Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts.)

(8) Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company deposits its cash and cash equivalent investments with high quality credit institutions. Such balances typically exceed applicable FDIC insurance limits. The October 31, 2001 balances below include $5,072 of cash and cash equivalent investments of assets held for sale.