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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
     
 
X
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
 
Commission file number: 1-7182
 
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware
  13-2740599
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
Bank of America Corporate Center
100 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina
    

28255
(Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)
 
(704) 386-5681
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
 
     
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:    
Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
Trust Preferred Securities of Merrill Lynch Capital Trust I (and the guarantee of the registrant with respect thereto); Trust Preferred Securities of Merrill Lynch Capital Trust II (and the guarantee of the registrant with respect thereto); Trust Preferred Securities of Merrill Lynch Capital Trust III (and the guarantee of the registrant with respect thereto)
  New York Stock Exchange
 
See the full list of securities listed on the NYSE Arca and The NASDAQ Stock Market on the pages directly following this cover.
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
X     YES             NO
 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
 
       YES      X     NO
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
X     YES             NO
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
       YES             NO
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     X
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer     Accelerated filer     Non-accelerated filer  X Smaller reporting company    
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
       YES      X     NO
 
As of the close of business on June 30, 2010, there was no voting common equity held by non-affiliates. The company has no non-voting common stock.
 
As of the close of business on February 25, 2011, there were 1,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding, all of which were held by Bank of America Corporation.
 
The registrant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation and meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this Form with a reduced disclosure format as permitted by Instruction I (2).


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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act and listed on the NYSE® Arca® are as follows:
Strategic Return Notes®
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Industrial 15 Index due February 2, 2012
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Select Ten Index due March 8, 2012
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Select Ten Index due May 10, 2012
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Select 10 Index due July 5, 2012
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Value 30 Index due July 6, 2011
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Value 30 Index due August 8, 2011
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Baby Boomer Consumption Index due September 6, 2011
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Merrill Lynch Factor Model® due November 7, 2012
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Select Ten Index due November 8, 2011
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Merrill Lynch Factor Model® due December 6, 2012
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act and listed on The NASDAQ® Stock Market are as follows:
MITTS®
Nikkei®225 MITTS® Securities due March 8, 2011
S&P 500 ®MITTS® Securities due August 31, 2011
97% Protected Notes
97% Protected Notes Linked to the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average SM due March 28, 2011
97% Protected Notes Linked to Global Equity Basket due February 14, 2012
Strategic Return Notes
Strategic Return Notes Linked to the Industrial 15 Index due April 25, 2011
 
S&P 500 is a registered service mark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC; DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE is a service mark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. Nikkei is a registered service mark of Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Keizai Shimbun Sha Corporation. NASDAQ is a registered service mark of Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. NYSE and Arca are registered service marks of NYSE Group, Inc. All other service marks are the property of Bank of America Corporation.


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ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
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 EX-12
 EX-23.1
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 EX-24.1
 EX-24.2
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
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PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“ML & Co.” and together with its subsidiaries, “Merrill Lynch”, the “Company”, the “Corporation”, “we”, “our” or “us”) was formed in 1914 and became a publicly traded company on June 23, 1971. When used in this report, “we”, “us” and “our” may refer to ML & Co. individually, ML & Co. and its subsidiaries, or certain of ML & Co.’s subsidiaries or affiliates. In 1973, the holding company ML & Co., a Delaware corporation, was created. Through its subsidiaries, ML & Co. is one of the world’s leading capital markets, advisory and wealth management companies. We are a leading global trader and underwriter of securities and derivatives across a broad range of asset classes, and we serve as a strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide.
 
On January 1, 2009, we became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“Bank of America”). As a result of our acquisition by Bank of America, certain information is not required in this Form 10-K as permitted by General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K. We have also provided a brief description of our business activities in Item 1 as permitted by General Instruction I(2).
 
Pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, Segment Reporting (“Segment Reporting”), operating segments represent components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in determining how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Based upon how our chief operating decision maker reviews our results, it was determined that Merrill Lynch does not contain any identifiable operating segments. As a result, the financial information of Merrill Lynch is presented as a single segment.
 
The following is a brief discussion of the nature and scope of our activities in 2010.
 
Capital Markets and Advisory Activities.  We conduct sales and trading activities and we act as a market maker in securities, derivatives, currencies, and other financial instruments to satisfy client demands. In addition, we distribute fixed income, currency and certain commodity products and derivatives and equity and equity-related products. We provide clients with financing, securities clearing, settlement, and custody services and engage in principal investing in a variety of asset classes.
 
We also assist clients in raising capital through underwritings and private placements of equity, debt and related securities, and loan syndications and offer advisory services to clients on strategic issues, valuation, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings.
 
On November 1, 2010, Banc of America Securities LLC (“BAS”), a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Bank of America, merged into Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of ML & Co., with MLPF&S as the surviving corporation. As a result of this merger, MLPF&S remained a direct wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of ML & Co. and an indirect wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Bank of America. Also on November 1, 2010, Banc of America Securities Holdings Corporation (“BASH”), the parent of BAS, merged into ML & Co., with ML & Co. as the surviving corporation. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information.
 
Wealth and Investment Management Activities.  We provide brokerage, investment advisory and financial planning services, offering a broad range of both proprietary and third-party wealth management products and services globally to individuals, small- to mid-size businesses, and employee benefit plans. We also create and manage wealth management products, including alternative


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investment products for clients, and maintain ownership positions in other investment management companies.
 
On November 15, 2010, we sold approximately 51.2 million shares of common stock of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), a publicly traded investment management company, for net proceeds of approximately $8.2 billion. Immediately prior to this sale, we owned approximately 34% of the economic interest of BlackRock. As a result of this sale, our economic interest of BlackRock as of December 31, 2010 was approximately 7%.
 
Research.  We also provide a variety of research services on a global basis. These services are at the core of the value proposition we offer to institutional and individual investor clients and are an integral component of our product offerings.
 
For additional information about our business, see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Regulation
 
Certain aspects of our business, and the business of our competitors and the financial services industry in general, are subject to stringent regulation by United States (“U.S.”) federal and state regulatory agencies and securities exchanges and by various non-U.S. government agencies or regulatory bodies, securities exchanges, self-regulatory organizations and central banks.
 
United States Regulatory Oversight and Supervision
 
Holding Company Supervision
 
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America, a bank holding company that is also a financial holding company, we are subject to the oversight of, and inspection by, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board” or “FRB”).
 
Broker-Dealer Regulation
 
MLPF&S, Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp. (“ML Pro”) and certain other subsidiaries of ML & Co. are registered as broker-dealers with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, as such, are subject to regulation by the SEC and by self-regulatory organizations, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Certain of our subsidiaries and affiliates, including MLPF&S, are registered as investment advisors with the SEC.
 
Our subsidiaries that are broker-dealers registered with the SEC are subject to Rule 15c3-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) which is designed to measure the general financial condition and liquidity of a broker-dealer. Under this rule, these entities are required to maintain the minimum net capital deemed necessary to meet broker-dealers’ continuing commitments to customers and others. Under certain circumstances, this rule limits the ability of such broker-dealers to allow withdrawal of such capital by ML & Co. or other Merrill Lynch subsidiaries. Additional information regarding certain net capital requirements is in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.


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Non-U.S. Regulatory Oversight and Supervision
 
Our business is also subject to extensive regulation by various non-U.S. regulators including governments, securities exchanges, central banks and regulatory bodies. Certain of our subsidiaries are regulated as broker-dealers under the laws of the jurisdictions in which they operate. Subsidiaries engaged in banking and trust activities outside the U.S. are regulated by various government entities in the particular jurisdiction where they are chartered, incorporated and/or conduct their business activities. In some cases, the legislative and regulatory developments outside the U.S. applicable to these subsidiaries may have an impact on our business and results of operations. Our financial services operations in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) are subject to regulation by and supervision of the Financial Services Authority (the “FSA”). In July of 2010, the U.K. proposed abolishing the FSA and replacing it with the Financial Policy Committee within the Bank of England (the “FPC”) and two new regulators, the Prudential Regulatory Authority (the “PRA”) and the Consumer Protection and Markets Authority (the “CPMA”). Our U.K. regulated entities will be subject to the supervision of the FPC within the Bank of England for prudential matters and the CPMA for conduct of business matters. The new financial regulatory structure is intended to be in place by the end of 2012. We continue to monitor the development and potential impact of this regulatory restructuring.
 
Changes in Legislation and Regulations
 
Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the banking and financial services industries are frequently introduced in Congress, in the state legislatures and before the various bank regulatory or financial regulatory agencies as well as by lawmakers and regulators in jurisdictions outside the U.S. where we operate. Congress and the Federal government have continued to evaluate and develop legislation, programs and initiatives designed to, among other things, stabilize the financial and housing markets, stimulate the economy, including the Federal government’s foreclosure prevention program, and prevent future financial crises by further regulating the financial services industry. As a result of the financial crisis and ongoing challenging economic environment, we anticipate additional legislative and regulatory proposals and initiatives as well as continued legislative and regulatory scrutiny of the financial services industry. However, at this time we cannot determine the final form of any proposed programs or initiatives or related legislation, the likelihood and timing of any other future proposals or legislation, and the impact they might have on us.
 
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Financial Reform Act”) was signed into law. The Financial Reform Act provides for sweeping financial regulatory reform and will alter the way in which we conduct certain businesses.
 
The Financial Reform Act contains a broad range of significant provisions that could affect our businesses, including, without limitation, the following:
 
  •  limiting banking organizations from engaging in proprietary trading and other investment activity regarding hedge funds and private equity funds;
 
  •  increasing regulation of the derivative markets;
 
  •  providing for heightened capital, liquidity, and prudential regulation and supervision over systemically important financial institutions;
 
  •  providing for new resolution authority to establish a process to unwind large systemically important financial institutions and requiring the development and implementation of recovery and resolution plans;


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  •  creating a new regulatory body to set requirements around the terms and conditions of consumer financial products and expanding the role of state regulators in enforcing consumer protection requirements over banks; and
 
  •  requiring securitizers to retain a portion of the risk that would otherwise be transferred to investors in certain securitization transactions.
 
The Financial Reform Act may have a significant and negative impact on our earnings through reduced revenues, higher costs and new restrictions, and by reducing available capital. The Financial Reform Act may also have an adverse impact on the value of certain assets and liabilities held on our balance sheet.
 
We anticipate that the final regulations associated with the Financial Reform Act will include limitations on certain activities, including limitations on the use of certain financial institutions’ own capital for proprietary trading and sponsorship or investment in hedge funds and private equity funds (the “Volcker Rule”). Regulations implementing the Volcker Rule are required to be in place by October 21, 2011, and the Volcker Rule becomes effective twelve months after such rules are final or on July 21, 2012, whichever is earlier. The Volcker Rule then gives certain financial institutions two years from the effective date (with opportunities for additional extensions) to bring activities and investments into conformance. In anticipation of the adoption of the final regulations, we have begun winding down our proprietary trading line of business. The ultimate impact of the Volcker Rule or the winding down of this business, and the time it will take to comply or complete, continues to remain uncertain. The final regulations issued may impose additional operational and compliance costs on us.
 
The Financial Reform Act includes measures to broaden the scope of derivative instruments subject to regulation by requiring clearing and exchange trading of certain derivatives, imposing new capital and margin requirements for certain market participants and imposing position limits on certain over-the-counter derivatives. The Financial Reform Act grants the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and the SEC substantial new authority and requires numerous rulemakings by these agencies. Generally, the CFTC and SEC have until July 16, 2011 to promulgate the rulemakings necessary to implement these regulations. The ultimate impact of these derivatives regulations, and the time it will take to comply, continues to remain uncertain. The final regulations will impose additional operational and compliance costs on us and may require us to restructure certain businesses and negatively impact our revenues and results of operations.
 
The major credit ratings agencies have indicated that the primary drivers of our credit ratings are Bank of America’s credit ratings. Although the ratings agencies have indicated that Bank of America’s credit ratings currently reflect their expectation that, if necessary, Bank of America would receive significant support from the U.S. Government, all three major ratings agencies have indicated they will reevaluate, and could reduce the uplift they include in Bank of America’s ratings for government support for reasons arising from financial services regulatory reform proposals or legislation. In the event of certain credit ratings downgrades, our access to credit markets, liquidity and our related funding costs would be materially adversely affected. For additional information about our credit ratings, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Funding and Liquidity” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
 
Most provisions of the Financial Reform Act require various federal banking and securities regulators to issue regulations to clarify and implement its provisions or to conduct studies on significant issues. These proposed regulations and studies are generally subject to a public notice and comment period. The timing of issuance of final regulations, their effective dates and their potential impacts to our business will be determined over the coming months and years. As a result, the ultimate impact of the Financial Reform Act’s final rules on our businesses and results of operations will depend on regulatory interpretation and rulemaking, as well as the success of any of our actions to mitigate the negative earnings impact of certain provisions.


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Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
In the course of conducting our business operations, we are exposed to a variety of risks, some of which are inherent in the financial services industry and others of which are more specific to our own businesses. The following discussion addresses some of the key risks that could affect our businesses, operations, and financial condition. Other factors that could affect our financial condition and operations are discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Forward-Looking Statements.” However, other factors besides those discussed below or elsewhere in this report could also adversely affect our businesses, operations, and financial condition. Therefore, the risk factors below should not be considered a complete list of potential risks that we may face.
 
Our businesses and results of operations have been, and may continue to be, materially and adversely affected by the U.S. and international financial markets and economic conditions generally.  Our businesses and results of operations are materially affected by the financial markets and general economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad, including factors such as the level and volatility of short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, home prices, unemployment and under-employment levels, bankruptcies, household income, consumer spending, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets, liquidity of the global financial markets, the availability and cost of capital and credit, investor sentiment and confidence in the financial markets, and the strength of the U.S. economy and the non-U.S. economies in which we operate. The deterioration of any of these conditions can adversely affect our business and securities portfolios, our level of charge-offs and provision for credit losses, our capital levels and liquidity and our results of operations.
 
U.S. financial markets have improved from the severe financial crisis that dominated the domestic economy in the second half of 2008 and early 2009, but mortgage markets remain fragile. The financial crisis that gripped the European Union beginning in spring 2010 directly affected U.S. financial market behavior and the financial services industry. Any intensification of Europe’s financial crisis or the inability to address the sources of future financial turmoil in Europe may adversely affect the U.S. and international financial markets and the financial services industry. Such adverse effect may involve declines in liquidity, loss of investor confidence in the financial services industry, disruptions in credit markets, declines in the values of many asset classes, reductions in home prices and increased unemployment.
 
Although the U.S. economy has continued to recover throughout 2010 and growth of real Gross Domestic Product strengthened in the second half of 2010, the elevated levels of unemployment and household debt, along with continued stress in the consumer and commercial real estate markets, pose challenges for domestic economic performance and the financial services industry. Consumer spending, exports and business investment in equipment and software rose during 2010, and showed accelerated momentum in the second half of 2010, but labor markets and housing markets remain weak and pose risks. The sustained high unemployment rate and the lengthy duration of unemployment have directly impaired consumer finances and pose risks to the financial services sector. These factors may adversely affect credit quality and the general financial services sector.
 
These conditions, as well as any further challenges stemming from the continuing global economic recovery and recent financial reform initiatives, such as the Financial Reform Act, could have a material adverse effect on our businesses and results of operations in the future.
 
Liquidity Risk
 
Liquidity risk is the potential inability to meet our contractual and contingent financial obligations, on- or off-balance sheet, as they become due.


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Adverse changes to Bank of America’s or our credit ratings from the major credit ratings agencies could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, cash flows, competitive position, financial condition and results of operations by significantly limiting our access to the funding or capital markets, increasing our borrowing costs, or triggering additional collateral or funding requirements under certain bilateral provisions of our trading and collateralized financing contracts.  Credit ratings and outlooks are opinions on our creditworthiness and that of our obligations or securities, including long-term debt, short-term borrowings and other securities. Our credit ratings affect the cost and availability of our funding. In addition, credit ratings may be important to customers or counterparties when we compete in certain markets and when we seek to engage in certain transactions, including over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives. Thus, it is our objective to maintain high-quality credit ratings. The major credit ratings agencies have indicated that the primary drivers of Merrill Lynch’s credit ratings are Bank of America’s credit ratings. Ratings agencies regularly evaluate Bank of America and us. Their ratings of our long-term and short-term debt and other securities may change from time to time and are based on a number of factors, including Bank of America’s and our financial strength and operations as well as factors not under our control, such as rating-agency-specific criteria or frameworks for our industry or certain security types, which are subject to revision from time to time, and conditions affecting the financial services industry generally.
 
There can be no assurance that we will maintain our current ratings. A reduction in certain of our credit ratings would likely have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, access to credit markets, the related cost of funds, our businesses and on certain trading revenues, particularly in those businesses where counterparty creditworthiness is critical. In connection with certain OTC derivatives contracts and other trading agreements, counterparties may require us to provide additional collateral or to terminate these contracts, agreements and collateral financing arrangements in the event of a credit ratings downgrade of Bank of America (and consequently ML & Co.). Termination of these contracts and agreements could cause us to sustain losses and impair our liquidity because we would be required to make significant cash payments or pledge securities as collateral. If Bank of America’s or Merrill Lynch’s commercial paper or short-term credit ratings (which currently have the following ratings: P-1 by Moody’s, A-1 by S&P and F1+ by Fitch) were downgraded by one or more levels, the potential loss of short-term funding sources such as repurchase agreement financing and the effect on our incremental cost of funds would be material.
 
During 2009 and 2010, the ratings agencies took numerous actions, many of which were negative, to adjust Bank of America’s and our credit ratings and the outlooks on those ratings. The ratings agencies have indicated that, as a systemically important financial institution, Bank of America’s credit ratings currently reflect their expectation that, if necessary, Bank of America would receive significant support from the U.S. Government. All three ratings agencies have indicated, however, that they will reevaluate and could reduce the uplift they include in Bank of America’s ratings for government support for reasons arising from financial services regulatory reform proposals. Any expectation that government support may be diminished or withheld in the future would likely have a negative impact on Bank of America’s (and consequently our) credit ratings. The timing of the agencies’ assessments of potential government support, as well as the impact on our credit ratings, is currently uncertain.
 
For a further discussion of our liquidity matters, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Funding and Liquidity.”
 
Our liquidity, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations, and competitive position could be significantly adversely affected by the inability of ML & Co. or Bank of America to access capital markets or if there is an increase in our borrowing costs.  Liquidity is essential to our business. We fund our assets primarily with a mix of secured and unsecured liabilities through a globally coordinated funding strategy with Bank of America. We have established intercompany lending and borrowing arrangements to facilitate centralized liquidity management. As a result, our liquidity risk is derived in large part from Bank of America’s liquidity risk. Bank of America’s and our liquidity could be


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significantly adversely affected by an inability to access the capital markets; illiquidity or volatility in the capital markets; unforeseen outflows of cash, including customer deposits, funding for commitments and contingencies; inability to sell assets on favorable terms; or negative perceptions about Bank of America’s and our short- or long-term business prospects, including changes in credit ratings. Several of these factors may arise due to circumstances that neither we nor Bank of America may be able to control, such as a general market disruption, negative views about the financial services industry generally, changes in the regulatory environment, actions by credit ratings agencies or an operational problem that affects third parties, us or Bank of America. For example, during the recent financial crisis, our ability to raise funding was at times adversely affected in the U.S. and international markets.
 
Our and Bank of America’s cost of obtaining funding is directly related to prevailing market interest rates and to credit spreads. Credit spreads are the amount in excess of the interest rate of U.S. Treasury securities, or other benchmark securities, of the same maturity that we or Bank of America need to pay to funding providers. Increases in interest rates and such credit spreads can significantly increase the cost of funding for us and Bank of America. Changes in credit spreads are market-driven, and may be influenced by market perceptions of the creditworthiness of us and Bank of America. Changes to interest rates and credit spreads occur continuously and may be unpredictable and highly volatile.
 
For additional information about our liquidity, including credit ratings and outlooks, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Funding and Liquidity.”
 
Our dependence upon funds from our subsidiaries and our parent could adversely impact our liquidity.  ML & Co. is a holding company that is a separate and distinct legal entity from its parent, Bank of America, and our broker-dealer and other subsidiaries. We evaluate and manage liquidity on a legal entity basis. Legal entity liquidity is an important consideration as there are legal and other limitations on our ability to utilize liquidity from one legal entity to satisfy the liquidity requirements of another, including ML & Co. For instance, ML & Co. depends on dividends, distributions and borrowings or other payments from its subsidiaries and may depend in large part on financing from Bank of America to fund payments on our obligations, including debt obligations. Bank of America may, in some instances, be unable to provide us with the funding we need to fund payments on our obligations. Many of our subsidiaries, including our broker-dealer subsidiaries, are subject to laws that restrict dividend payments to ML & Co. In addition, our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on their ability to lend or transact with affiliates and to minimum regulatory capital requirements, as well as restrictions on their ability to use funds deposited with them in brokerage accounts to fund their businesses. Additional restrictions on related-party transactions, increased capital requirements and additional limitations on the use of funds on deposit in brokerage accounts, as well as lower earnings, can reduce the amount of funds available to meet the obligations of ML & Co. and even require ML & Co. to provide additional funding to such subsidiaries. Regulatory restrictions could impede access to funds we need to make payments on our obligations. In addition, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors.
 
Mortgage and Housing Market-Related Risk
 
We have been, and expect to continue to be, required to repurchase loans and/or reimburse whole loan buyers, the government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”) and monoline bond insurance companies (“monolines”) for losses due to claims related to representations and warranties made in connection with sales of residential mortgage-backed securities and other loans, and have received similar claims, and may receive additional claims, from private-label securitization investors. The resolution of these claims could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.  In prior years, Merrill Lynch and certain of its subsidiaries, including First Franklin Financial Corporation (“First Franklin”), sold pools of first-lien mortgage loans and home equity loans as private-label


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securitizations or in the form of whole loans. In certain cases, all or a portion of the private label securitizations were insured by monolines. In addition, Merrill Lynch and First Franklin securitized first-lien residential mortgage loans generally in the form of mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the GSEs. In connection with these transactions, Merrill Lynch and certain of its subsidiaries made various representations and warranties. These representations and warranties, as governed by the agreements, related to, among other things, the ownership of the loan, the validity of the lien securing the loan, the absence of delinquent taxes or liens against the property securing the loan, the process used to select the loan for inclusion in a transaction, the loan’s compliance with any applicable loan criteria, including underwriting standards, and the loan’s compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Breaches of these representations and warranties may result in the requirement that we repurchase mortgage loans or otherwise make whole or provide other remedy to counterparties (collectively, repurchase claims).
 
We expect repurchase and similar requests going forward and the volume of repurchase requests from monolines, whole loan buyers and investors in private-label securitizations could increase in the future. It is reasonably possible that future losses may occur and our estimate is that the upper range of possible loss related to non-GSE sales could be $1 billion to $2 billion over existing accruals. This estimate does not represent a probable loss, is based on currently available information, significant judgment, and a number of assumptions that are subject to change. Future provisions and possible loss or range of possible loss may be impacted if actual results are different from our assumptions regarding economic conditions, home prices and other matters and may vary by counterparty. We expect that the resolution of the repurchase claims process with the non-GSE counterparties will likely be a protracted process, and we will vigorously contest any request for repurchase if we conclude that a valid basis for a repurchase claim does not exist.
 
The resolution of claims related to alleged breaches of these representations and warranties and repurchase claims could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, and could exceed existing estimates and accruals. In addition, any accruals or estimates we have made are based on assumptions which are subject to change.
 
For additional information about our representations and warranties exposure, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Off-Balance Sheet Exposures — Representations and Warranties” and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Continued, or increasing, declines in the domestic and international housing markets, including home prices, may adversely affect our asset classes and have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Economic deterioration throughout 2009 and weakness in the economic recovery in 2010 were accompanied by continued stress in the U.S. and international housing markets, including declines in home prices. These declines in the housing market, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, have negatively impacted the credit performance of certain of our portfolios. Continued high unemployment rates in the U.S. have added another element to the financial challenges facing U.S. consumers and further compounded these stresses in the U.S. housing market as employment conditions may be compelling some consumers to delay new home purchases or miss payments on existing mortgages.
 
Conditions in the housing market have also resulted in significant write-downs of asset values in several asset classes, notably mortgage-backed securities and exposure to monolines. These conditions may negatively affect the value of real estate, which could negatively affect our exposure to representations and warranties. While there were continued indications throughout the past year that the U.S. economy is stabilizing, the performance of our overall portfolios may not significantly improve in the near future. A protracted continuation or worsening of these difficult housing market conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects outlined above and have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.


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Credit Risk
 
Credit risk is the risk of loss arising from a borrower, obligor or counterparty default when a borrower, obligor or counterparty does not meet its obligations.
 
Increased credit risk, due to economic or market disruptions, insufficient credit loss reserves or concentration of credit risk, may necessitate increased provisions for credit losses and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  When we buy debt securities, loan money, commit to loan money or enter into a letter of credit or other contract with a counterparty, we incur credit risk, or the risk of losses if our borrowers or our counterparties fail to perform according to the terms of their agreements. A number of our products expose us to credit risk, including loans, derivatives, trading account assets and assets held-for-sale and unfunded lending commitments that include loan commitments, letters of credit and financial guarantees. The credit quality of our portfolios has a significant impact on our earnings.
 
Although credit quality generally continued to show improvement throughout 2010, global and national economic conditions continue to weigh on our credit portfolios. Economic or market disruptions are likely to increase our credit exposure to customers, obligors or other counterparties due to the increased risk that they may default on their obligations to us.
 
We estimate and establish an allowance for credit risks and credit losses inherent in our lending activities (including unfunded lending commitments), excluding those measured at fair value, through a charge to earnings. The amount of allowance is determined based on our evaluation of the potential credit losses included within our loan portfolio. The process for determining the amount of the allowance requires subjective and complex judgments. Our ability to assess future economic conditions or the creditworthiness of our customers, obligors or other counterparties is imperfect. We may underestimate the credit losses in our portfolios and suffer unexpected losses if the models and approaches we use to establish reserves and make judgments in extending credit to our borrowers and other counterparties become less predictive of future behaviors, valuations, assumptions or estimates. In such an event we may need to increase the size of our allowance in 2011, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
In the ordinary course of our business, we also may be subject to a concentration of credit risk to a particular industry, country, counterparty, borrower or issuer. A deterioration in the financial condition or prospects of a particular industry or a failure or downgrade of, or default by, any particular entity or group of entities could have a material adverse impact on our businesses, and the processes by which we set limits and monitor the level of our credit exposure to individual entities, industries and countries may not function as we have anticipated. While our activities expose us to many different industries and counterparties, we routinely execute a high volume of transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment funds and insurers. This has resulted in significant credit concentration with respect to this industry.
 
In the ordinary course of business, we also enter into transactions with sovereign nations, U.S. states and U.S. municipalities. Unfavorable economic or political conditions, disruptions to capital markets, currency fluctuations, social instability and changes in government policies could impact the operating budgets or credit ratings of sovereign nations, U.S. states and U.S. municipalities and expose us to credit risk. The economic downturn has adversely affected certain of our portfolios and further exposed us to this concentration of risk.
 
For additional information about our credit risk and credit risk management policies and procedures, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Credit Risk Management.”


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We could suffer losses as a result of the actions of or deterioration in the commercial soundness of our counterparties and other financial services institutions.  Our ability to engage in routine trading and funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other market participants. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds and other institutional clients. Financial services institutions and other counterparties are inter-related because of trading, funding, clearing or other relationships. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to significant future liquidity problems, including losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of a counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be impacted when the collateral held by us cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivatives exposure due us. Any such losses could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our derivatives businesses may expose us to unexpected risks and potential losses.  We are party to a large number of derivatives transactions, including credit derivatives. Our derivatives businesses may expose us to unexpected market, credit and operational risks that could cause us to suffer unexpected losses and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Severe declines in asset values, unanticipated credit events or unforeseen circumstances that may cause previously uncorrelated factors to become correlated (and vice versa) may create losses resulting from risks not appropriately taken into account in the development, structuring or pricing of a derivative instrument.
 
Many derivative instruments are individually negotiated and non-standardized, which can make exiting, transferring or settling some positions difficult. Many derivatives require that we deliver to the counterparty the underlying security, loan or other obligation in order to receive payment. In a number of cases, we do not hold, and may not be able to obtain, the underlying security, loan or other obligation. This could cause us to forfeit the payments due to us under these contracts or result in settlement delays with the attendant credit and operational risk, as well as increased costs to us.
 
Derivatives contracts and other transactions entered into with third parties are not always confirmed by the counterparties or settled on a timely basis. While a transaction remains unconfirmed or during any delay in settlement, we are subject to heightened credit and operational risk and in the event of default may find it more difficult to enforce the contract. In addition, as new and more complex derivatives products have been created, covering a wider array of underlying credit and other instruments, disputes about the terms of the underlying contracts may arise, which could impair our ability to effectively manage our risk exposures from these products and subject us to increased costs.
 
For a further discussion of our derivatives exposure, see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Market Risk
 
Market risk is the risk that values of assets and liabilities or revenues will be adversely affected by changes in market conditions such as market volatility. Market risk is inherent in the financial instruments associated with our operations and activities, including loans, deposits, securities, short-term borrowings, long-term debt, trading account assets and liabilities, and derivatives.
 
Our businesses and results of operations have been, and may continue to be, significantly adversely affected by changes in the levels of market volatility and by other financial or capital market conditions.  Our businesses and results of operations may be adversely affected by market risk factors


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such as changes in interest and currency exchange rates, equity and futures prices, the implied volatility of interest rates, credit spreads and other economic and business factors. These market risks may adversely affect, for example, (i) the value of our on- and off-balance sheet securities, trading assets, and other financial instruments, (ii) the cost of debt capital and our access to credit markets, (iii) the value of assets under management, which could reduce our fee income relating to those assets, (iv) customer allocation of capital among investment alternatives, (v) the volume of client activity in our trading operations, and (vi) the general profitability and risk level of the transactions in which we engage. Any of these developments could have a significant adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
We use various models and strategies to assess and control our market risk exposures but those are subject to inherent limitations. For example, our models, which rely on historical trends and assumptions, may not be sufficiently predictive of future results due to limited historical patterns, extreme or unanticipated market movements and illiquidity, especially during severe downturns or stress events. The models that we use to assess and control our market risk exposures also reflect assumptions about the degree of correlation or lack thereof among prices of various asset classes or other market indicators. In times of market stress or other unforeseen circumstances, such as the market conditions experienced in 2008 and 2009, previously uncorrelated indicators may become correlated, or previously correlated indicators may move in different directions. These types of market movements have at times limited the effectiveness of our hedging strategies and have caused us to incur significant losses, and they may do so in the future. These changes in correlation can be exacerbated where other market participants are using risk or trading models with assumptions or algorithms that are similar to ours. In these and other cases, it may be difficult to reduce our risk positions due to the activity of other market participants or widespread market dislocations, including circumstances where asset values are declining significantly or no market exists for certain assets. To the extent that we make investments directly in securities that do not have an established liquid trading market or are otherwise subject to restrictions on sale or hedging, we may not be able to reduce our positions and therefore reduce our risk associated with such positions.
 
For additional information about market risk and our market risk management policies and procedures, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A of this Form 10-K.
 
Declines in the value of certain of our assets could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.  We have a large portfolio of financial instruments that we measure at fair value, including among others certain corporate loans and loan commitments, loans held-for-sale, repurchase agreements and long-term deposits. We also have trading assets and liabilities, derivatives assets and liabilities, available-for-sale securities and certain other assets that are valued at fair value. We determine the fair values of these instruments based on the fair value hierarchy under applicable accounting guidance. The fair values of these financial instruments include adjustments for market liquidity, credit quality and other transaction-specific factors, where appropriate.
 
Gains or losses on these instruments can have a direct and significant impact on our results of operations, unless we have effectively “hedged” our exposures. Fair values may be impacted by declining values of the underlying assets or the prices at which observable market transactions occur and the continued availability of these transactions. The financial strength of counterparties, such as monolines, with whom we have economically hedged some of our exposure to these assets, also will affect the fair value of these assets. Sudden declines and significant volatility in the prices of assets may substantially curtail or eliminate the trading activity for these assets, which may make it very difficult to sell, hedge or value such assets. The inability to sell or effectively hedge assets reduces our ability to limit losses in such positions and the difficulty in valuing assets may increase our risk-weighted assets, which requires us to maintain additional capital and increases our funding costs.


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Asset values also directly impact revenues in our asset management businesses. We receive asset-based management fees based on the value of our clients’ portfolios or investments in funds managed by us and, in some cases, we also receive incentive fees based on increases in the value of such investments. Declines in asset values can reduce the value of our clients’ portfolios or fund assets, which in turn can result in lower fees earned for managing such assets.
 
For additional information about fair value measurements, see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Our commodities activities, particularly our physical commodities business, subject us to performance, environmental and other risks that may result in significant cost and liabilities.  As part of our commodities business, we enter into exchange-traded contracts, financially settled OTC derivatives, contracts for physical delivery and contracts providing for the transportation, transmission and/or storage rights on or in vessels, barges, pipelines, transmission lines or storage facilities. Commodity, related storage, transportation or other contracts expose us to the risk that the price of the underlying commodity or the cost of storing or transporting commodities may rise or fall. In addition, contracts relating to physical ownership and/or delivery can expose us to numerous other risks, including performance and environmental risks. For example, our counterparties may not be able to pass changes in the price of commodities to their customers and therefore may not be able to meet their performance obligations. Our actions to mitigate the aforementioned risks may not prove adequate to address every contingency. In addition, insurance covering some of these risks may not be available, and the proceeds, if any, from insurance recovery may not be adequate to cover liabilities with respect to particular incidents. As a result, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by such events.
 
Regulatory and Legal Risk
 
Government measures to regulate the financial services industry, including the Financial Reform Act, either individually, in combination or in the aggregate, could require us to change certain of our business practices, impose significant additional costs on us, limit the products that we offer, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner, require us to increase our capital, impact the value of assets that we hold, significantly reduce our revenues or otherwise materially and adversely affect our businesses, financial condition or results of operations.  As a financial institution, we are heavily regulated at the state, federal and international levels. As a result of the financial crisis and related global economic downturn that began in 2007, we have faced and expect to continue to face increased public and legislative scrutiny as well as stricter and more comprehensive regulation of our financial services practices. These regulatory and legislative measures, either individually, in combination or in the aggregate, could require us to change certain of our business practices, impose significant additional costs on us, limit the products that we offer, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner, require us to increase our capital, impact the value of assets that we hold, significantly reduce our revenues or otherwise materially and adversely affect our businesses, financial condition or results of operations.
 
In July 2010, the Financial Reform Act was signed into law. The Financial Reform Act, among other reforms, (i) limits banking organizations from engaging in proprietary trading and other investment activity regarding hedge funds and private equity funds; (ii) increases regulation of the OTC derivative markets; (iii) provides for heightened capital, liquidity, and prudential regulation and supervision over systemically important financial institutions; (iv) provides for resolution authority to establish a process to unwind large systemically important financial companies; and (v) requires securitizers to retain a portion of the risk that would otherwise be transferred into certain securitization transactions.
 
Many of these provisions have begun to be or will be phased in over the next several months or years and will be subject both to further rulemaking and the discretion of applicable regulatory bodies. The ultimate impact of the final rules on our businesses and results of operations will depend on regulatory


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interpretation and rulemaking, as well as the success of any of our actions to mitigate the negative earnings impact of certain provisions.
 
We anticipate that the final regulations associated with the Financial Reform Act will include limitations on certain activities, including limitations on the use of certain financial institutions’ own capital for proprietary trading and sponsorship or investment in hedge funds and private equity funds (the Volcker Rule). Regulations implementing the Volcker Rule are required to be in place by October 21, 2011, and the Volcker Rule becomes effective twelve months after such rules are final or on July 21, 2012, whichever is earlier. The Volcker Rule then gives certain financial institutions two years from the effective date (with opportunities for additional extensions) to bring activities and investments into conformance. In anticipation of the adoption of the final regulations, we have begun winding down our proprietary trading line of business. The ultimate impact of the Volcker Rule or the winding down of this business, and the time it will take to comply or complete, continues to remain uncertain. The final regulations issued may impose additional operational and compliance costs on us.
 
The Financial Reform Act includes measures to broaden the scope of derivative instruments subject to regulation by requiring clearing and exchange trading of certain derivatives, imposing new capital and margin requirements for certain market participants and imposing position limits on certain OTC derivatives. The Financial Reform Act grants the CFTC and the SEC substantial new authority and requires numerous rulemakings by these agencies. Generally, the CFTC and SEC have until July 16, 2011 to promulgate the rulemakings necessary to implement these regulations. The ultimate impact of these derivatives regulations, and the time it will take to comply, continues to remain uncertain. The final regulations will impose additional operational and compliance costs on us and may require us to restructure certain businesses and negatively impact our revenues and results of operations.
 
Although we cannot predict the full effect of the Financial Reform Act on our operations, it, as well as the future rules implementing its reforms, could result in a significant loss of revenue, impose additional costs on us, require us to increase our capital or otherwise materially adversely affect our businesses, financial condition or results of operations.
 
In addition, Congress and the Administration have signaled growing interest in reforming the U.S. corporate income tax. While the timing of consideration of such legislative reform is unclear, possible approaches include lowering the 35% corporate tax rate, modifying the taxation of income earned outside of the U.S. and limiting or eliminating various other deductions, tax credits and/or other tax preferences. It is not possible at this time to quantify either the one-time impact from remeasuring deferred tax assets and liabilities that might result upon enactment of tax reform or the ongoing impact reform might have on income tax expense, but it is possible either of these impacts could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Other countries have also proposed and, in some cases, adopted certain regulatory changes targeted at financial institutions or that otherwise affect us. For example, the European Union has adopted increased capital requirements and the U.K. has (i) increased liquidity requirements for local financial institutions, including regulated U.K. subsidiaries of non-U.K. bank holding companies and other financial institutions as well as branches of non-U.K. banks located in the U.K; (ii) adopted a Bank Tax Levy which will apply to the aggregate balance sheet of branches and subsidiaries of non-U.K. banks and banking groups operating in the U.K.; (iii) proposed the creation and production of recovery and resolution plans (commonly referred to as living wills) by U.K. regulated entities; and (iv) announced the expectation of corporate income tax rate reductions of one percent to be enacted during each of 2011, 2012 and 2013 that would favorably impact income tax expense on future earnings but which would result in adjustments to the carrying value of deferred tax assets and related one-time charges to income tax expense of nearly $400 million for each one percent reduction (however, it is possible that the full three percent rate reductions could be enacted in 2011, which would result in a 2011 charge of approximately $1.1 billion). We are also monitoring other international legislative proposals that could


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materially impact us, such as changes to income tax laws. Currently, in the U.K., net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards have an indefinite life. Were the U.K. taxing authorities to introduce limitations on the future utilization of NOLs and we were unable to document our continued ability to fully utilize our NOLs, we would be required to establish a valuation allowance by a charge to income tax expense. Depending upon the nature of the limitations, such a change could be material in the period of enactment.
 
We face substantial potential legal liability and significant regulatory action, which could have material adverse effects on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations or cause significant reputational harm to us.  We face significant legal risks in our businesses, and the volume of claims and amount of damages and penalties claimed in litigation and regulatory proceedings against us and other financial institutions remain high and are increasing. Increased litigation costs, substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against us could have material adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations or cause significant reputational harm to us, which in turn could adversely impact our business prospects. In addition, we continue to face increased litigation risk and regulatory scrutiny as a result of our acquisition by Bank of America. As a result of ongoing challenging economic conditions and the increased level of defaults over recent years, we have continued to experience increased litigation and other disputes with counterparties regarding relative rights and responsibilities. These litigation and regulatory matters and any related settlements could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations. They could also negatively impact our reputation. For a further discussion of litigation risks, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Changes in governmental fiscal and monetary policy could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.  Our businesses and earnings are affected by domestic and international fiscal and monetary policy. For example, the Federal Reserve Board regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S. and its policies determine in large part our cost of funds for lending, investing and capital raising activities and the return we earn on those loans and investments, both of which affect our net interest revenue. The actions of the Federal Reserve Board also can materially affect the value of financial instruments we hold, such as debt securities, and its policies also can affect our borrowers, potentially increasing the risk that they may fail to repay their loans. Our businesses and earnings are also affected by the fiscal or other policies that are adopted by various U.S. regulatory authorities, non-U.S. governments and international agencies. Changes in domestic and international fiscal and monetary policies are beyond our control and difficult to predict, but could have an adverse impact on our capital requirements and the costs of running our businesses, in turn adversely impacting our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Risk of the Competitive Environment in Which We Operate
 
We face significant and increasing competition in the financial services industry.  We operate in a highly competitive environment. Over time, there has been substantial consolidation among companies in the financial services industry, and this trend accelerated in recent years as the credit crisis led to numerous mergers and asset acquisitions among industry participants and in certain cases reorganization, restructuring, or even bankruptcy. This trend has also hastened the globalization of the securities and financial services markets. We will continue to experience intensified competition as further consolidation in the financial services industry in connection with current market conditions may produce larger, better-capitalized and more geographically diverse companies that are capable of offering a wider array of financial products and services at more competitive prices. To the extent we expand into new business areas and new geographic regions, we may face competitors with more experience and more established relationships with clients, regulators and industry participants in the relevant market, which could adversely affect our ability to compete. In addition, technological advances and the growth of e-commerce have made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer


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products and services that traditionally were banking products, and for financial institutions to compete with technology companies in providing electronic and internet-based financial solutions. Increased competition may negatively affect our results of operations by creating pressure to lower prices on our products and services and reducing market share.
 
Damage to our reputation could significantly harm our businesses, including our competitive position and business prospects.  Our ability to attract and retain customers, clients and employees could be adversely affected to the extent our reputation is damaged. Significant harm to our reputation can arise from many sources, including indirectly as a result of actions by Bank of America or damage to its reputation, employee misconduct, litigation or regulatory outcomes, failing to deliver minimum standards of service and quality, compliance failures, unethical behavior, unintended disclosure of confidential information, and the activities of our clients, customers and counterparties. Actions by the financial services industry generally or by certain members or individuals in the industry also can significantly adversely affect our reputation.
 
Our actual or perceived failure to address various issues also could give rise to reputational risk that could cause significant harm to us and our business prospects, including failure to properly address operational risks. These issues include legal and regulatory requirements, privacy, properly maintaining customer and employee personal information, record keeping, protecting against money-laundering, sales and trading practices, ethical issues, and the proper identification of the legal, reputational, credit, liquidity and market risks inherent in our products.
 
We could suffer significant reputational harm if we fail to properly identify and manage potential conflicts of interest. Management of potential conflicts of interests has become increasingly complex as we expand our business activities through more numerous transactions, obligations and interests with and among our clients. The failure to adequately address, or the perceived failure to adequately address, conflicts of interest could affect the willingness of clients to deal with us, or give rise to litigation or enforcement actions, which could adversely affect our businesses.
 
We continue to face increased public and regulatory scrutiny resulting from the financial crisis, including our acquisition by Bank of America and the suitability of certain trading and investment businesses. Failure to appropriately address any of these issues could also give rise to additional regulatory restrictions, legal risks and reputational harm, which could, among other consequences, increase the size and number of litigation claims and damages asserted or subject us to enforcement actions, fines and penalties and cause us to incur related costs and expenses.
 
Our ability to attract and retain qualified employees is critical to the success of our businesses and failure to do so could adversely affect our business prospects, including our competitive position and results of operations.  Our performance is heavily dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. Competition for qualified personnel within the financial services industry and from businesses outside the financial services industry has been, and is expected to continue to be, intense even during difficult economic times. Our competitors include non-U.S.-based institutions and institutions otherwise not subject to compensation and hiring regulations imposed on U.S. institutions and financial institutions in particular. The difficulty we face in competing for key personnel is exacerbated in emerging markets, where we are often competing for qualified employees with entities that may have a significantly greater presence or more extensive experience in the region.
 
In order to attract and retain qualified personnel, we must provide market-level compensation. As a subsidiary of Bank of America, we may be subject to limitations on compensation practices (which may or may not affect our competitors) by regulators in the U.S. or around the world. Any future limitations on executive compensation imposed by legislators and regulators could adversely affect our ability to attract and maintain qualified employees. Furthermore, a substantial portion of our annual bonus compensation paid to our senior employees has in recent years taken the form of long-term


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equity awards. The value of long-term equity awards to senior employees generally has been negatively affected by the significant decline in the market price of Bank of America Corporation common stock. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals, our business prospects, including our competitive position and results of operations, could be adversely affected.
 
If we materially fail to retain the advisors that we employ in our wealth and investment management business, particularly those with significant client relationships, such failure could result in a significant loss of clients or the withdrawal of significant client assets. Any such loss or withdrawal could adversely impact our wealth and investment management business activities and our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
Our inability to adapt our products and services to evolving industry standards and consumer preferences could harm our businesses.  Our success depends, in part, on our ability to adapt our products and services to evolving industry standards. There is increasing pressure by competitors to provide products and services at lower prices. This can reduce our revenues from our fee-based products and services. In addition, the widespread adoption of new technologies, including internet services, could require us to incur substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our existing products and services. We might not be successful in developing or introducing new products and services, responding or adapting to changes in consumer spending and saving habits, achieving market acceptance of our products and services, or sufficiently developing and maintaining loyal customers.
 
Risks Related to Risk Management
 
Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risk and reducing the potential for significant losses.  Our risk management framework is designed to minimize risk and loss to us. We seek to identify, measure, monitor, report and control our exposure to the types of risk to which we are subject, including strategic, credit, market, liquidity, compliance, fiduciary, operational and reputational risks, among others. While we employ a broad and diversified set of risk monitoring and mitigation techniques, those techniques are inherently limited because they cannot anticipate the existence or future development of currently unanticipated or unknown risks. For example, recent economic conditions, heightened legislative and regulatory scrutiny of the financial services industry, among other developments, have resulted in the creation of a variety of previously unanticipated or unknown risks, highlighting the intrinsic limitations of our risk monitoring and mitigation techniques. As such, we may incur future losses due to the development of such previously unanticipated or unknown risks.
 
A failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties, could disrupt our businesses, result in the disclosure of confidential information or damage our reputation. Any such failure also could have a significant adverse effect on our reputation, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.  Our business is highly dependent on our ability to process and monitor, on a continuous basis, a large number of transactions, many of which are highly complex, across numerous and diverse markets in many currencies. The potential for operational risk exposure exists throughout our organization, including losses resulting from unauthorized trades by any employees. Integral to our performance is the continued efficacy of our internal processes, systems, relationships with third parties and the vast array of employees and key executives in our day-to-day and ongoing operations. Our financial, accounting, data processing or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our ability to process these transactions or provide these services. We must continuously update these systems to support our operations and growth. This updating entails significant costs and creates risks associated with implementing new systems and integrating them with existing ones.


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In addition, we also face the risk of operational failure, termination or capacity constraints of any of the clearing agents, exchanges, clearing houses or other financial intermediaries we use to facilitate our securities transactions. In recent years, there has been significant consolidation among clearing agents, exchanges and clearing houses, which has increased our exposure to operational failure, termination or capacity constraints of the particular financial intermediaries that we use and could affect our ability to find adequate and cost-effective alternatives in the event of any such failure, termination or constraint. Industry consolidation, whether among market participants or financial intermediaries, increases the risk of operational failure as disparate complex systems need to be integrated, often on an accelerated basis.
 
Furthermore, the interconnectivity of multiple financial institutions with central agents, exchanges and clearing houses, and the increased centrality of these entities under proposed and potential regulation, increases the risk that an operational failure at one institution or entity may cause an industry-wide operational failure that could adversely impact our own business operations. Any such failure, termination or constraint could adversely affect our ability to effect transactions, service our clients, manage our exposure to risk or expand our businesses and could have a significant adverse impact on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Although we take protective measures and endeavor to modify them as circumstances warrant, the security of our computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to breaches, unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code and other events that could have a security impact. Additionally, breaches of security may occur through intentional or unintentional acts by those having authorized or unauthorized access to our or our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential or other information. If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize our or our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our, our clients’, our counterparties’ or third parties’ operations, which could result in significant losses or reputational damage to us. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from operational and security risks, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us.
 
We routinely transmit and receive personal, confidential and proprietary information by email and other electronic means. We have discussed and worked with clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties to develop secure transmission capabilities, but we do not have, and may be unable to put in place, secure capabilities with all of our clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties, and we may not be able to ensure that these third parties have appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of the information. Any interception, misuse or mishandling of personal, confidential or proprietary information being sent to or received from a client, vendor, service provider, counterparty or other third party could result in legal liability, regulatory action and reputational harm for us and could have a significant adverse effect on our competitive position, financial condition and results of operations.
 
With regard to the physical infrastructure that supports our operations, we have taken measures to implement backup systems and other safeguards, but our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by any disruption to that infrastructure. Such disruptions could involve electrical, communications, internet, transportation or other services used by us or third parties with whom we conduct business. These disruptions may occur as a result of events that affect only our facilities or those of our clients or other business partners but they could also be the result of events with a broader impact globally, regionally or in the cities where those facilities are located. The costs associated with


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such disruptions, including any loss of business, could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
 
Any of these operational and security risks could lead to significant and negative consequences, including reputational harm as well as loss of customers and business opportunities, which in turn could have a significant adverse effect on our businesses, cash flows, financial condition or results of operations.
 
Risk Related to Business Combination Transactions
 
Any failure to successfully integrate with Bank of America could adversely affect our business.  We were acquired by Bank of America in 2009. The success of this acquisition faces numerous challenges, including the ability to realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings of combining the businesses of Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. It is possible that the continued integration process of our acquisition could result in disruption of our ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain sufficiently strong relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. Integration efforts may also divert management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on us for an undetermined period. We will be subject to similar risks and difficulties in connection with any future acquisitions or decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change the business mix of Merrill Lynch.
 
Risk of Being an International Business
 
We are subject to numerous political, economic, market, reputational, operational, legal, regulatory and other risks in the non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we operate which could adversely impact our businesses.  We do business throughout the world, including in developing regions of the world commonly known as emerging markets. Our businesses and revenues derived from non-U.S. jurisdictions are subject to risk of loss from currency fluctuations, social or judicial instability, changes in governmental policies or policies of central banks, expropriation, nationalization and/or confiscation of assets, price controls, capital controls, exchange controls, other restrictive actions, unfavorable political and diplomatic developments and changes in legislation. These risks are especially acute in emerging markets. As in the U.S., many non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we do business have been negatively impacted by recessionary conditions. While a number of these jurisdictions are showing signs of recovery, others continue to experience increasing levels of stress. In addition, the risk of default on sovereign debt in some non-U.S. jurisdictions is increasing and could expose us to substantial losses. Any such unfavorable conditions or developments could have an adverse impact on our businesses and results of operations.
 
Our non-U.S. businesses are also subject to extensive regulation by various non-U.S. regulators, including governments, securities exchanges, central banks and other regulatory bodies, in the jurisdictions in which those businesses operate. In many countries, the laws and regulations applicable to the financial services and securities industries are uncertain and evolving, and it may be difficult for us to determine the exact requirements of local laws in every market or manage our relationships with multiple regulators in various jurisdictions. Our inability to remain in compliance with local laws in a particular market and manage our relationships with regulators could have a significant and adverse effect not only on our businesses in that market but also on our reputation generally.
 
We also invest or trade in the securities of corporations and governments located in non-U.S. jurisdictions, including emerging markets. Revenues from the trading of non-U.S. securities may be subject to negative fluctuations as a result of the above factors. Furthermore, the impact of


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these fluctuations could be magnified because non-U.S. trading markets, particularly in emerging market countries, are generally smaller, less liquid and more volatile than U.S. trading markets.
 
We are subject to geopolitical risks, including acts or threats of terrorism, and actions taken by the U.S. or other governments in response and/or military conflicts, that could adversely affect business and economic conditions abroad as well as in the U.S.
 
Risk from Accounting Changes
 
Changes in accounting standards or inaccurate estimates or assumptions in the application of accounting policies could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.  Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported value of our assets or liabilities and results of operations and are critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. If those assumptions, estimates or judgments were incorrectly made, we could be required to correct and restate prior period financial statements.
 
Accounting standard-setters and those who interpret the accounting standards (such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC and our independent registered public accounting firm) may also amend or even reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how various standards should be applied. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in Merrill Lynch needing to revise and republish prior period financial statements. For a further discussion of some of our critical accounting policies and standards and recent accounting changes, see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Risk of Being a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary
 
We are a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America and therefore are subject to strategic decisions of Bank of America Corporation and affected by Bank of America’s performance.  We are fundamentally affected by our relationship with Bank of America. As a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America, we are subject to a wide range of possible strategic decisions that Bank of America may make from time to time. Those strategic decisions could include the level and types of financing and other support made available to us by Bank of America. In addition, circumstances and events affecting Bank of America can significantly affect us. For example, the primary drivers of our credit ratings are Bank of America’s credit ratings, and when rating agencies take actions regarding Bank of America’s credit ratings and outlooks, they generally take the same actions with respect to our ratings and outlooks. Also, we have several borrowing arrangements and a globally coordinated funding strategy with Bank of America. Significant changes in Bank of America’s strategy or its relationship with us could have a material adverse effect on our business. Material adverse changes in the performance of Bank of America or its other subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. We are indirectly exposed, therefore, to many of the risks to which Bank of America is directly exposed. Bank of America has not assumed or guaranteed the long-term debt that was issued or guaranteed by ML & Co. or its subsidiaries prior to the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America.
 
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America, a bank holding company that is also a financial holding company, we are subject to the oversight of, and inspection by, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board. If Bank of America does not comply with regulatory requirements applicable to banking institutions with respect to regulatory capital, capital ratios and liquidity and required increases


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in the foregoing, our liquidity would be adversely affected. In order to comply with such requirements, Bank of America may be required to liquidate company assets, among other actions. Our activities are limited to those that are permissible for Bank of America under applicable laws and regulations. As a financial holding company, Bank of America (directly or through its subsidiaries) may engage in activities that are “financial in nature.” Bank of America’s status as a financial holding company requires, among other conditions, that each of its subsidiary insured depository institutions be well-capitalized and well-managed. Failure to satisfy these conditions may result in the Federal Reserve Board limiting the activities of Bank of America, which thereby could restrict our current business activities, require divestiture of certain of our assets and operations or limit potential future strategic plans.
 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments
 
There are no unresolved written comments that were received from the SEC staff 180 days or more before the end of our 2010 fiscal year relating to our periodic or current reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Item 2.  Properties
 
We have offices in various locations throughout the world. Other than those described below as being owned, substantially all of our offices are located in leased premises. We believe that the facilities we own or lease are adequate for the purposes for which they are currently used and that they are well maintained. Set forth below is the location and the approximate square footage of our principal facilities. Information regarding our property lease commitments is set forth in “Operating Leases” in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Principal Facilities in the United States
 
Following our acquisition by Bank of America, we changed our principal executive offices from 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York, to the Bank of America Corporate Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is owned by one of Bank of America’s subsidiaries. In addition, some of our employees are located at Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park in New York, New York. We lease portions of 4 World Financial Center (1,800,000 square feet) and 2 World Financial Center (2,500,000 square feet); both leases expire in 2013. One of our subsidiaries is a partner in the partnership that holds the ground lessee’s interest in 4 World Financial Center. As of December 31, 2010, we occupied the entire 4 World Financial Center (other than retail areas) and approximately 27% of 2 World Financial Center.
 
We own a 760,000 square foot building at 222 Broadway, New York and occupy 92% of this building. We also own 1,251,000 square feet of office space, 273,000 square feet of ancillary buildings in Hopewell, New Jersey and the underlying land upon which the Hopewell facilities are located. We also own a 600,000 square foot campus in Jacksonville, Florida, with four office buildings.
 
Principal Facilities Outside the United States
 
In London, we lease and occupy 100% of our 576,626 square foot London headquarters facility known as Bank of America Merrill Lynch Financial Centre; this lease expires in 2022. In addition, we lease approximately 305,086 square feet in other London locations with various terms, the longest of which lasts until 2020. We occupy 134,375 square feet of this space and have sublet the remainder. In Tokyo, we have leased 292,349 square feet until January 2014 for our Japan headquarters. Other leased facilities in the Pacific Rim are located in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, South Korea, Mumbai and Chennai, India, and Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.


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Item 3.  Legal Proceedings
 
Refer to Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 for a discussion of litigation and regulatory matters.
 
Item 4.   Removed and Reserved.


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PART II
 
Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
 
ML & Co. made no purchases of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2010. There were 1,000 shares of ML & Co. common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2010, all of which were held by Bank of America Corporation.
 
Dividends Per Common Share
 
As of the date of this report, Bank of America is the sole holder of the outstanding common stock of ML & Co. There is no trading market for ML & Co. common stock. No cash dividends were declared or paid for the year ended December 31, 2010. In the year ended December 31, 2009, ML & Co. paid a cash dividend of $700 million to Bank of America. With the exception of regulatory restrictions on subsidiaries’ abilities to pay dividends, there were no restrictions on ML & Co.’s present ability to pay dividends on common stock, other than ML & Co.’s obligation to make payments on its junior subordinated debt related to trust preferred securities, and the governing provisions of Delaware General Corporation Law.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
 
There are no equity securities of ML & Co. that are authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Refer to Note 15 and Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on employee benefit and equity compensation plans.
 
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data.
 
Not required pursuant to General Instruction I(2).


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Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This report on Form 10-K, the documents that it incorporates by reference and the documents into which it may be incorporated by reference may contain, and from time to time Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“ML & Co. and, together with its subsidiaries, “Merrill Lynch,” the “Company,” the “Corporation,” “we,” “our” or “us”) and its management may make certain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this report, “we,” “us” and “our” may refer to ML & Co. individually, ML & Co. and its subsidiaries, or certain of ML & Co.’s subsidiaries or affiliates. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “intends,” “plans,” “goal” and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “would” and “could.” The forward-looking statements made represent the current expectations, plans or forecasts of Merrill Lynch regarding its future results and revenues and future business and economic conditions more generally, including statements concerning: representations and warranties liabilities and range of possible loss estimates, expenses and repurchase claims and resolution of those claims; the potential assertion and impact of additional representation and warranties claims; the charge to income tax expense resulting from a reduction in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) corporate income tax rate; credit trends and conditions, including credit losses, credit reserves, charge-offs, delinquency trends and nonperforming asset levels; liquidity; the revenue impact resulting from, and any mitigation actions taken in response to, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Financial Reform Act”), including the impact of the Volcker Rule and derivatives regulations; the impact of various legal proceedings discussed in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements; and other matters relating to Merrill Lynch. The foregoing is not an exclusive list of all forward-looking statements we make. These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and often are beyond control. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements.
 
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider the following uncertainties and risks, as well as the risks and uncertainties more fully discussed elsewhere in this report, including Item 1A. “Risk Factors”, and in any of ML & Co.’s subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings: our ability to resolve any representations and warranties obligations with private-label securitization investors, whole-loan investors, monolines and the government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”); the adequacy of the liability and/or range of possible loss estimates for representations and warranties exposures to private-label securitization and other investors, monolines and the GSEs; negative economic conditions generally, including continued weakness in the U.S. housing market, high unemployment in the U.S., economic challenges in many non-U.S. countries in which we operate and sovereign debt challenges; the level and volatility of the capital markets, interest rates, currency values and other market indices; changes in consumer, investor and counterparty confidence in, and the related impact on, financial markets and institutions, including Merrill Lynch as well as its business partners; Merrill Lynch’s credit ratings; estimates of the fair value of certain of our assets and liabilities; legislative and regulatory actions in the U.S. (including the impact of the Financial Reform Act and related regulations and interpretations) and internationally; the identification and effectiveness of any initiatives to mitigate the negative impact of the Financial Reform Act; the impact of litigation and regulatory investigations, including costs, expenses, settlements and judgments as well as any collateral effects on our ability to conduct our business and access the capital markets; various monetary and fiscal policies and regulations of the U.S. and non-U.S. governments; changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations (including new consolidation guidance), inaccurate estimates or assumptions in the application of accounting policies, including in determining reserves, applicable guidance regarding goodwill accounting and the impact on Merrill Lynch’s financial statements; increased globalization of the financial services


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industry and competition with other U.S. and international financial institutions; the adequacy of Merrill Lynch’s risk management framework; Merrill Lynch’s ability to attract new employees and retain and motivate existing employees; technology changes instituted by Merrill Lynch, its counterparties or competitors; Merrill Lynch’s ability to integrate with Bank of America; Merrill Lynch’s reputation, including the effects of continuing intense public and regulatory scrutiny of Merrill Lynch and the financial services sector; the effects of any unauthorized disclosures of our or our customers’ private or confidential information and any negative publicity directed toward Merrill Lynch; and decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change the business mix of Merrill Lynch.
 
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made.
 
Introduction
 
Merrill Lynch was formed in 1914 and became a publicly traded company on June 23, 1971. In 1973, the holding company ML & Co., a Delaware corporation, was created. Through its subsidiaries, ML & Co. is one of the world’s leading capital markets, advisory and wealth management companies. We are a leading global trader and underwriter of securities and derivatives across a broad range of asset classes, and we serve as a strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide. In addition, during the majority of 2010 we owned an approximately 34% economic interest in BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), one of the world’s largest publicly traded investment management companies with approximately $3.6 trillion in assets under management at December 31, 2010. In November 2010, we sold a portion of our investment in BlackRock, and as of December 31, 2010, we owned an approximately 7% economic interest in BlackRock. For further information on our investment in BlackRock, see “Executive Overview — Other Events.”
 
Bank of America Acquisition and Basis of Presentation
 
On January 1, 2009, Merrill Lynch was acquired by Bank of America Corporation (“Bank of America”) through the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America with and into ML & Co., with ML & Co. continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America. Upon completion of the acquisition, each outstanding share of ML & Co. common stock was converted into 0.8595 shares of Bank of America common stock. As of the completion of the acquisition, ML & Co. Series 1 through Series 8 preferred stock were converted into Bank of America preferred stock with substantially identical terms to the corresponding series of Merrill Lynch preferred stock (except for additional voting rights provided to the Bank of America preferred stock). The Merrill Lynch 9.00% Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 2, and 9.00% Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 3, that were outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the acquisition remained issued and outstanding subsequent to the acquisition. On October 15, 2010, all of the mandatory convertible non-cumulative preferred stock was automatically converted into Bank of America common stock in accordance with the terms of the securities. See also “Executive Overview — Other Events - Preferred Stock Conversion.”
 
Bank of America’s cost of acquiring Merrill Lynch was pushed down to form a new accounting basis for Merrill Lynch. Accordingly, the Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K are presented for Merrill Lynch for periods occurring prior to the acquisition by Bank of America (the “Predecessor Company”) and subsequent to the January 1, 2009 acquisition (the “Successor Company”). The Predecessor Company and Successor Company periods have been separated by a vertical line on the face of the Consolidated Financial Statements to highlight the fact that the financial information for such periods has been prepared under two different cost bases of accounting.
 
In addition, as discussed below, on November 1, 2010, Banc of America Securities Holdings Corporation (“BASH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America, merged into ML & Co., with ML & Co. as the surviving corporation (the “BASH Merger”). In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805-10, Business Combinations, Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated


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Financial Statements appearing in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K include the historical results of BASH and subsidiaries as if the BASH Merger had occurred as of January 1, 2009, the date at which both entities were first under common control of Bank of America. Merrill Lynch has recorded the assets and liabilities acquired in connection with the BASH Merger at their historical carrying values.
 
Merger with BASH
 
On November 1, 2010, ML & Co. entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with BASH and the BASH Merger was completed. In addition, as a result of the BASH Merger, Banc of America Securities LLC (“BAS”), a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of BASH, became a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of ML & Co. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of ML & Co. remained outstanding and all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of BASH was cancelled, with no consideration paid with respect thereto. Subsequently, BAS was merged into Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of ML & Co., with MLPF&S as the surviving corporation in this merger (the “MLPF&S Merger”). As a result of the MLPF&S Merger, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of MLPF&S remained outstanding and all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of BAS were cancelled with no consideration paid with respect thereto. In addition, as a result of the MLPF&S Merger, MLPF&S remained a direct wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of ML & Co. and an indirect wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Bank of America.
 
Business Segments
 
Pursuant to ASC 280, Segment Reporting, operating segments represent components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in determining how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Based upon how the chief operating decision maker of Merrill Lynch reviews our results, it was determined that Merrill Lynch does not contain any identifiable operating segments. As a result, the financial information of Merrill Lynch is presented as a single segment.
 
Form 10-K Presentation
 
As a result of the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, certain information is not required in this Form 10-K as permitted by General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K. We have also abbreviated Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as permitted by General Instruction I(2).


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Executive Overview
 
Company Results
 
We reported net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2010 of $3.8 billion compared with $7.3 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009. Revenues, net of interest expense (“net revenues”) for 2010 were $27.9 billion compared with net revenues of $29.5 billion in 2009. Pre-tax earnings were $3.9 billion in 2010 as compared with $8.0 billion for 2009.
 
The decrease in net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 included the impact of lower revenues from trading activities as compared with the prior year. The results for the year ended December 31, 2010 also reflected the absence of revenues from Merrill Lynch Bank USA (“MLBUSA”) and Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., FSB (“MLBT-FSB”), which were sold to Bank of America during the third and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. In addition, net revenues in 2009 included a pre-tax gain of $1.1 billion associated with our investment in BlackRock (see “Other Events — BlackRock Investment”). These declines in net revenues were partially offset by a $5.1 billion reduction in net losses associated with the valuation of certain of our long-term debt liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded net losses of $0.1 billion due to the impact of the narrowing of Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads on the carrying value of certain of our long-term debt liabilities, primarily structured notes, as compared with net losses from such long-term debt liabilities of $5.2 billion recorded in the year ended December 31, 2009. Higher compensation and benefits and other non-interest expenses also contributed to the decline in net earnings in the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Our net earnings applicable to our common shareholder for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $3.6 billion as compared with $7.2 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Transactions with Bank of America
 
Asset and Liability Transfers
 
Subsequent to the Bank of America acquisition, certain assets and liabilities were transferred at fair value between Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. These transfers were made in connection with the integration of certain trading activities with Bank of America and efforts to manage risk in a more effective and efficient manner at the consolidated Bank of America level. In the future, Merrill Lynch and Bank of America may continue to transfer certain assets and liabilities to (and from) each other.
 
Sale of U.S. Banks to Bank of America
 
During 2009, Merrill Lynch sold MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB to a subsidiary of Bank of America. In both transactions, Merrill Lynch sold the shares of the respective entity to Bank of America. The sale price of each entity was equal to its net book value as of the date of transfer. Consideration for the sale of MLBUSA was in the form of an $8.9 billion floating rate demand note payable from Bank of America to Merrill Lynch, while MLBT-FSB was sold for cash of approximately $4.4 billion. The demand note received by Merrill Lynch in connection with the MLBUSA sale had a stated market interest rate at the time of sale.
 
The MLBUSA sale was completed on July 1, 2009, and the sale of MLBT-FSB was completed on November 2, 2009. After each sale was completed, MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB were merged into Bank of America, N.A., a subsidiary of Bank of America.


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Acquisition of Banc of America Investment Services, Inc. (“BAI”) from Bank of America
 
In October 2009, Bank of America contributed the shares of BAI, one of its wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiaries, to ML & Co. Subsequent to the transfer, BAI was merged into MLPF&S. In accordance with ASC 805-10, Business Combinations, Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of BAI as if the contribution from Bank of America had occurred on January 1, 2009, the date at which both entities were first under common control of Bank of America. Refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Merger with BASH
 
See “Introduction — Merger with BASH” for further information on this transaction.
 
Other Transactions
 
Merrill Lynch has entered into various other transactions with Bank of America, primarily in connection with certain sales and trading and financing activities. Total net revenues and non-interest expenses related to transactions with Bank of America for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $906 million and $679 million, respectively, and were $1.5 billion and $689 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2009. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 included a realized gain of approximately $280 million from the sale of approximately $11 billion of available-for-sale securities to Bank of America. In addition, as discussed below, 2010’s net revenues included a gain of approximately $600 million from the sale of Bloomberg Inc. notes to Bank of America. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Sale of Bloomberg Inc. Notes
 
In July 2008, Merrill Lynch sold its 20% ownership stake in Bloomberg, L.P. to Bloomberg Inc. A portion of the consideration we received was notes issued by Bloomberg Inc., the general partner and owner of substantially all of Bloomberg, L.P. The notes represent senior unsecured obligations of Bloomberg Inc. In December 2010, Merrill Lynch sold the Bloomberg Inc. notes to a subsidiary of Bank of America at fair value. As a result of the sale, we recorded a gain of approximately $600 million, which is included within Other revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings/(Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Other Events
 
BlackRock Investment
 
On December 1, 2009, BlackRock completed its purchase of Barclays Global Investors from Barclays, Plc. This acquisition had the effect of diluting our ownership interest in BlackRock, which for accounting purposes was treated as a sale of a portion of our ownership interest. As a result, upon the closing of this transaction, we recorded an adjustment to our investment in BlackRock, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $1.1 billion. This gain is included within Earnings from equity method investments in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings/(Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2009. In addition, as a result of this transaction, our economic interest in BlackRock was reduced from approximately 50% to approximately 34%.
 
On November 15, 2010, Merrill Lynch completed the sale of 51.2 million shares of BlackRock. The net proceeds to Merrill Lynch from the sale of these shares, after underwriting discounts and before


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offering expenses payable by Merrill Lynch, were approximately $8.2 billion. As a result of the sale, Merrill Lynch does not own any shares of BlackRock common stock and continues to own shares of BlackRock Series B Preferred Stock, resulting in a reduction of our economic interest in BlackRock from approximately 34% to approximately 7%. Merrill Lynch recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $90 million from this transaction, which is included within Earnings from equity method investments in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings/(Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2010. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
U.K. Bank Levy and Corporate Tax Rate Reduction
 
On June 22, 2010, the government of the U.K. announced that it intended to introduce an annual bank levy. Beginning in 2011, the bank levy will be payable on the consolidated liabilities, subject to certain exclusions and offsets, of U.K. group companies and U.K. branches of foreign banking groups as of each year end balance sheet date. As currently proposed, the bank levy rate for 2011 and future years will be 0.075 percent per annum for certain short-term liabilities with a rate of 0.0375 percent per annum for longer maturity liabilities and certain deposits. The legislation is expected to be enacted in the third quarter of 2011. We currently estimate that the cost of the U.K. bank levy will be approximately $100 million annually beginning in 2011.
 
On July 27, 2010, the U.K. government enacted a law change reducing the corporate income tax rate by one percent effective for the 2011 U.K. tax fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2011. See “Results of Operations” for further information.
 
Preferred Stock Conversion
 
On October 15, 2010, all of ML & Co.’s outstanding Series 2 and Series 3 Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock automatically converted into Bank of America common stock in accordance with the terms of those securities. Immediately upon conversion, dividends on such shares of preferred stock ceased to accrue, the rights of holders of such preferred stock ceased, and the persons entitled to receive the shares of Bank of America common stock were treated for all purposes as having become the record and beneficial owners of shares of Bank of America common stock. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Financial Reform Act
 
On July 21, 2010, the Financial Reform Act was signed into law. The Financial Reform Act enacts sweeping financial regulatory reform and will alter the way in which we conduct certain businesses, increase our costs and reduce our revenues.
 
Background
 
Provisions in the Financial Reform Act limit banking organizations from engaging in proprietary trading and certain investment activity regarding hedge funds and private equity funds. The Financial Reform Act increases regulation of the derivative markets. The Financial Reform Act also provides for resolution authority to establish a process to unwind large systemically important financial companies; creates a new regulatory body to set requirements regarding the terms and conditions of consumer financial products and expands the role of state regulators in enforcing consumer protection requirements over banks; includes new minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements for large financial institutions; and requires securitizers to retain a portion of the risk that would otherwise be


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transferred to investors in certain securitization transactions. Many of these provisions have begun to be phased-in or will be phased-in over the next several months or years and will be subject both to further rulemaking and the discretion of applicable regulatory bodies. The Financial Reform Act may have a significant and negative impact on our earnings through reduced revenues, higher costs and new restrictions, and by reducing available capital. The ultimate impact of the Financial Reform Act on our businesses and results of operations will depend on regulatory interpretation and rulemaking, as well as the success of any of our actions to mitigate the negative earnings impact of certain provisions.
 
Limitations on Certain Activities
 
We anticipate that the final regulations associated with the Financial Reform Act will include limitations on certain activities, including limitations on the use of certain financial institutions’ own capital for proprietary trading and sponsorship or investment in hedge funds and private equity funds (the “Volcker Rule”). Regulations implementing the Volcker Rule are required to be in place by October 21, 2011, and the Volcker Rule becomes effective twelve months after such rules are final or on July 21, 2012, whichever is earlier. The Volcker Rule then gives certain financial institutions two years from the effective date (with opportunities for additional extensions) to bring activities and investments into conformance. In anticipation of the adoption of the final regulations, we have begun winding down our proprietary trading line of business. The ultimate impact of the Volcker Rule or the winding down of this business, and the time it will take to comply or complete, continues to remain uncertain. The final regulations issued may impose additional operational and compliance costs on us.
 
Derivatives
 
The Financial Reform Act includes measures to broaden the scope of derivative instruments subject to regulation by requiring clearing and exchange trading of certain derivatives, imposing new capital and margin requirements for certain market participants and imposing position limits on certain over-the-counter derivatives. The Financial Reform Act grants the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and the SEC substantial new authority and requires numerous rulemakings by these agencies. Generally, the CFTC and SEC have until July 16, 2011 to promulgate the rulemakings necessary to implement these regulations. The ultimate impact of these derivatives regulations, and the time it will take to comply, continues to remain uncertain. The final regulations will impose additional operational and compliance costs on us and may require us to restructure certain businesses and negatively impact our revenues and results of operations.


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Results Of Operations
                             
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                % Change between the
                Year Ended
    For the Year Ended
    For the Year Ended
    December 31, 2010 and the Year
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     Ended December 31, 2009
Revenues
                           
Principal transactions
  $ 7,074       $ 5,121         38 %
Commissions
    5,760         6,008         (4 )
Managed account and other fee-based revenues
    4,516         4,317         5  
Investment banking
    5,313         5,558         (4 )
Earnings from equity method investments
    898         1,679         (47 )
Other revenues(1)
    4,628         3,401         36  
                             
Subtotal
    28,189         26,084         8  
Interest and dividend revenues
    9,303         15,476         (40 )
Less interest expense
    9,621         12,041         (20 )
                             
Net interest (expense)/income
    (318 )       3,435         N/M  
                             
Revenues, net of interest expense
    27,871         29,519         (6 )
                             
Non-interest expenses:
                           
Compensation and benefits
    15,069         13,333         13  
Communications and technology
    1,993         2,015         (1 )
Occupancy and related depreciation
    1,395         1,316         6  
Brokerage, clearing, and exchange fees
    1,022         1,087         (6 )
Advertising and market development
    444         396         12  
Professional fees
    986         769         28  
Office supplies and postage
    157         173         (9 )
Other
    2,882         2,441         18  
                             
Total non-interest expenses
    23,948         21,530         11  
                             
Pre-tax earnings
    3,923         7,989         (51 )
Income tax expense
    147         649         (77 )
                             
Net earnings
  $ 3,776       $ 7,340         (49 )
                             
Preferred stock dividends
    134         153         (12 )
                             
Net earnings applicable to common stockholder
  $ 3,642       $ 7,187         (49 )
                             
 
 
 
(1) Amounts include other income and other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The other-than-temporary impairment losses were $172 million and $656 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
N/M = Not meaningful.
 
Consolidated Results of Operations
 
Our net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $3.8 billion compared with $7.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $27.9 billion compared with $29.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared With Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
Principal transactions revenues include both realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading assets and trading liabilities and investment securities classified as trading. Principal transactions revenues were $7.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with $5.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in principal transactions revenues primarily reflected a $5.1 billion reduction in net losses associated with the valuation of certain of our long-term debt liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded net losses of $0.1 billion due to the impact of the


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narrowing of Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads on the carrying value of certain of our long-term debt liabilities, primarily structured notes, as compared with net losses from such long-term debt liabilities of $5.2 billion recorded in the year ended December 31, 2009. This increase in principal transactions revenues was partially offset by a decline in trading revenues as compared with the prior year across most of our businesses. During 2010, market conditions were affected by continued uncertainty about global economic conditions, including concerns regarding the ongoing U.S. economic recovery and the level of U.S. unemployment, the European sovereign debt crisis, and increasing fears of inflation in certain emerging markets. The potential implications of regulatory developments, including the Financial Reform Act, also increased market uncertainty. Such conditions contributed to greater risk aversion, which negatively impacted the level of transaction activity during the year. Principal transactions revenues from our credit products business declined in the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting less favorable market conditions as compared with the prior year. In the year ended December 31, 2009, revenues from credit products benefited from a significant tightening of credit spreads that occurred during that period. The decline in revenues from rates and currency products also reflected less favorable market conditions, as well as reduced client transaction volumes. Commodities revenues declined primarily due to lower revenues from natural gas and power products. The decline in equity trading revenues reflected lower revenues from both derivative and cash equity products, partially offset by higher revenues from our equity financing and services business. These declines in trading revenues were partially offset by higher revenues from our mortgage product business, as the prior year included net write-downs on certain mortgage exposures, including credit valuation adjustments related to financial guarantors.
 
Net interest (expense) / income is a function of (i) the level and mix of total assets and liabilities, including trading assets owned, deposits, financing and lending transactions, and trading strategies associated with our businesses, and (ii) the prevailing level, term structure and volatility of interest rates. Net interest (expense) / income is an integral component of trading activity. In assessing the profitability of our client facilitation and trading activities, we view principal transactions and net interest (expense) / income in the aggregate as net trading revenues. Changes in the composition of trading inventories and hedge positions can cause the mix of principal transactions and net interest (expense) / income to fluctuate from period to period. Net interest expense was $318 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared with net interest revenue of $3.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009. The decline in net interest revenues in 2010 included the impact from the absence of net interest revenues from MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB, which were sold to Bank of America during the third and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively.
 
Commissions revenues primarily arise from agency transactions in listed and over-the-counter (“OTC”) equity securities and commodities and options. Commissions revenues also include distribution fees for promoting and distributing mutual funds. Commissions revenues were $5.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010, down 4% from the $6.0 billion of revenues recorded in the prior year. The decline included lower revenues from our global equities business. In addition, commissions for the year ended December 31, 2009 included revenues associated with the issuance of equity securities by Bank of America.
 
Managed account and other fee-based revenues primarily consist of asset-priced portfolio service fees earned from the administration of separately managed and other investment accounts for retail investors, annual account fees, and certain other account-related fees. Managed account and other fee-based revenues were $4.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of 5% from the $4.3 billion of revenues recorded in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by higher fee-based revenues from our global wealth management activities, reflecting a higher level of fee-based assets from which such revenues are generated as compared with the prior year. The increase in fee-based assets was primarily due to increased client flows and market appreciation. This increase was partially offset by the absence of servicing and other fees associated with MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB, which were sold to Bank of America during 2009.


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Investment banking revenues include (i) origination revenues representing fees earned from the underwriting of debt, equity and equity-linked securities, as well as loan syndication and commitment fees and (ii) advisory services revenues including merger and acquisition and other investment banking advisory fees. Investment banking revenues were $5.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of 4% from the $5.6 billion recorded in the prior year. Underwriting revenues decreased 3% to $4.3 billion. Equity underwriting revenues were $1.5 billion in the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared with $1.9 billion in the prior year, a decrease of 23% due to a lower level of transaction activity. Fixed income underwriting revenues were $2.8 billion in the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared with $2.5 billion in the prior year, an increase of 13% driven by higher revenues within leveraged finance. Revenues from advisory services declined 10% to $1.0 billion, reflecting lower revenues from merger and acquisition activity as compared with the prior year.
 
Earnings from equity method investments include our pro rata share of income and losses associated with investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Earnings from equity method investments were $898 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with $1.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009. The results for 2009 included a $1.1 billion pre-tax gain associated with our investment in BlackRock, which resulted from BlackRock’s acquisition of Barclays Global Investors. Excluding this gain, earnings from equity method investments increased approximately $300 million in 2010. This increase primarily reflected higher revenues from our investment in BlackRock, including a pre-tax gain of approximately $90 million associated with the November 2010 sale of a portion of the investment. Higher revenues from certain other investments, including partnerships and alternative investment management companies, also contributed to the increase. Refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on equity method investments.
 
Other revenues include gains and losses on investment securities, including certain available-for-sale securities, gains and losses on private equity investments, and gains and losses on loans and other miscellaneous items. Other revenues were $4.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with $3.4 billion in the prior year. The increase in 2010 included a gain of approximately $600 million associated with the sale of Bloomberg Inc. notes to Bank of America. The increase in other revenues in 2010 was also associated with higher revenues from available-for-sale securities, including lower other-than-temporary impairment losses, and higher net revenues from certain private equity investments. These increases were partially offset by the absence of revenues from MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB, which were sold to Bank of America during 2009.
 
Compensation and benefits expenses were $15.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 and $13.3 billion in the prior year period. The increase primarily reflected higher compensation and benefits costs, which included the impact of increased headcount levels from investments in infrastructure and personnel associated with further development of the business, as well as the recognition of expense on proportionally larger prior year incentive deferrals. Higher expenses associated with stock-based compensation awards to retirement-eligible employees and a one-time employer payroll tax in the U.K. discussed below also contributed to the increase. These increases were partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation expense, lower severance costs, and the absence of compensation costs associated with MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB, which were sold to Bank of America during 2009.
 
On April 8, 2010, the U.K. enacted into law a one-time employer payroll tax of 50% on bonuses awarded to employees of applicable banking entities between December 9, 2009 and April 5, 2010. The impact of this tax was approximately $330 million and was included in our compensation and benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Non-compensation expenses were $8.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 and $8.2 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009. Advertising and market development costs were $444 million,


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an increase of 12% primarily due to higher travel and entertainment expenses. Professional fees were $986 million, an increase of 28% primarily due to higher employee recruitment, legal and other professional fees. Other expenses were $2.9 billion, an increase of 18% from the prior year. The increase reflected higher litigation-related expenses, higher intercompany service fees from Bank of America, and losses of approximately $190 million associated with a real estate private equity fund that we deconsolidated during the fourth quarter of 2010.
 
Included within Merrill Lynch’s non-interest expenses are intercompany service fees from Bank of America. Beginning in 2011, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch integrated their methodologies for allocating expenses associated with shared services to their subsidiaries. As a result of this integration, Merrill Lynch is likely to incur a higher level of intercompany service fees from Bank of America in future periods.
 
Income tax expense was $147 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with an expense of $649 million for 2009, resulting in effective tax rates of 3.8% and 8.1%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate as compared with 2009 was primarily attributable to a proportionately higher impact of net tax benefits due to the lower level of pre-tax income as well as a release of a larger portion of a valuation allowance provided for a U.S. federal capital loss carryforward tax benefit. The decrease was partially offset by a charge for the U.K. statutory tax rate reduction referred to below and by a lower level of tax benefit items during 2010, such as the absence of the 2009 benefit of loss on certain foreign subsidiary stock and a smaller portion of income earned in foreign subsidiaries. During 2010, the Bank of America group, of which Merrill Lynch is a member, recognized capital gains from the sale of certain investment assets against which a portion of Merrill Lynch’s U.S. capital loss carryforward was utilized, resulting in a $1.7 billion valuation allowance release for Merrill Lynch.
 
On July 27, 2010, the U.K. government enacted a law change reducing the corporate income tax rate by one percent effective for the 2011 U.K. tax financial year beginning on April 1, 2011. While this rate reduction favorably affects income tax expense on future U.K. earnings, it also required us to remeasure our U.K. net deferred tax assets using the lower tax rate, which resulted in a charge to income tax expense of $386 million during 2010. A future rate reduction of one percent per year is generally expected to be enacted in each of 2011, 2012 and 2013, which would result in a similar charge to income tax expense of nearly $400 million during each of the three years. The U.K. Treasury has asked for taxpayer views on whether they should, as an alternative, enact the full remaining three percent reduction entirely during 2011, which would accelerate the estimated charges into 2011 for a total of approximately $1.1 billion.
 
For further information on income taxes, see Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Exposures
 
As a part of our normal operations, we enter into various off-balance sheet arrangements that may require future payments. The table and discussion below outline our significant off-balance sheet arrangements, as well as their future expirations, as of December 31, 2010. Refer to Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    Expiration    
    Maximum
  Less than
  1 - 3
  3 - 5
  Over 5
  Carrying
    Payout   1 Year   Years   Years   Years   Value
 
Standby liquidity facilities
  $ 1,309     $ 687     $ 601     $ -     $ 21     $ -  
Residual value guarantees
    415       95       320       -       -       1  
Standby letters of credit and other guarantees
    1,119       378       301       16       424       -  
 
 


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Standby Liquidity Facilities
 
Standby liquidity facilities are primarily comprised of liquidity facilities provided to certain unconsolidated municipal bond securitization variable interest entities (“VIEs”). In these arrangements, Merrill Lynch is required to fund these standby liquidity facilities if certain contingent events take place (e.g., a failed remarketing) and in certain cases if the fair value of the assets held by the VIE declines below the stated amount of the liquidity obligation. The potential exposure under the facilities is mitigated by economic hedges and/or other contractual arrangements entered into by Merrill Lynch. Based upon historical activity, it is considered remote that future payments would need to be made under these guarantees. Refer to Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Auction Rate Security (“ARS”) Guarantees
 
Under the terms of Merrill Lynch’s announced purchase program as augmented by the global agreement reached with the New York Attorney General, the SEC, the Massachusetts Securities Division and other state securities regulators, Merrill Lynch agreed to purchase ARS at par from its retail clients, including individual, not-for-profit, and small business clients, beginning in 2008. The final date of the ARS purchase program was January 15, 2010. At December 31, 2009, a liability of $24 million was recorded related to these guarantees. No liability was recorded as of December 31, 2010.
 
Residual Value Guarantees
 
At December 31, 2010, residual value guarantees of $415 million consist of amounts associated with certain power plant facilities. Payments under these guarantees would only be required if the fair value of such assets declined below their guaranteed value. As of December 31, 2010, no payments have been made under these guarantees and the carrying value of the associated liabilities was not material, as Merrill Lynch believes that the estimated fair value of such assets was in excess of their guaranteed value.
 
Standby Letters of Credit
 
At December 31, 2010, we provided guarantees to certain counterparties in the form of standby letters of credit in the amount of $0.7 billion.
 
Representations and Warranties
 
In prior years, Merrill Lynch and certain of its subsidiaries, including First Franklin Financial Corporation (“First Franklin”), sold pools of first-lien residential mortgage loans and home equity loans as private-label securitizations or in the form of whole loans. Many of the loans sold in the form of whole loans were subsequently pooled with other mortgages into private-label securitizations issued or sponsored by the third-party buyer of the whole loans. In addition, Merrill Lynch and First Franklin securitized first-lien residential mortgage loans generally in the form of mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the GSEs. In connection with these transactions, Merrill Lynch and certain of its subsidiaries made various representations and warranties (these representations and warranties are not included in the table above). These representations and warranties, as governed by the agreements, related to, among other things, the ownership of the loan, the validity of the lien securing the loan, the absence of delinquent taxes or liens against the property securing the loan, the process used to select the loan for inclusion in a transaction, the loan’s compliance with any applicable loan criteria, including underwriting standards, and the loan’s compliance with applicable federal, state and local


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laws. Breaches of these representations and warranties may result in the requirement that we repurchase mortgage loans or otherwise make whole or provide other remedy to a whole loan buyer or securitization trust (collectively, repurchase claims). Where the loans are originated and sold by third parties, Merrill Lynch’s losses may be reduced by any recourse to the original sellers of the loans for representations and warranties previously provided by the original seller. Subject to the requirements and limitations of the applicable agreements, these representations and warranties can be enforced by the securitization trustee or whole loan buyer as governed by the agreements or, in certain securitizations where monolines have insured all or some of the related bonds issued, by the insurer at any time over the life of the loan.
 
The fair value of probable losses to be absorbed under the representations and warranties obligations and the guarantees is recorded as an accrued liability when the loans are sold. The liability for probable losses is updated by accruing a representations and warranties provision in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings/(Loss). This is done throughout the life of the loan as necessary when additional relevant information becomes available. The methodology used to estimate the liability for representations and warranties is a function of the representations and warranties given and considers a variety of factors, which include, depending on the counterparty, actual defaults, estimated future defaults, historical loss experience, estimated home prices, estimated probability that a repurchase request will be received, number of payments made by the borrower prior to default and estimated probability that a loan will be required to be repurchased. Changes to any one of these factors could significantly impact the estimate of our liability. Given that these factors vary by counterparty, Merrill Lynch analyzes its representations and warranties obligations based on the specific party with whom the sale was made. Merrill Lynch performs a loan by loan review of all properly presented repurchase claims and has and will continue to contest such demands that Merrill Lynch does not believe are valid. In addition, Merrill Lynch may reach a bulk settlement with a counterparty (in lieu of the loan-by-loan review process), on terms determined to be advantageous to Merrill Lynch.
 
The liability for representations and warranties recorded at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $213 million and $378 million, respectively. The table below presents a roll forward of the liability for representations and warranties and corporate guarantees:
 
         
(dollars in millions)
 
Beginning balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 378  
Charge-offs
    (45 )
Provision
    (120 )
         
Ending balance as of December 31, 2010
  $ 213  
         
 
 
 
The liability for representations and warranties has been established when those obligations are both probable and reasonably estimable. Although experience with non-GSE claims remains limited, Merrill Lynch expects additional activity in this area going forward and the volume of repurchase claims from monolines, whole loan buyers and investors in private-label securitizations could increase in the future. The representations and warranties provision may vary significantly each period as the methodology used to estimate the expense continues to be refined based on the level and type of repurchase claims presented, defects identified, the latest experience gained on repurchase claims and other relevant facts and circumstances, which could have a material adverse impact on our earnings for any particular period.
 
It is reasonably possible that future losses may occur and Merrill Lynch’s estimate is that the upper range of possible loss related to non-GSE sales could be $1 billion to $2 billion over existing accruals. This estimate does not represent a probable loss, is based on currently available information, significant judgment, and a number of assumptions that are subject to change. Future provisions and possible loss or range of possible loss may be impacted if actual results are different from our


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assumptions regarding economic conditions, home prices and other matters and may vary by counterparty. We expect that the resolution of the repurchase claims process with the non-GSE counterparties will likely be a protracted process, and we will vigorously contest any request for repurchase if we conclude that a valid basis for a repurchase claim does not exist.
 
As presented in the table below, Merrill Lynch, including First Franklin, sold loans originated from 2004 to 2008 (primarily subprime and alt-A) with a total original principal balance in the amount of approximately $133 billion through securitizations or whole loan sales that were subject to representations and warranties liabilities, of which approximately $62 billion has been paid, $29 billion has defaulted and $42 billion remains outstanding as of December 31, 2010.
 
As it relates to private investors, including those who have invested in private-label securitizations, a contractual liability to repurchase mortgage loans generally arises only if counterparties prove that there is a breach of the representations and warranties that materially and adversely affects the interest of the investor or all investors in a securitization trust, or that there is a breach of other standards established by the terms of the related sale agreement. We believe that the longer a loan performs, the less likely an underwriting representations and warranties breach would have had a material impact on the loan’s performance or that a breach even exists. Because the majority of the borrowers in this population would have made a significant number of payments if they are not yet 180 days or more delinquent, we believe that the principal balance at the greatest risk of repurchase requests in this population are those that have defaulted and those that are currently 180 days or more past due (severely delinquent). Additionally, the obligation to repurchase mortgage loans also requires that counterparties have the contractual right to demand repurchase of the loans. We believe private label securitization investors must generally aggregate 25% of the voting interests in each of the tranches of a particular securitization to instruct the securitization trustee to investigate potential repurchase claims. While a securitization trustee may elect to investigate or demand repurchase of loans on its own, individual investors typically have limited rights under the contracts to present repurchase claims directly.
 
The following table presents the population of loans sold as whole loans or in securitizations originated from 2004 to 2008, by entity, together with the principal at risk summarized by the number of payments the borrower made prior to default or becoming severely delinquent.
 
                                                                         
(dollars in billions)
    Principal Balance               Principal at Risk
        Outstanding
  Outstanding
          Borrower
          Borrower
    Original
  Principal
  Principal
  Defaulted
      Made Less
  Borrower
  Borrower
  Made More
    Principal
  Balance
  Balance
  Principal
  Principal
  than 13
  Made 13 to
  Made 25 to
  Than 36
Entity
  Balance   December 31, 2010   Over 180 Days   Balance   at Risk   Payments   24 Payments   36 Payments   Payments
 
Merrill Lynch (excluding First Franklin)
  $ 50     $ 19     $ 7     $ 10     $ 17     $ 3     $ 4     $ 3     $ 7  
First Franklin
    83       23       7       19       26       4       6       4       12  
                                                                         
Total
  $ 133     $ 42     $ 14     $ 29     $ 43     $ 7     $ 10     $ 7     $ 19  
                                                                         
 
 
 
As presented in the table below, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, $68 million of repurchase claims were resolved through repurchase or indemnification payments to the investor or securitization trust for losses that they incurred, compared with $72 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. During 2010 and 2009, Merrill Lynch paid $59 million and $52 million, respectively, to resolve these claims, resulting in a loss on the related loans at the time of repurchase or reimbursement of $50 million in 2010 and $43 million in 2009. The amount of loss for loan repurchases is reduced by the fair value of the underlying loan collateral.


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Loan Repurchase and Indemnification Payments
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Unpaid
          Unpaid
       
    Principal
          Principal
       
    Balance   Cash Paid   Loss   Balance   Cash Paid   Loss
 
First Lien
                                               
Repurchases
  $ 11     $ 14     $ 5     $ 12     $ 12     $ 3  
Indemnification Payments
    46       33       33       60       40       40  
                                                 
Total First Lien
    57       47       38       72       52       43  
                                                 
Home Equity
                                               
Indemnification Payments
    11       12       12       -       -       -  
                                                 
Total Home equity
    11       12       12       -       -       -  
                                                 
Total First Lien and Home Equity
  $ 68     $ 59     $ 50     $ 72     $ 52     $ 43  
                                                 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2010, the unpaid principal balance of loans related to outstanding claims was approximately $624 million, including $538 million in repurchase claims that have been reviewed where it is believed a valid defect has not been identified that would constitute an actionable breach of representations and warranties and $87 million in repurchase requests that are in the process of review. The table below presents outstanding claims by counterparty as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 
Outstanding Claims by Counterparty
 
                 
(dollars in millions)
    2010   2009
 
GSEs
  $ 59     $ 35  
Monoline
    48       41  
Others(1)
    517       651  
                 
Total
  $ 624     $ 727  
                 
 
 
(1) The majority of these repurchase claims are from whole loan buyers on subprime loans.
 
Derivatives
 
We record all derivative transactions at fair value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We do not monitor our exposure to derivatives based on the notional amount because that amount is not a relevant indicator of our exposure to these contracts, as it is generally not indicative of the amount that we would owe on the contract. Instead, a risk framework is used to define risk tolerances and establish limits to help to ensure that certain risk-related losses occur within acceptable, predefined limits. Since derivatives are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value and the disclosure of the notional amounts is not a relevant indicator of risk, notional amounts are not provided for the off-balance sheet exposure on derivatives. Derivatives that meet the accounting definition of a guarantee and credit derivatives are included in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Involvement with VIEs
 
We transact with VIEs in a variety of capacities, including those that we help establish as well as those initially established by third parties. We utilize VIEs in the ordinary course of business to support our own and our customers’ financing and investing needs. Merrill Lynch securitizes loans and debt securities using VIEs as a source of funding and a means of transferring the economic risk of the loans or debt securities to third parties. We also administer, structure or invest in or enter into derivatives with other VIEs, including multi-seller conduits, municipal bond trusts, collateralized debt obligations


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(“CDOs”) and other entities, as described in more detail below. Our involvement with VIEs can vary and we are required to continuously reassess prior consolidation and disclosure conclusions. Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our consolidation accounting policy. Types of VIEs with which we have historically transacted include:
 
  •  Municipal bond securitization VIEs: VIEs that issue medium-term paper, purchase municipal bonds as collateral and purchase a guarantee to enhance the creditworthiness of the collateral.
 
  •  Asset-backed securities VIEs: VIEs that issue different classes of debt, from super senior to subordinated, and equity and purchase assets as collateral, including residential mortgages, commercial mortgages, auto leases and credit card receivables.
 
  •  CDOs: VIEs that issue different classes of debt, from super senior to subordinated, and equity and purchase securities, including asset-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages, commercial mortgages, auto leases and credit card receivables as well as corporate bonds.
 
  •  Synthetic CDOs: VIEs that issue different classes of debt, from super senior to subordinated, and equity, purchase high-grade assets as collateral and enter into a portfolio of credit default swaps to synthetically create the credit risk of the issued debt.
 
  •  Credit-linked note VIEs: VIEs that issue notes linked to the credit risk of a company, purchase high-grade assets as collateral and enter into credit default swaps to synthetically create the credit risk to pay the return on the notes.
 
  •  Trust preferred security VIEs: These VIEs hold junior subordinated debt issued by ML & Co. or our subsidiaries, and issue preferred stock on substantially the same terms as the junior subordinated debt to third party investors. We also provide a parent guarantee, on a junior subordinated basis, of the distributions and other payments on the preferred stock to the extent that the VIEs have funds legally available. The debt we issue into the VIE is classified as long-term borrowings on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The ML & Co. parent guarantees of its own subsidiaries are not required to be recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
We have contractual obligations to make future payments of debt, lease and other agreements. Additionally, in the normal course of business, we enter into contractual arrangements whereby we commit to future purchases of products or services from unaffiliated parties. Other obligations include our contractual funding obligations related to our employee benefit plans. See Notes 12, 14 and 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Funding and Liquidity
 
We fund our assets primarily with a mix of secured and unsecured liabilities through a globally coordinated funding strategy with Bank of America. We fund a portion of our trading assets with secured liabilities, including repurchase agreements, securities loaned and other short-term secured borrowings, which are less sensitive to our credit ratings due to the underlying collateral. Prior to Merrill Lynch’s acquisition by Bank of America, ML & Co. was the primary issuer of Merrill Lynch’s unsecured debt instruments. Debt instruments were also issued by certain subsidiaries. Bank of America has not assumed or guaranteed the long-term debt that was issued or guaranteed by ML & Co. or its subsidiaries prior to the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America. We may, from time to time, purchase outstanding ML & Co. debt securities in various transactions, depending upon prevailing market conditions, liquidity and other factors.
 
Beginning late in the third quarter of 2009, in connection with the update or renewal of certain Merrill Lynch international securities offering programs, Bank of America agreed to guarantee debt securities, warrants and/or certificates issued by certain subsidiaries of ML & Co. on a going forward basis. All existing ML & Co. guarantees of securities issued by those same Merrill Lynch subsidiaries


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under various international securities offering programs will remain in full force and effect as long as those securities are outstanding, and Bank of America has not assumed any of those prior ML & Co. guarantees or otherwise guaranteed such securities. There were approximately $4.9 billion of securities guaranteed by Bank of America at December 31, 2010.
 
In addition, Bank of America has guaranteed the performance of Merrill Lynch on certain derivative transactions. The aggregate amount of such derivative liabilities was approximately $2.1 billion at December 31, 2010.
 
Following the merger of BAS into MLPF&S, Bank of America agreed to guarantee the short-term, senior unsecured obligations issued by MLPF&S under its short-term master note program on a going forward basis. This issuance program was previously maintained by BAS to provide short-term funding for its broker-dealer operations. At December 31, 2010, $8.8 billion of borrowings under the program were outstanding and guaranteed by Bank of America.
 
Following the completion of Bank of America’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch, ML & Co. became a subsidiary of Bank of America and established intercompany lending and borrowing arrangements to facilitate centralized liquidity management. Included in these intercompany agreements is a $75 billion one-year revolving unsecured line of credit that allows ML & Co. to borrow funds from Bank of America at a spread to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) that is reset periodically and is consistent with other intercompany agreements. This credit line was renewed effective January 1, 2011 with a maturity date of January 1, 2012. The credit line will automatically be extended by one year to the succeeding January 1st unless Bank of America provides written notice not to extend at least 45 days prior to the maturity date. The agreement does not contain any financial or other covenants. There were no outstanding borrowings against the line of credit at December 31, 2010.
 
In addition to the $75 billion unsecured line of credit, a $25 billion 364-day revolving unsecured line of credit that allows ML & Co. to borrow funds from Bank of America was established on February 15, 2011. This facility will provide further support for operating requirements. Interest on the line of credit is based on prevailing short-term market rates. The agreement does not contain any financial or other covenants. The line of credit matures on February 14, 2012.
 
In connection with the merger of BAS into MLPF&S, we established two unsecured lending facilities that allow MLPF&S to borrow funds from Bank of America in order to directly provide funding for our broker-dealer activities. The first lending facility, which was established on November 1, 2010, is a $4 billion one-year revolving unsecured line of credit that allows MLPF&S to borrow funds from Bank of America. Interest on the line of credit is based on prevailing short-term market rates. The credit line will automatically be extended by one year to the succeeding November 1st unless Bank of America provides written notice not to extend at least 45 days prior to the maturity date. At December 31, 2010, $1.9 billion was outstanding on the line of credit.
 
The second lending facility, which was established on February 22, 2011, is a $15 billion 364-day revolving unsecured line of credit that allows MLPF&S to borrow funds from Bank of America. Interest on the line of credit is based on prevailing short-term market rates. The line of credit matures on February 21, 2012.
 
Also in connection with the merger of BAS into MLPF&S, an approximately $1.5 billion subordinated loan agreement with Bank of America was assumed by MLPF&S, which bears interest based on a spread to LIBOR, and has a scheduled maturity date of December 31, 2012. The loan agreement contains a provision that automatically extends the loan’s maturity by one year unless Bank of America provides 13 months written notice not to extend prior to the scheduled maturity date. In addition, MLPF&S has assumed a $7 billion revolving subordinated line of credit with Bank of America. The subordinated line of credit bears interest based on a spread to LIBOR, and has a scheduled maturity date of October 1, 2012. The revolving subordinated line of credit contains a provision that


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automatically extends the maturity by one year unless Bank of America provides 13 months’ written notice not to extend prior to the scheduled maturity date. At December 31, 2010, $1.1 billion was outstanding on the subordinated line of credit. MLPF&S assumed these subordinated borrowings to support regulatory capital requirements.
 
Refer to Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our intercompany lending and borrowing arrangements.
 
Credit Ratings
 
Our credit ratings affect the cost and availability of our funding. In addition, credit ratings may be important to customers or counterparties when we compete in certain markets and when we seek to engage in certain transactions, including OTC derivatives. Thus, it is our objective to maintain high-quality credit ratings.
 
Credit ratings and outlooks are opinions on an issuer’s creditworthiness or that of its obligations or securities, including long-term debt, short-term borrowings and other securities.
 
Following the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, the major credit ratings agencies have indicated that the primary drivers of Merrill Lynch’s credit ratings are Bank of America’s credit ratings. Bank of America’s credit ratings and outlooks are subject to ongoing review by the ratings agencies and thus may change from time to time based on a number of factors, including Bank of America’s financial strength and operations as well as factors not under Bank of America’s control, such as rating-agency-specific criteria or frameworks for the financial services industry or certain security types, which are subject to revision from time to time, and conditions affecting the financial services industry generally. In light of these factors, there can be no assurance that Bank of America will maintain its current ratings.
 
During 2009 and 2010, the ratings agencies took numerous actions, many of which were negative, to adjust Bank of America’s and our credit ratings and the outlooks on those ratings. Currently, ML & Co.’s long-term senior debt and outlook expressed by the ratings agencies are as follows: A2 (negative) by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), A (negative) by Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”), and A+ (Rating Watch Negative) by Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”). The ratings agencies have indicated that as a systemically important financial institution, Bank of America’s credit ratings currently reflect their expectation that, if necessary, Bank of America would receive significant support from the U.S. Government. All three ratings agencies have indicated, however, that they will reevaluate and could reduce the uplift they include in Bank of America’s ratings for government support for reasons arising from financial services regulatory reform proposals or legislation. In February 2010, S&P affirmed our current credit ratings but revised the outlook to negative from stable, based on their belief that it is less certain whether the U.S. Government would be willing to provide extraordinary support. In July 2010, Moody’s affirmed our current ratings but revised the outlook to negative from stable due to their expectation for lower levels of government support over time as a result of the passage of the Financial Reform Act. Also, in October 2010, Fitch placed our credit ratings on Rating Watch Negative from stable outlook due to proposed rulemaking that could negatively impact its assessment of future systemic government support. In addition to Bank of America’s credit ratings, other factors that influence our credit ratings (as well as those for Bank of America) include changes to the ratings agencies’ methodologies, the ratings agencies’ assessment of the general operating environment, our relative positions in the markets in which we compete, our reputation, our liquidity position, diversity of funding sources, the level and volatility of our earnings, our corporate governance and risk management policies, our capital position, and future regulatory and legislative initiatives.
 
A reduction in certain of our credit ratings would likely have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, access to credit markets, the related cost of funds, our businesses and on certain trading revenues,


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particularly in those businesses where counterparty creditworthiness is critical. In connection with certain OTC derivatives contracts and other trading agreements, counterparties may require us to provide additional collateral or to terminate these contracts, agreements and collateral financing arrangements in the event of a credit ratings downgrade of Bank of America (and consequently, ML & Co.). Termination of these contracts and agreements could cause us to sustain losses and impair our liquidity because we would be required to make significant cash payments or pledge securities as collateral. If Bank of America Corporation’s or Bank of America, N.A.’s commercial paper or short-term credit ratings (which currently have the following ratings: P-1 by Moody’s, A-1 by S&P and F1+ by Fitch) were downgraded by one or more levels, the potential loss of short-term funding sources such as repurchase agreement financing and the effect on our incremental cost of funds would be material. The amount of additional collateral required depends on the contract and is usually a fixed incremental amount and/or an amount related to the market value of the exposure. At December 31, 2010, the amount of additional collateral and termination payments that would be required for such derivatives transactions and trading agreements was approximately $0.8 billion in the event of a downgrade to low single-A by all credit agencies. A further downgrade of ML & Co.’s long-term senior debt credit rating to the BBB+ or equivalent level would require approximately $0.7 billion of additional collateral. Our liquidity risk analysis considers the impact of additional collateral outflows due to changes in ML & Co. credit ratings, as well as for collateral that is owed by us and is available for payment, but has not been called for by our counterparties.
 


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Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Market Risk Management
 
Merrill Lynch defines market risk as the potential change in value of financial instruments caused by fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates, equity and commodity prices, credit spreads, and related risks.
 
Control and Governance Structure
 
On January 1, 2009, pursuant to the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch adopted Bank of America’s risk management and governance practices to maintain consistent risk measurement and disciplined risk taking. Bank of America’s risk management structure as applicable to Merrill Lynch is described below.
 
Bank of America’s Global Markets Risk Committee (“GRC”), chaired by Bank of America’s Global Markets Risk Executive, has been designated by its Asset and Liability Market Risk Committee (“ALMRC”) as the primary governance authority for Global Markets Risk Management, including trading risk management. The GRC’s focus is to take a forward-looking view of the primary credit and market risks impacting Bank of America’s Global Banking and Markets business (which includes Merrill Lynch’s sales and trading businesses) and prioritize those that need a proactive risk mitigation strategy. Market risks that impact lines of business outside of the Global Banking and Markets business are monitored and governed by their respective governance authorities.
 
The GRC monitors significant daily revenues and losses by business and the primary drivers of the revenues or losses. Thresholds are in place for each business in order to determine if the revenue or loss is considered to be significant for that business. If any of the thresholds are exceeded, an explanation of the variance is provided to the GRC. The thresholds are developed in coordination with the respective risk managers to highlight those revenues or losses that exceed what is considered to be normal daily income statement volatility.
 
Value-at-Risk (“VaR”)
 
As part of Bank of America’s risk management practices, risk in our trading activities is evaluated by focusing on the actual and potential volatility of individual positions as well as portfolios.
 
VaR is a statistic used to measure market risk. A VaR model simulates the value of a portfolio under a range of hypothetical scenarios in order to generate a distribution of potential gains and losses. VaR represents the worst loss the portfolio is expected to experience based on historical trends with a given level of confidence and depends on the volatility of the positions in the portfolio and on how strongly their risks are correlated. Within any VaR model, there are significant and numerous assumptions that will differ from company to company. In addition, the accuracy of a VaR model depends on the availability and quality of historical data for each of the positions in the portfolio. A VaR model may require additional modeling assumptions for new products that do not have extensive historical price data or for illiquid positions for which accurate daily prices are not consistently available.
 
A VaR model is an effective tool in estimating ranges of potential gains and losses on our trading portfolios. There are however many limitations inherent in a VaR model as it utilizes historical results over a defined time period to estimate future performance. Historical results may not always be indicative of future results and changes in market conditions or in the composition of the underlying portfolio could have a material impact on the accuracy of the VaR model. To ensure that the VaR model reflects current market conditions, we update the historical data underlying our VaR model on a bi-weekly basis and regularly review the assumptions underlying the model.
 
We continually review, evaluate and enhance our VaR model to ensure that it reflects the material risks in our trading portfolio. Nevertheless, due to the limitations mentioned above, we have historically used the VaR model as only one of the components in managing our trading risk and also use other techniques such as stress testing and desk level limits. Periods of extreme market stress influence the reliability of these techniques to various degrees.


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The accompanying table presents year-end, average, high and low daily trading VaR for the year ended December 31, 2010, as well as a comparison to the year-end VaR as of December 31, 2009. On November 1, 2010, BAS, a broker-dealer subsidiary of Bank of America, merged into MLPF&S, one of ML & Co.’s broker-dealer subsidiaries, with MLPF&S as the surviving corporation. The VaR statistics in the table below have been computed as if the merger had occurred on January 1, 2009.
 
2010 Trading Activities Market Risk VaR
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
        2010
           
    2010
  Quarterly
  2010
  2010
  2009
    Year End   Average(3)   High   Low   Year End
 
Trading value-at-risk(1)
                                       
Foreign exchange
  $ 18     $ 17     $ 36     $ 7     $ 36  
Interest rate
    37       48       58       37       47  
Credit
    128       180       244       128       244  
Real estate/mortgage
    69       75       94       65       65  
Commodities
    19       19       23       16       20  
Equities
    30       37       58       23       58  
                                         
Subtotal(2)
    301       376                       470  
Diversification benefit
    (127 )     (160 )                     (191 )
                                         
Overall
  $ 174     $ 216                     $ 279  
                                         
 
 
(1) Based on a 99% confidence level and a one-day holding period.
(2) Subtotals are not provided for highs and lows as they are not meaningful.
(3) Amounts represent the average of the quarter-end VaR results for 2010.
 
