Standard Insurance Company ("The Standard") announced today that Alistair Firmin, vice president of Customer Service at The Standard, has been appointed by Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Director of the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to the 2011 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive.

As an Examiner, Firmin is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the Award. The board includes approximately 500 leading experts selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, education and health care organizations, and nonprofits (including government).

Those selected meet the highest standards of qualification and peer recognition. All members of the board must take part in a preparation course based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence and the scoring and evaluation processes for the Baldrige Award.

The Baldrige Award may be given annually in each of six categories: Manufacturing, Service, Small Business, Education, Health Care and Nonprofit. Awards have been presented to 80 organizations.

Information about the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and the application process is available from the Baldrige Program Office, at (301) 975-2036 or nqp@nist.gov, or from the Baldrige Program's website at http://www.nist.gov/baldrige.

About The Standard

The Standard is a leading provider of financial products and services. The company serves approximately 7.5 million customers nationwide as of March 30, 2011, with group and individual disability insurance, group life, AD&D, dental and vision insurance, retirement plans products and services, individual annuities and investment advice. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com.

The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries: Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, StanCorp Mortgage Investors, StanCorp Investment Advisers, StanCorp Real Estate and StanCorp Equities. StanCorp and its subsidiaries are headquartered in Portland, Ore.

The Standard
General Media
Bob Speltz, 971-321-3162
Director, Public Affairs
bob.speltz@standard.com
or
Investor Relations and Financial Media
Jeff Hallin, 971-321-6127
Assistant Vice President, Investor Relations
jeff.hallin@standard.com
or
Baldrige Program
NIST Public Affairs Office
Michael Newman, 301-975-3025
michael.newman@nist.gov