Merrill Lynch

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. is an international financial conglomerate which, through its many subsidiaries, offers financial and investment services for private, institutional, and government clients around the world. Its chief divisions are conventional banking, investment banking, wealth management, asset management, and insurance.

Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis stated in a testimony given to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in February that he felt that Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke wanted him to keep quite about worsening terms for the bank's acquisition of Merrill Lynch.The Associated Press: WSJ: BofA CEO says was told to be quiet on Merrill (April 23, 2009)

1. January 6, 1914: Company founded by Charles E. Merrill, soon joined by Edmund C. Lynch to form Merrill, Lynch & Co.
2. 1916: Winthrop H. Smith joins the firm
3. 1921: Successfully invests in RKO Pictures
4. 1926: Invests in a controlling share of Safeway, which transforms into a national chain within years
5. 1940: Merges with E. A. Pierce & Co. and Cassatt & Co., and name changes to Merrill Lynch, E. A. Pierce, and Cassatt
6. 1952: Name changes to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.