The Clearing Corporation Set to Begin Operations for Eurex U.S.

Chicago, IL, February 4, 2004 -The Clearing Corporation ("CCorp") announced that it is prepared to provide full clearing and settlement services to Eurex U.S. beginning Sunday, February 8, when the new exchange is slated to open for trading. This announcement follows approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of Eurex's application to launch an electronic U.S. futures exchange.

"The Clearing Corporation has spent the last several months testing our systems with participating firms and Eurex U.S., and we are confident that our clients will find the same quality and efficiency that they have been accustomed to for nearly 80 years, " said Dennis Dutterer, President and CEO of The Clearing Corporation. "We look forward to this new era of electronic trading and competition within the derivatives industry."

About The Clearing Corporation
The Clearing Corporation, a stockholder-owned, Delaware corporation now in its 79th year of business, is the only active independent futures clearinghouse in the world. Additional information on The Clearing Corporation is available at www.clearingcorp.com.