,265                 4,355             4,265
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL INVESTMENTS                                             $    37,084         $      37,729      $     37,639
==============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SCHEDULE II

           CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.
                                  (REGISTRANT)


(In millions)                                                                                    As of December 31,
                                                                                       ---------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEETS                                                                                    1996              1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS
<S>                                                                                      <C>                <C>         
   Receivables from affiliates                                                           $          44      $          7
   Other assets                                                                                    205               131
   Investment in affiliates                                                                      6,740             6,395
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                6,989             6,533
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Short-term debt                                                                                  500               886
  Long-term debt                                                                                   898               898
  Company obligated  mandatorily  redeemable  preferred securities of subsidiary
     trusts holding solely parent junior subordinated debentures                                 1,000                --
  Other liabilities                                                                                 71                47
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                           2,469             1,831
     TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                  4,520             4,702
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                          $       6,989      $      6,533
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In millions)
STATEMENTS OF INCOME                                                            For the years ended December 31,
                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            1996                 1995               1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                  <C>                 <C>                <C>         
  Earnings (loss) of subsidiaries                                    $        (6)        $        619       $        689
  Interest expense (net of interest income)                                  139                   92                 69
  Other expenses                                                               4                   --                 --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT                                (149)                 527                620
  Income tax benefit                                                         (50)                 (32)               (24)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NET INCOME (LOSS)                                               $       (99)        $        559       $        644
==============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      S-2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SCHEDULE II

     CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.(CONTINUED)
                                  (REGISTRANT)

(In millions)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                                               For the years ended December 31,
                                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            1996                1995                  1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S>                                                                 <C>                  <C>                  <C>         
   Net income (loss)                                                $       (99)         $       559          $        644
   Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries                                   362                 (505)                 (425)
   Change in working capital                                                (87)                 133                   (47)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                  176                  187                   172
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Capital contribution to subsidiary                                      (625)                (281)                 (321)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                    (625)                (281)                 (321)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Increase (decrease) in debt                                             (386)                 408                   516
   Net proceeds from issuance of company obligated mandatorily
     redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trusts
     holding solely parent junior subordinated debentures                   969                   --                    --
   Dividends paid                                                          (140)                  --                    --
   Investments, advances and dividends to ITT Industries, Inc.               --                 (314)                 (367)
   Other, net                                                                 6                   --                    --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                  449                   94                   149
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net change in cash                                                        --                   --                    --
   Cash - beginning of year                                                  --                   --                    --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     CASH - END OF YEAR                                             $        --          $        --          $         --
=================================================================================================================================

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
- ------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR:
   Interest                                                         $       132          $        86          $         69

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Capital contribution                                             $        --          $       180          $         --
   Dividends paid                                                   $        --          $       395          $         --
</TABLE>

                                      S-3
<PAGE>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SCHEDULE III

                       SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

(In millions)
                                              Future
                                              Policy
                                             Benefits,                   Other                           
                                Deferred      Unpaid                    Policy                           
                                 Policy     Claims and                Claims and                  Net    
                               Acquisition     Claim       Unearned    Benefits     Earned    Investment 
           Segment                Costs     Adjustment     Premiums     Payable    Premiums     Income   
                                             Expenses                                                    
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             1996
<S>                            <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>        
North American P&C             $     485   $    12,012   $    2,077   $      --   $    5,657  $      661 
Life                               2,800         3,986           40      18,672        3,068       1,323 
International                        250         2,626          680           7        1,342         205 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ONGOING OPERATIONS               3,535        18,624        2,797      18,679       10,067       2,189 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runoff                                --         4,050           --       3,541            9         334 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS      $   3,535   $    22,674   $    2,797   $  22,220   $   10,076  $    2,523 
=========================================================================================================

             1995
North American P&C             $     490   $    11,127   $    2,066   $      --   $    5,662  $      646 
Life                               2,220         3,514           40      17,586        2,643       1,114 
International                        235         2,715          659           7        1,309         183 
Other                                 --            --           --          --           --          -- 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ONGOING OPERATIONS               2,945        17,356        2,765      17,593        9,614       1,943 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runoff                                --         4,074            1       5,177           14         477 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS      $   2,945   $    21,430   $    2,766   $  22,770   $    9,628  $    2,420 
=========================================================================================================

             1994
North American P&C             $     486   $    10,820   $    2,075   $      --   $    5,504  $      606 
Life                               1,819         2,864           37      15,050        2,116         922 
International                        208         2,468          611           1        1,116         135 
Other                                 --            --           --          --           --          -- 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ONGOING OPERATIONS               2,513        16,152        2,723      15,051        8,736       1,663 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runoff                                12         4,435            2       7,257           17         596 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS      $   2,525   $    20,587   $    2,725   $  22,308   $    8,753  $    2,259 
=========================================================================================================
<FN>
Note:  Certain   reclassifications  have  been  made  to  prior  year  financial
information to conform to current year presentation.
N/A - Not applicable to life insurance pursuant to Regulation S-X.
</FN>
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SCHEDULE III
                                  (CONTINUED)

                       SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

(In millions)
                               
                               
                                               Benefits,   Amortization
                                               Claims and   of Deferred
                                Net Realized     Claim        Policy
                                  Capital      Adjustment   Acquisition     Other        Net
           Segment             Gains(Losses)    Expenses       Costs      Expenses     Written
                                                                                      Premiums
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             1996
<S>                            <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>       
North American P&C             $        15    $   4,994    $    1,154    $    584    $    5,687
Life                                    --        2,435           241       1,337           N/A
International                           79          931           284         201         1,211
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ONGOING OPERATIONS                    94        8,360         1,679       2,122         6,898
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runoff                                (220)         582            (1)         49             8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS      $      (126)   $   8,942    $    1,678    $  2,171    $    6,906
=================================================================================================

             1995
North American P&C             $        29    $   4,315    $    1,178    $    510    $    5,670
Life                                    (4)       1,978           193       1,251           N/A
International                           48          901           276         179         1,237
Other                                   --           --            --           6            --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ONGOING OPERATIONS                    73        7,194         1,647       1,946         6,907
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runoff                                  29          575            11          35            13
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS      $       102    $   7,769    $    1,658    $  1,981    $    6,920
=================================================================================================

             1994
North American P&C             $        69    $   4,070    $    1,121    $    524    $    5,648
Life                                     1        1,909           145         764           N/A
International                           23          757           241         163         1,079
Other                                   --           --            --         (51)           --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ONGOING OPERATIONS                    93        6,736         1,507       1,400         6,727
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runoff                                  (3)         578             6          23            12
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS      $        90    $   7,314    $    1,513    $  1,423    $    6,739
=================================================================================================
<FN>
Note:  Certain   reclassifications  have  been  made  to  prior  year  financial
information to conform to current year presentation.
N/A - Not applicable to life insurance pursuant to Regulation S-X.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                      S-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SCHEDULE IV

                                   REINSURANCE

                                                                  Ceded to    Assumed From                  Percentage of
                                                  Gross Amount     Other          Other       Net Amount   Amount Assumed
(In millions)                                                    Companies      Companies                      to Net
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

<S>                                               <C>            <C>           <C>          <C>                    <C>
   Life insurance in force                        $ 312,176      $  91,474     $  46,156    $   266,858            17%
============================================================================================================================

   Insurance revenues
     Property and casualty insurance              $   6,850      $     837     $     878    $     6,891            13%
     Life insurance                                   2,461            334           184          2,311             8%
     Accident and health insurance                      739             87           222            874            25%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL INSURANCE REVENUES                   $  10,050      $   1,258     $   1,284    $    10,076            13%
============================================================================================================================

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

   Life insurance in force                        $ 339,291      $  87,923     $  18,918    $   270,286             7%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   INSURANCE REVENUES
     Property and casualty insurance              $   6,895      $     822     $     817    $     6,890            12%
     Life insurance                                   1,752            256           476          1,972            24%
     Accident and health insurance                      695             66           137            766            18%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL INSURANCE REVENUES                   $   9,342      $   1,144     $   1,430    $     9,628            15%
============================================================================================================================

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994

   Life insurance in force                        $ 246,138      $  66,709     $  33,090    $   212,519            16%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   INSURANCE REVENUES
     Property and casualty insurance              $   6,717      $     883     $     746    $     6,580            11%
     Life insurance                                   1,422            151           197          1,468            13%
     Accident and health insurance                      631             65           139            705            20%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL INSURANCE REVENUES                   $   8,770      $   1,099     $   1,082    $     8,753            12%
============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      S-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SCHEDULE V

                        VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS


                                                                 Charged to
                                                    Balance      Costs and    Translation      Write-offs/          Balance
                                                   January 1,     Expenses     Adjustment    Payments/Other      December 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   1996
   ----
<S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>                <C>          
Allowance for doubtful accounts                  $     104     $      18     $      --     $         (9)      $         113
Accumulated depreciation of plant,
   property and equipment                              535            68             2               12                 617

   1995
   ----
Allowance for doubtful accounts                  $     102     $      21     $      --     $        (19)      $         104
Accumulated depreciation of plant,                     493            60             2              (20)                535
   property and equipment

   1994
   ----
Allowance for doubtful accounts                  $      84     $      26     $      --     $         (8)      $         102
Accumulated depreciation of plant,
   property and equipment                              434            59             5               (5)                493
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      S-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SCHEDULE VI

                  SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY
                        AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS




                                                       Discount       Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses    Paid Claims and
(In millions)                                        Deducted From            Incurred Related to:           Claim Adjustment
                                                                      --------------------------------------
                                                    Liabilities (1)      Current Year       Prior Years          Expenses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Years ended December 31,

<S>                                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>          
     1996                                           $        472       $       5,075      $      1,049        $       4,879

     1995                                           $        451       $       5,041      $        254        $       4,937

     1994                                           $        432       $       4,841      $         55        $       4,723

================================================================================================================================
<FN>
[1]  Reserves  for  permanently  disabled  claimants,   terminated   reinsurance
     treaties and certain  reinsurance  contracts have been discounted using the
     rate of return The Hartford could receive on risk-free investments of 6.9%,
     6.3% and 8.1% for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      S-7
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                      ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.

