FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 1, 2006

CONTACT:     Susan Miller

                    317.816.9760, ext. 247

                    smiller@hickmanassociates.com

In Search of Effective Corporate Governance

Conference underscores the new scrutiny corporate boards are facing

(October 26, 2006 – Indianapolis, Ind.) — Scandals related to unethical financial behavior and information sharing practices have recently rocked some of the nation’s largest boardrooms. Four years after the Enron debacle introduced Sarbanes-Oxley to the corporate world, corporate boards are struggling to comply with a much more scrutinized and regulated board governance model.

Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University will present In Search of Effective Corporate Governance on Tuesday, November 28, at the Columbia Club, Indianapolis, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (breakfast 8:00 to 8:30).

Experts will discuss the implications of Sarbanes Oxley and other new and proposed regulations on the role of corporate directors. Discussion will center on how regulators can use market forces to govern their organizations more effectively, the relationship between market activity and quality governance and what financial competencies board directors should possess.

“Corporate boards are dealing with market performance that has recently surpassed old thresholds of performance while striving to comply with a much greater regulatory burden,” noted Jack Tatom, Ph.D. Director of Research at Networks Financial Institute.  Dr. Tatom noted that the complexity of financial knowledge and information required to comply with government regulation presents new challenges for corporate management and the boards that direct them.

Speakers at the financial forum represent a broad base of expertise in the areas of corporate compliance, legislation and board governance.  The panelists include Ken Lehn, Professor of Finance in the Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh; Roman Weil, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago and Director of the Chicago/Wharton/Stanford Directors school; and Lawrence White, Professor of Economics at the Stern School of Business, New York University.

The conference is one of a series of Financial Forums sponsored by Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University.  Registration information is online at  www.networksfinancialinstitute.org or available at 1.800.603.7113. The financial forum is offered free of charge.  Registration is required and space is limited.

Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University was founded in 2003 with a grant from Lilly Endowment.  NFI strives to facilitate broad, collaborative thinking, dialogue and progress in the evolving financial services marketplace through education, outreach and research.  Headquartered in Indianapolis with offices in Washington, D.C. and on the campus of Indiana State, and with outreach internationally, NFI’s goal is to serve as a catalyst for change in the financial services industry.

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