The Options Industry Council (OIC) was created as a non profit organization to increase awareness, knowledge and responsible usage of exchange-listed equity options among retail investors, their financial advisors and institutional investors. Options are a versatile but complex product, and that is why OIC conducts hundreds of seminars and webinars throughout the year, distributes thousands of interactive CDs and brochures, and maintains a Web site and Help Desk focused on options education.

OIC was formed in 1992. Today, its sponsors include the NYSE Amex, the Boston Options Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the International Securities Exchange, NYSE Arca, NASDAQ OMX PHLX, BATS and The Options Clearing Corporation. The OIC Roundtable is the independent governing body of the Council and includes representatives from the six Exchanges, six member brokerage firms and The OCC. These organizations have one goal in mind: to provide a financially sound and efficient marketplace where investors can hedge investment risk and find new opportunities for profiting from market participation.