Press Release Details

CINCINNATI, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG) today announced that the proposed merger of Provident Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: PFGI) with National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC) is expected to result in a significant after-tax realized gain. The proposed merger was announced earlier today by Provident and National City.

AFG owns 6.1 million Provident common shares and 70,000 shares of Provident preferred stock, convertible into another 1 million common shares. Upon completion of the merger, AFG expects to receive 8.1 million National City shares and to recognize an after-tax realized gain of between $130 million and $140 million depending upon market prices at closing. At December 31, 2003, AFG's shareholders' equity included a net unrealized gain of $100 million attributable to its Provident investment. This transaction would give rise to an incremental increase in shareholders' equity of between $30 million and $40 million ($.40 to $.55 per share), again depending on market prices at closing.

Through the operations of the Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of retirement annuities, life and supplemental health insurance products.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this press release not dealing with historical results are forward-looking and are based on estimates, assumptions and projections. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: the Company's expectations concerning market and other conditions, future premiums, revenues and earnings; and rate increases.

Actual results could differ materially from those expected by AFG depending on certain factors including but not limited to: changes to the terms of the proposed transaction, changes in economic conditions including interest rates, performance of securities, the availability of capital, regulatory actions, judicial decisions and rulings, tax law changes, and other changes in market conditions that could affect any party to the proposed transaction.

SOURCE  American Financial Group, Inc.
    -0-                             02/17/2004
    /CONTACT:  Anne N. Watson, Vice President-Investor Relations of American
Financial Group, Inc., +1-513-579-6652/
    /Web site:  http://www.amfnl.com
                http://www.GreatAmericanInsurance.com/
    (AFG NCC PFGI)

CO:  American Financial Group, Inc.; National City Corporation; Provident
Financial Group
ST:  Ohio
IN:  INS FIN
SU:  TNM

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8677 02/17/2004 09:10 EST http://www.prnewswire.com