diff --git a/spring-binding/ivy.xml b/spring-binding/ivy.xml
index 7054b1b4..681f55c4 100644
--- a/spring-binding/ivy.xml
+++ b/spring-binding/ivy.xml
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@
 		<dependency org="javax.el" name="com.springsource.javax.el" rev="2.1.0" conf="provided->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.apache.commons" name="com.springsource.org.apache.commons.logging" rev="1.1.1" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.ognl" name="com.springsource.org.ognl" rev="2.7.3" conf="optional->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
 
 		<!-- test-time only dependencies -->
 		<dependency org="org.apache.log4j" name="com.springsource.org.apache.log4j" rev="1.2.15" conf="test->compile"/>
diff --git a/spring-faces/ivy.xml b/spring-faces/ivy.xml
index a17092a8..840319a3 100644
--- a/spring-faces/ivy.xml
+++ b/spring-faces/ivy.xml
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@
 		<dependency org="javax.servlet" name="com.springsource.javax.servlet" rev="2.4.0" conf="provided->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.apache.commons" name="com.springsource.org.apache.commons.logging" rev="1.1.1" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.richfaces" name="com.springsource.org.richfaces" rev="3.1.4.GA" conf="optional->compile" />
-        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.webflow" name="org.springframework.binding" rev="latest.integration" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.webflow" name="org.springframework.js" rev="latest.integration" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.webflow" name="org.springframework.webflow" rev="latest.integration" conf="compile->compile"/>
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 		<dependency org="org.easymock" name="com.springsource.org.easymock" rev="2.3.0" conf="test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.junit" name="com.springsource.junit" rev="3.8.2" conf="test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.jboss.el" name="com.springsource.org.jboss.el" rev="2.0.0.GA" conf="test->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="test->compile" />
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="test->compile" />
 		
 	</dependencies>
 
diff --git a/spring-js/ivy.xml b/spring-js/ivy.xml
index f23229f3..02fcb135 100644
--- a/spring-js/ivy.xml
+++ b/spring-js/ivy.xml
@@ -25,17 +25,17 @@
         <dependency org="org.apache.tiles" name="com.springsource.org.apache.tiles" rev="2.0.5" conf="optional->compile"/>
         <dependency org="org.apache.tiles" name="com.springsource.org.apache.tiles.core" rev="2.0.5.osgi" conf="optional->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.apache.tiles" name="com.springsource.org.apache.tiles.jsp" rev="2.0.5" conf="optional->compile"/>
-        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>        
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>        
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+        <dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
 
 		<!-- test time only dependencies -->
 		<dependency org="org.apache.log4j" name="com.springsource.org.apache.log4j" rev="1.2.15" conf="test->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.easymock" name="com.springsource.org.easymock" rev="2.3.0" conf="test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.junit" name="com.springsource.junit" rev="3.8.2" conf="test->compile" />
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="test->compile" />
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="test->compile" />
 		
 	</dependencies>
 
diff --git a/spring-webflow-samples/booking-faces/ivy.xml b/spring-webflow-samples/booking-faces/ivy.xml
index bf85d443..f66bdea7 100755
--- a/spring-webflow-samples/booking-faces/ivy.xml
+++ b/spring-webflow-samples/booking-faces/ivy.xml
@@ -33,15 +33,15 @@
 		<dependency org="org.hibernate" name="com.springsource.org.hibernate.ejb" rev="3.3.1.ga" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.hsqldb" name="com.springsource.org.hsqldb" rev="1.8.0.9" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.jboss.el" name="com.springsource.org.jboss.el" rev="2.0.0.GA" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.aop" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.jdbc" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.orm" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.transaction" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.aop" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.jdbc" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.orm" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.transaction" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.security" name="org.springframework.security" rev="2.0.2.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.webflow" name="org.springframework.faces" rev="latest.integration" conf="compile->jsf12"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.webflow" name="org.springframework.js" rev="latest.integration" conf="compile->compile"/>
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 		<!-- test-time only dependencies -->
 		<dependency org="org.easymock" name="com.springsource.org.easymock" rev="2.3.0" conf="test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.junit" name="com.springsource.junit" rev="3.8.2" conf="test->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="test->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="test->compile"/>
 		
