The CBOT has retained Georgeson, Inc. as its proxy solicitor to assist in the voting process for the upcoming vote on the CBOT/CME merger proposal. Georgeson will be primarily soliciting approval from stockholders. Since many of our members are also stockholders, Georgeson representatives may be contacting members by telephone to solicit their votes in this regard. While this procedure is relatively new at the CBOT, members should be advised that such proxy solicitation activity is a common practice for public companies in such circumstances. It is also consistent with the CBOT's obligations under the CME merger agreement to take all lawful and commercially reasonable action to solicit stockholder and member approval.