On September 21, 2001, the deliverable of adjusted CNA Financial Corp. ("CNA", adjusted symbol "CXA") options was further adjusted to no longer call for delivery of Rights to acquire additional CNA Common Shares ("CNA RT") due to the expiration of these Rights on September 20, 2001. (See The Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC") Information Memo #17438).

Effective with these changes, CXA options have deliverables identical with CNA options, namely 100 CNA Financial Corp ("CNA") Common Shares.

The American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") has requested OCC to consolidate all CXA option positions into CNA, thereafter eliminating the option trading symbol CXA. This consolidation will be effective Thursday, September 27, 2001.

The position consolidation for CXA and CNA options will take place after all positions processing Wednesday, September 26, 2001, and before start of business on Thursday, September 27, 2001.

All Clearing Member input of existing CXA options must use the symbol CNA for activity commencing September 27, 2001. Also on this date, OCC will delete any unmatched transfers for CXA options from the unmatched transfer reports.

PLEASE NOTE: Market Makers are restricted from holding long and short positions in the same series of a particular issue. For Market Maker accounts only, OCC will net long and short positions in the same series after the consolidation. (Customer and Firm positions will be combined but not netted). Long positions may be eliminated in this netting process. Accordingly, Market Makers holding positions should be aware of this netting process and the results in order to avoid rejection of any exercise notice due to insufficient positions.

An audit trail report detailing the consolidation will be available to Clearing Members upon request to resolve any discrepancies that may arise.