Extension of Compliance Dates Regarding Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Requirements

Extension of Compliance Dates Regarding Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Requirements:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2004-21

Washington, D.C., Feb. 24, 2004 - The Commission has extended the compliance dates for amendments to its rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that were adopted on June 5, 2003, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The amendments require a company to include in annual reports a report by management on the company's internal control over financial reporting and the accompanying auditor's report.

Under the new compliance schedule, a company that is an 'accelerated filer' as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 (generally, a U.S. company that has equity market capitalization over $75 million and has filed at least one annual report with the Commission), must begin to comply with these amendments for its first fiscal year ending on or after Nov. 15, 2004 (originally June 15, 2004). A non-accelerated filer must begin to comply with these requirements for its first fiscal year ending on or after July 15, 2005 (originally April 15, 2005). The Commission similarly has extended the compliance date for related requirements regarding evaluation of internal control over financial reporting and management certification requirements, including certification and related requirements applicable to registered investment companies. Please refer to Release No. 33-8392 for more detailed information."