Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes ¨ No þ

Aggregate market value of the outstanding common equity held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter:  None.

At February 27, 2004, 1,064 shares of voting common stock, which constitute all of the outstanding common equity, with a par value of $1,000 were outstanding.

The consolidated financial statements of General Electric Company, set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Electric Company for the year ended December 31, 2003 are incorporated by reference into Part IV hereof.

Item 1. Business – Property and Casualty Reserves for Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses, set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of GE Global Insurance Holding Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003 is incorporated by reference into Part I hereof.

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General Electric Capital Services, Inc. (GECS) was incorporated in 1984 in Delaware. All of our outstanding common stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by General Electric Company (GE Company or GE). Our two principal subsidiaries conduct most of GE Company's financial services operations. Those subsidiaries, which we wholly own, are General Electric Capital Corporation (GE Capital or GECC) and GE Global Insurance Holding Corporation (GE Global Insurance Holding), the parent of Employers Reinsurance Corporation (ERC).

     Our principal executive offices are at 260 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06927 (Telephone number (203) 357-4000). At December 31, 2003, our employment totaled approximately 87,000.

     Our financial information, including filings with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is available at www.ge.com/en/company/investor/secfilings.htm. Copies are also available, without charge, from GE Corporate Investor Communications, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT, 06828-0001. Alternatively, reports filed with the SEC may be viewed or obtained at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., or at www.sec.gov.

GE Capital was incorporated in 1943 as successor to a 1932 company in the State of New York under the provisions of the New York Banking Law relating to investment companies. GE Company contributed all of GE Capital's stock to us in June 1984 upon its formation. On July 2, 2001, GE Capital changed its state of incorporation to Delaware. Financing and services offered by GE Capital are diversified, a significant change from the original business of GE Capital, that is, financing distribution and sale of consumer and other GE Company products. GE Company manufactures few of the products financed by GE Capital.

     GE Capital operates in four key operating segments described below. These operations are subject to a variety of regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

     Services of GE Capital are offered primarily in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Pacific Basin. GE Capital's principal executive offices are at 260 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06927-1600. At December 31, 2003, GE Capital employment totaled approximately 83,700.

GE Global Insurance Holding, together with its affiliates, operates in the Insurance segment described below and its operations are regulated by insurance and other regulators.

     GE Global Insurance Holding and its affiliates conduct business throughout the world using a network of local offices. GE Global Insurance Holding's principal executive offices are at 5200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66201-1391. At December 31, 2003, GE Global Insurance Holding's employment totaled approximately 3,300.

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Refer to Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations," in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of our principal businesses by operating segment. Item 1. Business - Property and Casualty Reserves for Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses, which is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of GE Global Insurance Holding for the year ended December 31, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference.

Commercial Finance (29.4%, 30.3% and 26.8% of total revenue in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively) offers an array of financial services worldwide. With particular expertise in the mid-market segment, we offer loans, leases, and other financial services to customers, including manufacturers, distributors and end-users for a variety of equipment and major capital assets including industrial facilities and equipment, energy-related facilities, commercial and residential real estate, vehicles, aircraft, and equipment used in construction, manufacturing, data processing and office applications, electronics and telecommunications, and healthcare. As further discussed on page 18, we acquired the commercial inventory financing business of Deutsche Financial Services and the structured finance business of ABB in 2002, and as discussed in note 23, most of the commercial lending business of Transamerica Finance Corporation in January 2004.

     We operate in a highly competitive environment and are subject to competition from a variety of financial institutions including commercial banks, investment banks, leasing companies, financing companies associated with manufacturers, and independent finance companies. Industry participants compete on the basis of interest rates and fees as well as deal structures and credit terms. Profitability is affected not only by broad economic conditions that impact customer credit quality and the availability and cost of capital, but also by successful management of credit risk, operating risk and market risks such as interest rate and currency exchange risk. Important factors to continued success include maintaining strong risk management systems, customer and industry specific knowledge, diverse portfolios, service and distribution channels, strong collateral and asset management knowledge, deal structuring expertise and the reduction of costs through technology and productivity.

     Our headquarters are located in Stamford, Connecticut with offices throughout the United States and in Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

     Our activities are conducted through the principal businesses described below. For further information about revenues, net earnings, and assets for these businesses, see page 17.

Real Estate funds the direct acquisition, refinancing and renovation of real estate assets, and purchases equity investments in real estate properties. Real Estate loans generally are intermediate-term senior and subordinated fixed and floating-rate and are secured by existing income-producing commercial properties. Our business also includes the origination and term securitization within one year of low loan to value loans. We invest in and provide restructuring financing for portfolios of real estate, mortgage loans, limited partnerships and tax-exempt bonds. Additionally, we invest in equity positions in a diversified portfolio of real estate assets via direct real estate ownership and joint venture interests. Property types include multi-family housing, self-storage facilities, warehouses, parking facilities, retail centers, senior assisted living facilities and office properties.

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Aviation Services is a global commercial aviation financial services business that offers a broad range of financial products to airlines, aircraft operators, owners, lenders and investors. Financial products include leases, aircraft purchasing and trading, loans, engine/spare parts financing, pilot training, fleet planning and financial advisory services.

     Commercial aviation is an industry in which we have a significant ongoing interest. As has been widely reported, this industry has been under pressure, but has undertaken steps to reduce unused capacity and align costs. Consequently, during 2003, major United States and European airlines achieved moderate improvements in operations including traffic, revenues and load factors. Aviation Services, which owned 1,239 commercial aircraft at December 31, 2003, had 1,236 on lease despite pressure on the industry. Regional jets, with capacity for 50-90 passengers, have had a significant effect on the commercial aviation industry in recent years. These jets have enabled airlines to replace less efficient equipment, both turboprop and older, narrow-bodied jets. At December 31, 2003, the Aviation Services fleet included 278 regional jets, diversifying total aircraft holdings. Aviation Services believes that it continues to offer a suitable range of equipment that is attractive to the industry. See page 35 for further discussion of the risks and exposure to the Commercial Aviation industry.

Commercial Equipment Financing finances manufacturing equipment, facilities, construction and office equipment, corporate aircraft, franchises, trucks and trailers and a wide variety of other equipment. We also furnish customers with direct-source tax-exempt finance programs, as well as lease and sale/leaseback offerings. Customers include manufacturers, distributors, dealers, end-users, and municipalities. We also maintain an asset management operation that redeploys off lease and repossessed equipment and other assets.

Corporate Financial Services provides equity, revolving and term debt used by customers to finance acquisitions, business expansion, refinancings, recapitalizations and other special situations. Customers are owners, managers and buyers of both public and private companies, principally manufacturers, distributors, retailers and diversified service providers. Our industry specialists concentrate on the retail, and media and communications industries. We also provide senior debt, subordinated debt and bridge financing to buyout and private equity firms.

Structured Finance provides equity, debt and structured investments to its customers, primarily in the global energy, telecommunications, industrial and transportation sectors. Financial services and products include corporate finance, acquisition finance and project finance. Products include a variety of debt and equity instruments, as well as structured transactions, including leases and partnerships.

Vendor Financial Services provides financial services to equipment manufacturers and dealers/distributors in a variety of industries including office equipment, industrial equipment, information technology equipment, motor sports and marine equipment, recreational vehicles and telecommunications equipment. We offer distribution financing programs, sales financing and trade payables services, including inventory financing, accounts receivable

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financing, formula based lending, private label financing, rental finance, and warranty and collateral management services.

Healthcare Financial Services is exclusively directed to the special needs of the global healthcare industry. We bring a comprehensive set of financial products and services to that market, including financing for equipment, information technology systems, real estate, acquisitions, recapitalizations, turnarounds, and working capital needs. We also provide tax-exempt financing for non-profit hospitals, vendor financing programs for medical equipment suppliers, and equity capital for medical real estate investments. We serve healthcare companies of all sizes across a wide range of sectors. Customers include hospitals and health systems; physician practices; outpatient diagnostic and treatment centers; skilled nursing and assisted living facilities; medical device manufacturers, life science companies, and other suppliers of products and services to the healthcare sector.

Consumer Finance (20.0%, 17.5% and 16.2% of total revenue in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively) is a leading provider of credit products and services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in 38 countries. We offer a broad range of financial products, including private-label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans, leases and inventory financing, residential mortgages, corporate travel and purchasing cards, debt consolidation, home equity loans, and credit insurance. As further discussed on page 20, we acquired First National Bank and the retail sales unit of Conseco Finance Corp. as part of our continued global expansion.

     Our operations are subject to a variety of bank and consumer protection regulations, including data privacy. Further, a number of countries have ceilings on rates chargeable to consumers in financial service transactions. We are subject to competition from various types of financial institutions including commercial banks, leasing companies, consumer loan companies, independent finance companies, manufacturers' captive finance companies, and insurance companies. Industry participants compete on the basis of price, servicing capability, promotional marketing, risk management, and cross selling. The markets in which we operate are also subject to the risks of declining retail sales, changes in interest and currency exchange rates, and increases in personal bankruptcy filings.

     Our headquarters are in Stamford, Connecticut and our operations are located principally in the United States, and in Europe, Asia, Latin and South America, Australia and New Zealand.

     Our activities are conducted through the principal businesses described below. For further information about principal revenues, net earnings, and assets for these businesses, see page 19.

