Web site

The Options Industry Council (OIC) was formed in 1992 by the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) and the existing four US options exchanges. [1] Today, it is an industry cooperative funded by BATS Options. Boston Options Exchange. the Chicago Board Options Exchange. C2 Options Exchange. the International Securities Exchange. MIAX Options Exchange. NASDAQ OMX PHLX. NASDAQ Options Market. NYSE Amex Options. NYSE Arca Options and OCC. The stated goal of these organizations is to provide a financially sound and efficient marketplace for the options-investing public where they can hedge risk and find new opportunities to profit from market participation. Education is one of the areas that assists in accomplishing that goal.

OIC is active in educating investors and their financial advisors about the benefits and risks of exchange-traded equity options. To that end, OIC hosts options seminars, webcasts and podcasts, distributes literature, and maintains a web site and investor services live help desk. Its free educational seminars are taught by experienced exchange professionals.

In June 2012, OIC and the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) signed a content sharing agreement making the OIC’s options educational materials available to CISI members. This agreement will shift the CISIs sphere of influence into the United States market with the offering of OIC resources such as investor services live help and www.OptionsEducation.org. [2] [3]

Contents

Education

OIC conducts hundreds of seminars and webcasts throughout the year, distributes thousands of interactive CDs and brochures, and maintains a website. Options industry professionals create the content in OIC’s software, brochures and website. OIC also maintains a staff of compliance and legal professionals.

A downloadable e-Reader version of the options book An Investor’s Guide to Trading Options is available on OIC’s website, here: OptionsEducation.org

Options Education Program

OIC offers its Options Education Program which brings its full range of educational offerings and networks of leading industry professionals to offer investors the educational platform possible to learn about options for free. The OEP aims to provide education on the responsible use of options to a global audience of investors. The program has four main educational goals: customized education, comprehensive courses, in-person learning and live options help. OEP offers MyPath assessment tool, which allows investors to test their level of options knowledge for a personalized learning track. Later on users will advance through a customized curriculum filled with online courses, podcasts and videos ranging from basics to advanced options topics. Students of the program can also learn about options in-person by attending live seminars and events hosted by experienced options instructors. [4]

Seminars

Seminars focusing on basic, intermediate, and advanced options topics such as volatility are offered at select locations across the U.S. Additional intermediate and volatility seminars have been added for investors seeking advanced education. [5]

Online Classes

OIC offers online classes for all skill levels on subjects including the basics of options trade, pricing and strategies. [6]

Educational Webcasts

OIC offers dozens of podcasts accessible at the viewers’ convenience. [7]

Investor Services

OIC’s Investor Services is available for options-related questions that do not focus on trading/investing advice but rather on options education (1-888-OPTIONS or 1-888-678-4667), e-mail options@theocc.com; international callers use 312-463-6193.

Investor Services Hours

• Open all trading days from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Chicago Time).
• Except: Investor Services closes at 3:30 p.m. (Chicago time) every Monday for training purposes, but maintains regular hours on Mondays following expiration .

Virtual Trading System

In November of 2007, the OIC introduced the Virtual Trading System (VTS) [8] to its online educational offerings. The system is designed to provide investors with the most realistic trading environment possible as they practice executing various options strategies.

OIC’s VTS screens allow investors to experience a realistic trading situation for trading stocks and options. using strategies such as spreads. straddles and covered calls. while also investigating different order types like triggers and one-cancels-other. The system also offers stock and options quote detail screens where users can obtain quotes whenever they need to from any screen through the integrated quote window.

Annual OIC/FIA Conference

Annual Options Industry Conference

The annual Options Industry Conference is jointly sponsored by all the U.S. options exchanges. The conference is attended by representatives from all segments of the options business and is a major event for top level management and trading professionals.