Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract]  
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
Note 11. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
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 ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“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 2011, Merrill Lynch determined that there was no impairment of goodwill as of the June 30, 2011 test date.
 
The carrying amount of goodwill was $5.7 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets with definite lives at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 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 June 30, 2011, the Merrill Lynch brand is not impaired.
 
The gross carrying amount of intangible assets with definite lives was $3.1 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Accumulated amortization of intangible assets was $850 million and $618 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite lives was $1.5 billion as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010 was $78 million and $232 million, respectively.