Global Consumer Finance is a leading provider of financial products and services to retailers, auto dealers, and consumers outside of North America. We provide private-label credit cards and proprietary credit services to retailers in Europe, Asia Pacific and, to a lesser extent, Latin and South America. We also provide a variety of direct-to-consumer credit programs such as personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, residential mortgages, debt consolidation, home equity loans and the distribution of credit insurance. Our customers include retailers such as Tesco, Coles Myer and Wal-Mart.

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Card Services is a leading provider of sales financing services to North American retailers in a broad range of consumer industries. Product offerings include customized private-label credit card solutions for retailers such as JC Penney, ExxonMobil, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Macy's and Lowe's. Product offerings also include personal loans, home equity loans, business credit services, and corporate travel and purchasing cards.

Equipment Management (7.3%, 8.1% and 8.3% of total revenue in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively) helps customers manage, finance and operate a wide variety of business equipment worldwide. We provide rentals, leases, sales, asset management services and loans for portfolios of commercial and transportation equipment, including tractors, trailers, auto fleets, railroad rolling stock, intermodal shipping containers and modular space units.

           Our operations are conducted in highly competitive markets. Economic conditions, geographic location, pricing and equipment availability are important factors in this business. Future success will depend upon the ability to maintain a large and diverse customer portfolio, optimize asset mix, maximize asset utilization and effectively manage credit risk. In addition, we seek to understand and deliver unique product and service offerings to our customers in the most efficient and cost effective manner. In September 2003, we acquired the assets of CitiCapital Fleet Services.

     Our headquarters are located in Stamford, Connecticut with offices throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Insurance (40.8%, 39.7% and 40.6% of total revenue in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively) offers a broad range of insurance and investment products that help consumers create and preserve personal wealth, protect assets and enhance their life styles. For lenders and investors, it protects against the risks of default on low-down-payment mortgages. For businesses, we provide reinsurance and primary commercial insurance products to insurance companies, Fortune 100 companies, self-insurers and healthcare providers. Through December 2003, for state and local governments and other public entities, we offered financial guarantees for a variety of debt securities.

     In November 2003 GE announced its intent for an initial public offering (IPO) of a new company, Genworth Financial, Inc. (Genworth), comprising most of our life and mortgage insurance businesses. We plan to sell approximately one-third of Genworth's equity in the IPO, and we expect (subject to market conditions) to reduce our ownership over the next three years as Genworth transitions to full independence. We commenced the IPO process in January 2004 and expect to complete the IPO in the first half of the year, subject to market conditions and receipt of various regulatory approvals.

     Our headquarters are located in Richmond, Virginia with offices throughout the United States and in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and Asia Pacific.

     Our activities are conducted through the principal businesses described below. For further information about revenues and net earnings for these businesses, see page 21.

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GE Financial Assurance provides a wide variety of insurance, protection and asset management products to help consumers achieve financial security at every stage of life. Our strategy is to provide dependable products to address consumer needs for wealth accumulation, retirement income, personal protection, and wealth transfer. We distribute these products through a family of regulated insurance affiliates. Our principal product lines in North America are annuities (deferred and immediate, fixed and variable); life insurance (universal, term, ordinary and group); guaranteed investment contracts (including funding agreements); long-term care insurance; supplementary accident and health insurance; and consumer club memberships. Principal European product lines and services are payment protection insurance (designed to protect consumers' loan repayment obligations) and personal investment products. Product distribution in North America and Europe is accomplished primarily through four channels: intermediaries (brokerage general agencies, banks and securities brokerage and financial planning firms); dedicated sales forces and financial advisors; worksite distribution; and direct and affinity marketing. During 2003, (consistent with GE's announced intent to redirect capital to different lines of business) GE Financial Assurance sold its Japanese life insurance business.

            Consolidation in the financial services industry will create fewer but larger competitors. We believe the principal competitive factors in the sale of our products are product features, price, commission structure, marketing and distribution arrangements, brand, reputation, financial strength ratings and service. We believe that we are well positioned in the current competitive environment and will benefit from a number of significant demographic, governmental and market trends, including an aging United States population with growing retirement income needs, and an increasing life and lifestyle protection gap.

            Many of our activities are regulated by a variety of insurance and other regulators. Our headquarters are in Richmond, Virginia. 

Mortgage Insurance offers mortgage insurance products that facilitate homeownership by enabling borrowers to buy homes with low-down-payment mortgages. These products also aid financial institutions in managing their capital efficiently by reducing the capital required for low-down-payment mortgages. We also have leading mortgage insurance operations in Canada, Australia and the U.K. and a growing presence in Continental Europe.

     The mortgage insurance industry is sensitive to the interest rate environment and housing market conditions. The mortgage insurance industry is intensely competitive as excess market capacity seeks to underwrite business being generated from a consolidating customer base. In addition, considerable influence is exerted on the industry by two government-sponsored enterprises, which buy the majority of the loans insured by mortgage insurers.

     During 2003, General Electric Mortgage Insurance Corporation (GEMICO), requested that its financial strength ratings be lowered from AAA/Aaa to AA/Aa2 positioning our United States business to operate at lower capital levels. This change improves our capital efficiency and return on equity while retaining a conservative risk-to-capital ratio.

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GE Global Insurance Holding (Employers Reinsurance Corporation)

Through our principal insurance and reinsurance company affiliates – Employers Reinsurance Corporation, GE Reinsurance Corporation, the GE Frankona Group and the Medical Protective Corporation – we write substantially all lines of reinsurance (where the insured party is another insurance company) and select lines of direct property and casualty insurance (where the insured party is a non-insurance company or an individual).

            The reinsurance operations include the reinsurance of property and casualty risks written by more than 1,000 insurers around the world. Direct insurance operations are focused on niche lines of business, principally medical malpractice coverage for physicians and dentists, medical professional liability for hospitals, errors and omissions coverage for insurance agents and brokers, professional liability insurance for attorneys, excess indemnity for self-insurers of medical benefits and excess workers' compensation for self-insurers. The life reinsurance affiliates are engaged in the reinsurance of life insurance products, including term, whole and universal life, annuities, certain health-related coverages and the provision of financial reinsurance to life insurers. During 2003, we announced our intent to scale back on life reinsurance operations to improve overall returns and we ceased writing new life reinsurance business in the United States and sold our United States life reinsurance business – ERC Life Reinsurance Corporation.

            In our opinion, we compete in the reinsurance marketplace principally on the basis of our expertise, relationships, financial strength, price and creativity in developing customized solutions to customer needs. Within the direct insurance marketplace, we believe we compete principally on the basis of our product offerings, established relationships with customers and key distribution partners, price and ease of doing business.

           Employers Reinsurance Corporation is one of the largest competitors in its marketplace. Our property and casualty reinsurance operations are ranked fifth in the world in terms of net premiums written and we compete with the world's largest reinsurers as well as dozens of smaller niche competitors. Our life reinsurance operations are ranked in the top four life reinsurers in the world.

           Maintaining strong financial strength ratings is an important factor in remaining competitive in both the reinsurance and direct insurance markets in which we compete. During 2003, certain external credit rating agencies announced the lowering of financial strength ratings with respect to GE Global Insurance Holding and subsidiaries, citing poor recent operating performance as the principal factor. Rating agencies took similar actions to lower the ratings of many insurers and reinsurers in recent years. Debt ratings for GE Global Insurance Holding affect $1.7 billion of outstanding debt. While these ratings were lowered in 2003, they remain investment grade. We do not believe these actions will materially affect GE Global Insurance Holding liquidity or capital resources or the ability to write future business.

All Other GECS includes activities and businesses that we do not measure within one of the four operating segments.  A description of All Other GECS principal businesses follows. For further information about revenues and net earnings for these businesses, see page 23.

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IT Solutions is a provider of a broad array of information technology services and products, including full life cycle services that provide customers with cost-effective control and management of their information systems. Services offered include remote network/server/security monitoring and management, client support covering asset management, help desk and desk side support, as well as program management and professional services for the security, network, server and storage environments.   Products offered include desktop personal computers, client server systems, UNIX systems, local and wide area network hardware, and software.  IT Solutions serves commercial, educational and governmental customers in the United States and Canada. During 2003, IT Solutions sold its business units in Europe. 

Competition in information technology services and products is very active and comes from a number of principal manufacturers and other distributors and resellers. Markets for services and products are highly price competitive. Additionally, many information technology product manufacturers are bypassing traditional information technology resellers in favor of direct manufacturer relationships with the ultimate end-users. IT Solutions' headquarters are in Erlanger, Kentucky.

GE Equity manages equity investments in early-stage, early-growth, pre-IPO companies. This portfolio consists primarily of direct investments in convertible preferred and common stocks in both public and private companies; we also participate in certain investment limited partnerships. The portfolio includes investments in the technology and communications, media and entertainment, business services, financial services and healthcare sectors. The portfolio is geographically diversified with investments located throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Asia and Latin America. We ceased making new investments in 2002, but continue to provide financial support to companies in its portfolio which will be managed for maximum value over time, eventually liquidating. Headquarters are in Stamford, Connecticut.

American Communications (Americom) engaged primarily as a satellite service supplier to a diverse array of customers, including the broadcast and cable TV industries, as well as broadcast radio. It also supplied integrated communications services for government and commercial customers. We also operated communications satellites and maintained a supporting network of earth stations, central terminal offices, and telemetry, tracking and control facilities. On November 9, 2001, we exchanged our satellite operations, comprising the stock of Americom and other related assets and liabilities, for a combination of cash and 31% of the publicly-traded stock of SES Global, a leading satellite company, in order to create the world's largest satellite services provider. Our investment in SES Global is accounted for on the equity method within Commercial Finance.

