UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 20, 2006

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware

 

1-11840

 

36-3871531

(State or other

 

(Commission

 

(IRS Employer

jurisdiction of

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

organization)

 

 

 

 

 

2775 Sanders Road

 

 

Northbrook, Illinois

 

60062

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Zip

 

Registrant’s   telephone   number,   including  area  code: (847) 402-5000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

 

o

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

 

o

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

 

o

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR240.13e-4(c))

 

 




Section 5 — Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 20, 2006, the Registrant announced that James E. Hohmann had been named president and chief executive officer of Allstate Financial to succeed Casey J. Sylla, who will retire in early 2007.  A copy of the press release announcing this leadership change is attached as Exhibit 99 to this report.

Section 9 — Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01.              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)           Exhibits

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

99

 

Registrant’s press release dated December 20, 2006.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JENNIFER M. HAGER

 

 

Name:

Jennifer M. Hager

 

 

Title:

Assistant Secretary

 

Date:  December 20, 2006

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Exhibit 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:                   Michael Trevino
(847) 402-5600

Allstate Names New President to Financial Services Unit

Northbrook, Ill., Dec. 20, 2006 — The Allstate Corporation announced today that James E. Hohmann, 50, has been named president and chief executive officer of Allstate Financial effective Jan. 1, 2007. Allstate Financial is a leading provider of life insurance, retirement and investment products to individual and institutional customers.  Hohmann takes over from Casey Sylla, 63, who has announced his intention to retire after a 35-year career in financial services — including more than 10 years of distinguished service at Allstate.

“We are thrilled to have a person of Jim’s experience and credentials leading Allstate Financial and look forward to him continuing the strong momentum Casey and his team have generated,” said Thomas J. Wilson, president and incoming chief executive officer, The Allstate Corporation.

“We found a superb leader in Jim. He has spent almost his entire career in the life insurance and retirement savings business and brings proven leadership capabilities and exceptionally strong technical skills to our business. He is going to be a great member of our leadership team as we continue to grow and strengthen Allstate.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity and a great time to be joining Allstate Financial. We have a talented team in place that has made the company leaders in life insurance and fixed annuities with one of the largest distribution systems in financial services. I am looking forward to further strengthening those market positions while focusing on profitably growing the business and improving returns. And I am enthusiastic about leading that effort and delivering on the strategy Casey and Tom put into motion,” said Hohmann.

“Allstate Financial is a key part of the company’s overall strategy of designing and distributing products that meet the needs of America’s middle-income consumer and I am committed to aggressively working to deliver on that mission.”

Hohmann will become a member of Allstate’s senior management team and will report to Wilson. Sylla, who came to Allstate as chief investment officer in 1995 and then moved to serve as acting chief financial officer and finally chairman and president of Allstate Financial, will remain with Allstate Financial to ensure a smooth and orderly transition to Hohmann until his retirement in early 2007.

Hohmann comes to Allstate from Conseco, Inc. in Carmel, Ind. where he was president and chief operating officer. Prior to Conseco, he was president and chief operating officer at XL Life and Annuity, a unit of XL Capital. Previously, he served in roles of increasing responsibility at Kemper Zurich Life culminating in the role of president of financial institutions. Hohmann’s early career included serving as managing partner of

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the life insurance practice for Tillinghast, Towers Perrin in Chicago and work as a consultant at KPMG Peat Marwick in their Chicago office. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Northwestern University, an MBA from University of Chicago and is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

Now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of Allstate Insurance Company, The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,100 exclusive agencies and financial professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. EncompassSM and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

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