Except for the historical financial results contained in these materials, statements contained in these materials constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 21e of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements reflect current views of our management with respect to future events and financial performance.  All plans, projections, and future estimates are forward-looking statements, which in some, but not all, cases, are identified by words such as "anticipate," "believes," "expects," "intends," "future," and other similar expressions.  Please do not put undue reliance on forward looking statements.  Forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, not all of which are disclosed in these materials.  Although we believe our assumptions are reasonable, it is likely that at least some of these assumptions will not come true.  Accordingly, our actual results will probably differ from the outcomes contained in any forward-looking statement, and those differences could be material.  Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include the ones discussed in the "risk factors” attached as exhibit 99(a) to our annual report on Form 10-k, as well as in our annual report to our shareholders (especially in the sections entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and in "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Interest Rates and Currency Rates") and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Should one or more of the risks discussed, or any other risks, materialize, or should one or more of our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, expected or projected. In light of the risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will in fact prove to be correct.  We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

THESE MATERIALS

• HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
• DO NOT PURPORT TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE OR TO CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION THAT A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR MAY DESIRE IN INVESTIGATING THE COMPANY.
• DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING OR SOLICITATION
• WERE PREPARED FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE ON A SPECIFIC DATE, AND WILL NOT BE UPDATED EVEN IF EVENTS OCCUR OR NEW FACTS ARE DISCOVERED.

THESE MATERIALS MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED (INCLUDING BY ENTERING IT INTO ANY COMPUTER OR ELECTRONIC STORAGE MEDIA) OR DISTRIBUTED TO OTHERS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.