WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 30, 2006 - The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) announced today that SIPC Chairman of the Board Armando J. Bucelo, Jr., a Miami attorney, was selected as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics” in the U.S. by Hispanic Business magazine. The magazine is recognizing Bucelo for his role as chairman of the SIPC board.

The Hispanic Business magazine list, which ranges from powerful executives to celebrities, is featured in the current October 2006 issue of the magazine. The full list is available online at http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=46457&cat=Magazine&more=/magazine/.

Named as SIPC chairman in January 2006, Bucelo is both the first Hispanic and first Floridian to so serve his nation. He was appointed by President Bush as a director of SIPC in 2002 and became vice chairman of the board in 2003. On July 14, 2006, Bucelo became the first Cuban-American to preside over the ringing of The Closing BellSM at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

SIPC Chairman Bucelo said: "I am honored to be chosen to be a part of such a remarkable group of Americans. I am proud to lead an organization like SIPC, which instills an investor confidence that is vital to the functioning of America’s capital markets. I thank Hispanic Business magazine for bestowing this recognition on me for my work with SIPC."

SIPC President Stephen Harbeck said: "American investors and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation have benefited tremendously from Chairman Bucelo’s leadership. His skills at the helm of SIPC make it clear why Hispanic Business recognized him as one of the most influential Hispanics in the United States."

This is the second time Bucelo has been chosen for the Hispanic Business magazine honor, the first being in 1984.

In addition to his work with SIPC, Bucelo also serves on a number of other boards, including that of the National Housing Development Corporation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to: preserving affordable housing in partnership with local communities; empowering individuals; and revitalizing communities. He was appointed by the governor of Florida to serve as a trustee of the board of directors of Miami Dade Community College and has served in that capacity since 1999. Bucelo also was a director of Freddie Mac under the George H.W. Bush administration.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his extensive civic activities. Born in Havana, Cuba, Bucelo received his B.S. and J.D. from the University of Miami. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Inter-American Bar. Bucelo is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States as well as various United States Tax and District Courts.