News Release

Vancouver - The executive director of the British Columbia Securities Commission has ordered that Option One International cease trading in securities and is prohibited from engaging in investor relations activities. The executive director has also given a notice of a hearing alleging that Option One has contravened securities laws by soliciting business from a B.C. resident.

The notice of hearing alleges that, starting in or about July 2009, Option One solicited a B.C. resident over the phone to register as a client. The notice also alleges Option One provided the investor with account opening and bank-wire transfer documentation. Option One, also known as Option One International Advisors or Option One S.A., is not registered with the BCSC to conduct securities business in the province, and it is not a B.C.-registered corporation.

In addition, the notice alleges that a BCSC investigator advised Option One in November 2009 of the registration requirements of the B.C. Securities Act. According to the notice, Option One responded by advising the investigator that it would no longer solicit or accept business from the province. The notice alleges that, in or about December 2009, Option One again contacted the same B.C. resident to open a trading account.

Counsel for the executive director will ask the commission to grant a final order in the same terms as the temporary order at a hearing on Jan. 11, 2010 at 10 a.m.

The B.C. Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating trading in securities within the province. You may view the notice of hearing  on our website, www.bcsc.bc.ca. If you have questions, contact Ken Gracey, media relations, 604-899-6577.