CME Group to Provide Funding to SIPC for MF Global Customers

I am glad for any relief that might be coming for the customers of MF Global whose funds are frozen and at risk.

I wonder how extraordinary these measures referenced in this press release really are, and why they had to be extraordinary given the guarantees presented by SIPC and the regulatory responsibilities of the Exchange in the first place.

As I recall the stated reserves of SIPC are