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_______________
Copyright (c) 2001
Stanford Law School


Providian Financial Corporation
Conclusion: According to the Company’s FORM 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004, the Rule 10b-5 securities class actions were filed in the District Court for the Northern District of California. These consolidated actions (In re Providian Financial Securities Litigation) alleged that the Company and certain of our officers made false and misleading statements concerning our operations and prospects for the second and third quarters of 2001 in violation of federal securities laws. The class comprised those persons or entities who acquired the Company’s stock between June 6, 2001 and October 18, 2001. In July 2004, these actions were settled in principle on a classwide basis for $65 million to be funded by the Company’s insurance carriers, subject to finalization and court approval. The settlement received final approval from the court in September 2004, with approximately 14% of the settlement amount to cover the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and costs. The Company’s insurance carriers will fund the settlement amount, in addition to the attorneys’ fees that have been incurred by the Company for its own defense.

The original complaint was filed charging Providian and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The complaint alleges that defendants disseminated false and misleading statements concerning the Company's operations and prospects for Q2 and Q3 2001. In late June 2001, Providian changed the way it processes its bankruptcy filings and thus changed when it recognizes losses and deferred the recognition of approximately $30 million of charge-offs from June (and Q2 01) into July. Providian allegedly manipulated its financial statements for Q2 01 and shaved 40 basis points off its Q2 01 managed net charge-off rate of 10.3% and boosted reported EPS by $0.06. Without this change, the loss rate would have been 10.7%. This is well above defendants' guidance of 9.5%-10%. Defendants made no mention of this change on the conference call or in Providian's Q2 01 10-Q. In fact, management only admitted this change after they came under pressure from analysts following a flood of calls to their investor relations department in late August 2001. During the Class Period, taking advantage of the inflation in Providian stock, defendants sold almost $22 million worth of their own Providian stock at artificially inflated prices of as much as $49.30 per share. These sales were out of line with their prior trading history.

INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION:
SIC Code: 6153
Sector: Financial
Industry: Regional Banks


COMPANY/ISSUER NAME: Providian Financial Corporation
COMPANY/ISSUER TICKER: PVN
COMPANY WEBSITE: http://www.providian.com/

FIRST IDENTIFIED COMPLAINT IN THE DATABASE
Southern Electric Retirement Fund, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
 COURT: N.D. California  DOCKET NUMBER: 01-CV-03952
 JUDGE NAME: Hon. Maria-Elena James
 DATE FILED: 10/19/2001  SOURCE: Business Wires
 CLASS PERIOD START: 06/06/2001  CLASS PERIOD END: 10/11/2001
 TYPE OF COMPLAINT: Complaint (Unamended and Unconsolidated)
 PLAINTIFF FIRMS NAMED IN COMPLAINT:
  • Branstetter, Kilgore, Stranch & Jennings
      227 Second Ave. North, 4th Floor, Nashville, TN, 37201-1631
       (voice) 615.254.8801, (fax) 615.255.5419,
  • Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP (S.F., CA)
      100 Pine Street - Suite 2600, San Francisco, CA, 94111
       (voice) 415.288.4545, (fax) 415.288.4534,
  • Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP (San Diego, CA)
      600 West Broadway, 1800 One America Plaza, San Diego, CA, 92101
       (voice) 800.449.4900, (fax) , support@milberg.com
    _____________________________________________
     TOTAL NUMBER OF PLAINTIFF FIRMS:  3

