From the Department of Homeland Security website, as of April 9, 2005:

• Color-coded Threat Level System is used to communicate with public safety officials and the public at-large through a threat-based, color-coded system so that protective measures can be implemented to reduce the likelihood or impact of an attack.  Raising the threat condition has economic, physical, and psychological effects on the nation; so, the Homeland Security Advisory System can  place specific geographic regions or industry sectors on a higher alert status than other regions or industries, based on specific threat information.  

Homeland Security Advisory System

Current Threat Level

November 10, 2004 - The United States government has lowered the threat level for the financial services sector in New York City, Northern New Jersey and Washington, D.C. from "high" or Code Orange to "elevated" or Code Yellow.  The country remains at an elevated risk, Code Yellow,  for terrorist attack.

• New permanent protective measures are now in place throughout the financial services sector.

• Financial services sector has taken additional steps to strengthen emergency preparedness and response.

The United States Government will continue on a daily basis to monitor and analyze threat information and share that information, together with appropriate protective measures, with state, local and private sector authorities as well as the general public as part of the ongoing national effort to prevent terrorist attacks and protect the country.

Recommended Activities

All Americans should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicions items or activities to local authorities immediately.  Everybody should establish an emergency preparedness kit as well as a communications plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency situation.