                                      By: /s/ James J. Westervelt
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      James J. Westervelt
                                      Senior Vice President and Group Controller

(Date) March 28, 1997

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been  signed by the  following  persons in the  capacities  and on the dates
indicated.


       Signature                      Title                           Date
       ---------                      -----                           ----

/s/ Ramani Ayer             Chairman, President, Chief           March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Ramani Ayer               Executive Officer and Director

/s/ Lowndes A. Smith        Vice Chairman and Director           March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Lowndes A. Smith

/s/ David K. Zwiener         Executive Vice President            March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
David K. Zwiener            and Chief Financial Officer

/s/ James J. Westervelt        Senior Vice President             March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
James J. Westervelt             and Group Controller

/s/ Bette B. Anderson                Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Bette B. Anderson

/s/ Rand V. Araskog                  Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Rand V. Araskog

/s/ Robert A. Burnett                Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Robert A. Burnett

/s/ Donald R. Frahm                  Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Donald R. Frahm

/s/ Arthur A. Hartman                Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Arthur A. Hartman

/s/ Paul G. Kirk, Jr.                Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Paul G. Kirk, Jr.

/s/ H. Patrick Swygert               Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
H. Patrick Swygert

/s/ DeRoy C. Thomas                  Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
DeRoy C. Thomas

/s/ Gordon I. Ulmer                  Director                    March 28, 1997
- -----------------------
Gordon I. Ulmer


                                      II-1
<PAGE>
                            ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.
                                    FORM 10-K

                                 EXHIBITS INDEX

EXHIBIT #
- ---------

3.01   Amended and Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of ITT Hartford Group,
       Inc. ("The  Hartford")  was filed as Exhibit 3.01 to The Hartford's  Form
       10-K for the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995 and is  incorporated
       herein by reference.

3.02   By-Laws of The Hartford  effective October 25, 1995 were filed as Exhibit
       3.02 to The  Hartford's  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
       1995 and are incorporated herein by reference.

4.01   Amended and  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and By-Laws of The
       Hartford (included as Exhibits 3.01 and 3.02 that are incorporated herein
       by reference).

4.02   Rights  Agreement  dated as of November 1, 1995  between The Hartford and
       The Bank of New York as Rights  agent was  filed as  Exhibit  4.02 to The
       Hartford's  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995 and is
       incorporated herein by reference.

4.03   Form of  certificate  of the  voting  powers,  preferences  and  relative
       participating,   optional  and  other  special  rights,   qualifications,
       limitations  or  restrictions   of  Series  A  Participating   Cumulative
       Preferred  Stock of The  Hartford  (attached  as  Exhibit A to the Rights
       Agreement that is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.02 hereto).

4.04   Form of Right Certificate  (attached as Exhibit B to the Rights Agreement
       that is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.02 hereto).

4.05   Indenture  dated as of May 15, 1991  between The  Hartford  and The Chase
       Manhattan Bank (National  Association),  as trustee,  with respect to The
       Hartford's  8.20% Notes due October 15, 1998, 7.25% Notes due December 1,
       1996, and 8.30% Notes due December 1, 2001  (incorporated by reference to
       Exhibit 4(b) to The Hartford's  Form 10 filed on May 9, 1991, as amended,
       file no. 0-19277).

4.06   Forms of The Hartford's 8.20% Notes due October 15, 1998, 7.25% Notes due
       December  1, 1996 and 8.30% Notes due  December 1, 2001(  included in the
       Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.05 hereto).

4.07   Senior Indenture,  dated as of October 20, 1995, between The Hartford and
       The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as trustee, with respect
       to The Hartford's  6.375% Notes Due November 1, 2002 and 7.30% Debentures
       Due  November 1, 2015  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.08 to The
       Hartford's Report on Form 8-K dated November 15, 1995).

4.08   Forms of The  Hartford's  6.375%  Notes  Due  November  1, 2002 and 7.30%
       Debentures  due November 1, 2015  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibits
       4.09 and 4.10,  respectively,  of The Hartford's Report on Form 8-K dated
       November 15, 1995).

4.09   Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of February 28, 1996, between The
       Hartford and Wilmington  Trust Company,  as Trustee,  with respect to The
       Hartford's  7.70% Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest  Debentures,
       Series  A, due  February  28,  2016  ("Junior  Debentures")  was filed as
       Exhibit  4.09 to The  Hartford's  Form  10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
       December 31, 1995 and is incorporated herein by reference.

4.10   Supplemental  Indenture  No. 1 dated as of February  28, 1996 between The
       Hartford and Wilmington  Trust Company,  as Trustee,  with respect to the
       Junior Debentures,  was filed as Exhibit 4.10 to The Hartford's Form 10-K
       for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and is incorporated herein by
       reference.

4.11   Form of The  Hartford's  7.70% Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest
       Debenture,  Series A, due  February 28, 2016  (included in the  indenture
       incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.09 hereto).

4.12   Amended and  Restated  Trust  Agreement  dated as of February 28, 1996 of
       Hartford  Capital I, relating to the 7.70%  Cumulative  Quarterly  Income
       Preferred  Securities,  Series A  ("Preferred  Securities")  was filed as
       Exhibit  4.12 to The  Hartford's  Form  10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
       December 31, 1995 and is incorporated herein by reference.

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
                           EXHIBITS INDEX (CONTINUED)

EXHIBIT #
- ---------

4.13   Agreement  as to Expenses and  Liabilities  dated as of February 28, 1996
       between The Hartford and Hartford  Capital I was filed as Exhibit 4.13 to
       The Hartford's  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and
       is incorporated herein by reference.

4.14   Preferred  Security  Certificate  for  Hartford  Capital I  (included  as
       Exhibit E of the Trust  Agreement  incorporated  by  reference as Exhibit
       4.12 hereto).

4.15   Guarantee  Agreement  dated as of February  28, 1996 between The Hartford
       and Wilmington Trust, as trustee, relating to The Hartford's guarantee of
       the  Preferred  Securities,  was filed as Exhibit 4.15 to The  Hartford's
       Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and is incorporated
       herein by reference.

4.16   Junior Subordinated Indenture,  dated as of October 30, 1996, between The
       Hartford and Wilmington  Trust Company,  as Trustee,  with respect to The
       Hartford's  8.35% Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest  Debentures,
       Series B, due October 30, 2026  ("Series B Junior  Debentures")  is filed
       herewith.

4.17   Form of The  Hartford's  8.35% Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest
       Debenture, Series B, due October 30, 2026 was filed as Exhibit 4.2 to The
       Hartford's Form 8-K dated November 4, 1996, and is incorporated herein by
       reference.

4.18   Amended  and  Restated  Trust  Agreement  dated as of October 30, 1996 of
       Hartford  Capital II, relating to the 8.35%  Cumulative  Quarterly Income
       Preferred  Securities,  Series B, ("Series B Preferred  Securities")  was
       filed as Exhibit 4.1 to The  Hartford's  Form 8-K dated November 4, 1996,
       and is incorporated herein by reference.

4.19   Agreement  as to Expenses  and  Liabilities  dated as of October 30, 1996
       between The Hartford  and  Hartford  Capital II (included as Exhibit D of
       Exhibit 4.18 that is incorporated by reference herein).

4.20   Preferred  Security  Certificate  for  Hartford  Capital II  (included as
       Exhibit E of Exhibit 4.18 that is incorporated by reference herein).

4.21   Guarantee Agreement dated as of October 30, 1996 between The Hartford and
       Wilmington Trust, as trustee, relating to The Hartford's guarantee of the
       Series B Preferred Securities, is filed herewith.

10.01  Distribution Agreement among ITT Corporation, ITT Destinations,  Inc. and
       The Hartford was filed as Exhibit 10.01 to The  Hartford's  Form 10-K for
       the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1995 and is  incorporated  herein by
       reference.

10.02  Intellectual  Property  License  Agreement  among  ITT  Corporation,  ITT
       Destinations,  Inc. and The  Hartford  was filed as Exhibit  10.02 to The
       Hartford's  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995 and is
       incorporated herein by reference.

10.03  Tax Allocation  Agreement among ITT Corporation,  ITT Destinations,  Inc.
       and The Hartford was filed as Exhibit 10.03 to The  Hartford's  Form 10-K
       for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and is incorporated herein by
       reference.

10.04  Form of  Trade  Name and  Service  Mark  License  Agreement  between  ITT
       Corporation and The Hartford was filed as Exhibit 10.04 to The Hartford's
       Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and is incorporated
       herein by reference.

10.05  License Assignment  Agreement among ITT Destinations,  Inc., The Hartford
       and Nutmeg Insurance Company was filed as Exhibit 10.05 to The Hartford's
       Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and is incorporated
       herein by reference.

10.06  License  Assignment  Agreement  among  ITT  Destinations,   Inc.,  Nutmeg
       Insurance  Company  and  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company  was filed as
       Exhibit  10.06 to The  Hartford's  Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
       December 31, 1995 and is incorporated herein by reference.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                           EXHIBITS INDEX (CONTINUED)

EXHIBIT #
- ---------

10.7   Employee Benefit Services and Liability  Agreement among ITT Corporation,
       ITT Destinations, Inc. and The Hartford was filed as Exhibit 10.07 to The
       Hartford's  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995 and is
       incorporated herein by reference.

10.08  ITT Hartford  Group,  Inc. 1996  Restricted  Stock Plan for  Non-Employee
       Directors was filed as Exhibit 10.08 to The Hartford's  Form 10-K for the
       fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995 and is  incorporated  herein  by
       reference.

10.09  1995 ITT Hartford  Incentive Stock Plan was filed as Exhibit 10.09 to The
       Hartford's  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995 and is
       incorporated herein by reference.

10.10  Debt  allocation  agreement  dated as of  November  1, 1995  between  ITT
       Corporation and The Hartford,  and related Fourth Supplemental  Indenture
       dated as of  November 1, 1995 among ITT  Corporation,  The  Hartford  and
       State Street Bank and Trust Company, as successor trustee,  were filed as
       Exhibit  10.10 to The  Hartford's  Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
       December 31, 1995 and are incorporated herein by reference.

10.11  Five-Year  Competitive  Advance and Revolving  Credit Facility  Agreement
       dated as of December  20,  1996 among The  Hartford,  the  Lenders  named
       therein and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank as  Administrative  Agent is filed
       herewith.