 	</dependencies>
 
diff --git a/spring-webflow-samples/booking-mvc/ivy.xml b/spring-webflow-samples/booking-mvc/ivy.xml
index 5bf67b61..0523495e 100755
--- a/spring-webflow-samples/booking-mvc/ivy.xml
+++ b/spring-webflow-samples/booking-mvc/ivy.xml
@@ -36,16 +36,16 @@
 		<dependency org="org.hibernate" name="com.springsource.org.hibernate.ejb" rev="3.3.1.ga" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.hsqldb" name="com.springsource.org.hsqldb" rev="1.8.0.9" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.ognl" name="com.springsource.org.ognl" rev="2.6.9" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.aop" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context.support" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.jdbc" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.orm" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.transaction" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.aop" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context.support" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.jdbc" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.orm" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.transaction" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.security" name="org.springframework.security" rev="2.0.2.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.security" name="org.springframework.security.taglibs" rev="2.0.2.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
  		<dependency org="org.springframework.webflow" name="org.springframework.js" rev="latest.integration" conf="compile->compile"/>
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 		<!-- test-time only dependencies -->
 		<dependency org="org.easymock" name="com.springsource.org.easymock" rev="2.3.0" conf="test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.junit" name="com.springsource.junit" rev="3.8.2" conf="test->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="test->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="test->compile"/>
 		
 	</dependencies>
 
diff --git a/spring-webflow-samples/booking-mvc/src/main/webapp/WEB-INF/hotels/booking/booking.xml b/spring-webflow-samples/booking-mvc/src/main/webapp/WEB-INF/hotels/booking/booking.xml
index a3f27007..ec70efee 100644
--- a/spring-webflow-samples/booking-mvc/src/main/webapp/WEB-INF/hotels/booking/booking.xml
+++ b/spring-webflow-samples/booking-mvc/src/main/webapp/WEB-INF/hotels/booking/booking.xml
@@ -14,6 +14,15 @@
 	</on-start>
 	
 	<view-state id="enterBookingDetails" model="booking">
+		<binder auto-bind="false">
+			<binding property="checkinDate" converter="shortDate" required="true" />
+			<binding property="checkoutDate" converter="shortDate" required="true" />
+			<binding property="smoking" required="true" />
+			<binding property="creditCard" required="true" />
+			<binding property="creditCardName" required="true" />
+			<binding property="creditCardExpirationMonth" required="true"/>
+			<binding property="creditCardExpirationYear" required="true"/>
+		</binder>
 		<transition on="proceed" to="reviewBooking" />
 		<transition on="cancel" to="cancel" bind="false" />
 	</view-state>
diff --git a/spring-webflow/ivy.xml b/spring-webflow/ivy.xml
index d6d8cbbe..924903c3 100644
--- a/spring-webflow/ivy.xml
+++ b/spring-webflow/ivy.xml
@@ -30,14 +30,14 @@
 		<dependency org="org.hibernate" name="com.springsource.org.hibernate" rev="3.2.6.ga" conf="optional, test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.junit" name="com.springsource.junit" rev="3.8.2" conf="provided, test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.ognl" name="com.springsource.org.ognl" rev="2.6.9" conf="optional->compile" />
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.orm" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="optional->compile" />
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.transaction" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="optional->compile" />
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.portlet" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="optional->compile" />
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.beans" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.context" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.core" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.orm" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="optional->compile" />
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.transaction" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="optional->compile" />
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.portlet" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="optional->compile" />
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.web.servlet" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.security" name="org.springframework.security" rev="2.0.0.A" conf="optional->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.webflow" name="org.springframework.binding" rev="latest.integration" conf="compile->compile"/>
 		<dependency org="org.springframework.webflow" name="org.springframework.js" rev="latest.integration" conf="compile->compile"/>
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@
 		<dependency org="org.easymock" name="com.springsource.org.easymock" rev="2.3.0" conf="test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.hsqldb" name="com.springsource.org.hsqldb" rev="1.8.0.9" conf="test->compile" />
 		<dependency org="org.jboss.el" name="com.springsource.org.jboss.el" rev="2.0.0.GA" conf="test->compile"/>
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.aop" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="test->compile" />		
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.jdbc" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="test->compile" />
-		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.4.A" conf="test->compile" />
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.aop" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="test->compile" />		
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.jdbc" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="test->compile" />
+		<dependency org="org.springframework" name="org.springframework.test" rev="2.5.5.A" conf="test->compile" />
 		
 	</dependencies>
 
diff --git a/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/BinderModel.java b/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/BinderModel.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ba2a0295
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/BinderModel.java
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2004-2008 the original author or authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+package org.springframework.webflow.engine.model;
+
+import java.util.LinkedList;
+
+/**
+ * Model support for the view-state binder element.
+ * @author Scott Andrews
+ */
+public class BinderModel extends AbstractModel {
+
+	private String autoBind;
+
+	private LinkedList bindings;
+
+	public String getAutoBind() {
+		return autoBind;
+	}
+
+	public void setAutoBind(String autoBind) {
+		this.autoBind = autoBind;
+	}
+
+	public LinkedList getBindings() {
+		return bindings;
+	}
+
+	public void setBindings(LinkedList bindings) {
+		this.bindings = bindings;
+	}
+
+	public boolean isMergeableWith(Model model) {
+		return model instanceof BinderModel;
+	}
+
+	public void merge(Model model) {
+		BinderModel binder = (BinderModel) model;
+		setAutoBind(merge(getAutoBind(), binder.getAutoBind()));
+		setBindings(merge(getBindings(), binder.getBindings()));
+	}
+}
diff --git a/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/ViewStateModel.java b/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/ViewStateModel.java
index aa01a499..938a1ec2 100644
--- a/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/ViewStateModel.java
+++ b/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/ViewStateModel.java
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public class ViewStateModel extends AbstractTransitionableStateModel {
 
 	private LinkedList vars;
 
