Statement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Regarding Bear Stearns' Broker Dealers

Washington, D.C. — The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), in coordination with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other regulatory authorities, has been monitoring the U.S. broker-dealer subsidiaries of Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. These broker dealers (Bear, Stearns & Co Inc., Bear, Stearns Securities Corp., Bear Wagner Specialists LLC) remain in compliance with the SEC's and FINRA's capital rules.

FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. Created in 2007 through the consolidation of NASD and NYSE Member Regulation, FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services. FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business—from registering and educating all industry participants to examining securities firms; writing and enforcing rules and the federal securities laws; informing and educating the investing public; providing trade reporting and other industry utilities; and administering the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and registered firms. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.finra.org.