10.12  364 Day Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated
       as of December 20, 1996 among The Hartford, the lenders named therein and
       The Chase Manhattan Bank as Administrative Agent is filed herewith.

10.13  (pound)80,000,000 credit facility dated September 29, 1995 among London &
       Edinburgh  Insurance  Group  Limited,  as  borrower,   The  Hartford,  as
       guarantor,  the managers and banks named  therein and The Sumitomo  Bank,
       Limited,  was filed as Exhibit 10.12 to The Hartford's  Form 10-K for the
       fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995 and is  incorporated  herein  by
       reference.

10.14  Employment  Agreement  dated  October 24, 1995  between The  Hartford and
       Ramani Ayer  (incorporated  herein by reference  to Exhibit  10.11 to The
       Hartford's  Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated September 18, 1995,
       as amended by the Form 8-A/A, dated November 13, 1995).

10.15  Employment  Agreement  dated  October 24, 1995  between The  Hartford and
       Lowndes A. Smith  (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit  10.12 to
       The Hartford's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A, dated  September 18,
       1995, as amended by the Form 8-A/A, dated November 13, 1995).

10.16  1996 ITT Hartford Deferred Restricted Stock Unit Plan is filed herewith.

11.01  Statement Re: Computation of Earnings Per Share is filed herewith.

12.01  Statement Re:  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges is filed
       herewith.

21.01  Subsidiaries of ITT Hartford Group, Inc. is filed herewith.

23.01  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP to the incorporation by reference into The
       Hartford's  Registration  Statements  on  Forms  S-8 and  Form S-3 of the
       report of Arthur  Andersen LLP contained in this Form 10-K on the audited
       financial statements, is filed herewith.

27.01  Financial Data Schedule is filed herewith.


                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.16

================================================================================


                            ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.

                                       to

                            WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

                                     Trustee





                        ------------------------------

                          JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

                          Dated as of October 30, 1996

                        ------------------------------


================================================================================
<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

                                   ARTICLE ONE
            Definitions and other Provisions of General Application
            -------------------------------------------------------

SECTION 101.   Definitions.................................2
SECTION 102.   Compliance Certificate and Opinions........12
SECTION 103.   Forms of Documents Delivered to
               Trustee....................................13
SECTION 104.   Acts of Holders............................14
SECTION 105.   Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company.......15
SECTION 106.   Notice to Holders; Waiver..................16
SECTION 107.   Conflict With Trust Indenture Act..........16
SECTION 108.   Effect of Headings and Table of
               Contents...................................17
SECTION 109.   Successors and Assigns.....................17
SECTION 110.   Separability Clause........................17
SECTION 111.   Benefits of Indenture......................17
SECTION 112.   Governing Law..............................17
SECTION 113.   Non-Business Days..........................17

                                   ARTICLE TWO
                                 Security Forms
                                --------------

SECTION 201.   Forms Generally............................18
SECTION 202.   Form of Face of Security...................18
SECTION 203.   Form of Reverse of Security................24
SECTION 204.   Additional Provisions Required in
               Global Security............................27
SECTION 205.   Form of Trustee's Certificate of
               Authentication.............................27

                                  ARTICLE THREE
                                 The Securities
                                --------------

SECTION 301.   Title and Terms............................28
SECTION 302.   Denominations..............................31
SECTION 303.   Execution, Authentication, Delivery
               and Dating.................................31
SECTION 304.   Temporary Securities.......................33
SECTION 305.   Registration, Transfer and Exchange........34
SECTION 306.   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen
               Securities.................................36
SECTION 307.   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights
               Preserved..................................37
SECTION 308.   Persons Deemed Owners......................39
SECTION 309.   Cancellation...............................39
SECTION 310.   Computation of Interest....................39

                                        i
<PAGE>

SECTION 311.   Deferrals of Interest Payment Dates........39
SECTION 312.   Right of Set-Off...........................41
SECTION 313.   Agreed Tax Treatment.......................41
SECTION 314.   Extension of Stated Maturity;
               Adjustment of Stated Maturity Upon an
               Exchange...................................41
SECTION 315.   CUSIP Numbers..............................42

                                  ARTICLE FOUR
                           Satisfaction and Discharge
                          --------------------------

SECTION 401.   Satisfaction and Discharge of
               Indenture..................................42
SECTION 402.   Application of Trust Money.................44
SECTION 403.   Satisfaction, Discharge and
               Defeasance of Securities of Any
               Series.....................................44

                                  ARTICLE FIVE
                                    Remedies
                                   --------

SECTION 501.   Events of Default..........................46
SECTION 502.   Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission
               and Annulment..............................47
SECTION 503.   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits
               for Enforcement by Trustee.................49
SECTION 504.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...........50
SECTION 505.   Trustee May Enforce Claim Without
               Possession of Securities...................51
SECTION 506.   Application of Money Collected.............52
SECTION 507.   Limitation on Suits........................52
SECTION 508.   Unconditional Right of Holders to
               Receive Principal, Premium and
               Interest...................................53
SECTION 509.   Restoration of Rights and Remedies.........54
SECTION 510.   Rights and Remedies Cumulative.............54
SECTION 511.   Delay or Omission Not Waiver...............54
SECTION 512.   Control by Holders.........................54
SECTION 513.   Waiver of Past Defaults....................55
SECTION 514.   Undertaking for Costs......................56
SECTION 515.   Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws...........56

                                   ARTICLE SIX
                                   The Trustee
                                  -----------

SECTION 601.   Certain Duties and Responsibilities........57
SECTION 602.   Notice of Defaults.........................58
SECTION 603.   Certain Rights of Trustee..................59

                                       ii
<PAGE>

SECTION 604.   Not Responsible for Recitals or
               Issuance of Securities.....................60
SECTION 605.   May Hold Securities........................60
SECTION 606.   Money Held in Trust........................60
SECTION 607.   Compensation and Reimbursement.............61
SECTION 608.   Disqualification; Conflicting
               Interests..................................62
SECTION 609.   Corporate Trustee Required;
               Eligibility................................62
SECTION 610.   Resignation and Removal; Appointment
               of Successor...............................63
SECTION 611.   Acceptance of Appointment by
               Successor..................................64
SECTION 612.   Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or
               Succession to Business.....................66
SECTION 613.   Preferential Collection of Claims
               Against Company............................66
SECTION 614.   Appointment of Authenticating Agent........67

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN
               Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company
               -------------------------------------------------

SECTION 701.   Company to Furnish Trustee Names and
               Addresses of Holders.......................69
SECTION 702.   Preservation of Information,
               Communications to Holders..................69
SECTION 703.   Reports by Trustee.........................70
SECTION 704.   Reports by Company.........................70

                                  ARTICLE EIGHT
             Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease
             ----------------------------------------------------

SECTION 801.   Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only
               on Certain Terms...........................71
SECTION 802.   Successor Corporation Substituted..........72

                                  ARTICLE NINE
                             Supplemental Indentures
                            -----------------------

SECTION 901.   Supplemental Indentures Without
               Consent of Holders.........................73
SECTION 902.   Supplemental Indentures with Consent
               of Holders.................................74
SECTION 903.   Execution of Supplemental Indentures.......76
SECTION 904.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures..........77
SECTION 905.   Conformity with Trust Indenture Act........77
SECTION 906.   Reference in Securities to
               Supplemental Indentures....................77

                                       iii
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE TEN
                                    Covenants
                                   ---------

SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium and
               Interest...................................77
SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency............77
SECTION 1003.  Money for Security Payments to be
               Held in Trust..............................78
SECTION 1004.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims..........80
SECTION 1005.  Statement as to Compliance.................80
SECTION 1006.  Waiver of Certain Covenants................81
SECTION 1007.  Additional Sums............................81
SECTION 1008.  Additional Covenants.......................82

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN
                            Redemption of Securities
                           ------------------------

SECTION 1101.  Applicability of This Article..............83
SECTION 1102.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee......83
SECTION 1103.  Selection of Securities to be
               Redeemed...................................84
SECTION 1104.  Notice of Redemption.......................84
SECTION 1105.  Deposit of Redemption Price................85
SECTION 1106.  Payment of Securities Called for
               Redemption.................................85
SECTION 1107.  Company's Right of Redemption..............86

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE
                                  Sinking Funds
                                 -------------

SECTION 1201.  Applicability of Article...................88
SECTION 1202.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments
               with Securities............................88
SECTION 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking
               Fund.......................................89

                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN
                           Subordination of Securities
                          ---------------------------

SECTION 1301.  Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt......91
SECTION 1302.  Payment Over of Proceeds Upon
               Dissolution, Etc...........................91
SECTION 1303.  Prior Payment to Senior Debt Upon
               Acceleration of Securities.................93
SECTION 1304.  No Payment When Senior Debt in
               Default....................................94
SECTION 1305.  Payment Permitted If No Default............95
SECTION 1306.  Subrogation to Rights of Holders of
               Senior Debt................................95

                                       iv
<PAGE>

SECTION 1307.  Provisions Solely to Define Relative
               Rights.....................................96
SECTION 1308.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination........96
SECTION 1309.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions......96
SECTION 1310.  Notice to Trustee..........................97
SECTION 1311.  Reliance on Judicial Order or
               Certificate of Liquidating Agent...........97
SECTION 1312.  Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of
               Senior Debt................................98
SECTION 1313.  Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior
               Debt; Preservation of Trustee's
               Rights.....................................98
SECTION 1314.  Article Applicable to Paying Agents........98
SECTION 1315.  Certain Conversions or Exchanges
               Deemed Payment.............................98


Annex A  --    Form of Trust Agreement

Annex B  --    Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement

Annex C  --    Form of Guarantee Agreement

                                        v
<PAGE>


                            ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.


               Reconciliation  and tie between the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939
(including  cross-references  to provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317
which, pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
by the Trust Reform Act of 1990, are a part of and govern the Indenture  whether
or not  physically  contained  therein) and the Junior  Subordinated  Indenture,
dated as of February 28, 1996.