The decrease in VaR during 2010 resulted from reduced exposures in several businesses.
 
Credit Risk Management
 
Counterparty Credit Risk
 
Credit risk is the risk of loss arising from the inability or unwillingness of a borrower or counterparty to meet its obligations. Credit risk can also arise from operational failures that result in an erroneous advance, commitment or investment of funds. Merrill Lynch defines the credit exposure to a borrower or counterparty as the loss potential arising from all product classifications including loans, derivatives, assets held-for-sale and unfunded lending commitments that include loan commitments, letters of credit and financial guarantees. Derivative positions are recorded at fair value and assets held-for-sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value. Certain loans and unfunded commitments are accounted for under the fair value option election. Credit risk for these categories of assets is not accounted for as part of the allowance for credit losses but as part of the fair value adjustments recorded in earnings in the period incurred. For derivative positions, our credit risk is measured as the net replacement cost in the event the counterparties with contracts in a gain position to us fail to perform under the terms of those contracts. We use the current mark-to-market value to represent credit exposure without considering future mark-to-market changes. The credit risk amounts take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements and cash collateral. Our consumer and commercial credit extension and review procedures take into account funded and unfunded credit exposures.
 
We manage credit risk based on the risk profile of the borrower or counterparty, repayment sources, the nature of underlying collateral, and other support given current events, conditions and expectations. Merrill Lynch mitigates its credit risk to counterparties through a variety of techniques, including, where appropriate, the right to require initial collateral or margin, the right to terminate transactions or to obtain collateral should unfavorable events occur, the right to call for collateral when certain exposure thresholds are exceeded, the right to call for third party guarantees, and the purchase of credit default protection.


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Credit risk management for the commercial portfolio begins with an assessment of the credit risk profile of the borrower or counterparty based on an analysis of its financial position. As part of the overall credit risk assessment, our commercial credit exposures are assigned a risk rating and are subject to approval based on defined credit approval standards. Subsequent to loan origination, risk ratings are monitored on an ongoing basis, and if necessary, adjusted to reflect changes in the financial condition, cash flow, risk profile or outlook of a borrower or counterparty. In making credit decisions, we consider risk rating, collateral, country, industry and single name concentration limits while also balancing the total borrower or counterparty relationship. Our lines of business and risk management personnel use a variety of tools to continuously monitor the ability of a borrower or counterparty to perform under its obligations. We use risk rating aggregations to measure and evaluate concentrations within portfolios. In addition, risk ratings are a factor in determining the level of assigned economic capital and the allowance for credit losses.
 
Commercial credit risk is evaluated and managed with the goal that concentrations of credit exposure do not result in undesirable levels of risk. We review, measure and manage concentrations of credit exposure by industry, product, geography, customer relationship and loan size. We also review, measure and manage commercial real estate loans by geographic location and property type. In addition, within our international portfolio, we evaluate exposures by region and by country. We also utilize syndication of exposure to third parties, loan sales, hedging and other risk mitigation techniques to manage the size and risk profile of the commercial credit portfolio.
 
We account for certain large corporate loans and loan commitments (including issued but unfunded letters of credit which are considered utilized for credit risk management purposes) that exceed our single name credit risk concentration guidelines under the fair value option. Lending commitments, both funded and unfunded, are actively managed and monitored, and as appropriate, credit risk for these lending relationships may be mitigated through the use of credit derivatives, with our credit view and market perspectives determining the size and timing of the hedging activity. In addition, credit protection is purchased to cover the funded portion as well as the unfunded portion of certain other credit exposures. To lessen the cost of obtaining our desired credit protection levels, credit exposure may be added within an industry, borrower or counterparty group by selling protection. These credit derivatives do not meet the requirements for treatment as accounting hedges. They are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings.
 
In the normal course of business, Merrill Lynch executes, settles, and finances various customer securities transactions. Execution of these transactions includes the purchase and sale of securities by Merrill Lynch. These activities may expose Merrill Lynch to default risk arising from the potential that customers or counterparties may fail to satisfy their obligations. In these situations, Merrill Lynch may be required to purchase or sell financial instruments at unfavorable market prices to satisfy obligations to other customers or counterparties. In addition, Merrill Lynch seeks to control the risks associated with its customer margin activities by requiring customers to maintain collateral in compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines.
 
Credit risk management for the consumer portfolio begins with initial underwriting and continues throughout a borrower’s credit cycle. Statistical techniques in conjunction with experiential judgment are used in all aspects of portfolio management including underwriting, product pricing, risk appetite, setting credit limits, operating processes and metrics to quantify and balance risks and returns. Statistical models are built using detailed behavioral information from external sources such as credit bureaus and/or internal historical experience. These models are a component of our consumer credit risk management process and are used, in part, to help determine both new and existing credit decisions, portfolio management strategies including authorizations and line management, collection practices and strategies, determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses, and economic capital allocations for credit risk.


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Derivatives
 
We enter into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) master agreements or their equivalent (“master netting agreements”) with almost all of our derivative counterparties. Master netting agreements provide protection in bankruptcy in certain circumstances and, in some cases, enable receivables and payables with the same counterparty to be offset for risk management purposes. Netting agreements are generally negotiated bilaterally and can require complex terms. While we make reasonable efforts to execute such agreements, it is possible that a counterparty may be unwilling to sign such an agreement and, as a result, would subject us to additional credit risk. The enforceability of master netting agreements under bankruptcy laws in certain countries or in certain industries is not free from doubt, and receivables and payables with counterparties in these countries or industries are accordingly recorded on a gross basis.
 
To reduce the risk of loss, we require collateral, principally cash and U.S. Government and agency securities, on certain derivative transactions. From an economic standpoint, we evaluate risk exposures net of related collateral that meets specified standards. In addition to obtaining collateral, we attempt to mitigate counterparty default risk on derivatives whenever possible by entering into transactions with provisions that enable us to terminate or reset the terms of our derivative contracts.


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Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Merrill Lynch and Co., Inc.:
 
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the related consolidated statements of earnings/(loss), of changes in stockholders’ equity, of comprehensive income/(loss), and of cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2010 and the consolidated statements of earnings/(loss) and of comprehensive income/(loss) for the period from December 27, 2008 to December 31, 2008 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries (“the Company”) at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2010 and the results of their operations for the period from December 27, 2008 to December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 28, 2011


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings/(loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income/(loss) and cash flows of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and subsidiaries (“Merrill Lynch”) for the year ended December 26, 2008 (“2008 consolidated financial statements”). These financial statements are the responsibility of Merrill Lynch’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such 2008 consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the result of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 26, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
As discussed in Note 1, Merrill Lynch became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation on January 1, 2009.
 
As discussed in Note 3, the disclosures in the accompanying 2008 consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted for a change in the composition of reportable segments.
 
/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
February 23, 2009
(March 10, 2010 as to Note 3)


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Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Earnings/(Loss)
 
                                   
              Predecessor Company
    Successor Company     For the Period from
   
    For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
    December 27, 2008 to
  For the Year Ended
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
  December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008   December 26, 2008
Revenues
                                 
Principal transactions
  $ 7,074     $ 5,121       $ (280 )   $ (27,225 )
Commissions
    5,760       6,008         22       6,895  
Managed account and other fee-based revenues
    4,516       4,317         22       5,544  
Investment banking
    5,313       5,558         12       3,733  
Earnings from equity method investments
    898       1,679         -       4,491  
Other revenues/(loss)
    4,800       4,057         19       (10,065 )
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale debt securities:
                                 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on AFS debt securities
    (174 )     (660 )       -       -  
Less: Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in
                                 
OCI on AFS debt securities
    2       4         -       -  
                                   
Subtotal
    28,189       26,084         (205 )     (16,627 )
Interest and dividend revenues
    9,303       15,476         34       33,383  
Less interest expense
    9,621       12,041         -       29,349  
                                   
Net interest (expense)/income
    (318 )     3,435         34       4,034  
                                   
Revenues, net of interest expense
    27,871       29,519         (171 )     (12,593 )
                                   
Non-interest expenses
                                 
Compensation and benefits
    15,069       13,333         64       14,763  
Communications and technology
    1,993       2,015         -       2,201  
Occupancy and related depreciation
    1,395       1,316         -       1,267  
Brokerage, clearing, and exchange fees
    1,022       1,087         10       1,394  
Advertising and market development
    444       396         -       652  
Professional fees
    986       769         -       1,058  
Office supplies and postage
    157       173         -       215  
Other
    2,882       2,441         -       2,402  
Payment related to price reset on common stock offering
    -       -         -       2,500  
Goodwill impairment charge
    -       -         -       2,300  
Restructuring charge
    -       -         -       486  
                                   
Total non-interest expenses
    23,948       21,530         74       29,238  
                                   
Pre-tax earnings/(loss)
    3,923       7,989         (245 )     (41,831 )
Income tax expense/(benefit)
    147       649         (92 )     (14,280 )
                                   
Net earnings/(loss) from continuing operations
    3,776       7,340         (153 )     (27,551 )
                                   
Discontinued operations:
                                 
Pre-tax loss from discontinued operations
    -       -         -       (141 )
Income tax benefit
    -       -         -       (80 )
                                   
Net loss from discontinued operations
    -       -         -       (61 )
                                   
Net earnings/(loss)
  $ 3,776     $ 7,340       $ (153 )   $ (27,612 )
                                   
Preferred stock dividends
    134       153         -       2,869  
                                   
Net earnings/(loss) applicable to common stockholder
  $ 3,642     $ 7,187       $ (153 )   $ (30,481 )
                                   
Basic loss per common share from continuing operations
    N/A       N/A       $ (0.10 )   $ (24.82 )
Basic loss per common share from discontinued operations
    N/A       N/A         -       (0.05 )
                                   
Basic loss per common share
    N/A       N/A       $ (0.10 )   $ (24.87 )
                                   
Diluted loss per common share from continuing operations
    N/A       N/A       $ (0.10 )   $ (24.82 )
Diluted loss per common share from discontinued operations
    N/A       N/A         -       (0.05 )
                                   
Diluted loss per common share
    N/A       N/A       $ (0.10 )   $ (24.87 )
                                   
Average shares used in computing losses per common share
                                 
Basic
    N/A       N/A         1,600.3       1,225.6  
Diluted
    N/A       N/A         1,600.3       1,225.6  
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Table of Contents

 
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
                   
    December 31,
    December 31,
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
  2010     2009
 
ASSETS
                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 17,220       $ 15,142  
                   
Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes
or deposited with clearing organizations
    12,424         20,455  
                   
Securities financing transactions
                 
Receivables under resale agreements (includes $51,132 in 2010 and $53,462 in 2009 measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
    138,219         100,263  
Receivables under securities borrowed transactions (includes $1,672 in 2010 and $2,888 in 2009 measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
    60,458         78,048  
                   
      198,677         178,311  
                   
                   
Trading assets, at fair value (includes securities pledged as collateral that can be sold or repledged of $33,933 in 2010 and $37,042 in 2009):
                 
Derivative contracts
    39,371         49,966  
Equities and convertible debentures
    34,204         35,136  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    22,248         21,283  
Corporate debt and preferred stock
    27,703         30,317  
Mortgages, mortgage-backed, and asset-backed
    10,994         13,122  
U.S. Government and agencies
    41,378         32,679  
Municipals, money markets, physical commodities and other
    14,759         12,128  
                   
      190,657         194,631  
                   
                   
Investment securities (includes $310 in 2010 and $253 in 2009 measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
    17,769         32,882  
                   
Securities received as collateral, at fair value
    20,363         16,377  
Receivables from Bank of America
    60,655         69,195  
                   
Other receivables
                 
Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8 in 2010 and $10 in 2009)
    22,080         34,281  
Brokers and dealers
    16,483         13,254  
Interest and other
    10,633         14,889  
                   
      49,196         62,424  
                   
                   
Loans, notes, and mortgages (net of allowances for loan losses of $170 in 2010 and $33 in 2009) (includes $3,190 in 2010 and $4,649 in 2009 measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
    25,803         37,663  
                   
Equipment and facilities (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,320 in 2010 and $729 in 2009)
    1,712         2,331  
                   
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    9,714         9,868  
                   
Other assets
    17,436         17,610  
                   
Total Assets
  $ 621,626       $ 656,889  
                   
Assets of Consolidated VIEs Included in Total Assets Above (pledged as collateral)
                 
Trading assets, excluding derivative contracts
  $ 10,838            
Derivative contracts
    41            
Investment securities
    309            
Loans, notes, and mortgages (net)
    221            
Other assets
    1,597            
                   
Total Assets of Consolidated VIEs
  $ 13,006            
                   
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Table of Contents

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
                   
    December 31,
    December 31,
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
  2010     2009
 
LIABILITIES
                 
Securities financing transactions
                 
Payables under repurchase agreements (includes $37,394 in 2010 and $37,717 in 2009 measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
  $ 183,758       $ 185,747  
Payables under securities loaned transactions
    15,251         25,565  
                   
      199,009         211,312  
                   
Short-term borrowings (includes $6,472 in 2010 and $813 in 2009 measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
    15,248         14,858  
Deposits
    12,826         15,187  
Trading liabilities, at fair value
                 
Derivative contracts
    32,197         35,438  
Equities and convertible debentures
    14,026         13,691  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    15,705         12,844  
Corporate debt and preferred stock
    9,500         5,892  
U.S. Government and agencies
    24,747         16,868  
Municipals, money markets and other
    571         766  
                   
      96,746         85,499  
                   
Obligation to return securities received as collateral, at fair value
    20,363         16,377  
Payables to Bank of America
    23,021         32,461  
Other payables
                 
Customers
    39,045         40,458  
Brokers and dealers
    12,895         18,903  
Interest and other (includes $165 in 2010 and $240 in 2009 measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
    19,900         20,226  
                   
      71,840         79,587  
                   
Long-term borrowings (includes $39,214 in 2010 and $47,040 in 2009 measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
    128,851         151,399  
Junior subordinated notes (related to trust preferred securities)
    3,576         3,552  
                   
Total Liabilities
    571,480         610,232  
                   
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                 
Preferred Stockholders’ Equity; authorized 25,000,000 shares;
                 
(liquidation preference of $100,000 per share; issued: 2009 — 17,000 shares)
    -         1,541  
Common Stockholder’s Equity
                 
Common stock (par value $1.331/3 per share; authorized: 3,000,000,000 shares; issued: 2010 and 2009 — 1,000 shares)
    -         -  
Paid-in capital
    40,416         38,741  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax)
    (254 )       (112 )
Retained earnings
    9,984         6,487  
                   
Total Common Stockholder’s Equity
    50,146         45,116  
                   
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    50,146         46,657  
                   
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 621,626       $ 656,889  
                   
Liabilities of Consolidated VIEs Included in Total Liabilities Above
                 
Short-term borrowings
  $ 4,642            
Derivative contracts
    1            
Payables to Bank of America
    2            
Other payables
    53            
Long-term borrowings
    6,674            
                   
Total Liabilities of Consolidated VIEs
  $ 11,372            
                   
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


52


Table of Contents

 
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
 
                                 
    Successor Company
    Amounts   Shares   Amounts   Shares
    For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
(dollars in millions)
  December 31, 2010   December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009   December 31, 2009
 
Preferred Stock, net
                               
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 1,541       17,000     $ 8,605       363,445  
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -       -       (7,064 )     (346,445 )
Mandatory conversion
    (1,541 )     (17,000 )     -       -  
                                 
Balance, end of year
  $ -       -     $ 1,541       17,000  
                                 
Common Stockholders’ Equity
                               
Shares Exchangeable into Common Stock
                               
Balance, beginning of year
  $ -       -     $ -       8,189  
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -       -       -       (8,189 )
                                 
Balance, end of year
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Common Stock
                               
Balance, beginning of year
    -       1,000     $ 2,709       2,031,995,436  
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -       -       (2,709 )     (2,031,994,436 )
                                 
Balance, end of year
    -       1,000       -       1,000  
                                 
Paid-in Capital
                               
Balance, beginning of year
    38,741               47,232          
Effect of purchase accounting adjustments
    -               (19,669 )        
Cash capital contribution from BAC
    -               6,850          
BAC contribution of BASH
    -               3,677          
BAC contribution of BAI
    -               263          
Capital contribution associated with stock-based compensation awards
    1,447               388          
Other capital contributions from BAC
    228               -          
                                 
Balance, end of year
    40,416               38,741          
                                 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
                               
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment (net of tax)
                               
Balance, beginning of year
    94               (745 )        
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -               745          
Translation adjustment
    43               94          
                                 
Balance, end of year
    137               94          
                                 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities
                               
Available-for-sale (net of tax)
                               
Balance, beginning of year
    47               (6,038 )        
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -               6,038          
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities
    (113 )             47          
                                 
Balance, end of year
    (66 )             47          
                                 
Deferred Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges (net of tax)
                               
Balance, beginning of year
    -               81          
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -               (81 )        
Net deferred (losses) gains on cash flow hedges
    4               -          
                                 
Balance, end of year
    4               -          
                                 
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans (net of tax)
                               
Balance, beginning of year
    (253 )             384          
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -               (384 )        
Decrease in funded status
    (76 )             (253 )        
                                 
Balance, end of year
    (329 )             (253 )        
                                 
Balance, end of year
    (254 )             (112 )        
                                 
Retained Earnings
                               
Balance, beginning of year
    6,487               (8,756 )        
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -               8,756          
Cumulative adjustment for accounting changes: Consolidation of certain variable interest entities
    (145 )             -          
Net earnings
    3,776               7,340          
Preferred stock dividends declared
    (134 )             (153 )        
Cash dividends paid to BAC
    -               (700 )        
                                 
Balance, end of year
    9,984               6,487          
                                 
Treasury Stock, at cost
                               
Balance, beginning of year
    -       -       (23,622 )     (431,742,565 )
Effect of BAC acquisition
    -       -       23,622       431,742,565  
                                 
Balance, end of year
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Total Common Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 50,146             $ 45,116          
                                 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 50,146             $ 46,657          
                                 
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Table of Contents

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
 
                                         
    Predecessor Company
    Amounts   Shares    
    For the Period from
      For the Period from
       
    December 27, 2008 to
  For the Year Ended
  December 27, 2008 to
  For the Year Ended
   
(dollars in millions)
  December 31, 2008   December 26, 2008   December 31, 2008   December 26, 2008    
 
Preferred Stock, net
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 8,605     $ 4,383       363,445       257,134          
Issuances
    -       10,814       -       172,100          
Redemptions
    -       (6,600 )     -       (66,000 )        
Shares (repurchased) re-issuances
    -       8       -       211          
                                         
Balance, end of year
  $ 8,605     $ 8,605       363,445       363,445          
                                         
Common Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Shares Exchangeable into Common Stock
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
  $ -     $ 39       8,189       2,552,982          
Exchanges
    -       (39 )     -       (2,544,793 )        
                                         
Balance, end of year
    -       -       8,189       8,189          
                                         
Common Stock
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
    2,709       1,805       2,031,995,436       1,354,309,819          
Capital issuance and acquisition(1)
    -       648       -       486,166,666          
Preferred Stock Conversion
    -       236       -       177,322,917          
Shares issued to employees
    -       20       -       14,196,034          
                                         
Balance, end of year
    2,709       2,709       2,031,995,436       2,031,995,436          
                                         
Paid-in Capital
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
    47,232       27,163                          
Capital issuance and acquisition(1)
    -       11,544                          
Preferred Stock Conversion
    -       6,970                          
Employee stock plan activity and other
    -       (553 )                        
Amortization of employee stock grants
    -       2,108                          
                                         
Balance, end of year
    47,232       47,232                          
                                         
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
                                       
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment (net of tax)
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
    (745 )     (441 )                        
Translation adjustment
    -       (304 )                        
                                         
Balance, end of year
    (745 )     (745 )                        
                                         
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities
                                       
Available-for-Sale (net of tax)
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
    (6,038 )     (1,509 )                        
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities
    -       (7,617 )                        
Other adjustments(3)
    -       3,088                          
                                         
Balance, end of year
    (6,038 )     (6,038 )                        
                                         
Deferred Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges (net of tax)
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
    81       83                          
Net deferred (losses) gains on cash flow hedges
    -       (2 )                        
                                         
Balance, end of year
    81       81                          
                                         
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans (net of tax)
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
    384       76                          
Net gains
    -       306                          
Minimum pension liability adjustment
    -       -                          
Adjustment to apply Compensation-Retirement Benefits change in measurement date(2)
    -       2                          
                                         
Balance, end of year
    384       384                          
                                         
Balance, end of year
    (6,318 )     (6,318 )                        
                                         
Retained Earnings
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
    (8,603 )     23,737                          
Net losses
    (153 )     (27,612 )                        
Preferred stock dividends declared
    -       (2,869 )                        
Common stock dividends declared
    -       (1,853 )                        
Adjustment to apply Compensation-Retirement Benefits change in measurement date
    -       (6 )                        
                                         
Balance, end of year
    (8,756 )     (8,603 )                        
                                         
Treasury Stock, at cost
                                       
Balance, beginning of year
    (23,622 )     (23,404 )     (431,742,565 )     (418,270,289 )        
Shares reacquired from employees and other(4)
    -       (363 )     -       (16,017,069 )        
Share exchanges
    -       145       -       2,544,793          
                                         
Balance, end of year
    (23,622 )     (23,622 )     (431,742,565 )     (431,742,565 )        
                                         
Total Common Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 11,245     $ 11,398                          
                                         
Total Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 19,850     $ 20,003                          
                                         
 
(1) The 2008 activity relates to the July 28, 2008 public offering and additional shares issued to Davis Selected Advisors and Temasek Holdings.
 
(2) These adjustments are not reflected in the 2008 Statement of Comprehensive Income/(Loss).
 
(3) Other adjustments in 2008 primarily relate to income taxes.
 
(4) Share amounts are net of reacquisitions from employees of 19,057,068 shares in 2008.
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
                                   
              Predecessor Company
    Successor Company     For the Period from
   
    For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
    December 27, 2008 to
  For the Year Ended
(dollars in millions)
  December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008   December 26, 2008
Net Earnings / (Loss)
  $ 3,776     $ 7,340       $ (153 )   $ (27,612 )
Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)
                                 
Foreign currency translation adjustment:
                                 
Foreign currency translation (losses) / gains
    (197 )     (597 )       -       694  
Income tax benefit / (expense)
    240       691         -       (998 )
                                   
Total
    43       94         -       (304 )
                                   
Net unrealized gains / (losses) on
investment securities available-for-sale:
                         
Net unrealized holding gains / (losses) arising during the period
    (168 )     91         -       (11,916 )
Reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net earnings/(loss)
    9       14         -       4,299  
                                   
Net unrealized gains / (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
    (159 )     105         -       (7,617 )
Income tax (expense) / benefit
    46       (58 )       -       3,088  
                                   
Total
    (113 )     47         -       (4,529 )
                                   
Deferred gains / (losses) on cash flow hedges:
                                 
Deferred gains on cash flow hedges
    32       72         -       240  
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net earnings/(loss)
    (25 )     (71 )       -       (241 )
Income tax expense
    (3 )     (1 )       -       (1 )
                                   
Total
    4       -         -       (2 )
                                   
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans:
                                 
Net actuarial (losses) gains
    (56 )     (417 )       -       489  
Prior service cost
    (59 )     -         -       (4 )
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net earnings/(loss)
    -       -         -       (5 )
Income tax benefit / (expense)
    39       164         -       (174 )
                                   
Total
    (76 )     (253 )       -       306  
                                   
Total Other Comprehensive Loss
    (142 )     (112 )       -       (4,529 )
                                   
Comprehensive Income / (Loss)
  $ 3,634     $ 7,228       $ (153 )   $ (32,141 )
                                   
 
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
                           
    Successor Company     Predecessor Company
    For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
    For the Year Ended
(dollars in millions)
  December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009     December 26, 2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
                         
Net earnings/(loss)
  $ 3,776     $ 7,340       $ (27,612 )
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings/(loss) to cash provided by operating activities
                         
Depreciation and amortization
    900       1,080         886  
Share-based compensation expense
    1,483       1,433         2,044  
Payment related to price reset on common stock offering
    -       -         2,500  
Goodwill impairment charge
    -       -         2,300  
Deferred taxes
    637       578         (16,086 )
Gain on sale of Bloomberg L.P. 
    -       -         (4,296 )
(Earnings)/loss from equity method investments
    (625 )     (1,443 )       306  
Other
    (279 )     (402 )       13,556  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                         
Trading assets
    7,778       33,683         59,064  
Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations
    2,506       5,679         (6,214 )
Receivables from Bank of America
    6,999       (96,132 )       -  
Receivables under resale agreements
    (37,956 )     99,304         128,370  
Receivables under securities borrowed transactions
    17,590       (2,050 )       98,063  
Customer receivables
    12,205       1,944         19,561  
Brokers and dealers receivables
    (3,226 )     5,180         10,236  
Proceeds from loans, notes, and mortgages held for sale
    8,456       9,237         21,962  
Other changes in loans, notes, and mortgages held for sale
    (4,652 )     (7,212 )       2,700  
Trading liabilities
    11,561       (21,246 )       (34,338 )
Payables under repurchase agreements
    (1,989 )     (51,977 )       (143,071 )
Payables under securities loaned transactions
    (10,314 )     (9,577 )       (31,480 )
Payables to Bank of America
    (9,440 )     32,461         -  
Customer payables
    (1,413 )     (7,569 )       (18,658 )
Brokers and dealers payables
    (6,008 )     1,245         (11,946 )
Trading investment securities
    -       -         3,216  
Other, net
    7,281       3,103         (31,588 )
                           
Cash provided by operating activities
    5,270       4,659         39,475  
                           
Cash flows from investing activities:
                         
Proceeds from (payments for):
                         
Maturities of available-for-sale securities
    1,615       6,989         7,250  
Sales of available-for-sale securities
    15,472       11,311         29,537  
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (5,136 )     (1,902 )       (31,017 )
Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations
    -       -         12,576  
Equipment and facilities, net
    (377 )     (264 )       (630 )
Loans, notes, and mortgages held for investment
    6,927       3,440         (13,379 )
Sale of MLBT-FSB to Bank of America
    -       4,450         -  
Other investments
    11,787       4,000         1,336  
                           
Cash provided by investing activities
    30,288       28,024         5,673  
                           
Cash flows from financing activities:
                         
Proceeds from (payments for):
                         
Commercial paper and short-term borrowings
    (4,623 )     (33,229 )       12,981  
Issuance and resale of long-term borrowings
    8,553       7,555         70,194  
Settlement and repurchases of long-term borrowings
    (34,914 )     (56,008 )       (109,731 )
Capital contributions from Bank of America
    -       6,850         -  
Deposits
    (2,361 )     8,088         (7,880 )
Derivative financing transactions
    (1 )     19         543  
Issuance of common stock
    -       -         9,899  
Issuance of preferred stock, net
    -       -         9,281  
Other common stock transactions
    -       (81 )       (833 )
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation
    -       -         39  
Dividends
    (134 )     (853 )       (2,584 )
                           
Cash used for financing activities
    (33,480 )     (67,659 )       (18,091 )
                           
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    2,078       (34,976 )       27,057  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period(1)
    15,142       50,118         41,346  
                           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 17,220       15,142         68,403  
                           
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
                         
Income taxes paid (net of refunds)
  $ (3,269 )   $ 493       $ 1,518  
Interest paid
    7,846       11,115         30,397  
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch received a non-cash capital contribution of approximately $1.0 billion from Bank of America associated with certain employee stock awards. In addition, as of January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch assumed assets and liabilities in connection with the consolidation of certain VIEs. See Note 9. In October 2010, Merrill Lynch’s mandatory convertible preferred stock was automatically converted to Bank of America common stock. The redemption was settled through a non-cash intercompany transaction.
 
In connection with the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch recorded purchase accounting adjustments in the year ended December 31, 2009, which were recorded as non-cash capital contributions. In addition, during 2009 Bank of America contributed the net assets of Banc of America Investment Services, Inc. to Merrill Lynch. See Note 2.
 
Effective on January 1, 2009, Bank of America contributed the net assets of Bank of America Securities Holdings Corporation totaling approximately $3.7 billion to Merrill Lynch. This was recorded as a non-cash capital contribution. See Note 1.
 
In connection with the sale of Merrill Lynch Bank USA to a subsidiary of Bank of America during 2009, Merrill Lynch received a note receivable as consideration for the net book value of the assets and liabilities transferred to Bank of America. See Note 2.
 
As a result of the conversion of $6.6 billion of Merrill Lynch’s mandatory convertible preferred stock, series 1, Merrill Lynch recorded additional preferred dividends of $2.1 billion in 2008. The preferred dividends were paid in additional shares of common and preferred stock.
 
In 2008, in satisfaction of Merrill Lynch’s obligations under the reset provisions contained in the investment agreement with Temasek, Merrill Lynch paid Temasek $2.5 billion through the issuance of common stock.
 
As a result of the sale of Merrill Lynch’s 20% ownership stake in Bloomberg, L.P. in 2008, Merrill Lynch recorded a $4.3 billion pre-tax gain and received notes totaling approximately $4.3 billion.
 
(1) Amount for Successor Company in 2009 is as of January 1, 2009.
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
 
Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Description of Business
 
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (“ML & Co.”) and together with its subsidiaries (“Merrill Lynch”), provides investment, financing and other related services to individuals and institutions on a global basis through its broker, dealer, banking and other financial services subsidiaries. Its principal subsidiaries include:
 
  •  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a U.S.-based broker-dealer in securities and futures commission merchant;
  •  Merrill Lynch International (“MLI”), a United Kingdom (“U.K.”)-based broker-dealer in securities and dealer in equity and credit derivatives;
  •  Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., a U.S.-based dealer in interest rate, currency, commodity and credit derivatives;
  •  Merrill Lynch International Bank Limited (“MLIB”), an Ireland-based bank;
  •  Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd. (“MLJS”), a Japan-based broker-dealer;
  •  Merrill Lynch Derivative Products, AG, a Switzerland-based derivatives dealer; and
  •  ML IBK Positions Inc., a U.S.-based entity involved in private equity and principal investing.
 
Services provided to clients by Merrill Lynch and other activities include:
 
  •  Securities brokerage, trading and underwriting;
  •  Investment banking, advisory services (including mergers and acquisitions) and other corporate finance activities;
  •  Wealth management products and services, including financial, retirement and generational planning;
  •  Investment management and advisory and related record-keeping services;
  •  Origination, brokerage, dealer, and related activities in swaps, options, forwards, exchange-traded futures, other derivatives, commodities and foreign exchange products;
  •  Securities clearance, settlement financing services and prime brokerage;
  •  Private equity and other principal investing activities; and
  •  Research services on a global basis
 
Bank of America Acquisition
 
On January 1, 2009, Merrill Lynch was acquired by Bank of America Corporation (“Bank of America”) through the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America with and into ML & Co. with ML & Co. continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America. Upon completion of the acquisition, each outstanding share of ML & Co. common stock was converted into 0.8595 shares of Bank of America common stock. As of the completion of the acquisition, ML & Co. Series 1 through Series 8 preferred stock were converted into Bank of America preferred stock with substantially identical terms to the corresponding series of Merrill Lynch preferred stock (except for additional voting rights provided to the Bank of America preferred stock). The Merrill Lynch 9.00% Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 2, and 9.00% Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 3 that were outstanding immediately


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prior to the completion of the acquisition remained issued and outstanding subsequent to the acquisition. On October 15, 2010, all of the mandatory convertible non-cumulative preferred stock was automatically converted into Bank of America common stock in accordance with the terms of these securities (see Note 13).
 
Bank of America’s cost of acquiring Merrill Lynch has been pushed down to form a new accounting basis for Merrill Lynch. Accordingly, the Consolidated Financial Statements are presented for Merrill Lynch for periods occurring prior to the acquisition by Bank of America (the “Predecessor Company”) and subsequent to the January 1, 2009 acquisition (the “Successor Company”). The Predecessor Company and Successor Company periods have been separated by a vertical line on the face of the Consolidated Financial Statements to highlight the fact that the financial information for such periods has been prepared under two different cost bases of accounting. The components of the Predecessor Company’s shareholders’ equity (with the exception of $1.5 billion of convertible preferred stock discussed above) were reclassified to paid-in-capital on January 1, 2009. In addition, as discussed below, on November 1, 2010, ML & Co. merged with Banc of America Securities Holdings Corporation (“BASH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America, with ML & Co. as the surviving corporation in the merger (the “BASH Merger”). The Consolidated Financial Statements of Merrill Lynch for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 include the results of BASH as if the BASH Merger had occurred on January 1, 2009.
 
Merger with BASH
 
On November 1, 2010, ML & Co. entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with BASH, and the BASH Merger was completed. In addition, as a result of the BASH Merger, Banc of America Securities LLC (“BAS”), a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of BASH, became a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of ML & Co. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of ML & Co. remained outstanding and all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of BASH was cancelled, with no consideration paid with respect thereto. Subsequently, BAS was merged into MLPF&S, with MLPF&S as the surviving corporation in this merger (the “MLPF&S Merger”). As a result of the MLPF&S Merger, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of MLPF&S remained outstanding and all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of BAS were cancelled with no consideration paid with respect thereto. In addition, as a result of the MLPF&S Merger, MLPF&S remained a direct wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of ML & Co. and an indirect wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Bank of America.
 
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805-10, Business Combinations (“Business Combinations Accounting”), Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the historical results of BASH and subsidiaries as if the BASH Merger had occurred as of January 1, 2009, the date at which both entities were first under common control of Bank of America. Merrill Lynch has recorded the assets and liabilities acquired in connection with the BASH Merger at their historical carrying values.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Merrill Lynch. The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Intercompany transactions and balances within Merrill Lynch have been eliminated. Transactions and balances with Bank of America have not been eliminated.
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in U.S. dollars. Many non-U.S. subsidiaries have a functional currency (i.e., the currency in which activities are primarily conducted) that is other than


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the U.S. dollar, often the currency of the country in which a subsidiary is domiciled. Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year. Adjustments that result from translating amounts in a subsidiary’s functional currency and related hedging, net of related tax effects, are reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). All other translation adjustments are included in earnings. Merrill Lynch uses derivatives to manage the currency exposure arising from activities in non-U.S. subsidiaries. See the Derivatives section for additional information on accounting for derivatives.
 
Merrill Lynch offers a broad array of products and services to its diverse client base of individuals, small to mid-size businesses, employee benefit plans, corporations, financial institutions, and governments around the world. These products and services are offered from a number of locations globally. In some cases, the same or similar products and services may be offered to both individual and institutional clients, utilizing the same infrastructure. In other cases, a single infrastructure may be used to support multiple products and services offered to clients. When Merrill Lynch analyzes its profitability, it does not focus on the profitability of a single product or service. Instead, Merrill Lynch views the profitability of businesses offering an array of products and services to various types of clients. The profitability of the products and services offered to individuals, small to mid-size businesses, and employee benefit plans is analyzed separately from the profitability of products and services offered to corporations, financial institutions, and governments, regardless of whether there is commonality in products and services infrastructure. As such, Merrill Lynch does not separately disclose the costs associated with the products and services sold or general and administrative costs either in total or by product.
 
When determining the prices for products and services, Merrill Lynch considers multiple factors, including prices being offered in the market for similar products and services, the competitiveness of its pricing compared to competitors, the profitability of its businesses and its overall profitability, as well as the profitability, creditworthiness, and importance of the overall client relationships.
 
Shared expenses that are incurred to support products and services and infrastructures are allocated to the businesses based on various methodologies, which may include headcount, square footage, and certain other criteria. Similarly, certain revenues may be shared based upon agreed methodologies. When evaluating the profitability of various businesses, Merrill Lynch considers all expenses incurred, including overhead and the costs of shared services, as all are considered integral to the operation of the businesses.
 
Consolidation Accounting
 
Merrill Lynch determines whether it is required to consolidate an entity by first evaluating whether the entity qualifies as a voting rights entity (“VRE”), a variable interest entity (“VIE”), or (prior to January 1, 2010) a qualified special purpose entity (“QSPE”).
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Merrill Lynch, whose subsidiaries are generally controlled through a majority voting interest or a controlling financial interest. In periods prior to January 1, 2010, in certain cases, Merrill Lynch VIEs may have been consolidated based on a risks and rewards approach. Additionally, prior to January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch did not consolidate those special purpose entities that met the criteria of a QSPE. See the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of this Note for information regarding new VIE accounting guidance that became effective on January 1, 2010.
 
VREs — VREs are defined to include entities that have both equity at risk that is sufficient to fund future operations and have equity investors that have a controlling financial interest in the entity


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through their equity investments. In accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation, (“Consolidation Accounting”), Merrill Lynch generally consolidates those VREs where it has the majority of the voting rights. For investments in limited partnerships and certain limited liability corporations that Merrill Lynch does not control, Merrill Lynch applies ASC 323, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“Equity Method Accounting”), which requires use of the equity method of accounting for investors that have more than a minor influence, which is typically defined as an investment of greater than 3% to 5% of the outstanding equity in the entity. For more traditional corporate structures, in accordance with Equity Method Accounting, Merrill Lynch applies the equity method of accounting where it has significant influence over the investee. Significant influence can be evidenced by a significant ownership interest (which is generally defined as a voting interest of 20% to 50%), significant board of director representation, or other contracts and arrangements.
 
VIEs — Those entities that do not meet the VRE criteria are generally analyzed for consolidation as either VIEs or prior to January 1, 2010, QSPEs. A VIE is an entity that lacks equity investors or whose equity investors do not have a controlling financial interest in the entity through their equity investments. Merrill Lynch consolidates those VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. In accordance with accounting guidance effective January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch is considered the primary beneficiary when it has a controlling financial interest in a VIE. Merrill Lynch has a controlling financial interest when it has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Prior to January 1, 2010, the primary beneficiary was the entity that would absorb a majority of the economic risks and rewards of the VIE, based on an analysis of probability-weighted cash flows. Merrill Lynch reassesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE on a quarterly basis. The quarterly reassessment process considers whether Merrill Lynch has acquired or divested the power to direct the activities of the VIE through changes in governing documents or other circumstances. The reassessment also considers whether Merrill Lynch has acquired or disposed of a financial interest that could be significant to the VIE, or whether an interest in the VIE has become significant or is no longer significant. The consolidation status of the VIEs with which Merrill Lynch is involved may change as a result of such reassessments.
 
QSPEs — Prior to January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch did not consolidate QSPEs. QSPEs are passive entities with significantly limited permitted activities. QSPEs were generally used as securitization vehicles and were limited in the type of assets that they may hold, the derivatives into which they can enter and the level of discretion that they may exercise through servicing activities.
 
Securitization Activities
 
In the normal course of business, Merrill Lynch has securitized commercial and residential mortgage loans; municipal, government, and corporate bonds; and other types of financial assets. Merrill Lynch may retain interests in the securitized financial assets by holding notes or other debt instruments issued by the securitization vehicle. In accordance with ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing (“Financial Transfers and Servicing Accounting”), Merrill Lynch recognizes transfers of financial assets where it relinquishes control as sales to the extent of cash and any proceeds received.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Principal transactions revenue includes both realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading assets and trading liabilities, investment securities classified as trading investments and fair value changes associated with certain structured debt. These instruments are recorded at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Gains and losses on sales are recognized on a trade date basis.


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Commissions revenues include commissions, mutual fund distribution fees and contingent deferred sales charge revenue, which are all accrued as earned. Commissions revenues also include mutual fund redemption fees, which are recognized at the time of redemption. Commissions revenues earned from certain customer equity transactions are recorded net of related brokerage, clearing and exchange fees.
 
Managed account and other fee-based revenues primarily consist of asset-priced portfolio service fees earned from the administration of separately managed accounts and other investment accounts for retail investors, annual account fees, and certain other account-related fees.
 
Investment banking revenues include underwriting revenues and fees for merger and acquisition and other advisory services, which are accrued when services for the transactions are substantially completed. Underwriting revenues are presented net of transaction-related expenses.
 
Earnings from equity method investments include Merrill Lynch’s pro rata share of income and losses associated with investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
 
Other revenues include gains/(losses) on investment securities, including sales and other-than-temporary-impairment losses associated with certain available-for-sale securities, gains/(losses) on private equity investments and other principal investments and gains/(losses) on loans and other miscellaneous items.
 
Contractual interest received and paid, and dividends received on trading assets and trading liabilities, excluding derivatives, are recognized on an accrual basis as a component of interest and dividend revenues and interest expense. Interest and dividends on investment securities are recognized on an accrual basis as a component of interest and dividend revenues. Interest related to loans, notes, and mortgages, securities financing activities and certain short- and long-term borrowings are recorded on an accrual basis as interest revenue or interest expense, as applicable. Contractual interest, if any, on structured notes is recorded as a component of interest expense.
 
Use of Estimates
 
In presenting the Consolidated Financial Statements, management makes estimates regarding:
 
  •  Valuations of assets and liabilities requiring fair value estimates;
 
  •  The allowance for credit losses;
 
  •  Determination of other-than-temporary impairments for available-for-sale investment securities;
 
  •  The outcome of litigation;
 
  •  Determining whether VIEs should be consolidated;
 
  •  The realization of deferred taxes and the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions;
 
  •  The carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets;
 
  •  The amortization period of intangible assets with definite lives;
 
  •  Incentive-based compensation accruals and valuation of share-based payment compensation arrangements; and
 
  •  Other matters that affect the reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the consolidated financial statements.
 
Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates and could have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial


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Statements, and it is possible that such changes could occur in the near term. A discussion of certain areas in which estimates are a significant component of the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements follows:
 
Fair Value Measurement
 
Merrill Lynch accounts for a significant portion of its financial instruments at fair value or considers fair value in their measurement. Merrill Lynch accounts for certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value under various accounting literature, including ASC 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities (“Investment Accounting”), ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“Derivatives Accounting”), and the fair value option election in accordance with ASC 825-10-25, Financial Instruments — Recognition (the “fair value option election”). Merrill Lynch also accounts for certain assets at fair value under applicable industry guidance, namely ASC 940, Financial Services — Broker and Dealers (“Broker-Dealer Guide”) and ASC 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies (“Investment Company Guide”).
 
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“Fair Value Accounting”) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.
 
Fair values for over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative financial instruments, principally forwards, options, and swaps, represent the present value of amounts estimated to be received from or paid to a marketplace participant in settlement of these instruments (i.e., the amount Merrill Lynch would expect to receive in a derivative asset assignment or would expect to pay to have a derivative liability assumed). These derivatives are valued using pricing models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows and directly observed prices from exchange-traded derivatives, other OTC trades, or external pricing services, while taking into account the counterparty’s creditworthiness, or Merrill Lynch’s own creditworthiness, as appropriate. Determining the fair value for OTC derivative contracts can require a significant level of estimation and management judgment.
 
New and/or complex instruments may have immature or limited markets. As a result, the pricing models used for valuation often incorporate significant estimates and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the instrument, which may impact the results of operations reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. For instance, on long-dated and illiquid contracts extrapolation methods are applied to observed market data in order to estimate inputs and assumptions that are not directly observable. This enables Merrill Lynch to mark to fair value all positions consistently when only a subset of prices are directly observable. Values for OTC derivatives are verified using observed information about the costs of hedging the risk and other trades in the market. As the markets for these products develop, Merrill Lynch continually refines its pricing models to correlate more closely to the market price of these instruments. The recognition of significant inception gains and losses that incorporate unobservable inputs is reviewed by management to ensure such gains and losses are derived from observable inputs and/or incorporate reasonable assumptions about the unobservable component, such as implied bid-offer adjustments.
 
Certain financial instruments recorded at fair value are initially measured using mid-market prices which results in gross long and short positions valued at the same pricing level prior to the application of position netting. The resulting net positions are then adjusted to fair value representing the exit price as defined in Fair Value Accounting. The significant adjustments include liquidity and counterparty credit risk.


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Liquidity
 
Merrill Lynch makes adjustments to bring a position from a mid-market to a bid or offer price, depending upon the net open position. Merrill Lynch values net long positions at bid prices and net short positions at offer prices. These adjustments are based upon either observable or implied bid-offer prices.
 
Counterparty Credit Risk
 
In determining fair value, Merrill Lynch considers both the credit risk of its counterparties, as well as its own creditworthiness. Merrill Lynch attempts to mitigate credit risk to third parties by entering into netting and collateral arrangements. Net counterparty exposure (counterparty positions netted by offsetting transactions and both cash and securities collateral) is then valued for counterparty creditworthiness and this resultant value is incorporated into the fair value of the respective instruments. Merrill Lynch generally calculates the credit risk adjustment for derivatives based on observable market credit spreads.
 
Fair Value Accounting also requires that Merrill Lynch consider its own creditworthiness when determining the fair value of certain instruments, including OTC derivative instruments and certain structured notes carried at fair value under the fair value option election. The approach to measuring the impact of Merrill Lynch’s credit risk on an instrument is done in the same manner as for third party credit risk. The impact of Merrill Lynch’s credit risk is incorporated into the fair value, even when credit risk is not readily observable, of instruments such as OTC derivative contracts. OTC derivative liabilities are valued based on the net counterparty exposure as described above.
 
Legal Reserves
 
Merrill Lynch is a party in various actions, some of which involve claims for substantial amounts. Amounts are accrued for the financial resolution of claims that have either been asserted or are deemed probable of assertion if, in the opinion of management, it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In many cases, it is not possible to determine whether a liability has been incurred or to estimate the ultimate or minimum amount of that liability until the case is close to resolution, in which case no accrual is made until that time. Accruals are subject to significant estimation by management, with input from any outside counsel handling the matter. Refer to Note 14 for further information.
 
Income Taxes
 
Merrill Lynch provides for income taxes on all transactions that have been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“Income Tax Accounting”). Accordingly, deferred taxes are adjusted to reflect the tax rates at which future taxable amounts will likely be settled or realized. The effects of tax rate changes on deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, as well as other changes in income tax laws, are recognized in net earnings in the period during which such changes are enacted. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are more-likely-than-not to be realized. Pursuant to Income Tax Accounting, Merrill Lynch may consider various sources of evidence in assessing the necessity of valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts more-likely-than-not to be realized, including the following: 1) past and projected earnings, including losses, of Merrill Lynch and Bank of America, as certain tax attributes such as U.S. net operating losses (“NOLs”), U.S. capital loss carryforwards and foreign tax credit carryforwards can be utilized by Bank of America in certain


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income tax returns, 2) tax carryforward periods, and 3) tax planning strategies and other factors of the legal entities, such as the intercompany tax-allocation policy. Included within Merrill Lynch’s net deferred tax assets are carryforward amounts generated in the U.S. and the U.K. that are deductible in the future as NOLs. Merrill Lynch has concluded that these deferred tax assets are more-likely-than-not to be fully utilized prior to expiration, based on the projected level of future taxable income of Merrill Lynch and Bank of America, which is relevant due to the intercompany tax-allocation policy. For this purpose, future taxable income was projected based on forecasts, historical earnings after adjusting for the past market disruptions and the anticipated impact of the differences between pre-tax earnings and taxable income.
 
Merrill Lynch recognizes and measures its unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with Income Tax Accounting. Merrill Lynch estimates the likelihood, based on their technical merits, that tax positions will be sustained upon examination considering the facts and circumstances and information available at the end of each period. Merrill Lynch adjusts the level of unrecognized tax benefits when there is more information available, or when an event occurs requiring a change. In accordance with Bank of America’s policy, any new or subsequent change in an unrecognized tax benefit related to a Bank of America state consolidated, combined or unitary return in which Merrill Lynch is a member will not be reflected in Merrill Lynch’s balance sheet. However, upon Bank of America’s resolution of the item, any material impact determined to be attributable to Merrill Lynch will be reflected in Merrill Lynch’s balance sheet. Merrill Lynch accrues income-tax-related interest and penalties, if applicable, within income tax expense.
 
Beginning with the 2009 tax year, Merrill Lynch’s results of operations are included in the U.S. federal income tax return and certain state income tax returns of Bank of America. The method of allocating income tax expense is determined under the intercompany tax allocation policy of Bank of America. This policy specifies that income tax expense will be computed for all Bank of America subsidiaries generally on a separate pro forma return basis, taking into account the tax position of the consolidated group and the pro forma Merrill Lynch group. Under this policy, tax benefits associated with net operating losses (or other tax attributes) of Merrill Lynch are payable to Merrill Lynch upon the earlier of the utilization in Bank of America’s tax returns or the utilization in Merrill Lynch’s pro forma tax returns. See Note 17 for further discussion of income taxes.
 
Goodwill and Intangibles
 
Goodwill is the cost of an acquired company in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. Goodwill is tested annually (or more frequently under certain conditions) for impairment at the reporting unit level in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“Goodwill and Intangible Assets Accounting”).
 
Intangible assets with definite lives consist primarily of value assigned to customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite lives are tested for impairment in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, whenever certain conditions exist which would indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Intangible assets with definitive lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite lives consist of value assigned to the Merrill Lynch brand and are tested for impairment in accordance with Goodwill and Intangible Assets Accounting. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized.
 
Merrill Lynch makes certain complex judgments with respect to its goodwill and intangible assets, including assumptions and estimates used to determine fair value. Merrill Lynch also makes assumptions and estimates in determining the useful lives of its intangible assets with definite lives. Refer to Note 11 for further information.


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Balance Sheet
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Merrill Lynch defines cash equivalents as short-term, highly liquid securities, federal funds sold, and interest-earning deposits with maturities, when purchased, of 90 days or less, that are not used for trading purposes. The amounts recognized for cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value.
 
Cash and Securities Segregated for Regulatory Purposes or Deposited with Clearing Organizations
 
Merrill Lynch maintains relationships with clients around the world and, as a result, it is subject to various regulatory regimes. As a result of its client activities, Merrill Lynch is obligated by rules mandated by its primary regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) in the United States and the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) in the U.K. to segregate or set aside cash and/or qualified securities to satisfy these regulations, which have been promulgated to protect customer assets. In addition, Merrill Lynch is a member of various clearing organizations at which it maintains cash and/or securities required for the conduct of its day-to-day clearance activities. The amounts recognized for cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value.
 
Securities Financing Transactions
 
Merrill Lynch enters into repurchase and resale agreements and securities borrowed and loaned transactions to accommodate customers and earn interest rate spreads (also referred to as “matched-book transactions”), obtain securities for settlement and finance inventory positions. Resale and repurchase agreements are generally accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and may be recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest or at fair value under the fair value option election. In resale and repurchase agreements, typically the termination date of the agreements is before the maturity date of the underlying security. However, in certain situations, Merrill Lynch may enter into agreements where the termination date of the transaction is the same as the maturity date of the underlying security. These transactions are referred to as “repo-to-maturity” transactions. Merrill Lynch enters into repo-to-maturity sales only for high quality, very liquid securities such as U.S. Treasury securities or securities issued by the government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”). Merrill Lynch accounts for repo-to-maturity transactions as sales and purchases in accordance with applicable accounting guidance, and accordingly, removes the securities from the Consolidated Balance Sheet and recognizes a gain or loss in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings/(Loss). Repo-to-maturity transactions were not material for the periods presented.
 
Resale and repurchase agreements recorded at fair value are generally valued based on pricing models that use inputs with observable levels of price transparency. Where the fair value option election has been made, changes in the fair value of resale and repurchase agreements are reflected in principal transactions revenues and the contractual interest coupon is recorded as interest revenue or interest expense, respectively. For further information refer to Note 4.
 
Resale and repurchase agreements recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest approximate fair value, as the fair value of these items is not materially sensitive to shifts in market interest rates because of the short-term nature of these instruments and/or variable interest rates or to credit risk because the resale and repurchase agreements are substantially collateralized.


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Merrill Lynch may use securities received as collateral for resale agreements to satisfy regulatory requirements such as Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Securities borrowed and loaned transactions may be recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received plus accrued interest or at fair value under the fair value option election. Securities borrowed transactions require Merrill Lynch to provide the counterparty with collateral in the form of cash, letters of credit, or other securities. Merrill Lynch receives collateral in the form of cash or other securities for securities loaned transactions. For these transactions, the fees received or paid by Merrill Lynch are recorded as interest revenue or expense. The carrying value of securities borrowed and loaned transactions recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received approximates fair value as these items are not materially sensitive to shifts in market interest rates because of their short-term nature and/or variable interest rates or to credit risk because securities borrowed and loaned transactions are substantially collateralized.
 
For securities financing transactions, Merrill Lynch’s policy is to obtain possession of collateral with a market value equal to or in excess of the principal amount loaned under the agreements. To ensure that the market value of the underlying collateral remains sufficient, collateral is generally valued daily and Merrill Lynch may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or may return collateral pledged when appropriate. Securities financing agreements give rise to negligible credit risk as a result of these collateral provisions, and no allowance for loan losses is considered necessary. Since these instruments are, in general, significantly collateralized by high credit quality and liquid securities, credit risk is considered negligible, and therefore the instruments are managed based on market risk rather than credit risk.
 
Substantially all securities financing activities are transacted under master repurchase agreements that give Merrill Lynch the right, in the event of default, to liquidate collateral held and to offset receivables and payables with the same counterparty. Merrill Lynch offsets certain repurchase and resale transactions with the same counterparty on the Consolidated Balance Sheets where it has such a master agreement and the transactions have the same maturity date.
 
All Merrill Lynch-owned securities pledged to counterparties where the counterparty has the right, by contract or custom, to sell or repledge the securities are disclosed parenthetically in trading assets or in investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
In transactions where Merrill Lynch acts as the lender in a securities lending agreement and receives securities that can be pledged or sold as collateral, it recognizes an asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets carried at fair value, representing the securities received (securities received as collateral), and a liability for the same amount, representing the obligation to return those securities (obligation to return securities received as collateral). The amounts on the Consolidated Balance Sheets result from such non-cash transactions.
 
Trading Assets and Liabilities
 
Merrill Lynch’s trading activities consist primarily of securities brokerage and trading; derivatives dealing and brokerage; commodities trading and futures brokerage; and securities financing transactions. Trading assets and trading liabilities consist of cash instruments (e.g., securities and loans) and derivative instruments. Trading assets also include commodities inventory. See Note 6 for additional information on derivative instruments.
 
Trading assets and liabilities are generally recorded on a trade date basis at fair value. Included in trading liabilities are securities that Merrill Lynch has sold but did not own and will therefore be obligated to purchase at a future date (“short sales”). Commodities inventory is recorded at the lower


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of cost or fair value. Changes in fair value of trading assets and liabilities (i.e., unrealized gains and losses) are recognized as principal transactions revenues in the current period. Realized gains and losses and any related interest amounts are included in principal transactions revenues and interest revenues and expenses, depending on the nature of the instrument.
 
Derivatives
 
A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from an underlying instrument or index, such as interest rates, equity security prices, currencies, commodity prices or credit spreads. Derivatives include futures, forwards, swaps, option contracts and other financial instruments with similar characteristics. Derivative contracts often involve future commitments to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount (e.g., interest rate swaps or currency forwards) or to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specified terms on a specified date (e.g., options to buy or sell securities or currencies). Refer to Note 6 for further information.
 
