EXHIBIT 12 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P. COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES DISTRIBUTIONS (UNAUDITED) (dollars in thousands) FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED March 31, 2009 March 28, 2008 --------------------------------- --------------------------------- MERRILL LYNCH MERRILL LYNCH MERRILL LYNCH MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED PREFERRED PREFERRED PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV FUNDING IV,L.P. CAPITAL TRUST IV FUNDING IV,L.P. ----------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------- Earnings $ 7,340 $ 8,555 $ 7,340 $ 8,587 ======== ======== ======== ======== Fixed charges $ - $ - $ - $ - Preferred securities distribution requirements 7,120 7,340 7,120 7,340 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total combined fixed charges and preferred securities distribution requirements $ 7,120 $ 7,340 7,120 $ 7,340 ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred securities distribution requirements 1.03 1.17 1.03 1.17