Ohio Casualty Corporation Appoints NewDirector.

HAMILTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 1999--

The Board of Directors of Ohio Casualty Corporation (Nasdaq:OCAS), has appointed T.J. (Terry) Baehr, vice president, Insurance Sector, Americas, IBM Corporation, as a director of its board, effective June 1, 1999. Baehr will serve as a Class

In his role at IBM, Baehr is responsible for the overall development, management and execution of IBM's business strategy and insurance solutions to the insurance marketplace in the Americas.

Joining IBM as a Data Processing Division marketing representative in 1975, Baehr held several additional marketing positions before joining IBM in White Plains, NY, as a manager in the Finance Industry. In 1985, he was promoted to branch manager in the New York Insurance Office. In 1987, Baehr was promoted to regional manager for the Western Ohio and Kentucky marketing branch offices. He was named director of Insurance Industry based in Hamden, CT in 1989. Baehr's experience also includes marketing positions with IBM software and hardware development organizations. In 1991, he became director of marketing for the AS/400 Division in White Plains, NY. In 1992, Baehr was promoted to director of marketing support, Networking Systems Division, Somers, NY, and in 1993, he was promoted to vice president of marketing, Networking Hardware Division. Baehr became vice president of marketing for the newly formed Insurance Industry, North America, in 1994, and subsequently headed up the Insurance Industry, North America. He was named to his current position in January 1999.

Prior to joining IBM, Baehr was an officer in the U.S. Navy for three years. He holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Miami University (OH).

He and his wife, Chris, live in New Canaan, CT, with their three children.

On December 1, 1998, a subsidiary of Ohio Casualty Group completed the acquisition of substantially all of the Commercial Lines Division of Great American Insurance Company. This acquisition places Ohio Casualty Group among the top 40 property and casualty insurance groups in the United States. The combined organization offers businesses and individuals a range of property-casualty products. Ohio Casualty Group is active in more than 40 states, operates primarily through the independent agency system, and has assets of approximately $5 billion. Ohio Casualty Corporation trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol OCAS, and through 1998, has increased shareholder dividends consecutively for 52 years.

Ohio Casualty Corporation publishes forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects and plans, regulatory developments and similar matters. The statements contained in this news release that are not historical information, are forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor under The Securities Act of 1933 and The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Corporation's business and the results of the acquisition described herein, include the following: changes in property and casualty reserves; catastrophe losses; premium and investment growth; product pricing environment; availability of credit; changes in government regulation; performance of financial markets; fluctuations in interest rates; availability and pricing of reinsurance; litigation and administrative proceedings; Year 2000 issues; ability of Ohio Casualty to integrate the acquired business and to retain the acquired insurance business; and general economic and market conditions.