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Our activities are subject to a variety of federal and state regulations including, at the federal level, the Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and certain regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission. A majority of states have ceilings on rates chargeable to customers in retail time sales transactions, installment loans and revolving credit financing. Insurance and reinsurance operations are subject to regulation by various state insurance commissions or foreign regulatory authorities, as applicable. Our international operations are subject to regulation in their respective jurisdictions. To date, compliance with such regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

     The businesses in which we engage are highly competitive. We are subject to competition from various types of financial institutions, including banks, thrifts, investment banks, broker-dealers, credit unions, leasing companies, consumer loan companies, independent finance companies, finance companies associated with manufacturers and insurance and reinsurance companies.

Our businesses are generally affected by general business and economic conditions in countries in which we conduct business. When overall economic conditions deteriorate in those countries, there generally are adverse effects on our operations, although those effects are dynamic and complex. For example, a downturn in employment or economic growth in a particular national or regional economy will generally increase the pressure on customers, which generally will result in deterioration of repayment patterns and a reduction in the value of collateral. However, in such a downturn, demand for loans and other products and services we offer may actually increase. Interest rates, another macro-economic factor, are important to our businesses. In the lending and leasing businesses, higher real interest rates increase our cost to borrow funds, but also provide higher levels of return on new investments. For our operations that are less directly linked to interest rates, such as the insurance operations, rate changes generally affect returns on investment portfolios.

This document includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will" or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from these expectations and assumptions due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market regulatory and other factors.

We conduct our business from various facilities, most of which are leased. The locations of our primary facilities are described in Item 1. Business.

We are not involved in any material pending legal proceedings.

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Not required by this form.

See note 16 to the consolidated financial statements. Our common stock is owned entirely by GE Company and an affiliate and, therefore, there is no trading market in such stock.

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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We present Management's Discussion of Operations in three parts: Overview of Our Earnings from 2001 through 2003, Segment Operations and International Operations.

     In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we sometimes refer to data derived from consolidated financial information but not required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to be presented in financial statements. Certain of these data are considered "non-GAAP financial measures" under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations; those rules require the supplemental explanation and reconciliation provided on page 39.

ON JANUARY 1, 2004, WE SIMPLIFIED OUR ORGANIZATION. We will achieve lower costs of operations in platforms that will accommodate our future growth. The segments most affected by this change follow:

•     Commercial Finance – the combination of Commercial Finance and the Fleet Services business that was previously part of Equipment Management

•     Equipment and Other Services – the combination of Equipment Management and the former All Other GECS segments

Results for 2003 in this financial section are reported on the same basis in effect in 2003.

     GE announced in November 2003 its intent for an initial public offering (IPO) of a new company, Genworth Financial, Inc. (Genworth), comprising most of our life and mortgage insurance businesses. We plan to sell approximately one-third of Genworth's equity in the IPO, and we expect (subject to market conditions) to reduce our ownership over the next three years as Genworth transitions to full independence. We commenced the IPO process in January 2004 and expect to complete the IPO in the first half of the year, subject to market conditions and receipt of various regulatory approvals.

     See the Segment Operations section on page 15 for a more detailed discussion of our businesses.

The global economic environment must be considered when evaluating our 2001 to 2003 results. Important factors for us included slow global economic growth, a mild U.S. recession that did not cause significantly higher credit losses, lower global interest rates and distinct developments in two industries that are significant to us (property and casualty insurance and commercial aviation).  As you will see in detail in the following pages, our diversification and risk management strategies reduced the earnings effects of many of the significant developments of the last three years. Our results were affected by a combination of factors, both positive and negative, as follows:

•     At Employers Reinsurance Corporation (ERC), we, like most of the reinsurance industry, faced volatility throughout the period. We are now confident we have worked through our historical underwriting mistakes. But in 2002 we recognized losses on our 1997-2001 business, increasing loss reserves by $3.5 billion, resulting in a loss of $1.8 billion in 2002, a decline of $1.9 billion from 2001. In 2003, our turnaround

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     efforts started to pay off. We realized benefits from improved ERC operations and ERC earnings rebounded by $2.3 billion to a profit of $0.5 billion.

•     Commercial and Consumer Finance at 47% and 85% of consolidated three-year revenues and earnings before accounting changes, respectively, are large, profitable growth businesses in which we continue to invest with confidence. In a challenging economic environment, these businesses grew earnings by $0.9 billion in 2003 and $0.6 billion in 2002. Solid core growth, disciplined risk management and successful acquisitions have delivered these strong results.

•     Equipment Management is economically sensitive and consequently was affected adversely by the U.S. recession and by slow global growth in developed countries. Even in the difficult environments it faced, this business continued to succeed in its primary role, to generate cash. Higher capacity, in combination with declining or weak volume growth in many industries served by this business, resulted in fierce competitive price pressures. Earnings declined $0.2 billion over this period.

Other factors that were important to our recent earnings performance included gains on the sale of Americom ($0.6 billion) in 2001; favorable tax settlements with the U. S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2002 ($0.3 billion); as well as gains on the sale of certain of our Insurance businesses ($0.3 billion) in 2003.

     Acquisitions affected our operations and contributed $2.3 billion, $3.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, to each of the last three-year's consolidated revenues. Our consolidated net earnings in 2003, 2002 and 2001 included approximately $0.3 billion, $0.4 billion and $0.2 billion, respectively, from acquired businesses. We integrate acquisitions as quickly as possible and only revenues and earnings during the first 12 months following the quarter in which we complete the acquisition are attributed to such businesses.

     Significant matters in our Statement of Earnings, page 41, are explained below.

INTEREST EXPENSE ON BORROWINGS was $9.9 billion in 2003 and 2002, compared with $10.6 billion in 2001. Changes over the three year period reflected the effects of lower interest rates, partially offset by the effects of higher average borrowings of $279.7 billion, $250.1 billion and $212.2 billion in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, used to finance asset growth and acquisitions. The average composite effective interest rate was 3.5% in 2003, compared with 4.1% in 2002 and 5.1% in 2001. In 2003, average assets of $521.6 billion were 15% higher than in 2002, which in turn were 18% higher than in 2001. See page 29 for a discussion of interest rate risk management.

INCOME TAXES on earnings before accounting changes were 15.8% in 2003, negative 1.7% in 2002 and 19.8% in 2001. The increase from 2002 to 2003 reflected the absence of a current year counterpart to the 2002 pre-tax loss at ERC and the IRS settlements discussed below, as well as lower pre-tax losses at GE Equity, partially offset by an approximately three percentage point decrease due to the 2003 pre-tax loss and tax benefit on the disposition of shares of ERC Life Reinsurance Corporation (ERC Life). See note 13.

     Our 2002 effective tax rate reflected pre-tax losses at ERC and GE Equity, the effects of lower taxed earnings from international operations and favorable tax settlements with the IRS. Pre-tax losses of $2.9 billion at ERC and $0.6 billion at GE Equity reduced our effective tax rate by approximately 17 percentage points.

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     During 2002, as a result of revised IRS regulations, we reached a settlement with the IRS allowing the deduction of previously realized losses associated with the prior disposition of Kidder Peabody. Also during 2002, we reached a settlement with the IRS regarding the treatment of certain reserves for obligations to policyholders on life insurance contracts in the GE Financial Assurance business. See note 13.

     Segment profit is determined based on internal performance measures used by our Chairman to assess the performance of each business in a given period. In connection with that assessment, the Chairman may exclude matters such as charges for restructuring; rationalization and other similar expenses; certain gains/losses from dispositions; and litigation settlements or other charges, responsibility for which precedes the current management team.

     Revenues and earnings before accounting changes, by operating segment, for the past three years are summarized and discussed below. For purposes of this discussion, earnings before accounting changes is referred to as net earnings, which excludes goodwill amortization and accounting changes.

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Commercial Finance revenues and net earnings increased 6% and 18%, respectively, compared with 2002. The increase in revenues resulted primarily from acquisitions across substantially all businesses ($0.9 billion), higher investment gains at Real Estate ($0.1 billion) and origination growth, partially offset by lower securitization activity at Commercial Equipment Financing ($0.1 billion). The increase in net earnings resulted primarily from origination growth, acquisitions across substantially all businesses ($0.2 billion), higher investment gains at Real Estate as a result of the sale of properties and our investments in Regency Centers and Prologis ($0.1 billion), lower credit losses ($0.1 billion) resulting from continued improvement in overall portfolio credit quality as reflected by lower delinquencies and nonearning receivables, and growth in lower taxed earnings from international operations ($0.1 billion).

     The most significant acquisitions affecting Commercial Finance 2003 results were the commercial inventory financing business of Deutsche Financial Services and the structured finance business of ABB, both of which were acquired during the fourth quarter of 2002. These two acquisitions contributed $0.5 billion and $0.1 billion to 2003 revenues and net earnings, respectively.

     The 2002 increase in revenues of 13% principally reflected acquisitions and increased originations across substantially all businesses, partially offset by reduced market interest rates and lower securitization activity at Corporate Financial Services and Commercial Equipment Financing. The 2002 net earnings increase of 14% primarily reflected acquisitions ($0.4 billion) and origination growth, productivity across all businesses and growth in lower taxed earnings from international operations, partially offset by increased credit losses and lower securitization activity at Corporate Financial Services and Commercial Equipment Financing.

