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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) NOVEMBER 18, 1999
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SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE 91-1962278
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(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
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3003 TASMAN DRIVE, SANTA CLARA, CA 95054
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (408) 654-7400
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N/A
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(Former name and former address, if changed since last report.)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
This report is filed pursuant to Item 5 to Form 8-K to report the
announcement of mid-quarter financial highlights of Silicon Valley Bancshares
and its consolidated subsidiaries for the month ended October 31, 1999.
In addition, this report is also filed to notify potential purchasers of
Silicon Valley Bancshares' common stock that they should carefully consider the
information under the heading "Risk Factors" below when making an investment
decision regarding our common stock. All statements in the press release filed
as an exhibit to this report regarding our expected financial position, business
and strategies are forward-looking statements. In addition, in the press
release, the words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "seeks," "expects,"
"plans," "intends" and similar expressions, as they relate to Silicon Valley
Bancshares or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these
forward-looking statements are reasonable, and have based these expectations on
our beliefs as well as assumptions we have made, such expectations may prove to
be incorrect. The risk factors below contain information about factors that
could cause our actual results to differ from the expectations stated in the
forward-looking statements.
RISK FACTORS
WHEN WE REFER TO "US" OR "WE," WE INTEND TO INCLUDE SILICON VALLEY
BANCSHARES AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, INCLUDING SILICON VALLEY BANK. WHEN WE REFER TO
"SILICON" WE ARE REFERRING ONLY TO SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES.
IF A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CLIENTS FAIL TO PERFORM UNDER THEIR LOANS, OUR
BUSINESS, PROFITABILITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
As a lender, the largest risk we face is the possibility that a significant
number of our client borrowers will fail to pay their loans when due. If
borrower defaults cause losses in excess of our allowance for loan losses, it
could have an adverse affect on our business, profitability and financial
condition. We have established an evaluation process designed to determine the
adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. While this evaluation process uses
historical and other objective information, the classification of loans and the
establishment of loan losses is dependent to a great extent on our experience
and judgement. We cannot assure you that our loan loss reserves will be
sufficient to absorb future loan losses or prevent a material adverse effect on
our business, profitability or financial condition.
BECAUSE OF THE CREDIT PROFILE OF OUR LOAN PORTFOLIO, OUR LEVELS OF NONPERFORMING
ASSETS AND CHARGE-OFFS CAN BE VOLATILE, AND WE MAY NEED TO MAKE MATERIAL
PROVISIONS FOR LOAN LOSSES IN ANY PERIOD, WHICH COULD CAUSE REDUCED NET INCOME
OR NET LOSSES IN THAT PERIOD.
Our loan portfolio has a credit profile different from that of most other
banking companies. Many of our loans are made to companies in the early stages
of development with negative cash flow and no established record of profitable
operations. In some cases, repayment of the loan is dependent upon receipt of
additional equity financing from venture capitalists or others. Collateral for
many of the loans often includes intellectual property, which is difficult to
value and may not be readily salable in the case of a default. Because of the
intense competition and rapid technological change which characterizes the
companies in our technology and life sciences niche, a borrower's financial
position can deteriorate rapidly. We also make loans which are larger relative
to the revenues of the borrower than those made by traditional small business
lenders so the impact of any single borrower default may be more significant to
us.
Because of these characteristics, our level of nonperforming loans and loan
charge-offs can be volatile and can vary materially from period to period. For
example, our nonperforming loans totaled:
- $35.5 million, or 2.1% of total loans, at September 30, 1999
- $47.4 million, or 3.0% of total loans, at June 30, 1999
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- $51.7 million, or 3.2% of total loans, at March 31, 1999
- $19.9 million, or 1.2% of total loans, at December 31, 1998
- $23.5 million, or 1.6% of total loans, at September 30, 1998
Our nonperforming loans at September 30, 1999 included one financial
services industry credit in our non-technology diversified industries practice
that had a balance of approximately $15.0 million, or approximately 42% of total
nonperforming loans, at September 30, 1999. We have classified this credit as
nonperforming since March 31, 1999.
Changes in our level of nonperforming loans may require us to make material
provisions for loan losses in any period, which could reduce our net income or
cause net losses in that period. For example, our provision for loan losses was
$21.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 1999 and $40.3 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1999, as compared to $10.6 million and
$20.1 million, respectively, for the comparable 1998 periods.
In the first nine months of 1999, we incurred $22.5 million in gross
charge-offs and had $7.0
million in recoveries on previously charged-off loans. The gross charge-offs in
the first nine months of 1999 were not concentrated in any particular niche.
Gross charge-offs for the third quarter of 1999 totaled $10.3 million and
included $5.8 million related to one commercial credit, which was classified as
nonperforming at June 30, 1999, in our computers and peripherals practice.
IF THE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL AVAILABLE TO START-UP AND EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES
DECREASES, IT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS, PROFITABILITY AND GROWTH
PROSPECTS.
Our strategy has focused on providing banking products and services to
start-up and emerging growth companies receiving financial support from
sophisticated investors, including venture capital, "angel" and corporate
investors. In some cases, our lending credit decision is based on our analysis
of the likelihood that our venture capital or "angel"-backed client will receive
a second or third round of equity infusion from investors. If the amount of
capital available to start-up and emerging growth companies decreases, it is
likely that the number of our new clients and the financial support investors
provide to our existing borrowers would decrease which could have an adverse
effect on our business, profitability and growth prospects. Among the factors
that could affect the amount of capital available to start-up and emerging
growth companies is the receptivity of the capital markets to initial public
offerings or mergers and acquisitions of companies within our technology and
life sciences niche, the availability and return on alternative investments and
general economic conditions in the technology and life sciences industries.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE REGULATION THAT COULD LIMIT OR RESTRICT OUR
ACTIVITIES AND IMPOSE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LIMITATIONS ON THE CONDUCT OF
OUR BUSINESS. WE ARE CURRENTLY PARTY TO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH OUR
PRIMARY BANKING REGULATORS WHICH REQUIRES US TO INCREASE CAPITAL AND RESTRICTS
OUR ABILITY TO DECLARE DIVIDENDS AND TAKE OTHER ACTIONS WITHOUT REGULATORY
CONSENT.
Silicon and Silicon Valley Bank are extensively regulated under both federal
and state law. This regulation is intended primarily for the protection of
depositors and the deposit insurance fund and not for the benefit of
stockholders or security holders. Federal laws and regulations limit the
activities in which Silicon may engage as a bank holding company. In addition,
both Silicon and Silicon Valley Bank are required to maintain certain minimum
levels of capital. Federal and state banking regulators possess broad powers to
take supervisory action as they deem appropriate with respect to Silicon Valley
Bank and Silicon. Supervisory actions (such as the memorandum of understanding
described in the next paragraph) can result in higher capital requirements,
higher insurance premiums and limitations on the activities of Silicon or
Silicon Valley Bank which could have a material adverse effect on our business
and profitability.
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Silicon Valley Bank is currently addressing issues raised by the Federal
Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the California Department of Financial
Institutions. In an informal arrangement with these regulators pursuant to a
memorandum of understanding entered into in September 1999, Silicon Valley Bank
has agreed to maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 7.25%. Silicon Valley
Bank's Tier 1 leverage ratio was 6.1% at September 30, 1999. Silicon Valley Bank
has also committed to further enhance its credit review and monitoring
procedures and submit regular reports to the regulators regarding credit
quality. We are pursuing various strategies to comply with the memorandum of
understanding, including marketing off-balance sheet private label mutual fund
products to slow growth in deposits, maintaining fourth quarter 1999 average
assets at third quarter 1999 period end levels and raising capital through this
offering. However, if we fail to comply with our understanding with the
regulators, we could be subject to additional regulatory action which could have
an adverse affect on our growth and profitability.
As part of the memorandum of understanding, Silicon Valley Bank has agreed
to seek regulatory approval before making dividend payments to Silicon. Silicon
has also been directed to seek regulatory approval before declaring cash
dividends or dividends in kind, or repurchasing outstanding stock. We have not
paid dividends on our common stock since 1992 and do not anticipate paying
dividends on or repurchasing our common stock in the foreseeable future. We have
received regulatory approval to make the December 15, 1999 quarterly
distribution on our 8.25% cumulative trust preferred securities from cash which
is currently available at Silicon. If we do not receive approval to make future
distributions on these securities, we will be required to defer payment in
accordance with the terms of these securities. While the terms of the cumulative
trust preferred securities allow us to defer distributions for up to 20
consecutive quarters without triggering any event of default, we cannot predict
what effect any deferral would have on our future ability to raise funds in the
fixed income securities markets. Silicon will also need regulatory approval
before incurring debt, which could reduce our financial flexibility, and before
entering into agreements to acquire entities or portfolios. This latter
restriction could reduce our operational flexibility in the few cases where we
are not already legally required to seek prior regulatory approval for
acquisitions.
OUR CURRENTLY EXISTING UNREALIZED WARRANT AND VENTURE CAPITAL FUND PORTFOLIO
GAINS MAY NEVER BE REALIZED.
