UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------------------- FORM 10-Q (Mark One) [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009 [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to COMMISSION FILE NO.: 1-7182-06 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of trust) Delaware 13-7139561 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 4 World Financial Center New York, New York 10080 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000 COMMISSION FILE NO.: 1-7182-05 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of limited partnership) Delaware 13-3982448 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 4 World Financial Center New York, New York 10080 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000 Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants: (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [_] Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (&232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such files). Yes [ ] No [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, non-accelerated filers, or smaller reporting companies. See definition of "accelerated filer", "large accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one) Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer[X] Smaller reporting company [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [x] As of August 14, 2009, no voting stock of the Registrants was held by non-affiliates of the Registrants. The Registrants meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction H 1 (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this form with a reduced disclosure format. ================================================================================ PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ------------------------------ ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) -------------------- MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (dollars in thousands, except per security amounts) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 30, 2009 December 26, 2008 ------------------ ----------------- ASSETS Investment in affiliate partnership preferred securities $ 773,196 $ 773,196 Interest receivable from affiliates - 13,531 ---------- ---------- Total Assets $ 773,196 $ 786,727 ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Distribution payable $ - $ 13,531 ---------- ---------- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' equity: Preferred securities (7% Trust Originated Preferred Securities; 30,000,000 authorized, issued, and outstanding; $25 liquidation amount per security) 750,000 750,000 Common securities (7% Trust Common Securities; 927,840 authorized, issued, and outstanding; $25 liquidation amount per security) 23,196 23,196 ---------- ---------- Total Stockholders' Equity 773,196 773,196 ---------- ---------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 773,196 $ 786,727 ========== ========== See Note to Condensed Financial Statements 2 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------- June 30, 2009 June 27, 2008 ------------------ -------------- EARNINGS Interest on affiliate partnership preferred securities $ 13,531 $ 13,531 ========= ========= FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------- June 30, 2009 June 27, 2008 ------------------ -------------- EARNINGS Interest on affiliate partnership preferred securities $ 27,062 $ 27,062 ========= ========= See Note to Condensed Financial Statements 3 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------- June 30, 2009 June 27, 2008 ------------------ --------------- PREFERRED SECURITIES Balance, beginning and end of period $ 750,000 $ 750,000 ---------- ---------- COMMON SECURITIES Balance, beginning and end of period 23,196 23,196 ---------- ---------- UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS Balance, beginning of period - - Earnings 27,062 27,062 Distributions (27,062) (13,531) Distributions payable - (13,531) ---------- ---------- Balance, end of period - - ---------- ---------- Total Stockholders' Equity $ 773,196 $ 773,196 ========== ========== See Note to Condensed Financial Statements 4 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED -------------------------------- June 30, 2009 June 27, 2008 ------------------ --------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Earnings $ 27,062 $ 27,062 Change in interest receivable from affiliates - (13,531) -------- ---------- Cash provided by operating activities 27,062 13,531 -------- ---------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Distributions (27,062) (13,531) -------- ---------- Cash used for financing activities (27,062) (13,531) -------- ---------- NET CHANGE IN CASH - - CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD - - -------- ---------- CASH, END OF PERIOD $ - $ - ======== ========== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON CASH TRANSACTIONS: Distributions accrued at June 30, 2009 and June 27, 2008 were $0 and $13,531, respectively. See Note to Condensed Financial Statements 5 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) June 30, 2009 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies For a complete discussion of significant accounting policies, refer to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III's (the "Trust") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2008. The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under the Delaware Business Trust Act. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co.") is the sole owner of the Trust common securities. On January 1, 2009, ML&Co. was acquired by Bank of America Corporation ("Bank of America") with ML&Co. continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America. BASIS OF PRESENTATION Effective January 1, 2009, the Trust adopted calendar quarter-end and year-end reporting periods to coincide with those of ML&Co. and Bank of America. Earnings for the intervening period between the Trust's previous fiscal year-end (December 26, 2008) and beginning of the current year (January 1, 2009) were not material. During this period, the Trust received cash of $13.5 million from an affiliate and paid $13.5 million in distributions. These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Trust for the year ended December 26, 2008. The interim condensed financial statements for the three- and six- month periods are unaudited; however, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the condensed financial statements have been included. INVESTMENTS The Trust's investment in Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnership") Preferred Securities represents a limited partnership interest in the Partnership and is recorded at cost. Income on the Partnership Preferred Securities is accrued when earned. 