Investment Securities
 
Investment securities consist of marketable investment securities and non-qualifying investments. Refer to Note 8.
 
Marketable Investment Securities
 
ML & Co. and certain of its non-broker-dealer subsidiaries follow the guidance within Investment Accounting for investments in debt and publicly traded equity securities. Merrill Lynch classifies those debt securities that it does not intend to sell as held-to-maturity securities. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at cost unless a decline in value is deemed other-than-temporary, in which case the carrying value is reduced. For Merrill Lynch, the trading classification under Investment Accounting generally includes those securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term, securities that are economically hedged, or securities that may contain a bifurcatable embedded derivative as defined in Derivatives Accounting. Securities classified as trading are marked to fair value through earnings. All other qualifying securities are classified as available-for-sale and held at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (“OCI”).
 
Realized gains and losses on investment securities are included in current period earnings. For purposes of computing realized gains and losses, the cost basis of each investment sold is based on the specific identification method.
 
Merrill Lynch regularly (at least quarterly) evaluates each held-to-maturity and available-for-sale security whose fair value has declined below amortized cost to assess whether the decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. A decline in a debt security’s fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary if it is probable that all amounts contractually due will not be collected or Merrill Lynch either plans to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost. Beginning in 2009, for unrealized losses on debt securities that are deemed other-than-temporary, the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in earnings and the non-credit component is recognized in OCI when Merrill Lynch does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that Merrill Lynch will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery. Prior to January 1, 2009, unrealized losses (both credit and non- credit components) on available-for-sale debt securities that were deemed other-than-temporary were included in current period earnings.


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Non-Qualifying Investments
 
Non-qualifying investments are those investments that are not within the scope of Investment Accounting and primarily include private equity investments accounted for at fair value and other equity securities carried at cost or under the equity method of accounting. Private equity investments that are held for capital appreciation and/or current income are accounted for under the Investment Company Guide and carried at fair value. Additionally, certain private equity investments that are not accounted for under the Investment Company Guide may be carried at fair value under the fair value option election. The fair value of private equity investments reflects expected exit values based upon market prices or other valuation methodologies, including market comparables of similar companies and discounted expected cash flows.
 
Merrill Lynch has non-controlling investments in the common shares of corporations and in partnerships that do not fall within the scope of Investment Accounting or the Investment Company Guide. Merrill Lynch accounts for these investments using either the cost or the equity method of accounting based on management’s ability to influence the investees. See the Consolidation Accounting section of this Note for more information.
 
For investments accounted for using the equity method, income is recognized based on Merrill Lynch’s share of the earnings or losses of the investee. Dividend distributions are generally recorded as reductions in the investment balance. Impairment testing is based on the guidance provided in Equity Method Accounting, and the investment is reduced when an impairment is deemed other-than-temporary.
 
For investments accounted for at cost, income is recognized when dividends are received, or the investment is sold. Instruments are periodically tested for impairment based on the guidance provided in Investment Accounting, and the cost basis is reduced when an impairment is deemed other-than-temporary.
 
Loans, Notes and Mortgages, Net
 
Merrill Lynch’s lending and related activities include loan originations, syndications and securitizations. Loan originations include corporate and institutional loans, residential and commercial mortgages, asset-backed loans, and other loans to individuals and businesses. Merrill Lynch also engages in secondary market loan trading (see the Trading Assets and Liabilities section of this Note) and margin lending. Loans included in loans, notes, and mortgages are classified for accounting purposes as loans held for investment and loans held for sale. Upon completion of the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, certain loans carried by Merrill Lynch were subject to the requirements of ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“Acquired Impaired Loan Accounting”).
 
Loans held for investment are generally carried at amortized cost, less an allowance for loan losses, which represents Merrill Lynch’s estimate of probable losses inherent in its lending activities. The fair value option election has been made for certain held-for-investment loans, notes and mortgages. Merrill Lynch performs periodic and systematic detailed reviews of its lending portfolios to identify credit risks and to assess overall collectability. These reviews, which are updated on a quarterly basis, consider a variety of factors including, but not limited to, historical loss experience, estimated defaults, delinquencies, economic conditions, credit scores and the fair value of any underlying collateral. Provisions for loan losses are included in interest and dividend revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings/(Loss).


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Merrill Lynch’s estimate of loan losses includes judgment about collectability based on available information at the balance sheet date, and the uncertainties inherent in those underlying assumptions. While management has based its estimates on the best information available, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary as a result of changes in the economic environment or variances between actual results and the original assumptions.
 
In general, loans that are past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest, or where reasonable doubt exists as to timely collection, including loans that are individually identified as being impaired, are classified as non-performing unless well-secured and in the process of collection. Commercial loans whose contractual terms have been restructured in a manner which grants a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties are considered troubled debt restructurings and are classified as non-performing until the loans have performed for an adequate period of time under the restructured agreement. Interest accrued but not collected is reversed when a commercial loan is considered non-performing. Interest collections on commercial loans for which the ultimate collectability of principal is uncertain are applied as principal reductions; otherwise, such collections are credited to income when received. Commercial loans may be restored to performing status when all principal and interest is current and full repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest is expected, or when the loan otherwise becomes well-secured and is in the process of collection.
 
Loans held for sale are carried at lower of cost or fair value. The fair value option election has been made for certain held for sale loans, notes and mortgages. Estimation is required in determining these fair values. The fair value of loans made in connection with commercial lending activity, consisting mainly of senior debt, is primarily estimated using the market value of publicly issued debt instruments when available or discounted cash flows. Merrill Lynch’s estimate of fair value for other loans, notes, and mortgages is determined based on the individual loan characteristics. For certain homogeneous categories of loans, including residential mortgages and home equity loans, fair value is estimated using a whole loan valuation or an “as-if” securitized price based on market conditions. An “as-if” securitized price is based on estimated performance of the underlying asset pool collateral, rating agency credit structure assumptions and market pricing for similar securitizations previously executed. Changes in the carrying value of loans held for sale and loans accounted for at fair value under the fair value option election are included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings/(Loss).
 
Nonrefundable loan origination fees, loan commitment fees, and “draw down” fees received in conjunction with held for investment loans are generally deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan as an adjustment to the yield. If, at the outset, or any time during the term of the loan, it becomes probable that the repayment period will be extended, the amortization is recalculated using the expected remaining life of the loan. When the loan contract does not provide for a specific maturity date, management’s best estimate of the repayment period is used. At repayment of the loan, any unrecognized deferred fee is immediately recognized in earnings. If the loan is accounted for as held for sale, the fees received are deferred and recognized as part of the gain or loss on sale in other revenues. If the loan is accounted for under the fair value option election, the fees are included in the determination of the fair value and included in other revenues.
 
Other Receivables and Payables
 
Customer Receivables and Payables
 
Customer securities transactions are recorded on a settlement date basis. Receivables from and payables to customers include amounts due on cash and margin transactions, including futures contracts transacted on behalf of Merrill Lynch customers. Due to their short-term nature, such amounts approximate fair value. Securities owned by customers, including those that collateralize margin or other similar transactions, are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


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Customer receivables and broker dealer receivables include margin loan transactions where Merrill Lynch will typically make a loan to a customer in order to finance the customer’s purchase of securities. These transactions are conducted through margin accounts. In these transactions the customer is required to post collateral in excess of the value of the loan and the collateral must meet marketability criteria. Collateral is valued daily and must be maintained over the life of the loan. Given that these loans are fully collateralized by marketable securities, credit risk is negligible and reserves for loan losses are only required in rare circumstances.
 
Brokers and Dealers Receivables and Payables
 
Receivables from brokers and dealers include amounts receivable for securities not delivered by Merrill Lynch to a purchaser by the settlement date (“fails to deliver”), margin deposits and commissions, and net amounts arising from unsettled trades. Payables to brokers and dealers include amounts payable for securities not received by Merrill Lynch from a seller by the settlement date (“fails to receive”). Brokers and dealers receivables and payables also include amounts related to futures contracts on behalf of Merrill Lynch customers as well as net receivables or payables from unsettled trades. Due to their short-term nature, the amounts recognized for brokers and dealers receivables and payables approximate fair value.
 
Interest and Other Receivables and Payables
 
Interest and other receivables include interest receivable on corporate and governmental obligations, customer or other receivables, and stock-borrowed transactions. Also included are receivables from income taxes, underwriting and advisory fees, commissions and fees, and other receivables. Interest and other payables include interest payable for stock-loaned transactions, and short-term and long-term borrowings. Also included are amounts payable for employee compensation and benefits, income taxes, non-trading derivatives, dividends, other reserves, and other payables.
 
Equipment and Facilities
 
Equipment and facilities consist primarily of technology hardware and software, leasehold improvements, and owned facilities. Equipment and facilities are reported at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, except for land, which is reported at historical cost.
 
Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method. Equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life, while leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the improvement’s estimated economic useful life or the term of the lease. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization expense was $591 million, $729 million and $790 million for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Other Assets
 
Other assets include deferred tax assets, the excess of the fair value of pension assets over the related benefit obligations, other prepaid expenses, and other deferred charges. Refer to Note 15 for further information.
 
In addition, real estate purchased for investment purposes is also included in other assets. Real estate held in this category may be classified as either held and used or held for sale depending on the facts


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and circumstances. Real estate held and used is valued at cost, less depreciation, and real estate held for sale is valued at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated costs to sell.
 
Deposits
 
Savings deposits are interest-bearing accounts that have no maturity or expiration date. Certificates of deposit are accounts that have a stipulated maturity and interest rate. However, depositors may recover their funds prior to the stated maturity but may pay a penalty to do so. In certain cases, Merrill Lynch enters into interest rate swaps to hedge the fair value risk in these deposits. The carrying amount of deposits approximates fair value amounts.
 
Short- and Long-Term Borrowings
 
Short and long-term borrowings are carried at either the principal amount borrowed, net of unamortized discounts or premiums, adjusted for the effects of fair value hedges or fair value under the fair value option election.
 
Merrill Lynch issues structured debt instruments that have coupons or repayment terms linked to the performance of debt or equity securities, indices, currencies, or commodities, generally referred to as hybrid debt instruments or structured notes. The contingent payment components of these obligations may meet the definition in Derivatives Accounting of an embedded derivative. Structured notes are generally accounted for under the fair value option election.
 
Merrill Lynch uses derivatives to manage the interest rate, currency, equity, and other risk exposures of its borrowings. See Note 6 for additional information on the accounting for derivatives.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
Merrill Lynch accounts for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, (“Stock Compensation Accounting”), under which compensation expense for share-based awards that do not require future service are recorded immediately, while those that do require future service are amortized into expense over the relevant service period. Further, expected forfeitures of share-based compensation awards for non-retirement-eligible employees are included in determining compensation expense.
 
Employee Stock Options
 
Prior to January 1, 2009, the fair value of stock options with vesting based solely on service requirements was estimated as of the grant date based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model, while the fair value of stock options with vesting that was partially dependent on pre-determined increases in the price of Merrill Lynch’s common stock was estimated as of the grant date using a lattice option pricing model. Subsequent to January 1, 2009, in accordance with Bank of America’s policy, the fair value of all stock options is estimated as of the grant date using a lattice option pricing model, which takes into account the exercise price and expected life of the option, the current price of the underlying stock and its expected volatility, expected dividends and the risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option. Judgment is required in determining certain of the inputs to the model. The expected life of the option is based on an analysis of historical employee exercise behavior. The expected volatility is based on Bank of America’s implied stock price volatility for the same number of months as the


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expected life of the option. The fair value of the option estimated at grant date is not adjusted for subsequent changes in assumptions.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In July 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new disclosure guidance on financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses. The new guidance requires further disaggregation of existing disclosures of loans and the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment and class, and also requires new disclosures about credit quality, impaired loans, and past due and non accrual loans. The additional disclosures include more information, by type of receivable, on credit quality indicators, including aging and significant purchases and sales. These new disclosures are effective for the year ended December 31, 2010, although the disclosures of reporting period activity will first be effective for the first quarter of 2011. This new accounting guidance does not change the accounting model for a loan portfolio or the allowance for credit losses; accordingly, it will have no impact on Merrill Lynch’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In March 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on embedded credit derivatives. This new accounting guidance clarifies the scope exception for embedded credit derivatives and defines which embedded credit derivatives are required to be evaluated for bifurcation and separate accounting, and applies to those instruments not accounted for as trading securities. In addition, the guidance effectively extends the Derivatives Accounting disclosure requirement for credit derivatives to all securities with potential embedded derivative features regardless of the accounting treatment. This new accounting guidance was effective on July 1, 2010. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on Merrill Lynch’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. The additional disclosures required by this new guidance are included in Note 6.
 
On January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch adopted new accounting guidance on transfers of financial assets and consolidation of VIEs. This new accounting guidance revises sale accounting criteria for transfers of financial assets, including the elimination of the concept of and accounting for QSPEs, and significantly changes the criteria by which an enterprise determines whether it must consolidate a VIE. The adoption of this new accounting guidance resulted in the consolidation of certain VIEs that previously were QSPEs and VIEs that were not recorded on Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Balance Sheet prior to January 1, 2010. See Note 9 for the initial impact of the new Consolidation Accounting guidance on Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Application of the new consolidation guidance has been deferred indefinitely for certain investment funds managed on behalf of third parties if Merrill Lynch does not have an obligation to fund losses that could potentially be significant to these funds. Any funds meeting the deferral requirements will continue to be evaluated for consolidation in accordance with the prior guidance.
 
On January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch adopted new amendments to Fair Value Accounting. The amendments require disclosure of significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 as well as significant transfers in and out of Level 3 on a gross basis. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements regarding the level of disaggregation of fair value measurements and inputs and valuation techniques. The enhanced disclosures required under these amendments are included in Note 4. Beginning January 1, 2011, separate presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the Level 3 reconciliation will also be required under the amendments to Fair Value Accounting. This new accounting guidance does not change the classification hierarchy for fair value accounting. Further, it will have no impact on Merrill Lynch’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In April 2009, the FASB amended Investment Accounting to require that an entity recognize the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security in earnings and the noncredit


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component in OCI when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the entity will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery. The amendments also require expanded disclosures. Merrill Lynch elected to early adopt the amendments effective January 1, 2009 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements, as any OCI that Merrill Lynch previously recorded was eliminated upon Bank of America’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch. The amendments did not change the recognition of other-than-temporary impairment for equity securities.
 
In April 2009, the FASB amended Business Combinations Accounting, whereby assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies should be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date if fair value can be determined during the measurement period. If fair value cannot be determined, companies should typically account for the acquired contingencies using existing guidance. This new guidance was effective for new acquisitions consummated on or after January 1, 2009. Bank of America applied this guidance to its January 1, 2009 acquisition of Merrill Lynch, and the effects of the adoption were not material to these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Note 2.  Transactions with Bank of America
 
Merrill Lynch has entered into various transactions with Bank of America, primarily to integrate certain activities within either Bank of America or Merrill Lynch. Transactions with Bank of America also include various asset and liability transfers and transactions associated with intercompany sales and trading and financing activities.
 
Sale of U.S. Banks to Bank of America
 
During 2009, Merrill Lynch sold Merrill Lynch Bank USA (“MLBUSA”) and Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., FSB (“MLBT-FSB”) to a subsidiary of Bank of America. In both transactions, Merrill Lynch sold the shares of the respective entity to Bank of America. The sale price of each entity was equal to its net book value as of the date of transfer. Consideration for the sale of MLBUSA was in the form of an $8.9 billion floating rate demand note payable from Bank of America to Merrill Lynch, while MLBT-FSB was sold for cash of approximately $4.4 billion. The demand note received by Merrill Lynch in connection with the MLBUSA sale had a stated market interest rate at the time of sale.
 
The MLBUSA sale was completed on July 1, 2009, and the sale of MLBT-FSB was completed on November 2, 2009. After each sale was completed, MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB were merged into Bank of America, N.A., a subsidiary of Bank of America.
 
Acquisition of Banc of America Investment Services, Inc. (“BAI”) from Bank of America
 
In October 2009, Bank of America contributed the shares of BAI, one of its wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiaries, to ML & Co. Subsequent to the transfer, BAI was merged into MLPF&S. The net amount contributed by Bank of America to ML & Co. was equal to BAI’s net book value of approximately $263 million as of the date of transfer. In accordance with Business Combinations Accounting, Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of BAI as if the contribution from Bank of America had occurred on January 1, 2009, the date at which both entities were first under the common control of Bank of America.


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Merger with BASH
 
See Note 1 — “Merger with BASH” for further information on this transaction.
 
Asset and Liability Transfers
 
Subsequent to the Bank of America acquisition, certain assets and liabilities were transferred at fair value between Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. These transfers were made in connection with the integration of certain trading activities with Bank of America and efforts to manage risk in a more effective and efficient manner at the consolidated Bank of America level. In the future, Merrill Lynch and Bank of America may continue to transfer certain assets and liabilities to (and from) each other.
 
Other Related Party Transactions
 
Merrill Lynch has entered into various other transactions with Bank of America, primarily in connection with certain sales and trading and financing activities. Details on amounts receivable from and payable to Bank of America as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are presented below.
 
Receivables from Bank of America are comprised of:
 
                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 14,471     $ 8,268  
Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes
    5,508       3,666  
Receivables under resale agreements
    31,053       46,608  
Trading assets
    643       699  
Net intercompany funding receivable
    7,305       5,778  
Other receivables
    1,460       4,059  
Other assets
    215       117  
                 
Total
  $ 60,655     $ 69,195  
                 
 
 
 
Payables to Bank of America are comprised of:
 
                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
 
 
Payables under repurchase agreements
  $ 12,890     $ 14,025  
Payables under securities loaned transactions
    2,352       5,957  
Short term borrowings
    1,901       2,400  
Deposits
    33       35  
Trading liabilities
    520       718  
Other payables
    2,746       5,595  
Long term borrowings(1)
    2,579       3,731  
                 
Total
  $ 23,021     $ 32,461  
                 
 
 
(1) Amounts are subordinated borrowings from Bank of America (see Note 12).


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Total net revenues and non-interest expenses related to transactions with Bank of America for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $906 million and $679 million, respectively. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 included a realized gain of approximately $280 million from the sale of approximately $11 billion of available-for-sale securities and a gain of approximately $600 million from the sale of Bloomberg Inc. notes receivable to Bank of America as discussed below. Total net revenues and non-interest expenses related to transactions with Bank of America for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $1.5 billion and $689 million, respectively. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 included $430 million of investment banking revenue from underwriting an equity issuance for Bank of America during the fourth quarter of 2009.
 
In July 2008, Merrill Lynch sold its 20% ownership stake in Bloomberg, L.P. to Bloomberg Inc. A portion of the consideration received was notes issued by Bloomberg Inc., the general partner and owner of substantially all of Bloomberg, L.P. The notes represent senior unsecured obligations of Bloomberg Inc. In December 2010, Merrill Lynch sold the Bloomberg Inc. notes to Bank of America at fair value and recorded a gain of approximately $600 million.
 
Bank of America has guaranteed the performance of Merrill Lynch on certain derivative transactions (see Note 6). Bank of America has also guaranteed certain debt securities, warrants and/or other certificates and obligations of certain subsidiaries of ML & Co. (see Note 12).
 
Note 3.  Segment and Geographic Information
 
Segment Information
 
Prior to the acquisition by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch’s operations were organized and reported as two operating segments in accordance with the criteria in ASC 280, Segment Reporting (“Segment Reporting”): Global Markets and Investment Banking and Global Wealth Management.
 
As a result of the acquisition by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch reevaluated the provisions of Segment Reporting in the first quarter of 2009. Pursuant to Segment Reporting, operating segments represent components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in determining how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Based upon how the chief operating decision maker of Merrill Lynch reviews results in terms of allocating resources and assessing performance, it was determined that Merrill Lynch does not contain any identifiable operating segments under Segment Reporting. As a result, the financial information of Merrill Lynch is presented as a single segment.
 
Geographic Information
 
Merrill Lynch conducts its business activities through offices in the following five regions:
 
  •  United States;
  •  Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”);
  •  Pacific Rim;
  •  Latin America; and
  •  Canada.
 
The principal methodologies used in preparing the geographic information below are as follows:
 
  •  Revenues are generally recorded based on the location of the employee generating the revenue; and


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  •  Intercompany transfers are based primarily on service agreements.
 
The information that follows, in management’s judgment, provides a reasonable representation of each region’s contribution to the consolidated net revenues:
 
                           
(dollars in millions)
 
    For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
    For the Year Ended
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009     December 26, 2008(3)(4)
 
Revenues, net of interest expense
                         
Europe, Middle East, and Africa
  $ 4,500     $ 5,841       $ (2,390 )
Pacific Rim
    2,244       2,136         69  
Latin America
    1,072       823         1,237  
Canada
    207       242         161  
                           
Total Non-U.S. 
    8,023       9,042         (923 )
United States(1)(2)
    19,848       20,477         (11,670 )
                           
Total revenues, net of interest expense
  $ 27,871     $ 29,519       $ (12,593 )
                           
 
 
(1) U.S. results for the year ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 included losses of $0.1 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively, due to the impact of the changes in Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads on the carrying values of certain long-term borrowings, primarily structured notes.
(2) Corporate net revenues and adjustments are reflected in the U.S. region.
(3) The EMEA 2008 results included net losses of $4.3 billion primarily related to residential and commercial mortgage-related exposures.
(4) The U.S. 2008 results included net losses of $21.5 billion, primarily related to credit valuation adjustments related to hedges with financial guarantors, losses from asset-backed collateralized debt obligations (“ABS CDOs”), losses from residential and commercial mortgage-related exposures, other than temporary impairment charges recognized in the investment securities portfolio, and losses on leveraged finance loans and commitments. These losses were partially offset by gains of $5.1 billion that resulted from the widening of Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads on the carrying value of certain long-term borrowings, primarily structured notes, and a $4.3 billion net gain related to the sale of Merrill Lynch’s ownership stake in Bloomberg L.P.
 
Note 4.  Fair Value Disclosures
 
Fair Value Accounting
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
In accordance with Fair Value Accounting, Merrill Lynch has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy.
 
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
 
Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
 
Level 1.   Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that Merrill Lynch has the ability to access (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, exchange-traded derivatives, U.S. Government securities, and certain other sovereign government obligations).


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Level 2.   Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:
 
  a)  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (examples include restricted stock and U.S. agency securities);
 
  b)  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (examples include corporate and municipal bonds, which can trade infrequently);
 
  c)  Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include most over-the-counter derivatives, including interest rate and currency swaps); and
 
  d)  Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include certain residential and commercial mortgage-related assets, including loans, securities and derivatives).
 
Level 3.   Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s view about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability (examples include certain private equity investments, certain residential and commercial mortgage-related assets and long-dated or complex derivatives).
 
As required by Fair Value Accounting, when the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Therefore gains and losses for such assets and liabilities categorized within the Level 3 reconciliation below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3). Further, the following reconciliations do not take into consideration the offsetting effect of Level 1 and 2 financial instruments entered into by Merrill Lynch that economically hedge certain exposures to the Level 3 positions.
 
A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Level 3 gains and losses represent amounts incurred during the period in which the instrument was classified as Level 3. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in or transfers out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur. Refer to the recurring and non-recurring sections within this Note for further information on transfers in and out of Level 3.
 
Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities were not significant for the year ended December 31, 2010.


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Valuation Techniques
 
The following outlines the valuation methodologies for Merrill Lynch’s material categories of assets and liabilities:
 
U.S. Government and agencies
 
U.S. treasury securities U.S. treasury securities are valued using quoted market prices and are generally classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
U.S. agency securities U.S. agency securities are comprised of two main categories consisting of agency issued debt and mortgage pass-throughs. The fair value of agency issued debt securities is derived using market prices and recent trade activity gathered from independent dealer pricing services or brokers. Mortgage pass-throughs include To-be-announced (“TBA”) securities and mortgage pass-through certificates. TBA securities are generally valued using quoted market prices. The fair value of mortgage pass-through certificates is model driven based on the comparable TBA security. Agency issued debt securities and mortgage pass-throughs are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
 
Sovereign government obligations Sovereign government obligations are valued using quoted prices in active markets when available. To the extent quoted prices are not available, fair value is determined based on reference to recent trading activity and quoted prices of similar securities. These securities are generally classified in Level 1 or Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, primarily based on the issuing country.
 
Municipal debt
 
Municipal bonds The fair value of municipal bonds is calculated using recent trade activity, market price quotations and new issuance levels. In the absence of this information, fair value is calculated using comparable bond credit spreads. Current interest rates, credit events, and individual bond characteristics such as coupon, call features, maturity, and revenue purpose are considered in the valuation process. The majority of these bonds are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Auction Rate Securities (“ARS”) Merrill Lynch holds investments in certain ARS, including student loan and municipal ARS. Student loan ARS are comprised of various pools of student loans. Municipal ARS are issued by states and municipalities for a wide variety of purposes, including but not limited to healthcare, industrial development, education and transportation infrastructure. The fair value of the student loan ARS is calculated using a pricing model that relies upon a number of assumptions including weighted average life, coupon, discount margin and liquidity discounts. The fair value of the municipal ARS is calculated based upon projected refinancing and spread assumptions. In both cases, recent trades and issuer tenders are considered in the valuations. Student loan ARS and municipal ARS are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Corporate and other debt
 
Corporate bonds Corporate bonds are valued based on either the most recent observable trade and/or external quotes, depending on availability. The most recent observable trade price is given highest priority as the valuation benchmark based on an evaluation of transaction date, size, frequency, and


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bid-offer. This price may be adjusted by bond or credit default swap spread movement. When credit default swap spreads are referenced, cash-to-synthetic basis magnitude and movement as well as maturity matching are incorporated into the value. When neither external quotes nor a recent trade is available, the bonds are valued using a discounted cash flow approach based on risk parameters of comparable securities. In such cases, the potential pricing difference in spread and/or price terms with the traded comparable is considered. Corporate bonds are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Corporate loans and commitments The fair values of corporate loans and loan commitments are based on market prices and most recent transactions when available. When not available, a discounted cash flow valuation approach is applied using market-based credit spreads of comparable debt instruments, recent new issuance activity or relevant credit derivatives with appropriate cash-to-synthetic basis adjustments. Corporate loans and commitments are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain corporate loans, particularly those related to emerging market, leveraged and distressed companies have limited price transparency. These loans are generally classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (“RMBS”), Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (“CMBS”), and other Asset-Backed Securities (“ABS”) RMBS, CMBS and other ABS are valued based on observable price or credit spreads for the particular security, or when price or credit spreads are not observable, the valuation is based on prices of comparable bonds or the present value of expected future cash flows. Valuation levels of RMBS and CMBS indices are used as an additional data point for benchmarking purposes or to price outright index positions.
 
When estimating the fair value based upon the present value of expected future cash flows, Merrill Lynch uses its best estimate of the key assumptions, including forecasted credit losses, prepayment rates, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved, while also taking into account performance of the underlying collateral.
 
RMBS, CMBS and other ABS are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy if external prices or credit spreads are unobservable or if comparable trades/assets involve significant subjectivity related to property type differences, cash flows, performance and other inputs; otherwise, they are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Equities
 
Exchange-Traded Equity Securities Exchange-traded equity securities are generally valued based on quoted prices from the exchange. To the extent these securities are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are classified as Level 2.
 
Derivative contracts
 
Listed Derivative Contracts Listed derivatives that are actively traded are generally valued based on quoted prices from the exchange and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Listed derivatives that are not actively traded are valued using the same approaches as those applied to OTC derivatives; they are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.


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OTC Derivative Contracts OTC derivative contracts include forwards, swaps and options related to interest rate, foreign currency, credit, equity or commodity underlyings.
 
The fair value of OTC derivatives is derived using market prices and other market based pricing parameters such as interest rates, currency rates and volatilities that are observed directly in the market or gathered from independent sources such as dealer consensus pricing services or brokers. Where models are used, they are used consistently and reflect the contractual terms of and specific risks inherent in the contracts. Generally, the models do not require a high level of subjectivity since the valuation techniques used in the models do not require significant judgment and inputs to the models are readily observable in active markets. When appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity and credit considerations based on available market evidence. In addition, for most collateralized interest rate and currency derivatives the requirement to pay interest on the collateral may be considered in the valuation. The majority of OTC derivative contracts are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
OTC derivative contracts that do not have readily observable market based pricing parameters are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Examples of derivative contracts classified within Level 3 include contractual obligations that have tenures that extend beyond periods in which inputs to the model would be observable, exotic derivatives with significant inputs into a valuation model that are less transparent in the market and certain credit default swaps (“CDS”) referenced to mortgage-backed securities.
 
For example, derivative instruments, such as certain CDS referenced to RMBS, CMBS, ABS and collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), may be valued based on the underlying mortgage risk where these instruments are not actively quoted. Inputs to the valuation will include available information on similar underlying loans or securities in the cash market. The prepayments and loss assumptions on the underlying loans or securities are estimated using a combination of historical data, prices on recent market transactions, relevant observable market indices such as the ABX or CMBX and prepayment and default scenarios and analyses.
 
CDOs The fair value of CDOs is derived from a referenced basket of CDS, the CDO’s capital structure, and the default correlation, which is an input to a proprietary CDO valuation model. The underlying CDO portfolios typically contain investment grade as well as non-investment grade obligors. After adjusting for differences in risk profile, the correlation parameter for an actual transaction is estimated by benchmarking against observable standardized index tranches and other comparable transactions. CDOs are classified as either Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Investment securities non-qualifying
 
Investments in Private Equity, Real Estate and Hedge Funds Merrill Lynch has investments in numerous asset classes, including: direct private equity, private equity funds, hedge funds and real estate funds. Valuing these investments requires significant management judgment due to the nature of the assets and the lack of quoted market prices and liquidity in these assets. Initially, the transaction price of the investment is generally considered to be the best indicator of fair value. Thereafter, valuation of direct investments is based on an assessment of each individual investment using various methodologies, which include publicly traded comparables derived by multiplying a key performance metric (e.g., earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of the portfolio company by the relevant valuation multiple observed for comparable companies, acquisition comparables, entry level multiples and discounted cash flows. These valuations are subject to appropriate discounts for lack of liquidity or marketability. Certain factors which may influence changes to fair value include but are not limited to, recapitalizations, subsequent rounds of financing, and offerings in the equity or debt


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capital markets. For fund investments, Merrill Lynch generally records the fair value of its proportionate interest in the fund’s capital as reported by the fund’s respective managers.
 
Publicly traded private equity investments are primarily classified as either Level 1 or Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 classifications generally include those publicly traded equity investments that have a legal or contractual transfer restriction. All other investments in private equity, real estate and hedge funds are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy due to infrequent trading and/or unobservable market prices.
 
Resale and repurchase agreements
 
Merrill Lynch elected the fair value option for certain resale and repurchase agreements. For such agreements, the fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow model which incorporates inputs such as interest rate yield curves and option volatility. Resale and repurchase agreements for which the fair value option has been elected are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Long-term and short-term borrowings
 
Merrill Lynch and its consolidated VIEs issue structured notes that have coupons or repayment terms linked to the performance of debt or equity securities, indices, currencies or commodities. The fair value of structured notes is estimated using valuation models for the combined derivative and debt portions of the notes when the fair value option has been elected. These models incorporate observable and in some instances unobservable inputs including security prices, interest rate yield curves, option volatility, currency, commodity or equity rates and correlations between these inputs. The impact of Merrill Lynch’s own credit spreads is also included based on Merrill Lynch’s observed secondary bond market spreads. Structured notes are classified as either Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.


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Recurring Fair Value
 
The following tables present Merrill Lynch’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
    Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
    as of December 31, 2010
                Netting
   
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Adj(1)   Total
 
 
Assets:
                                       
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations:
                                       
Corporate debt
  $ -     $ 306     $ -     $ -     $ 306  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    1,652       1,402       -       -       3,054  
U.S. government and agencies
    1,419       1,413       -       -       2,832  
                                         
Total securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations
    3,071       3,121       -       -       6,192  
                                         
Receivables under resale agreements
    -       51,132       -       -       51,132  
Receivables under securities borrowed transactions
    -       1,672       -       -       1,672  
Trading assets, excluding derivative contracts:
                                       
Equities
    20,458       7,673       170       -       28,301  
Convertible debentures
    -       5,903       -       -       5,903  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    18,393       3,612       243       -       22,248  
Corporate debt
    -       22,300       4,605       -       26,905  
Preferred stock
    -       511       287       -       798  
Mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
    -       5,247       5,747       -       10,994  
U.S. government and agencies
    7,152       34,226       -       -       41,378  
Municipals and money markets
    732       11,102       2,327       -       14,161  
Physical commodities and other
    -       598       -       -       598  
                                         
Total trading assets, excluding derivative contracts
    46,735       91,172       13,379       -       151,286  
                                         
Derivative contracts(2)
    1,622       590,020       14,359       (566,630 )     39,371  
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                                       
U.S. treasury securities and agency debentures
    430       -       -       -       430  
Mortgage-backed securities — residential MBS
    -       3,869       -       -       3,869  
Mortgage-backed securities — agency CMOs
    -       61       -       -       61  
Mortgage-backed securities — non-agency MBSs
    -       518       213       -       731  
                                         
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    430       4,448       213       -       5,091  
                                         
Investment securities non-qualifying
    2,792       690       3,394               6,876  
                                         
Total investment securities
    3,222       5,138       3,607       -       11,967  
                                         
Securities received as collateral
    19,471       892       -       -       20,363  
Loans, notes and mortgages
    -       1,423       1,891       -       3,314  
Liabilities:
                                       
Payables under repurchase agreements
    -       37,394       -       -       37,394  
Short-term borrowings
    -       6,472       -       -       6,472  
Trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts:
                                       
Equities
    11,706       914       -       -       12,620  
Convertible debentures
    -       1,406       -       -       1,406  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    14,748       957       -       -       15,705  
Corporate debt
    -       9,500       -       -       9,500  
U.S. government and agencies
    19,860       4,887       -       -       24,747  
Municipals, money markets and other
    224       347                       571  
                                         
Total trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts
    46,538       18,011       -       -       64,549  
                                         
Derivative contracts(2)
    1,142       590,138       7,991       (567,074 )     32,197  
Obligation to return securities received as collateral
    19,471       892                       20,363  
Other payables — interest and other
    -       39       126       -       165  
Long-term borrowings
    -       36,818       2,396       -       39,214  
 
 
(1) Represents counterparty and cash collateral netting.
 
(2) Refer to Note 6 for product level detail.


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Level 3 derivative contracts (assets) relate to derivative positions on U.S. ABS CDOs and other mortgage products of $5.7 billion, $4.1 billion of other credit derivatives that incorporate unobservable model valuation inputs, and $4.5 billion of equity, currency, interest rate and commodity derivatives that are long-dated and/or have unobservable model valuation inputs (e.g., unobservable correlation).
 
Level 3 non-qualifying investment securities primarily relate to certain private equity positions.
 
Level 3 loans, notes and mortgages primarily relate to residential mortgage and corporate loans.
 
Level 3 derivative contracts (liabilities) relate to derivative positions on U.S. ABS CDOs and other mortgage products of $2.2 billion, $2.0 billion of other credit derivatives that incorporate unobservable model valuation inputs, and $3.8 billion of equity, currency, interest rate and commodity derivatives that are long-dated and/or have unobservable model valuation inputs (e.g., unobservable correlation).
 
Level 3 long-term borrowings primarily relate to equity-linked structured notes of $1.9 billion that are long-dated and/or have unobservable model valuation inputs (e.g., unobservable correlation).
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
    Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
    as of December 31, 2009
                Netting
   
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Adj(1)   Total
 
 
Assets:
                                       
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations:
                                       
Mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
  $ -     $ 5,525     $ -     $ -     $ 5,525  
Corporate debt
    -       579       -       -       579  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    946       893       -       -       1,839  
U.S. government and agencies
    1,046       1,541       -       -       2,587  
                                         
Total securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations
    1,992       8,538       -       -       10,530  
                                         
Receivables under resale agreements
    -       53,462       -       -       53,462  
Receivables under securities borrowed transactions
    -       2,888       -       -       2,888  
Trading assets, excluding derivative contracts:
                                       
Equities
    23,101       6,645       351       -       30,097  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    17,407       2,734       1,142       -       21,283  
Convertible debentures
    -       4,922       117       -       5,039  
Corporate debt
    -       22,646       6,673       -       29,319  
Preferred stock(2)
    -       436       562       -       998  
Mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
    -       5,828       7,294       -       13,122  
U.S. government and agencies
    6,652       26,027       -       -       32,679  
Municipals and money markets
    798       8,531       2,148       -       11,477  
Physical commodities and other
    -       651       -       -       651  
                                         
Total trading assets, excluding derivative contracts
    47,958       78,420       18,287       -       144,665  
                                         
Derivative contracts
    2,226       658,640       17,939       (628,839 )     49,966  
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                                       
Mortgage-backed securities — agency collateralized mortgage obligations
    -       9,688       -       -       9,688  
Mortgage-backed securities — non-agency MBSs
    -       1,132       473       -       1,605  
                                         
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    -       10,820       473       -       11,293  
                                         
Investment securities non-qualifying
    2,027       493       3,696       -       6,216  
                                         
Total investment securities
    2,027       11,313       4,169       -       17,509  
                                         
Securities received as collateral
    15,780       597       -       -       16,377  
Loans, notes and mortgages
    -       654       4,115       -       4,769  


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(dollars in millions)
    Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
    as of December 31, 2009
                Netting
   
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Adj(1)   Total
 
 
Liabilities:
                                       
Payables under repurchase agreements
  $ -     $ 37,717     $ -     $ -     $ 37,717  
Short-term borrowings
    -       813       -       -       813  
Trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts:
                                       
Equities
    12,051       1,106       -       -       13,157  
Convertible debentures
    -       534       -       -       534  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    12,028       430       386       -       12,844  
Corporate debt
    7       5,885       -       -       5,892  
U.S. government and agencies
    12,370       4,498       -       -       16,868  
Municipals, money markets and other
    273       493       -       -       766  
                                         
Total trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts
    36,729       12,946       386       -       50,061  
                                         
Derivative contracts
    1,732       662,942       11,073       (640,309 )     35,438  
Obligation to return securities received as collateral
    15,780       597       -       -       16,377  
Other payables — interest and other
    -       54       186       -       240  
Long-term borrowings
    -       42,357       4,683       -       47,040  
 
 
(1) Represents counterparty and cash collateral netting.
(2) Primarily represents auction rate securities.
 
Level 3 derivative contracts (assets) primarily relate to derivative positions on U.S. ABS CDOs and other mortgages of $7.5 billion, $5.0 billion of other credit derivatives that incorporate unobservable correlation, and $5.4 billion of equity, currency, interest rate and commodity derivatives that are long-dated and/or have an unobservable model valuation input(s).
 
Level 3 non-qualifying investment securities primarily relate to certain private equity positions.
 
Level 3 loans, notes and mortgages primarily relate to residential mortgage and corporate loans.
 
Level 3 derivative contracts (liabilities) primarily relate to derivative positions on U.S. ABS CDOs and other mortgages of $4.1 billion, $2.2 billion of other credit derivatives that incorporate unobservable correlation, and $4.8 billion of equity, currency, interest rate and commodity derivatives that are long-dated and/or have unobservable correlation.
 
Level 3 long-term borrowings primarily relate to equity-linked structured notes of $3.6 billion that are long-dated and/or have unobservable correlation.
 
The following tables provide a summary of changes in Merrill Lynch’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 26, 2008.
 

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(dollars in millions)
    Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities
    Successor Company
    Year Ended December 31, 2010
        Total Realized and Unrealized
  Total Realized
      Purchases,
           
        Gains or (Losses) included in Income   and Unrealized Gains
  Unrealized
  Issuances
           
    Beginning
  Principal
  Other
      or (Losses)
  Gains to
  and
  Transfers
  Transfers
  Ending
    Balance   Transactions   Revenue   Interest   included in Income   OCI   Settlements   In   Out   Balance
 
 
Assets:
                                                                               
Trading assets, excluding derivative contracts:
                                                                               
Equities
  $ 351     $ (17 )   $ -     $ -     $ (17 )   $ -     $ (167 )   $ 130     $ (127 )   $ 170  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    1,142       (143 )     -       -       (143 )     -       (144 )     103       (715 )     243  
Corporate debt
    6,790       398       -       -       398       -       (2,271 )     965       (1,277 )     4,605  
Preferred stock
    562       (34 )     -       -       (34 )     -       (204 )     -       (37 )     287  
Mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
    7,294       253       -       -       253       -       (1,793 )     390       (397 )     5,747  
Municipals and money markets
    2,148       112       -       -       112       -       (1,054 )     1,234       (113 )     2,327  
                                                                                 
Total trading assets, excluding derivative contracts
    18,287       569       -       -       569       -       (5,633 )     2,822       (2,666 )     13,379  
                                                                                 
Derivative contracts, net
    6,866       (1,173 )     -       -       (1,173 )     -       648       691       (664 )     6,368  
Investment securities available-for-sale :
                                                                               
Mortgage-backed securities — non-agency MBSs
    473       -       (96 )     31       (65 )     (36 )     (224 )     77       (12 )     213  
                                                                                 
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    473       -       (96 )     31       (65 )     (36 )     (224 )     77       (12 )     213  
                                                                                 
Investment securities non-qualifying
    3,696       -       1,437       -       1,437       -       (1,540 )     -       (199 )     3,394  
                                                                                 
Total investment securities
    4,169       -       1,341       31       1,372       (36 )     (1,764 )     77       (211 )     3,607  
                                                                                 
Loans, notes and mortgages
    4,115       -       133       144       277       -       (2,420 )     28       (109 )     1,891  
Liabilities:
                                                                               
Trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts:
                                                                               
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    386       23       -       -       23       -       17       -       (380 )     -  
                                                                                 
Total trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts
    386       23       -       -       23       -       17       -       (380 )     -  
                                                                                 
Other payables - interest and other
    186       -       44       -       44       -       (16 )     -       -       126  
Long-term borrowings
    4,683       676       41       -       717       -       (1,254 )     1,353       (1,669 )     2,396  
 
 
 
Net losses in principal transactions related to derivative contracts, net were primarily due to credit spreads tightening on short CMBS-linked positions and valuation changes on correlation and long-dated equity derivative positions.
 
Other revenue related to investment securities non-qualifying primarily represents net gains on certain private equity investments.
 
Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements of corporate debt primarily relates to the sale and redemption of certain positions (e.g., corporate ARS). Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements related to mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities primarily relates to the termination and redemption of certain positions during the fourth quarter of 2010. Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements related to municipals and money markets primarily relates to the sale of municipal ARS during the fourth quarter of 2010. Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements related to investment securities non-qualifying relates to the settlement of certain private equity investments. Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements related to loans, notes and mortgages primarily relates to sales and repayments of some sizable positions and portfolios during the

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first and second quarters of 2010 in addition to sales and the deconsolidation of certain loan VIEs during the fourth quarter of 2010. Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements related to long-term borrowings relates to the deconsolidation of certain loan VIEs during the fourth quarter of 2010.
 
Transfers in for corporate debt primarily relates to reduced price transparency for certain corporate bond positions. Transfers in for municipals and money markets relates to reduced price transparency (e.g., lower trading activity) for municipal ARS. Transfers out for corporate debt primarily relates to increased price testing coverage for certain positions. Transfers in and transfers out related to long-term borrowings are primarily due to changes in the impact of unobservable inputs on the value of certain equity-linked structured notes.
 
                                                                         
(dollars in millions)
    Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities
    Successor Company
    Year Ended December 31, 2009
        Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or
  Total Realized and
      Purchases,
       
        (Losses) included in Income   Unrealized Gains
  Unrealized
  Issuances
       
    Beginning
  Principal
  Other
      or (Losses)
  Gains to
  and
  Transfers
  Ending
    Balance   Transactions   Revenue   Interest   included in Income   OCI   Settlements   In (out)   Balance
 
 
Assets:
                                                                       
Trading assets, excluding derivative contracts:
                                                                       
Equities
  $ 660     $ (202 )   $ -     $ -     $ (202 )   $ -     $ 234     $ (341 )   $ 351  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    30       136       -       -       136       -       174       802       1,142  
Corporate debt & convertible debentures
    11,286       553       -       -       553       -       (898 )     (4,151 )     6,790  
Preferred stock
    3,344       (191 )     -       -       (191 )     -       (2,696 )     105       562  
Mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
    8,246       (441 )     -       -       (441 )     -       1,666       (2,177 )     7,294  
Municipals and money markets
    798       (27 )     -       -       (27 )     -       1,390       (13 )     2,148  
                                                                         
Total trading assets, excluding derivative contracts
    24,364       (172 )     -       -       (172 )     -       (130 )     (5,775 )     18,287  
                                                                         
Derivative contracts, net
    2,307       (2,209 )     -       -       (2,209 )     -       1,910       4,858       6,866  
Investment securities available-for-sale :
                                                                       
Mortgage-backed securities — residential non-agency MBSs
    350       -       (449 )     178       (271 )     41       (1,859 )     2,212       473  
                                                                         
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    350       -       (449 )     178       (271 )     41       (1,859 )     2,212       473  
                                                                         
Investment securities non-qualifying
    2,761       -       1,029       -       1,029       -       (103 )     9       3,696  
                                                                         
Total investment securities
    3,111       -       580       178       758       41       (1,962 )     2,221       4,169  
                                                                         
Loans, notes and mortgages
    359       -       710       88       798       -       (2,931 )     5,889       4,115  
Liabilities:
                                                                       
Trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts:
                                                                       
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    -       (38 )     -       -       (38 )     -       -       348       386  
                                                                         
Other payables - interest and other
    -       -       754       -       754       -       (358 )     1,298       186  
Long-term borrowings
    7,480       (2,083 )     (227 )     -       (2,310 )     -       (829 )     (4,278 )     4,683  
 
 
 
Net losses in principal transactions related to net derivative contracts were primarily due to net losses on long-dated exotic equity options, which were offset by gains on Level 1 and Level 2 instruments that hedged these positions. Net losses in principal transactions related to net derivative contracts were also due to net losses from changes in credit spreads on underlying ABS and CMBS positions, which were offset by gains on Level 2 instruments that hedged these positions. Net losses in principal transactions related to long-term borrowings were primarily due to the narrowing of Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads on certain equity linked notes.
 
Other revenue related to investment securities non-qualifying primarily represents net gains on certain private equity investments.
 
Increases in purchases, issuances and settlements of mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities were primarily due to the reclassification of certain positions from corporate debt during the fourth quarter of 2009. Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements of preferred stock were


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primarily attributable to the sale of certain closed-end auction rate securities to Bank of America during the fourth quarter of 2009. Increases in purchases, issuances and settlements of municipals and money markets were due to the purchase of certain student loan auction rate securities from Bank of America during the fourth quarter of 2009. Increases in purchases, issuances and settlements related to net derivative contracts primarily relates to the termination and settlement of certain derivative liabilities related to CMBS during the fourth quarter of 2009. Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements related to available-for-sale mortgage-backed securities — residential non agency primarily relate to the sale of certain positions during the third quarter of 2009. Decreases in purchases, issuances and settlements related to loans, notes and mortgages were due to the sale of certain held for investment loans associated with the sale of MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB to Bank of America during 2009.
 
Net transfers out for mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities primarily relates to increased price transparency (e.g., trading activity and external vendor quotes) for certain U.S. ABS CDOs. Net transfers out for corporate debt primarily relates to the reclassification in the first quarter of 2009 of certain loans from trading assets to loans, notes and mortgages held for investment, which are not measured at fair value. Net transfers in for net derivative contracts primarily relates to decreased price observability for certain underlying U.S. ABS CDOs and other mortgage positions. Net transfers in for available-for-sale mortgage-backed securities — residential non agency is the result of reduced price transparency. Net transfers in for loans, notes and mortgages relates to the fair value option election by Merrill Lynch for certain mortgage, corporate and leveraged loans as a result of its acquisition by Bank of America. Net transfers in for other payables — interest and other relates to the fair value option election by Merrill Lynch for certain loan commitments as a result of its acquisition by Bank of America. Net transfers out for long-term borrowings were primarily due to decreases in the significance of unobservable pricing inputs for certain equity linked notes.
 
                                                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities
    Predecessor Company
    Year Ended December 26, 2008
                    Total Realized
                   
        Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses)
  and Unrealized
      Purchases,
           
        included in Income   Gains or (Losses)
  Unrealized
  Issuances
           
    Beginning
  Principal
  Other
      included
  Gains to
  and
  Transfers
  Transfers
  Ending
    Balance   Transactions   Revenue   Interest   in Income   OCI   Settlements   In   Out   Balance
 
 
Assets:
                                                                               
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations
  $ 84     $ -     $ -     $ 1     $ 1     $ -     $ (79 )   $ -     $ (6 )   $ -  
Trading assets
    9,773       (5,460 )     -       122       (5,338 )     -       10,114       7,571       -       22,120  
Derivative contracts, net
    (9,069 )     (11,955 )     -       5       (11,950 )     -       26,187       -       (2,861 )     2,307  
Investment securities
    5,491       (1,021 )     (1,535 )     -       (2,556 )     -       426       -       (82 )     3,279  
Loans, notes and mortgages
    63       -       (105 )     (8 )     (113 )     -       399       10       -       359  
Liabilities:
                                                                               
Long-term borrowings
    4,765       5,582       285       -       5,867       -       1,198       7,384       -       7,480  
 
 
 
The following tables provide the portion of gains or losses included in income for years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 26, 2008 attributable to unrealized gains or


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losses relating to those Level 3 assets and liabilities held at December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 26, 2008, respectively.
 
                                 
(dollars in millions)
    Unrealized Gains or (Losses) for Level 3
    Assets and Liabilities Still Held
    Successor Company
    Year Ended December 31, 2010
    Principal
  Other
       
    Transactions   Revenue   Interest   Total
 
 
Assets:
                               
Trading assets, excluding derivative contracts:
                               
Equities
  $ (29 )   $ -     $ -     $ (29 )
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    (144 )     -       -       (144 )
Corporate debt
    136       -       -       136  
Preferred stock
    (36 )     -       -       (36 )
Mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
    136       -       -       136  
Municipals and money markets
    88       -       -       88  
                                 
Total trading assets, excluding derivative contracts
    151       -       -       151  
                                 
Derivative contracts, net
    (770 )     -       -       (770 )
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                               
Mortgage-backed securities - non-agency MBSs
    -       (47 )     31       (16 )
                                 
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    -       (47 )     31       (16 )
                                 
Investment securities non-qualifying
    -       20       -       20  
                                 
Total investment securities
    -       (27 )     31       4  
                                 
Loans, notes and mortgages
    -       199       -       199  
Liabilities:
                               
Trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts:
                               
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    52       -       -       52  
                                 
Total trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts
    52       -       -       52  
                                 
Other payables — interest and other
    -       42       -       42  
Long-term borrowings
    585       43       -       628  
 
 
 


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(dollars in millions)
    Unrealized Gains or (Losses) for Level 3
    Assets and Liabilities Still Held
    Successor Company
    Year Ended December 31, 2009
    Principal
  Other
       
    Transactions   Revenue   Interest   Total
 
 
Assets:
                               
Trading assets, excluding derivative contracts:
                               
Equities
  $ (179 )   $ -     $ -     $ (179 )
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    137       -       -       137  
Corporate debt & convertible debentures
    192       -       -       192  
Preferred stock
    (155 )     -       -       (155 )
Mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
    (371 )     -       -       (371 )
Municipals and money markets
    (26 )     -       -       (26 )
                                 
Total trading assets, excluding derivative contracts
    (402 )     -       -       (402 )
                                 
Derivative contracts, net
    (2,030 )     -       -       (2,030 )
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                               
Mortgage-backed securities - non-agency MBSs
    -       (258 )     178       (80 )
                                 
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    -       (258 )     178       (80 )
                                 
Investment securities non-qualifying
    -       1,057       -       1,057  
                                 
Total investment securities
    -       799       178       977  
                                 
Loans, notes and mortgages
    -       856       -       856  
Liabilities:
                               
Trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts:
                               
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    (38 )     -       -       (38 )
                                 
Total trading liabilities, excluding derivative contracts
    (38 )     -       -       (38 )
                                 
Other payables — interest and other
    -       782       -       782  
Long-term borrowings
    (2,303 )     (225 )     -       (2,528 )
 
 
 
Net losses in principal transactions related to net derivative contracts were primarily due to net losses on long-dated exotic equity options, which were offset by gains on Level 1 and Level 2 instruments that hedged these positions. Net losses in principal transactions related to net derivative contracts were also due to net losses from changes in credit spreads on underlying ABS and CMBS positions, which were offset by gains on Level 2 instruments that hedged these positions. Net losses in principal transactions related to long-term borrowings were primarily due to the narrowing of Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads on certain equity linked notes.
 
Other revenue related to investment securities non-qualifying primarily represents net gains on certain private equity investments.
 

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(dollars in millions)
    Unrealized Gains or (Losses) for Level 3
    Assets and Liabilities Still Held
    Predecessor Company
    Year Ended December 26, 2008
    Principal
  Other
       
    Transactions   Revenue   Interest   Total
 
 
Assets:
                               
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations
  $ -     $ -     $ 1     $ 1  
Trading assets
    (4,945 )     -       83       (4,862 )
Derivative contracts, net
    114       -       5       119  
Investment Securities
    (964 )     (1,523 )     -       (2,487 )
Loans, notes and mortgages
    -       (94 )     (8 )     (102 )
Liabilities:
                               
Long-term borrowings
    5,221       285       -       5,506  
 
 
 
Non-recurring Fair Value
 
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and are not included in the tables above. These assets and liabilities primarily include loans and loan commitments held for sale that are reported at lower of cost or fair value and loans held for investment that were initially measured at cost and have been written down to fair value as a result of an impairment. The following tables show the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
    Non-Recurring Basis   Gains/(Losses)
    as of December 31, 2010   Year Ended
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total   December 31, 2010
 
 
Assets:
                                       
Investment securities non-qualifying
  $ -     $ -     $ 85     $ 85     $ (32 )
Loans, notes and mortgages
    -       25       1,280       1,305       (19 )
Other assets
    -       10       35       45       (26 )
Liabilities:
                                       
Other payables — interest and other
    -       -       31       31       8  
 
 
 
 
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
    Non-Recurring Basis   Gains/(Losses)
    as of December 31, 2009   Year Ended
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total   December 31, 2009
 
 
Assets:
                                       
Investment securities non-qualifying
  $ -     $ -     $ 182     $ 182     $ (43 )
Loans, notes and mortgages
    -       524       2,671       3,195       (101 )
Other assets
    -       -       210       210       (225 )
Liabilities:
                                       
Other payables — interest and other
    -       -       39       39       38  
 
 
 
Loans, notes, and mortgages includes held for sale loans that are carried at the lower of cost or fair value and for which the fair value was below the cost basis at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Loans, notes and mortgages also includes certain impaired held for investment loans where an allowance for loan losses has been calculated based upon the fair value of the loans or collateral. Level 3 loans, notes and mortgages as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 primarily relate to commercial real estate loans that are classified as held for sale where there continues to be significant illiquidity in the loan trading and securitization markets.

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Other payables — interest and other includes amounts recorded for loan commitments at the lower of cost or fair value where the funded loan will be held for sale.
 
Fair Value Option Election
 
The fair value option election allows companies to irrevocably elect fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial assets and liabilities. Changes in fair value for assets and liabilities for which the election is made will be recognized in earnings as they occur. The fair value option election is permitted on an instrument by instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. As discussed above, certain of Merrill Lynch’s financial instruments are required to be accounted for at fair value under Investment Accounting and Derivatives Accounting, as well as industry level guidance. For certain financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value under other applicable accounting guidance, the fair value option election has been made.
 
The following tables provide information about the line items in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings/(Loss) where changes in fair values of assets and liabilities, for which the fair value option election has been made, are included for the years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 26, 2008.
 
                                                   
(dollars in millions)
    Successor Company
    Changes in Fair Value For the Year Ended
    Changes in Fair Value For the Year
    December 31, 2010, for Items Measured at
    Ended December 31, 2009, for Items
    Fair Value Pursuant to the Fair Value
    Measured at Fair Value Pursuant to the
    Option Election     Fair Value Option Election
    Gains/
  Gains/
  Total
    Gains/
  Gains/
  Total
    (losses)
  (losses)
  Changes
    (losses)
  (losses)
  Changes
    Principal
  Other
  in Fair
    Principal
  Other
  in Fair
    Transactions   Revenues   Value     Transactions   Revenues   Value
 
Assets:
                                                 
Receivables under resale agreements
  $ (34 )   $ -     $ (34 )     $ (356 )   $ -     $ (356 )
Investment securities
    -       107       107         379       (177 )     202  
Loans, notes and mortgages
    -       290       290         -       839       839  
Liabilities:
                                                 
Payables under repurchase agreements
    13       -       13         162       -       162  
Short-term borrowings
    110       -       110         (242 )     6       (236 )
Other payables — interest and other
    -       13       13         -       761       761  
Long-term borrowings(1)
    357       (115 )     242         (9,121 )     (33 )     (9,154 )
 
 
(1) Other revenues primarily represent fair value changes on non-recourse long-term borrowings issued by consolidated VIEs.
 
                         
(dollars in millions)
    Predecessor Company
    Changes in Fair Value For the Year Ended
    December 26, 2008, for Items Measured at
    Fair Value Pursuant to the Fair Value Option Election
    Gains/
  Gains/
  Total
    (losses)
  (losses)
  Changes
    Principal
  Other
  in Fair
    Transactions   Revenues   Value
 
 
Assets:
                       
Receivables under resale agreements
  $ 190     $ -     $ 190  
Investment securities
    (1,637 )     (923 )     (2,560 )
Loans, notes and mortgages
    (87 )     (11 )     (98 )
Liabilities:
                       
Payables under repurchase agreements
    (54 )     -       (54 )
Short-term borrowings
    (438 )     -       (438 )
Long-term borrowings(1)
    15,938       1,709       17,647  
 
 
(1) Other revenues primarily represent fair value changes on non-recourse long-term borrowings issued by consolidated VIEs.


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The following describes the rationale for electing to account for certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, as well as the impact of instrument-specific credit risk on the fair value.
 
Resale and repurchase agreements
 
Merrill Lynch elected the fair value option for certain resale and repurchase agreements. The fair value option election was made based on the tenor of the resale and repurchase agreements, which reflects the magnitude of the interest rate risk. The majority of resale and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities were excluded from the fair value option election as these contracts are generally short-dated and therefore the interest rate risk is not considered significant. Amounts loaned under resale agreements require collateral with a market value equal to or in excess of the principal amount loaned, resulting in minimal credit risk for such transactions.
 
Loans, notes and mortgages and loan commitments
 
Merrill Lynch made the fair value option election for certain corporate loans because the loans are risk managed on a fair value basis. Upon the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch also made the fair value option election for certain mortgage, corporate, and leveraged loans and loan commitments. The changes in the fair value of these loans that was attributable to changes in borrower-specific credit risk were immaterial for the year ended December 31, 2010, and were gains of $560 million, and losses of $77 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 26, 2008, respectively.
 
The aggregate fair value of loans, notes and mortgages for which the fair value option election has been made that were 90 days or more past due was $32 million and $425 million at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 respectively. The aggregate fair value of loans, notes, and mortgages that were in non-accrual status was $32 million and $448 million at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the unpaid principal amount due exceeded the aggregate fair value of such loans, notes and mortgages that are 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status by $173 million and $553 million, respectively.
 
Short-term and long-term borrowings
 
Merrill Lynch elected the fair value option for certain short-term and long-term borrowings that are risk managed on a fair value basis, including structured notes, and for which hedge accounting under Derivatives Accounting had been difficult to obtain. The majority of the fair value changes on long-term borrowings is from structured notes with coupon or repayment terms that are linked to the performance of debt and equity securities, indices, currencies or commodities. Excluding (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and gains for the year ended December 26, 2008 related to changes in Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads, the majority of the (losses)/gains for the respective periods are offset by gains/(losses) on derivatives that economically hedge these borrowings and that are accounted for at fair value under Derivatives Accounting. The changes in the fair value of liabilities for which the fair value option election was made that were attributable to changes in Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads were losses of approximately $0.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010, losses of $5.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009, and gains of $5.1 billion for the year ended December 28, 2008, respectively. Changes in Merrill Lynch specific credit risk are derived by isolating fair value changes due to changes in Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads as observed in the secondary cash market.


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The fair value option election was also made for certain non-recourse long-term borrowings and secured borrowings issued by consolidated VIEs. The fair value of these borrowings is not materially affected by changes in Merrill Lynch’s creditworthiness.
 
The following tables present the difference between fair values and the aggregate contractual principal amounts of receivables under resale agreements, receivables under securities borrowed transactions, loans, notes, and mortgages and long-term borrowings for which the fair value option election has been made as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
                         
(dollars in millions)
        Principal
   
    Fair Value
  Amount
   
    at
  Due Upon
   
    December 31, 2010   Maturity   Difference
 
 
Assets:
                       
Receivables under resale agreements
  $ 51,132     $ 50,836     $ 296  
Receivables under securities borrowed transactions
    1,672       1,672       -  
Loans, notes and mortgages
    3,190       4,518       (1,328 )
Liabilities:
                       
Long-term borrowings(1)
    39,214       43,014       (3,800 )
 
 
(1) The majority of the difference relates to the impact of the widening of Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads and the change in fair value of non-recourse debt issued by consolidated VIEs.
 
                         
(dollars in millions)
 
        Principal
   
    Fair Value
  Amount
   
    at
  Due Upon
   
    December 31, 2009   Maturity   Difference
 
 
Assets:
                       
Receivables under resale agreements
  $ 53,462     $ 53,176     $ 286  
Receivables under securities borrowed transactions
    2,888       2,888       -  
Loans, notes and mortgages
    4,649       7,236       (2,587 )
Liabilities:
                       
Long-term borrowings(1)
    47,040       50,543       (3,503 )
 
 
(1) The majority of the difference relates to the impact of the widening of Merrill Lynch’s credit spreads, the change in fair value of non-recourse debt, and zero coupon notes issued at a substantial discount from the principal amount.
 
Trading Risk Management
 
Trading activities subject Merrill Lynch to market and credit risks. These risks are managed in accordance with established risk management policies and procedures. On January 1, 2009, pursuant to the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch adopted Bank of America’s risk management and governance practices to maintain consistent risk measurement and disciplined risk taking. Bank of America’s risk management structure as applicable to Merrill Lynch is described below.
 
Bank of America’s Global Markets Risk Committee (“GRC”), chaired by Bank of America’s Global Markets Risk Executive, has been designated by its Asset and Liability Market Risk Committee (“ALMRC”) as the primary governance authority for its Global Markets Risk Management, including trading risk management. The GRC’s focus is to take a forward-looking view of the primary credit and market risks impacting Bank of America’s Global Banking and Markets business (which includes Merrill Lynch’s sales and trading businesses) and prioritize those that need a proactive risk mitigation strategy. Market risks that impact lines of business outside of the Global Banking and Markets business are monitored and governed by their respective governance authorities.


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The GRC monitors significant daily revenues and losses by business and the primary drivers of the revenues or losses. Thresholds are in place for each business in order to determine if the revenue or loss is considered to be significant for that business. If any of the thresholds are exceeded, an explanation of the variance is made to the GRC. The thresholds are developed in coordination with the respective risk managers to highlight those revenues or losses which exceed what is considered to be normal daily income statement volatility.
 
Market Risk
 
Market risk is the potential change in an instrument’s value caused by fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, equity and commodity prices, credit spreads, or other risks. The level of market risk is influenced by the volatility and the liquidity in the markets in which financial instruments are traded.
 
Merrill Lynch seeks to mitigate market risk associated with trading inventories by employing hedging strategies that correlate rate, price, and spread movements of trading inventories and related financing and hedging activities. Merrill Lynch uses a combination of cash instruments and derivatives to hedge its market exposures. The following discussion describes the types of market risk faced by Merrill Lynch.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect the value of financial instruments. Interest rate swap agreements, Eurodollar futures, and U.S. Treasury securities and futures are common interest rate risk management tools. The decision to manage interest rate risk using futures or swap contracts, as opposed to buying or selling short U.S. Treasury or other securities, depends on current market conditions and funding considerations.
 
Interest rate agreements used by Merrill Lynch include caps, collars, floors, basis swaps, leveraged swaps, and options. Interest rate caps and floors provide the purchaser with protection against rising and falling interest rates, respectively. Interest rate collars combine a cap and a floor, providing the purchaser with a predetermined interest rate range. Basis swaps are a type of interest rate swap agreement where variable rates are received and paid, but are based on different index rates. Leveraged swaps are another type of interest rate swap where changes in the variable rate are multiplied by a contractual leverage factor, such as four times three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Merrill Lynch’s exposure to interest rate risk resulting from these leverage factors is typically hedged with other financial instruments.
 
Currency Risk
 
Currency risk arises from the possibility that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will impact the value of financial instruments. Merrill Lynch’s trading assets and liabilities include both cash instruments denominated in and derivatives linked to more than 50 currencies, including the euro, Japanese yen, British pound, and Swiss franc. Currency forwards and options are commonly used to manage currency risk associated with these instruments. Currency swaps may also be used in situations where a long-dated forward market is not available or where the client needs a customized instrument to hedge a foreign currency cash flow stream. Typically, parties to a currency swap initially exchange principal amounts in two currencies, agreeing to exchange interest payments and to re-exchange the currencies at a future date and exchange rate.


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Equity Price Risk
 
Equity price risk arises from the possibility that equity security prices will fluctuate, affecting the value of equity securities and other instruments that derive their value from a particular stock, a defined basket of stocks, or a stock index. Instruments typically used by Merrill Lynch to manage equity price risk include equity options, warrants, and baskets of equity securities. Equity options, for example, can require the writer to purchase or sell a specified stock or to make a cash payment based on changes in the market price of that stock, basket of stocks, or stock index.
 
Credit Spread Risk
 
Credit spread risk arises from the possibility that changes in credit spreads will affect the value of financial instruments. Credit spreads represent the credit risk premiums required by market participants for a given credit quality (e.g., the additional yield that a debt instrument issued by a AA-rated entity must produce over a risk-free alternative). Certain instruments are used by Merrill Lynch to manage this type of risk. Swaps and options, for example, can be designed to mitigate losses due to changes in credit spreads, as well as the credit downgrade or default of the issuer. Credit risk resulting from default on counterparty obligations is discussed in the Counterparty Credit Risk section.
 
Commodity Price and Other Risks
 
Through its commodities business, Merrill Lynch enters into exchange-traded contracts, financially settled OTC derivatives, contracts for physical delivery and contracts providing for the transportation, transmission and/or storage rights on or in vessels, barges, pipelines, transmission lines or storage facilities. Commodity, related storage, transportation or other contracts expose Merrill Lynch to the risk that the price of the underlying commodity or the cost of storing or transporting commodities may rise or fall. In addition, contracts relating to physical ownership and/or delivery can expose Merrill Lynch to numerous other risks, including performance and environmental risks.
 
Counterparty Credit Risk
 
Merrill Lynch is exposed to risk of loss if an individual, counterparty or issuer fails to perform its obligations under contractual terms (“default risk”). Both cash instruments and derivatives expose Merrill Lynch to default risk. Credit risk arising from changes in credit spreads is discussed in the Market Risk section.
 
Merrill Lynch has established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk on principal transactions, including reviewing and establishing limits for credit exposure, maintaining qualifying collateral, purchasing credit protection, and continually assessing the creditworthiness of counterparties.
 
In the normal course of business, Merrill Lynch executes, settles, and finances various customer securities transactions. Execution of these transactions includes the purchase and sale of securities by Merrill Lynch. These activities may expose Merrill Lynch to default risk arising from the potential that customers or counterparties may fail to satisfy their obligations. In these situations, Merrill Lynch may be required to purchase or sell financial instruments at unfavorable market prices to satisfy obligations to other customers or counterparties. Additional information about these obligations is provided in Note 14. In addition, Merrill Lynch seeks to control the risks associated with its customer margin activities by requiring customers to maintain collateral in compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines.


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Liabilities to other brokers and dealers related to unsettled transactions (i.e., securities failed-to-receive) are recorded at the amount for which the securities were purchased, and are paid upon receipt of the securities from other brokers or dealers. In the case of aged securities failed-to-receive, Merrill Lynch may purchase the underlying security in the market and seek reimbursement for losses from the counterparty.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
Merrill Lynch’s exposure to credit risk (both default and credit spread) associated with its trading and other activities is measured on an individual counterparty basis, as well as by groups of counterparties that share similar attributes. Concentrations of credit risk can be affected by changes in political, industry, or economic factors. To reduce the potential for risk concentration, credit limits are established and monitored in light of changing counterparty and market conditions.
 
Concentration of Risk to the U.S. Government and its Agencies
 
At December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch had exposure to the U.S. Government and its agencies. This concentration consists of both direct and indirect exposures. Direct exposure, which primarily includes trading asset positions in instruments issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, amounted to $41.4 billion at December 31, 2010. Merrill Lynch’s indirect exposure results from maintaining U.S. Government and agencies securities as collateral for resale agreements and securities borrowed transactions. Merrill Lynch’s direct credit exposure on these transactions is with the counterparty; thus Merrill Lynch has credit exposure to the U.S. Government and its agencies only in the event of the counterparty’s default. Securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies held as collateral for resale agreements and securities borrowed transactions at December 31, 2010 totaled $156.5 billion.
 
Other Concentrations of Risk
 
At December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch had other concentrations of credit risk, the largest of which was related to a counterparty having a total outstanding unsecured exposure of approximately $670 million.
 
Merrill Lynch’s most significant industry credit concentration is with financial institutions. Financial institutions include banks, insurance companies, finance companies, investment managers, and other diversified financial institutions. This concentration arises in the normal course of Merrill Lynch’s brokerage, trading, hedging, financing, and underwriting activities. Merrill Lynch also monitors credit exposures worldwide by region. Outside the United States, financial institutions and sovereign governments represent the most significant concentrations of credit risk.
 
In the normal course of business, Merrill Lynch purchases, sells, underwrites, and makes markets in non-investment grade instruments. Merrill Lynch also provides extensions of credit and makes equity investments to facilitate leveraged transactions. These activities expose Merrill Lynch to a higher degree of credit risk than is associated with trading, investing in, and underwriting investment grade instruments and extending credit to investment grade counterparties.
 
Derivatives
 
Merrill Lynch’s trading derivatives consist of derivatives provided to customers and derivatives entered into for trading strategies or risk management purposes.


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Default risk exposure varies by type of derivative. Default risk on derivatives can occur for the full notional amount of the trade where a final exchange of principal takes place, as may be the case for currency swaps. Swap agreements and forward contracts are generally OTC-transacted and thus are exposed to default risk to the extent of their replacement cost. Since futures contracts are exchange-traded and usually require daily cash settlement, the related risk of loss is generally limited to a one-day net positive change in market value. Generally such receivables and payables are recorded in customers’ receivables and payables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Option contracts can be exchange-traded or OTC. Purchased options have default risk to the extent of their replacement cost. Written options represent a potential obligation to counterparties and typically do not subject Merrill Lynch to default risk except under circumstances where the option premium is being financed or in cases where Merrill Lynch is required to post collateral. Refer to Note 6 for further information on credit risk management related to derivatives. Additional information about derivatives that meet the definition of a guarantee for accounting purposes is included in Note 14.
 
Note 5.   Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The fair values of financial instruments have been derived, in part, by management’s assumptions, the estimated amount and timing of future cash flows and estimated discount rates. Different assumptions could significantly affect these estimated fair values. Accordingly, the net realizable values could be materially different from the estimates presented below. In addition, the estimates are only indicative of the value of individual financial instruments and should not be considered an indication of the fair value of Merrill Lynch.
 
The following disclosures relate to financial instruments for which the ending balances at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are not carried at fair value in their entirety on Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Short-term Financial Instruments
 
The carrying value of short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations, certain securities financing transactions, customer and broker-dealer receivables and payables, and commercial paper and other short-term borrowings, approximates the fair value of these instruments. These financial instruments generally expose Merrill Lynch to limited credit risk and have no stated maturities or have short-term maturities and carry interest rates that approximate market interest rates.
 
Loans, Notes and Mortgages
 
Fair values were generally determined by discounting both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected using an observable discount rate for similar instruments with adjustments that Merrill Lynch believes a market participant would consider in determining fair value. Merrill Lynch estimates the cash flows expected to be collected using internal credit risk, interest rate and prepayment risk models that incorporate its best estimate of current key assumptions, such as default rates, loss severity and prepayment speeds for the life of the loan. Merrill Lynch made the fair value option election for certain loans and loan commitments. See Note 4 for additional information.


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Deposits
 
The fair value for certain deposits with stated maturities was calculated by discounting contractual cash flows using current market rates for instruments with similar maturities. For deposits with no stated maturities, the carrying amount was considered to approximate fair value and does not take into account the significant value of the cost advantage and stability of Merrill Lynch’s long-term relationships with depositors.
 
Long-term Borrowings
 
Merrill Lynch uses quoted market prices for its long-term borrowings when available. When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is estimated based on current market interest rates and credit spreads for Merrill Lynch debt with similar maturities. Merrill Lynch made the fair value option election for certain long-term borrowings, including structured notes. See Note 4 for additional information.
 
The book and fair values of certain financial instruments at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:
 
                                   
(dollars in millions)
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009
    Book Value   Fair Value     Book Value   Fair Value
 
 
Financial assets
                                 
Loans, notes and mortgages(1)
  $      25,803     $      24,383       $      37,663     $      35,950  
Financial liabilities
                                 
Deposits
    12,826       12,826         15,187       15,187  
Long-term borrowings(2)
    132,427       131,694         154,951       162,645  
 
 
(1) Loans are presented net of the allowance for loan losses.
 
(2) Includes junior subordinated notes (related to trust preferred securities).
 
Note 6.  Derivatives
 
A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from an underlying instrument or index, such as interest rates, equity security prices, currencies, commodity prices or credit spreads. Derivatives include futures, forwards, swaps, option contracts, and other financial instruments with similar characteristics. Derivative contracts often involve future commitments to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount (e.g., interest rate swaps or currency forwards) or to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specified terms on a specified date (e.g., options to buy or sell securities or currencies).
 
Derivatives Accounting establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (“embedded derivatives”) and for hedging activities. Derivatives Accounting requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. The fair value of all derivatives is recorded on a net-by-counterparty basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets where Merrill Lynch believes a legal right of setoff exists under an enforceable netting agreement. All derivatives, including bifurcated embedded derivatives within structured notes, are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as trading assets and liabilities.


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The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative instrument depends on its intended use and if it is designated and qualifies as an accounting hedging instrument under Derivatives Accounting.
 
Trading derivatives
 
Merrill Lynch enters into derivatives to facilitate client transactions, for trading and financing purposes, and to manage risk exposures arising from trading assets and liabilities. Changes in fair value for these derivatives are reported in current period earnings as principal transactions revenues.
 
Derivatives that contain a significant financing element
 
In the ordinary course of trading activities, Merrill Lynch enters into certain transactions that are documented as derivatives where a significant cash investment is made by one party. Certain derivative instruments that contain a significant financing element at inception and where Merrill Lynch is deemed to be the borrower are included in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The cash flows from all other derivative transactions that do not contain a significant financing element at inception are included in operating activities.
 
Non-trading derivatives
 
Merrill Lynch also enters into derivatives in order to manage risk exposures arising from assets and liabilities not carried at fair value as follows:
 
1.  Merrill Lynch’s debt was issued in a variety of maturities and currencies to achieve the lowest cost financing possible. Merrill Lynch enters into derivative transactions to hedge these liabilities. Derivatives used most frequently include swap agreements that:
 
  •  Convert fixed-rate interest payments into variable-rate interest payments;
 
  •  Change the underlying interest rate basis or reset frequency; and
 
  •  Change the settlement currency of a debt instrument.
 
Changes in the fair value of interest rate and foreign currency derivatives are reported in interest expense when hedge accounting is applied; otherwise changes in fair value are reported in other revenue.
 
2.  Merrill Lynch uses foreign-exchange forward contracts, foreign-exchange options, and currency swaps to hedge its net investments in foreign operations, as well as other foreign currency exposures (e.g., non-U.S. dollar denominated debt and expenses). These derivatives are used to mitigate the impact of changes in exchange rates. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are reported in other revenue, unless net investment hedge accounting is applied.
 
3.  Merrill Lynch enters into futures, swaps, options and forward contracts to manage the price risk of certain commodity inventory and forecasted commodity purchases and sales. Changes in fair value of these derivatives are reported in principal transaction revenues, unless cash flow hedge accounting is applied.
 
4.  Merrill Lynch enters into credit default swaps to manage the credit risk on certain loans that are not part of trading activities. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are reported in other revenue.


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Derivatives that qualify as accounting hedges under the guidance in Derivatives Accounting are designated as one of the following:
 
1.  A hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”). Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges of interest rate risk and commodity price risk, along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current period earnings as interest expense or principal transactions.
 
2.  A hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”). Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in OCI until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged asset or liability or when the forecasted purchase or sale occurs.
 
3.  A hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation (“net investment hedge”). Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account within OCI. Changes in the fair value of the hedging instruments that are associated with the difference between the spot rate and the contracted forward rate are recorded in current period earnings in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 and interest expense and other revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Merrill Lynch formally assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedging derivatives are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of hedged items. Merrill Lynch uses regression analysis at the hedge’s inception and for each reporting period thereafter to assess whether the derivative used in its hedging transaction is expected to be and has been highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, Merrill Lynch discontinues hedge accounting.
 
Hedge accounting activity for 2010 and 2009 included the following:
 
Fair value hedges of interest rate risk on long term borrowings
 
                     
(dollars in millions)
    Account location   2010   2009
 
 
For the year ended December 31:
                   
Gain/(loss) recognized in income on the derivative
  Interest expense   $ 794     $ (2,732 )
Gain/(loss) recognized in income on the long-term borrowing(1)
  Interest expense     (1,545 )     2,010  
Gain/(loss) recognized in income due to hedge ineffectiveness
  Interest expense     (751 )     (722 )
As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
                   
Carrying value of hedging derivatives
                   
    Trading assets     4,442       3,362  
    Trading liabilities     484       101  
Notional amount of hedging derivatives
                   
in an asset position
        43,924       54,954  
in a liability position
        13,967       4,770  
 
 
(1) Excludes the impact of the accretion of purchase accounting adjustments made to certain long-term borrowings in connection with the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America.


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Fair value hedges of commodity price risk on commodity inventory
 
                     
(dollars in millions)
    Account location   2010   2009
 
 
For the year ended December 31:
                   
Gain/(loss) recognized in income on the derivative
  Principal transactions   $ 19     $ (51 )
Gain/(loss) recognized in income on the commodity inventory
  Principal transactions     (20 )     52  
Gain/(loss) recognized in income due to hedge ineffectiveness
  Principal transactions     (1 )     1  
As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
                   
Carrying value of hedging derivatives
                   
    Trading assets     80       78  
    Trading liabilities     6       4  
Notional amount of hedging derivatives
                   
in an asset position
        232       286  
in a liability position
        14       34  
 
 
 
Cash flow hedges of commodity price risk on forecasted purchases and sales
 
                     
(dollars in millions)
    Account location   2010   2009
 
 
For the year ended December 31:
                   
Gain/(loss) on the derivative deferred in equity
  Accumulated other   $ 32     $ 72  
    comprehensive income                
Gain/(loss) reclassified into earnings in the current period
  Principal transactions     25       71  
Gain/(loss) recognized in income due to hedge ineffectiveness
  Principal transactions     11       (2 )
Amount that is expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months
  Principal transactions     6       1  
As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
                   
Carrying value of hedging derivatives
                   
    Trading assets     109       10  
    Trading liabilities     5       5  
Notional amount of hedging derivatives
                   
in an asset position
        255       92  
in a liability position
        134       67  
 
 


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Net investment hedges of foreign operations
 
                     
(dollars in millions)
    Account location   2010   2009
 
 
For the year ended December 31:
                   
Gain/(loss) on the derivative and non-derivative hedges deferred in equity
  Accumulated other
comprehensive income
  $ (672 )   $ (1,826 )
Gain/(loss) reclassified into earnings in the current period
  Other revenue     (35 )     -  
Gain/(loss) recognized in income due to hedge ineffectiveness
  Other revenue     -       -  
Gain/(loss) recognized in income from the unused portion (time value) of the hedging derivative
  Other revenue     -       (92 )
    Interest expense     (211 )     (50 )
As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
                   
Carrying value of hedging derivatives
  Trading assets     468       353  
    Trading liabilities     930       277  
Carrying value of non-derivative hedges
  Long-term borrowings     536       598  
Notional amount of hedging derivatives
                   
in an asset position
        6,639       16,531  
in a liability position
        19,180       6,098  
 
 
 
Net gains/(losses) on economic hedges
 
                     
(dollars in millions)
    Account location   2010   2009
 
 
For the year ended December 31:
                   
Interest rate risk
  Other revenue   $ 314     $ (832 )
Foreign currency risk
  Other revenue     (1,583 )     (437 )
Credit risk
  Other revenue     (42 )     (397 )
 
 
 
The amounts in the “Net gains/(losses) on economic hedges” table above represent net gains/(losses) on derivatives that are not used for trading purposes and are not used in accounting hedging relationships. Interest rate risk primarily relates to derivatives used to economically hedge long-term borrowings. Foreign currency risk primarily relates to economic hedges of foreign currency denominated transactions that generate earnings upon remeasurement in accordance with ASC 830-20, Foreign Currency Transactions (“Foreign Currency Transactions”). As both the remeasurement of the foreign currency risk on the transaction and the changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded in earnings, hedge accounting is not applied. Credit risk relates to credit default swaps used to economically manage the credit risk on certain loans not included in trading activities.
 
Derivative balances by primary risk
 
Derivative instruments contain numerous market risks. In particular, most derivatives have interest rate risk, as they contain an element of financing risk that is affected by changes in interest rates. Additionally, derivatives expose Merrill Lynch to counterparty credit risk, although this is generally mitigated by collateral margining and netting arrangements. For disclosure purposes below, the primary risk of a derivative is largely determined by the business that is engaging in the derivative activity. For instance, a derivative that is initiated by an equities derivative business will generally have equity price


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risk as its primary underlying market risk and is classified as such for the purposes of this disclosure, despite the fact that there may be other market risks that affect the value of the instrument.
 
The following tables identify the primary risk for derivative instruments at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The primary risk is provided on a gross basis, prior to the application of the impact of counterparty and cash collateral netting.
 
                                 
(dollars in millions)
    As of December 31, 2010
    Contract/
  Trading Assets-
  Contract/
  Trading Liabilities-
    Notional(1)   Derivative Contracts   Notional(1)   Derivative Contracts
 
 
Interest rate contracts
                               
Swaps
  $ 8,492,025     $ 452,115     $ 8,333,391     $ 452,564  
Futures and forwards
    1,916,110       1,549       1,955,861       1,608  
Written options
    -       -       1,708,493       46,064  
Purchased options
    1,836,089       48,185       -       -  
Foreign exchange contracts
                               
Swaps
    93,721       10,396       98,987       11,947  
Spot, futures and forwards
    118,363       5,637       105,671       5,702  
Written options
    -       -       280,290       10,673  
Purchased options
    273,375       10,501       -       -  
Equity contracts
                               
Swaps
    17,411       1,622       20,764       1,871  
Futures and forwards
    35,483       2,897       43,257       2,122  
Written options
    -       -       221,791       15,677  
Purchased options
    174,313       15,338       -       -  
Commodity contracts
                               
Swaps
    39,284       8,872       50,710       9,158  
Futures and forwards
    215,588       4,122       198,130       2,817  
Written options
    -       -       86,241       6,628  
Purchased options
    84,554       6,565       -       -  
Credit derivatives
                               
Purchased protection:
                               
Credit default swaps
    322,230       29,670       251,679       8,001  
Total return swaps
    2,127       301       3,243       208  
Other credit derivatives
    440       8       47       -  
Written protection:
                               
Credit default swaps
    248,509       7,978       326,448       23,755  
Total return swaps
    3,802       245       1,607       475  
Other credit derivatives
    -       -       214       1  
                                 
Gross derivative assets/liabilities
  $ 13,873,424     $ 606,001     $ 13,686,824     $ 599,271  
                                 
Less: Legally enforceable master netting
            (538,055 )             (538,055 )
Less: Cash collateral applied
            (28,575 )             (29,019 )
                                 
Total derivative assets and liabilities
          $ 39,371             $ 32,197  
                                 
 
 
(1) These amounts include trading derivatives, non-trading derivatives and bifurcated embedded derivatives.
 


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(dollars in millions)
    As of December 31, 2009
    Contract/
  Trading Assets-
  Contract/
  Trading Liabilities-
    Notional(1)   Derivative Contracts   Notional(1)   Derivative Contracts
 
 
Interest rate contracts
                               
Swaps
  $ 10,059,442     $ 472,860     $ 9,748,704     $ 471,423  
Futures and forwards
    2,636,570       3,625       2,578,002       3,431  
Written options
    -       -       1,475,611       46,531  
Purchased options
    1,333,216       46,933       -       -  
Foreign exchange contracts
                               
Swaps
    115,591       11,739       107,953       13,074  
Spot, futures and forwards
    208,226       8,470       223,151       8,832  
Written options
    -       -       264,836       10,859  
Purchased options
    266,026       10,375       -       -  
Equity contracts
                               
Swaps
    17,637       1,186       16,123       1,354  
Futures and forwards
    41,849       2,999       33,861       2,165  
Written options
    -       -       250,233       18,761  
Purchased options
    240,650       15,596       -       -  
Commodity contracts
                               
Swaps
    30,449       6,591       34,180       6,391  
Futures and forwards
    202,571       10,369       185,109       9,612  
Written options
    -       -       53,438       4,955  
Purchased options
    50,372       4,750       -       -  
Credit derivatives
                               
Purchased protection:
                               
Credit default swaps
    908,594       59,491       622,853       22,685  
Total return swaps
    2,921       366       1,644       358  
Other credit derivatives
    14,517       59       -       -  
Written protection:
                               
Credit default swaps
    614,066       21,833       949,107       54,265  
Total return swaps
    5,173       1,563       7,336       925  
Other credit derivatives
    -       -       14,703       126  
                                 
Gross derivative assets/liabilities
  $ 16,747,870     $ 678,805     $ 16,566,844     $ 675,747  
                                 
Less: Legally enforceable master netting
            (602,157 )             (602,157 )
Less: Cash collateral applied
            (26,682 )             (38,152 )
                                 
Total derivative assets and liabilities
          $ 49,966             $ 35,438  
                                 
 
 
(1) These amounts include trading derivatives, non-trading derivatives and bifurcated embedded derivatives.
 
Trading revenues
 
Merrill Lynch enters into trading derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments to facilitate client transactions, for trading and financing purposes, and to manage risk exposures arising from trading assets and liabilities. The resulting risk from derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments is managed on a portfolio basis as part of Merrill Lynch’s sales and trading activities and the related revenue is recorded on different income statement line items, including principal transactions, commissions, other revenues and net interest (expense)/income. The following table identifies the amounts in the income statement line items attributable to trading and non-trading activities, including

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both derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments categorized by primary risk for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
Non-trading related amounts include activities in connection with principal investment, wealth management, and certain lending activities; economic hedging activity discussed in the Non-trading derivatives section above; and the impact of changes in Merrill Lynch’s own creditworthiness on borrowings accounted for at fair value.
 
For The Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
    Principal
          Net Interest
   
    Transactions   Commissions   Other Revenues(1)   Income/(Expense)   Total
 
 
Interest rate risk
  $ 1,046     $ 76     $ 59     $ 756     $ 1,937  
Foreign exchange risk
    55       -       -       (1 )     54  
Equity risk
    1,940       3,093       262       (490 )     4,805  
Commodity risk
    284       -       7       (123 )     168  
Credit risk
    3,789       41       701       3,337       7,868  
                                         
Total trading related
    7,114       3,210       1,029       3,479       14,832  
Non-trading related
    (40 )     2,550       3,599       (3,797 )     2,312  
                                         
Total
  $ 7,074     $ 5,760     $ 4,628     $ (318 )   $ 17,144  
                                         
 
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
    Principal
          Net Interest
   
    Transactions   Commissions   Other Revenues(1)   Income/(Expense)   Total
 
 
Interest rate risk
  $ 1,859     $ 61     $ 27     $ 1,161     $ 3,108  
Foreign exchange risk
    308       -       1       11       320  
Equity risk
    2,561       3,295       125       (228 )     5,753  
Commodity risk
    1,050       -       -       (157 )     893  
Credit risk
    4,814       52       559       3,753       9,178  
                                         
Total trading related
    10,592       3,408       712       4,540       19,252  
Non-trading related
    (5,471 )     2,600       2,689       (1,105 )     (1,287 )
                                         
Total
  $ 5,121     $ 6,008     $ 3,401     $ 3,435     $ 17,965  
                                         
 
 
(1) Includes other income and other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale debt securities.
 
Derivatives as guarantees
 
Merrill Lynch enters into certain derivative contracts that meet the definition of a guarantee under ASC 460, Guarantees (“Guarantees Accounting”). Guarantees are defined to include derivative contracts that contingently require a guarantor to make payment to a guaranteed party based on changes in an underlying (such as changes in the value of interest rates, security prices, currency rates, commodity prices, indices, etc.) that relate to an asset, liability or equity security of a guaranteed party. Derivatives that meet the accounting definition of a guarantee include certain written options (e.g.,


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written interest rate and written currency options). Merrill Lynch does not track, for accounting purposes, whether its clients enter into these derivative contracts for speculative or hedging purposes. Accordingly, Merrill Lynch has disclosed information about all credit derivatives, credit-related notes and certain types of written options that can potentially be used by clients to protect against changes in an underlying, regardless of how the contracts are actually used by the client.
 
Merrill Lynch’s derivatives that act as guarantees at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are summarized below:
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    Maximum
                   
    Payout/
  Less than
              Carrying
    Notional   1 year   1 − 3 years   3 − 5 years   Over 5 years   Value(1)
 
 
At December 31, 2010:
                                               
Derivative contracts:
                                               
Credit derivatives:
                                               
Investment grade(2)
  $ 394,704     $ 35,231     $ 138,666     $ 98,617     $ 122,190     $ 13,742  
Non-investment grade(2)
    185,876       23,272       61,365       49,556       51,683       10,489  
                                                 
Total credit derivatives
    580,580       58,503       200,031       148,173       173,873       24,231  
Credit related notes:
                                               
Investment grade(2)
    1,004       -       132       -       872       1,004  
Non-investment grade(2)
    1,358       9       20       156       1,173       1,358  
                                                 
Total credit related notes
    2,362       9       152       156       2,045       2,362  
Other derivatives
    1,379,874       421,080       296,885       190,062       471,847       50,505  
                                                 
Total derivative contracts
  $ 1,962,816     $ 479,592     $ 497,068     $ 338,391     $ 647,765     $ 77,098  
                                                 
At December 31, 2009:
                                               
Derivative contracts:
                                               
Credit derivatives:
                                               
Investment grade(2)
  $ 520,782     $ 44,552     $ 133,089     $ 216,562     $ 126,579     $ 17,255  
Non-investment grade(2)
    1,054,900       93,582       331,306       325,167       304,845       37,935  
                                                 
Total credit derivatives
    1,575,682       138,134       464,395       541,729       431,424       55,190  
Other derivatives
    1,588,213       501,727       405,223       245,565       435,698       59,821  
                                                 
Total derivative contracts
  $ 3,163,895     $ 639,861     $ 869,618     $ 787,294     $ 867,122     $ 115,011  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Derivative contracts are shown on a gross basis prior to cash collateral or counterparty netting.
(2) Refers to the creditworthiness of the underlying reference obligations.
 
Credit derivatives
 
Credit derivatives derive value based on an underlying third party referenced obligation or a portfolio of referenced obligations. Merrill Lynch is both a seller and a buyer of credit protection. A seller of credit protection is required to make payments to a buyer upon the occurrence of a predefined credit event. Such credit events generally include bankruptcy of the referenced credit entity and failure to pay under their credit obligations, as well as acceleration of indebtedness and payment repudiation or moratorium. Merrill Lynch considers credit derivatives to be guarantees where it is the seller of credit protection. For credit derivatives based on a portfolio of referenced credits or credit indices, Merrill Lynch as a seller of credit protection may not be required to make payment until a specified amount of loss has occurred and/or may only be required to make payment up to a specified amount.


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For most credit derivatives, the notional value represents the maximum amount payable by Merrill Lynch as a seller of credit protection. However, Merrill Lynch does not exclusively monitor its exposure to credit derivatives based on notional value. Instead, a risk framework is used to define risk tolerances and establish limits to help to ensure that certain credit risk-related losses occur within acceptable, predefined limits. Merrill Lynch discloses internal categorizations (i.e., investment grade, non-investment grade) consistent with how risk is managed to evaluate the payment status of its freestanding credit derivative instruments.
 
Merrill Lynch economically hedges its exposure to credit derivatives by entering into a variety of offsetting derivative contracts and security positions. For example, in certain instances, Merrill Lynch purchases credit protection with identical underlying referenced names to offset its exposure. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the notional value and carrying value of credit protection purchased and credit protection sold by Merrill Lynch with identical underlying referenced names was:
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    Maximum
                   
    Payout/
  Less than
              Carrying
    Notional   1 year   1 − 3 years   3 − 5 years   Over 5 years   Value(1)
 
 
At December 31, 2010:
                                               
Credit derivatives purchased
  $ 543,233     $ 53,741     $ 179,809     $ 140,764     $ 168,919     $ 17,875  
Credit derivatives sold
    567,828       57,954       198,656       147,121       164,097       21,600  
At December 31, 2009:
                                               
Credit derivatives purchased
    1,506,782       130,297       432,550       511,298       432,637       49,225  
Credit derivatives sold
    1,555,077       135,686       463,129       540,713       415,549       50,609  
 
 
(1) Derivative contracts are shown on a gross basis prior to cash collateral or counterparty netting.
 
Credit related notes
 
Credit related notes in the guarantees table above include investments in securities issued by CDO, CLO and credit linked note vehicles. These instruments are classified as trading securities. Most of the entities that issue these instruments have either the ability to enter into credit derivatives or have entered into credit derivatives that meet the definition of a guarantee (in this case, the sale of credit protection). Since most of these securities could potentially have embedded credit derivatives that would meet the definition of a guarantee, Merrill Lynch includes all of its investments in these securities in the table above.
 
The carrying value of these instruments equals Merrill Lynch’s maximum exposure to loss. Merrill Lynch is not obligated to make any payments to the entities under the terms of the securities owned. Merrill Lynch discloses internal categorizations (i.e., investment grade, non-investment grade) consistent with how risk is managed for these instruments.
 
Other derivative contracts
 
Other derivative contracts in the guarantees table above primarily include written interest rate options and written currency options. For such contracts the maximum payout could theoretically be unlimited, because, for example, the rise in interest rates or changes in foreign exchange rates could theoretically be unlimited. Merrill Lynch does not monitor its exposure to derivatives based on the theoretical maximum payout because that measure does not take into consideration the probability of the occurrence. As such, rather than including the maximum payout, the notional value of these contracts has been included to provide information about the magnitude of involvement with these types of contracts. However, it should be noted that the notional value is not a reliable indicator of Merrill


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Lynch’s exposure to these contracts. Instead, as previously noted, a risk framework is used to define risk tolerances and establish limits to help ensure that certain risk-related losses occur within acceptable, predefined limits.
 
As the fair value and risk of payment under these derivative contracts are based upon market factors, such as changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates, the carrying values in the table above reflect the best estimate of Merrill Lynch’s performance risk under these transactions at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Merrill Lynch economically hedges its exposure to these contracts by entering into a variety of offsetting derivative contracts and security positions.
 
Credit risk management of derivatives
 
Merrill Lynch defines counterparty credit risk as the potential for loss that can occur as a result of an individual, counterparty, or issuer being unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations. Merrill Lynch mitigates its credit risk to counterparties through a variety of techniques, including, where appropriate, the right to require initial collateral or margin, the right to terminate transactions or to obtain collateral should unfavorable events occur, the right to call for collateral when certain exposure thresholds are exceeded, the right to call for third party guarantees, and the purchase of credit default protection.
 
Merrill Lynch enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) master agreements or their equivalent (“master netting agreements”) with almost all derivative counterparties. Master netting agreements provide protection in bankruptcy in certain circumstances and, in some cases, enable receivables and payables with the same counterparty to be offset for accounting and risk management purposes. Netting agreements are generally negotiated bilaterally and can require complex terms. While Merrill Lynch makes reasonable efforts to execute such agreements, it is possible that a counterparty may be unwilling to sign such an agreement and, as a result, would subject Merrill Lynch to additional credit risk. The enforceability of master netting agreements under bankruptcy laws in certain countries or in certain industries is not free from doubt, and receivables and payables with counterparties in these countries or industries are accordingly recorded on a gross basis.
 
Where Merrill Lynch has entered into legally enforceable netting agreements with counterparties, it reports derivative assets and liabilities, and any related cash collateral, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet-Offsetting. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, cash collateral received of $28.6 billion and $26.7 billion, respectively, and cash collateral paid of $29.0 billion and $38.2 billion, respectively, was netted against derivative assets and liabilities.
 
Merrill Lynch considers the impact of counterparty credit risk on the valuation of derivative contracts. Factors used to determine the credit valuation adjustments on the derivatives portfolio include current exposure levels (i.e., fair value prior to credit valuation adjustments) and expected exposure levels profiled over the maturity of the contracts. CDS market information, including either quoted single name CDS or index or other proxy CDS, is also considered. In addition, the credit valuation adjustments also take into account the netting and credit provisions of relevant agreements including collateral margin agreements and legally enforceable netting agreements. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, valuation adjustments of approximately $0.1 billion and $0.9 billion of gains, respectively, were recognized in principal transactions for counterparty credit risk. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the cumulative counterparty credit risk valuation adjustment that was reflected in derivative assets was $5.9 billion and $6.8 billion, respectively. In addition, the fair value of derivative liabilities is adjusted to reflect the impact of Merrill Lynch’s credit quality. During the year ended December 31, 2010, valuation adjustments of approximately $0.1 billion were recognized as gains in principal transactions for changes in Merrill Lynch’s credit risk. For the


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year ended December 31, 2009, valuation adjustments of $0.5 billion were recognized as losses in principal transactions for changes in Merrill Lynch’s credit risk. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the cumulative credit risk valuation adjustment that was reflected in the derivative liabilities balance was $0.6 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively.
 
Monoline derivative credit exposure at December 31, 2010 had a notional value of $32.0 billion compared with $36.1 billion at December 31, 2009. Mark-to-market monoline derivative credit exposure was $8.8 billion at December 31, 2010 compared with $10.7 billion at December 31, 2009, driven by positive valuation adjustments on legacy assets and terminated monoline contracts. At December 31, 2010, the counterparty credit valuation adjustment related to monoline derivative exposure was $5.0 billion compared to $5.7 billion at December 31, 2009, which reduced Merrill Lynch’s net mark-to-market exposure to $3.8 billion at December 31, 2010, of which 64% related to a single counterparty.
 
Bank of America has guaranteed the performance of Merrill Lynch on certain derivative transactions. The aggregate amount of such derivative liabilities was approximately $2.1 billion and $2.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
Credit-risk related contingent features
 
The majority of Merrill Lynch’s derivative contracts contain credit-risk-related contingent features, primarily within the ISDA agreements, that help to reduce the credit risk of these instruments as compared to other obligations of the respective counterparty with whom Merrill Lynch has transacted (e.g., other senior debt). These contingent features may be for the benefit of Merrill Lynch or may benefit Merrill Lynch’s counterparties in respect of changes in Merrill Lynch’s creditworthiness. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Merrill Lynch posted collateral of $33.8 billion and $42.8 billion, respectively, under derivative contracts that were in a liability position, of which $29.0 billion and $38.2 billion, respectively, represented cash collateral, as noted above.
 
In connection with certain OTC derivatives transactions and other trading agreements, Merrill Lynch could be required to provide additional collateral to or terminate transactions with certain counterparties in the event of a downgrade of the senior debt ratings of ML & Co. The amount of additional collateral required depends on the contract and is usually a fixed incremental amount and/or an amount related to the market value of the exposure. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the amount of additional collateral and termination payments that would be required for such derivatives transactions and trading agreements was approximately $0.8 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, in the event of a downgrade to low single-A by all credit agencies. A further downgrade of ML & Co.’s long-term senior debt credit rating to the BBB+ or equivalent level would require approximately $0.7 and $0.6 billion, respectively, of additional collateral at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
Note 7.   Securities Financing Transactions
 
Merrill Lynch enters into secured borrowing and lending transactions in order to meet customers’ needs and earn residual interest rate spreads, obtain securities for settlement and finance trading inventory positions.
 
Under these transactions, Merrill Lynch either receives or provides collateral, including U.S. Government and agency securities, asset-backed, corporate debt, equity, and non-U.S. government and agency securities. Merrill Lynch receives collateral in connection with resale agreements, securities borrowed transactions, customer margin loans and other loans. Under most agreements, Merrill Lynch


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is permitted to sell or repledge the securities received (e.g., use the securities to secure repurchase agreements, enter into securities lending transactions, or deliver to counterparties to cover short positions). At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the fair value of securities received as collateral where Merrill Lynch is permitted to sell or repledge the securities was $439 billion and $466 billion, respectively, and the fair value of the portion that had been sold or repledged was $332 billion and $353 billion, respectively. Merrill Lynch may use securities received as collateral for resale agreements to satisfy regulatory requirements such as Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Additionally, Merrill Lynch receives securities as collateral in connection with certain securities transactions in which Merrill Lynch is the lender. In instances where Merrill Lynch is permitted to sell or repledge securities received, Merrill Lynch reports the fair value of such securities received as collateral and the related obligation to return securities received as collateral in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Merrill Lynch pledges assets to collateralize repurchase agreements and other secured financings. Pledged securities that can be sold or repledged by the secured party are parenthetically disclosed in trading assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value and classification of securities owned by Merrill Lynch that have been pledged to counterparties where those counterparties do not have the right to sell or repledge at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009
 
Trading asset category
                 
Equities and convertible debentures
  $ 8,199       $ 7,647  
Corporate debt and preferred stock
    14,320         22,616  
U.S. Government and agencies
    26,381         12,534  
Non-U.S. governments and agencies
    1,424         1,786  
Mortgages, mortgage-backed, and asset-backed securities
    3,480         3,674  
Municipals and money markets
    1,980         8  
                   
Total
  $ 55,784       $ 48,265  
                   
 
 
 
In certain cases, Merrill Lynch has transferred assets to consolidated VIEs where those restricted assets serve as collateral for the interests issued by the VIEs. These assets are disclosed on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Assets of Consolidated VIEs. These transactions are also described in Note 9.
 
Generally, when Merrill Lynch transfers financial instruments that are not recorded as sales (i.e., secured borrowing transactions), the liability is recorded as either payables under repurchase agreements or payables under securities loaned transactions; however, in instances where Merrill Lynch transfers financial assets to a consolidated VIE, the liabilities of the consolidated VIE will be reflected in long or short-term borrowings (see Note 9). In either case, at the time of transfer, the related liability is equal to the cash received in the transaction. In most cases the lenders in secured borrowing transactions have full recourse to Merrill Lynch (i.e., recourse beyond the assets pledged).


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Note 8.  Investment Securities
 
Investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include:
 
•  Investments within the scope of Investment Accounting that are held by ML & Co. and certain of its non-broker-dealer subsidiaries consist of:
 
  •  Debt securities, including debt held-for-investment and liquidity and collateral management purposes that are classified as available-for-sale, and debt securities that Merrill Lynch intends to hold until maturity;
 
  •  Marketable equity securities, which are generally classified as available-for-sale.
 
•  Non-qualifying investments are those that are not within the scope of Investment Accounting and consist principally of equity investments, including investments in partnerships and joint ventures. Included in non-qualifying investments are investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, which consist of investments in (i) partnerships and certain limited liability corporations where Merrill Lynch has more than a minor influence (generally defined as three to five percent interest) and (ii) corporate entities where Merrill Lynch has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee (generally defined as ownership and voting interest of 20% to 50%). Also included in non-qualifying investments are private equity investments that Merrill Lynch holds for capital appreciation and/or current income and which are accounted for at fair value in accordance with the Investment Company Guide, as well as private equity investments accounted for at fair value under the fair value option election. The fair value of such private equity investments reflects expected exit values based upon market prices or other valuation methodologies, including market comparables of similar companies and discounted expected cash flows.
 
Investment securities reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are presented below.
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009
 
Investment securities
                 
Available-for-sale(1)(2)
  $ 5,091       $ 16,818  
Held-to-maturity
    245         246  
Non-qualifying(3)
                 
Equity investments(4)
    10,437         19,591  
Other investments
    1,996         1,752  
                   
Total
  $ 17,769       $ 38,407  
                   
 
 
(1) The amount at December 31, 2009 includes $5.5 billion of investment securities reported in cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing organizations.
(2) The decrease in available-for-sale securities from December 31, 2009 primarily reflects the sale of approximately $15 billion of securities, approximately $11 billion of which were sold to Bank of America, partly offset by the purchase of approximately $4 billion of securities from Bank of America.
(3) Investments that are non-qualifying for Investment Accounting purposes.
(4) Equity investments declined primarily due to the partial sale of Merrill Lynch’s investment in BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”).
 
Refer to Note 1 for Merrill Lynch’s accounting policy regarding other-than-temporary-impairment of investment securities. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009,


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other-than-temporary impairment charges related to non-agency mortgage-backed available-for-sale securities were $174 million and $660 million, respectively, the credit-related portion of which was $172 million and $656 million, respectively. The impairment amounts reported each year reflect the impact of all securities for which impairment losses were recognized in earnings during that period, and ongoing changes in the fair value of those securities.
 
In the year ended December 26, 2008, Merrill Lynch recorded other-than-temporary impairment charges of $4.2 billion, primarily related to certain mortgage and asset-backed securities.
 
Information regarding investment securities subject to Investment Accounting follows.
 
                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2010
        Gross
  Gross
   
    Amortized
  Unrealized
  Unrealized
  Fair
    Cost   Gains   Losses   Value
 
 
Available-for-Sale
                               
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Agency residential mortgage backed securities
  $ 3,918     $ -     $ (49 )   $ 3,869  
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
    61       -       -       61  
Non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations
    739       68       (76 )     731  
                                 
Subtotal
    4,718       68       (125 )     4,661  
U.S. Government and agencies
    430       -       -       430  
                                 
Total Available-for-Sale Securities
    5,148       68       (125 )     5,091  
                                 
Held-to-Maturity
                               
Corporate debt and municipal
    245       -       -       245  
                                 
Total
  $ 5,393     $ 68     $ (125 )   $ 5,336  
                                 
 
 
 
                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2009
        Gross
  Gross
   
    Amortized
  Unrealized
  Unrealized
  Fair
    Cost   Gains   Losses   Value
 
 
Available-for-Sale
                               
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 14,381     $ 449     $ (11 )   $ 14,819  
Non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations
    1,952       154       (501 )     1,605  
                                 
Subtotal
    16,333       603       (512 )     16,424  
U.S. Government and agencies
    394       -       -       394  
                                 
Total Available-for-Sale Securities
    16,727       603       (512 )     16,818  
                                 
Held-to-Maturity
                               
Corporate debt and municipal
    246       -       -       246  
                                 
Total
  $ 16,973     $ 603     $ (512 )   $ 17,064  
                                 
 
 
 
As a result of the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, and the new cost bases established on January 1, 2009, there were no available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position for greater than one year as of December 31, 2009. The following table presents fair value and unrealized losses,


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after hedges, for available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2010.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    Less than 1 Year   More than 1 Year   Total
        Unrealized
      Unrealized
      Unrealized
Asset Category   Fair Value   Losses   Fair Value   Losses   Fair Value   Losses
 
 
Agency residential mortgage backed securities
  $ 3,869     $ (49 )   $ -     $ -     $ 3,869     $ (49 )
Non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations
    53       (3 )     230       (73 )     283       (76 )
                                                 
Total
  $ 3,922     $ (52 )   $ 230     $ (73 )   $ 4,152     $ (125 )
                                                 
 
 
 
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities by expected maturity for mortgage-backed securities and contractual maturity for other debt securities at December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    Available-for-Sale   Held-to-Maturity
    Amortized
  Fair
  Amortized
  Fair
    Cost   Value   Cost   Value
 
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 453     $ 451     $ -     $ -  
Due after one year through five years
    3,462       3,440       245       245  
Due after five years through ten years
    592       575       -       -  
Due after ten years
    641       625       -       -  
                                 
Total(1)
  $ 5,148     $ 5,091     $ 245     $ 245  
                                 
 
 
(1) Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay their obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
 
The proceeds and gross realized gains/(losses) from the sale of available-for-sale securities during the years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 26, 2008 are as follows:
 
                           
(dollars in millions)
 
    Successor Company     Predecessor Company
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
    Year Ended
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009     December 26, 2008
 
Proceeds
  $ 15,472     $ 13,715       $ 29,537  
Gross realized gains
    531       608         33  
Gross realized losses
    (272 )     (93 )       (28 )
 
 
 
Equity Method Investments
 
At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Merrill Lynch held certain investments that were accounted for under the equity method of accounting. At December 31, 2010, none of these investments were individually material. The following table presents the carrying amount and


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ownership percentage of Merrill Lynch’s most material individual equity method investments as of December 31, 2009:
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2009
    Carrying
    Ownership
    Amount     Percentage
 
BlackRock Inc.(1)
  $ 9,978         34 %
Warburg Pincus Funds IX and X, L.P.(2)
    797         7  
WCG Master Fund Ltd.(3)
    598         25  
 
 
(1) Carrying amount included a 4% voting common equity interest and a non-voting preferred equity interest as of December 31, 2009.
(2) Investment in private equity funds.
(3) Investment in an alternative investment fund.
 
On July 17, 2008, Merrill Lynch announced and completed the sale of its 20% ownership stake in Bloomberg, L.P. to Bloomberg Inc., for $4.4 billion. In connection with the sale, Merrill Lynch received notes totaling approximately $4.3 billion and recorded a $4.3 billion net pre-tax gain.
 
On December 1, 2009, BlackRock completed its purchase of Barclays Global Investors from Barclays, Plc. This acquisition had the effect of diluting Merrill Lynch’s ownership interest in BlackRock, which for accounting purposes was treated as a sale of a portion of Merrill Lynch’s ownership interest. As a result, upon the closing of this transaction, Merrill Lynch recorded an adjustment to its investment in BlackRock, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $1.1 billion, which is included within Earnings from equity method investments in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings/(Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2009. In addition, Merrill Lynch’s economic interest in BlackRock was reduced from approximately 50% to approximately 34%.
 
On November 15, 2010, Merrill Lynch completed the sale of 51.2 million shares of BlackRock. The net proceeds to Merrill Lynch from the sale of these shares, after underwriting discounts and before offering expenses payable by Merrill Lynch, were approximately $8.2 billion. As a result of the sale, Merrill Lynch does not own any shares of BlackRock common stock and owns shares of BlackRock Series B Preferred Stock, and Merrill Lynch’s economic interest in BlackRock was reduced from approximately 34 percent to approximately 7 percent. Merrill Lynch recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $90 million from this transaction, which is included within Earnings from equity method investments in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings/(Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2010. As a result of the reduction of Merrill Lynch’s economic interest, Merrill Lynch no longer accounts for its investment in BlackRock under the equity method of accounting.
 
Summarized aggregate financial information for Merrill Lynch’s most significant equity method investees (BlackRock, Warburg Pincus Funds IX and X, L.P., WCG Master Fund Ltd. and Bloomberg L.P.) is as follows:
 
                         
(dollars in millions)
 
    For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
  For the Year Ended
    December 31, 2010(1)   December 31, 2009   December 26, 2008(2)
 
 
Revenues
  $ 8,612     $ 6,576     $ 6,513  
Operating income
    2,998       2,774       761  
Earnings/(loss) before income taxes
    3,021       2,768       (7 )
Net earnings/(loss)
    2,063       2,371       (308 )
 
 


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(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2009
 
 
Total assets
  $ 198,551  
Total liabilities
    158,981  
Noncontrolling interest
    273  
 
 
(1) Consists of the results of BlackRock for the year ended December 31, 2010. BlackRock was accounted for under the equity method of accounting through November 15, 2010.
(2) Results relating to the investment in Bloomberg L.P. reflect amounts through June 30, 2008, as the investment was sold on July 17, 2008.
 
Note 9.  Securitizations and Other Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)
 
Merrill Lynch utilizes VIEs in the ordinary course of business to support its own and its customers’ financing and investing needs. Merrill Lynch securitizes loans and debt securities using VIEs as a source of funding and as a means of transferring the economic risk of the loans or debt securities to third parties. Merrill Lynch also administers, structures or invests in other VIEs including municipal bond trusts, CDOs and other entities as described in more detail below.
 
The entity that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is referred to as the primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE. In accordance with new consolidation guidance effective January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result of this change in accounting, Merrill Lynch consolidated or deconsolidated certain VIEs and former QSPEs on January 1, 2010 that were previously unconsolidated or consolidated. The net incremental impact of this accounting change on Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Balance Sheet is set forth in the table below. The net effect of the accounting change was recorded as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings, net of tax.
 


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(dollars in millions)
 
    Ending Balance
      Opening Balance
    Sheet
  Net Increase /
  Sheet
    December 31, 2009   (Decrease)   January 1, 2010
 
 
Assets
                       
Trading assets, at fair value
  $ 144,665     $ 6,217     $ 150,882  
Derivative assets
    49,966       (2,413 )     47,553  
Investment securities
    32,882       1,093       33,975  
Loans, notes, and mortgages (net)
    37,663       (333 )     37,330  
All other assets
    391,713       3,287       395,000  
                         
Total Assets
  $ 656,889     $ 7,851     $ 664,740  
                         
Liabilities
                       
Short-term borrowings
  $ 14,858     $ 5,013     $ 19,871  
Trading liabilities, at fair value
    50,061       -       50,061  
Derivative liabilities
    35,438       (313 )     35,125  
Long-term borrowings
    151,399       3,067       154,466  
All other liabilities
    358,476       229       358,705  
                         
Total Liabilities
    610,232       7,996       618,228  
                         
Retained earnings
    6,487       (145 )     6,342  
All other stockholders’ equity
    40,170       -       40,170  
                         
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    46,657       (145 )     46,512  
                         
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 656,889     $ 7,851     $ 664,740  
                         
 
 
 
Certain tables below present the assets and liabilities of consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs if Merrill Lynch has continuing involvement with transferred assets or if Merrill Lynch otherwise has a variable interest in the VIE. For consolidated VIEs, these amounts are net of intercompany balances. The tables also present Merrill Lynch’s maximum exposure to loss resulting from its involvement with consolidated VIEs and unconsolidated VIEs in which Merrill Lynch holds a variable interest as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Merrill Lynch’s maximum exposure to loss is based on the unlikely event that all of the assets in the VIEs become worthless and incorporates not only potential losses associated with assets recorded on Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Balance Sheet but also potential losses associated with off-balance sheet commitments such as unfunded liquidity commitments and other contractual arrangements. Merrill Lynch’s maximum exposure to loss does not include losses previously recognized.
 
Merrill Lynch invests in asset-backed securities issued by third party VIEs with which it has no other form of involvement. These securities are described in more detail in Note 8. In addition, Merrill Lynch uses VIEs such as trust preferred securities trusts in connection with its funding activities, as described in more detail in Note 12.
 
Except as described below, Merrill Lynch has not provided financial support to consolidated or unconsolidated VIEs that it was not contractually required to provide, nor does it intend to do so.
 
Loan VIEs
 
Merrill Lynch securitizes mortgage loans that it originates or purchases from third parties. In certain circumstances, Merrill Lynch has continuing involvement with the securitized loans as servicer of the

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loans. Merrill Lynch may also retain beneficial interests in the securitization vehicles including senior and subordinated securities, and the equity tranche. Except as described below, Merrill Lynch does not provide guarantees to the securitization vehicles and investors do not have recourse to Merrill Lynch other than through standard representations and warranties.
 
Securitization activity for residential and commercial mortgages was not material for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
The following table summarizes certain information related to Loan VIEs in which Merrill Lynch is either the transferor, servicer or sponsor and holds a variable interest as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    Non-Agency
    Prime   Subprime   Commercial Mortgage
    December 31,
  December 31,
  December 31,
  December 31,
  December 31,
  December 31,
    2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009
 
 
Unconsolidated VIEs:
                                               
Maximum loss exposure(1)(2)
  $ 28     $ 99     $ 168     $ 1,150     $ 187     $ 119  
                                                 
Senior securities held(3)
                                               
Trading assets
  $ 6     $ 3     $ 23     $ 17     $ 74     $ 18  
Investment securities
    6       -       22       -       -       -  
Subordinated securities held(3)
                                               
Trading assets
    -       -       11       -       -       -  
Residual interests held
    6       9       -       2       50       39  
                                                 
Total retained securities
  $ 18     $ 12     $ 56     $ 19     $ 124     $ 57  
                                                 
Principal balance outstanding(4)
  $ 636     $ 923     $ 18,857     $ 37,254     $ 24,891     $ 17,461  
                                                 
Consolidated VIEs:
                                               
Maximum loss exposure(1)
  $ 46     $ 472     $ 12     $ 1,234     $ -     $ -  
                                                 
Derivative contracts
  $ 41     $ 72     $ -     $ 163     $ -     $ -  
Loans, notes, and mortgages
    -       436       -       1,746       -       -  
Other assets
    5       14       12       108       -       -  
                                                 
Total assets
  $ 46     $ 522     $ 12     $ 2,017     $ -     $ -  
                                                 
Long-term borrowings
  $ -     $ 48     $ -     $ 1,030     $ -     $ -  
Derivative contracts
    -       -       -       3       -       -  
Other liabilities
    9       3       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Total liabilities
  $ 9     $ 51     $ -     $ 1,033     $ -     $ -  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Maximum loss exposure excludes liabilities for representations and warranties.
(2) Maximum loss exposure at December 31, 2009 included servicing assets that were transferred to a subsidiary of Bank of America in the first quarter of 2010.
(3) Substantially all of the securities were in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
(4) Principal balance outstanding includes those loans that Merrill Lynch transferred and with which it has continuing involvement.
 
In accordance with the new consolidation guidance, Merrill Lynch consolidates Loan VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest. For loan securitizations, Merrill Lynch is considered to have a controlling financial interest (i.e., is the primary beneficiary) when it is the servicer of the loans and also holds a financial interest that could potentially be significant to the entity. If Merrill Lynch is not the servicer of an entity or does not hold a financial interest that could be significant to the entity, Merrill Lynch does not have a controlling financial interest and does not consolidate the entity. Merrill Lynch does not have a controlling financial interest in and does not consolidate agency trusts unless Merrill Lynch holds all of the issued securities and has the unilateral right to liquidate the trust. Prior to 2010, most of the Loan VIEs met the definition of a QSPE and, as such, were not subject to consolidation.


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Merrill Lynch sells mortgage loans to VIEs with various representations and warranties related to, among other things, the ownership of the loan, validity of the lien securing the loan, absence of delinquent taxes or liens against the property securing the loan, the process used in selecting the loans for inclusion in a transaction, the loan’s compliance with any applicable loan criteria established by the buyer, and the loan’s compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws. Under these representations and warranties, Merrill Lynch may be required to repurchase mortgage loans with the identified defects or indemnify or provide other recourse to the investor or insurer. In such cases, Merrill Lynch bears any subsequent credit loss on the mortgage loans. Merrill Lynch’s representations and warranties are generally not subject to stated limits and extend over the life of the loans. See Note 14.
 
Municipal Bond Securitizations
 
Merrill Lynch sponsors municipal bond trusts that hold highly-rated, long-term, fixed-rate municipal bonds, some of which are callable prior to maturity. The vast majority of the bonds are rated AAA or AA and some of the bonds benefit from insurance provided by monoline financial guarantors. The trusts obtain financing by issuing floating-rate trust certificates that reprice on a frequent basis to third party investors. Merrill Lynch may serve as remarketing agent and/or liquidity provider for the trusts. The floating-rate investors have the right to tender the certificates at specified dates, often with as little as seven days’ notice. Should Merrill Lynch be unable to remarket the tendered certificates, it is generally obligated to purchase them at par under standby liquidity facilities unless the bond’s credit rating has declined below investment grade or there has been an event of default or bankruptcy of the issuer and insurer.
 
Merrill Lynch also provides default protection or credit enhancement to investors in certain municipal bond trusts whereby Merrill Lynch guarantees the payment of interest and principal on floating-rate certificates issued by these trusts. If an investor holds the residual interest, that investor typically has the unilateral ability to liquidate the trust at any time, while Merrill Lynch typically has the ability to trigger the liquidation of that trust only if the market value of the bonds held in the trust declines below a specified threshold. The weighted average remaining life of bonds held in the trusts at December 31, 2010 was 10.13 years.
 
The following table summarizes certain information related to municipal bond trusts in which Merrill Lynch holds a variable interest as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Consolidated   Unconsolidated   Total   Consolidated   Unconsolidated   Total
 
 
Maximum Loss Exposure
  $ 4,451     $ 1,543     $ 5,994     $ 138     $ 4,971     $ 5,109  
                                                 
On-balance sheet assets
                                               
Trading assets
  $ 4,451     $ 255     $ 4,706     $ 138     $ 97     $ 235  
                                                 
Total
  $ 4,451     $ 255     $ 4,706     $ 138     $ 97     $ 235  
                                                 
On-balance sheet liabilities
                                               
Derivative contracts
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 2     $ 287     $ 289  
Short-term borrowings
    4,642       -       4,642       -       -       -  
Payables to Bank of America
    2       -       2       -       -       -  
                                                 
Total
  $ 4,644     $ -     $ 4,644     $ 2     $ 287     $ 289  
                                                 
Total assets of VIEs
  $ 4,451     $ 1,706     $ 6,157     $ 138     $ 5,264     $ 5,402  
                                                 
 
 
 
Merrill Lynch consolidates municipal bond trusts when it has a controlling financial interest. As transferor of assets into a trust, Merrill Lynch has the power to determine which assets would be held


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in the trust and to structure the liquidity facilities, default protection and credit enhancement, if applicable. In some instances, Merrill Lynch retains a residual interest in such trusts and has loss exposure that could potentially be significant to the trust through the residual interest, liquidity facilities and other arrangements. Merrill Lynch is also the remarketing agent, through which it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact economic performance. Accordingly, Merrill Lynch is the primary beneficiary of and consolidates these trusts. In other instances, one or more third party investor(s) hold(s) the residual interest and, through that interest, has the unilateral right to liquidate the trust. Merrill Lynch does not consolidate these trusts.
 
Prior to 2010, most of the municipal bond trusts were QSPEs and, as such, were not subject to consolidation by Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch consolidated those trusts that were not QSPEs if it held the residual interests or otherwise expected to absorb a majority of the variability created by changes in fair value of assets in the trusts. Merrill Lynch did not consolidate a trust if third party investors held the residual interest and Merrill Lynch was protected from loss in connection with its liquidity obligations.
 
In the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Merrill Lynch was the transferor of assets into unconsolidated municipal bond trusts and received cash proceeds from new securitizations of $1.2 billion and $664 million, respectively. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the principal balance outstanding for unconsolidated municipal bond securitization trusts for which Merrill Lynch was the transferor was $1.7 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively.
 
Merrill Lynch’s liquidity commitments to unconsolidated municipal bond trusts totaled $1.3 billion and $4.9 billion at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
Collateralized Debt Obligations (“CDOs”)
 
CDO vehicles hold diversified pools of fixed income securities, typically corporate debt or asset-backed securities, which they fund by issuing multiple tranches of debt and equity securities. Synthetic CDOs enter into a portfolio of credit default swaps to synthetically create exposure to fixed income securities. Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”) are a subset of CDOs that hold pools of loans, typically corporate loans or commercial mortgages. CDOs are typically managed by third party portfolio managers. Merrill Lynch transfers assets to these CDOs, holds securities issued by the CDOs, and may be a derivative counterparty to the CDOs, including credit default swap counterparty for synthetic CDOs. Merrill Lynch has also entered into total return swaps with certain CDOs whereby Merrill Lynch will absorb the economic returns generated by specified assets held by the CDO. Merrill Lynch receives fees for structuring CDOs and providing liquidity support for super senior tranches of securities issued by certain CDOs.


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The following table summarizes certain information related to CDO vehicles in which Merrill Lynch holds a variable interest as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Consolidated   Unconsolidated   Total   Consolidated   Unconsolidated   Total
 
 
Maximum Loss Exposure
  $ 2,216     $ 2,987     $ 5,203     $ 2,449     $ 5,942     $ 8,391  
                                                 
On-balance sheet assets
                                               
Trading assets
  $ 2,727     $ 569     $ 3,296     $ 2,785     $ 700     $ 3,485  
Derivative contracts
    -       890       890       -       2,085       2,085  
Other assets
    3       123       126       -       166       166  
                                                 
Total
  $ 2,730     $ 1,582     $ 4,312     $ 2,785     $ 2,951     $ 5,736  
                                                 
On-balance sheet liabilities
                                               
Derivative contracts
  $ -     $ 8     $ 8     $ -     $ 801     $ 801  
Long-term borrowings
    3,161       -       3,161       2,753       -       2,753  
                                                 
Total
  $ 3,161     $ 8     $ 3,169     $ 2,753     $ 801     $ 3,554  
                                                 
Total assets of VIEs
  $ 2,730     $ 42,782     $ 45,512     $ 2,785     $ 51,017     $ 53,802  
                                                 
 
 
 
Merrill Lynch consolidates CDOs in which it has a controlling financial interest. Merrill Lynch does not routinely serve as collateral manager for CDOs and therefore does not typically have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of a CDO. However, following an event of default, if Merrill Lynch is a majority holder of senior securities issued by a CDO and acquires the power to manage the assets of the CDO, Merrill Lynch consolidates the CDO. Generally, the creditors of the consolidated CDOs have no recourse to the general credit of Merrill Lynch. Prior to 2010, Merrill Lynch evaluated whether it must consolidate a CDO based principally on a determination of which party was expected to absorb a majority of the credit risk created in the CDO. In most circumstances Merrill Lynch did not consolidate these entities because it did not absorb a majority of the economic risks and rewards of the vehicles.
 
At December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch had $951 million notional amount of super senior CDO liquidity exposure including derivatives and other exposures with third parties that hold super senior cash positions on Merrill Lynch’s behalf and to certain synthetic CDOs through which Merrill Lynch is obligated to purchase super senior CDO securities at par value if the CDO vehicles need cash to make payments due under credit default swaps written by the CDO vehicles.
 
Liquidity-related commitments also include $1.7 billion notional amount of derivative contracts with unconsolidated VIEs, principally CDO vehicles, which hold non-super senior CDO debt securities. These derivatives are included in the $1.7 billion notional amount of derivative contracts through which Merrill Lynch obtains funding from third party VIEs, discussed in Note 6.
 
Merrill Lynch’s $2.7 billion of aggregate liquidity exposure to CDOs at December 31, 2010 is included in the above table to the extent that Merrill Lynch sponsored the CDO vehicle or the liquidity exposure to the CDO vehicle is more than insignificant as compared to total assets of the CDO vehicle. Liquidity exposure included in the table is reported net of previously recorded losses.
 
Merrill Lynch’s maximum exposure to loss is significantly less than the total assets of the CDO vehicles in the table above because Merrill Lynch typically has exposure to only a portion of the total assets. Merrill Lynch has also purchased credit protection from some of the same CDO vehicles in which it invested, thus reducing maximum exposure to loss.


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Customer Vehicles
 
Customer vehicles include credit-linked and equity-linked note vehicles and repackaging vehicles, which are typically created on behalf of customers who wish to obtain exposure to a specific company or financial instrument. Credit-linked and equity-linked note vehicles issue notes which pay a return that is linked to the specific credit or equity risk. The vehicles purchase high-grade assets as collateral and enter into credit default swaps or equity derivatives to synthetically create the credit or equity risk required to pay the specified return on the notes issued by the vehicles. Repackaging vehicles issue notes that are designed to incorporate risk characteristics desired by customers of Merrill Lynch. The vehicles hold debt instruments such as corporate bonds, convertible bonds or asset backed securities with the desired credit risk profile. Merrill Lynch enters into derivatives with the vehicles to change the interest rate or foreign currency profile of the debt instruments. If a vehicle holds convertible bonds and Merrill Lynch retains the conversion option, Merrill Lynch is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and consolidates the vehicle.
 
The following table summarizes certain information related to customer vehicles in which Merrill Lynch holds a variable interest as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Consolidated   Unconsolidated   Total   Consolidated   Unconsolidated   Total
 
 
Maximum Loss Exposure
  $ 3,457     $ 2,603     $ 6,060     $ 277     $ 7,681     $ 7,958  
                                                 
On-balance sheet assets
                                               
Trading assets
  $ 3,397     $ 737     $ 4,134     $ 183     $ 243     $ 426  
Derivative contracts
    -       728       728       78       3,354       3,432  
Loans, notes, and mortgages
    -       -       -       -       65       65  
Other assets
    1,430       -       1,430       16       -       16  
                                                 
Total
  $ 4,827     $ 1,465     $ 6,292     $ 277     $ 3,662     $ 3,939  
                                                 
On-balance sheet liabilities
                                               
Derivative contracts
  $ 1     $ 24     $ 25     $ -     $ 205     $ 205  
Short-term borrowings
    -       -       -       22       -       22  
Long-term borrowings
    3,430       -       3,430       50       74       124  
Other liabilities
    -       140       140       -       681       681  
                                                 
Total
  $ 3,431     $ 164     $ 3,595     $ 72     $ 960     $ 1,032  
                                                 
Total assets of VIEs
  $ 4,827     $ 5,952     $ 10,779     $ 277     $ 10,387     $ 10,664  
                                                 
 
 
 
Merrill Lynch consolidates customer vehicles in which it has a controlling financial interest. Merrill Lynch typically has control over the initial design of the vehicle and may also have the ability to replace the collateral assets. Merrill Lynch consolidates these vehicles if it also absorbs potentially significant gains or losses through derivative contracts or investments. Merrill Lynch does not consolidate a vehicle if a single investor controlled the initial design of the vehicle or if Merrill Lynch does not have a variable interest that could potentially be significant to the vehicle. Credit-linked and equity-linked note vehicles were generally not consolidated prior to 2010 because Merrill Lynch typically did not absorb a majority of the economic risks and rewards of the vehicles.
 
Merrill Lynch is typically the counterparty for the credit and equity derivatives, and it may invest in securities issued by the vehicles. Merrill Lynch may also enter into interest rate and foreign currency derivatives with the vehicles. Merrill Lynch had approximately $338 million of other liquidity commitments, including written put options and collateral value guarantees, with unconsolidated credit-linked and equity-linked note vehicles at December 31, 2010.


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Merrill Lynch’s maximum exposure to loss from customer vehicles includes the notional amount of the credit or equity derivatives to which it is counterparty, net of losses previously recorded, and Merrill Lynch’s investment, if any, in securities issued by the vehicles. It has not been reduced to reflect the benefit of offsetting swaps with the customers or collateral arrangements.
 
Real Estate and other VIEs
 
Real Estate and other VIEs primarily includes a real estate investment fund that is a VIE, investments in VIEs that hold investment property and certain hedge fund investment entities.
 
The following table summarizes certain information related to Real Estate and other VIEs in which Merrill Lynch holds a variable interest as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Consolidated   Unconsolidated   Total   Consolidated   Unconsolidated   Total
 
 
Maximum Loss Exposure
  $ 857     $ 2,150     $ 3,007     $ 1,342     $ 865     $ 2,207  
                                                 
On-balance sheet assets(1)
                                               
Trading assets
  $ 263     $ 86     $ 349     $ 86     $ 587     $ 673  
Derivative contracts
    -       227       227       -       21       21  
Investment securities
    309       73       382       -       -       -  
Loans, notes, and mortgages
    221       1,368       1,589       313       257       570  
Other assets
    147       395       542       1,093       -       1,093  
                                                 
Total
  $ 940     $ 2,149     $ 3,089     $ 1,492     $ 865     $ 2,357  
                                                 
On-balance sheet liabilities
                                               
Derivative contracts
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 127     $ 127  
Long-term borrowings
    83       -       83       32       -       32  
Other liabilities
    44       -       44       78       -       78  
                                                 
Total
  $ 127     $ -     $ 127     $ 110     $ 127     $ 237  
                                                 
Total assets of VIEs(1)
  $ 940     $ 6,391     $ 7,331     $ 1,492     $ 1,448     $ 2,940  
                                                 
 
 
(1) In prior periods, unconsolidated real estate vehicles were generally considered VREs because they had sufficient equity to finance their operations when they were initially established. As such, most of these entities were not included in the December 31, 2009 unconsolidated information.
 
Merrill Lynch consolidates real estate and other VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest. Merrill Lynch has established real estate investment funds designed to provide returns to clients through limited partnership holdings. Merrill Lynch was originally the general partner, making management decisions. Merrill Lynch has a limited partnership interest in these funds. In certain of these real estate funds, Merrill Lynch had acted as investment advisor. In such capacity, Merrill Lynch provided these services for the benefit of clients.
 
Such activities inherently involve risk to Merrill Lynch and investors, and in certain instances may result in loss. Merrill Lynch provided more than an insignificant amount of support to a particular fund, and therefore considers that entity to be a VIE. The fund was previously consolidated by Merrill Lynch because it had a controlling financial interest through its general and limited partnership interests. During the fourth quarter of 2010, Merrill Lynch transferred its general partnership interest to a third party, conveying all ongoing management responsibilities to that third party. As a result, Merrill Lynch deconsolidated the fund because it no longer has a controlling financial interest. Merrill Lynch continues to retain a limited partnership interest, which is included in the unconsolidated column in the table above.


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Merrill Lynch invests in real estate lending vehicles and establishes vehicles to hold real estate investments. In certain instances these entities do not have sufficient equity to finance operations and are therefore considered VIEs. Merrill Lynch consolidates these vehicles when it has decision-making power over the property held by the vehicle and absorbs potentially significant gains or losses through its equity or loan investment.
 
Other Transactions
 
In 2010 and prior years, Merrill Lynch transferred pools of securities to certain independent third parties and provided financing for approximately 75% of the purchase price under asset-backed financing arrangements. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Merrill Lynch’s maximum loss exposure under these financing arrangements was $6.5 billion and $6.8 billion, respectively, substantially all of which was recorded as loans, notes and mortgages on Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. All principal and interest payments have been received when due in accordance with their contractual terms. These arrangements are not included in the tables above because the purchasers are not VIEs.
 
Note 10.  Loans, Notes and Mortgages
 
Loans, notes, mortgages and related commitments to extend credit include:
 
  •  Consumer loans, which are substantially secured, including residential mortgages, home equity loans, and other loans to individuals for household, family, or other personal expenditures; and
 
  •  Commercial loans, including corporate and institutional loans (including corporate and financial sponsor, non-investment grade lending commitments), commercial mortgages, asset-backed loans, small- and middle-market business loans, and other loans to businesses.
 
The table below presents information on Merrill Lynch’s loans outstanding at December 31, 2010.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
Age Analysis of Outstanding Loans
    December 31, 2010
 
    30-89 Days
  90 Days or Greater
  Total Past
  Total Current or Less
  Nonperforming
  Total
    Past Due   Than 90 Days   Due   Than 30 Days Past Due   Loans   Outstanding
 
 
Consumer loans
                                               
Residential mortgage
  $ 23     $ -     $ 23     $ 451     $ 30     $ 504  
Home equity
    1       -       1       126       5       132  
 
 
Total consumer
    24       -       24       577       35       636  
 
 
Commercial
                                               
Commercial — U.S. 
    2       19       21       5,591       210       5,822  
Commercial real estate
    -       -       -       1,632       212       1,844  
Commercial — non-U.S. 
    -       -       -       2,824       161       2,985  
 
 
      2       19       21       10,047       583       10,651  
Commercial loans measured at fair value
    -       -       -       318       -       318  
 
 
Total commercial
    2       19       21       10,365       583       10,969  
 
 
Other(1)
    -       -       -       14,368       -       14,368  
 
 
Total loans
  $ 26     $ 19     $ 45     $ 25,310     $ 618     $ 25,973  
                                                 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
                                            (170 )
                                                 
Total loans, net
                                          $ 25,803  
                                                 
(1) Includes asset-backed loans and loans held-for-sale of $9.2 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2010.


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Merrill Lynch monitors the credit quality of its loans on an ongoing basis. Merrill Lynch’s commercial loans are evaluated using pass rated or reservable criticized as the primary credit quality indicator. The term reservable criticized refers to those commercial loans that are internally classified or listed by Merrill Lynch as special mention, substandard or doubtful. These assets pose an elevated risk and may have a high probability of default or total loss. Pass rated refers to all loans not considered criticized. The table below presents credit quality indicators on Merrill Lynch’s commercial loan portfolio at December 31, 2010.
 
                         
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2010
    Commercial -
  Commercial
  Commercial -
    U.S.(1)   Real Estate   non-U.S.(1)
 
 
Risk Ratings
                       
Pass rated
  $ 5,192     $ 1,582     $ 2,581  
Reservable criticized
    630       262       404  
 
 
Total Commercial
  $ 5,822     $ 1,844     $ 2,985  
                         
 
 
(1) Excludes commercial loans measured at fair value.
 
The table below presents outstanding loans at December 31, 2009.
 
         
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31,
    2009
 
 
Consumer:
       
Mortgages
  $ 4,700  
Other
    8,969  
Commercial and small- and middle-market business:
       
Investment grade
    11,105  
Non-investment grade
    12,922  
         
      37,696  
Allowance for loan losses
    (33 )
         
Total, net
  $ 37,663  
         
 
 
 
Activity in the allowance for loan losses, which is primarily associated with commercial loans, is presented below:
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
 
    For the Year Ended
    For the Year Ended
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009 (1)
 
Allowance for loan losses, at beginning of period
  $ 33       $ -  
Provision for loan losses
    291         394  
Charge-offs
    (158 )       (212 )
Recoveries
    3         8  
                   
Net charge-offs
    (155 )       (204 )
Other(2)
    1         (157 )
                   
Allowance for loan losses, at end of period
  $ 170       $ 33  
                   
 
 
(1) The allowance for loan losses as of December 26, 2008 was eliminated as of January 1, 2009 as a result of purchase accounting adjustments.


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(2) The amount for 2009 includes $157 million of allowance for loan losses transferred to Bank of America in connection with the sale of MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB. See Note 2 for further information regarding these sales.
 
Consumer loans, substantially all of which are collateralized, consisted of approximately 88,000 individual loans at December 31, 2010. Commercial loans consisted of approximately 5,800 separate loans.
 
Merrill Lynch’s outstanding loans include $5.2 billion and $7.7 billion of loans held for sale at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Loans held for sale are loans that Merrill Lynch expects to sell prior to maturity. At December 31, 2010, such loans consisted of $1.7 billion of consumer loans, primarily residential mortgages, and $3.5 billion of commercial loans. At December 31, 2009, such loans consisted of $3.6 billion of consumer loans, primarily residential mortgages, and $4.1 billion of commercial loans.
 
In some cases, Merrill Lynch enters into single name and index credit default swaps to mitigate credit exposure related to funded and unfunded commercial loans. The notional value of these swaps totaled $2.9 billion and $3.2 billion at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The following tables provide information regarding Merrill Lynch’s net credit default protection associated with its funded and unfunded commercial loans as of December 31, 2010:
 
Merrill Lynch generally maintains collateral on secured loans in the form of securities, liens on real estate, perfected security interests in other assets of the borrower, and guarantees. Consumer loans are typically collateralized by liens on real estate and other property. Commercial secured loans primarily include asset-based loans secured by financial assets such as loan receivables and trade receivables where the amount of the loan is based on the level of available collateral (i.e., the borrowing base) and commercial mortgages secured by real property. In addition, for secured commercial loans related to the corporate and institutional lending business, Merrill Lynch typically receives collateral in the form of either a first or second lien on the assets of the borrower or the stock of a subsidiary, which gives Merrill Lynch a priority claim in the case of a bankruptcy filing by the borrower. In many cases, where a security interest in the assets of the borrower is granted, no restrictions are placed on the use of assets by the borrower and asset levels are not typically subject to periodic review; however, the borrowers are typically subject to stringent debt covenants. Where the borrower grants a security interest in the stock of its subsidiary, the subsidiary’s ability to issue additional debt is typically restricted.
 
Net Credit Default Protection by Maturity Profile
 
         
 
    December 31,
    2010
 
 
Less than or equal to one year
    23 %
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years
    67  
Greater than five years
    10  
 
 
Total net credit default protection
    100 %
         
 
 


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Net Credit Default Protection by Credit Exposure Debt Rating
 
                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31, 2010
    Net
   
Ratings(1)   Notional   Percent
 
 
AA
  $ (450 )     15.5 %
A
    (1,029 )     35.3  
BBB
    (655 )     22.5  
BB
    (359 )     12.3  
B
    (224 )     7.7  
CCC and below
    (194 )     6.7  
 
 
Total net credit default protection
  $ (2,911 )     100.0 %
                 
 
 
(1) Merrill Lynch considers ratings of BBB- or higher to meet the definition of investment grade.
 
Effect of the Acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America
 
Upon completion of the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch adjusted the carrying value of its loans to fair value. Certain of these loans were subject to the requirements of Acquired Impaired Loan Accounting, which addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. Acquired Impaired Loan Accounting requires impaired loans to be recorded at estimated fair value and prohibits “carrying over” or the creation of valuation allowances in the initial accounting for loans acquired in a transfer that are within the scope of Acquired Impaired Loan Accounting.
 
The estimated fair values for loans within the scope of Acquired Impaired Loan Accounting are determined by discounting cash flows expected to be collected using a discount rate for similar instruments with adjustments that management believes a market participant would consider in determining fair value. Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition are estimated using internal prepayment, interest rate and credit risk models that incorporate management’s best estimate of certain key assumptions, such as default rates, loss severity and prepayment speeds. All other loans were remeasured at the present value of contractual payments discounted to the prevailing interest rates on the date of acquisition.
 
Under Acquired Impaired Loan Accounting, the excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income over the remaining life of the loans. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the nonaccretable difference. Changes in the expected cash flows from the date of acquisition will either impact the accretable yield or result in a charge to the provision for credit losses. Subsequent decreases to expected principal cash flows will result in a charge to provision for credit losses and a corresponding increase to allowance for loan losses. Subsequent increases in expected principal cash flows will result in recovery of any previously recorded allowance for loan losses, to the extent applicable, and an increase from expected cash flows to accretable yield for any remaining increase. All changes in expected interest cash flows will result in an increase or decrease of accretable yield.
 
In connection with Merrill Lynch’s acquisition by Bank of America, loans within the scope of Acquired Impaired Loan Accounting had an unpaid principal balance of $5.6 billion ($2.7 billion consumer and $2.9 billion commercial) and a carrying value of $4.2 billion ($2.3 billion consumer and $1.9 billion commercial) as of January 1, 2009. These loans, primarily commercial real estate, had an unpaid


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principal balance of $0.7 billion and a carrying value of $0.2 billion as of December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2009, these loans had an unpaid principal balance of $1.5 billion and a carrying value of $0.6 billion, respectively. The following table provides details of these loans as of January 1, 2009.
 
         
(dollars in millions)
 
    As of
    January 1,
Acquired Impaired Loans   2009
 
 
Contractually required payments including interest
  $ 6,205  
Less: Nonaccretable difference
    (1,357 )
         
Cash flows expected to be collected(1)
    4,848  
Less: Accretable yield
    (627 )
         
Fair value of loans acquired
  $ 4,221  
         
 
 
(1) Represents undiscounted expected principal and interest cash flows at the acquisition date (January 1, 2009).
 
The following table provides activity for the accretable yield of loans within the scope of Acquired Impaired Loan Accounting for the year ended December 31, 2009. There was no accretable yield at December 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009.
 
         
(dollars in millions)
 
    Year Ended
    December 31,
    2009
 
 
Accretable yield, beginning of period
  $ 627  
Impact of the sale of MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB to Bank of America
    (499 )
Accretions
    (109 )
Disposals
    (8 )
Decrease in expected cash flows
    (11 )
         
Accretable yield, December 31, 2009
  $ -  
         
 
 
 
Note 11.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
In connection with the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, the carrying value of Merrill Lynch’s goodwill as of December 26, 2008 was eliminated. New goodwill was recorded on January 1, 2009. In addition, as of January 1, 2009, certain intangible assets were adjusted to their fair value and new intangible assets (e.g., the Merrill Lynch brand) were recorded.
 
Goodwill
 
Goodwill is the cost of an acquired company in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. Goodwill is tested annually (or more frequently under certain conditions) for impairment at the reporting unit level in accordance with Goodwill and Intangible Assets Accounting. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, its goodwill is not deemed to be impaired. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, a further analysis is required to determine the amount of impairment, if any. Based on the annual impairment analysis completed during the third quarter of 2010, Merrill Lynch determined that there was no impairment of goodwill as of the June 30, 2010 test date.


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The following table sets forth the carrying amount of Merrill Lynch’s goodwill:
 
         
(dollars in millions)
 
 
Goodwill, January 1, 2009
  $ 6,029  
Dispositions(1)
    (425 )
Purchase Accounting Adjustments(2)
    (29 )
         
Goodwill, December 31, 2009
    5,575  
Adjustments(3)
    155  
         
Goodwill, December 31, 2010
  $ 5,730  
         
 
 
(1) Relates to the sale of MLBUSA and MLBT-FSB to Bank of America during 2009. Refer to Note 2 for further information.
(2) Represents adjustments to the preliminary purchase accounting established as of January 1, 2009 in conjunction with the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America.
(3) Represents corrections of certain assets and liabilities in place at the time of the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America.
 
A $2.3 billion goodwill impairment charge was recorded during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2008, due to the severe deterioration in the financial markets in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the related impact on the fair value of Merrill Lynch’s reporting units.
 
Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets with definite lives at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consisted primarily of value assigned to customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite lives are tested for impairment in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment whenever certain conditions exist which would indicate the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite lives consist of value assigned to the Merrill Lynch brand and are tested for impairment in accordance with Goodwill and Intangible Assets Accounting. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Based on an impairment analysis conducted as of December 31, 2010, the Merrill Lynch brand is not impaired.
 
The table below presents the gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization, and net carrying amounts of intangible assets as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 
                       
(dollars in millions)
 
        Year Ended
    Year Ended
        December 31,
    December 31,
        2010     2009
 
Customer relationships
  Gross carrying amount   $ 3,087       $ 3,087  
    Accumulated amortization     (618 )       (309 )
                       
    Net carrying amount     2,469         2,778  
 
 
Other(1)
  Gross carrying amount     1,515         1,515  
    Accumulated amortization     -         -  
                       
    Net carrying amount     1,515         1,515  
 
 
Total
  Gross carrying amount     4,602         4,602  
    Accumulated amortization     (618 )       (309 )
                       
    Net carrying amount   $ 3,984       $ 4,293  
                       
 
 
(1) Represents value assigned to the Merrill Lynch brand.


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Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $309 million compared with $349 million in 2009. Amortization expense for 2008 was $97 million.
 
The estimated future amortization of intangible assets from 2011 through 2015 is $309 million per year.
 
Note 12.  Borrowings and Deposits
 
Prior to Merrill Lynch’s acquisition by Bank of America, ML & Co. was the primary issuer of Merrill Lynch’s unsecured debt instruments. Debt instruments were also issued by certain subsidiaries. Bank of America has not assumed or guaranteed the long-term debt that was issued or guaranteed by ML & Co. or its subsidiaries prior to the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America.
 
Beginning late in the third quarter of 2009, in connection with the update or renewal of certain Merrill Lynch international securities offering programs, Bank of America agreed to guarantee debt securities, warrants and/or certificates issued by certain subsidiaries of ML & Co. on a going forward basis. All existing ML & Co. guarantees of securities issued by those same Merrill Lynch subsidiaries under various international securities offering programs will remain in full force and effect as long as those securities are outstanding, and Bank of America has not assumed any of those prior ML & Co. guarantees or otherwise guaranteed such securities. There were approximately $4.9 billion of securities guaranteed by Bank of America at December 31, 2010.
 
Following the merger of BAS into MLPF&S, Bank of America agreed to guarantee the short-term, senior unsecured obligations issued by MLPF&S under its short-term master note program on a going forward basis. This issuance program was previously maintained by BAS to provide short-term funding for its broker-dealer operations. At December 31, 2010, $8.8 billion of borrowings under the program were outstanding and guaranteed by Bank of America.
 
Following the completion of Bank of America’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch, ML & Co. became a subsidiary of Bank of America and established intercompany lending and borrowing arrangements to facilitate centralized liquidity management. Included in these intercompany agreements is a $75 billion one-year revolving unsecured line of credit that allows ML & Co. to borrow funds from Bank of America at a spread to LIBOR that is reset periodically and is consistent with other intercompany agreements. This credit line was renewed effective January 1, 2011 with a maturity date of January 1, 2012. The credit line will automatically be extended by one year to the succeeding January 1st unless Bank of America provides written notice not to extend at least 45 days prior to the maturity date. The agreement does not contain any financial or other covenants. There were no outstanding borrowings against the line of credit at December 31, 2010.
 
In addition to the $75 billion unsecured line of credit, a $25 billion 364-day revolving unsecured line of credit that allows ML & Co. to borrow funds from Bank of America was established on February 15, 2011. Interest on the line of credit is based on prevailing short-term market rates. The agreement does not contain any financial or other covenants. The line of credit matures on February 14, 2012.
 
In connection with the merger of BAS into MLPF&S, a $4 billion one-year revolving unsecured line of credit that allows MLPF&S to borrow funds from Bank of America was established on November 1, 2010. Interest on the line of credit is based on prevailing short-term market rates. The credit line will automatically be extended by one year to the succeeding November 1st unless Bank of America provides written notice not to extend at least 45 days prior to the maturity date. At December 31, 2010, $1.9 billion was outstanding on the line of credit.


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Also in connection with the merger of BAS into MLPF&S, an approximately $1.5 billion subordinated loan agreement with Bank of America was assumed by MLPF&S, which bears interest based on a spread to LIBOR, and has a scheduled maturity date of December 31, 2012. The loan agreement contains a provision that automatically extends the loan’s maturity by one year unless Bank of America provides 13 months written notice not to extend prior to the scheduled maturity date. In addition, MLPF&S has assumed a $7 billion revolving subordinated line of credit with Bank of America. The subordinated line of credit bears interest based on a spread to LIBOR, and has a scheduled maturity date of October 1, 2012. The revolving subordinated line of credit contains a provision that automatically extends the maturity by one year unless Bank of America provides 13 months written notice not to extend prior to the scheduled maturity date. At December 31, 2010, $1.1 billion was outstanding on the subordinated line of credit.
 
On February 22, 2011, a $15 billion 364-day revolving unsecured line of credit that allows MLPF&S to borrow funds from Bank of America was established. Interest on the line of credit is based on prevailing short-term market rates. The line of credit matures on February 21, 2012.
 
The value of Merrill Lynch’s debt instruments as recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets does not necessarily represent the amount that will be repaid at maturity. This is due to the following:
 
  •   As a result of the acquisition by Bank of America, all debt instruments were adjusted to fair value on January 1, 2009;
 
  •   Certain debt issuances are accounted for at fair value and incorporate changes in Merrill Lynch’s creditworthiness as well as other underlying risks (see Note 4);
 
  •   Certain structured notes whose coupon or repayment terms are linked to the performance of debt and equity securities, indices, currencies or commodities reflect the fair value of those risks; and
 
  •   Certain debt issuances are adjusted for the impact of fair value hedge accounting (see Note 6).
 
The tables below exclude Merrill Lynch’s intercompany borrowings from Bank of America, see Note 2 for further information. Total borrowings at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, which are comprised of short-term borrowings, long-term borrowings and junior subordinated notes (related to trust preferred securities), consisted of the following:
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    2010     2009
 
Senior debt
  $ 80,130       $ 101,051  
Senior structured notes
    40,678         49,187  
Subordinated debt
    11,358         11,115  
Junior subordinated notes (related to trust preferred securities)
    3,576         3,552  
Other subsidiary financing
    617         969  
Debt issued by consolidated VIEs
    11,316         3,935  
                   
Total
  $ 147,675       $ 169,809  
                   
 
 


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Borrowings and deposits at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, are presented below:
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    2010     2009
 
Short-term borrowings
                 
Secured short-term borrowings
  $ -       $ 195  
Other unsecured short-term borrowings
    10,606         14,641  
Short-term debt issued by consolidated VIEs(1)
    4,642         22  
                   
Total
  $ 15,248       $ 14,858  
                   
Long-term borrowings(2)
                 
Fixed-rate obligations(3)
  $ 64,611       $ 74,119  
Variable-rate obligations(4)(5)
    57,566         73,351  
Other obligations
    -         16  
Long-term debt issued by consolidated VIEs(1)
    6,674         3,913  
                   
Total
  $ 128,851       $ 151,399  
                   
Deposits
                 
Non-U.S. 
  $ 12,826       $ 15,187  
                   
 
 
(1) See Note 9 for additional information on debt issued by consolidated VIEs.
(2) Excludes junior subordinated notes (related to trust preferred securities).
(3) Fixed-rate obligations are generally swapped to variable rates.
(4) Variable interest rates are generally based on rates such as LIBOR, the U.S. Treasury Bill Rate, or the Federal Funds Rate.
(5) Includes structured notes.
 
See Note 5 for additional information on the fair value of long-term borrowings.
 
The weighted-average interest rates for borrowings at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (excluding structured products) were as follows:
 
                   
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    2010     2009
 
Short-term borrowings
    0.3 %       0.3 %
Long-term borrowings
    3.8         3.7  
Junior subordinated notes (related to trust preferred securities)
    6.9         6.9  
 
 
 
Long-Term Borrowings
 
At December 31, 2010, long-term borrowings mature as follows:
 
                 
(dollars in millions)
    Amount   Percentage of Total
 
 
Less than 1 year
  $ 26,934       21 %
1 – 2 years
    18,966       15  
2 – 3 years
    21,230       16  
3 – 4 years
    16,916       13  
4 – 5 years
    4,558       4  
Greater than 5 years
    40,247       31  
                 
Total
  $ 128,851       100 %
                 
 
 


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Certain long-term borrowing agreements contain provisions whereby the borrowings are redeemable at the option of the holder (“put” options) at specified dates prior to maturity. These borrowings are reflected in the above table as maturing at their put dates, rather than their contractual maturities. However, Merrill Lynch believes that a portion of such borrowings will remain outstanding beyond their earliest redemption date.
 
The maturity of certain structured notes whose coupon or repayment terms are linked to the performance of debt and equity securities, indices, currencies or commodities may be accelerated based on the value of a referenced index or security, in which case Merrill Lynch may be required to immediately settle the obligation for cash or other securities. These notes are included in the portion of long-term debt maturing in less than a year.
 
Senior and subordinated debt obligations do not contain provisions that could, upon an adverse change in ML & Co.’s credit rating, financial ratios, earnings or cash flows, trigger a requirement for an early payment, additional collateral support, changes in terms, acceleration of maturity, or the creation of an additional financial obligation.
 
Junior Subordinated Notes (related to trust preferred securities)
 
Merrill Lynch has created six trusts that have issued preferred securities to the public (“trust preferred securities”). Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III, IV and V used the issuance proceeds to purchase Partnership Preferred Securities, representing limited partnership interests. Using the purchase proceeds, the limited partnerships extended junior subordinated loans to ML & Co. and one or more subsidiaries of ML & Co. Merrill Lynch Capital Trust I, II and III directly invested in junior subordinated notes issued by ML & Co.
 
ML & Co. has guaranteed, on a junior subordinated basis, the payment in full of all distributions and other payments on the trust preferred securities to the extent that the trusts have funds legally available. This guarantee and similar partnership distribution guarantees are subordinated to all other liabilities of ML & Co.
 
The following table summarizes Merrill Lynch’s trust preferred securities as of December 31, 2010.
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
        AGGREGATE
               
        PRINCIPAL
               
        AMOUNT
  AGGREGATE
  AGGREGATE
       
        OF TRUST
  PRINCIPAL
  CARRYING
  ANNUAL
   
    ISSUE
  PREFERRED
  AMOUNT
  VALUE
  DISTRIBUTION
  STATED
TRUST   DATE   SECURITIES   OF NOTES   OF NOTES   RATE   MATURITY
 
 
ML Preferred Capital Trust III
  Jan–1998   $ 750     $ 900     $ 658       7.00%     Perpetual
ML Preferred Capital Trust IV
  Jun–1998     400       480       351       7.12%     Perpetual
ML Preferred Capital Trust V
  Nov–1998     850       1,021       747       7.28%     Perpetual
ML Capital Trust I
  Dec-2006     1,050       1,051       679       6.45%     Dec–2066(1)
ML Capital Trust II
  May–2007     950       951       597       6.45%     Jun–2062(2)
ML Capital Trust III
  Aug–2007     750       751       544       7.375%     Sep–2062(3)
 
 
Total
      $ 4,750(4 )   $ 5,154     $ 3,576              
 
 
(1) Merrill Lynch has the option to extend the maturity of the junior subordinated note until December 2086.
(2) Merrill Lynch has the option to extend the maturity of the junior subordinated note until June 2087.
(3) Merrill Lynch has the option to extend the maturity of the junior subordinated note until September 2087.
(4) Includes related investments of $25 million.


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Deposits
 
Deposits at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, are presented below:
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
    December 31,
    December 31,
    2010     2009
 
Non-U.S.
                 
Non-interest bearing
  $ 917       $ 1,104  
Interest bearing
    11,909         14,083  
                   
Total Deposits
  $ 12,826       $ 15,187  
                   
 
 
 
The effective weighted-average interest rate for deposits, which includes the impact of hedges, was 0.7% and 0.5% at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The fair value of deposits approximated their carrying value at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
Other
 
Merrill Lynch also obtains standby letters of credit from issuing banks to satisfy various counterparty collateral requirements, in lieu of depositing cash or securities collateral. Such standby letters of credit aggregated $1.4 billion at both December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
Note 13.  Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings Per Share
 
Preferred Equity
 
As of December 31, 2009, preferred stockholders’ equity consisted of 12,000 outstanding shares of 9% Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 2, par value $1.00 per share and liquidation preference of $100,000 per share and 5,000 outstanding shares of 9% Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 3, par value $1.00 per share and liquidation preference of $100,000 per share. All of the outstanding Series 2 and Series 3 Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”) automatically converted into Bank of America common stock on October 15, 2010 in accordance with the terms of these securities. Immediately upon conversion, dividends on such shares of preferred stock ceased to accrue, the rights of holders of such preferred stock ceased, and the persons entitled to receive the shares of Bank of America common stock were treated for all purposes as having become the record and beneficial owners of shares of Bank of America common stock.
 
Common Stock
 
As of the completion of the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, each outstanding share of ML & Co. common stock was converted into 0.8595 shares of Bank of America common stock. Since January 1, 2009, there have been 1,000 shares of ML & Co. common stock outstanding, all of which are held by Bank of America.
 
In connection with Merrill Lynch’s July 2008 offering of common stock, a $2.5 billion payment to affiliates and transferees of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited was recorded as an expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings/(Loss) for the year ended December 26, 2008.


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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss represents cumulative gains and losses on items that are not reflected in Merrill Lynch’s net earnings/(loss). The balances at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
    December 31,
    December 31,
    2010     2009
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                 
Unrealized (losses), net of gains
  $ (794 )     $ (597 )
Income taxes
    931         691  
                   
Total
    137         94  
 
 
Unrealized (losses)/gains on investment securities available-for-sale
                 
Net unrealized (losses)/gains
    (54 )       105  
Income taxes
    (12 )       (58 )
                   
Total
    (66 )       47  
 
 
Deferred gains on cash flow hedges
                 
Deferred gains
    8         1  
Income taxes
    (4 )       (1 )
                   
Total
    4         -  
 
 
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans
                 
Net actuarial (losses)
    (473 )       (417 )
Net prior service cost
    (59 )       -  
Income taxes
    203         164  
                   
Total
    (329 )       (253 )
 
 
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (254 )     $ (112 )
                   
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing earnings applicable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS, but adjusts for the effect of the potential issuance of common shares. The following table presents the


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computations of basic and diluted EPS for 2008. For 2010 and 2009, such amounts are not presented as Merrill Lynch was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America during that period.
 
                           
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
 
    Successor Company     Predecessor Company
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
    Year Ended
    December 31,
  December 31,
    December 26,
    2010   2009     2008
Net earnings/(loss) from continuing operations
  $ 3,776     $ 7,340       $ (27,551 )
Net loss from discontinued operations
    -       -         (61 )
Preferred stock dividends
    (134 )     (153 )       (2,869 )
                           
Net earnings/(loss) applicable to common shareholders — for basic EPS
  $ 3,642     $ 7,187       $ (30,481 )
                           
Net earnings/(loss) applicable to common shareholders — for diluted EPS(1)
  $ 3,642     $ 7,187       $ (30,481 )
                           
 
 
                           
(shares in thousands)
                         
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding(2)
    N/A       N/A         1,225,611  
Effect of dilutive instruments
    N/A       N/A         -  
                           
Diluted Shares(3)
    N/A       N/A         1,225,611  
                           
Basic EPS from continuing operations
    N/A       N/A       $ (24.82 )
Basic EPS from discontinued operations
    N/A       N/A         (0.05 )
                           
Basic EPS
    N/A       N/A       $ (24.87 )
                           
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
    N/A       N/A       $ (24.82 )
Diluted EPS from discontinued operations
    N/A       N/A         (0.05 )
                           
Diluted EPS
    N/A       N/A       $ (24.87 )
                           
Common shares outstanding at period end
    1       1         1,600,253  
                           
 
 
N/A Earnings per share data is not provided for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 as Merrill Lynch was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America during those periods.
(1) Due to the net loss for the year ended December 26, 2008, inclusion of the incremental shares on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock would be antidilutive and, therefore, those shares have not been included as part of the Diluted EPS calculation.
(2) Includes shares exchangeable into common stock in 2008.
(3) Due to the net loss for the year ended December 26, 2008, the Diluted EPS calculation excluded approximately 585 million instruments as they were antidilutive.
 
Basic and diluted loss per common share for the period from December 27, 2008 to December 31, 2008 were both $0.10 per common share. The related weighted average shares outstanding used to compute both basic and diluted loss per common share was 1,600.3 million shares.
 
Note 14.  Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
 
Litigation
 
Merrill Lynch has been named as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation arising in connection with its activities as a global diversified financial services institution.


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Some of the legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. In some cases, the issuers that would otherwise be the primary defendants in such cases are bankrupt or otherwise in financial distress. Merrill Lynch is also involved in investigations and/or proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory agencies.
 
In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such litigation and regulatory matters, particularly where the claimants seek very large or indeterminate damages or where the matters present novel legal theories or involve a large number of parties, Merrill Lynch generally cannot predict what the eventual outcome of the pending matters will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss, fines or penalties related to each pending matter may be.
 
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, Merrill Lynch establishes an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, Merrill Lynch does not establish an accrued liability. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, Merrill Lynch, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. If, at the time of evaluation, the loss contingency related to a litigation or regulatory matter is not both probable and estimable, the matter will continue to be monitored for further developments that would make such loss contingency both probable and estimable. Once the loss contingency related to a litigation or regulatory matter is deemed to be both probable and estimable, Merrill Lynch will establish an accrued liability with respect to such loss contingency and continue to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of the accrued liability that has been previously established. Excluding fees paid to external legal service providers, litigation-related expenses of approximately $600 million were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared with $530 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
For a limited number of the matters disclosed in this Note for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, Merrill Lynch is able to estimate a range of possible loss. In determining whether it is possible to provide an estimate of loss or range of possible loss, Merrill Lynch reviews and evaluates its material litigation and regulatory matters on an ongoing basis, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, in light of potentially relevant factual and legal developments. These may include information learned through the discovery process, rulings on dispositive motions, settlement discussions, and other rulings by courts, arbitrators or others. In cases in which Merrill Lynch possesses sufficient appropriate information to develop an estimate of loss or range of possible loss, that estimate is aggregated and disclosed below. There may be other disclosed matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible but such an estimate is not possible. For those matters where an estimate is possible, management currently estimates the aggregate range of possible loss is $0 to $375 million in excess of the accrued liability (if any) related to those matters. This estimated range of possible loss is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the estimated range will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. Those matters for which an estimate is not possible are not included within this estimated range. Therefore, this estimated range of possible loss represents what Merrill Lynch believes to be an estimate of possible loss only for certain matters meeting these criteria. It does not represent Merrill Lynch’s maximum loss exposure. Information is provided below regarding the nature of all of these contingencies and, where specified, the amount of the claim associated with these loss contingencies. Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that loss contingencies arising from pending matters, including the matters described herein will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or liquidity of Merrill Lynch. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in these matters, some of which are beyond Merrill Lynch’s control, and the very


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large or indeterminate damages sought in some of these matters, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could be material to Merrill Lynch’s results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period.
 
Specific Litigation
 
Auction Rate Securities Litigation
 
Since October 2007, ML & Co. and certain affiliates have been named as defendants in a variety of lawsuits and other proceedings brought by customers and both individual and institutional investors regarding auction rate securities (“ARS”). These actions generally allege that the defendants (i) misled the plaintiffs into believing that there was a deeply liquid market for ARS, and (ii) failed to adequately disclose their or their affiliates’ practice of placing their own bids to support ARS auctions. Plaintiffs assert that ARS auctions started failing from August 2007 through February 2008 when the defendants and other broker-dealers stopped placing those “support bids.” In addition to the matters described in more detail below, numerous arbitrations and individual lawsuits have been filed against ML & Co. and certain affiliates by parties who purchased ARS and are seeking relief that includes compensatory and punitive damages totaling in excess of $1.8 billion, as well as rescission, among other relief.
 
Securities Actions
 
ML & Co., and MLPF&S face a number of civil actions relating to the sales of ARS and management of ARS auctions, including two putative class action lawsuits in which the plaintiffs seek to recover the alleged losses in market value of ARS securities purportedly caused by the defendants’ actions. Plaintiffs also seek unspecified damages, including rescission, other compensatory and consequential damages, costs, fees and interest. The first action, In Re Merrill Lynch Auction Rate Securities Litigation, is the result of the consolidation of two separate class action suits in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. These suits were brought by two customers of Merrill Lynch, on behalf of all persons who purchased ARS in auctions managed by Merrill Lynch, against ML & Co. and MLPF&S. On March 31, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted Merrill Lynch’s motion to dismiss. On April 22, 2010, a lead plaintiff filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which is currently pending. The second action, Bondar v. Bank of America Corporation, was brought by a putative class of ARS purchasers against BAS and is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. BAS has filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which remains pending.
 
Antitrust Actions
 
ML & Co., Bank of America and other financial institutions were also named in two putative antitrust class actions in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Plaintiffs in both actions assert federal antitrust claims under Section 1 of the Sherman Act based on allegations that defendants conspired to restrain trade in ARS by placing support bids in ARS auctions, only to collectively withdraw those bids in February 2008, which allegedly caused ARS auctions to fail. The plaintiff in the first action, Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, Maryland v. Citigroup, Inc., et al., seeks to represent a class of issuers of ARS that the defendants underwrote between May 12, 2003 and February 13, 2008. This issuer action seeks to recover, among other relief, the alleged above-market interest payments that ARS issuers allegedly have had to make after the defendants allegedly stopped placing “support bids” in ARS auctions. The plaintiff in the second action, Mayfield, et al. v. Citigroup, Inc., et al., seeks to represent a class of investors that purchased ARS from the defendants and held those securities when ARS auctions failed on February 13, 2008. Plaintiff seeks to recover,


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among other relief, unspecified damages for losses in the ARS’ market value, and rescission of the investors’ ARS purchases. Both actions also seek treble damages and attorneys’ fees under the Sherman Act’s private civil remedy. On January 25, 2010, the court dismissed both actions with prejudice and the plaintiffs’ respective appeals are currently pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
 
Bank of America Merger Matters
 
Since January 2009, Bank of America, ML & Co. and/or certain of their current and former officers and directors, among others, have been named as defendants in a variety of securities actions filed in federal courts relating to Bank of America’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch (the “Acquisition”). The claims in these actions generally concern (i) the Acquisition; (ii) the financial condition and 2008 fourth quarter losses experienced by Bank of America and Merrill Lynch; (iii) due diligence conducted in connection with the Acquisition; (iv) Bank of America’s agreement that Merrill Lynch could pay up to $5.8 billion in bonus payments to Merrill Lynch employees; (v) Bank of America’s discussions with government officials in December 2008 regarding Bank of America’s consideration of invoking the material adverse change clause in the Acquisition agreement and the possibility of obtaining government assistance in completing the Acquisition; and/or (vi) alleged material misrepresentations and/or material omissions in the proxy statement and related materials for the Acquisition.
 
Plaintiffs in the putative securities class actions pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, styled In re Bank of America Securities, Derivative and Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Litigation, (the “Securities Plaintiffs”) represent all (i) purchasers of the Bank of America common and preferred securities between September 15, 2008 and January 21, 2009, (ii) holders of Bank of America common stock or Series B Preferred Stock as of October 10, 2008, and (iii) purchasers of Bank of America’s common stock issued in the offering that occurred on or about October 7, 2008. During the purported class period, Bank of America had between 4,560,112,687 and 5,017,579,321 common shares outstanding and the price of those securities declined from $33.74 on September 12, 2008 to $6.68 on January 21, 2009. Securities Plaintiffs claim violations of Sections 10(b), 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and SEC rules promulgated thereunder. Bank of America and its co-defendants filed motions to dismiss, which the court granted in part by dismissing certain of the Securities Plaintiffs’ claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Securities Plaintiffs have filed a second amended complaint which seeks to replead some of the dismissed claims as well as add claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of holders of certain debt, preferred securities and option securities. Securities Plaintiffs’ amended complaint also alleges violations of Sections 11,12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 related to an offering of Bank of America’s common stock that occurred on or about October 7, 2008, and names BAS and MLPF&S, among others, as defendants on the Section 11 and 12(a)(2) claims. Bank of America and its co-defendants filed motions to dismiss, which the courts granted in part by dismissing certain of the Securities Plaintiffs’ claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Securities Plaintiffs have filed a second amended complaint which seeks to replead some of the dismissed claims as well as add claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of holders of certain debt, preferred securities and option securities. Bank of America, ML & Co. and their co-defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint’s new and amended allegations, which remain pending. Securities Plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages, legal costs, and attorney’s fees.
 
Several individual plaintiffs have opted to pursue claims apart from the In re Bank of America Securities, Derivative, and Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Litigation and, accordingly, have initiated individual actions relying on substantially the same facts and claims as the Securities Plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.


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Benistar Litigation
 
Gail A. Cahaly, et al. v. Benistar Property Exchange Trust Company, Inc, et al.:  In a matter filed on August 1, 2001, in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County, plaintiffs allege that MLPF&S aided and abetted a fraud and breach of fiduciary duty allegedly perpetrated by Benistar, a former client of MLPF&S. In 2002, following a trial, a jury rendered a verdict requiring MLPF&S to pay plaintiffs $8.6 million in compensatory damages. After the court granted MLPF&S’s motion to vacate the verdict, the court granted plaintiffs’ motion for a new trial. On June 25, 2009, the jury in the second trial found in favor of the plaintiffs on all counts. The damages phase of the trial will be scheduled by the court. The plaintiffs have filed discovery-related sanctions motions. The sanctions hearing and the damages phases of the trial concluded on July 9, 2010. On October 15, 2010, the plaintiffs filed a petition seeking attorneys’ fees and costs in the approximate amount of $10 million, contending that fee shifting is appropriate on the consumer protection claims. MLPF&S opposed the fee request as unwarranted and excessive. On January 11, 2011, the court issued its rulings denying plaintiffs’ request for sanctions and punitive damages but awarding consequential damages and attorneys’ fees to plaintiffs in an amount not material to Merrill Lynch’s results of operations.
 
Illinois Funeral Directors Association Matters
 
Commencing in 1979, the Illinois Funeral Directors Association (“IFDA”), an Illinois not-for-profit corporation that serves as a trade association representative for the Illinois funeral industry, began providing trust services to Illinois consumers for the deposit of payments for pre-paid funeral services. Illinois law regulates the sale of pre-paid funeral goods and services and requires that proceeds of those sales be held in trust. In 1986, the IFDA began offering a tax-advantaged pre-need trust administered by its subsidiary, IFDA Services, Inc. (“IFDA Services”). The tax-advantaged pre-need trust invested primarily in variable universal life insurance (“VUL”) policies written against the lives of “keymen” of IFDA, its members and its affiliates. In response to the stated investment objectives of IFDA’s executive director and its board of directors, MLPF&S recommended the purchase of the VUL policies to IFDA for the tax-advantaged pre-need trust, and Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc. (“MLLA”), sold the pre-need trust approximately 270 VUL policies as investment vehicles.
 
During IFDA Services’ operation of the pre-need trust, it credited IFDA members with earnings on deposits into the pre-need trust based on a rate of return set by IFDA Services, even though the crediting rate sometimes exceeded the actual earnings on the trust investments. As a result, a deficit developed between the amounts that the IFDA credited to IFDA members and the actual earnings of the trust. The Illinois Office of the Comptroller, the trust’s regulator, removed IFDA Services as trustee of the trust in 2008, and asked MLBT-FSB to serve as successor trustee.
 
There currently are four court proceedings relating to the IFDA pre-need trust pending against Merrill Lynch and its present and former employees:
 
On July 28, 2010, Charles G. Kurrus, III, P.C., a funeral director and owner of a funeral home, filed an action in the Circuit Court for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, St. Clair County, Illinois, against MLPF&S, MLLA and MLBT-FSB, among others, including present and former Merrill Lynch employees. The complaint, entitled Charles F. Kurrus, III, P.C. v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., et al., asserts causes of action for breach of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and civil conspiracy against all defendants; breach of fiduciary duty against MLPF&S and MLBT-FSB; and negligence and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty against MLPF&S. The complaint seeks: disgorgement and remittance of all commissions, premiums, fees and compensation paid to MLPF&S, MLLA, and MLBT-FSB; an accounting; compensatory damages in an


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unliquidated amount; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees and costs. Defendants have filed motions to dismiss.
 
On June 16, 2009, a purported class action on behalf of a proposed class of pre-need contract holders, David Tipsword as Trustee of Mildred E. Tipsword Trust, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. I.F.D.A. Services Inc., et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against MLPF&S, among other defendants. The complaint alleges that MLPF&S breached purported fiduciary duties and committed negligence. MLPF&S filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, with prejudice, however, the Tipsword complaint was subject to a court-imposed stay until October 4, 2010. On November 22, 2010, plaintiff filed an amended complaint substituting Claudia Burns for Mr. Tipsword as plaintiff in an amended complaint. The amended complaint seeks compensatory damages in an unliquidated amount, punitive damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and costs. MLPF&S has filed a motion to dismiss.
 
On June 30, 2009, a purported class action on behalf of a proposed class of funeral directors, Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Inc., et al. v. MLPF&S, et al., was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, alleging that MLPF&S and MLLA, among other defendants, committed consumer fraud, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment, and conversion. MLPF&S and MLLA removed the complaint to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the case ultimately transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois and consolidated with the Tipsword action. Because of the consolidation with the Tipsword action, the Clancy-Gernon matter also was subject to the court-imposed stay until October 4, 2010. On November 9, 2010, plaintiff filed a third amended complaint, which added new parties, including MLBT-FSB, and additional claims. In addition to the claims asserted in the original complaint, the complaint now asserts claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence and aiding and abetting fiduciary duty against MLPF&S and MLLA, and breach of fiduciary duty and negligence against MLBT-FSB. MLPF&S, MLLA and MLBT-FSB have filed motions to dismiss. The third amended complaint seeks: disgorgement and remittance of all commissions, premiums, fees and compensation paid to MLPF&S, MLLA, and MLBT-FSB; an accounting; compensatory damages in an unliquidated amount; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees and costs.
 
On December 9, 2010, a purported class action on behalf of a proposed class of funeral directors, Pettett Funeral Home, Ltd., et al. v. MLPF&S, et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, alleging that MLPF&S, MLLA and MLBT-FSB, among other defendants, committed consumer fraud, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment, and breach of fiduciary duty. On January 7, 2010, plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, which added claims for fraud, negligence and aiding and abetting fiduciary duty against MLPF&S, MLLA and MLBT-FSB, and added an additional breach of fiduciary duty claim against MLBT-FSB. The second amended complaint seeks: disgorgement and remittance of all commissions, premiums, fees and compensation paid to MLPF&S, MLLA, and MLBT-FSB; an accounting; compensatory damages in an unliquidated amount; punitive damages; restitution; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees and costs.
 
On January 19, 2011, defendants filed a motion to consolidate this matter with the Tipsword and Clancy-Gernon actions and to dismiss the second amended complaint with prejudice.
 
In re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation
 
ML & Co., BAS, MLPF&S, and another ML & Co. subsidiary, along with other underwriters, and various issuers and others, were named as defendants in a number of putative class action lawsuits that have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York as In re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation. Plaintiffs contend, among other things, that defendants failed to


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make certain required disclosures in the registration statements and prospectuses for applicable offerings regarding alleged agreements with institutional investors that tied allocations in certain offerings to the purchase orders by those investors in the aftermarket. Plaintiffs allege that such agreements allowed defendants to manipulate the price of the securities sold in these offerings in violation of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and SEC rules promulgated thereunder. The parties agreed to settle the matter, for which the court granted final approval in an amount that was not material to Merrill Lynch’s results of operations. Some putative class members have filed an appeal, which remains pending, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit seeking reversal of the final approval.
 
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. Litigation
 
Beginning in September 2008, BAS, MLPF&S, Countrywide Securities Corporation (“CSC”) and LaSalle Financial Services Inc., along with other underwriters and individuals, were named as defendants in several putative class action lawsuits filed in federal and state courts. All of these cases have since been transferred or conditionally transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the caption In re Lehman Brothers Securities and ERISA Litigation. Plaintiffs allege that the underwriter defendants violated Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as well as various state laws, by making false or misleading disclosures about the real estate-related investments and mortgage lending practices of Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. (“LBHI”) in connection with various debt and convertible stock offerings of LBHI. Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages. On June 4, 2010, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which remains pending.
 
MBIA Insurance Corporation CDO Litigation
 
On April 30, 2009, MBIA and LaCrosse Financial Products, LLC filed a complaint in New York State Supreme Court, New York County, against MLPF&S and Merrill Lynch International (“MLI”) under the caption MBIA Insurance Corporation and LaCrosse Financial Products, LLC v. Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith Inc., and Merrill Lynch International. The complaint relates to certain credit default swap and insurance agreements by which plaintiffs provided credit protection to MLPF&S and MLI and other parties on collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) securities. Plaintiffs claim that MLPF&S and MLI did not adequately disclose the credit quality and other risks of the CDO securities and underlying collateral. The complaint alleges claims for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and breach of contract and seeks rescission and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, among other relief. On April 9, 2010, the court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss as to the fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and rescission claims, as well as a portion of the breach of contract claim. Plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal of their claims and MLI has cross-appealed the denial of its motion to dismiss the breach of contract claim in its entirety. On February 1, 2011, the appellate court dismissed the case against MLI in its entirety. MBIA has filed a request to appeal the appellate court’s decision to the New York State Court of Appeal and has requested permission from the trial court to file an amended complaint.
 
Mediafiction Litigation
 
In 1999, MLIB acted as manager for a $284 million issuance of notes for an Italian library of movies, backed by the future flow of receivables to such movie rights. Mediafiction S.p.A (“Mediafiction”) was an Italian vehicle appointed by the seller of the receivables arising from the movie rights (Cecchi Gori Group Fin.Ma.Vi. S.p.a. (Cecchi Gori)) as the company responsible for collecting payments in


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connection with the rights to the movies and forwarding the payments to the receivables purchaser MLIB for distribution to note holders.
 
Mediafiction failed to make the required payments to MLIB and in March 2006, upon an application filed by its sole shareholder Cecchi Gori, was declared bankrupt by the Court of Rome, Italy. On July 18, 2006, MLIB filed an opposition before the Tribunal of the Court of Rome to have its claims recognized in the Mediafiction bankruptcy proceeding for amounts that Mediafiction failed to pay on the notes. Thereafter, Mediafiction filed a counterclaim alleging that the agreement between MLIB and Mediafiction was null and void and seeking return of the payments previously made by Mediafiction to MLIB. In October 2008, the Court of Rome granted Mediafiction’s counter claim against MLIB in the amount of $137 million.
 
In December 2008, MLIB appealed the ruling to the Court of Appeals of the Court of Rome seeking a full reform on the basis that the counts of nullity held by the Tribunal of the Court of Rome were not applicable to the transaction between Mediafiction and MLIB, as it was a receivables purchase with recourse against Mediafiction. MLIB also sought recognition of its claims in the Mediafiction bankruptcy proceedings.
 
In February 2009, the Court of Appeals of the Court of Rome delivered an interim judgment to the effect of suspending (pending the appeal proceedings) the obligation of MLIB to pay the amount awarded by the Tribunal of the Court of Rome.
 
The decision of the Court of Appeals of the Court of Rome on the merit of the appeal case is expected in early 2013.
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities Litigation
 
ML & Co. and its affiliates have been named as defendants in several cases relating to their various roles as issuer, originator, seller, depositor, sponsor, underwriter and/or controlling entity in MBS offerings, pursuant to which the MBS investors were entitled to a portion of the cash flow from the underlying pools of mortgages. These cases generally include purported class action suits and actions by individual MBS purchasers. Although the allegations vary by lawsuit, these cases generally allege that the registration statements, prospectuses and prospectus supplements for securities issued by securitization trusts contained material misrepresentations and omissions, in violation of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and/or state securities laws and other state statutory and common laws.
 
These cases generally involve allegations of false and misleading statements regarding (i) the process by which the properties that served as collateral for the mortgage loans underlying the MBS were appraised; (ii) the percentage of equity that mortgage borrowers had in their homes; (iii) the borrowers’ ability to repay their mortgage loans; and (iv) the underwriting practices by which those mortgage loans were originated (collectively, the “MBS Claims”). In addition, several of the cases discussed below assert claims related to the ratings given to the different tranches of MBS by rating agencies. Plaintiffs in these cases generally seek unspecified compensatory damages, unspecified costs and legal fees and, in some instances, seek rescission.
 
IndyMac Litigation
 
In 2006 and 2007, MLPF&S and other financial institutions participated as underwriters in MBS offerings in which IndyMac MBS, Inc. securitized residential mortgage loans originated or acquired by IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. (IndyMac Bank) and created trusts that issued MBS. In 2009, Bank of America


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was named as an underwriter defendant, along with several other financial institutions, in its alleged capacity as “successor-in-interest” to MLPF&S in a consolidated class action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, entitled In re IndyMac Mortgage-Backed Securities Litigation. In their complaint, plaintiffs assert MBS Claims relating to 106 offerings of IndyMac-related MBS. On June 21, 2010, the court dismissed Bank of America from the action because the plaintiffs failed to plead sufficient facts to support their allegation that it is the “successor-in-interest” to MLPF&S. On August 3, 2010, plaintiffs filed a motion to add MLPF&S as a defendant, which MLPF&S has opposed.
 
Merrill Lynch MBS Litigation
 
ML & Co., MLPF&S, Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc. (“MLMI”) and certain current and former directors of MLMI are named as defendants in a putative consolidated class action in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, entitled Public Employees’ Ret. System of Mississippi v. Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. In addition to MBS Claims, plaintiffs also allege that the offering documents for the MBS misrepresented or omitted material facts regarding the credit ratings assigned to the securities. In March 2010, the court dismissed claims related to 65 of 84 offerings with prejudice due to lack of standing as no named plaintiff purchased securities in those offerings. On November 8, 2010, the court dismissed claims related to 1 of 19 remaining offerings on separate grounds. MLPF&S was the sole underwriter of these 18 offerings. On December 1, 2010, defendants filed an answer to the consolidated amended complaint.
 
Cambridge Place Investment Management Litigation
 
Cambridge Place Investment Management Inc. (“CPIM”), as the alleged exclusive assignee of certain entities that allegedly purchased MBS offered or sold by BAS and MLPF&S brought an action against BAS, MLPF&S and MLMI in Massachusetts Superior Court, Suffolk County, entitled Cambridge Place Investment Management Inc. v. Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., et al. CPIM also brought claims against more than 50 other defendants in this action. In addition to MBS Claims, CPIM contends that BAS, MLPF&S and MLMI made false and misleading statements in violation of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act regarding (i) due diligence performed by the underwriters on the mortgage loans and the mortgage originators’ underwriting practices; and (ii) the credit enhancements applicable to certain tranches of the MBS. On August 13, 2010, certain defendants removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. On September 13, 2010, CPIM filed a motion to remand the case back to state court. On October 12, 2010, the court referred the motion to remand to a Magistrate Judge for consideration. On December 28, 2010, the Magistrate Judge issued a report and recommendation that the action be remanded to state court. On January 18, 2011, the defendants filed an objection to that recommendation, which CPIM opposed on February 1, 2011. The objection to the Magistrate Judge’s recommendation remains pending.
 
On February 11, 2011, CPIM commenced a separate civil action in Massachusetts Superior Court, Suffolk County, captioned Cambridge Place Investment Management Inc. v. Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., et al. In connection with the offering or sale of certain additional mortgage-backed securities by BAS, MLPF&S, CSC, several of their affiliates and more than 40 other defendants. CPIM alleges that it is the assignee of the claims of certain entities that allegedly purchased mortgage-backed securities issued or sold by BAS, MLPF&S and CSC in various offerings. In addition to MBS Claims, CPIM contends that BAS, MLPF&S, CSC and their affiliates made false and misleading statements in violation of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act in connection with these offerings regarding: (i) due diligence performed by the underwriters on the mortgage loans and the mortgage originators’ underwriting practices; (ii) the credit enhancements applicable to certain tranches of the MBS; and


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(iii) the validity of each issuing trust’s title to the mortgage loans comprising the pool for that securitization.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank Litigations
 
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (“FHLB Chicago”) filed a complaint against BAS and MLPF&S in the Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County, entitled Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago v. Banc of America Funding Corp., et al (the “Illinois Action”). FHLB Chicago also filed a complaint against BAS in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, entitled Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago v. Banc of America Securities LLC, et al. (the “California Action”). In addition to certain MBS Claims, FHLB Chicago contends that defendants made false and misleading statements regarding among other things, the guidelines for extending mortgages to borrowers and the due diligence performed on repurchased and pooled loans. Both actions have been removed to federal court.
 
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (“FHLB Seattle”) filed two separate complaints, each against different defendants, including MLPF&S, MLMI and Merrill Lynch Mortgage Capital, Inc. (“MLMC”) and BAS, as well as certain other defendants, in the Superior Court of Washington for King County concerning separate issuances, entitled Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle v. Banc of America Securities LLC, et al, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., et al. In addition to certain MBS Claims, FHLB Seattle contends that defendants made false and misleading statements regarding the number of borrowers who actually lived in the houses that secured the mortgage loans and the business practices of the lending institutions that made the mortgage loans. FHLB Seattle claims that the sales violated the Securities Act of Washington. On October 18, 2010, BAS and other defendants filed a consolidated motion to dismiss the first complaint, which is currently pending. On the same date, the Merrill Lynch entities named as defendants in the second case (MLPF&S, MLMI, MLMC) filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which is currently pending.
 
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB San Francisco”) filed two actions against different defendants, including MLPF&S and BAS, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, entitled (i) Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, et al, which asserts claims against BAS and others; and (ii) Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., et al, which asserts claims against MLPF&S and others. In addition to certain MBS Claims, FHLB San Francisco contends that defendants made false and misleading statements regarding the original mortgage lenders’ guidelines for extending the loans to borrowers. FHLB San Francisco also claims that defendants failed to disclose that third party ratings services’ credit ratings of the MBS did not take into account defendants’ false and misleading statements about the mortgage loans underlying the MBS. On November 5, 2010, FHLB San Francisco sought permission from the court to amend its complaint in the first action to include Bank of America as a defendant and, among other things, to assert control person liability claims against Bank of America under state and federal securities laws and to assert that Bank of America succeeded to CFC’s interests. Defendants had removed the state court actions to federal court, but on December 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California remanded the cases to state court and denied a motion to amend the complaint as moot when it granted remand. On November 5, 2010, FHLB San Francisco also filed a declaratory action in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, entitled Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Bank of America Corporation and Does 1-10, seeking a determination that Bank of America is a successor to the liabilities of CFC — including the liabilities at issue in the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.


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Charles Schwab Litigation
 
The Charles Schwab Corporation (“Schwab”) has filed an action against BAS and others, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco on July 15, 2010 entitled The Charles Schwab Corp. v. BNP Paribas Securities Corp., et. al. This action is in connection with the purchase by Schwab of approximately $166 million of MBS which relates to claims with respect to BAS. In addition to MBS Claims, Schwab contends that BAS is liable for false and misleading statements regarding among other things, the business practices of the lending institution that made the original loan and MBS credit ratings. In September 2010, BAS joined in and consented to the removal of this action to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Schwab has filed a motion to remand the action to California state court, which remains pending.
 
Regulatory Investigations
 
In addition to the MBS litigation described above, Merrill Lynch has also received a number of subpoenas and other informal requests for information from federal regulators regarding MBS matters, including inquiries related to Merrill Lynch’s underwriting and issuance of MBS and its participation in certain CDO offerings.
 
Municipal Derivatives Matters
 
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the Federal Reserve and a Working Group of State Attorneys General (the “Working Group”) have investigated Bank of America, Bank of America, N.A. (“BANA”) and BAS concerning possible anticompetitive practices in the municipal derivatives industry dating back to the early 1990s. These investigations have focused on the bidding practices for guaranteed investment contracts, the investment vehicles in which the proceeds of municipal bond offerings are deposited, as well as other types of derivative transactions related to municipal bonds. On January 11, 2007, Bank of America entered a Corporate Conditional Leniency Letter with the DOJ, under which the DOJ agreed not to prosecute Bank of America for criminal antitrust violations in connection with matters Bank of America has reported to the DOJ, subject to Bank of America’s continued cooperation. On December 7, 2010, Bank of America and its affiliates, including BANA and BAS settled inquiries with the SEC, OCC, IRS and the Working Group for an aggregate amount that is not material to Merrill Lynch’s results of operations. In addition, Bank of America entered into an agreement with the Federal Reserve providing for additional oversight and compliance risk management.
 
BANA and ML & Co., along with other financial institutions, are named as defendants in several substantially similar class actions and individual actions, filed in various state and federal courts by several municipalities that issued municipal bonds, as well as purchasers of municipal derivatives. These actions generally allege that defendants conspired to violate federal and state antitrust laws by allocating customers, and fixing or stabilizing rates of return on certain municipal derivatives from 1992 to the present. These actions seek unspecified damages, including treble damages. However, as a result of Bank of America’s receipt of the Corporate Leniency Letter from the DOJ referenced above, Bank of America is eligible to seek a ruling that certain civil plaintiffs are limited to single, rather than treble, damages and relief from joint and several liability with co-defendants in the civil suits discussed below. All of the actions have been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and consolidated in a single proceeding, entitled In re Municipal Derivatives Antitrust Litigation. Defendants other than BANA and ML & Co. filed motions to dismiss plaintiffs’ complaints, which the court denied in large part in April 2010. The action has otherwise been largely stayed while the DOJ completes its criminal trials concerning other parties.


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Region of Puglia, Italy Criminal Investigation
 
On February 3, 2010, Merrill Lynch International (“MLI”) was notified that it is under investigation by the Public Prosecutor in Bari, Puglia, Italy on the grounds that it might be liable for the alleged fraudulent conduct of an employee against the Region of Puglia in connection with (i) a bond issue by Region of Puglia in 2003 in which MLI acted as lead manager and bookrunner, and a related swap transaction in which MLIB was the counterparty and (ii) a further bond issue by the Region of Puglia in 2004 in which MLI was joint lead manager and bookrunner, and a related restructuring of the original swap transaction. The alleged fraudulent conduct of the employee is said to involve, inter alia, the making of false representations and the breach of an alleged duty to act with diligence, fairness and transparency to provide the best terms for the client and to recommend suitable transactions.
 
On the same date, the MLI Milan Branch was served with an order seeking to attach approximately 73 million Euro. The purpose of such an order is to freeze assets that could be subject to a confiscation order in the event that MLI is convicted. The Public Prosecutor ordered MLI to appear at a hearing to determine whether MLI should be banned from doing business with Italian public sector entities for a two-year period. An interim disqualification order was also served upon a current employee. In lieu of the seizure order seeking 73 million Euro, MLI has paid 64 million Euro into a deposit account under the control of the Public Prosecutor. At a hearing on July 14, 2010, the Public Prosecutor withdrew his application for a ban on MLI doing business with Italian public sector entities. MLI continues to respond to inquiries and civil proceedings regarding similar transactions.
 
Commitments
 
At December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch’s commitments had the following expirations:
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
 
        Commitment expiration
        Less than
  1-3
  3-5
  Over 5
    Total   1 Year   Years   Years   Years
 
 
Lending commitments
  $ 7,969     $ 1,798     $ 4,452     $ 1,552     $ 167  
Purchasing and other commitments
    5,668       2,997       1,192       667       812  
Operating leases
    3,234       762       1,238       580       654  
Commitments to enter into resale and securities borrowing agreements
    41,422       41,422       -       -       -  
Commitments to enter into repurchase and securities lending agreements
    33,485       33,485       -       -       -  
                                         
Total
  $ 91,778     $ 80,464     $ 6,882     $ 2,799     $ 1,633  
                                         
 
 
 
Lending Commitments
 
Merrill Lynch enters into commitments to extend credit, predominantly at variable interest rates, in connection with corporate finance, corporate and institutional transactions and asset-based lending transactions. Clients may also be extended loans or lines of credit collateralized by first and second mortgages on real estate, certain liquid assets of small businesses, or securities. These commitments usually have a fixed expiration date and are contingent on certain contractual conditions that may require payment of a fee by the counterparty. Once commitments are drawn upon, Merrill Lynch may require the counterparty to post collateral depending upon creditworthiness and general market conditions. See Note 10 for additional information.


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Commitments to extend credit are outstanding as of the date the commitment letter is issued and are comprised of closed and contingent commitments. Closed commitments represent the unfunded portion of existing commitments available for draw down. Contingent commitments are contingent on the borrower fulfilling certain conditions or upon a particular event, such as an acquisition. A portion of these contingent commitments may be syndicated among other lenders or the counterparty may replace the commitment with capital markets funding.
 
The contractual amounts of these commitments represent the amounts at risk should the contract be fully drawn upon, the client defaults, and the value of the existing collateral becomes worthless. The total amount of outstanding commitments may not represent future cash requirements, as commitments may expire without being drawn.
 
For lending commitments where the loan will be classified as held for sale upon funding, liabilities associated with unfunded commitments are calculated at the lower of cost or fair value, capturing declines in the fair value of the respective credit risk. For loan commitments where the loan will be classified as held for investment upon funding, liabilities are calculated considering both market and historical loss rates. Loan commitments either held by entities that apply the Broker-Dealer Guide or for which the fair value option was elected are accounted for at fair value.
 
Purchasing and Other Commitments
 
Merrill Lynch had commitments to purchase partnership interests, primarily related to private equity and principal investing activities at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 of $0.6 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively. Merrill Lynch also has entered into agreements with providers of market data, communications, systems consulting, and other office-related services. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, minimum fee commitments over the remaining life of these agreements totaled $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. Merrill Lynch entered into commitments to purchase loans of $2.6 billion, which, upon settlement of the commitment, will be included in trading assets, loans held for investment or loans held for sale at December 31, 2010. Such commitments totaled $2.2 billion at December 31, 2009. Other purchasing commitments amounted to $0.8 billion and $0.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
In the normal course of business, Merrill Lynch enters into commitments for underwriting transactions. Settlement of these transactions as of December 31, 2010 would not have a material effect on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of Merrill Lynch.
 
In connection with trading activities, Merrill Lynch enters into commitments to enter into resale and securities borrowing and also repurchase and securities lending agreements.
 
Operating Leases
 
Merrill Lynch has entered into various non-cancelable long-term lease agreements for premises that expire through 2028. Merrill Lynch has also entered into various non-cancelable short-term lease agreements, which are primarily commitments of less than one year under equipment leases.


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At December 31, 2010, future non-cancelable minimum rental commitments are as follows:
 
         
(dollars in millions)   Total
 
 
2011
  $ 762  
2012
    669  
2013
    569  
2014
    321  
2015
    259  
2016 and thereafter
    654  
         
Total
  $ 3,234  
         
 
 
 
Net rent expense for each of the last three years is presented below:
 
                               
(dollars in millions)
 
      Successor Company     Predecessor Company
      December 31,
    December 31,
    December 26,
      2010     2009     2008
 
Rent expense
    $ 838       $ 813       $ 837  
Sublease revenue
      (137 )       (153 )       (189 )
                               
Net rent expense
    $ 701       $ 660       $ 648  
                               
 
 
 
Guarantees
 
Merrill Lynch issues various guarantees to counterparties in connection with certain transactions. Merrill Lynch’s guarantee arrangements and their expiration at December 31, 2010 are summarized as follows (see Note 6 for information related to derivative financial instruments within the scope of Guarantees Accounting):
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)    
 
    Expiration    
    Maximum
  Less than
  1-3
  3-5
      Carrying
    Payout   1 year   years   years   Over 5 years   Value
 
 
Standby liquidity facilities
  $ 1,309     $ 687     $ 601     $ -     $ 21     $ -  
Residual value guarantees
    415       95       320       -       -       1  
Standby letters of credit and
other guarantees
    1,119       378       301       16       424       -  
 
 
 
Standby Liquidity Facilities
 
Standby liquidity facilities are primarily comprised of liquidity facilities provided to certain unconsolidated municipal bond securitization VIEs. In these arrangements, Merrill Lynch is required to fund these standby liquidity facilities if certain contingent events take place (e.g., a failed remarketing) and in certain cases if the fair value of the assets held by the VIE declines below the stated amount of the liquidity obligation. The potential exposure under the facilities is mitigated by economic hedges and/or other contractual arrangements entered into by Merrill Lynch. Based upon historical activity, it is considered remote that future payments would need to be made under these guarantees.


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Refer to Note 9 for further information.
 
Auction Rate Security (“ARS”) Guarantees
 
Under the terms of its announced purchase program, as augmented by the global agreement reached with the New York Attorney General, the SEC, the Massachusetts Securities Division and other state securities regulators, Merrill Lynch agreed to purchase ARS at par from its retail clients, including individual, not-for-profit, and small business clients, beginning in 2008. The final date of the ARS purchase program was January 15, 2010. At December 31, 2009, a liability of $24 million was recorded for outstanding ARS that were subject to this guarantee. No liability was recorded as of December 31, 2010.
 
Residual Value Guarantees
 
At December 31, 2010, residual value guarantees of $415 million consist of amounts associated with certain power plant facilities. Payments under these guarantees would only be required if the fair value of such assets declined below their guaranteed value. As of December 31, 2010, no payments have been made under these guarantees and the carrying value of the associated liabilities was not material, as Merrill Lynch believes that the estimated fair value of such assets was in excess of their guaranteed value.
 
Standby Letters of Credit
 
At December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch provided guarantees to certain counterparties in the form of standby letters of credit in the amount of $0.7 billion. Payment risk is evaluated based upon historical payment activity.
 
Representations and Warranties
 
In prior years, Merrill Lynch and certain of its subsidiaries, including First Franklin Financial Corporation (“First Franklin”), sold pools of first-lien residential mortgage loans and home equity loans as private-label securitizations or in the form of whole loans. Many of the loans sold in the form of whole loans were subsequently pooled with other mortgages into private-label securitizations issued or sponsored by the third-party buyer of the whole loans. In addition, Merrill Lynch and First Franklin securitized first-lien residential mortgage loans generally in the form of mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the GSEs. In connection with these transactions, Merrill Lynch and certain of its subsidiaries made various representations and warranties (these representations and warranties are not included in the table above). These representations and warranties, as governed by the agreements, related to, among other things, the ownership of the loan, the validity of the lien securing the loan, the absence of delinquent taxes or liens against the property securing the loan, the process used to select the loan for inclusion in a transaction, the loan’s compliance with any applicable loan criteria, including underwriting standards, and the loan’s compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Breaches of these representations and warranties may result in the requirement that we repurchase mortgage loans or otherwise make whole or provide other remedy to a whole loan buyer or securitization trust (collectively, repurchase claims). Where the loans are originated and sold by third parties, Merrill Lynch’s losses may be reduced by any recourse to the original sellers of the loans for representations and warranties previously provided by the original seller. Subject to the requirements and limitations of the applicable agreements, these representations and warranties can be enforced by the securitization trustee or whole loan buyer as governed by the agreements or, in certain securitizations where monolines have insured all or some of the related bonds issued, by the insurer at any time over the life of the loan. As it relates to private investors, including those who have invested


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in private-label securitizations, a contractual liability to repurchase mortgage loans generally arises only if counterparties prove there is a breach of the representations and warranties that materially and adversely affects the interest of the investor or all investors in a securitization trust, or if there is a breach of other standards established by the terms of the related sale agreement. While a securitization trustee may always investigate or demand repurchase of loans on its own, in order for investors to direct the securitization trustee to investigate loan files or demand the repurchase of loans, the securitization agreements generally require the security holders to hold a specified percentage, such as 25%, of the voting rights of the outstanding securities.
 
The fair value of probable losses to be absorbed under the representations and warranties obligations and the guarantees is recorded as an accrued liability when the loans are sold. The liability for probable losses is updated by accruing a representations and warranties provision in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings/(Loss). This is done throughout the life of the loan as necessary when additional relevant information becomes available. The methodology used to estimate the liability for representations and warranties is a function of the representations and warranties given and considers a variety of factors, which include, depending on the counterparty, actual defaults, estimated future defaults, historical loss experience, estimated home prices, estimated probability that a repurchase request will be received, number of payments made by the borrower prior to default and estimated probability that a loan will be required to be repurchased. Changes to any one of these factors could significantly impact the estimate of Merrill Lynch’s liability. Given that these factors vary by counterparty, Merrill Lynch analyzes its representations and warranties obligations based on the specific party with whom the sale was made. Merrill Lynch performs a loan by loan review of all properly presented repurchase requests and has and will continue to contest such demands that Merrill Lynch does not believe are valid. In addition, Merrill Lynch may reach a bulk settlement with a counterparty (in lieu of the loan-by-loan review process), on terms determined to be advantageous to Merrill Lynch.
 
The liability for representations and warranties recorded at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $213 million and $378 million, respectively. The table below presents a roll forward of the liability for representations and warranties and corporate guarantees:
 
         
(dollars in millions)    
 
 
Beginning balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 378  
Charge-offs
    (45 )
Provision
    (120 )
         
Ending balance as of December 31, 2010
  $ 213  
         
 
 
 
The liability for representations and warranties has been established when those obligations are both probable and reasonably estimable. Although experience with non-GSE claims remains limited, Merrill Lynch expects additional activity in this area going forward and the volume of repurchase claims from monolines, whole loan buyers and investors in private-label securitizations could increase in the future. The representations and warranties provision may vary significantly each period as the methodology used to estimate the expense continues to be refined based on the level and type of repurchase claims presented, defects identified, the latest experience gained on repurchase claims and other relevant facts and circumstances, which could have a material adverse impact on Merrill Lynch’s earnings for any particular period.
 
It is reasonably possible that future losses may occur and Merrill Lynch’s estimate is that the upper range of possible loss related to non-GSE sales could be $1 billion to $2 billion over existing accruals. This estimate does not represent a probable loss, is based on currently available information, significant judgment, and a number of assumptions that are subject to change. Future provisions and


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possible loss or range of possible loss may be impacted if actual results are different from Merrill Lynch’s assumptions regarding economic conditions, home prices and other matters and may vary by counterparty. Merrill Lynch expects that the resolution of the repurchase claims process with the non-GSE counterparties will likely be a protracted process, and Merrill Lynch will vigorously contest any request for repurchase if it concludes that a valid basis for a repurchase claim does not exist.
 
Merrill Lynch, including First Franklin, sold loans originated from 2004 to 2008 (primarily subprime and alt-A) with a total original principal balance in the amount of approximately $133 billion through securitizations or whole loan sales that were subject to representations and warranties liabilities. Approximately $62 billion of these loans have been paid. As presented in the table below, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, $68 million of repurchase claims were resolved through repurchase or indemnification payments to the investor or securitization trust for losses that they incurred, compared with $72 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. During 2010 and 2009, Merrill Lynch paid $59 million and $52 million, respectively, to resolve these claims, resulting in a loss on the related loans at the time of repurchase or reimbursement of $50 million in 2010 and $43 million in 2009. The amount of loss for loan repurchases is reduced by the fair value of the underlying loan collateral.
 
Loan Repurchase and Indemnification Payments
 
                                                 
(Dollars in millions)
 
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
    December 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Unpaid
          Unpaid
       
    Principal
  Cash
      Principal
  Cash
   
    Balance   Paid   Loss   Balance   Paid   Loss
 
 
First Lien
                                               
Repurchases
  $ 11     $ 14     $ 5     $ 12     $ 12     $ 3  
Indemnification Payments
    46       33       33       60       40       40  
                                                 
Total First Lien
    57       47       38       72       52       43  
                                                 
Home Equity
                                               
Indemnification Payments
    11       12       12       -       -       -  
                                                 
Total Home equity
    11       12       12       -       -       -  
                                                 
Total First Lien and Home Equity
  $ 68     $ 59     $ 50     $ 72     $ 52     $ 43  
                                                 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2010, the unpaid principal balance of loans related to outstanding claims was approximately $624 million, including $538 million in repurchase requests that have been reviewed where it is believed a valid defect has not been identified which would constitute an actionable breach of representations and warranties and $87 million in repurchase requests that are in the process of


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review. The table below presents outstanding claims by counterparty as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 
Outstanding Claims by Counterparty
 
                 
(dollars in millions)   2010   2009
 
 
GSEs
  $ 59     $ 35  
Monoline
    48       41  
Others(1)
    517       651  
                 
Total
  $ 624     $ 727  
                 
 
 
(1) The majority of these repurchase claims are from whole loan buyers on subprime loans.
 
Other Guarantees
 
Merrill Lynch provides guarantees to securities clearinghouses and exchanges. Under the standard membership agreement, members are required to guarantee the performance of other members. Under the agreements, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearinghouse, other members would be required to meet shortfalls. Merrill Lynch’s liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, the potential for Merrill Lynch to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no liability is carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these arrangements.
 
In connection with its prime brokerage business, Merrill Lynch provides to counterparties guarantees of the performance of its prime brokerage clients. Under these arrangements, Merrill Lynch stands ready to meet the obligations of its customers with respect to securities transactions. If the customer fails to fulfill its obligation, Merrill Lynch must fulfill the customer’s obligation with the counterparty. Merrill Lynch is secured by the assets in the customer’s account as well as any proceeds received from the securities transaction entered into by Merrill Lynch on behalf of the customer. No contingent liability is carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these transactions as the potential for Merrill Lynch to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote.
 
In connection with its securities clearing business, Merrill Lynch performs securities execution, clearance and settlement services on behalf of other broker-dealer clients for whom it commits to settle trades submitted for or by such clients, with the applicable clearinghouse; trades are submitted either individually, in groups or series or, if specific arrangements are made with a particular clearinghouse and client, all transactions with such clearing entity by such client. Merrill Lynch’s liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed any cash deposit made by a client. However, the potential for Merrill Lynch to be required to make unreimbursed payments under these arrangements is remote due to the contractual capital requirements associated with clients’ activity and the regular review of clients’ capital. Accordingly, no liability is carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these transactions.
 
In connection with certain European mergers and acquisition transactions, Merrill Lynch, in its capacity as financial advisor, in some cases may be required by law to provide a guarantee that the acquiring entity has or can obtain or issue sufficient funds or securities to complete the transaction. These arrangements are short-term in nature, extending from the commencement of the offer through the termination or closing. Where guarantees are required or implied by law, Merrill Lynch engages in a credit review of the acquirer, obtains indemnification and requests other contractual protections where appropriate. Merrill Lynch’s maximum liability equals the required funding for each transaction


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and varies throughout the year depending upon the size and number of open transactions. Based on the review procedures performed, management believes the likelihood of being required to pay under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these transactions.
 
BAI, which was acquired by Merrill Lynch from Bank of America during 2009, has contracted with a third party to provide clearing services that include underwriting margin loans to BAI’s clients. This contract stipulates that BAI will indemnify the third party for any losses that occur related to the margin loans made to BAI’s clients. The maximum potential future payment under this indemnification was immaterial at December 31, 2010 and $657 million at December 31, 2009. Historically, any payments made under this indemnification have not been material. As these margin loans are highly collateralized by the securities held by the brokerage clients, Merrill Lynch has assessed the probability of making such payments in the future as remote. Accordingly, no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these transactions.
 
In the course of its business, Merrill Lynch routinely indemnifies investors for certain taxes, including U.S. and foreign withholding taxes on interest and other payments made on securities, swaps and other derivatives. These additional payments would be required upon a change in law or interpretation thereof. Merrill Lynch’s maximum exposure under these indemnifications is not quantifiable. Merrill Lynch believes that the potential for such an adverse change is remote. As such, no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Note 15.  Employee Benefit Plans
 
Merrill Lynch sponsors pension and other postretirement benefits to its employees worldwide through defined contribution pension, defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. These plans vary based on the country and local practices.
 
Effective with the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America on January 1, 2009, the Bank of America Corporation Corporate Benefits Committee assumed overall responsibility for the administration of all of Merrill Lynch’s employee benefit plans. Merrill Lynch continues as the plan sponsor.
 
Bank of America maintains certain qualified retirement and defined contribution plans covering full-time, salaried employees and certain part-time employees. Effective January 1, 2010, the U.S. Merrill Lynch plans were closed to new participants, with certain exceptions. Eligible Merrill Lynch employees newly hired on or after January 1, 2010 participate in the Bank of America plans with certain exceptions. Employees of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries will continue to participate in the various local plans.
 
Merrill Lynch accounts for its defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plans in accordance with ASC 715-20-50, Compensation-Retirement Benefits, Defined Benefit Plans-General (“Defined Benefit Plan Accounting”). Postemployment benefits are accounted for in accordance with ASC 712, Compensation-Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits.
 
Defined Benefit Plan Accounting requires the recognition of a plan’s overfunded or underfunded status as an asset or liability, measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation, with an offsetting adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). Defined Benefit Plan Accounting also requires the determination of the fair values of a plan’s assets at a company’s year-end and recognition of actuarial gains and losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition assets and obligations as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). Under the provisions of Defined Benefit Plan Accounting, Merrill Lynch changed its measurement


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date to coincide with its fiscal year end effective December 26, 2008. In 2008, Merrill Lynch adopted the measurement date provisions of Defined Benefit Plan Accounting under the alternative transition method.
 
Defined Contribution Pension Plans
 
Merrill Lynch has U.S. defined contribution pension plans consisting of the Retirement Accumulation Plan (“RAP”), the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), and the 401(k) Savings & Investment Plan (“401(k)”). Merrill Lynch also has various non-U.S. defined contribution pension plans. The costs of benefits under the RAP, 401(k), and non-U.S. plans are expensed during the related service period.
 
Merrill Lynch contributed approximately $228 million, $211 million and $274 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, in cash to the U.S. defined contribution pension plans. Merrill Lynch contributed approximately $81 million, $69 million and $89 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, in cash to the non-U.S. defined contribution pension plans.
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
In 1988, Merrill Lynch purchased a group annuity contract that guarantees the payment of benefits vested under a U.S. defined benefit pension plan that was terminated (the “U.S. terminated pension plan”) in accordance with the applicable provisions of ERISA. At year-end 2010 and 2009, a substantial portion of the assets supporting the annuity contract were invested in U.S. Government and agency securities. Merrill Lynch, under a supplemental agreement, may be responsible for, or benefit from, actual experience and investment performance of the annuity assets. Merrill Lynch may be required to contribute toward this agreement in 2011. Merrill Lynch also maintains supplemental defined benefit pension plans (i.e., plans not subject to Title IV of ERISA) for certain U.S. participants. Merrill Lynch expects to pay $1 million of benefit payments to participants in the U.S. non-qualified pension plans in 2011.
 
Employees of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries participate in various local defined benefit pension plans. These plans provide benefits that are generally based on years of credited service and a percentage of the employee’s eligible compensation during the final years of employment. Merrill Lynch’s funding policy has been to contribute annually at least the amount necessary to satisfy local funding standards. Merrill Lynch currently expects to contribute $82 million to its non-U.S. pension plans in 2011.
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
 
Merrill Lynch provides health insurance benefits to eligible retired employees and dependents under a plan that covers substantially all U.S. employees who have met age and service requirements. Effective January 1, 2010, health insurance benefits to eligible retired employees and dependents was provided through the Bank of America Group Benefits Program. The health care coverage is contributory, with certain retiree contributions adjusted periodically. The accounting for costs of health care benefits for most eligible employees anticipates future changes in cost-sharing provisions. Merrill Lynch also sponsors similar plans that provide health care benefits to retired employees of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2010, none of these plans had been funded. Merrill Lynch currently expects to pay $22 million of benefit payments to participants in these plans in 2011.


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Merrill Lynch Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans
 
The following table provides a summary of the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets, and funded status, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at year-end 2010 and 2009 for Merrill Lynch’s U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans.
 
                                                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    U.S. Defined
  Non-U.S. Defined
  Total Defined
   
    Benefit
  Benefit
  Benefit
  Postretirement
    Pension Plans   Pension Plans(1)   Pension Plans   Plans(2)
 
    2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009
 
 
Change in projected benefit obligation
                                                               
Projected benefit obligation, January 1
  $ 1,711     $ 1,635     $ 1,518     $ 1,181     $ 3,229     $ 2,816     $ 248     $ 208  
Effect of purchase accounting
    -       48       -       99       -       147       -       18  
Service cost
    -       -       30       30       30       30       3       5  
Interest cost
    101       98       79       76       180       174       17       13  
Actuarial loss (gain)
    192       46       78       75       270       121       (4 )     18  
Plan participant contributions
    -       -       2       2       2       2       -       -  
Benefits paid
    (119 )     (116 )     (55 )     (53 )     (174 )     (169 )     (13 )     (16 )
Curtailments and settlements
    -       -       -       (3 )     -       (3 )     -       -  
Plan amendments
    -       -       2       -       2       -       64       -  
Other/foreign currency exchange rate changes
    -       -       (30 )     111       (30 )     111       -       2  
                                                                 
Projected benefit obligation, December 31
    1,885       1,711       1,624       1,518       3,509       3,229       315       248  
                                                                 
Change in fair value of plan assets
                                                               
Fair value, January 1
    2,533       2,659       1,312       1,025       3,845       3,684       -       -  
Actual return on plan assets
    272       (235 )     157       177       429       (58 )     -       -  
Contributions
    1       121       84       63       85       184       13       16  
Benefits paid
    (119 )     (116 )     (55 )     (53 )     (174 )     (169 )     (13 )     (16 )
Other/foreign currency exchange rate changes
    -       104       (26 )     100       (26 )     204       -       -  
                                                                 
Fair value, December 31
    2,687       2,533       1,472       1,312       4,159       3,845       -       -  
                                                                 
Funded status, December 31
  $ 802     $ 822     $ (152 )   $ (206 )   $ 650     $ 616     $ (315 )   $ (248 )
                                                                 
Amount recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet
  $ 802     $ 822     $ (152 )   $ (206 )   $ 650     $ 616     $ (315 )   $ (248 )
                                                                 
Weighted average assumptions, December 31
                                                               
Discount rate
    5.3 %     5.8 %     5.3 %     5.4 %                     5.2 %     5.8 %
Rate of compensation increase
    N/A       N/A       4.9 %     4.7                       N/A       N/A  
Healthcare cost trend rates:(3)
                                                               
Initial
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A                       7.6       8.1  
Long-term
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A                       5.0       5.0  
 
 
(1) Primarily represents the U.K. pension plan, which accounts for 72% of the benefit obligation and 82% of the fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2010.
(2) Approximately 93% of the postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2010 relates to the U.S. postretirement plan.
(3) The healthcare cost trend rate is assumed to decrease gradually through 2017 and remain constant thereafter.
 
N/A Not applicable
 
The accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) for all defined benefit pension plans was $3.4 billion and $3.1 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
 
                                                                 
(dollars in millions)                            
 
    U.S. Defined
  Non-U.S. Defined
  Total Defined
   
    Benefit
  Benefit
  Benefit
  Postretirement
    Pension Plans   Pension Plans   Pension Plans   Plans
     
    2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009
 
 
Other assets
  $ 809     $ 830     $ 32     $ 1     $ 841     $ 831       -       -  
Other payables
    (7 )     (8 )     (184 )     (207 )     (191 )     (215 )     (315 )     (248 )
                                                                 
Net amount recognized at December 31
  $ 802     $ 822     $ (152 )   $ (206 )   $ 650     $ 616     $ (315 )   $ (248 )
                                                                 
 
 
 
The projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), ABO, and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with ABO and PBO in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are presented in the tables below. These plans primarily represent U.S. supplemental plans not subject to ERISA or non-U.S. plans where funding strategies vary due to legal requirements and local practices.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    U.S. Defined
  Non-U.S. Defined
  Total Defined
    Benefit
  Benefit
  Benefit
    Pension Plans   Pension Plans   Pension Plans
     
    2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009
 
 
Plans with ABO in excess of plan asset
                                               
PBO
  $ 8     $ 8     $ 249     $ 221     $ 257     $ 229  
ABO
    8       8       242       214       250       222  
Fair value of plan assets
    -       -       106       72       106       72  
Plans with PBO in excess of plan assets
                                               
PBO
  $ 8     $ 8     $ 414     $ 1,473     $ 422     $ 1,481  
Fair value of plan assets
    -       -       230       1,266       230       1,266  
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax, at year-end 2010 consisted of:
 
                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
        Non-U.S.
  Total
   
    U.S. Defined
  Defined
  Defined
   
    Benefit
  Benefit
  Benefit
   
    Pension
  Pension
  Pension
  Postretirement
    Plans   Plans   Plans   Plans
 
 
Actuarial loss/(gain)
  $ 483     $ (20 )   $ 463     $ 10  
Prior service cost
    -       1       1       58  
                                 
Total
  $ 483     $ (19 )   $ 464     $ 68  
                                 
 
 


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Total pension plan net periodic benefit cost for the years ended 2010, 2009, and 2008 included the following components:
 
                                                                         
(dollars in millions)    
 
    U.S. Pension
  Non-U.S. Pension
  Total Pension
    Plans   Plans   Plans
     
    Successor
  Predecessor
  Successor
  Predecessor
  Successor
  Predecessor
    Company   Company   Company   Company   Company   Company
     
    2010   2009   2008   2010   2009   2008   2010   2009   2008
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost (income)
                                                                       
Service cost(1)
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 30     $ 30     $ 30     $ 30     $ 30     $ 30  
Interest cost
    101       98       97       79       76       79       180       174       176  
Expected return on plan assets
    (138 )     (148 )     (118 )     (88 )     (74 )     (82 )     (226 )     (222 )     (200 )
Amortization of (gains)/losses, prior service costs and other
    5       -       (2 )     -       -       12       5       -       10  
Recognized gain due to settlements and curtailments
    -       -       -       -       (2 )     -       -       (2 )     -  
                                                                         
Net periodic benefit cost (income)
  $ (32 )   $ (50 )   $ (23 )   $ 21     $ 30     $ 39     $ (11 )   $ (20 )   $ 16  
                                                                         
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net cost for years ended December 31
                                                                       
Discount rate
    5.8 %     6.0 %     6.0 %     5.4 %     5.6 %     5.8 %                        
Expected return on plan assets
    5.3       5.3       5.3       6.8       6.8       6.9                          
Rate of compensation increase
    N/A       N/A       N/A       4.7       4.6       4.7                          
 
 
(1) The U.S. plan was terminated in 1988 and thus does not incur service costs.
N/A Not applicable
 
Total postretirement plan net periodic benefit cost for the years ended 2010, 2009, and 2008 included the following components:
 
                         
(dollars in millions)
 
    Postretirement
    Plans
    Successor
  Predecessor
    Company   Company
    2010   2009   2008
 
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost
                       
Service cost
  $ 3     $ 4     $ 5  
Interest cost
    17       13       15  
Amortization of losses/(gains), prior service
                    (10 )
costs and other
    10       1       (5 )
                         
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 30     $ 18     $ 5  
                         
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
                       
Discount rate
    5.8 %     6.0 %     6.0 %
Healthcare cost trend rates:
                       
Initial
    8.1       8.1       8.8  
Long-term
    5.0       5.0       5.0  
 
 
 
The net actuarial losses/(gains) represent changes in the amount of either the projected benefit obligation or plan assets resulting from actual experience being different than that assumed and from changes in assumptions. Gains and losses for all benefits except the postretirement plans are recognized in accordance with standard amortization provisions of the applicable accounting standards. For the postretirement plans, 50% of the unrecognized gain or loss at the beginning of the fiscal year (or at subsequent remeasurement) is recognized on a level basis during the year. The estimated net actuarial loss for the postretirement plans that will be recorded into expense over the next fiscal year is


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approximately $5 million. There is no expected amortization for the defined benefit pension plans over the next fiscal year.
 