  •  DOCUMENTS FOR THE FIRST IDENTIFIED COMPLAINT
    Complaint For Violation Of The Federal Securities Laws
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 10/19/2001
    Certification Of Blair A. Nicholas Pursuant To Local Rule 3-7(d)
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/17/2001
    Certification Of Interested Entities Or Persons
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/17/2001
    Declaration Of Blair A. Nicholas In Support Of The Motion By Detroit Policemen & Firemen Retirement System To Be Appointed Lead Plaintiff
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 12/17/2001
    Declaration Of Service
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/17/2001
    Memorandum Of Points And Authorities In Support Of The Detroit Policemen & Firemen Retirement System’s Motion To Be Appointed Lead Plaintiff
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/17/2001
    Notice Of Motion In Support Of The Motion Of The Detroit Policemen & Firemen Retirement System To Be Appointed Lead Plaintiff
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 12/17/2001
    Certificate Of Gwendolyn R. Giblin Pursuant To Local Rule 3-7(d) Of The United States District Court For The Northern District Of California
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/18/2001
    Certificate Of Paul F. Bennett Pursuant To Local Rule 3-7(d) Of The United States District Court For The Northern District Of California
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/18/2001
    Declaration Of Paul F. Bennett In Support Of The Motion To Appoint Retirement Systems Of Alabama As Lead Plaintiff
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 12/18/2001
    Declaration Of Stuart L. Berman In Support Of Motion Of BankInvest Mutual Funds And The Sachs Company To Consolidate Actions, To Be Appointed Lead Plaintiffs
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 12/18/2001
    Motion To Consolidate Related Cases, Appoint BankInvest Mutual Funds And The Sachs Company As Co-Lead Plaintiffs Pursuant To Section 21D(a)(3)(B)
    Type: Motion Date on the document: 12/18/2001
    Proof Of Service
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/18/2001
    [Proposed] Order Granting Motion To Appoint Bankinvest Mutual Funds And The Sachs Company As Lead Plaintiffs Pursuant To Section 21D(a)(3)(B)
    Type: Order Date on the document: 12/18/2001
    [Proposed] Order Consolidating Cases, Appointing Lead Plaintiff Pursuant To §21d(A)(3)(B) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
    Type: Order Date on the document: 12/24/2001
    Certification Of Robert S. Green Pursuant To Local Rule 3-7(d)
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/28/2001
    Renotice Of Motion To Appoint First Winchester Investments, Ltd., Arjun Waney And Judith Waney As Lead Plaintiff
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 01/02/2002
    [Proposed] Order Granting Application
    Type: Order Date on the document: 01/23/2002
    [Proposed] Order Appointing The Detroit Policemen & Firemen Retirement System As Lead Plaintiff
    Type: Order Date on the document: 01/24/2002
    Memorandum Of Law In Further Support Of Motion To Appoint The Sachs Company As Lead Plaintiff Pursuant To Section 21(D)(a)(3)(B)
    Type: Other Date on the document: 01/25/2002
    Notice Of Withdrawal Of Motion To Appoint Bankinvest Mutual Funds As Co-Lead Plaintiff And To Approve Selection Of Rabin & Peckel LLP As Co-Lead Counsel
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 01/30/2002
    Notice Of Withdrawal Of Motion To Appoint The Sachs Group As Co-Lead Plaintiff And To Approve Selection Of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP As Co-Lead Counsel
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 02/14/2002

    REFERENCE COMPLAINT
    In Re Providian Financial Corporation Securities Litigation, et al.
     COURT: N.D. California  DOCKET NUMBER: 01-CV-03952
     JUDGE NAME: 
     DATE FILED: 08/31/2002  SOURCE: Business Wires
     CLASS PERIOD START: 06/06/2001  CLASS PERIOD END: 10/18/2001
     TYPE OF COMPLAINT: Consolidated Complaint
     PLAINTIFF FIRMS NAMED IN COMPLAINT:
  • Chitwood & Harley LLP (Atlanta)
      7945 East Paces Ferry Road, 1400 Resurgens Plaza, Atlanta, GA, 30326
       (voice) 404.266.1650, (fax) , info@chitwoodlaw.com
    _____________________________________________
     TOTAL NUMBER OF PLAINTIFF FIRMS:  1

