EX-12 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES EXHIBIT 12 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST V COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES DISTRIBUTIONS (dollars in thousands) For the Three For the Nine Months Ended Months Ended Year Ended Last Friday in December ------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- September 29, September 29, 2006 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- ------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Earnings $ 15,949 $ 47,846 $ 63,795 $ 63,795 $ 63,795 $ 63,795 $ 63,795 ============= ============= ======== ========= ========= ======== ======== Fixed charges $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Preferred securities 15,470 46,410 61,880 61,880 61,880 61,880 61,880 distribution requirements ------------- ------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Total combined fixed charges and preferred securities distribution $ 15,470 $ 46,410 $ 61,880 $ 61,880 $ 61,880 $ 61,880 $ 61,880 requirements ============= ============= ======== ========= ========= ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred securities distribution requirements 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING V, L.P. COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES DISTRIBUTIONS (dollars in thousands) For the Three For the Nine Months Ended Months Ended Year Ended Last Friday in December ------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------- September 29, September 29, 2006 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- ------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Earnings $ 18,706 $ 56,080 $ 74,606 $ 74,447 $ 74,430 $ 74,529 $ 74,794 ============= ============= ======== ========= ========= ======== ======== Fixed charges $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Preferred securities 15,949 47,846 63,795 63,795 63,795 63,795 63,795 distribution requirements ------------- ------------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- Total combined fixed charges and preferred securities distribution $ 15,949 $ 47,846 $ 63,795 $ 63,795 $ 63,795 $ 63,795 $ 63,795 requirements ============= ============= ======== ========= ========= ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred securities distribution requirements 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.17