In June 2006, the CBOT® announced the suppression of the opposite Individual Trader Mnemonic (ITM) from the CME clearing confirm interface.  In addition, the CBOT elected to continue to monitor the provisioning of the opposite clearing firm via this same interface and evaluate market impact.  During the past several months, CBOT management has evaluated feedback from several perspectives as it pertains to the suppression of the opposite clearing firm.  Based on this review, the CBOT has determined to suppress the opposite firm field on the bookkeeping TREX confirmation message effective on Sunday, September 24, 2006 (trade date September 25).  This decision was based on the following:  1) evaluating market feedback, 2) identifying a lack of consistency amongst clearing firms in providing or not providing this data to all end users, 3) reviewing other exchanges’ policies and 4) confirming that this data is only available through the clearing confirmation feed via CME Clearing and not via the e-cbot® API or trading platform.  Therefore, effective September 24, 2006, the clearing system will overlay the opposite firm ID that currently populates that field with “000” in position 76-80 of the main block of the TREX record format.

The CBOT will continue to monitor this issue as part of its ongoing efforts to provide end users with a functionally and technically robust trading platform.

If you have any questions, please call you Key Account Manager at the CBOT or the CME Clearing House at 312-207-2525.