     See All Other GECS on page 24 for a discussion of items not allocated to this segment.

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Consumer Finance revenues increased 25% in 2003, a result of acquisitions ($1.1 billion), the net effects of the weaker U.S. dollar ($0.7 billion), origination growth as a result of continued global expansion and the premium on the sale of The Home Depot private label credit card receivables ($0.1 billion). Net earnings increased 20% in 2003 as a result of origination growth, growth in lower taxed earnings from international operations, the premium on the sale of The Home Depot private label credit card receivables ($0.1 billion) and acquisitions. These increases were partially offset by lower securitization activity at Card Services ($0.2 billion) and lower earnings in Japan, principally as a result of increased personal bankruptcies.

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     The most significant acquisitions affecting Consumer Finance 2003 results were First National Bank, which provides mortgage and sales finance products in the United Kingdom, and the retail sales finance unit of Conseco Finance Corp., both of which were acquired during the second quarter of 2003. These businesses contributed $0.7 billion and $0.1 billion to 2003 revenues and net earnings, respectively.

     Revenues increased in 2002 primarily as a result of acquisitions ($0.8 billion) and increased international originations, partially offset by lower securitization activity at Card Services ($0.4 billion). Net earnings increased 12% in 2002, as a result of origination growth, acquisitions ($0.1 billion), growth in lower taxed earnings from international operations and productivity benefits, partially offset by lower securitization activity at Card Services ($0.1 billion).

     See All Other GECS on page 24 for a discussion of items not allocated to this segment.

Equipment Management revenues and net earnings decreased 1% and 45%, respectively, in 2003 compared with 2002. The decrease in revenues resulted primarily from lower asset utilization and lower prices ($0.2 billion), an effect of industry-wide excess equipment capacity reflective of current economic conditions in the road and rail transportation sector. Also contributing to the decrease were $0.1 billion lower gains on asset sales related to our continuing strategy to optimize fleet mix, age and size. These decreases were substantially offset by the net effects of the weaker U.S. dollar ($0.3 billion) and the results of acquisitions. The decrease in net earnings resulted primarily from lower asset utilization, lower price and lower gains on asset sales.

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     Equipment Management experienced business-wide declining utilization rates throughout 2002, resulting in both lower revenues and lower earnings. Equipment Management realized productivity benefits in 2002, partially offsetting lower utilization rate's effect on earnings.

     See All Other GECS on page 24 for a discussion of items not allocated to this segment.

Insurance revenues increased $2.9 billion (12%) in 2003 on increased premium revenues ($2.2 billion), a gain of $0.6 billion on sale of GE Edison Life Insurance Company (Edison Life) by GE Financial Assurance, higher investment income ($0.4 billion) and the net effects of the weaker U.S. dollar ($0.7 billion). The premium revenue increase reflected continued favorable pricing at ERC ($0.5 billion), net volume growth in certain ERC and GE Financial Assurance businesses ($0.8 billion), absence of prior year loss adjustments ($0.4 billion), adjustment of current year premium accruals to actual ($0.3 billion) and lower levels of ceded premiums resulting from a decline in prior year ERC loss events ($0.1 billion). Partial revenue offsets resulted from absence of revenues following the sale of Edison Life ($0.7 billion) and a $0.2 billion loss on the disposition of Financial Guaranty Insurance Company (FGIC) at the end of 2003. Revenues decreased 2% in 2002, principally the result of ongoing planned run-off of acquired policies at Toho and lower realized investment gains.

     Net earnings increased $2.2 billion in 2003, primarily from the substantial improvement in current operating results at ERC ($2.3 billion) reflecting improved underwriting, lower adverse development (discussed below) and generally favorable industry conditions during the year. Net earnings also benefited from the gain on the sale of Edison Life ($0.3 billion). These increases were partially offset by the absence of a current year counterpart to the favorable tax settlement with the IRS in 2002 ($0.2 billion) and the loss on the sale of FGIC ($0.1 billion after tax).

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     Net earnings decreased $2.0 billion in 2002, primarily the result of adverse development at ERC. Also in 2002, investment gains decreased, an effect partially offset by core premium growth including higher premium pricing at ERC, and benefit from the favorable tax settlement with the IRS at GE Financial Assurance.

     As described on page 38 under the caption "Insurance Liabilities and Reserves," insurance loss provisions are adjusted up or down based on the best available estimates. Reported claims activity at ERC related to prior year loss events, particularly for liability-related exposures underwritten in 1997 through 2001, has performed much worse than we anticipated.

•     In the fourth quarter of 2002, considering the continued acceleration in reported claims activity, we concluded that our best estimate of ultimate pre-tax losses was $2.5 billion higher in the range of reasonably possible loss scenarios than we had previously estimated. The more significant 2002 adverse development was in hospital medical malpractice, product liability and professional liability ($0.3 billion each) and umbrella liability, workers compensation, individual liability and asbestos ($0.2 billion each). With amounts recognized in the first three quarters of 2002, our total 2002 pre-tax charge for adverse development at ERC amounted to $3.5 billion.

•     In 2003, we continued to monitor our reported claims activity compared with our revised expected loss levels. In a majority of our lines of business, reported claims activity in 2003 was reasonably close to expected amounts. In a few lines – principally medical malpractice, product liability and certain director and officer related coverage – reported claims volumes exceeded our revised loss expectations. Accordingly, we increased our loss reserves to the newly-indicated ultimate levels in 2003, recording adverse development of $0.9 billion pretax. We are confident we have worked through our historical underwriting mistakes.

Throughout 2003, ERC has remained disciplined in rejecting risks that either fail to meet the established standards of price or terms and conditions, or that involve risks for which sufficient historical data do not exist to permit us to make a satisfactory evaluation. For risks that pass our criteria, we have sought to retain and even judiciously expand our business. On the other hand, we have curtailed or exited business in particular property and casualty business channels when expected returns do not appear to justify the risks.

     ERC's improved operating performance is illustrated by its "combined ratio"– the sum of claims-related losses incurred plus related underwriting expenses in relation to earned premiums. A combined ratio of less than 100% reflects an underwriting profit, that is, profit before investment income, another significant revenue source for most insurance entities. ERC's 2003 combined ratio was 106%, but, in an early indication of the effectiveness of our revised underwriting standards, the combined ratio excluding prior-year loss events was 93%.

     Our Mortgage Insurance business had favorable development throughout the three years ended December 31, 2003, primarily reflecting continued strength in certain real estate markets and the success of our loss containment initiatives in that business.

     See All Other GECS on page 24 for a discussion of items not allocated to this segment and the discussion on page 13 of our planned Genworth offering.

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All Other GECS includes our activities and businesses that we do not measure within one of the other financial services segments.

     In addition to comments on All Other GECS elsewhere in this report, the following comments relate to the table above:

•     IT Solutions – Revenues decreased by 75% in 2003 primarily as a result of geographic market exits in Europe. Net losses remained flat in 2003 compared with 2002, largely because of tax benefits recorded in 2002 associated with, and offsetting losses generated by, certain European operations that we sold.

•     GE Equity – GE Equity manages equity investments in early-stage, early-growth, pre-IPO companies. GE Equity revenues include income, gains and losses on such investments. Revenue and loss performance reflected the overall improvement in equity markets and lower level of losses in 2003. Operating performance during 2002 reflected increased losses on investments, including losses in the telecommunications and software industries, and lower gains. GE Equity ceased making new investments in 2002, but continues to provide financial support to companies in its portfolio which will be managed for maximum value over time, eventually liquidating.

•     Americom – On November 9, 2001, we exchanged our satellite operations, comprising the stock of Americom and other related assets and liabilities, for a combination of cash and 31% of the publicly-traded stock of SES Global, a leading satellite company, in order to create the world's largest satellite services provider. The transaction resulted in a gain of $1.2 billion ($0.6 billion after tax), representing the difference between the carrying value of the 69% investment in Americom and the amount of cash plus the market value of SES Global shares received at the closing date. No gain was recorded on the 31% interest in Americom that was indirectly retained by us. Our investment in SES Global is accounted for on the equity method in Commercial Finance.

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•     Not allocated – Certain amounts are not included in other financial services operating segments or businesses because they are excluded from the measurement of their operating performance for internal purposes. In 2001, after-tax charges of $0.7 billion primarily related to asset impairments and product line exits, including: other-than-temporary impairments of investments totaling $0.3 billion, the largest of which were held by GE Financial Assurance, GE Equity and ERC; charges of $0.1 billion related to loss events and the exit of certain insurance and financing product lines at ERC, primarily non-standard automobile and higher limit industrial property insurance coverages; charges of $0.1 billion related to the exit of certain financing product lines at Consumer Finance; and costs related to restructuring totaling $0.1 billion, consisting of involuntary termination benefits, facilities exit costs, and asset impairments.

•     Other – All Other GECS includes GECS corporate expenses, liquidating businesses and other non-segment aligned operations. In 2003, the most significant of these activities were the consolidation of certain entities in our financial statements as a result of our July 1, 2003, adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. (FIN) 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (see note 20); Auto Financial Services; the U.S. Auto and Home business, which was sold in the third quarter of 2003; and a tax benefit related to the sale of ERC Life. In 2002 and 2001, the most significant of these activities were Auto Financial Services and the U.S. Auto and Home business.

