Exhibit 25(a)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF

A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF

A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)             

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

William H. McDavid

General Counsel

4 New York Plaza

New York, New York 10017

Tel:  (212) 270-2611

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

GENERAL

Item 1.    General Information.

Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

(a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York 12110.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 20551

Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429.

(b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

Item 2.    Affiliations with the Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

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Item 16.    List of Exhibits

List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now in effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September 9, 1982, February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is incorporated by reference).

2.    A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase Manhattan Bank).

3.    None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.

4.    A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-76439, which is incorporated by reference).

5.    Not applicable.

6.    The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase Manhattan Bank).

7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

8.    Not applicable.

9.    Not applicable.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 8^th day of May, 2003.

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