The Principal Child Development Center Dedicated

Early Learning Begins for Children of Principal Employees at
Onsite, "Green" Center
DES MOINES, Iowa--(Business Wire)--
More than 100 community, government and business leaders joined
employees of the Principal Financial Group(R) (NYSE:PFG) today to
celebrate the dedication of the new Principal Child Development
Center, located on the company's downtown Des Moines campus.

"We are thrilled to officially open the doors to the Principal
Child Development Center - a facility that has benefited from the
dedication and careful planning of so many," said Larry Zimpleman,
president and CEO of the Principal Financial Group. "The center
provides a high-quality alternative for childcare to our employees,
with the added convenience of being located literally steps from the
office. It's a tangible benefit for employees that will help them
manage work and personal responsibilities."

The Principal Child Development Center offers early learning and
childcare services to employees of the Principal Financial Group. The
center serves up to 180 children, age six weeks to preschool age.

"The early years in a child's life are the foundation for growth
and development. What and how they learn before they start
kindergarten greatly shapes their potential for future success," said
J. Barry Griswell, chairman of the Principal Financial Group. "The
Principal is proud to offer this exceptional childcare center to our
employees and their families, and we look forward to watching the
alumni of the Principal Child Development Center grow into the leaders
of tomorrow."

The Principal Child Development Center will be one of the first
facilities in downtown Des Moines that is Leadership Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) certified, recognized by nationally
accepted benchmarks for design, construction and operation of high
performance green buildings. Curriculum at the center is also
environmentally responsible, incorporating lessons of sustainability.

The center measures 32,000 square feet, and includes a large
outdoor play area, complete with a tricycle track and water feature
for outdoor play.

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the world's leading provider of
employer-sponsored childcare, manages the day-to-day operations of the
Principal Child Development Center. SPVA Architects, Inc. designed the
project, The Weitz Company served as the contractor and Terrus Real
Estate Group was the construction manager.

"We are privileged to partner with The Principal to open the
Principal Child Development Center, which will offer a wonderful
learning environment for young children," said Judy Oliva, division
vice president of Bright Horizons Family Solutions. "Experienced and
dedicated teachers will focus on preparing children for success in
school and life with an emphasis on the environment, health, wellness
and the world around them. Working together with the Principal
Financial Group, we are proud to support the company's working parents
and their children's journeys of growth and learning."

Photos of the Principal Child Development Center and the
dedication are available, upon request.

About the Principal Financial Group

The Principal Financial Group(R) (The Principal(R))(1) is a leader
in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide
range of financial products and services, including retirement and
investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through
its diverse family of financial services companies. A member of the
Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $308.0 billion in
assets under management(2) and serves some 19.0 million customers
worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and
the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the
New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more
information, visit www.principal.com.

(1) "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are
registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a
member of the Principal Financial Group.

(2) As of June 30, 2008.

The Principal Financial Group
Rhonda Clark-Leyda, 515-247-6634
clark-leyda.Rhonda@principal.com
Rick Swalwell, 515-235-6320
swallwell.rick@principal.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008