Ascension Insurance Inc. Acquires Charlotte-Based Commercial Insurance Group, Inc.

Strategic acquisition expands risk management capabilities for businesses and individuals

Kansas City, MO (July 1, 2009) . . . Ascension Insurance, Inc. announces the acquisition of the Commercial Insurance Group, Inc. (CIG) of Char- lotte, N.C., effective June 30, 2009. The agency is a provider of property and casualty insurance for businesses and individuals and will join Ascension Insurance Agency, Inc., a member of the Ascension group of companies, based in Charlotte.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Ascension Insurance, Inc. is a full-service insurance and employee benefits agency providing high-level brokerage and risk management services specifically to middle-market companies nation- wide. Leonard P. Kline, Jr., Ascension’s President and CEO, commented, “The acquisition of Commercial Insurance Group will enable us to expand our risk management capabilities, elevate our level of expertise and develop our markets and resources to the middle market in North Carolina. In addition, with its proven track record for exceptional customer service, CIG shares Ascension’s dedication to customer satisfaction.”

Clarkson McLean, President, Ascension Insurance Agency, Inc., Charlotte, commented, “CIG has an impressive core of customers and employees. Their expertise and steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction aligns with our values at Ascension.”

Since 1875, through its predecessor agencies, Commercial Insurance Group, Inc. has provided businesses and individuals with insurance solutions through a risk management approach that provides a comprehensive review of their customer’s exposures. Joyce Kronenwetter, CIG’s Chief Operating Officer said, “Our heritage comes from some of the oldest, most respected insurance agencies in North Carolina, and their philosophy of taking care of clients has been and will continue to be our primary goal. Ascension supports this philoso- phy, and offers a business model that will allow us to maintain our culture and day-to-day business management, while offering both the resources and expertise needed to achieve growth”

About Ascension Insurance, Inc.

Based in Kansas City, Mo., Ascension Insurance, Inc. is led by President and CEO Leonard P. Kline, Jr. Ascension is ranked within the Top 35 largest agencies by revenue size, with over 400 employees and over 20 locations nationwide. Ascension’s corporate mission is to create a premier insurance agency that offers superior risk management and benefits consulting services while providing a rewarding professional environment that preserves the expertise and culture that made each operational center successful. Ascension is a privately held corporation. Together with its private equity partners, Parthenon Capital and Century Capital Management, Ascension Insurance Inc. expects to grow to $200 million in revenue over the next five years.

To learn more, visit http://www.ascensionins.com