6 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 30, 2009 December 26, 2008 ------------------ ----------------- ASSETS Investments: Affiliate debentures $ 900,547 $ 900,547 U.S. Government and agencies 9,098 9,101 ---------- ---------- Total investments 909,645 909,648 Interest receivable from affiliates - 15,760 ---------- ---------- Total Assets $ 909,645 $ 925,408 ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Distribution Payable $ - $ 15,760 --------- ---------- PARTNERS' CAPITAL Partners' capital: Limited partnership interest 773,196 773,196 General partnership interest 136,449 136,452 ---------- ---------- Total Partners' Capital 909,645 909,648 ---------- ---------- Total Liabilities and Partners' Capital $ 909,645 $ 925,408 ========== ========== See Note to Condensed Financial Statements 7 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------- June 30, 2009 June 27, 2008 -------------- -------------- EARNINGS Interest income: Affiliate debentures $ 15,759 $ 15,760 U.S. Government and agencies 8 59 ---------- ---------- Earnings $ 15,767 $ 15,819 ========== ========== FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------- June 30, 2009 June 27, 2008 -------------- -------------- EARNINGS Interest income: Affiliate debentures $ 31,519 $ 31,519 U.S. Government and agencies 19 131 ---------- ---------- Earnings $ 31,538 $ 31,650 ========== ========== See Note to Condensed Financial Statements 8 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------- June 30, 2009 June 27, 2008 ------------------ ------------------ LIMITED PARTNER'S CAPITAL Balance, beginning of period $ 773,196 $ 773,196 Net income allocated to limited partner 27,062 27,062 Distributions (27,062) (13,531) Distributions payable - (13,531) ---------- ----------- Balance, end of period 773,196 773,196 ---------- ---------- GENERAL PARTNER'S CAPITAL Balance, beginning of period 136,452 136,475 Net income allocated to general partner 4,476 4,588 Distributions (4,479) (2,370) Distributions payable - (2,229) ---------- ---------- Balance, end of period 136,449 136,464 ---------- ---------- TOTAL PARTNERS' CAPITAL $ 909,645 $ 909,660 ========== ========== See Note to Condensed Financial Statements 9 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------- June 30, 2009 June 27, 2008 ------------------ -------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Earnings $ 31,538 $ 31,650 Accretion of interest on securities issued by U.S. Government and agencies (19) (131) Change in Interest receivable from affiliates - (15,760) -------- --------- Cash provided by operating activities 31,519 15,759 -------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of Investment Securities ( 9,096) ( 9,096) Maturities of Investment Securities 9,118 9,238 -------- --------- Cash provided by investing activities 22 142 ======== ========= CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Distributions to limited partner (27,062) (13,531) Distributions to general partner (4,479) (2,370) --------- --------- Cash used for financing activities (31,541) (15,901) --------- --------- NET CHANGE IN CASH - - CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD - - --------- --------- CASH, END OF PERIOD $ - $ - ========= ========= SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON CASH TRANSACTIONS: Distributions accrued at June 30, 2009 and June 27, 2008 were $0 and $15,760, respectively. See Note to Condensed Financial Statements 10 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) June 30, 2009 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies For a complete discussion of significant accounting policies, refer to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P.'s (the "Partnership") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2008. The Partnership is a limited partnership formed under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co.") is the sole general partner of the Partnership. On January 1, 2009, ML&Co. was acquired by Bank of America Corporation ("Bank of America") with ML&Co. continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America. BASIS OF PRESENTATION Effective January 1, 2009, the Partnership adopted calendar quarter-end and year-end reporting periods to coincide with those of ML&Co. and Bank of America. Earnings for the intervening period between the Partnership's previous fiscal year-end (December 26, 2008) and beginning of the current year (January 1, 2009) were not material. During this period, the Partnership received cash of $15.8 million from an affiliate and paid $15.8 million in distributions. These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Partnership for the year ended December 26, 2008. The interim condensed financial statements for the three- and six-month periods are unaudited; however, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the condensed financial statements have been included. INVESTMENTS The Partnership's investment in affiliate debentures is recorded at cost. Its investment in U.S. Government and agency securities is recorded at accreted cost and matures within one year. At June 30, 2009, the estimated fair value of the investment in affiliate debentures is approximately $570 million and the fair value of the investment in U.S. Government and agency securities approximates its carrying value. 11 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS No disclosure is required for this Item pursuant to General Instruction H of Form 10-Q. There are no material changes in the amount of revenue and expense items between the most recent fiscal year-to-date period presented and the corresponding year-to-date period in the preceding fiscal year. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK No disclosure is required for this Item pursuant to General Instruction H of Form 10-Q. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES The persons who function as the equivalent of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Trust and the Partnership have evaluated the effectiveness of the Trust's and the Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, the persons who function as the equivalent of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Trust and the Partnership have concluded that the Trust's and the Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report. In addition, no change in the Trust's and the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the second quarter of 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust's or the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting. 12 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 6. EXHIBITS 12 Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Securities Distributions. 31.1 Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification. 31.2 Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification. 32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 13 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III* By: /s/ MARLENE DEBEL --------------------------------------------- Name: Marlene Debel Title: Regular Trustee MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.* By: MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC., as General Partner By: /s/ THOMAS W. PERRY --------------------------------------------- Name: Thomas W. