Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliates, primarily, Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated, provides capital markets services, investment banking and advisory services, wealth management, asset management, insurance, banking and related products and services on a global basis. The firm's global headquarters are located in New York City and it is one of the most recognizable names in financial services. The company occupies the entire 34 stories of the Four World Financial Center building in Manhattan.

History

The company was founded on January 6, 1914, when Charles E. Merrill & Co. opened for business at 7 Wall Street in New York City. A few months later, Merrill's friend, Edmund C. Lynch, joined him and in 1915 the name was officially changed to Merrill Lynch & Co. In the 1920s the firm's New York office was at 120 Broadway, and it also had offices in Detroit, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Dublin.

Today, the multinational corporation operates in more than 40 countries around the world and has approximately US $1.8 trillion in client assets.

Analyst Conflict-of-Interest Cases

In May 2002, a settlement was reached with the Attorney General of the State of New York, which imposed a $100 million fine on the Firm, as well as an agreement to sever all links between analysts' pay and investment banking revenue. The settlement was related to wrongdoings by equity analyst Henry Blodget. In December 2002 the company was fined an additional $100 million.

Business Groups

• GPC: Global Private Client
• GMI: Global Markets & Investment Banking Group
• MLIM: Merrill Lynch Investment Managers/BlackRock, Inc.
• Corporate Resources
  • GFT&S: Global Finance, Technology & Services
  • OGC: Office of General Counsel
  • C&PA: Communications and Public Affairs
  • LTM: Leadership & Talent Management
  • Global Securities Research and Economics Group