-	private LinkedList bindings;
+	private BinderModel binder;
 
 	private LinkedList onRenderActions;
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public class ViewStateModel extends AbstractTransitionableStateModel {
 		setPopup(merge(getPopup(), state.getPopup()));
 		setModel(merge(getModel(), state.getModel()));
 		setVars(merge(getVars(), state.getVars(), false));
-		setBindings(merge(getBindings(), state.getBindings(), false));
+		setBinder((BinderModel) merge(getBinder(), state.getBinder()));
 		setOnRenderActions(merge(getOnRenderActions(), state.getOnRenderActions(), false));
 	}
 
@@ -174,31 +174,12 @@ public class ViewStateModel extends AbstractTransitionableStateModel {
 		vars.add(var);
 	}
 
-	/**
-	 * @return the bindings
-	 */
-	public LinkedList getBindings() {
-		return bindings;
+	public BinderModel getBinder() {
+		return binder;
 	}
 
-	/**
-	 * @param bindings the bindings to set
-	 */
-	public void setBindings(LinkedList bindings) {
-		this.bindings = bindings;
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * @param var the var to add
-	 */
-	public void addBinding(BindingModel binding) {
-		if (binding == null) {
-			return;
-		}
-		if (bindings == null) {
-			bindings = new LinkedList();
-		}
-		bindings.add(binding);
+	public void setBinder(BinderModel binder) {
+		this.binder = binder;
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -214,4 +195,5 @@ public class ViewStateModel extends AbstractTransitionableStateModel {
 	public void setOnRenderActions(LinkedList onRenderActions) {
 		this.onRenderActions = onRenderActions;
 	}
+
 }
diff --git a/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/XmlFlowModelBuilder.java b/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/XmlFlowModelBuilder.java
index a8ca1d84..cbfeece7 100644
--- a/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/XmlFlowModelBuilder.java
+++ b/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/XmlFlowModelBuilder.java
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import org.springframework.webflow.engine.model.AbstractStateModel;
 import org.springframework.webflow.engine.model.ActionStateModel;
 import org.springframework.webflow.engine.model.AttributeModel;
 import org.springframework.webflow.engine.model.BeanImportModel;
+import org.springframework.webflow.engine.model.BinderModel;
 import org.springframework.webflow.engine.model.BindingModel;
 import org.springframework.webflow.engine.model.DecisionStateModel;
 import org.springframework.webflow.engine.model.EndStateModel;
@@ -518,6 +519,18 @@ public class XmlFlowModelBuilder implements FlowModelBuilder {
 		}
 	}
 
