| Please be informed that the scheduled implementation of the Exchange�s new ACS (Allocate & Claim System), currently scheduled for Friday, January 31, 2003, has been postponed to a later date in order to provide firms with additional time for testing. As a result, we have extended our open test environment through Friday, January 31st, so that all firms have the opportunity to test their system changes and interface capabilities with this new application. We appreciate the effort by firms to convert from batch routing files and to test the new give-up API. It is our expectation that an extended period of testing time will facilitate and ensure a smooth implementation. We will inform you soon of the new launch date for the ACS application. We apologize for any adverse impact this delay may have on your firms� system development plans. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call Farris Oweimrin of Client Management Operations at 312-648-4780 or e-mail foweimri@cme.com. Thank you. | 