Merrill Lynch Said to Be in Merger Talks With Bank of America

Merrill Lynch Said to Be in Merger Talks With Bank of America


Sept. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Merrill Lynch & Co., the third- biggest U.S. securities firm, is in merger talks with Bank of America Corp., people with knowledge of the negotiations said.

The discussions came as Merrill's smaller rival Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. moved closer to filing for bankruptcy after Barclays Plc and Bank of America abandoned talks to buy the investment bank and Wall Street prepared for its possible liquidation.

Bank of America spokesman Scott Silvestri declined to comment on Merrill. ``We don't comment on speculation,'' said Bank of America spokesman Bob Stickler.

Merrill and Lehman are based in New York. Bank of America is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

BLOOMBERG