We have historically obtained rights to acquire stock, in the form of
warrants, in certain clients as part of negotiated credit facilities. We also
have made investments in venture capital funds from time to time. We may not be
able to realize gains from these equity instruments in future periods, or our
realized gains may be materially less than the current level of unrealized gains
disclosed in this prospectus, due to fluctuations in the market prices of the
underlying common stock of these companies. The timing and amount of income, if
any, from the disposition of client warrants and venture capital fund
investments typically depend upon factors beyond our control, including the
general condition of the public equity markets, levels of mergers and
acquisitions activity, and legal and contractual restrictions on our ability to
sell the underlying securities. Therefore, future gains cannot be predicted with
any degree of accuracy and are likely to vary materially from period to period.
In addition, a significant portion of the income we realize from the disposition
of client warrants and venture capital fund investments may be offset by
expenses related to our efforts to build an infrastructure sufficient to support
our present and future business activities, as well as expenses incurred in
evaluating and pursuing new business opportunities, or by increases to the
provision for loan losses.
PUBLIC OFFERINGS AND MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS INVOLVING OUR CLIENTS CAN CAUSE
LOANS TO BE PAID OFF EARLY, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND
PROFITABILITY. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED ONLY MODEST LOAN GROWTH IN 1999, PRIMARILY AS
A RESULT OF THIS PHENOMENON.
While an active market for public equity offerings and mergers and
acquisitions generally has positive implications for our business, one negative
consequence is that our clients may pay off or
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reduce their loans with us if they complete a public equity offering or are
acquired or merge with another company. Any significant reduction in our
outstanding loans could have a material adverse effect on our business and
profitability. Our total loans, net of unearned income, at September 30, 1999,
were $1.7 billion, a $49.1 million, or 3.0%, increase compared to $1.6 billion
at December 31, 1998. While we continue to generate new loans in most of our
technology and life sciences and special industry niche practices, as well as in
specialized lending products, many of our clients, primarily in the technology
and life sciences niche practice, have received significant cash inflows from
the capital markets and venture capital community. Consequently, we have
experienced higher than normal loan paydowns and payoffs, which has caused total
loans to remain relatively unchanged during the first nine months of 1999.
OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF INTEREST RATE SPREAD MAY DECLINE IN THE FUTURE. ANY
MATERIAL REDUCTION IN OUR INTEREST SPREAD COULD HAVE A MATERIAL IMPACT ON OUR
BUSINESS AND PROFITABILITY.
A major portion of our net income comes from our interest rate spread, which
is the difference between the interest rates paid by us on interest-bearing
liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings, and the interest rates we
receive on interest-earning assets, such as loans extended to our clients and
securities held in our investment portfolio. Interest rates are highly sensitive
to many factors that are beyond our control, such as inflation, recession,
global economic disruptions, and unemployment. We have recently reduced the
interest rates which we pay on deposits, despite a generally increasing trend in
domestic interest rates, and our rates are now lower than those of some of our
competitors. We reduced our rates as part of our balance sheet management
efforts. In the future, we may be required to increase deposit rates to attract
deposits. We cannot assure you that our current level of interest rate spread
will not decline in the future. Any material decline would have a material
adverse effect on our business and profitability.
ADVERSE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC OR GLOBAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE
TECHNOLOGY SECTOR, COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS, GROWTH
AND PROFITABILITY.
If conditions worsen in the domestic or global economy, especially in the
technology sector, our business, growth and profitability are likely to be
materially adversely affected. Our technology clients would be harmed by any
global economic slowdown, as their businesses are often dependent upon
international suppliers and international sales. They would also be harmed if
the U.S. economy were to decline, as most of their sales generally are made
domestically. They may be particularly sensitive to any disruption in the growth
of the technology sector of the U.S. economy. To the extent that our clients'
underlying business is harmed, they are more likely to default on their loans.
IF WE FAIL TO RETAIN OUR KEY EMPLOYEES, OUR GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY COULD BE
ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
We rely on experienced client relationship managers and on officers and
employees with strong relationships with the venture capital community to
generate new business. If a significant number of these employees were to leave
us, our growth and profitability could be adversely affected. We believe that
our employees currently frequently have opportunities for alternative employment
with competing financial institutions and with our clients.