Trust Indenture
Act Section                                Indenture Section


(S) 310 (a)(1), (2) and (5).....................................609
        (a)(3).......................................Not Applicable
        (a)(4).......................................Not Applicable
        (b).....................................................608
        ........................................................610
        (c)..........................................Not Applicable

(S) 311 (a)..................................................613(a)
        (b)..................................................613(b)
        (b)(2)............................................703(a)(2)
        ..................................................703(a)(2)

(S) 312 (a).....................................................701
        .....................................................702(a)
        (b)..................................................702(b)
        (c)..................................................702(c)

(S) 313 (a)..................................................703(a)
        (b)..................................................703(b)
        (c)..........................................703(a), 703(b)
        (d)..................................................703(c)

(S) 314 (a)(1), (2) and (3).....................................704
        (a)(4).................................................1006
        (b)..........................................Not Applicable
        (c)(1)..................................................102
        (c)(2)..................................................102
        (c)(3).......................................Not Applicable
        (d)..........................................Not Applicable
        (e).....................................................102
        (f)..........................................Not Applicable

(S) 315 (a)..................................................601(a)
        (b).....................................................602
        ..................................................703(a)(6)
        (c)..................................................601(b)
        (d)..................................................601(c)
        (d)(1)............................................601(a)(1)
        (d)(2)............................................601(c)(2)



        (d)(3)............................................601(c)(3)
        (e).....................................................514

(S) 316 (a).....................................................101
        (a)(1)(A)...............................................512
        (a)(1)(B)...............................................513
        (a)(2).................................. ....Not Applicable
        (b).....................................................508
        (c)..................................................104(f)

(S) 317 (a)(1)..................................................503
        (a)(2)..................................................504
        (b)....................................................1003

(S) 318 (a).....................................................107

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Junior Subordinated Indenture.
<PAGE>

     JUNIOR  SUBORDINATED  INDENTURE,  dated as of October 30, 1996 between ITT
HARTFORD GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation  (hereinafter called the "Company")
having its principal office at Hartford Plaza, Hartford,  Connecticut 06115, and
Wilmington  Trust Company,  a Delaware  banking  corporation  duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, as Trustee (hereinafter called
the "Trustee").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     The  Company  has  duly  authorized  the  execution  and  delivery  of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured  junior
subordinated debt securities in series  (hereinafter called the "Securities") of
substantially the tenor hereinafter  provided,  including,  without  limitation,
Securities issued to evidence loans made to the Company of the proceeds from the
issuance  from time to time by one or more  business  trusts  (each a  "Hartford
Trust", and collectively, the "Hartford Trusts") of preferred trust interests in
such Trusts (the  "Preferred  Securities")  and common  interests in such Trusts
(the "Common  Securities"),  and to provide the terms and conditions  upon which
the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered.

     All things  necessary to make the Securities,  when executed by the Company
and  authenticated and delivered  hereunder and duly issued by the Company,  the
valid  obligations of the Company,  and to make this Indenture a valid agreement
of the Company, in accordance with their and its terms, have been done.

     NOW THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof,  it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof,
as follows:


                                   ARTICLE ONE
            DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
            -------------------------------------------------------

      SECTION 101.  Definitions.
                    -----------

     For all purposes of this Indenture,  except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1) The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in
this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

     (2) All other  terms used herein  which are defined in the Trust  Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;

     (3) All  accounting  terms not otherwise  defined  herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles,
and the term  "generally  accepted  accounting  principles"  with respect to any
computation   required  or  permitted   hereunder  shall  mean  such  accounting
principles which are generally accepted at the date or time of such computation;
provided, that when two or more principles are so generally accepted, it shall
- --------
mean that set of principles consistent with those in use by the Company; and

     (4) The words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar
import  refer to this  Indenture as a whole and not to any  particular  Article,
Section or other subdivision.

     Certain  terms,  used  principally  in  Article  Six,  are  defined in that
Article.

     "Act" when used with respect to any Holder has the meaning specified in
      ---
Section 104.

     "Additional Interest" means the interest, if any, that shall accrue on any
      -------------------
interest  on the  Securities  of any series that is in arrears for more than one
interest payment period or not paid during any Extension Period, which in either
case shall accrue at the rate per annum  specified or determined as specified in
such Security.

                                       2
<PAGE>


     "Additional Sums" has the meaning specified in Section 1007.
      ---------------

     "Additional Taxes" means the sum of additional taxes, duties and other
      ----------------
governmental  charges to which a Hartford  Trust has become subject from time to
time as a result of a Tax Event.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
      ---------
indirectly  controlling  or  controlled  by or under  direct or indirect  common
control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the
                                    --------  -------
Company  shall not be deemed to include any Hartford  Trust to which  Securities
have been issued. For the purposes of this definition,  "control" when used with
respect to any  specified  Person means the power to direct the  management  and
policies of such Person,  directly or indirectly,  whether through the ownership
of voting securities,  by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant
      --------------------
to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one
or more series.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or
      ------------------
any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
      ----------------
or an Assistant  Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of  Directors,  or such  committee  of the Board of Directors or officers of the
Company to which  authority to act on behalf of the Board of Directors  has been
delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification,
and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Business Day" means any day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday or (ii) a
      ------------                            -                           --
day on which  banking  institutions  in The City of New York are  authorized  or
required by law or executive order to remain closed or (iii) a day on which the
                                                        ---
Corporate  Trust Office of the Trustee,  or, with respect to the Securities of a
series issued to a Hartford Trust,  the principal office of the Property Trustee
under the related Trust Agreement, is closed for business.

                                       3

<PAGE>

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
      ----------
time  constituted,  created under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, or if at
any time after the execution of this  instrument such Commission is not existing
and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then
the body performing such duties on such date.

     "Common Securities" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this
      -----------------
Indenture.

     "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
      -------
this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor corporation.

     "Company Request" and "Company Order" mean, respectively, the written
      ---------------       -------------
request or order  signed in the name of the  Company by the  Chairman  and Chief
Executive  Officer,  President or a Vice  President,  and by the  Treasurer,  an
Associate Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at which
      ----------------------
at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered.

     "Corporation" includes corporations, associations, companies and business
      -----------
trusts.

     "Current Value" has the meaning specified in Section 1107.
      -------------

     "Debt" means, with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a
      ----
portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every
                                                                     -
obligation of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of such
                                               --
Person  evidenced  by bonds,  debentures,  notes or other  similar  instruments,
including  obligations  incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with
                       ---
respect to letters of credit,  bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued
for the account of such Person; (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or
                                 --
assumed as the deferred  purchase  price of property or services (but  excluding
trade accounts payable or accrued  liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business);

                                       4
<PAGE>

(v) every capital lease obligation of such Person; and (vi) every obligation of
 -                                                      --
the type  referred  to in clauses  (i)  through  (v) of  another  Person and all
dividends of another  Person the payment of which,  in either case,  such Person
has guaranteed or is responsible or liable,  directly or indirectly,  as obligor
or otherwise.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.
      ------------------

     "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable
      ----------
or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities,  the
Person  designated  as  Depositary  by the Company  pursuant to Section 301 with
respect to such series (or any successor thereto).

     "Discounted Remaining Fixed Amount Payments" has the meaning specified in
      ------------------------------------------
Section 1107.

     "Discounted Swap Equivalent Payments" has the meaning specified in Section
      -----------------------------------
1107.

     "Dollar" means the currency of the United States of America as at the time
      ------
of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

     "Event of Default" unless otherwise specified in the supplemental indenture
      ----------------
creating a series of Securities, has the meaning specified in Article Five.

     "Extension Period" has the meaning specified in Section 311.
      ----------------

     "Foreign Currency" means any currency issued by the government of one or
      ----------------
more  countries  other  than the United  States of America or by any  recognized
confederation or association of such governments.

     "Global Security" means a Security in the form prescribed in Section 204
      ---------------
evidencing  all or part of a series of  Securities,  issued to the Depositary or
its nominee for such series,  and  registered in the name of such  Depositary or
its nominee.

     "Government Obligations" means, with respect to the Securities of any
      ----------------------
series,  securities  which are (i) direct  obligations  of the United  States of
America or (ii)  obligations of a Person  controlled or supervised by and acting
as an agency or instrumentality of the United States

                                       5
<PAGE>

of America  the  payment of which is  unconditionally  guaranteed  by the United
States  of  America  and  which,  in either  case,  are full  faith  and  credit
obligations  of the United  States of America and are not callable or redeemable
at the option of the issuer thereof and shall also include a depository  receipt
issued by a bank (as defined in Section  3(a)(2) of the  Securities Act of 1933,
as amended) as custodian  with respect to any such  Government  Obligation  or a
specific  payment of interest on or principal of any such Government  Obligation
held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt;
provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
- --------
make any  deduction  from the amount  payable  to the holder of such  depository
receipt from any amount  received by the custodian in respect of the  Government
Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government
Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

     "Hartford Guarantee" means the guarantee by the Company of distributions on
      ------------------
the  Preferred  Securities  of a Hartford  Trust to the extent  provided  in the
Guarantee  Agreement,  substantially  in the form attached hereto as Annex C, or
substantially  in such form as may be specified as  contemplated  by Section 301
with respect to the Securities of any series,  in each case as amended from time
to time.

     "Hartford Trust" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this
      --------------
Indenture.

     "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
      ------
Securities Register.

     "Junior Subordinated Payment" has the meaning specified in Section 1302.
      ---------------------------

     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from
      ---------
time to time be supplemented  or amended by one or more indentures  supplemental
hereto  entered  into  pursuant to the  applicable  provisions  hereof and shall
include  the  terms of each  particular  series  of  Securities  established  as
contemplated by Section 301.

     "Interest Payment Date" means as to each series of Securities the Stated
      ---------------------
Maturity of an installment of interest on such Securities.

                                       6
<PAGE>

     "Interest Rate" means the rate of interest specified or determined as
      -------------
specified in each Security as being the rate of interest payable on such
Security.

     "Investment Company Event" means, in respect of a Hartford Trust, the
      ------------------------
occurrence  of a change in law or regulation  or a change in  interpretation  or
application of law or regulation by any legislative  body,  court,  governmental
agency or  regulatory  authority (a "Change in 1940 Act Law") to the effect that
such Hartford  Trust is or will be considered  an  "investment  company" that is
required  to be  registered  under  the 1940 Act,  which  Change in 1940 Act Law
becomes  effective  on or after the date of original  issuance of the  Preferred
Securities of such Hartford Trust.

