Merrill Lynch & Company is a Delaware-based financial corporation that, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides capital markets services, investment banking and advisory services, wealth management, asset management, insurance, banking and related products and services on a global basis. Merrill Lynch is one of the world s leading financial management and advisory companies, with offices in 36 countries and territories and total client assets of more than $1.6 trillion. Merrill Lynch has three core businesses global private client, global markets and investment banking group and Merrill Lynch investment managers offering a range of services for private clients, small businesses, institutions and corporations, and financial intermediaries. As an investment bank, the company is a leading global underwriter of debt and equity securities and strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide. Charles Merrill founded Merrill Lynch in 1914.