Tri-Continental Corporation, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "TY," is one of the nation's oldest, diversified, closed-end investment companies. Since its inception in January 1929, Tri-Continental has sought to provide its investors with long-term growth of capital and income, and reasonable current income through a diversified portfolio. Its portfolio consists primarily of large-capitalization stocks representing a wide range of industry sectors.  Tri-Continental has paid dividends to Common Stockholders for 63 consecutive years.

For more information on returns and portfolio holdings click here.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, September 4, 2009 – Tri-Continental Corporation (the “Corporation”) (NYSE: share of Common Stock and $0.625 per share of Preferred Stock. Dividends on Common Stock will be paid on September 24, 2009 to Common Stockholders of record on September 14, 2009, and dividends on Preferred Stock will be paid on October 1, 2009 to Preferred Stockholders of record on September 14, 2009. The ex-dividend date for both the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock is September 10, 2009. The $0.044 per share dividend on the Common Stock is in accordance with the Corporation’s earned distribution policy, which was adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors on January 8, 2009 and replaced the level rate distribution policy that was in effect prior to such date.