Our international activities span all global regions and primarily encompass leasing of aircraft and provision of financial services within these regional economies. Thus, when countries or regions experience currency and/or economic stress, we often have increased exposure to certain risks, but also often have new profit opportunities. Potential increased risks include, among other things, higher receivables delinquencies and bad debts, delays or cancellation of sales and orders principally related to aircraft equipment, higher local currency financing costs and a slowdown in our established activities. New profit opportunities include, among other things, more opportunities for lower cost outsourcing, expansion of our activities through purchases of companies or assets at reduced prices and lower U.S. debt financing costs.

     Estimated results of international activities include the results of our operations located outside the United States. We classify certain operations that cannot meaningfully be associated with specific geographic areas as "Other international" for this purpose.

     International revenues were $27.8 billion, $24.4 billion and $23.6 billion in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. International revenues as a percentage of total revenues were 43% in 2003, compared with 42% and 40% in 2002 and 2001, respectively. The effects of exchange rates on reported results were to increase revenues by $2.1 billion and $0.2 billion in 2003 and 2002, respectively, and increase earnings by $0.1 billion in 2003 and had an inconsequential effect in 2002.

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     The $3.4 billion increase related to a 21% increase in Europe in 2003 as a result of the growth in premiums and price increases at Insurance ($2.1 billion), acquisitions ($1.0 billion) and the net effects of the weaker U.S. dollar ($0.7 billion), primarily at Consumer Finance and Commercial Finance, partially offset by geographic market exits at IT Solutions ($1.3 billion).

     International pre-tax earnings were $4.6 billion in 2003, an increase of 69% over 2002, which was 9% higher than in 2001. Pre-tax earnings in 2003 increased to $2.0 billion in Europe, primarily as a result of lower adverse development at Insurance ($1.1 billion). Pre-tax earnings also increased to $0.5 billion in the Americas and was relatively unchanged in the Pacific Basin ($1.5 billion) and "Other international" ($0.6 billion).

     Our international assets grew 12% from $207.5 billion at the end of 2002 to $231.9 billion at the end of 2003. Our assets increased 31% in Europe as a result of acquisitions ($14.8 billion), primarily at Consumer Finance and Commercial Finance, the net effects of the weaker U.S. dollar ($11.7 billion) and growth at Consumer Finance and Insurance. Our assets increased 13% in the Americas as a result of growth at Commercial Finance and Insurance.

     Financial results of our international activities reported in U.S. dollars are affected by currency exchange. We use a number of techniques to manage the effects of currency exchange, including selective borrowings in local currencies and selective hedging of significant cross-currency transactions. Such principal currencies are the British pound sterling, the euro, the Japanese yen and the Canadian dollar.

This discussion of financial resources and liquidity addresses the Statement of Financial Position (page 42), Statement of Changes in Shareowner's Equity (page 41) and the Statement of Cash Flows (page 43).

Major changes in our financial position resulted from the following:

•     During 2003, we completed our acquisitions of First National Bank, Allbank and the retail sales finance business of Conseco. At the acquisition date, these transactions resulted in an increase in total assets of approximately $13.2 billion of which $11.6 billion was financing receivables before allowance for losses, and an increase in total liabilities of approximately $5.0 billion, $4.0 billion of which was debt.

•     During 2003, we sold our Tokyo-based Edison Life and U.S. Auto and Home businesses to American International Group, Inc., our FGIC business to a group of investors led by The PMI Group, Inc. and our ERC Life business to Scottish Re Group Limited. These sales resulted in a reduction in assets at the disposition date of $24.9 billion, comprising primarily $18.8 billion of investment securities. Liabilities were reduced by approximately $21.4 billion, relating primarily to $19.9 billion of insurance liabilities and reserves.

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•     We adopted FIN 46 on July 1, 2003, and consequently consolidated certain entities in our financial statements for the first time. New balance sheet captions, "Consolidated, liquidating securitization entities," included $36.3 billion of assets and $35.8 billion of liabilities at transition. Also, investment securities and other receivables included an additional $14.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, at transition for investment securities related to guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) issued by Trinity, a group of sponsored special purpose entities. The related GIC liabilities of $14.7 billion consolidated at transition are displayed in the caption, "Insurance liabilities, reserves and annuity benefits."

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (page 42)

INVESTMENT SECURITIES for each of the past two years comprised mainly investment-grade debt securities held by Insurance in support of obligations to annuitants and policyholders. Investment securities were $120.3 billion at the end of 2003, compared with $116.5 billion at the end of 2002. The increase of $3.8 billion was primarily the result of $14.4 billion of investment securities held by Trinity. The increase was also attributed to the investment of premiums received, reinvestment of investment income and the performance of the equity and debt markets, net of impairments and losses ($5.7 billion). These were partially offset by the sales of Edison Life, U.S. Auto and Home, FGIC and ERC Life businesses ($18.6 billion).

     We regularly review investment securities for impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which carrying value exceeds market value, the duration of that market decline, our ability to hold to recovery and the financial strength and specific prospects for the issuer of the security. Of securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2003, approximately $0.1 billion of portfolio value is at risk of being charged to earnings in the next 12 months. Impairment losses recognized in 2003 and 2002 were $0.5 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively.

     Gross unrealized gains and losses were $4.6 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2003, compared with $4.4 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2002, reflecting broad market improvement in 2003. We estimate that available gains, net of hedging positions and estimated impairment of insurance intangible assets, could be as much as $2.1 billion at December 31, 2003. Market value used in determining unrealized gains and losses is defined by relevant accounting standards and should not be viewed as a forecast of future gains or losses. See note 4.

FINANCING RECEIVABLES is our largest category of assets and represents one of our primary sources of revenues. The portfolio of financing receivables, before allowance for losses, increased to $232.3 billion at December 31, 2003, from $203.6 billion at the end of 2002, as discussed in the following paragraphs. The related allowance for losses at the end of 2003 amounted to $6.3 billion compared with $5.5 billion at December 31, 2002, representing our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio.

     A discussion of the quality of certain elements of the financing receivables portfolio follows. For purposes of that discussion, "delinquent" receivables are those that are 30 days or more past due; "nonearning" receivables are those that are 90 days or more past due (or for which collection has otherwise become doubtful); and "reduced-earning" receivables are commercial receivables whose terms have been restructured to a below-market yield.

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     Commercial Finance financing receivables, before allowance for losses, totaled $132.3 billion at December 31, 2003, compared with $130.9 billion at December 31, 2002, and consisted of loans and leases to the equipment, commercial and industrial, real estate and commercial aircraft industries. This portfolio of receivables increased primarily from origination growth ($16.4 billion), the net effects of international receivables translated into the weaker U.S. dollar ($5.2 billion) and acquisitions ($4.3 billion), partially offset by securitizations and sales ($24.6 billion). Related nonearning and reduced-earning receivables were $1.7 billion (1.3% of outstanding receivables) at December 31, 2003, compared with $2.2 billion (1.7% of outstanding receivables) at year-end 2002, the result of improving economic conditions and collection results. Commercial Finance financing receivables are generally backed by assets and there is a broad spread of geographic and credit risk in the portfolio.

     Consumer Finance financing receivables, before allowance for losses, primarily card receivables, installment loans, auto loans and leases, and residential mortgages, were $94.7 billion at December 31, 2003, compared with $66.0 billion at December 31, 2002. This portfolio of receivables increased as a result of acquisitions ($13.9 billion), the net effects of international receivables translated into the weaker U.S. dollar ($8.6 billion) and origination growth, partially offset by the sale of The Home Depot private label credit card receivables. Acquisitions are a key to our growth strategy as we expand our global market presence. Nonearning consumer receivables at December 31, 2003, were $2.5 billion (2.6% of outstanding receivables), compared with $1.6 billion (2.4% of outstanding receivables) at year-end 2002. This increase is the result of adverse credit performance in Japan and growth in our secured financing business, a business that tends to experience relatively higher delinquencies but relatively lower losses than the rest of our consumer portfolio.

     Financing receivables in Other, principally Equipment Management, amounted to $5.3 billion and $6.6 billion at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, before allowance for losses. Nonearning receivables of $0.1 billion, 1.3% and 1.2% of outstanding receivables at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, were about the same as at the end of 2002.

     Delinquency rates on managed Consumer Finance financing receivables at December 31, 2003, were 5.57%; at year-end 2002 were 5.58%; and at year-end 2001 were 5.34%. Delinquency rates remained stable from 2002 to 2003, as a change in portfolio mix related to the growth in our secured financing business was offset by improved collection results. Increased 2002 delinquency rates reflected our secured financing business acquired in 2001 and volume growth in that business in 2002. When delinquent, these loans have relatively lower losses than the rest of our consumer portfolio. Delinquency rates on managed Commercial Finance equipment loans and leases were 1.34%, 1.71% and 2.16% at year-end 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decline at December 31, 2003, primarily reflected improved economic conditions and collection results. The decline at December 31, 2002, primarily reflected a higher concentration of Vendor Financial Services receivables coupled with improved collection results at Commercial Equipment Financing. See notes 5 and 6.