  •  DOCUMENTS FOR THE REFERENCE COMPLAINT
    Declaration Of Service
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 01/23/2002
    Declaration Of Service
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 01/23/2002
    Notice Of Withdrawal Of Motion Of Detroit Policemen And Firemen Retirement System To Be Appointed Lead Plaintiff, To Approve Lead Plaintiff’s Choice Of Counsel
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 01/23/2002
    Notice Of Withdrawal Of Motion Of Detroit Policemen And Firemen Retirement System To Be Appointed Lead Plaintiff; To Approve Lead Plaintiff’s Choice Of Counsel
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 01/23/2002
    Declaration Of Arjun C. Waney In Support Of First Winchester Group's Motion To Be Appointed Lead Plaintiff And To Approve Lead Plaintiff's Choice Of Counsel
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 02/01/2002
    Declaration Of Kimberly C. Epstein In Support Of First Winchester Group's Reply Memorandum
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 02/01/2002
    Declaration Of Kimberly C. Epstein In Support Of First Winchester Group's Reply Memorandum In Support Of Motion To Consolidate Related Actions
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 02/01/2002
    The First Winchester Group's Reply Memorandum In Support Of Motion To Consolidate Related Actions And Preserve Documents
    Type: Other Date on the document: 02/01/2002
    The First Winchester Group's Reply Memorandum To The RSA Group's Opposition And The Sachs Company's Response To Motion For Appointment
    Type: Other Date on the document: 02/01/2002
    Amended Complaint For Violations Of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act -And- Certification Of Interested Entities Or Persons Class Action Complaint
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 3/14/2002
    Consolidated Class Action Complaint - Demand For Jury Trial
    Type: Other Date on the document: 04/16/2002
    Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint - Demand For Jury Trial
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 08/31/2002
    Notice of Pendency of Class Action
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 04/14/2004
    Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action, Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Reimbursment of Expenses and Settlement Fairness Hearing
    Type: Settlement Date on the document: 04/14/2004
    Defendant's Trial Brief
    Type: Other Date on the document: 06/02/2004
    Defendants’ Request for Leave to File Certain Documents Under Seal
    Type: Other Date on the document: 06/02/2004
    Defendants’ Request for Leave to File Certain Documents Under Seal
    Type: Other Date on the document: 06/02/2004
    Defendants' Trial Brief
    Type: Brief Date on the document: 06/02/2004
    Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement
    Type: Settlement Date on the document: 07/20/2004
    Final Judgment
    Type: Other Date on the document: 09/24/2004
    Proof of Claim and Release
    Type: Other Date on the document: 12/31/2004
    U.S. District Court Civil Docket
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 04/08/2005
    Notice Of Substitution Of Counsel
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 02/24/2006
    Certificate Of Service
    Type: Other Date on the document: 04/11/2006
    Notice Of Withdrawal As Counsel Of Record And [Proposed] Order Granting Withdrawal
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 04/11/2006
    Notice of Withdrawal as Counsel of Record and Order Granting Withdrawal
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 04/12/2006
    Declaration Of D. Lee Janvrin
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 08/09/2006
    Plaintiff's Notice Of Motion And Motion
    Type: Motion Date on the document: 08/09/2006
    Proof Of Service
    Type: Other Date on the document: 08/09/2006
    [Proposed] Order Regarding Distribution Of Class Settlement Fund
    Type: Order Date on the document: 08/09/2006
    Order Re: Distribution Of Class Settlement Fund
    Type: Order Date on the document: 08/18/2006

     OTHER DOCUMENTS
    Class Action Complaint
    Case Name and/or Number: Martino, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 10/23/2001
    Complaint For Violation Of The Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: Malone, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 10/23/2001
    Complaint For The Violation Of Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: Christianson, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 10/25/2001
    Complaint for Violation of the Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: Fixler, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 10/25/2001
    Complaint For Violation Of The Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: Kulp, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 10/29/2001
    Complaint For Violation Of The Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: Fireman, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 10/31/2001
    First Amended Complaint For The Violation Of Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: Christianson, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 11/01/2001
    Complaint For Violation Of The Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: Joint Industry - Engineers Union Local 30 Pension Fund
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 11/26/2001
    Complaint For Violation Of The Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: Ainsworth, et al. v. Providian Financial Corporation, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 12/04/2001
    Order and Final Judgment
    Case Name and/or Number: In Re Providian Financial Corporation ERISA Litigation, et al.
    Type: Order Date on the document: 06/30/2003

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