Reference no: EM133407484

Case study Summary of Case The case profiles the financial crisis at Merrill Lynch at the end of the last decade, which was acquired by Bank of America for $50 billion. B of A received government assistance during the financial crisis from (and was covered by) TARP (the Troubled Asset Relief Program). One initial consequence of TARP coverage was that some employees, including some high-level,high-revenue generating employees began to leave larger financial institutions like Merrill Lynch/Bank of America to go to so-called "boutique" financial services firms, which had not received TARP money and thus were not covered by TARP restrictions on compensation. Another initial reaction was an increase in base pay levels and a decrease in bonus levels, apparently in response to all of the negative publicity bonuses had received and as a way to get around TARP restrictions. Students are expected to analyze the decision of Merrill Lynch to change employee compensation just to get around TARP restrictions on compensation. However, now, that some time has passed, the economy has recovered (somewhat), and the stock market has bounced back, Merrill Lynch and other financial services companies are making money again. At Merrill Lynch, there is always