NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2001--Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) today announced a new effort to assist employees and clients wishing to contribute securities, cash and/or Merrill Lynch Visa Signature Rewards Points to September 11 relief efforts.
Clients and employees can put their resources to work for individuals and families affected by the September 11 tragedies by making electronic transfers from their Merrill Lynch accounts directly to the charities via a toll-free number. Those clients enrolled in Merrill Lynch’s CMA Visa Signature, WCMA Business Signature and EMA Signature Rewards programs can also contribute rewards points, which will be converted to cash. The cash and securities will be donated at the participant’s direction to the United Way of New York City September 11th Fund, The New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund or The Twin Towers Fund set up by New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
“We are responding to an overwhelming desire by our employees and clients to help the individuals and families most directly affected by the tragic events of September 11,” said James Gorman, president, Merrill Lynch U.S. Private Client Group. “This is one more way the Merrill Lynch family is joining the rest of the nation to move forward with resolve and hope.”
As part of the firm’s broader $10 million commitment to relief efforts for the attacks, donations by Merrill Lynch employees will qualify for up to $1,500 in matching funds from the Merrill Lynch Foundation. These contributions will be in addition to the company’s existing annual charitable contributions matching program of $1,500 per employee.
For more information, clients should contact their financial adviser, log onto Merrill Lynch Online or MLDirect, or visit Signature Rewards. To facilitate donations by cash or securities, clients should call 1-800-Merrill. To redeem their rewards points, clients should call 800/419-0000 (CMA Visa Signature client service center) or 800/206-0000 (WCMA Business Signature and EMA Signature client service center).
Merrill Lynch is one of the world’s leading financial management and advisory companies with offices in 43 countries and total client assets of more than $1.6 trillion. As an investment bank, it is the top global underwriter of debt and equity securities and a leading strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions, and individuals worldwide. Through Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, the company is one of the world’s largest managers of financial assets.
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