FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             2000-171



          COMMISSION APPROVES AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE AND
                     MARKET STRUCTURE RULES




     Washington, DC, November 15, 2000 -- Today the Commission
unanimously approved rules concerning auditor independence
requirements and market structure issues.  The Chairman's opening
statement at today's meeting and fact sheets for each set of
rules are available on the Commission's web site.


  *  Chairman's Statement.--
     www.sec.gov/news/extra/levonai.htm

  *  Fact Sheet on Auditor Independence --
     www.sec.gov/news/extra/faqaud.htm

  *  Fact Sheet on Market Structure --
     www.sec.gov/news/extra/faqmstrc.htm




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