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What is The Options Industry Council?

The Options Industry Council (OIC) is an industry cooperative formed in 1992 by the U.S. options exchanges and The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) to serve as the industry resource for equity options education. Today, OIC members include: The American Stock Exchange, Boston Options Exchange, Chicago Board Options Exchange, International Securities Exchange, NYSE Arca, Philadelphia Stock Exchange and The Options Clearing Corporation, (“OCC”).

OIC is governed by a Roundtable consisting of representatives from its member exchanges, OCC and select securities firms who are active participants in the U.S. options markets.

OIC Leadership:

George S. Hender – Mr. Hender serves as President of OIC and Management Vice Chairman of OCC.

Susan Milligan – Ms. Milligan serves as Executive Director of OIC and Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Communications.

Why was OIC formed?

OIC was formed as a unified industry effort to educate investors about equity options. Since OIC’s inception in 1992, volume in equity options has increased more than 700 percent.

As the popularity of equity options continues, education of potential investors in the options marketplace is more important than ever. Equity options are a flexible and beneficial tool that can allow investors to achieve a wide range of investment goals. However, without the proper education and information about this useful, but complex product, investors may be at risk. OIC resources provide in-depth education and insight so that investors are well informed of the risks and rewards associated with options.

OIC International

In 1998, OIC established an international program to provide information on U.S. options markets and options education to markets in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. Otto Nägeli, Managing Director, represents OIC in Europe.

OIC International Programs

Roadshows - OIC presents seminars on a variety of options-related topics to central banks, regulators, exchanges and securities professionals, as well as investors. These seminars are presented by leading options professionals from the United States. OIC has conducted roadshows in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Education for European Fund Managers - In 2005, OIC presented the Fund Manager Road Show which provided more in-depth educational materials for fund managers. With the growth of the investment community in options, OIC wishes to continue its program of responsible education in this sector.

Marketing Affiliation with the Australian Stock Exchange - OIC and the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) have an alliance to share educational resources and options industry research. Program elements include exchanging options instructors and sharing educational materials and market research from the respective U.S. and Australian options markets.

MarketWise Investors - OIC and the Singapore-based options education group, MarketWise Investors, entered into a licensing agreement for educational materials. MarketWise Investors has conducted seminars in Singapore and Malaysia using OIC’s educational materials and instructors.

Educational Brochures - OIC’s LEAPS® and Understanding Stock Options brochures are available into Spanish and Simplified Chinese. Other brochures include "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options," "The Equity Options Strategy Guide," "Taxes and Investing," and "Understanding Index Options."

Additional OIC Programs

OIC's Web site - http://www.optionseducation.org highlights balanced options education for retail investors of all backgrounds and skill levels, and offers educational tools such as:

• Interactive online classes
• Options pricing calculators
• Position Simulator
• Options Quiz (tests visitors’ knowledge of options)
• Extensive trading data
• Registration for free options seminars
• Access to OIC software and brochures
• A glossary of options terms
• Options trading strategies
• Commonly asked questions and answers
• Expiration calendars
• Press releases
• 20-minute delayed equity options and stock quotes
• Mini Simplified Chinese website

www.OICoptions.com offers options education geared towards institutional investors. The Web site has been structured to give these investors comprehensive options information in various forms including:

• Daily and weekly options news articles from Barron’s “The Striking Price”
• Research articles and white papers
• Interactive tools such as the Position Simulator which allows investors to explore positions using real market conditions
• Online classes for all levels
• real-time CBOE VIX Index, ISE Sentiment Index, and other market information provided by www.IVolatility.com.

On-Demand Webcasts and Podcasts - As part of a major initiative to focus on web-based education, on-demand webcasts and video and audio podcasts were introduced in mid-2006. Both are available at www.OptionsEducation.org.

OIC webcasts are taught by the same options exchange instructors who host OIC’s live seminars. They are typically one hour in length and offer a variety of topics for various investor skill levels. Webcast topics include ETFs, covered call writing, options basics, volatility strategies and LEAPS®, among others.

OIC podcasts allow visitors to download and watch recorded footage from a live OIC seminar on their MP3 player, iPod, smart phone, or computer. Each podcast follows the format of OIC’s Basic options seminar and lasts from eight to 18 minutes. Hosted by OIC instructor Dan Passarelli of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the podcast topics include essential concepts, buying calls, buying puts, and options pricing. Apple iTunes also carry the podcasts under the title “Options Strategies for Investors.”

Options Investigator - OIC's educational interactive software helps current and potential investors simulate options strategies. This CD is for option investors of all levels and presents 400 tutorials and more than 40 options strategies. It may be used online.

Options Help Desk - This comprehensive options information center, staffed by options professionals, is for retail investors and financial advisors interested in receiving one-on-one information about options and OIC. Individuals may contact the Help Desk either by e-mail at options@theocc.com or by calling 1-312-463-6193 outside the U.S.

“An Investor's Guide to Trading Options" - Written in collaboration with Lightbulb Press, this 64-page basic options book uses everyday language to explain what options are and how they work, provides real-world investing scenarios and describes options strategies for various markets. This guide is designed for investors who trade equities but have not added options to their portfolios, those investors who trade occasionally and for brokers who want to demystify options for their clients or colleagues.

Public Contact Information

Contact:
Otto Nägeli
The Options Industry Council
Via alla Bolla 17 - CH - 6808 Torricella TI/Switzerland
Telephone: +41-91-945-0777
Fax: +41-91-945-0779
options.industry@bluewin.ch

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