EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM - -------------------------------------------------------- We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-42859 of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III, Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P., Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust IV and Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding IV, L.P. and Registration Statement No. 333-44173 of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust IV, Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding IV, L.P., Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust V and Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding V, L.P. on Forms S-3 of our reports dated March 25, 2008, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust IV and Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding IV, L.P. for the year ended December 28, 2007. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP New York, New York March 25, 2008