Guardian's Business Reducing Term policy will insure up to 100% of monthly loan payments -- principal and interest, provided the obligation rests with a single principle -- should a business owner become totally disabled. This represents an increase over the policy's prior level.

In New York, Business Reducing Term is available through the National Financial Network, LLC, a Guardian General Agency.

According to Charles Dunbar, a National Financial Network agent, Business Reducing Term addresses a critical gap in the contingency plans of many business owners.

"As long as they can run their businesses, any loans they take out will be repaid from the earnings of the business. If they die, life insurance can pay. But if they become disabled due to sickness or injury and can't work, their business assets could be lost due to loan forfeiture," observed Charles Dunbar.

Guardian is currently the only disability income insurer offering a product specifically designed to fund financial obligations that require periodic payments expiring at a given time. In addition to loan payments, other applicable client scenarios include business owners who offer guaranteed employment contracts to their employees and those who've purchased a business or professional practice with any amount payable to the seller over a specified period.

"National Financial Network, LLC is in a unique position to offer our business-owner clients a product with which no other company can compete," said Charles Dunbar. "By increasing its business obligation coverage levels, Guardian is signaling it long-term commitment to a key sector of the U.S.economy.

About Guardian
Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, N.Y., is the fourth largest mutual life insurance company in the United States. As of December 31, 2003, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $37.2 billion in assets. With more than 5,000 employees, approximately 3,000 financial representatives and nearly 100 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses and their employees with life, disability, health and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k) financial products and trust services.

Contact:    
Charles Dunbar
National Financial Network, LLC
990 Stewart Avenue, Suite 200
Garden City, NY 11530
Tel: 516-240-1919 / 718-757-2810