OTHER RECEIVABLES totaled $11.9 billion at December 31, 2003, and $13.0 billion at December 31, 2002, and consist primarily of nonfinancing customer receivables, accrued investment income, amounts due from GE (generally related to certain material procurement programs), amounts due under operating leases, receivables due on sale of securities and various sundry items. Balances at December 31, 2003 and 2002, include securitized, managed GE trade receivables of $2.7 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively.

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EQUIPMENT ON OPERATING LEASES (INCLUDING BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT) was $38.8 billion at December 31, 2003, up $3.5 billion from 2002, primarily reflecting acquisitions of commercial aircraft at Commercial Finance and vehicles at Equipment Management. Details by category of investment are presented in note 8. Additions to equipment on operating leases (including buildings and equipment) were $7.6 billion and $11.7 billion during 2003 and 2002, respectively, primarily reflecting additions of commercial aircraft at Commercial Finance and vehicles at Equipment Management.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS increased $1.7 billion to $24.8 billion, reflecting goodwill and other intangibles associated with acquisitions, and the net effects of the weaker U.S. dollar, partially offset by the disposition of Edison Life. See note 9.

ASSETS IN CONSOLIDATED, LIQUIDATING SECURITIZATION ENTITIES were $26.5 billion at December 31, 2003, as a result of our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003. At transition we consolidated $36.3 billion of assets, but because we have stopped transferring assets to these entities, balances decreased reflecting repayments. See note 20.

OTHER ASSETS totaled $67.6 billion at year-end 2003, an increase of $3.5 billion. This increase resulted principally from investment of funds received as collateral on securities loaned from the GE Financial Assurance investment securities portfolio, increases in separate accounts (investments controlled by policyholders) resulting from the net effects of exchange rates and broad market improvements in 2003 and investments in associated companies. These increases were partially offset by the sale of The Home Depot private label credit card receivables and the disposition of Edison Life. See note 10.

BORROWINGS were $295.5 billion at December 31, 2003, of which $133.0 billion is due in 2004 and $162.5 billion is due in subsequent years. Comparable amounts at the end of 2002 were $270.9 billion in total, $130.1 billion due within one year and $140.8 billion due thereafter. A large portion of our borrowings ($80.6 billion and $84.2 billion at the end of 2003 and 2002, respectively) was issued in active commercial paper markets that we believe will continue to be a reliable source of short-term financing. The average remaining terms and interest rates of GE Capital commercial paper were 50 days and 1.48% at the end of 2003, compared with 47 days and 1.95% at the end of 2002. The GE Capital ratio of debt to equity was 6.20 to 1 at the end of 2003 and 6.58 to 1 at the end of 2002. See note 11.

LIABILITIES IN CONSOLIDATED, LIQUIDATING SECURITIZATION ENTITIES were $25.7 billion at December 31, 2003, as a result of our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003. At transition we consolidated $35.8 billion of liabilities, but because we have stopped transferring assets to these entities, balances decreased reflecting repayments. See note 20.

INSURANCE LIABILITIES, RESERVES AND ANNUITY BENEFITS of $136.3 billion at December 31, 2003, were $0.4 billion higher than in 2002. The increase is primarily attributable to the additional liabilities associated with the consolidation of Trinity upon our 2003 adoption of FIN 46 ($14.1 billion), the net effects of the weaker U.S. dollar and growth in separate accounts, deferred annuities and adverse development ($6.2 billion), partially offset by the sale of Edison Life, U.S. Auto and Home, ERC Life and FGIC businesses ($19.7 billion). See note 12.

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EXCHANGE RATE AND INTEREST RATE RISKS are managed with a variety of straightforward techniques, including match funding and selective use of derivatives. We use derivatives to mitigate or eliminate certain financial and market risks because we conduct business in diverse markets around the world and local funding is not always efficient. In addition, we use derivatives to adjust the debt we are issuing to match the fixed or floating nature of the assets we are acquiring. We apply strict policies to manage each of these risks, including prohibitions on derivatives trading, derivatives market-making or other speculative activities. Following is an analysis of the potential effects of changes in currency exchange and interest rates using so-called "shock" tests that model effects of shifts in rates. These are not forecasts.

•     If, on January 1, 2004, interest rates had increased 100 basis points across the yield curve (a "parallel shift" in that curve) and that increase remained in place for 2004, we estimate, based on our year-end 2003 portfolio and holding everything else constant, that our 2004 net earnings would decline pro-forma by $0.2 billion.

•     If, on January 1, 2004, currency exchange rates were to decline by 10% against the U.S. dollar and that decline remained in place for 2004, we estimate, based on our year-end 2003 portfolio and holding everything else constant, that the effect on our 2004 net earnings would be insignificant.

Statement of Changes in Shareowner's Equity (page 41)

Shareowner's equity increased $8.4 billion, $8.3 billion and $5.6 billion in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The increases were largely attributable to net earnings of $7.4 billion, $3.6 billion and $5.4 billion, partially offset by dividends declared of $3.4 billion in 2003 and $2.0 billion in both 2002 and 2001, respectively. Capital contribution increased shareowner's equity by $6.3 billion and $3.2 billion in 2002 and 2001, respectively. Currency translation adjustments increased equity by $3.4 billion in 2003, compared with an increase of $0.1 billion in both 2002 and 2001. Changes in the currency translation adjustment reflect the effects of changes in currency exchange rates on our net investment in non-U.S. subsidiaries that have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In 2003 and 2002, the euro and, to a lesser extent, Asian currencies strengthened against the dollar. In 2001, Asian currencies weakened versus the dollar, while the euro was relatively unchanged. Accumulated currency translation adjustments affect net earnings only when all or a portion of an affiliate is disposed of or substantially liquidated.

Overview of Our Cash Flows from 2001 through 2003 (page 43)

Our cash and equivalents aggregated $11.3 billion at the end of 2003, up from $7.9 billion at year-end 2002. Over the past three years, our borrowings with maturities of 90 days or less have decreased by $15.1 billion. New borrowings of $186.7 billion having maturities longer than 90 days were added during those years, while $118.2 billion of such longer-term borrowings were retired.

     Our principal use of cash has been investing in assets to grow our businesses. Of the $107.4 billion that we invested over the past three years, $46.2 billion was used for additions to financing receivables; $32.8 billion was used to invest in new equipment, principally for lease to others; and $34.1 billion was used for acquisitions of new businesses, the largest of which were First National Bank, and Conseco in 2003; Australian Guarantee Corporation, Security Capital and the commercial inventory financing business of Deutsche Financial Services in 2002; and Heller Financial, Inc. and Mellon Leasing in 2001.

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     Although we generated $61.3 billion from operating activities over the last three years, our cash is not necessarily freely available for alternative uses. For example, cash generated by our Insurance businesses is restricted by various insurance regulations (see note 15). Further, any reinvestment in financing receivables is shown in cash used for investing, not operating activities. Therefore maintaining or growing Commercial and Consumer Finance assets requires that we invest much of the cash they generate from operating activities in their earning assets. Also, we are increasing the equity of our financial services businesses as discussed on page 33.

     Based on past performance and current expectations in combination with the financial flexibility that comes with a strong balance sheet and the highest credit ratings, we believe we are in a sound position to grow dividends and continue making selective investments for long-term growth. With the financial flexibility that comes with excellent credit ratings, we believe that we should be well positioned to meet the global needs of our customers for capital and to continue providing our shareowner's with good returns.

Achieving optimal returns on cash used often involves making long-term commitments. SEC regulations require that we present our contractual obligations, and we have done so in the table that follows. However, our future cash flow prospects cannot reasonably be assessed based on such obligations – the most significant factor affecting our future cash flows is our ability to earn and collect cash from customers. Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, will vary based on our future needs. While some such outflows are completely fixed (for example, commitments to repay principal and interest on fixed-rate borrowings) most depend on future events. Many purchase obligations are linked to cash-generating revenue contracts (for example, payments to subcontractors under long-term contracts). Further, normal operations involve significant expenditures that are not based on "commitments," for example, expenditures for income taxes or for payroll.

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     As defined by reporting regulations, our consolidated contractual obligations as of December 31, 2003, follow:

Other matters that provide additional context for considering our liquidity position are discussed below.

WE USE OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS in the ordinary course of business to improve shareowner returns. Beyond improving returns, these securitization transactions serve as funding sources for a variety of diversified lending and securities transactions. Our securitization transactions are similar to those used by many financial institutions. In a typical transaction, assets are sold by the transferor to a special purpose entity, which purchases the assets with cash raised through issuance of beneficial interests (usually debt instruments) to third party investors. Investors in the beneficial interests usually have recourse to the assets in the special purpose entities (SPEs) and often benefit from credit enhancements supporting the assets (such as overcollateralization). The SPE may also hold derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, in order to match the interest rate characteristics of the assets with those of the beneficial interests. An example is an interest rate swap converting fixed rate assets to variable rate to match floating rate debt instruments issued by the SPE.

     Historically, we have used both sponsored and third-party entities to execute securitization transactions in the commercial paper and term markets. With our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003, consolidating $36.3 billion of assets and $35.8 billion of liabilities in certain sponsored entities, we stopped executing new securitization transactions with those entities. We continue to engage in securitization transactions with third party conduits and through public market term securitizations.

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     Assets held by SPEs include: receivables secured by equipment, commercial real estate and other assets; credit card receivables; and trade receivables. Examples of these assets include loans and leases on manufacturing and transportation equipment, loans on commercial property, commercial loans, and balances of high credit quality accounts from sales of a broad range of products and services to a diversified customer base. In certain transactions, the credit quality of assets transferred is enhanced by providing credit support. Off-balance sheet assets securitized totaled $23.6 billion and $52.1 billion at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This comparison is significantly affected by the consolidation of a majority of our sponsored and supported securitization entities.