     "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other
      ----
encumbrance.

     "Maturity" when used with respect to any Security means the date on which
      --------
the  principal  of such  Security  becomes  due and payable as therein or herein
provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call
for redemption or otherwise.

     "1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
      --------

     "Notice of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501(3).
      -----------------

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman and
      ---------------------
Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an
Associate Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
      ------------------
for the Company.

     "Original Issue Date" means the date of issuance specified as such in each
      -------------------
Security.

     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any security which provides for an
      --------------------------------
amount  less than the  principal  amount  thereof to be due and  payable  upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     "Outstanding" means, as of the date of determination, all Securities
      -----------
theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

        (i)  Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the
     Trustee for cancellation;

        (ii) Securities for whose payment money in the necessary amount has been
     theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the
     Holders of such Securities; and

        (iii)  Securities  in  substitution  for  or  in  lieu  of  which  other
     Securities  have been  authenticated  and delivered or which have been paid
     pursuant  to Section  306,  unless  proof  satisfactory  to the  Trustee is
     presented that any such  Securities are held by Holders in whose hands such
     Securities are valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
- --------  -------
principal  amount of  Outstanding  Securities  have given any  request,  demand,
authorization,  direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned
by the Company or any other obligor upon the  Securities or any Affiliate of the
Company  or such  other  obligor  shall  be  disregarded  and  deemed  not to be
outstanding,  except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected
in relying upon any such  request,  demand,  authorization,  direction,  notice,
consent or waiver,  only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall
be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's  right so to act with respect to such  Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other  obligor upon the  Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor. Upon request of the Trustee, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers'  Certificate  listing
and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held
by or for the account of the Company,  or any other obligor on the Securities or
any Affiliate of the Company or such obligor,  and, subject to the provisions of
Section 601, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers'  Certificate
as  conclusive  evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all
Securities  not  listed  therein  are  Outstanding  for the  purpose of any such
determination.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     "Paying Agent" means the Trustee or any Person authorized by the Company to
      ------------
pay the principal of or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
      ------
association,   joint-stock  company,  trust,   unincorporated   organization  or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Place of Payment" means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the
      ----------------
place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Securities of such series are payable pursuant to Section 301 or 311.

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
      --------------------
Security  evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular  Security;  and,  for the purposes of this  definition,  any security
authenticated  and delivered  under Section 306 in lieu of a lost,  destroyed or
stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed
or stolen Security.

     "Preferred Securities" has the meaning specified in the first recital of
      --------------------
this Indenture.

     "Proceeding" has the meaning specified in Section 1302.
      ----------

     "Property Trustee" means, in respect of any Hartford Trust, the commercial
      ----------------
bank or trust company  identified as the "Property Trustee" in the related Trust
Agreement,  solely in its capacity as Property  Trustee of such  Hartford  Trust
under such Trust Agreement and not in its individual capacity,  or its successor
in interest in such capacity,  or any successor  property  trustee  appointed as
therein provided.

     "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
      -------------------
with respect to the  Securities of a series  means,  unless  otherwise  provided
pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Securities  of a series,  the date which
is fifteen days next  preceding  such  Interest  Payment Date  (whether or not a
Business Day).

     "Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Trustee means any
      -------------------
officer of the Trustee assigned by the

                                       9
<PAGE>

Trustee from time to time to administer its corporate trust matters.

     "Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary which is incorporated in any
      ---------------------
state of the  United  States  or in the  District  of  Columbia  and  which is a
regulated  insurance company principally engaged in one or more of the property,
casualty and life insurance businesses, provided that no such Subsidiary shall
                                        --------
be a Restricted Subsidiary if (i) the total assets of such Subsidiary are less
                               -
than 10% of the total  assets of the Company and its  consolidated  Subsidiaries
(including such Subsidiary), in each case as set forth on the most recent fiscal
year-end  balance sheets of such Subsidiary and the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries,  respectively,  and computed in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, or (ii) in the judgment of the Board of Directors, as
                           --
evidenced  by a  Board  Resolution,  such  Subsidiary  is  not  material  to the
financial condition of the Company and its consolidated  Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.

     "Securities" or "Security" means any debt securities or debt security, as
      ----------      --------
the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

     "Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective
      -------------------       --------------------
meanings specified in Section 305.

     "Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if
      -----------
any  (including  interest  accruing  on or after the filing of any  petition  in
bankruptcy  or for  reorganization  relating to the Company  whether or not such
claim for  post-petition  interest  is  allowed  in such  proceeding),  on Debt,
whether  incurred  on or  prior  to the  date of this  Indenture  or  thereafter
incurred,  unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant
to which the same is outstanding,  it is provided that such  obligations are not
superior in right of payment to the Securities or to other Debt which is pari
                                                                         ----
passu with, or subordinated to, the Securities, provided, however, that Senior
- -----                                           --------  -------
Debt shall not be deemed to include (a) the 7.70% Junior Subordinated Deferrable
                                     -
Interest Debentures, Series A, Due February 28, 2015, of the Company, (b) any
                                                                       -
Debt of the Company  which when  incurred  and without  respect to any  election
under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, was without recourse
to the Company, (c) any Debt of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (d) Debt
                 -                                                       -
to any employee of the Company, (e) any liability for taxes, (f) Debt or other
                                 -                            -
monetary obligations to trade creditors

                                       10
<PAGE>

created or assumed by the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  in the  ordinary
course of business in  connection  with the  obtaining  of goods,  materials  or
services and (g) the Securities.
              -

     "Special Event" means a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.
      -------------

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
      -------------------
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

     "Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any installment
      ---------------
of  principal  thereof or  interest  thereon  means the date  specified  in such
Security  as the fixed  date on which the  principal  of such  Security  or such
installment of interest is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which at the time of determination
      ----------
the  Company  and/or  one or more  Subsidiaries  owns or  controls  directly  or
indirectly more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock. For purposes
of this  definition,  "voting  stock" means stock which has voting power for the
election of  directors,  whether at all times or only so long as no senior class
of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

     "Tax Event" means the receipt by a Hartford Trust of an Opinion of Counsel
      ---------
experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to,
or change  (including  any  announced  prospective  change) in, the laws (or any
regulations  thereunder)  of the United States or any political  subdivision  or
taxing authority  thereof or therein affecting  taxation,  or as a result of any
official  administrative  pronouncement  or judicial  decision  interpreting  or
applying  such laws or  regulations,  which  amendment or change is effective or
such  pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of
the  Preferred  Securities  of  such  Hartford  Trust,  there  is  more  than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Hartford Trust is, or will be within 90 days of
                         -
the date thereof,  subject to United States  Federal  income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the corresponding series of Securities, (ii)
                                                                       --
interest  payable by the Company on the  corresponding  series of  Securities is
not, or within 90 days of the date thereof, will not be, deductible, in whole or
in part, for United States Federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Hartford
                                                           ---
Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to more than

                                       11
<PAGE>

a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
  -- -------

     "Trust Agreement" means the Trust Agreement substantially in the form
      ---------------
attached hereto as Annex A, as amended by the form of Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex B, or substantially
in such form as may be specified as  contemplated by Section 301 with respect to
the Securities of any series, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
      -------
this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture,  and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or
include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder and, if at any time there is
more than one such Person,  "Trustee" as used with respect to the  Securities of
any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.
      -------------------
(S)(S)  77aaa-77bbb),  as  amended  and as in  effect  on the  date  as of  this
Indenture, except as provided in Section 905.

     "Vice President" when used with respect to the Company, means any vice
      --------------
president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before
or after the title "vice president."

      SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificate and Opinions.
                    -----------------------------------

     Upon any  application  or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this  Indenture,  the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee  an  Officers'   Certificate  stating  that  all  conditions   precedent
(including covenants,  compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent),
if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been
complied  with and an  Opinion of Counsel  stating  that in the  opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent (including covenants compliance with which
constitute a condition precedent),  if any, have been complied with, except that
in the case of any such  application  or request as to which the  furnishing  of
such  documents is  specifically  required by any  provision  of this  Indenture
relating to such particular application or

                                       12
<PAGE>

request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant  provided for in this Indenture (other than the  certificates  provided
pursuant to Section 1006) shall include:

        (1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion
     has read such covenant or condition  and the  definitions  herein  relating
     thereto;

        (2) a brief  statement as to the nature and scope of the  examination or
     investigation  upon which the  statements  or  opinions  contained  in such
     certificate or opinion are based;

        (3) a statement  that,  in the opinion of each such  individual,  he has
     made such  examination  or  investigation  as is necessary to enable him to
     express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
     has been complied with; and

        (4) a statement as to whether,  in the opinion of each such  individual,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

     SECTION 103.  Forms of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
                   ---------------------------------------

     In any case where  several  matters  are  required to be  certified  by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified  Person,  it is not  necessary  that all
such  matters  be  certified  by, or covered by the  opinion  of,  only one such
Person,  or that they be so certified or covered by only one  document,  but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion  with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters,  and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

     Any  certificate  or opinion of an  officer  of the  Company  may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal  matters,  upon a  certificate  or opinion of, or
representations  by,  counsel,  unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or  representations
with  respect to  matters  upon  which his  certificate  or opinion is based are
erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be

                                       13
<PAGE>


based,  insofar as it relates to factual matters,  upon a certificate or opinion
of, or  representations  by, an officer or officers of the Company  stating that
the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know,  that the certificate or opinion or  representations  with respect to such
matters are erroneous.

     Where  any  Person  is  required  to  make,  give  or  execute  two or more
applications,  requests, consents,  certificates,  statements, opinions or other
instruments  under this Indenture,  they may, but need not, be consolidated  and
form one instrument.

      SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders
                    ---------------
     (a) Any request, demand, authorization,  direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other  action  provided by this  Indenture to be given to or taken by Holders
may be embodied in and  evidenced by one or more  instruments  of  substantially
similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly  appointed in
writing;  and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided,  such action shall
become  effective when such instrument or instruments is or are delivered to the
Trustee,  and,  where it is hereby  expressly  required,  to the  Company.  Such
instrument  or  instruments  (and the  action  embodied  therein  and  evidenced
thereby) are herein  sometimes  referred to as the "Act" of the Holders  signing
such instrument or instruments.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing  appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture  and (subject to Section 601)  conclusive  in favor of the Trustee and
the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the  Company,  if made in the manner
provided in this Section.

     (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the  affidavit of a witness of such  execution or by
the certificate of any notary public or other officer  authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by
a Person  acting in other than his  individual  capacity,  such  certificate  or
affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     (c) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing,  or the  authority  of the Person  executing  the same,  may also be
proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems  sufficient and in accordance
with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine.

     (d)  The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Securities
Register.

     (e) Any request, demand, authorization,  direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action by the Holder of any Security  shall bind every future Holder of
the same  Security  and the Holder of every  Security  issued upon the  transfer
thereof or in exchange  therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything  done
or  suffered  to be done by the  Trustee  or the  Company in  reliance  thereon,
whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

     (f) The Company may,  but shall not be obligated  to, fix a record date for
the purpose of  determining  the Holders  entitled to take any action under this
Indenture by vote or consent.  Except as otherwise provided herein,  such record
date  shall be the  later of 30 days  prior to the  first  solicitation  of such
consent or vote or the date of the most recent list of Securityholders furnished
to the Trustee pursuant to Section 701 prior to such  solicitation.  If a record
date is fixed,  those persons who were  Securityholders  at such record date (or
their duly  designated  proxies),  and only those persons,  shall be entitled to
take such action by vote or consent or to revoke any vote or consent  previously
given,  whether or not such  persons  continue  to be Holders  after such record
date, provided, however, that unless such vote or consent is obtained from the
      --------  -------
Holders (or their duly designated  proxies) of the requisite principal amount of
Outstanding  Securities  prior to the date  which is the 120th  day  after  such
record date, any such vote or consent  previously given shall  automatically and
without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.

      SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company.
                    ------------------------------------

     Any request, demand,  authorization,  direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other  document  provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

                                       15
<PAGE>

     (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the  Company  shall be  sufficient  for
every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with
the Trustee at its Corporate Trust office, or

     (2) the Company by the  Trustee or by any Holder  shall be  sufficient  for
every purpose (except as otherwise  provided in Section 501 hereof) hereunder if
in writing and mailed, first class, postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to
it at the address of its principal  office  specified in the first  paragraph of
this instrument or at any other address  previously  furnished in writing to the
Trustee by the Company.

      SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver.
                    -------------------------

     Where this  Indenture  provides  for  notice to Holders of any event,  such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly  provided)
if in writing and mailed,  first class postage prepaid,  to each Holder affected
by such event,  at the  address of such  Holder as it appears in the  Securities
Register,  not later than the latest  date,  and not earlier  than the  earliest
date,  prescribed  for the giving of such  notice.  In any case where  notice to
Holders  is given by mail,  neither  the  failure to mail such  notice,  nor any
defect in any  notice so  mailed,  to any  particular  Holder  shall  affect the
sufficiency of such notice with respect to other  Holders.  Where this Indenture
provides  for notice in any manner,  such notice may be waived in writing by the
Person  entitled to receive such notice,  either before or after the event,  and
such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders
shall be filed  with the  Trustee,  but such  filing  shall  not be a  condition
precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

      SECTION 107.  Conflict With Trust Indenture Act.
                    ---------------------------------

     If any provision of this Indenture limits,  qualifies or conflicts with the
duties imposed by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive,  of the Trust Indenture
Act through  operation of Section  318(c)  thereof,  such  imposed  duties shall
control.

                                       16
<PAGE>

     SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
                  ----------------------------------------

     The Article and Section  headings  herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

     SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.
                  ----------------------

     All  covenants and  agreements in this  Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

     SECTION 110.  Separability Clause.
                   -------------------

     In case any  provision  in this  Indenture  or in the  Securities  shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable,  the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

      SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.
                   ---------------------

     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities,  express or implied,  shall
give to any Person,  other than the parties  hereto,  any Paying Agent and their
successors  and assigns and the  Holders of the  Securities,  any benefit or any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

      SECTION 112. Governing Law.
                   -------------

     This  Indenture  and the  Securities  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

      SECTION 113. Non-Business Days.
                   -----------------

     In any case  where any  Interest  Payment  Date or Stated  Maturity  of any
Security shall not be a Business Day, then  (notwithstanding any other provision
of this Indenture or the  Securities)  payment of interest or principal need not
be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no
interest  shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest  Payment Date
or Stated Maturity,  as the case may be, until the next succeeding Business Day,
in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the  Interest  Payment
Date or at the Stated Maturity, except that, if such Business Day is in the next

                                       17
<PAGE>

succeeding  calendar  year,  such  payment  shall  be  made  on the  immediately
preceding Business Day.


                                   ARTICLE TWO
                                 SECURITY FORMS
                                 --------------

          SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
                       ---------------

          The  Securities  of each  series  and  the  Trustee's  certificate  of
authentication shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article, or
in such other form or forms as shall be  established  by or  pursuant to a Board
Resolution or in one or more indentures  supplemental  hereto, in each case with
such appropriate  insertions,  omissions,  substitutions and other variations as
are required or permitted by this  Indenture and may have such letters,  numbers
or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon
as may be  required  to  comply  with  applicable  tax laws or the  rules of any
securities  exchange or as may,  consistently  herewith,  be  determined  by the
officers  executing  such  securities,  as evidenced  by their  execution of the
Securities.  If the form of  Securities of any series is  established  by action
taken pursuant to a Board  Resolution,  a copy of an appropriate  record of such
action  shall be certified  by the  Secretary  or an Assistant  Secretary of the
Company and  delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company
Order  contemplated  by  Section  303 with  respect  to the  authentication  and
delivery of such Securities.

          The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be substantially in
the form set forth in this Article.

          The definitive  Securities shall be printed,  lithographed or engraved
or produced by any  combination of these methods,  if required by any securities
exchange on which the  Securities may be listed,  on a steel engraved  border or
steel engraved  borders or may be produced in any other manner  permitted by the
rules of any securities  exchange on which the Securities may be listed,  all as
determined  by the officers  executing  such  Securities,  as evidenced by their
execution of such securities.

          SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.
                       ------------------------

          [If the Security is a Global  Security,  insert -- This  Security is a
Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture  hereinafter referred to and
is registered in the

                                       18
<PAGE>

name of The  Depository  Trust  Company (the  "Depository")  or a nominee of the
Depository.  This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name
of a person  other  than  the  Depository  or its  nominee  only in the  limited
circumstances described in the Indenture and no transfer of this Security (other
than a transfer of this  Security as a whole by the  Depository  to a nominee of
the  Depository or by a nominee of the  Depository to the  Depository or another
nominee of the Depository) may be registered except in limited circumstances.

          Unless this Security is presented by an authorized  representative  of
The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street,  New York) to ITT Hartford Group,
Inc. or its agent for  registration  of transfer,  exchange or payment,  and any
Security  issued is  registered  in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as
requested by an authorized  representative  of The Depository  Trust Company and
any  payment  hereon is made to Cede & Co.,  ANY  TRANSFER,  PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered
owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

          If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- This
Security  was issued with  original  issue  discount for United  States  Federal
income tax purposes.  For further  information,  please contact [name, title and
address or telephone number of a representative of the Company].

                            ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.
                               (Title of Security)

No. __________                                                  $_____________

          ITT HARTFORD GROUP,  INC., a corporation  organized and existing under
the laws of Delaware (hereinafter called the "Company",  which term includes any
successor  corporation under the Indenture  hereinafter  referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to _______________,  or registered assigns, the
principal  sum  of  __________________  Dollars  on  ________________________,[;
provided that the Company may (i) change the maturity date upon the occurrence
                               -
of an exchange of the  Securities  for the Trust  Securities  subject to certain
conditions  set forth in Section 314 of the  Indenture,  which changed  maturity
date shall in no case be earlier than , or later than , and (ii) extend
                                                                      --
the maturity date subject to certain conditions specified in Section 314 of the
Indenture, which extended maturity date

                                       19
<PAGE>

shall in no case be later than ,]. The Company further  promises to pay interest
on said principal sum from ______,  ___ or from the most recent interest payment
date (each such date,  an "Interest  Payment  Date") on which  interest has been
paid or duly provided for, [monthly] [quarterly] [semi-annually] [if applicable,
insert-(subject  to  deferral  as set  forth  herein)]  in  arrears  on  [insert
applicable Interest Payment Dates] of each year,  commencing ______, ___, at the
rate of ___% per annum,  until the  principal  hereof  shall have become due and
payable, [if applicable,  insert- plus Additional  Interest,  if any,] until the
principal  hereof is paid or duly provided for or made available for payment [if
applicable, insert- and on any overdue principal and (without duplication and to
the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on
any overdue  installment  of interest at the rate of ___% per annum,  compounded
[monthly] [quarterly] [annually].  The amount of interest payable for any period
will be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day  months and a 360-day  year.  The
amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis
of the number of days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  In the
event  that any date on which  interest  is payable  on this  Security  is not a
Business Day,  then a payment of the interest  payable on such date will be made
on the next  succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or
other  payment in respect of any such delay),  except that, if such Business Day
is in the next  succeeding  calendar  year,  such  payment  shall be made on the
immediately  preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect
as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A "Business Day" 
                                                              -------- ---
shall mean any day other than a day on which banking institutions in the City of
New York are  authorized or required by law or executive  order to remain closed
or a day on which the  Corporate  Trust  Office of the Trustee  [if  applicable,
insert-,  or the  principal  office  of the  Property  Trustee  under  the Trust
Agreement  hereinafter  referred  to for  Hartford  Capital  __,] is closed  for
business.  The interest  installment  so payable,  and  punctually  paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest  Payment Date will, as provided in the  Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this  Security  (or one or more  Predecessor
Securities,  as defined in the Indenture) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular  Record Date for such  interest  installment,  which shall be the
[[insert  Regular  Record  Dates]  (whether  or not a Business  Day)]  [close of
business on the Business Day] next  preceding  such Interest  Payment Date.  Any
such  interest  installment  not so  punctually  paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on

                                       20
<PAGE>

such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this
Security (or one or more  Predecessor  Securities) is registered at the close of
business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted  Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee,  notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities
of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special  Record  Date,  or be
paid  at any  time  in  any  other  lawful  manner  not  inconsistent  with  the
requirements  of any securities  exchange on which the Securities of this series
may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange,  all as
more fully provided in said Indenture.

