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Bank of America Reaches Hiring Goal of 1,000 Financial Solutions Advisors Throughout United States

Bank of America today announced that it reached its goal of doubling the number of Merrill Edge Financial Solutions Advisors (FSAs) to more than 1,000 nationwide by the end of 2011. With the addition of more than 280 new hires across Texas and Florida, more than 1,200 FSAs are now working in banking centers throughout the United States or in the Merrill Edge Advisory Center.

The hires are part of Bank of America’s overall commitment to enhance the solutions and guidance it offers to Preferred customers – those with investable assets of $50,000 to $250,000. These FSAs will provide the financial solutions and guidance customers need to help them manage their banking and investment needs and stay in better control of their finances.

“At the beginning of the year, we committed ourselves to enhancing our services and offerings to meet the complex needs of our Preferred customers,” said Dean Athanasia, Preferred and Small Business Banking executive at Bank of America. “By increasing the number of FSAs in banking centers and in the Merrill Edge Advisory Center, our customers have access to best-in-class banking and investment solutions, unmatched access and convenience and the availability of specialists when and where they prefer.”

Preferred customers are among the fastest-growing segments in the financial services industry. Bank of America does business with more than 8 million Preferred customers and has unrivaled insight into their financial needs. According to the Merrill Edge Report, some of the top priorities for Preferred customers include wanting a better retirement than their parents (85 percent), having access to both banking and investing solutions (73 percent) and maintaining the ability to track and manage their money (72 percent).

Nearly 65 FSAs added in Florida banking centers will serve customers in markets including Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale and Sarasota. In addition, approximately 155 FSAs were hired in the Merrill Edge Advisory Center in Jacksonville, bringing the FSA statewide total to more than 350. In Texas, more than 60 FSAs have been added to banking centers in 20 cities, including Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Platinum Privileges rolls out in additional eight states and Washington, D.C.

In support of its Preferred service strategy, Bank of America also rolled out its Platinum Privilegesrecognition and benefits program to eight additional states and Washington, D.C., in November. The new states offering the program include Texas, Virginia, Michigan, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, South Carolina and New Hampshire. The program delivers higher levels of service and comprehensive benefits across banking and investing to customers who maintain $50,000 or more in deposit balances with Bank of America or investment balances with Merrill Edge.

“Our Preferred customers continue to ask for customized solutions and enhanced service that fits their needs and recognizes and rewards them for their entire relationship,” said Aron Levine, Preferred Business executive. “The positive response from customers and employees and the strong results we’ve achieved to date validate that Platinum Privileges continues to deepen relationships with our customers.”

Earlier this year, Platinum Privilegeswas piloted in Arizona, Georgia, and Massachusetts. After strong results, the program officially launched in September in nine states including New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. It will continue expanding to additional markets in 2012.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 58 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,700 retail banking offices and approximately 17,750 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Merrill Edge is the marketing name for two businesses: Merrill Edge Advisory Center, which offers team-based advice and guidance brokerage services; and a self-directed online investing platform. Both are made available through Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S).

MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

Investment products:

Are Not FDIC InsuredAre Not Bank GuaranteedMay Lose Value

© 2011 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

For more Bank of America news, visit the Bank of America newsroom.

www.bankofamerica.com

Contacts:

Reporters May Contact:
Don Vecchiarello, Bank of America, 1.980.387.4899
don.vecchiarello@bankofamerica.com

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