We would like to inform you that clearing firms and service providers have made great progress in their FIXML development and testing to prepare for the Electronic, Pit and Give-Up API FIXML conversion.  While CME and Clearing Firms continue testing, we understand that firms and service providers are in their last stages of validating their systems before they fully convert to FIXML.

With that in mind, it is our policy to maintain an orderly conversion without adversely impacting clearing firms’ day-to-day operations.  Clearing has closely monitored clearing firm and service provider progress in converting to the Electronic and Give Up API FIXML.  Our goal is to have all firms converted to FIXML for electronic trades and give-up processing by March 28, 2008.  Clearing’s plan is to eliminate the Electronic and Give Up API TREX formats in a time frame consistent with firms’ conversion to FIXML. 

For the full text of this advisory...