          [If  applicable,  insert- The Company shall have the right at any time
during the term of this  Security,  from time to time,  to extend  the  interest
payment  period of such Security for up to __  consecutive  [months]  [quarters]
with respect to each deferral period (each an "Extension Period"), during which
                                               ----------------
periods the Company shall have the right to make partial payments of interest on
any Interest  Payment  Date,  and at the end of which the Company  shall pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid  (together with Additional  Interest thereon to
the extent permitted by applicable law); provided that during any such
                                         --------
Extension  Period,  the Company will not, and will not permit any  Subsidiary of
the Company to (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions or redeem,
                -
purchase,  acquire or make a  liquidation  payment  with  respect to, any of the
Company's outstanding capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal,
                                        --
interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt security
that ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to this Security or make any
           ---- -----
guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends or
                                                              -
distributions in common stock of the Company, (b) redemptions or purchases of
                                               -
any rights pursuant to the Company's Rights Plan, or any successor to such
Rights Plan, and the declaration of a dividend of such rights in the future, and
(c) payments under any Hartford Guarantee (as defined in the Indenture)). Prior
 -
to the termination of any such Extension Period,  the Company may further extend
the interest payment period, provided that such Extension Period together with
                             --------
all such previous and further  extensions of such  Extension  Period,  shall not
exceed __ consecutive  [months] [quarters] or extend beyond the Maturity of this
Security. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and upon the payment
of all accrued and unpaid  interest and any  Additional  Interest  then due, the
Company may select a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. No
interest shall be due and

                                       21
<PAGE>

payable during an Extension Period except at the end thereof.  The Company shall
give the Holder of this  Security and the Trustee  notice of its selection of an
Extension  Period at least one Business  Day prior to the Interest  Payment Date
[if applicable, insert- the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the
                                        -
Preferred Securities are payable or (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees
                                     --
are required to give notice to the New York Stock  Exchange or other  applicable
self-regulatory  organization or to holders of such Preferred  Securities of the
record date or the date such  Distributions  are  payable,  but in any event not
less than one Business Day prior to such record date.

          Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this
Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in the United  States,  in such coin or currency of the United States of
America  as at the time of payment  is legal  tender  for  payment of public and
private debts [if applicable, insert-; provided, however, that at the option of
                                       --------  -------
the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address
                                             -
of the Person  entitled  thereto as such address shall appear in the  Securities
Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place
             --
and to such account as may be designated by the Person entitled thereto as
specified in the Securities Register].

          The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided
in the  Indenture,  subordinate  and  subject in right of  payments to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt,  and this Security is issued  subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.  Each Holder of this Security,
by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b)
                        -                                                    -
authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such actions as may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and (c)
                                                                          -
appoints the Trustee his  attorney-in-fact  for any and all such purposes.  Each
Holder hereof, by his acceptance hereof,  waives all notice of the acceptance of
the  subordination  provisions  contained  herein and in the  Indenture  by each
holder of Senior Debt, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives
reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.

          Reference is hereby made to the further  provisions  of this  Security
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

                                       22
<PAGE>

          Unless the certificate of  authentication  hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall  not be  entitled  to any  benefit  under  the  Indenture  or be  valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.

Dated:

                                        ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.


                                        By:__________________________
                                           [Chairman and Chief Executive
                                           Officer, President or Vice President]

Attest:


- ----------------------------------
[Secretary or Assistant Secretary]

                                       23
<PAGE>


        SECTION 203.    Form of Reverse of Security.
                        ---------------------------

       This  Security is one of a duly  authorized  issue of  securities  of the
Company, (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or
                             ----------
more series under a Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of October 30, 1996
(herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and Wilmington Trust
                    ---------
Company, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any
                                        -------
successor  trustee under the  Indenture),  to which Indenture and all indentures
supplemental  thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective
rights,  limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee,
the Company and the Holders of the  Securities,  and of the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one
of the series  designated  on the face hereof[,  limited in aggregate  principal
amount to $___________].

       All terms used in this  Security  that are defined in the  Indenture  [if
applicable, insert- or in the Trust Agreement, dated _________, 1996, as amended
(the "Trust  Agreement"),  among ITT Hartford Group, Inc. as Depositor,  and the
Trustees  named  therein,  for  Hartford  Capital  __,] shall have the  meanings
assigned  to  them  in the  Indenture  [if  applicable,  insert-  or  the  Trust
Agreement, as the case may be].

       [If  applicable,  insert- The Company may, at its option,  subject to the
terms and conditions of Article Eleven of the Indenture, redeem this Security on
any Interest  Payment date with respect  thereto in whole at any time or in part
from time to time,  without premium or penalty,  at a redemption  price equal to
the accrued and unpaid interest [if applicable,  insert-,  including  Additional
Interest, if any,] to the date fixed for redemption, plus the greater of (a) the
                                                                          -
principal amount thereof and (b) an amount equal to [for Securities bearing
                              -
interest at a fixed rate:  the Discounted Remaining Fixed Amount Payments] [for
Securities bearing interest determined by a floating rate:  the Discounted Swap
Equivalent Payments].

       [If applicable, insert- If a Special Event in respect of a Hartford Trust
shall  occur and be  continuing,  the Company  may,  at its  option,  redeem the
corresponding  series of Securities on any Interest  Payment Date falling within
90 days of the occurrence of such Special Event, in

                                       24
<PAGE>

whole but not in part,  subject to the  provisions of Section 1107 and the other
provisions of Article  Eleven of the  Indenture.  The  redemption  price for any
Security so redeemed shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus
accrued and unpaid interest,  including Additional Interest, if any, to the date
fixed for redemption.]

       In the event of  redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security
or Securities of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in
the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

       [If the  Security is not an Original  Issue  Discount  Security,  - If an
Event of Default  with respect to  Securities  of this series shall occur and be
continuing,  the principal of the  Securities of this series may be declared due
and  payable  in the  manner,  with the effect  and  subject  to the  conditions
provided in the Indenture.]

       [If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, - If an Event of
Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing,
an amount of principal of the  Securities of this series may be declared due and
payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in
the Indenture.  Such amounts shall be equal to - insert formula for  determining
the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and
                           -
payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in
             --
each case to the  extent  that the  payment  of such  interest  shall be legally
enforceable),  all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the
principal  of and  interest,  if any, on the  Securities  of this  series  shall
terminate.]

       The  Indenture  contains  provisions  for  satisfaction,   discharge  and
defeasance  at any  time  of the  entire  indebtedness  of  this  Security  upon
compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

       The Indenture permits,  with certain exceptions as therein provided,  the
amendment  thereof and the  modification  of the rights and  obligations  of the
Company  and the rights of the  Holders of the  Securities  of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal  amount of the  Securities  of
each series at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture
also contains provisions permitting Holders of

                                       25
<PAGE>

specified  percentages  in principal  amount of the Securities of each series at
the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series,
to waive compliance by the Company with certain  provisions of the Indenture and
certain past  defaults  under the  Indenture  and their  consequences.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding
upon  such  Holder  and upon all  future  Holders  of this  Security  and of any
Security issued upon the  registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor
or in lieu  hereof,  whether or not  notation of such  consent or waiver is made
upon this Security.

       No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or
of the Indenture  shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,  which is
absolute and  unconditional,  to pay the principal of (and premium,  if any) and
interest  on this  Security  at the  times,  place and rate,  and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

       As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain  limitations  therein
set forth,  the  transfer of this  Security  is  registrable  in the  Securities
Register,  upon surrender of this Security for  registration  of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company  maintained  under Section 1002 of the Indenture
duly  endorsed by, or  accompanied  by a written  instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory  to the Company and the Securities  Registrar duly executed by, the
Holder hereof or his attorney duly  authorized in writing,  and thereupon one or
more new Securities of this series, of authorized denominations and for the same
aggregate  principal  amount,  will be issued to the  designated  transferee  or
transferees.  No  service  charge  shall be made for any  such  registration  of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

       Prior to due  presentment of this Security for  registration of transfer,
the  Company,  the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes,  whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

       The  Securities  of this  series are  issuable  only in  registered  form
without coupons in denominations of $____ and any integral multiple thereof.  As
provided in the

                                       26
<PAGE>

Indenture and subject to certain  limitations  therein set forth,  Securities of
this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities
of such series of a  different  authorized  denomination,  as  requested  by the
Holder surrendering the same.

       [If  applicable,  insert- The  Company  and,  by its  acceptance  of this
Security or a beneficial  interest  therein,  the Holder of, and any Person that
acquires a beneficial  interest in, this  Security  agree that for United States
Federal,  state  and local  tax  purposes  it is  intended  that  this  Security
constitute indebtedness.]

       THE  INDENTURE  AND THIS  SECURITY  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF
LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

        SECTION 204.  Additional Provisions Required in Global Security.
                      -------------------------------------------------

       Any Global Security issued hereunder shall, in addition to the provisions
contained in Sections 202 and 203 bear a legend in  substantially  the following
form:

       "This Security is a Global  Security  within the meaning of the Indenture
hereinafter  referred  to and is  registered  in the name of a  Depositary  or a
nominee of a Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered
in the name of a person  other than the  Depositary  or its nominee  only in the
limited  circumstances  described in the  Indenture  and may not be  transferred
except as a whole by the  Depositary  to a  nominee  of the  Depositary  or by a
nominee  of  the  Depositary  to  the  Depositary  or  another  nominee  of  the
Depositary."

        SECTION 205.    Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
                        -----------------------------------------------

       This  is one of  the  Securities  referred  to in  the  within  mentioned
Indenture.