IF WE FAIL TO ADDRESS ADEQUATELY THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE, IT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT
OUR BUSINESS AND PROFITABILITY AND WE COULD FACE REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
The Year 2000 issues arise in industries of all types because many existing
computer programs use only two digits to refer to a year. This results in
computer programs that do not recognize a year that begins with "20" instead of
"19." If we do not adequately address our internal Year 2000 issues, or if
significant third parties with whom we deal, including our clients, do not
adequately address their own Year 2000 issues, our business and profitability
could be materially adversely affected. Failure of our vendors to be Year 2000
compliant could result in disruption of important services upon which we depend,
including services such as telecommunications, electrical power and data
processing. The
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failure of our loan customers to properly prepare for the Year 2000 could also
result in increases in problem loans and credit losses in future years. It is
not, however, possible to quantify the potential impact of any losses at this
time. Notwithstanding our efforts, we cannot assure you that we or significant
third party vendors or other significant third parties will adequately address
their Year 2000 issues. We are continuing to assess the Year 2000 readiness of
third parties but do not know at this time whether the failure of third parties
to be Year 2000 compliant will have a material effect on our business,
profitability and growth prospects.
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, an oversight
authority for financial institutions, has issued several interagency statements
on Year 2000 project awareness. These statements require financial institutions
to, among other things, examine the Year 2000 implications of their reliance on
vendors, determine the potential impact of the Year 2000 issue on their
customers, suppliers and borrowers, and to survey its exposure, measure its risk
and prepare a plan to address the Year 2000 issue. In addition, federal banking
regulators have issued safety and soundness guidelines to be followed by
financial institutions to assure resolution of any Year 2000 problems. The
federal banking agencies have asserted that Year 2000 testing and certification
is a key safety and soundness issue in conjunction with regulatory examinations.
Any failure by us to appropriately address the Year 2000 issue could result in
supervisory action against us, including the reduction of our supervisory
ratings, the denial of applications for mergers or acquisitions, or the
imposition of civil monetary penalties.
THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY DECREASE RAPIDLY AND PREVENT STOCKHOLDERS FROM
SELLING THEIR STOCK AT A PROFIT.
The market price of our common stock could decrease in price rapidly at any
time and prevent stockholders from selling their shares at a profit. The market
price of our common stock has fluctuated in recent years. Since January 1, 1998,
the market price has ranged from a low of $12.50 per share to a high of $38.50
per share. Fluctuations may occur, among other reasons, in response to:
- operating results;
- announcements by competitors;
- economic changes;
- general market conditions; and
- legislative and regulatory changes.
The trading price of our common stock could continue to be subject to wide
fluctuations in response to the factors set forth above and other factors, many
of which are beyond our control. The stock market in recent years has
experienced extreme price and trading volume fluctuations that often have been
unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of individual
companies. You should consider the likelihood of these market fluctuations
before investing in our stock.
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ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
The press release issued in connection with the announcement described above
is filed as an exhibit to this report.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES
Date November 18, 1999 By /s/ DONAL DELANEY
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Name: Donal Delaney
Title: Controller
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EXHIBIT 99.1
[SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES LOGO]
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For immediate release Contact:
November 17, 1999 Lisa Bertolet
5:30 p.m. (PST) Investor Relations
(408) 654-7282
NASDAQ: SIVB Andrea McGhee
Corporate Communications
(408) 654-3078
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SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES ANNOUNCES MID-FOURTH QUARTER
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
SANTA CLARA, CA--Silicon Valley Bancshares (the "Company"), parent company
of Silicon Valley Bank (the "Bank"), announced today the following financial
highlights for the month ended October 31, 1999. This press release represents a
continuation of the Company's practice of issuing a mid-quarter financial
highlights update.
(Dollars in thousands)
Average Loans, Net of Unearned Income--$1,642,235
Average Interest-Earning Assets--$3,668,738
Average Deposits--$3,551,524
Net Interest Margin--6.5%
Yield on Loans--10.5%
Yield on Interest-Earning Assets--7.9%
Cost of Funds--1.3%
Efficiency Ratio--53.4%
Warrant Income--$14,505
Off-Balance Sheet Client Funds--$3,810,489
The Company currently expects core earnings per share for the fourth quarter
of 1999 to be in the range of $0.62-$0.65 (which excludes the impact of warrant
income). This core earnings per share estimate takes into account the impact of
the proposed offering of 1.25 million shares of the Company's common stock which
the Company hopes to complete during the fourth quarter of 1999.
Based on October 31, 1999 market valuations, the Company had additional
potential pre-tax warrant gains totaling over $29.2 million, of which over $22.9
million related to four clients. The Company is restricted from exercising many
of these warrants until later in the fourth quarter of 1999
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and the first quarter of 2000. Further, based on October 31, 1999 market
valuations, the Company had a potential pre-tax gain on a venture capital fund
investment of over $14.3 million. The Company is restricted from selling this
equity instrument until the first quarter of the year 2000. Additionally, the
Company is precluded from using any type of derivative instrument to secure the
current unrealized gains associated with these equity instruments. Hence, the
amount of income realized by the Company from these equity instruments in future
periods may vary materially from the current unrealized amount due to
fluctuations in the market prices of the underlying common stock of these
companies. Furthermore, the Company may reinvest some or all of the income
realized from the disposition of these equity instruments in pursuing its
business strategies.
