Corporate Governance Law

Further SOX 404(b) Extension Granted to Smaller Reporting Issuers

jenna — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:49:49 +0000

On October 2, 2009 the SEC granted smaller reporting issuers a further extension from complying with SOX 404(b) until their fiscal year ending on or after June 15, 2010.

The SEC Chairman, Mary Shapiro, stated in the release announcing the extension that no further extensions would be granted. A link to the release is below.

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2009/2009-213.htm

On November 4, 2009, a bill that will grant permanent exemption from compliance with SOX 404(b) was passed by the House Financial Services Committee. However, the bill must be approved by the full House and by the Senate in order to become law.

SOX 404(b) requires that companies obtain auditor attestation of their internal control over financial reporting. Prior to the extension granted on October 2, 2009, SOX 404(b) compliance was to have applied to smaller reporting issuers with fiscal year ends that occurred on or after December 15, 2009.

Rebrand 2.0 - NYSE Amex

jenna — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:39:15 +0000

On March 18, 2009, the powers that be at the NYSE Euronext (the new parent company of the former American Stock Exchange) settled on a new name for the exchange - the NYSE Amex. Companies listed on the exchange should revise all references in their regulatory and press release filings accordingly.

The NYSE Amex will be discussing new developments at the exchange in a listed company conference call to be held at 1:30 pm EST on April 3, 2009.

Further details may be found at http://www.nyse.com/pdfs/NYSE_Amex_SEC_Approval_of_Name.pdf

American Stock Exchange Rebranded as “NYSE Alternext U.S.”

jenna — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:56:35 +0000

On October 1, 2008, NYSE Euronext, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), completed the acquisition of the American Stock Exchange (”Amex”) to become the third largest marketplace in the U.S. for options trading. After completion of the merger, the Amex was renamed as the “NYSE Alternext U.S.”

NYSE Alternext equities are trading on the floor of the NYSE as of December 1, 2008 and trade under new rules that are based on the current NYSE Rules.

More information regarding the integration of the NYSE Alternext and the NYSE can be found on the NYSE Alternext U.S. website, at:

http://traderupdates.nyse.com/nyse_alternext_us/