+	private BinderModel parseBinder(Element element) {
+		Element binderElement = DomUtils.getChildElementByTagName(element, "binder");
+		if (binderElement != null) {
+			BinderModel binder = new BinderModel();
+			binder.setAutoBind(binderElement.getAttribute("auto-bind"));
+			binder.setBindings(parseBindings(binderElement));
+			return binder;
+		} else {
+			return null;
+		}
+	}
+
 	private LinkedList parseBindings(Element element) {
 		List bindingElements = DomUtils.getChildElementsByTagName(element, "binding");
 		if (bindingElements.isEmpty()) {
@@ -594,7 +607,7 @@ public class XmlFlowModelBuilder implements FlowModelBuilder {
 		state.setPopup(element.getAttribute("popup"));
 		state.setModel(element.getAttribute("model"));
 		state.setVars(parseVars(element));
-		state.setBindings(parseBindings(element));
+		state.setBinder(parseBinder(element));
 		state.setOnRenderActions(parseOnRenderActions(element));
 		state.setAttributes(parseAttributes(element));
 		state.setSecured(parseSecured(element));
diff --git a/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/spring-webflow-2.0.xsd b/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/spring-webflow-2.0.xsd
index b0f3cb1b..1d9759a9 100644
--- a/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/spring-webflow-2.0.xsd
+++ b/spring-webflow/src/main/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/spring-webflow-2.0.xsd
@@ -327,33 +327,68 @@ fully-qualified class name (e.g. 'java.lang.Integer').  The class must be a conc
 										</xsd:attribute>
 									</xsd:complexType>
 								</xsd:element>
-								<xsd:element name="binding" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded">
+								<xsd:element name="binder" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded">
 									<xsd:annotation>
 										<xsd:documentation>
 											<![CDATA[
-A view model binding.  A binding connects a UI element in this view to a model property.
+Configures the process of binding UI elements such as form fields to model properties.
 ]]>
 										</xsd:documentation>
-									</xsd:annotation>
+									</xsd:annotation>							
 									<xsd:complexType>
-										<xsd:attribute name="property" type="xsd:string" use="required">
-											<xsd:annotation>
-												<xsd:documentation>
-													<![CDATA[
+										<xsd:sequence>								
+											<xsd:element name="binding" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded">
+												<xsd:annotation>
+													<xsd:documentation>
+														<![CDATA[
+Defines a view model binding.  A binding connects a UI element in this view to a model property.
+]]>
+													</xsd:documentation>
+												</xsd:annotation>
+												<xsd:complexType>
+													<xsd:attribute name="property" type="xsd:string" use="required">
+														<xsd:annotation>
+															<xsd:documentation>
+																<![CDATA[
 The name of the model property to bind to.
 ]]>
-												</xsd:documentation>
-											</xsd:annotation>
-										</xsd:attribute>
-										<xsd:attribute name="converter" type="xsd:string">
+															</xsd:documentation>
+														</xsd:annotation>
+													</xsd:attribute>
+													<xsd:attribute name="converter" type="xsd:string">
+														<xsd:annotation>
+															<xsd:documentation>
+																<![CDATA[
+The name of a custom converter to use to format the property for display in the UI.
+]]>
+															</xsd:documentation>
+														</xsd:annotation>
+													</xsd:attribute>
+													<xsd:attribute name="required" type="xsd:boolean">
+														<xsd:annotation>
+															<xsd:documentation>
+																<![CDATA[
+Indicates if this binding is required.  A required binding generates an error when setting a null or empty value.
+A binding that is not required allows null and empty values to be bound.
+]]>
+															</xsd:documentation>
+														</xsd:annotation>
+													</xsd:attribute>
+												</xsd:complexType>
+											</xsd:element>
+										</xsd:sequence>
+										<xsd:attribute name="auto-bind" type="xsd:boolean">
 											<xsd:annotation>
 												<xsd:documentation>
 													<![CDATA[
-The name of a custom converter to use to format the property for display in the UI.
+Toggles automatic model binding.  If true, binding between request parameters and model properties occurs automatically by convention.
+For example, the request parameter "firstName" might map to property "firstName" on a Person model.
+If false, binding must be explicitly enabled per property by configuring one or more binding elements.
+The default, if not overridden, is true.
 ]]>
 												</xsd:documentation>
 											</xsd:annotation>
-										</xsd:attribute>
+										</xsd:attribute>										
 									</xsd:complexType>
 								</xsd:element>
 								<xsd:element name="on-entry" minOccurs="0">
diff --git a/spring-webflow/src/test/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/XmlFlowModelBuilderTests.java b/spring-webflow/src/test/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/XmlFlowModelBuilderTests.java
index eba77416..35defacf 100644
--- a/spring-webflow/src/test/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/XmlFlowModelBuilderTests.java
+++ b/spring-webflow/src/test/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/XmlFlowModelBuilderTests.java
@@ -152,8 +152,9 @@ public class XmlFlowModelBuilderTests extends TestCase {
 		FlowModel flow = builder.getFlowModel();
 		ViewStateModel model = (ViewStateModel) flow.getStates().get(0);
 		assertEquals("formObject", model.getModel());
-		assertEquals("objectProperty", ((BindingModel) model.getBindings().get(0)).getProperty());
-		assertEquals("customConverter", ((BindingModel) model.getBindings().get(0)).getConverter());
+		assertEquals("true", model.getBinder().getAutoBind());
+		assertEquals("objectProperty", ((BindingModel) model.getBinder().getBindings().get(0)).getProperty());
+		assertEquals("customConverter", ((BindingModel) model.getBinder().getBindings().get(0)).getConverter());
 	}
 
 	public void testViewStateRedirect() {
diff --git a/spring-webflow/src/test/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/flow-viewstate-model-binding.xml b/spring-webflow/src/test/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/flow-viewstate-model-binding.xml
index ff717e66..aada0e0f 100644
--- a/spring-webflow/src/test/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/flow-viewstate-model-binding.xml
+++ b/spring-webflow/src/test/java/org/springframework/webflow/engine/model/builder/xml/flow-viewstate-model-binding.xml
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@
       xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.springframework.org/schema/webflow http://www.springframework.org/schema/webflow/spring-webflow-2.0.xsd">
 
 	<view-state id="form" model="formObject">
-		<binding property="objectProperty" converter="customConverter"/>	
+		<binder auto-bind="true">
+			<binding property="objectProperty" converter="customConverter" required="true" />	
+		</binder>
 	</view-state>
 
 </flow>
\ No newline at end of file