Merrill Lynch renews its Corporate Sponsorship of the Women's International Leadership Program at International House

NEW YORK, Jul 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Merrill Lynch, one of the world's leading financial management and
advisory companies, has awarded a $50,000 grant to renew for the
fourth year its support of the Women's International Leadership (WIL)
Program at International House.

The WIL Program is a landmark leadership training program at I.
House, the 84-year-old residence and program center for international
graduate students and trainees. Eighteen women from thirteen countries
were chosen to participate in the 2007-08 WIL Program. Since its
inception in 1990, more than 200 women from a variety of cultures and
disciplines have participated in the merit-based scholarship program.

Designed as a practical training program to enhance graduate
study, the WIL program features a series of seminars, skills-based
leadership training, networking receptions, public speaking workshops,
a mentor project, field experience in multicultural communities, and
conflict resolution and negotiating technique coaching. The program
culminates in Women's Week, a week of programming designed and
executed by the eighteen selected grantees from diverse cultures and
disciplines. Merrill Lynch has sponsored the program since 2005.

The Merrill Lynch grant will cover a substantial portion of WIL's
operating budget, including all program-related activities,
publications, networking activities and allocated staff salaries. In
addition to financial support, Merrill Lynch employees volunteer their
time as mentors and role models and share their expertise in the
financial markets. Merrill Lynch has collaborated with the House on
programming for Women's Week and throughout the year, from sessions
for the entire I-House community on interview skills and resume
writing workshops to personal financial planning and "Wall Street 101"
seminars for the WIL grantees.

During the first three years of sponsorship, ten Merrill employees
have served as mentors for WIL Grantees. Candace Browning, President,
Merrill Lynch Global Research is a member of the WIL Advisory Council,
providing leadership for the program. "Merrill Lynch is delighted to
continue its association with International House, which for more than
80 years has provided a haven of learning for people of diverse
nationalities, cultures and beliefs," said Browning. "Through this
partnership, we have built relationships and financial awareness with
future women leaders who will have an impact in their respective
communities and professions while also exposing them to careers and
opportunities in business."

"International House is fortunate to have such a dedicated partner
in Merrill Lynch," said I. House President Don L. Cuneo. "We look
forward to continuing to work with Merrill Lynch to support and
celebrate many more generations of women at International House."

About International House

A vibrant community of more than 700 students and trainees who
represent over 100 countries each year, International House was
founded by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and the Cleveland H. Dodge family
in 1924. Its mission is to provide its carefully selected residents
with a challenging and supportive residential community that promotes
mutual respect and friendship among individuals of all nations and
backgrounds.

An independent, non-profit organization, I. House achieves its
mission by supporting cross-cultural understanding and international
education and encouraging daily interaction between people of many
cultures. Residential life at International House is designed to
foster diversity of thought and experience, and to prepare its
residents to meet the challenges of an interdependent world.

To learn more about International House, please visit
http://www.ihouse-nyc.org

About Merrill Lynch

Merrill Lynch is one of the world's leading wealth management,
capital markets and advisory companies, with offices in 40 countries
and territories and total client assets of approximately $1.6
trillion. As an investment bank, it is a leading global trader and
underwriter of securities and derivatives across a broad range of
asset classes and serves as a strategic advisor to corporations,
governments, institutions and individuals worldwide. Merrill Lynch
owns approximately half of BlackRock, one of the world's largest
publicly traded investment management companies, with more than $1
trillion in assets under management. For more information on Merrill
Lynch, please visit www.ml.com.

SOURCE: Merrill Lynch

International House
Philip Greven, 212-316-8493
pgreven@ihouse-nyc.org
or
Merrill Lynch
Selena Morris, 212-449-7283
selena_morris@ml.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008