     In order to provide comparative information about our overall securitization activities, the disclosures that follow describe all entities used for securitization, including those that were recently consolidated under FIN 46.

     We provide financial support related to assets held by certain SPEs through liquidity agreements, credit support, and guarantee and reimbursement contracts. Net 2004 credit and liquidity support amounted to $21.5 billion at January 1, 2004, down from $27.5 billion a year earlier. Of the total, $18.4 billion relates to assets and debt that were consolidated under FIN 46. The $21.5 billion includes credit support, in which we provide recourse for a maximum of $14.1 billion of credit losses in SPEs. Of this amount, $8.6 billion related to assets that were consolidated under FIN 46. Potential credit losses are provided for in our financial statements. Based on management's best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio of assets that remain off-balance sheet, our financial statements included $0.1 billion representing fair value of recourse obligations at year-end 2003. See note 20.

     We periodically enter into guarantees and other similar arrangements as part of transactions in the ordinary course of business. These are described further in note 21.

     We have extensive experience in evaluating economic, liquidity and credit risk. In view of this experience, the high quality of assets in these entities, the historically robust quality of commercial paper markets, and the historical reliability of controls applied to both asset servicing and to activities in the credit markets, we believe that, under any reasonable future economic developments, the likelihood is remote that any financial support arrangements could have an adverse economic effect on our financial position or results of operations.

The major debt rating agencies routinely evaluate the debt of GE Capital, our major borrowing affiliate. These agencies have given the highest debt ratings to GE Capital (long-term rating AAA/Aaa; short-term rating A-1+/P-1). One of our strategic objectives is to maintain these ratings as they serve to lower our cost of funds and to facilitate our access to a variety of lenders. We manage our businesses in a fashion that is consistent with maintaining our Triple-A ratings.

     GE Capital has distinct business characteristics that the major debt rating agencies evaluate both quantitatively and qualitatively.

     Quantitative measures include:

•     Earnings and profitability, including earnings quality, revenue growth, the breadth and diversity of sources of income and return on assets,

•     Asset quality, including delinquency and write-off ratios and reserve coverage,

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•     Funding and liquidity, including cash generated from operating activities, leverage ratios such as debt to capital, market access, back-up liquidity from banks and other sources, composition of total debt and interest coverage, and

•     Capital adequacy, including required capital and tangible leverage ratios.

Qualitative measures include:

•     Franchise strength, including competitive advantage and market conditions and position,

•     Strength of management, including experience, corporate governance and strategic thinking, and

•     Financial reporting quality, including clarity, completeness and transparency of all financial performance communications.

GE Capital's ratings are supported contractually by a GE commitment to maintain the ratio of earnings to fixed charges at a specified level.

     Before 2003, GE Capital maintained a capital structure that included about $8 of debt for each $1 of equity – a "leverage ratio" of 8:1. For purposes of measuring segment profit, each of our financial services businesses was also assigned debt and interest costs on the basis of that consolidated 8:1 leverage ratio. As of January 1, 2003, we extended a business-specific, market-based leverage to the performance measurement of each of our financial services businesses. As a result, at January 1, 2003, debt of $12.5 billion previously allocated to the segments was allocated to the All Other GECS segment. We refer to this as "parent supported debt."

     During 2003, a total of $4.6 billion of such debt was eliminated, reducing the total to $7.9 billion at year end. This reduction was the result of the following:

•     The decision of our Board of Directors to reduce our dividend payments to GE to 10% of operating earnings ($1.7 billion),

•     Strategic dispositions of Edison Life and U.S. Auto and Home assets and FGIC ($1.7 billion),

•     Rationalization of other insurance related activities including disposition of certain originated mortgages ($0.7 billion), and

•     The continuing strategy to optimize fleet mix, age and size at Equipment Management ($0.5 billion).

We remain on track to eliminate parent supported debt by the end of 2005. Proceeds from further strategic dispositions, including Genworth, will continue to be evaluated when and if they are received, but we anticipate using at least some of those proceeds to reduce financial services debt.

     During 2003, we declared special dividends to GE of $2.7 billion which related to the strategic dispositions in the Insurance segment ($1.7 billion) and more efficient capital management programs ($1.0 billion).

     GE Capital issued $51.1 billion of long-term debt in the U.S. and 13 international markets in 2003 with maturities ranging from two years to 37 years bearing fixed and floating interest rates. This debt was issued to both institutional investors and retail investors.

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These funds were used primarily for maturing long-term debt, acquisitions and asset growth, with the remainder used to reduce the amount of commercial paper outstanding. GE Capital anticipates issuing approximately $50 billion to $60 billion of long-term debt using both U.S. and international institutional and retail markets during 2004. The ultimate amount of debt issuances will depend on the growth in assets, acquisition activity, availability of markets and movements in interest rates.

     Following is our debt composition:

We target a ratio for commercial paper of 25% to 35% of outstanding debt based on the anticipated composition of our assets and the liquidity profile of our debt. GE Capital is the most widely held name in global commercial paper markets.

     We believe that alternative sources of liquidity are sufficient to permit an orderly transition from commercial paper in the unlikely event of impaired access to those markets. Funding sources on which we would rely would depend on the nature of such a hypothetical event, but include $57.2 billion of contractually committed lending agreements with 85 highly rated global banks and investment banks, an increase of $3.1 billion since December 31, 2002. See note 11.

     Beyond contractually committed lending agreements, other sources of liquidity include medium and long-term funding, monetization, asset securitization, cash receipts from our lending and leasing activities, short-term secured funding on global assets, and potential asset sales.

PRINCIPAL DEBT CONDITIONS are described below.

•     If our long-term credit rating under certain swap, forward and option contracts falls below A-/A3, certain remedies are required as discussed in note 19.

•     If GE Capital's ratio of earnings to fixed charges, which was 1.86:1 at the end of 2003, were to deteriorate to 1.10:1 or, upon redemption of certain preferred stock, its ratio of debt to equity, which was 6.20:1 at the end of 2003, were to exceed 8:1, GE has committed to contribute capital to GE Capital. GE also has guaranteed our subordinated debt and the subordinated debt of GE Capital with a face amount of $1.0 billion at December 31, 2003, and 2002.

The following three conditions relate to securitization SPEs and apply to entities that were consolidated upon adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003, that are reported in the caption, "Consolidated, liquidating securitization entities":

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•     If the short-term credit rating of GE Capital or certain consolidated SPEs discussed further in note 20 were to fall below A-1/P-1, GE Capital would be required to provide substitute liquidity for those entities or provide funds to retire the outstanding commercial paper. The maximum net amount that GE Capital would be required to provide in the event of such a downgrade is determined by contract, and amounted to $19.9 billion at January 1, 2004. Amounts related to non-consolidated SPEs were $2.1 billion.

•     If the long-term credit rating of GE Capital were to fall below AA/Aa2, GE Capital would be required to provide substitute credit support or liquidate the consolidated SPEs. The maximum amount that GE Capital would be required to substitute in the event of such a downgrade is determined by contract, and amounted to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2003.

•     For certain transactions, if the long-term credit rating of GE Capital were to fall below A/A2 or BBB+/Baa1 or its short-term credit rating were to fall below A-2/P-2, GE Capital could be required to provide substitute credit support or fund the undrawn commitment. GE Capital could be required to provide up to $3.2 billion in the event of such a downgrade based on terms in effect at December 31, 2003.

The following condition relates to the Trinity SPEs, which are reported in the captions "Investment securities" and "Insurance liabilities, reserves and annuity benefits":

•     If the long-term credit rating of GE Capital were to fall below AA-/Aa3 or its short-term credit rating were to fall below A-1+/P-1, GE Capital could be required to provide up to $1.2 billion to the Trinity SPEs and could be required to repay up to $4.1 billion of the Trinity's guaranteed investment contracts based on terms in effect at December 31, 2003.

In our history, we have never violated any of the above conditions. We believe that under any reasonable future economic developments, the likelihood that any such arrangements could have a significant effect on our operations, cash flows or financial position is remote.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION is an industry in which we have a significant ongoing interest. As has been widely reported, this industry has been under pressure, but has undertaken steps to reduce unused capacity and align costs. Consequently, during 2003, major U.S. and European airlines achieved moderate improvements in operations, including traffic, revenues and load factors. Our customers that had been operating at losses generally reduced those losses in 2003, and their year end cash positions were improved.

     At December 31, 2003, we had the following positions related to our global commercial aviation business, principally in our Commercial Finance segment:

•     1,239 commercial aircraft, of which 1,236 were on lease,

•     $29.0 billion of loans and leases,

•     $2.3 billion of investment securities including $0.4 billion in our insurance businesses and $0.2 billion in the Trinity SPEs,

•     $1.2 billion of funding commitments,

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•     $13.5 billion (list price) of multiple-year orders for various Boeing, Airbus and other aircraft. We had 104 aircraft ($4.5 billion) scheduled for delivery in 2004, of which 101 were under agreement to commence operations with commercial airline customers.

