Portfolio Recovery Associates to be Added to S&P SmallCap 600 Index

Standard & Poor’s will make the following changes to the S&P 500, S&P SmallCap 600 and S&P REIT Composite indices:

• Ameriprise Financial Inc.will replace Providian Financial Corp. in the S&P 500 after the close of trading on Friday, September 30, 2005. Ameriprise is being spun off by S&P 500 constituent American Express Co., and Providian is being acquired by S&P 500 constituent Washington Mutual Inc., in transactions expected to close on or about that date.

• United Fire & Casualty Co. will replace Gables Residential Trust in the S&P SmallCap 600, and Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp. will replace Gables in the S&P REIT Composite, after the close of trading on Friday, September 30, 2005. Gables is being acquired by S&P Global 1200 constituent ING Groep in a deal pending final approvals.

• Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc. will replace School Specialty Inc. in the S&P SmallCap 600 on a date to be announced. School Specialty is being acquired by an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners LLC in a deal that is still pending final approval.

Standard & Poor’s will monitor these transactions, and post any relevant updates on its website: http://www.standardandpoors.com.

Ameriprise is a financial planning and services firm. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, the company will be added to the S&P 500 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Asset Management & Custody Banks Sub- Industry Index.

United Fire & Casualty writes property, casualty and life insurance, mostly in the Midwest. Headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Property & Casualty Insurance Sub-Industry Index.

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp. derives its income primarily from real estate rental operations, consisting of 38 industrial properties and one shopping center. Headquartered in Freehold, NJ, the company will be added to the S&P REIT Composite Industrial/Office property category.

Portfolio Recovery provides outsourced receivables management by purchasing, collecting and managing portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables. Headquartered in Norfolk, VA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Diversified Commercial & Professional Services Sub- Industry Index.