CHICAGO, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Archipelago Exchange(SM) (ArcaEx(R)), the world's largest fully-electronic stock exchange, today announced that optionsXpress (OXPS), a leading online brokerage focused on options trading, has dually listed on ArcaEx, a facility of the Pacific Exchange. The dual listing is in conjunction with optionsXpress' initial public offering.

"OptionsXpress has been a valued trading client of ArcaEx, and we are especially thrilled to now welcome them as a listed company," said Jerry Putnam, CEO of Archipelago. "As an electronic innovator in its own right, optionsXpress recognizes the value of the all-electronic model for trading, and the benefits to their investors in the multiple market approach."

The optionsXpress listing comes on the back of ArcaEx's highly successfully IPO and listing of its parent company, Archipelago Holdings, and follows insurance giant AIG's recent decision to dual list its common stock on ArcaEx.

In addition to providing the advantages of fully-electronic trading, an ArcaEx listing enables NYSE- and Nasdaq-listed companies and their investors to reap the benefits of ArcaEx's investor focused market structure. ArcaEx operates as an all-electronic auction market, with an open limit order book matching buyers and sellers directly based on simple price and time priority, leveling the playing field for all market participants.

Archipelago Holdings, Inc., the parent company of ArcaEx, announced on January 3, 2005 that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire PCX Holdings, Inc., parent company of the Pacific Exchange and PCX Equities, Inc.

About ArcaEx

Archipelago Holdings (PCX: AX) operates The Archipelago Exchange SM (ArcaEx(R)) the first totally open all-electronic stock exchange in the United States. ArcaEx trades all Nasdaq-listed equity securities and exchange listed equity securities, including those listed on the New York Stock Exchange(R), American Stock Exchange(R), and Pacific Exchange(R). In addition to offering core execution services, ArcaEx provides corporate clients with listing services and innovative data products. In 2004, Archipelago launched ArcaVision to provide corporate and trading clients with more transparent market data, analytical tools and access to market-wide and ArcaEx specific trading information. Archipelago Holdings completed its initial public offering in August 2004. For more information please visit http://www.arcaex.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on Archipelago's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Archipelago's actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. There can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause Archipelago's results to differ materially from current expectations include: general economic and business conditions, industry trends, competitive conditions, regulatory developments as well as other risks or factors identified in Archipelago's Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated August 12, 2004, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, dated November 9, 2004, each of which was filed with the SEC and is available on Archipelago's website: http://www.archipelago.com.

SOURCE
The Archipelago Exchange
01/27/2005

CONTACT:
Margaret Nagle of Archipelago, +1-312-442-7083
Web site: http://www.archipelago.com
http://www.arcaex.com
(AX)