Regional jets, with capacity for 50-90 passengers, have had a significant effect on the commercial aviation industry in recent years. These jets have enabled airlines to replace less efficient equipment, both turboprop and older, narrow-bodied jets. At December 31, 2003, our fleet included 278 regional jets, diversifying our total aircraft holdings. Commercial Finance has capitalized on the trend toward regional jets through leases. We believe that we continue to offer a suitable range of equipment that is attractive to the industry.

     UAL Corp. and Air Canada, the parent companies of two of our major airline customers, are experiencing significant financial difficulties and both filed for reorganization in bankruptcy. UAL Corp filed for bankruptcy protection in 2002 and Air Canada filed in Canada on April 1, 2003. At December 31, 2003, our total exposure related to these airlines amounted to $4.1 billion, including loans, leases, investment securities and commitments. Various Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier aircraft secure substantially all of these financial exposures. Included in this exposure is a $0.7 billion debtor-in-possession financing commitment to Air Canada. Another major airline customer, US Airways Group, parent of US Airways, filed for reorganization in bankruptcy in 2002 but emerged from bankruptcy on March 31, 2003. At December 31, 2003, our total exposure related to US Airways amounted to $2.5 billion, including leases, loans, investment securities and commitments. Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. (Atlas Air) filed for reorganization in bankruptcy in January 2004. At December 31, 2003, our total exposure to Atlas Air was $1.0 billion of operating leases, secured loans and investment securities. Our financial statements include provisions for probable losses based on our best estimates of such losses.

     Commercial Finance tests the recoverability of its commercial aircraft operating lease portfolio as described on page 37, and recognized impairment losses of $0.2 billion in each of the last two years.

Accounting estimates and assumptions discussed in this section are those that we consider to be the most critical to an understanding of our financial statements because they inherently involve significant judgments and uncertainties. For all of these estimates, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment.

LOSSES ON FINANCING RECEIVABLES are recognized when they are incurred. Our best estimate of such probable losses requires consideration of historical loss experience, adjusted for current conditions, and judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data, including present economic conditions such as delinquency rates, financial health of specific customers and market sectors, collateral values, and the present and expected future levels of interest rates. Our lending and leasing experience and the extensive data we accumulate and analyze facilitate estimates that have been reliable over time. Our actual loss experience was in line with expectations for 2003, 2002 and 2001. While losses depend to a large degree on future economic conditions, we do not anticipate significant adverse credit development in 2004. Further information is provided in the financing receivables section on page 26, and in notes 1, 5, 6 and, for special purpose entities, in note 20.

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ASSET IMPAIRMENT assessment involves various estimates and assumptions as follows:

Investments. We regularly review investment securities for impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which the investment's carrying value exceeds its related market value, the duration of the market decline, our ability to hold to recovery and the financial strength and specific prospects of the issuer of the security. We perform comprehensive market research and analysis and monitor market conditions to identify potential impairments. Further information about actual and potential impairment losses is provided on page 26 and in note 4.

Long-Lived Assets. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Determining whether an impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and assumptions, including determining which cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, their amount, and the asset's residual value, if any. In turn, measurement of an impairment loss requires a determination of fair value, which is based on the best information available. We use internal discounted cash flow estimates, quoted market prices when available and independent appraisals as appropriate to determine fair value. We derive the required cash flow estimates from our historical experience and our internal business plans and apply an appropriate discount rate.

     Commercial aircraft are a significant concentration of assets in our Commercial Finance business, and are particularly subject to market fluctuations. Therefore we test recoverability of each aircraft in our operating lease portfolio at least annually. Additionally we perform quarterly evaluations in circumstances such as when aircraft are re-leased, current lease terms have changed or a specific lessee's credit standing changes. Future rentals and residual values are based on historical experience and information received routinely from independent appraisers. Estimated cash flows from future leases are reduced for expected downtime between leases and for estimated technical costs required to prepare aircraft to be redeployed. Fair value used to measure impairment is based on current market values from independent appraisers.

Goodwill and Other Identified Intangible Assets. We test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate or a decision to sell or dispose of a reporting unit. Determining whether an impairment has occurred requires valuation of the respective reporting unit, which we estimate using a discounted cash flow methodology. When available and as appropriate, we use comparative market multiples to corroborate discounted cash flow results. In applying this methodology, we rely on a number of factors, including actual operating results, future business plans, economic projections and market data.

     If this analysis indicates goodwill is impaired, measuring its impairment requires a fair value estimate of each identified tangible and intangible asset. In this case we supplement the cash flow approach discussed above with independent appraisals, as appropriate.

     We test other identified intangible assets with defined useful lives and subject to amortization by comparing the carrying amount to the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. We test intangible assets with indefinite lives annually for impairment using a fair value methodology such as discounted cash flows.

     Further information is provided on page 28 and in notes 1, 4, 8 and 9.

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INSURANCE LIABILITIES AND RESERVES differ for short and long-duration insurance contracts. Short-duration contracts such as property and casualty policies are accounted for based on actuarial estimates of losses inherent in that period's claims, including losses for which claims have not yet been reported. Short-duration contract loss estimates rely on actuarial observations of ultimate loss experience for similar historical events. Measurement of long-duration insurance liabilities (such as guaranteed renewable term, whole life and long-term care insurance policies) also is based on approved actuarial methods that include assumptions about expenses, mortality, morbidity, lapse rates and future yield on related investments. Historical insurance industry experience indicates that a greater degree of inherent variability exists in assessing the ultimate amount of losses under short-duration property and casualty contracts than exists for long-duration mortality exposures. This inherent variability is particularly significant for liability-related exposures, including latent claims issues (such as asbestos and environmental related coverage disputes), because of the extended period of time–often many years–that transpires between when a given claim event occurs and the ultimate full settlement of such claim. This situation is then further exacerbated for reinsurance entities (as opposed to primary insurers) due to coverage often being provided on an "excess-of-loss" basis and the resulting lags in receiving current claims data.

     We continually evaluate the potential for changes in loss estimates with the support of qualified reserving actuaries and use the results of these evaluations both to adjust recorded reserves and to proactively modify underwriting criteria and product offerings. For actuarial analysis purposes, reported and paid claims activity is segregated into several hundred reserving segments, each having differing historical settlement trends. A variety of actuarial methodologies are then applied to the underlying data for each of these reserving segments in arriving at an estimated range of "reasonably possible" loss scenarios. Factors such as line of business, length of historical settlement pattern, recent changes in underwriting standards and unusual trends in reported claims activity will generally affect which actuarial methodologies are given more weight for purposes of determining the "best estimate" of ultimate losses in a particular reserving segment. As discussed in the insurance section on page 21 and in note 12, reported claims activity at ERC related to prior year loss events, particularly for liability-related exposures underwritten in 1997 through 2001, has performed much worse than we anticipated. This trend was considered in the actuarial reserve study completed in the fourth quarter of 2002, resulting in a significant increase in recorded reserves. Following these actions, we have continued to monitor reported claims volumes relative to our revised expected loss levels. While for the majority of our lines of business, reported claims activity in 2003 was reasonably close to expected amounts, for certain lines of business the reported claims volumes exceeded our revised loss expectations. In response to this new data, we further increased our loss reserves in 2003. ERC continues its comprehensive efforts to apply more rigorous underwriting standards that began in 2002. Actuarial reserve studies and recorded reserves continue to be updated accordingly.

OTHER LOSS CONTINGENCIES are recorded as liabilities when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. Disclosure is required when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded provision. Contingent liabilities are often resolved over long time periods. Estimating probable losses requires analysis of multiple forecasts that often depend on judgments about potential actions by third parties such as regulators.

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CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES do not involve the same level of measurement uncertainties as those discussed above, but are nevertheless important to an understanding of the financial statements. Policies related to revenue recognition, financial instruments and business combinations require difficult judgments on complex matters that are often subject to multiple sources of authoritative guidance. Certain of these matters are among topics currently under reexamination by accounting standard setters and regulators; based on their tentative conclusions, significant changes to GAAP, and therefore to certain of our accounting policies, are possible in the future. Also see note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, which discusses accounting policies that we have selected from acceptable alternatives.

In December 2003, the FASB modified FIN 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities with FIN 46R, which amended FIN 46 and deferred its application in certain cases. Our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003, was unchanged by FIN 46R. However, on January 1, 2004, we will adopt FIN 46R, adding approximately $2.5 billion to our total assets and liabilities. No cumulative or significant future effect on our earnings or equity will result from this change.

We sometimes refer to data derived from consolidated financial information but not required by GAAP to be presented in financial statements. Certain of these data are considered "non-GAAP financial measures" under SEC regulations. Specifically, we have referred to net revenues (revenues from services less interest and other financial charges) of the Commercial Finance, Consumer Finance and Equipment Management segments. We provided reconciliation of net revenues to reported revenues for these segments on pages 17, 19 and 20. Because net revenues is a common industry measure of margin, these disclosures will enable investors to compare the results of our businesses to others in the same industry.

Information about potential effects of changes in interest rates and currency exchange on us is discussed in the Exchange rate and interest rate risk section of Item 7.

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We have audited the consolidated financial statements of General Electric Capital Services, Inc. (GECS) and consolidated affiliates as listed in Item 15. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedules as listed in Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of GECS management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of General Electric Capital Services, Inc. and consolidated affiliates at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, GECS in 2003 changed its method of accounting for variable interest entities, in 2002 changed its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets and in 2001 changed its methods of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities and impairment of certain beneficial interests in securitized assets.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Stamford, Connecticut

February 6, 2004

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