Year 2000 Readiness Update: Testing of mission critical service providers
and contingency planning and testing was complete as of June 30, 1999.
Additionally, the Bank completed the implementation of all mission critical
systems into the production environment as of June 30, 1999. This marks the
completion of the Bank's final milestone under regulatory guidelines. However,
the Bank will continue to work through the rest of the year with vendors,
clients and business partners to make a smooth transition into the next
millennium.
The Company will be in a quiet period beginning December 16, 1999 (15
calendar days before quarter end) and will issue a press release announcing the
final 1999 fourth quarter financial results on Thursday, January 20, 2000. The
Company will host a conference call at 7:00 a.m. (PST), on Friday, January 21,
2000, to discuss the 1999 fourth quarter financial results. The conference call
can be accessed by dialing (888) 955-3514 and referencing the passcode "Silicon
Valley Bank." A digitized replay of this conference call will be available
beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m. (PST), on Friday, January 21, 2000,
through 5:00 p.m (PST), on Friday, February 18, 2000, by dialing
(800) 774-9248. An audio replay of this conference call will also be available
on the World Wide Web at www.svb.com beginning Friday, January 21, 2000.
Silicon Valley Bank serves emerging growth and middle-market companies in
targeted niches, focusing on the technology and life sciences industries, while
also identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to serve companies in other
industries whose financial services needs the Bank believes are underserved.
The Bank operates offices throughout the Silicon Valley: Santa Clara, Palo
Alto and 3000 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, the center of the venture capital
community in California. Other regional offices within California include:
Irvine, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Helena, Sonoma, Westlake Village, and West
Los Angeles. Office locations outside of California include: Phoenix, Arizona;
Boulder, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Rosemont, Illinois; Wellesley,
Massachusetts; St. Louis Park, Minnesota; Beaverton, Oregon; Radnor,
Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; Reston, Virginia; and Kirkland, Washington.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release includes "forward-looking statements" as that term is used in
the securities laws. All statements regarding the Company's expected financial
position, business and strategies are forward-looking statements. In addition,
in this release, the words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "seeks,"
"expects," "plans," "intends" and similar expressions, as they relate to the
Company or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these
forward-looking statements are reasonable, and has based these expectations on
the Company's beliefs as well as assumptions it has made, such expectations may
prove to be incorrect. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from such expectations include, without limitation:
- If a significant number of clients fail to perform under their loans, the
Company's business, profitability and financial condition would be
adversely affected.
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- Because of the credit profile of our loan portfolio, the Company's levels
of nonperforming assets and charge-offs can be volatile, and the Company
may need to make material provisions for loan losses in any period, which
could cause reduced net income or net losses in that period.
- If the amount of capital available to start-up and emerging growth
companies decreases, it could adversely affect the Company's business,
profitability and growth prospects.
- The Company is subject to extensive regulation that could limit or
restrict its activities and impose financial requirements or limitations
on the conduct of its business. The Company is currently party to a
memorandum of understanding with its primary banking regulators which
requires it to increase capital and restricts its ability to declare
dividends and take other actions without regulatory consent.
- The Company's currently existing unrealized warrant and venture capital
fund portfolio gains may never be realized.
- Public offerings and mergers and acquisitions involving the Company's
clients can cause loans to be paid off early, which could adversely affect
its business and profitability. The Company has experienced only modest
loan growth in 1999, primarily as a result of this phenomenon.
- The Company's current level of interest rate spread may decline in the
future. Any material reduction in its interest spread could have a
material impact on its business and profitability.
- Adverse changes in domestic or global economic conditions, especially in
the technology sector, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, growth and profitability.
- If the Company fails to retain its key employees, its growth and
profitability could be adversely affected.
- If the Company fails to address adequately the Year 2000 issue, it could
adversely affect the Company's business and profitability and the Company
could face regulatory enforcement actions.
- The price of the Company's common stock may decrease rapidly and prevent
stockholders from selling their stock at a profit.
For information about factors that could cause the Company's actual results to
differ from the expectations stated in the forward-looking statements, see the
text under the caption "Risk Factors" included in Item 5 of the Company's Report
on Form 8-K dated November 18, 1999. The Company urges investors to consider
these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained
in this release. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements
attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly
qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking
statements included in this release are made only as of the date of this
release. The Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update
these forward-looking statements.
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