While it may not be quite the blockbuster story that a certain French bank fracas, or a certain government department brouhaha are, the proposed new futures exchange has been surrounded by its own (albeit lower-key) circle of rumors and intrigue over the past few weeks. The Financial Times reported that the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) held “early and informal” talks with the consortium of 12 financial institutions backing the exchange, and according to the Chicago Tribune, Archipelago founder Jerry Putnam is being considered as the new exchange’s CEO. Whether or not ICE will contribute its muscle to the new exchange remains to be seen, and the CEO search appears to be ongoing, as today group spokesperson Bill McBride could not comment on either report. The consortium is interviewing “a range of accomplished and experienced executives” for leadership positions, according to McBride, who says that although the group hopes to have the positions filled by the end of February, as far as hiring was concerned, “getting it done right is better than getting it done fast.”