gecc8k9508.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 5, 2008
 
 
General Electric Capital Corporation
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Delaware
 
1-6461
 
13-1500700
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
         
3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, Connecticut
     
06828-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
     
(Zip Code)
         
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code   (203) 373-2211
 
     
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):
 
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


 
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Item 8.01 Other Events
 
As previously reported, in January 2005, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) informed GE that it had commenced an investigation and requested certain documents and information with respect to the use of hedge accounting for derivatives by GE and us. In August 2005, the SEC staff advised GE that the SEC had issued a formal order of investigation in the matter. The SEC investigation is continuing and the SEC staff has taken testimony in this matter and has requested information about other GE accounting policies and practices, including items related to revenue recognition and our cash flow presentations.
 
We and GE continue to cooperate with the ongoing SEC investigation and to discuss the investigation and issues arising in that investigation and our internal review of certain accounting matters with the SEC staff with a goal of completing our review and resolving these matters. As part of this process, GE has had preliminary discussions with the SEC staff concerning resolution of these matters. On September 4, 2008, the SEC staff issued a “Wells notice” advising GE that it is considering recommending to the SEC that it bring a civil injunctive action against GE for possible violations of the securities laws. GE has been informed that the issues the staff may recommend that the SEC pursue relate to the application of SFAS 133 in 2002 and 2003 with respect to accounting for derivatives formerly used to hedge the risk of interest rate changes related to commercial paper and for certain derivatives in which a fee was a part of the consideration for the derivative; a change in 2002 in GE’s accounting for profits on certain aftermarket spare parts primarily in its Aviation business; certain 2003 and earlier transactions involving financial intermediaries in its Rail business; and historical accounting for revenue recognition on product sales subject to in-transit risk of damage, principally in its Healthcare, Infrastructure and Industrial segments. We and GE have already disclosed these items in previously filed SEC reports, including their effects on particular periods and corrected our financial statements with respect to each of them. The cumulative effect of these items on GE’s financial statements was a reduction in net earnings by approximately $300 million in the period from 2001 through December 31, 2007. We and GE have implemented a number of remedial actions and internal control enhancements, also as described in our SEC reports. All of these items were reviewed or discussed with KPMG, which audited our financial statements throughout the periods in question.
 
GE disagrees with the SEC staff with respect to this recommendation and understand that it will have the opportunity to discuss the matter with the staff and to address the issues through the Wells process with the full Commission. If the Commission were to authorize an action against GE, it could seek an injunction against future violations of provisions of the federal securities laws, including potentially Sections 13(a), 13(b), and 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, the imposition of penalties, and other relief within the Commission’s authority. GE anticipates that it will engage in further discussions with the SEC staff, including discussion of potential resolution of the matter. If GE were to resolve the matter, it would neither admit nor deny the proposed allegations but would agree to the resolution and entry of an injunction. There can be no assurance that GE and the SEC would reach agreement on a proposed settlement as a result of our discussions.
 

 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
   
General Electric Capital Corporation
 
   
(Registrant)
 
       
Date: September 5, 2008
 
/s/ Jamie S. Miller
 
   
Jamie S. Miller
 
   
Senior Vice President and Controller
 
 

 

 
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