This paper discusses the mean-square exponential stability of stochastic linear systems of neutral type Applying the Lyapunov-Krasovskii theory a linear matrix inequality-based delay-dependent stability condition is presented The use of model transformations cross-term bounding techniques or additional matrix variables is all avoided thus the method leads to a simple criterion and shows less conservatism The new result is derived based on the generalized Finsler lemma (GFL) GEL reduces to the standard Finsler lemma in the absence of stochastic perturbations and it can be used in the analysis and synthesis of stochastic delay systems Moreover GFL is also employed to obtain stability criteria for a class of stochastic neutral systems which have different discrete and neutral delays Numerical examples including a comparison with some recent results in the literature are provided to show the effectiveness of the new results (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved