ISE To Explore Membership In The Consolidated Tape Association And OTC/UTP Plans

The International Securities Exchange (NYSE:ISE) said
today that it will explore becoming a participant in the Consolidated
Tape Association plan and the OTC/UTP plan.
   The CTA plan covers quotation and last sale information for stocks
listed on the New York Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange. The
OTC/UTP plan covers quotation and last sale information for Nasdaq
stocks. Other US options exchanges that compete with ISE are
participants in these plans.
   "We have always said that we would explore opportunities in other
asset classes where we felt that we could add value. CTA and OTC/UTP
plan membership would give us operating flexibility as we consider how
to build upon our foundation as operators of the world's largest
equity options exchange," said David Krell, ISE's President and Chief
Executive Officer.

   ISE Background

   The International Securities Exchange, the world's largest equity
options exchange, was founded on the principle that technology fosters
and infuses new efficiencies and operational innovations into
securities trading. After developing an innovative market structure
that integrated auction market principles into an advanced
screen-based trading system, ISE launched the first fully electronic
US options exchange in May 2000. ISE continually enhances its trading
systems to provide investors with the best marketplace to execute
their options orders.
   For more information about ISE, its products and its technology,
visit www.iseoptions.com.