The rules, and the recession, prompted G.M.A.C. to seek ratings from the other two agencies as well, Mr. Van Orman said.

The dynamic began to change in the early 1990's, when corporate governance advocates lobbied directors to show more independence and as a recession prompted companies to dismiss even senior employees.

Membership has increased by 90,000 in the last two years, as the recession has prompted women fearful of losing their jobs to try to build networks.

The report offered virtually indisputable evidence that a recession has begun and prompted the Federal Reserve and a handful of banks to act to ease interest rates.

It appears that New York City's severe recession of recent years prompted many poor families to seek better opportunities elsewhere.

But the recession left many Uruguayans living in poverty and prompted thousands of younger people to leave.

A recession in the Asian economy caused by the Avian Flu epidemic prompted Young Chang to sell the division to Kim in 1999.

It appears that the city's severe recession of recent years prompted poor families to seek opportunities elsewhere.

The recession and lackluster auctions of photographs at both houses in October prompted the cutbacks.

But now that the recession has prompted state and city officials to release the developers from their obligation to construct the towers anytime soon, the subway project is neither financially nor structurally feasible.