Plan Assumptions
 
The discount rate assumption used in determining the benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans is based on a cash flow matching technique and is subject to change each year. This technique utilizes yield curves that are based upon Aa-rated corporate bonds with cash flows that match estimated benefit payments of each of the plans to produce the discount rate assumptions. The asset valuation method for the U.S. defined benefit pension plans recognizes 60% of the prior year’s market gains and losses at the next measurement date, with the remaining 40% spread equally over the subsequent four years. The asset valuation method for the non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans uses the fair market value as of the measurement date.
 
The expected return on asset assumption was developed through analysis of historical market and asset returns, historical asset class volatility and correlations, current market conditions, anticipated future asset allocations, and expectations on potential future market returns. The expected return on asset assumption represents a long-term view of the assets in the defined benefit pension plans, a return that may or may not be achieved during one calendar year. The U.S. terminated pension plan, which represents approximately 65% of Merrill Lynch’s total pension plan assets as of December 31, 2010, is solely invested in a group annuity contract which is currently 100% invested in fixed income securities. The expected return on asset assumption on the non-U.S. pension plans reflects the weighted average long-term return assumption across all funded non-U.S. Plans. Although Merrill Lynch’s pension and postretirement benefit plans can be sensitive to changes in the discount rate, it is expected that a 25 basis point rate reduction would not have a material impact on the U.S. or the U.K. defined benefit plan expenses for 2011. Such a change would increase the U.S. and U.K. defined benefit plan obligations at December 31, 2010 by $52 million and $44 million, respectively. A 25 basis point decline in the expected rate of return for the U.S. defined benefit pension plan and the U.K. pension plan would result in an expense increase for 2011 of approximately $7 million and $4 million, respectively.
 
A one percent change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would have the following effects on the amounts reported for the postretirement plans:
 
                                 
(dollars in millions)
 
    1% Increase   1% Decrease
    2010   2009   2010   2009
 
Effect on:
                               
Other postretirement benefits cost
  $ 2     $ 2     $ (2 )   $ (2 )
Accumulated benefit obligation
    30       23       (27 )     (20 )
 
 
 
Investment Strategy and Asset Allocation
 
The U.S. terminated pension plan asset portfolio is structured such that the asset maturities match the duration of the plan’s obligations. Consistent with the plan termination in 1988, the annuity contract and the supplemental agreement, the asset portfolio’s investment objective calls for a concentration in fixed income securities, the majority of which have investment grade ratings.
 
The assets of the U.K. pension plan are invested prudently so that the benefits promised to members are provided, having regard to the nature and the duration of the plan’s liabilities. The current planned investment strategy was set following an asset-liability study and advice from the Trustees’ investment


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advisors. The asset allocation strategy selected is designed to achieve a higher return than the lowest risk strategy while maintaining a prudent approach to meeting the plan’s liabilities. As a risk control measure, a series of interest rate and inflation risk swaps have been executed covering approximately 100% of the plan’s assets.
 
The pension plan target allocations for 2011 by asset category are shown below. The Merrill Lynch postretirement benefit plans are not funded and do not hold assets for investment.
 
                 
 
    Defined Benefit Pension Plans
    U.S. Plan   Non-U.S. Plans
     
    2011 Target Allocation
 
Debt securities
    100 %     10-60 %
Equity securities
    -       25-75 %
Real estate
    -       0-15 %
Other(1)
    -       5-40 %
 
 
(1) Other consists primarily of hedge funds, private equity investments, swaps and real property.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
For information on fair value measurements, including descriptions of Level 1, 2, and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation methods employed by Merrill Lynch, see Note 1 and Note 4.


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Plan assets measured at fair value by level and in total at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are summarized in the tables below:
 
                                 
(dollars in millions)
    December 31, 2010
    Fair Value Measurements Using    
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
 
Cash and short term investments
                               
Money market and interest bearing cash
  $ 202     $ -     $ -     $ 202  
Fixed Income
                               
U.S. Government and government agency obligations
    15       1,984       14       2,013  
Corporate debt securities
    -       197       -       197  
Asset-backed securities
    -       479       -       479  
Non-U.S. debt securities
    10       107       -       117  
Fixed income commingled/mutual funds
    42       106       -       148  
Equity
                               
Common and preferred equity securities
    114       -       -       114  
Equity commingled/mutual funds
    -       398       -       398  
Public real estate investment trusts
    -       9       -       9  
Real estate commingled/mutual funds
    -       2       65       67  
Limited partnerships
    -       5       175       180  
Other investments(1)
    -       235       -       235  
                                 
Total plan assets, at fair value
  $ 383     $ 3,522     $ 254     $ 4,159  
                                 
 
 
(1) Other investments includes swaps of $198 million, structured products of $23 million, commodity and balanced funds of $13 million and foreign asset-backed securities of $1 million.
 


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(dollars in millions)
    December 31, 2009
    Fair Value Measurements Using    
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
 
Cash and short term investments
                               
Money market and interest bearing cash
  $ 8     $ -     $ -     $ 8  
Fixed Income
                               
U.S. Government and government agency obligations
    1,038       752       -       1,790  
Corporate debt securities
    -       421       -       421  
Asset-backed securities
    -       267       -       267  
Non-U.S. debt securities
    277       348       -       625  
Fixed income commingled/mutual funds
    -       26       -       26  
Equity
                               
Common and preferred equity securities
    140       -       -       140  
Equity commingled/mutual funds
    -       289       -       289  
Public real estate investment trusts
    -       4       -       4  
Real estate commingled/mutual funds
    -       -       45       45  
Limited partnerships
    -       9       111       120  
Other investments(1)
    -       -       110       110  
                                 
Total plan assets, at fair value
  $ 1,463     $ 2,116     $ 266     $ 3,845  
                                 
 
 
(1) Other investments consists of swaps of $110 million.
 
The tables below presents a reconciliation of all plan assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2010
        Actual Return on
           
    Balance
  Plan Assets Still
      Transfers
  Balance
    January 1,
  Held at the
  Purchases, Sales
  Into/(Out of)
  December 31,
    2010   Reporting Date   and Settlements   Level 3   2010
 
 
Fixed Income
                                       
U.S. Government and government agency securities
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 14     $ 14  
Real estate commingled/mutual funds
    45       (5 )     25       -       65  
Limited partnerships
    111       10       2       52       175  
Other investments
    110       -       -       (110 )     -  
                                         
Totals
  $ 266     $ 5     $ 27     $ (44 )   $ 254  
                                         
 
 
 

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(dollars in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2009
        Actual Return on
               
    Balance
  Plan Assets Still
      Transfers
  Balance
   
    January 1,
  Held at the
  Purchases, Sales
  Into/(Out of)
  December 31,
   
    2009   Reporting Date   and Settlements   Level 3   2009    
 
 
Real estate commingled/mutual funds
  $ 49     $ (5 )   $ 1     $ -     $ 45          
Limited partnerships
    65       9       37       -       111          
Other investments
    214       (104 )     -       -       110          
                                                 
Totals
  $ 328     $ (100 )   $ 38     $ -     $ 266          
                                                 
 
 
 
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
 
Expected benefit payments associated with Merrill Lynch’s defined benefit pension and postretirement plans for the next five years and in aggregate for the five years thereafter are as follows:
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
    Defined Benefit
   
    Pension Plans   Postretirement Plans(3)
    U.S.(1)   Non-U.S.(2)   Total   Gross Payments   Medicare Subsidy   Net Payments
 
 
2011
  $ 129     $ 60     $ 189     $ 25     $ (3 )   $ 22  
2012
    133       62       195       26       (3 )     23  
2013
    136       63       199       27       (3 )     24  
2014
    139       65       204       28       (3 )     25  
2015
    141       66       207       28       (3 )     25  
2016 through 2020
    710       350       1,060       144       (16 )     128  
 
 
(1) The U.S defined benefit pension plan payments are primarily funded under the terminated plan annuity contract.
(2) The U.K., Swiss and Japan pension plans payments represent approximately 56%, 12% and 19%, respectively of the non-U.S. 2011 expected defined benefit pension payments.
(3) The U.S. postretirement plan payments, net of Medicare subsidy, represent approximately 96% of the total 2011 expected postretirement benefit payments.
 
Postemployment Benefits
 
Merrill Lynch provides certain postemployment benefits for employees on extended leave due to injury or illness and for terminated employees. Employees who are disabled due to non-work-related illness or injury are entitled to disability income, medical coverage, and life insurance. Merrill Lynch also provides severance benefits to terminated employees. In addition, Merrill Lynch is mandated by U.S. state and federal regulations to provide certain other postemployment benefits. Merrill Lynch funds these benefits through a combination of self-insured and insured plans.
 
Note 16.  Employee Incentive Plans
 
Prior to its acquisition by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch sponsored several employee compensation plans that provided eligible employees with stock-based compensation or options to purchase stock. In

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connection with the acquisition, all stock-based compensation plans of Merrill Lynch were assumed by Bank of America and awards under those plans became payable in Bank of America common stock. Other than the Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Employee Stock Compensation Plan (“ESCP”) and the Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), existing Merrill Lynch plans were frozen as to new grants, although all previously granted awards outstanding under such plans continue to be governed by the applicable terms of the plan under which the awards were granted. Following the acquisition, grants with respect to Bank of America common stock may be made to eligible legacy Merrill Lynch employees under the ESCP as well as the Bank of America Corporation 2003 Key Associate Stock Plan (“KASP”), and eligible Merrill Lynch employees may participate in the ESPP.
 
The total pre-tax compensation cost recognized in earnings for share-based compensation plans for 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $1.5 billion, $1.4 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. Total related tax benefits recognized in earnings for share-based payment compensation plans for 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $0.5 billion, $0.5 billion and $0.7 billion, respectively.
 
Below is a description of Merrill Lynch’s share-based payment compensation plans.
 
Equity Compensation Plans
 
Prior to 2009, the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans (“LTIC Plans”) and the Equity Capital Accumulation Plan (“ECAP”) provided for grants of equity and equity-related instruments to certain employees. LTIC Plans consist of the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, used for grants to executive officers, and the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan for Managers and Producers, a broad-based plan. LTIC Plans provided for the issuance of restricted shares, restricted units, and non-qualified stock options, as well as incentive stock options, performance shares, performance units, performance options, stock appreciation rights, and other securities of Merrill Lynch. The ECAP provided for the issuance of restricted shares, as well as performance shares. The ECAP was terminated in 2008 and its shares were rolled into the ESCP. Upon Bank of America’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch on January 1, 2009, the LTIC Plans were frozen.
 
The ESCP was amended at the time of the Bank of America acquisition to provide for the issuance of Bank of America common stock. The ESCP covers employees who were salaried key employees of Merrill Lynch immediately prior to the effective date of the Bank of America acquisition, other than executive officers. Under the ESCP, Bank of America may award restricted shares, restricted units, non-qualified stock options and stock appreciation rights. Awards of restricted shares and restricted units are subject to a vesting schedule specified in the grant documentation. As of December 31, 2010, there were approximately 60 million shares available under the ESCP for future awards. Shares that are cancelled, forfeited, or settled in cash from the frozen Merrill Lynch Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan for Managers and Producers will become available for grant under the ESCP.
 
Bank of America shareholders approved the KASP to be effective January 1, 2003. Awards to Merrill Lynch employees may also be made under the KASP effective as of January 1, 2009. In conjunction with the Merrill Lynch acquisition, the Bank of America shareholders authorized an additional 105 million shares for grant under the KASP. In April 2010, Bank of America shareholders authorized an additional 500 million shares. In 2010, Bank of America issued approximately 160 million restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards to certain Merrill Lynch employees under the KASP. Restricted stock awards generally vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the grant date, with the exception of certain awards to financial advisors that vest eight years from grant date, and an award of restricted stock shares that was vested on the grant date but is released from restrictions over 18 months. Shares that are cancelled, forfeited, or settled in cash from the frozen Merrill Lynch Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan and Financial Advisor Capital Accumulation Award Plans will become available to grant under the KASP.


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Restricted Shares and Units
 
Restricted shares are shares of Bank of America common stock carrying voting and dividend rights. A restricted unit is deemed equivalent in fair market value to one share of common stock. Awards of restricted units may be settled in shares of common stock or cash. Recipients of restricted unit awards may receive cash payments equivalent to dividends. The following tables present the activity of the restricted stock/unit awards during 2010:
 
                 
    Restricted
  Weighted Average
    Shares/Units   Fair Value Per Share
 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    126,921,803     $ 12.54  
Granted — 2010
    159,766,116       14.40  
Paid, forfeited, or released from contingencies
    (139,298,812 )     14.44  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    147,389,107       12.76  
                 
 
 
 
The total fair value of restricted shares and units granted to retirement-eligible employees, or for which service criteria were satisfied during 2010 was approximately $1.7 billion. The total fair value of restricted shares and units delivered during 2010 was approximately $1.9 billion. The fair value of restricted shares and units was determined based on the price of Bank of America common stock at the date of grant.
 
As of December 31, 2010, there was $0.5 billion of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based payment compensation arrangements. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1 year. In 2010, the amount of cash used to settle equity instruments was $17 million.
 
Stock compensation accounting requires the immediate expensing of share-based payment awards granted or modified to retirement-eligible employees, including awards that are subject to non-compete provisions. The above activity includes awards with or without a future service requirement, as follows:
 
                                 
    No Future Service Required   Future Service Required
     
        Weighted Avg
      Weighted Avg
    Shares/Units   Grant Price   Shares/Units   Grant Price
 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    63,432,156     $ 11.88       63,489,647     $ 13.20  
Granted — 2010
    115,273,919       14.39       44,492,197       14.44  
Delivered
    (101,645,137 )     14.64       (30,436,494 )     14.00  
Forfeited
    (3,445,680 )     13.28       (3,771,501 )     13.85  
Service criteria satisfied(1)
    2,908,583       5.60       (2,908,583 )     5.60  
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    76,523,841       11.69       70,865,266       13.91  
                                 
 
 
(1) Represents those awards for which employees attained retirement-eligibility or for which service criteria were satisfied during 2010, subsequent to the grant date.


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Stock Appreciation Rights and Non-Qualified Stock Options
 
The activity for non-qualified stock options and stock appreciation rights under LTIC Plans for 2010 is presented below:
 
                 
        Weighted-Average
    Options Outstanding   Exercise Price
 
 
Outstanding, end of 2009
    107,361,311     $ 62.27  
Granted — 2010
    -       -  
Exercised
    (4,959 )     14.82  
Forfeited
    (20,874,967 )     51.56  
                 
Outstanding, end of 2010
    86,481,385       64.86  
                 
Exercisable, end of 2010
    85,760,311       65.00  
                 
 
 
 
All options and stock appreciation rights outstanding as of December 31, 2010 are fully vested or expected to vest.
 
At December 31, 2010, the weighted-average remaining contractual terms for both options outstanding and options exercisable were 2.0 years.
 
The weighted-average fair value of options granted in 2008 was $15.47 per option. There were no stock options granted in 2010 and 2009.
 
Prior to Bank of America’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch, the fair value of option awards with vesting based solely on service requirements was estimated on the date of grant based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model. In 2008, expected volatilities were based upon the implied volatility of ML & Co. common stock. The expected term of options granted is estimated based on an analysis of historical exercise activity. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected dividend yield is based on the current dividend rate at the time of grant. The weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of these options in 2008 were as follows:
 
         
 
    2008
 
 
Risk-free interest rate
    3.14 %
Expected life (in years)
    6.6  
Expected volatility
    39.42 %
Expected dividend yield
    3.20 %
 
 
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options were not significant in 2010 and 2009, and were $136 million in 2008. The net tax benefit realized from the exercise of these options was $13 million for 2008.
 
The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2010 and 2009 was not significant and was $77 million in 2008. As of December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 26, 2008, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was zero.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)
 
The ESPP allows eligible associates to invest from one percent to 10 percent of eligible compensation to purchase Bank of America’s common stock, subject to legal limits. Purchases were made at a discount of up to five percent of the average high and low market price on the relevant purchase date


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and the maximum annual contribution per employee was $23,750 in 2010. Up to 107 million shares of Bank of America common stock have been authorized for issuance under the ESPP. There were 12 million shares available at January 1, 2010 and 3 million shares purchased during the year. At December 31, 2010, there were 9 million shares available.
 
The weighted-average fair value of the ESPP stock purchase rights (i.e., the 5% employee discount on stock purchases) exercised by employees in 2010 was $0.80 per share.
 
Financial Advisor Capital Accumulation Award Plans (“FACAAP”)
 
Prior to 2009, the FACAAP provided for awards to eligible employees in Merrill Lynch’s Global Wealth Management division generally based upon their prior year’s performance. Payment for an award was contingent upon continued employment for a period of time and subject to forfeiture during that period. Awards granted in 2003 and thereafter are generally payable eight years from the date of grant in a fixed number of shares of Bank of America common stock. For outstanding awards granted prior to 2003, payment is generally made ten years from the date of grant in a fixed number of shares of Bank of America common stock unless the fair market value of such shares is less than a specified minimum value, in which case the minimum value is paid in cash. FACAAP is no longer an active plan and no awards were granted in 2010 or 2009. At December 31, 2010, there were 18 million shares awarded under FACAAP outstanding, of which 7 million shares were granted prior to 2003.
 
Other Compensation Arrangements
 
Merrill Lynch sponsors deferred compensation plans in which employees who meet certain minimum compensation thresholds may participate on either a voluntary or mandatory basis. Contributions to the plans are made on a tax-deferred basis by participants. Participants’ returns on these contributions may be indexed to various mutual funds and other funds.
 
Merrill Lynch also sponsors several cash-based employee award programs, under which certain employees are eligible to receive future cash compensation, generally upon fulfillment of the service and vesting criteria for the particular program.
 
When appropriate, Merrill Lynch maintains various assets as an economic hedge of its liabilities to participants under the deferred compensation plans and award programs. These assets and the payables accrued by Merrill Lynch under the various plans and grants are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Such assets totaled $2.2 billion and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $2.1 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. Changes to deferred compensation liabilities and corresponding returns on the assets that economically hedge these liabilities are recorded within compensation and benefits expense on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings/(Loss).


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Note 17.  Income Taxes
 
The components of income tax expense/(benefit) for 2010, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
 
                         
(dollars in millions)
    Successor
  Predecessor
    Company   Company
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  Year Ended
    December 31,
  December 31,
  December 26,
    2010   2009   2008
 
Current income tax (benefit)/expense
                       
U.S. federal
  $ (778 )   $ (678 )   $ (854 )
U.S. state
    34       246       218  
Non-U.S. 
    254       503       2,442  
                         
Total current (benefit)/expense
    (490 )     71       1,806  
                         
Deferred income tax expense/(benefit)
                       
U.S. federal
    (566 )     499       (6,516 )
U.S. state
    472       (367 )     (895 )
Non-U.S. 
    731       446       (8,675 )
                         
Total deferred expense/(benefit)
    637       578       (16,086 )
                         
Total income tax expense/(benefit)(1)
  $ 147     $ 649     $ (14,280 )
                         
Total income tax (benefit) from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ -     $ (80 )
                         
 
 
(1) Does not reflect the deferred tax effects of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities, foreign currency translation adjustments, cash flow hedges and defined benefit pension and postretirement plans that are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. As a result of these tax effects, accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased $322 million and $796 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Also does not reflect the tax effects associated with employee stock plans which decreased stockholder’s equity $37 million and $99 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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Income tax expense/(benefit) for 2010, 2009 and 2008 varied from the amount computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to income before income taxes. A reconciliation between the expected U.S. federal income tax expense/(benefit) using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% to Merrill Lynch’s actual income tax expense/(benefit) and resulting effective tax rate for 2010, 2009 and 2008 is presented in the following table.
 
                                                 
(dollars in millions)
        Predecessor
    Successor Company   Company
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  Year Ended
    December 31,
  December 31,
  December 26,
    2010   2009   2008
     
    Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent
 
U.S. federal income tax at statutory rate
  $ 1,373       35.0 %   $ 2,796       35.0 %   $ (14,641 )     35.0 %
U.S. state and local income taxes, net of federal effect
    329       8.4       (78 )     (1.0 )     (440 )     1.1  
U.K. corporate tax rate reduction
    386       9.8       -       -       -       -  
Nondeductible U.K. bank payroll tax
    87       2.2       -       -       -       -  
Change in prior period unrecognized tax benefits (including interest)
    31       0.8       (155 )     (1.9 )     -       -  
Payment related to price reset on common stock offering
    -       -       -       -       875       (2.1 )
Loss on certain foreign subsidiary stock, net of valuation allowance
    -       -       (595 )     (7.5 )     (2,651 )     6.3  
Change in U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance
    (1,657 )     (42.2 )     (650 )     (8.1 )     -       -  
Tax-exempt income, including dividends
    (375 )     (9.6 )     (188 )     (2.4 )     (255 )     0.6  
Non-U.S. tax differential
    (40 )     (1.0 )     (489 )     (6.1 )     2,663       (6.4 )
Other
    13       0.4       8       0.1       169       (0.4 )
                                                 
Income tax expense/(benefit) from continuing operations
  $ 147       3.8 %   $ 649       8.1 %   $ (14,280 )     34.1 %
                                                 
Income tax (benefit) from discontinued operations
  $ -       -     $ -       -     $ (80 )     56.7 %
                                                 
 
 
 
During 2010, Merrill Lynch and Bank of America recognized capital gains from the sale of certain investment assets which, under the terms of the intercompany tax allocation policy, allowed Merrill Lynch to record a $1.7 billion tax benefit for the reduction of a portion of the valuation allowance attributable to the U.S. capital loss carryforward. Net capital gains recognized by Merrill Lynch and Bank of America during each of the next three years could result in additional reductions of the U.S. capital loss carryforward and the valuation allowance associated with this carryforward.


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The reconciliation of the beginning unrecognized tax benefit (“UTB”) balance to the ending balance is presented in the following table.
 
Reconciliation of the Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
                           
(dollars in millions)
    Successor
    Predecessor
    Company     Company
    2010   2009(1)     2008
 
Beginning balance
  $ 1,714     $ 2,006       $ 1,526  
Increases related to positions taken during prior years
    520       77         61  
Increases related to positions taken during the current year
    97       129         212  
Decreases related to positions taken during prior years
    (51 )     (185 )       (255 )
Settlements
    (3 )     (313 )       (4 )
Expiration of statute of limitations
    (16 )     -         -  
Cumulative translation adjustments
    -       -         36  
                           
Ending balance
  $ 2,261     $ 1,714       $ 1,576  
                           
 
 
(1) The beginning balance has been adjusted by $348 million in accordance with Business Combinations Accounting and by $82 million for the BASH Merger.
 
As of December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 26, 2008, the balance of Merrill Lynch’s UTBs which would, if recognized, affect Merrill Lynch’s effective tax rate was $1.3 billion, $1.2 billion, and $1.3 billion, respectively. Included in the UTB balance are some items the recognition of which would not affect the effective tax rate, such as the tax effect of certain temporary differences, the portion of gross state UTBs that would be offset by the tax benefit of the associated federal deduction and the portion of gross foreign UTBs that would be offset by tax reductions in other jurisdictions.
 
Merrill Lynch is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities in countries and states in which Merrill Lynch has significant business operations. The table below summarizes the status of significant tax examinations, by jurisdiction, for Merrill Lynch as of December 31, 2010.
 
             
 
    Years under
  Status at
Jurisdiction   examination(1)   December 31, 2010
 
 
U.S. federal
    2004     In Appeals process
U.S. federal
    2005-2009     Field examination
U.K.
    2008     Field examination
Japan
    2007-2009     Field examination
New York
    2007-2008     Field examination
 
 
(1) All tax years subsequent to the above years remain open to examination.
 
In addition to the above examinations, in 2003 Merrill Lynch received an adverse opinion from the U.S. Tax Court with respect to a 1987 transaction that impacts the tax years 1986 through 1993. Merrill Lynch appealed this opinion to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In 2004, the initial adverse opinion was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals but the case was remanded to the U.S. Tax Court to consider a new argument. In 2008, the U.S. Tax Court issued an adverse opinion on the remanded matter. Merrill Lynch is in the process of appealing this decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The income tax associated with this matter has been remitted and is included in the UTB balance.


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The IRS proposed adjustments for two issues in the audit for the tax year 2004 which Merrill Lynch has protested to the Appeals office. The issues involve eligibility for the dividends received deductions and foreign tax credits with respect to a structured investment transaction. Merrill Lynch intends to protest any proposed adjustments for these two issues for the tax years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
 
Considering all U.S. federal and non-U.S. examinations, it is reasonably possible that Merrill Lynch’s UTB balance will decrease as a result of Merrill Lynch’s tax positions being sustained on audit or Merrill Lynch settling certain issues by as much as $0.5 billion during the next twelve months.
 
Merrill Lynch files income tax returns with numerous state and foreign jurisdictions each year and is under continuous examination by various state and foreign taxing authorities. While many of these examinations are resolved every year, Merrill Lynch does not anticipate that resolutions occurring within the next twelve months would result in a material change to Merrill Lynch’s financial position.
 
During 2010, 2009 and 2008, Merrill Lynch recognized within income tax expense, $71 million, $4 million and $(15) million, respectively, of expense (benefits) for interest and penalties, net of tax. As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Merrill Lynch’s accrual for interest and penalties that related to income taxes, net of taxes and remittances, was $329 million and $259 million, respectively.
 
Significant components of Merrill Lynch’s net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are presented in the following table.
 
                   
(dollars in millions)
    December 31,
    December 31,
    2010     2009
 
Deferred tax assets
                 
Net operating loss carryforwards
  $ 16,869       $ 15,717  
Employee compensation and retirement benefits
    2,291         1,808  
Capital loss carryforwards
    1,588         3,305  
Deferred interest
    894         896  
Allowance for credit losses
    412         1,552  
Tax credit carryforwards
    408         384  
Accrued expenses
    282         731  
Foreign currency
    262         986  
Other
    935         894  
                   
Deferred tax assets
    23,941         26,273  
                   
Valuation allowance
    (2,275 )       (3,740 )
                   
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
    21,666         22,533  
                   
Deferred tax liabilities
                 
Long term borrowings
    3,075         3,693  
Intangibles
    1,859         1,708  
Securities valuations and investments
    811         348  
Available-for-sale securities
    12         58  
Other
    397         606  
                   
Deferred tax liabilities
    6,154         6,413  
                   
Net deferred tax assets(1)(2)
  $ 15,512       $ 16,120  
                   
 
 
(1) Merrill Lynch’s net deferred tax assets were increased by corrections of certain assets and liabilities in place at the time of the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America.


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(2) On January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch adopted new accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs that resulted in an approximately $80 million increase to net deferred tax assets, which is offset against retained earnings.
 
The decrease in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was primarily attributable to the utilization of a portion of the U.S. capital loss carryforward partially offset by a valuation allowance increase due to increases in operating loss carryforwards generated in certain state and non-U.S. jurisdictions for which management believes it is more-likely-than-not that realization of these assets will not occur.
 
At December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch had a deferred tax asset of $9.4 billion associated with a U.K. NOL carryforward. The U.K. NOL may be carried forward indefinitely. Due to change-in-control limitations in the three years prior to and following the change in ownership, this NOL can be jeopardized by certain major changes in the nature or conduct of the U.K. businesses. At December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch had a deferred tax asset of $242 million associated with other non-U.S. NOL carryforwards. Merrill Lynch also had deferred tax assets of $6.6 billion and $1.5 billion related to U.S. federal NOL and a U.S. federal capital loss carryforward, which begin to expire after 2028 and 2013, respectively. The U.S. federal NOL deferred tax asset excludes $36 million related to certain employee stock plan deductions that will be recognized and will increase additional paid in capital when realized. In addition, Merrill Lynch recorded a deferred tax asset of approximately $572 million attributable to U.S. state NOL carryforwards that expire in various years after 2011 to 2030. Merrill Lynch also had U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards of $355 million expiring in varying amounts after 2017. Realization of these assets is dependent on Merrill Lynch’s or Bank of America’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income prior to their expiration. After examining all available evidence, Merrill Lynch concluded that no valuation allowance was necessary to reduce the U.K. NOL and U.S. federal NOL since estimated future taxable income will more-likely-than-not be sufficient to utilize these assets prior to expiration. Merrill Lynch has established full valuation allowances for its U.S. capital loss carryforward. Merrill Lynch has also established a valuation allowance of approximately $306 million against its foreign tax credit carryforward. In addition, Merrill Lynch has also recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $289 million against NOLs in various state jurisdictions for which Merrill Lynch believes it is more-likely-than-not that realization will not occur within the carryforward period.
 
Merrill Lynch is included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and certain combined and unitary state income tax returns of Bank of America. In addition, Merrill Lynch files tax returns in certain state jurisdictions on a separate company basis. At December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch had a current tax receivable from Bank of America of approximately $300 million.
 
At December 31, 2010 and 2009, U.S. federal income taxes had not been provided on $11.0 billion and $10.2 billion of undistributed earnings for foreign subsidiaries, earned prior to 1987 and after 1997 that have been reinvested for an indefinite period of time. If the earnings were distributed, an additional $1.3 billion of tax expense, net of credits for foreign taxes paid on such earnings and for the related foreign withholding taxes, would have resulted as of both December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
Note 18.  Regulatory Requirements
 
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America, a bank holding company that is also a financial holding company, Merrill Lynch is subject to the oversight of, and inspection by, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
 
Certain U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries are subject to various securities and banking regulations and capital adequacy requirements promulgated by the regulatory and exchange authorities of the countries in which they operate. These regulatory restrictions may impose regulatory capital requirements and


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limit the amounts that these subsidiaries can pay in dividends or advance to ML & Co. The principal regulated subsidiaries of ML & Co. are discussed below.
 
Securities Regulation
 
As a registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant, MLPF&S is subject to the uniform net capital requirements of SEC Rule 15c3-1, and CFTC Regulation 1.17. MLPF&S has elected to compute the minimum capital requirement in accordance with the “Alternative Net Capital Requirement” as permitted by SEC Rule 15c3-1. At December 31, 2010, MLPF&S’s regulatory net capital as defined by Rule 15c3-1 was $9.8 billion and exceeded the minimum requirement of $736 million by $9.1 billion.
 
In accordance with the Alternative Net Capital Requirement, MLPF&S is required to maintain tentative net capital in excess of $1 billion, net capital in excess of $500 million, and notify the SEC in the event its tentative net capital is less than $5 billion. As of December 31, 2010, MLPF&S had tentative net capital and net capital in excess of the minimum and notification requirements.
 
MLI, a U.K. regulated investment firm, is subject to capital requirements of the U.K.’s FSA. Financial resources, as defined, must exceed the total financial resources requirement set by the FSA. At December 31, 2010, MLI’s financial resources were $20.5 billion, exceeding the minimum requirement by $4.5 billion.
 
MLJS, a Japan-based regulated broker-dealer, is subject to capital requirements of the Japanese Financial Services Agency (“JFSA”). Net capital, as defined, must exceed 120% of the total risk equivalents requirement of the JFSA. At December 31, 2010, MLJS’s net capital was $1.6 billion, exceeding the minimum requirement by $1.0 billion.
 
Banking Regulation
 
MLIB, an Ireland-based regulated bank, is subject to the capital requirements of the Central Bank of Ireland. MLIB is required to meet minimum regulatory capital requirements under the European Union (“EU”) banking law as implemented in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland. At December 31, 2010, MLIB’s financial resources were $14 billion, exceeding the minimum requirement by $3 billion.
 
Note 19.   Discontinued Operations
 
On August 13, 2007, Merrill Lynch announced a strategic business relationship with AEGON in the areas of insurance and investment products. As part of this relationship, Merrill Lynch sold Merrill Lynch Insurance Group (“MLIG”) to AEGON for $1.3 billion in 2007, which resulted in an after-tax gain of $316 million. The financial results of MLIG for 2008 has been reported within discontinued operations.
 
On December 24, 2007, Merrill Lynch announced that it had reached an agreement with GE Capital to sell Merrill Lynch Capital, a wholly-owned middle-market commercial finance business. The sale included substantially all of Merrill Lynch Capital’s operations, including its commercial real estate division, and closed on February 4, 2008. Merrill Lynch has included results of Merrill Lynch Capital for 2008 within discontinued operations.
 
There were no discontinued operations recorded for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.


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Certain financial information included in discontinued operations on Merrill Lynch’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss)/Earnings for 2008 is shown below:
 
         
(dollars in millions)
    Predecessor Company
    Year Ended
    December 26,
    2008
 
 
Total revenues, net of interest expense
  $ 28  
         
Loss before income taxes
  $ (141 )
Income tax benefit
    (80 )
         
Net loss from discontinued operations
  $ (61 )
         
 
 
 
Note 20.   Restructuring Charge
 
Merrill Lynch recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $486 million during the year ended December 26, 2008. This charge was comprised of severance costs of $348 million and expenses related to the accelerated amortization of previously granted equity-based compensation awards of $138 million.
 
During 2008, Merrill Lynch made cash payments, primarily severance related, of $331 million, resulting in a remaining liability balance of $17 million as of December 26, 2008. During 2009, Merrill Lynch made cash payments, primarily severance related, of $12 million and reversed $5 million of the original restructuring charge; as a result, there was no remaining liability as of December 31, 2009.
 
Note 21.   Quarterly Information (Unaudited)
 
The unaudited quarterly results of operations of Merrill Lynch for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods presented. Results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
 
                                                                   
(dollars in millions)
 
    For the Quarter Ended
 
    Dec. 31,
  Sept. 30,
  June 30,
  Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
  Sept. 30,
  June 30,
  Mar. 31,
    2010   2010   2010   2010     2009   2009   2009   2009
 
Total revenues
  $ 8,284     $ 7,964     $ 9,317     $ 11,927       $ 9,145     $ 9,608     $ 7,527     $ 15,280  
Interest expense
    2,386       2,260       2,515       2,460         2,286       2,685       3,248       3,822  
                                                                   
Revenues, net of interest expense
    5,898       5,704       6,802       9,467         6,859       6,923       4,279       11,458  
Non-interest expenses
    5,787       5,970       5,947       6,244         4,686       5,192       5,839       5,813  
                                                                   
Pre-tax earnings/(loss)
    111       (266 )     855       3,223         2,173       1,731       (1,560 )     5,645  
Income tax (benefit)/expense
    (1,139 )     114       42       1,130         (554 )     139       (669 )     1,733  
                                                                   
Net earnings/(loss)
  $ 1,250     $ (380 )   $ 813     $ 2,093       $ 2,727     $ 1,592     $ (891 )   $ 3,912  
                                                                   
 
 


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Note 22.   Parent Company Information
 
The following tables present Parent Company Only financial information:
 
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
(Parent Company Only)
Condensed Statements of Earnings/(Loss) and Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
                                         
(dollars in millions)
      Successor Company     Predecessor Company
                  For the Period from
     
      For the Year Ended
    For the Year Ended
    December 27, 2008 to
    For the Year Ended
      December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008     December 26, 2008
Revenues
                                       
Principal transactions
    $ 5       $ (3,897 )     $ (49 )     $ 1,912  
Management service fees (from affiliates)
      213         222         -         173  
Earnings from equity method investments
      25         25         -         232  
Other income
      336         563         40         811  
                                         
Subtotal
      579         (3,087 )       (9 )       3,128  
Interest revenue
      2,999         3,507         (111 )       8,044  
Less interest expense
      4,550         6,009         -         5,643  
                                         
Net interest (expense)/income
      (1,551 )       (2,502 )       (111 )       2,401  
                                         
Revenues, net of interest expense
      (972 )       (5,589 )       (120 )       5,529  
                                         
Non-interest expenses
                                       
Compensation and benefits
      430         619         2         632  
Professional fees
      57         45         -         439  
Communications and technology
      32         30         -         50  
Occupancy and related depreciation
      51         37         -         68  
Other
      673         343         1         780  
Payment related to price reset on common stock offering
      -         -         -         2,500  
                                         
Total non-interest expenses
      1,243         1,074         3         4,469  
                                         
Pre-tax (loss)/earnings
      (2,215 )       (6,663 )       (123 )       1,060  
Income tax benefit/(expense)
      1,469         3,376         50         (1,123 )
Equity in earnings/(loss) of affiliates, net of tax
      4,522         10,627         (80 )       (27,549 )
                                         
Net earnings/(loss)
      3,776         7,340         (153 )       (27,612 )
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
      (142 )       (112 )       -         (4,529 )
                                         
Comprehensive income/(loss)
    $ 3,634       $ 7,228       $ (153 )     $ (32,141 )
                                         
Preferred stock dividends
      134         153         -         2,869  
                                         
Net earnings/(loss) applicable to common stockholders
    $ 3,642       $ 7,187       $ (153 )     $ (30,481 )
                                         


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Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
(Parent Company Only)
Condensed Balance Sheets
 
                     
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
      December 31,
    December 31,
      2010     2009
ASSETS
                   
Cash and cash equivalents
    $ 379       $ 474  
Receivables under resale agreements
      -         1,022  
Investment securities (includes securities pledged as collateral that can be sold or repledged of $0 in 2010 and $6,155 in 2009)
      528         11,285  
Receivables from Bank of America
      9,656         4,949  
Advances to affiliates
                   
Senior advances
      76,475         96,175  
Subordinated loans and preferred securities
      52,996         50,629  
                     
        129,471         146,804  
Investments in affiliates
      37,887         30,342  
Equipment and facilities (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
                   
of $6 in 2010 and $37 in 2009)
      4         49  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
      3,663         3,738  
Other assets
      7,542         12,955  
                     
Total Assets
    $ 189,130       $ 211,618  
                     
                     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                   
                     
Liabilities
                   
Payables under repurchase agreements
    $ -       $ 7,177  
Payables to affiliates
      22,023         15,691  
Other liabilities and accrued interest payable
      10,619         13,990  
Long-term borrowings (includes $20,179 in 2010 and $29,531 in 2009
                   
measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value option election)
      106,342         128,103  
                     
Total Liabilities
      138,984         164,961  
                     
                     
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
                   
                     
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                   
Preferred Stockholders’ Equity: authorized 25,000,000 shares: (liquidation preference of $100,000 per share; issued: 2009 — 17,000 shares)
      -         1,541  
Common Stockholder’s Equity
                   
Common stock (par value $1.331/3 per share; authorized; 3,000,000,000 shares; issued: 2010 and 2009 — 1,000 shares)
      -         -  
Paid-in capital
      40,416         38,741  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax)
      (254 )       (112 )
Retained earnings
      9,984         6,487  
                     
Total Common Stockholder’s Equity
      50,146         45,116  
                     
Total Stockholders’ Equity
      50,146         46,657  
                     
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
    $ 189,130       $ 211,618  
                     


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Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
(Parent Company Only)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
 
                               
(dollars in millions)
      Successor Company     Predecessor Company
      For the Year Ended
    For The Year Ended
    For the Year Ended
      December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     December 26, 2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net earnings/(loss)
    $ 3,776       $ 7,340       $ (27,612 )
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings/(loss) to cash provided by operating activities
                             
Equity in (earnings)/loss of affiliates
      (4,522 )       (10,627 )       27,549  
Depreciation and amortization
      98         96         15  
Share-based compensation expense
      167         440         387  
Payment related to price reset on common stock offering
      -         -         2,500  
Deferred taxes
      (317 )       (2,544 )       827  
Earnings from equity method investments
      -         -         (207 )
Amortization of premium/(discount) on long-term borrowings
      -         -         401  
Unrealized losses/(gains) on long-term borrowings
      -         369         (2,318 )
Foreign exchange losses/(gains) on long-term borrowings
      (2,171 )       3,156         (4,344 )
Other
      1,994         1,979         295  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                             
Cash and securities segregated
      -         139         322  
Receivables under resale agreements
      1,022         28,978         8,727  
Receivables from Bank of America
      (4,708 )       (4,949 )       -  
Payables under repurchase agreements
      (7,177 )       (7,830 )       (1,989 )
Dividends and partnerships distributions from affiliates
      46         310         360  
Other, net
      3,426         (120 )       85  
                               
Cash (used for)/provided by operating activities
      (8,366 )       16,737         4,998  
                               
Cash flows from investing activities:
                             
Proceeds from/(payments for):
                             
Advances to affiliates
      23,666         23,823         10,970  
Distributions to affiliates
      -         (6,850 )       -  
Maturities of available-for-sale securities
      557         4,225         3,108  
Sales of available-for-sale securities
      10,190         1,507         464  
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
      -         -         (3,728 )
Non-qualifying investments
      33         51         194  
Investments in affiliates
      (2,302 )       (698 )       (17,806 )
Sale of MLBT-FSB to Bank of America
      -         4,450         -  
Equipment and facilities, net
      -         1         (14 )
                               
Cash provided by/(used for) investing activities
      32,144         26,509         (6,812 )
                               
Cash flows from financing activities:
                             
(Payments for)/proceeds from:
                             
Short-term borrowings
      -         (20,128 )       6,906  
Issuance and resale of long-term borrowings
      -         -         38,786  
Settlement and repurchases of long-term borrowings
      (23,739 )       (41,437 )       (56,577 )
Capital contributions from Bank of America
      -         6,850         -  
Issuance of common stock
      -         -         9,899  
Issuance of preferred stock, net
      -         -         9,281  
Common stock repurchases
      -         -         -  
Other common stock transactions
      -         -         (833 )
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation
      -         -         39  
Dividends
      (134 )       (153 )       (2,584 )
                               
Cash (used for)/provided by financing activities
      (23,873 )       (54,868 )       4,917  
                               
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
      (95 )       (11,622 )       3,103  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period(1)
      474         12,096         8,993  
                               
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
    $ 379       $ 474       $ 12,096  
                               
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
                             
Income taxes paid (net of refunds)
    $ (213 )     $ 203       $ 128  
Interest paid
      2,968         4,289         5,903  
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities;
For the year ended December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch received a non-cash capital contribution of approximately $1.0 billion from Bank of America associated with certain employee stock awards. In addition, as of January 1, 2010, Merrill Lynch assumed assets and liabilities in connection with the consolidation of certain VIEs. See Note 9. In October 2010, Merrill Lynch’s mandatory convertible preferred stock was automatically converted to Bank of America common stock. The redemption was settled through a non-cash intercompany transaction.
 
In connection with the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, ML & Co. recorded purchase accounting adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2009, which were recorded as non-cash capital contributions. In addition, during 2009 Bank of America contributed the net assets of Banc of America Investment Services, Inc. to ML & Co. See Note 2.
 
Effective on January 1, 2009, Bank of America contributed the net assets of Bank of America Securities Holdings Corporation totaling approximately $3.7 billion to ML & Co. This was recorded as a non-cash capital contribution. See Note 1.
 
In connection with the sale of Merrill Lynch Bank USA to a subsidiary of Bank of America during 2009, ML & Co. received a note receivable as consideration for the net book value of assets and liabilities transferred to Bank of America.
 
As a result of the conversion of $6.6 billion of Merrill Lynch’s mandatory convertible preferred stock, series 1, ML & Co. recorded additional preferred dividends of $2.1 billion in 2008. The preferred dividends were paid in additional shares of common stock and preferred stock.
 
In satisfaction of Merrill Lynch’s obligations under the reset provisions contained in the investment agreement with Temasek, in 2008 ML & Co. paid Temasek $2.5 billion through the issuance of common stock.
 
(1) Amount for Successor Company is as of January 1, 2009.


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Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report and pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), Merrill Lynch’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ML & Co., conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness and design of Merrill Lynch’s disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Merrill Lynch’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting information required to be disclosed by ML & Co. in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
 
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management recognizes its responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.
 
Merrill Lynch’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Merrill Lynch’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that Merrill Lynch’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of Merrill Lynch’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on that assessment, management believes that Merrill Lynch maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010.


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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Merrill Lynch’s independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an opinion on the effectiveness of Merrill Lynch’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. This report appears under “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
No change in Merrill Lynch’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred in the fourth quarter of 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Merrill Lynch’s internal control over financial reporting.


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Item 9B.  Other Information
 
Not Applicable.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
Not required pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
 
Item 11.  Executive Compensation
 
Not required pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
 
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Not required pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
 
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Not required pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
 
Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
Pre-Approval of Services Provided by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Subsequent to our acquisition by Bank of America and consistent with SEC requirements, we follow the policies established by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Bank of America (the “BAC Audit Committee”) regarding engagements of the provision of audit services and permitted non-audit services to us by the independent registered public accounting firm and by any other accounting firm proposed to be retained to provide audit services (e.g., in compliance with a foreign statute) or non-audit services.
 
On an annual basis the BAC Audit Committee pre-approves a list of services and sets pre-approved fee levels that may be provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and their affiliates (“PwC”), our registered independent public accounting firm, without obtaining engagement specific pre-approval from the BAC Audit Committee. The pre-approved list of services consists of audit services, audit-related services, tax services and all other services. All requests or applications for PwC audit, audit-related services, tax services or all other services must be submitted to members of our corporate audit function or tax function to determine if the services are included within the pre-approved list of services that have received BAC Audit Committee pre-approval. Any type of service that is not included on the pre-approved list of services must be specifically approved by the BAC Audit Committee or its designee. Any proposed service that is included on the list of pre-approved services but will cause the pre-approved fee level to be exceeded will also require specific pre-approval by the BAC Audit Committee or its designee. The BAC Audit Committee has chosen the BAC Audit Committee Chairman as its designee.


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All of the fees paid to PwC in 2010 were pre-approved by the BAC Audit Committee, and there were no services for which the de minimis exception permitted in certain circumstances under SEC rules was utilized.
 
Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The following table presents the aggregated fees of PwC for professional services rendered in, or provided for, the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                 
(dollars in millions)        
 
    2010   2009
 
Audit fees(1)
  $ 47.3     $ 47.4  
Audit-related fees(2)
    3.0       3.0  
Tax fees(3)
    3.2       3.2  
All other fees(4)
    -       -  
                 
Total fees
  $ 53.5     $ 53.6  
                 
 
 
 
(1)  Audit fees consisted of fees billed by PwC related to the audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements filed with the SEC, the audits of domestic and international statutory and subsidiary financial statements and certain agreed upon procedures and other attestation reports.
 
(2)  Audit-related fees consisted of fees billed by PwC for other audit and attest services, and financial accounting, reporting and compliance matters.
 
(3)  Tax fees pertain to services performed for tax compliance, advisory and planning services. Tax fees for these areas are billed to Bank of America Corporation on a consolidated basis and are excluded from the table above. The tax fees reflected above include preparation of certain tax returns (principally Forms 1041 and 990) for certain customer trusts and foundations.
 
(4)  All other fees, if incurred, would consist of permissible advisory services and other miscellaneous services.


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PART IV
 
Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
 
(1)  Financial Statements:
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements required in response to this Item are incorporated herein by reference from Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
(2)  Schedules:
 
The schedules required in response to this Item are incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of this Form 10-K.
 
(3)  Exhibits
 
An exhibit index has been filed as part of this report beginning on page E-1 and is incorporated herein by reference.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 28th day of February 2011.
 
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
 
  By  *
/s/  Thomas K. Montag
Name:     Thomas K. Montag
  Title:  Director and Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities indicated on the 28th day of February 2011.
 
         
Signature
 
Title
 
     
*
/s/  Thomas K. Montag

Thomas K. Montag
  Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
     
*
/s/  Robert Qutub

Robert Qutub
  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
     
*
/s/  Peter D. Taube

Peter D. Taube
  Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
     
*
/s/  Brian T. Moynihan

Brian T. Moynihan
  Chairman and Director
     
*
/s/  Charles H. Noski

Charles H. Noski
  Director
     
*
/s/  Sallie L. Krawcheck

Sallie L. Krawcheck
  Director
     
*
/s/  Bruce Thompson

Bruce Thompson
  Director
         
*By:  
/s/  Craig T. Beazer

Craig T. Beazer
Attorney-in-Fact
   


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Certain exhibits were previously filed by ML & Co. as exhibits to other reports or registration statements and are incorporated herein by reference as indicated parenthetically below. ML & Co.’s Exchange Act file number is 001-07182. For convenience, ML & Co.’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Registration Statements on Form S-3 are designated and referred to herein as “Form 10-K,” “Form 10-Q,” “Form 8-K” and “Form S-3,” respectively.
 
           
Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or succession
  2 .1     Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 15, 2008, by and between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Bank of America Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K dated September 19, 2008).
  2 .2     Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2009, among Merrill Lynch Group, Inc., BANA Holding Corporation, and Merrill Lynch Bank USA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009).
  2 .3     Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2009, among Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., BANA Holding Corporation and Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., FSB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009).
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
  3 .1     Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ML & Co., effective as of May 3, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K dated November 14, 2005).
  3 .2     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 1, par value $1.00 per share, effective as of October 25, 2004 (the “Series 1 Preferred Stock”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 and 4.1 to Form 8-K dated November 14, 2005).
  3 .3     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 2, par value $1.00, effective as of March 9, 2005 (the “Series 2 Preferred Stock”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 and 4.2 to Form 8-K dated November 14, 2005).
  3 .4     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s 6.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 3, par value $1.00 per share, effective as of November 14, 2005 (the “Series 3 Preferred Stock”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 and 4.3 to Form 8-K dated November 14, 2005).
  3 .5     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 4, par value $1.00 per share, effective as of November 14, 2005 (the “Series 4 Preferred Stock”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 and 4.4 to Form 8-K dated November 14, 2005).
  3 .6     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 5, par value $1.00 per share, effective as of March 16, 2007 (the “Series 5 Preferred Stock”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 and 4.5 to Form 8-K dated March 21, 2007).
  3 .7     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s 6.70% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series 6, par value $1.00 per share, effective as of September 21, 2007 (the “Series 6 Preferred Stock”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 and 4.6 to Form 8-K dated September 24, 2007).


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  3 .8     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s 6.25% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series 7, par value $1.00 per share, effective as of September 21, 2007 (the “Series 7 Preferred Stock”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 and 4.7 to Form 8-K dated September 24, 2007).
  3 .9     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s 9.00% Non-Voting Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 1, par value $1.00 per share, effective as of January 15, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 and 4.8 to Form 8-K dated January 16, 2008).
  3 .10     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s 8.625% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 8 (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.10 and 4.9 to Form 8-K dated April 29, 2008).
  3 .11     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s 9.00% Non-Voting Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 2, par value $1.00 per share and liquidation preference $100,000 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.11 and 4.10 to Form 8-K dated August 1, 2008).
  3 .12     Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to ML & Co.’s 9.00% Non-Voting Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 3, par value $1.00 per share and liquidation preference $100,000 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.12 and 4.11 are incorporated by reference to Form 8-K dated August 1, 2008).
  3 .13     Certificate of Merger merging MER Merger Corporation with and into Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated January 2, 2009).
  3 .14     Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Designations of 9.00% Non-Voting Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 2 of ML & Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K dated January 2, 2009).
  3 .15     Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Designations of 9.00% Non-Voting Mandatory Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 3 of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 8-K dated January 2, 2009).
  3 .16     By-Laws of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Form 8-K dated January 2, 2009).
Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures ML & Co. hereby undertakes to furnish to the SEC, upon request, copies of any agreements not filed defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of ML & Co., none of which authorize an amount of securities that exceed 10% of the total assets of ML & Co.
  4 .1     Senior Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended and restated as of April 1, 1987, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon,(1) as Trustee (“1983 Senior Indenture”) and the Supplemental Indenture thereto dated as of March 5, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 1999 (“1999 10-K”)).
  4 .2     Sixth Supplemental Indenture to the 1983 Senior Indenture, dated as of October 25, 1993, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(ii) to 1999 10-K).
 
 
(1) As used in this section of this Report, “The Bank of New York Mellon” means The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation and successor to the corporate trust business of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the entity formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Bank, The Chase Manhattan Bank and Chemical Bank (successor by merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company).

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  4 .3     Twelfth Supplemental Indenture to the 1983 Senior Indenture, dated as of September 1, 1998, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Form 8-K dated October 21, 1998).
  4 .4     Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture to the 1983 Senior Indenture, dated as of October 14, 2003, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(ix) to Form S-3 (file no. 333-109802))
  4 .5     Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture to the 1983 Senior Indenture, dated as of October 21, 2004, between Merrill Lynch and The Bank of New York Mellon, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(xiv) to Form S-3 (file no. 333-122639).
  4 .6     Senior Indenture, dated as of October 1, 1993 between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon (“1993 Senior Indenture”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(iv) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 25, 1998 (“1998 10-K”)).
  4 .7     First Supplemental Indenture to the 1993 Senior Indenture, dated as of June 1, 1998, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Form 8-K dated July 2, 1998).
  4 .8     Form of Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 17, 1996, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (“1996 Subordinated Indenture”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Amendment No. 2 to Form S-3 (file no. 333-16603).
  4 .9     Supplemental Indenture to the 1996 Subordinated Indenture, dated as of May 16, 2006, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Form 8-K dated May 16, 2006).
  4 .10     Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2006, between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (“2006 Junior Subordinated Indenture”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Form 8-K dated December 14, 2006).
  4 .11     First Supplemental Indenture to the 2006 Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2006, between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to Form 8-K dated December 14, 2006).
  4 .12     Second Supplemental Junior Subordinated Indenture to the 2006 Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of May 2, 2007, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2007).
  4 .13     Third Supplemental Indenture to the 2006 Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of August 22, 2007, between ML & Co. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to Form 8-K dated August 22, 2007).
Material Contracts
   10 .1     Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 2010 Performance Year Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Form S-8 (file no. 333-163003).
  10 .2†     Form of Agreement dated May 1, 2008 with Thomas K. Montag (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2008.
  10 .3†     Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 2011 Performance Year Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of to Form S-8 (file no. 333-170404).
  10 .4     Agreement and Plan of Merger dated November 1, 2010 between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Bank of America Securities Holdings Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.01 of Form 8-K dated November 1, 2010).
  11       Statement re: computation of earnings per common share (the calculation of per share earnings is in Part II, Item 8, Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings Per Share) and is not required in accordance with Section(b)(11) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K).
  12     Statement re: computation of ratios.
  23 .1*     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Registrant.
  23 .2*     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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  23 .3*     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of BlackRock, Inc.
  24 .1*     Power of Attorney.
  24 .2*     Certificate of Assistant Secretary.
  31 .1*     Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
  31 .2*     Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.
  32 .1*     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32 .2*     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Additional Exhibits
  99 .1     Audited consolidated financial statements of BlackRock, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2010 are incorporated herein by reference to Item 15(1) of BlackRock, Inc.’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File Number 001-33099).
 
* Filed herewith
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement


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