                            -------------------------
                            as Trustee

                            By: ____________________
                               Authorized Officer

                                       27
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE THREE
                                 THE SECURITIES
                                 --------------

        SECTION 301.    Title and Terms.
                        ---------------

       The aggregate  principal  amount of Securities which may be authenticated
and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

       The  Securities  may be  issued  in one or more  series.  There  shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution,  and set forth in an Officers'
Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior
to the issuance of Securities of a series:

  (a)  the title of the Securities of such series, which shall distinguish the
Securities of the series from all other Securities;

  (b) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate  principal  amount of the Securities
of such series which may be  authenticated  and delivered  under this  Indenture
(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer
of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other  Securities of the series  pursuant
to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1106); provided, however, that the authorized
                                        --------  -------
aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased above such amount by
a Board Resolution to such effect;

  (c)  the Stated Maturity or Maturities on which the principal of the
Securities of such series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

  (d) the rate or rates,  if any, at which the  Securities  of such series shall
bear  interest,  if any,  the  rate or rates  and  extent  to  which  Additional
Interest,  if any, shall be payable in respect of any Securities of such series,
the Interest  Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable,  the right,
pursuant to Section 311 or as  otherwise  set forth  therein,  of the Company to
defer or extend an Interest  Payment Date,  and the Regular  Record Date for the
interest  payable on any Interest Payment Date or the method by which any of the
foregoing shall be determined;

  (e)  the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on the Securities of

                                       28
<PAGE>

such series shall be payable,  the place or places where the  Securities of such
series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange,  and the place
or places  where  notices  and  demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
Securities of such series may be made;

  (f) the period or periods  within or the date or dates on which,  if any,  the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions  upon which the Securities
of such  series  may be  redeemed,  in whole or in part,  at the  option  of the
Company;

  (g) the  obligation or the right,  if any, of the Company to redeem,  repay or
purchase  the   Securities  of  such  series   pursuant  to  any  sinking  fund,
amortization  or analogous  provisions or at the option of a Holder  thereof and
the period or periods within which,  the price or prices at which,  the currency
or  currencies  (including  currency unit or units) in which and the other terms
and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed,  repaid or
purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

  (h) the  denominations  in  which  any  Securities  of such  series  shall  be
issuable, if other than denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof;

  (i) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit
or units) in which the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest,  if any,
on the Securities of the series shall be payable,  or in which the Securities of
the series shall be denominated;

  (j) the  additions,  modifications  or  deletions,  if any,  in the  Events of
Default  or  covenants  of the  Company  set forth  herein  with  respect to the
Securities of such series;

  (k) if other than the principal  amount thereof,  the portion of the principal
amount of  Securities of such series that shall be payable upon  declaration  of
acceleration of the Maturity thereof;

  (l) the additions or changes,  if any, to this  Indenture  with respect to the
Securities  of such series as shall be  necessary  to permit or  facilitate  the
issuance of the Securities of such series in bearer

                                       29
<PAGE>

form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without
interest coupons;

  (m) any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of principal
of and premium,  if any, on the Securities of such series or the manner in which
such amounts will be determined;

  (n) the  issuance  of a  temporary  Global  Security  representing  all of the
Securities  of such series and exchange of such  temporary  Global  Security for
definitive Securities of such series;

  (o) whether the  Securities  of the series shall be issued in whole or in part
in the form of one or more Global  Securities  and, in such case, the Depositary
for  such  Global  Securities,  which  Depositary  shall  be a  clearing  agency
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

  (p)  the appointment of any Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities of such
series;

  (q) the terms of any right to convert or  exchange  Securities  of such series
into any other  securities  or property of the  Company,  and the  additions  or
changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series
to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;

  (r) the form or forms of the  Trust  Agreement,  Amended  and  Restated  Trust
Agreement and Guarantee  Agreement,  if different from the forms attached hereto
as Annexes A, B and C, respectively;

  (s) the relative  degree,  if any, to which the Securities of the series shall
be senior  to or be  subordinated  to other  series  of  Securities  in right of
payment, whether such other series of Securities are Outstanding or not; and

  (t) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

       All Securities of any one series shall be substantially  identical except
as to  denomination  and except as may  otherwise  be  provided  herein or in or
pursuant to such Board

                                       30
<PAGE>

Resolution and set forth in such Officers'  Certificate or in any such indenture
supplemental hereto.

       If any of the  terms  of the  series  are  established  by  action  taken
pursuant to a Board Resolution,  a copy of an appropriate  record of such action
shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered  to  the  Trustee  at or  prior  to  the  delivery  of  the  Officers'
Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

        SECTION 302.    Denominations.
                        -------------

       The Securities of each series shall be in registered form without coupons
and shall be issuable in denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof,
unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301.

        SECTION 303.    Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
                        ----------------------------------------------

       The  Securities  shall  be  executed  on  behalf  of the  Company  by its
President or one of its Vice  Presidents  under its corporate seal reproduced or
impressed  thereon  and  attested  by its  Secretary  or  one  of its  Assistant
Secretaries.  The signature of any of these  officers on the  Securities  may be
manual or facsimile.

       Securities bearing the manual or facsimile  signatures of individuals who
were at any time the proper  officers  of the  Company  shall bind the  Company,
notwithstanding  that such  individuals  or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the  authentication  and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such  Securities.  At any time and from time to
time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver
Securities executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication. Securities
may be  authenticated  on  original  issuance  from  time to time and  delivered
pursuant to such procedures  acceptable to the Trustee  ("Procedures") as may be
specified  from  time  to  time  by  Company  Order.  Procedures  may  authorize
authentication  and delivery  pursuant to oral  instructions of the Company or a
duly  authorized  agent,  which  instructions  shall be  promptly  confirmed  in
writing.

       Prior to the  delivery  of a Security in any such form to the Trustee for
authentication, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee the following:

                                       31
<PAGE>

  (a) A Company Order  requesting the Trustee's  authentication  and delivery of
all or a portion of the Securities of such series, and if less than all, setting
forth procedures for such authentication;

  (b) The Board  Resolution  by or pursuant  to which such form of Security  has
been  approved,  and the Board  Resolution,  if any, by or pursuant to which the
terms of the Securities of such series have been approved, and, if pursuant to a
Board Resolution, an Officers' Certificate describing the action taken;

  (c) An Officers'  Certificate  dated the date such certificate is delivered to
the  Trustee,  stating  that  all  conditions  precedent  provided  for in  this
Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of Securities in such form
and with such terms have been complied with; and

  (d)  An Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the form of such Securities has
                                           -
been duly  authorized  and approved in  conformity  with the  provisions of this
Indenture; (ii) the terms of such Securities have been duly authorized and
            --
determined in conformity  with the  provisions  of this  Indenture,  or, if such
terms are to be determined pursuant to Procedures, when so determined such terms
shall have been duly authorized and determined in conformity with the provisions
of this Indenture; and (iii) Securities in such form when completed
                                   ---
by  appropriate  insertions  and  executed  and  delivered by the Company to the
Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture,  authenticated and
delivered  by  the  Trustee  in  accordance  with  this  Indenture   within  the
authorization as to aggregate  principal amount established from time to time by
the Board of  Directors  and sold in the  manner  specified  in such  opinion of
Counsel,  will be the  legal,  valid  and  binding  obligations  of the  Company
entitled to the benefits of this  Indenture,  subject to applicable  bankruptcy,
reorganization,  insolvency  and similar  laws  generally  affecting  creditors'
rights,  to general equitable  principles  except as enforcement  thereof may be
limited by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any Securities
            -
denominated  other than in  Dollars  (or a Foreign  Currency  or  currency  unit
judgment  in  respect  of such  claim) be  converted  into  Dollars at a rate of
exchange  prevailing  on a date  determined  pursuant to  applicable  law or (B)
governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit                            -

                                       32
<PAGE>

the making of  payments  in Foreign  Currencies  or  currency  units or payments
outside  the United  States and  subject  to such other  qualifications  as such
counsel shall  conclude do not  materially  affect the rights of Holders of such
Securities;

provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive the documents
- --------  -------
referred to in Clauses (b), (c) and (d) above only at or prior to the first
                        -    -       -
request of the Company to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series.

       Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

       No Security  shall be entitled to any benefit under this  Indenture or be
valid or  obligatory  for any purpose,  unless there  appears on such Security a
certificate  of  authentication  substantially  in the form  provided for herein
executed  by  the  Trustee  by the  manual  signature  of one of its  authorized
officers,  and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive  evidence,
and the only  evidence,  that  such  Security  has been duly  authenticated  and
delivered hereunder.

        SECTION 304.    Temporary Securities.
                        --------------------

       Pending the  preparation  of  definitive  Securities  of any series,  the
Company may execute,  and upon Company Order the Trustee shall  authenticate and
deliver,  temporary  Securities  which are printed,  lithographed,  typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise  produced,  in any denomination,  substantially of the
tenor of the  definitive  Securities  of such  series in lieu of which  they are
issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions,  substitutions and other
variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced
by their execution of such Securities.

       If temporary  Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive  Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive  Securities,  the temporary Securities shall
be  exchangeable  for  definitive  Securities  upon  surrender of the  temporary
Securities  at the office or agency of the Company  designated  for that purpose
without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary   Securities,   the  Company  shall  execute  and  the  Trustee  shall
authenticate and deliver in

                                       33
<PAGE>

exchange  therefor a like principal amount of definitive  Securities of the same
series of  authorized  denominations  having  the same  Original  Issue Date and
Stated Maturity and having the same terms as such temporary Securities. Until so
exchanged,  the  temporary  Securities  shall in all respects be entitled to the
same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

        SECTION 305.    Registration, Transfer and Exchange.
                        -----------------------------------

       The Company shall cause to be kept at the  Corporate  Trust Office of the
Trustee a register in which,  subject to such  reasonable  regulations as it may
prescribe,  the Company shall provide for the  registration of Securities and of
transfers of Securities.  Such register is herein  sometimes  referred to as the
"Securities  Register." The Trustee is hereby appointed  "Securities  Registrar"
for the purpose of registering  Securities and transfers of Securities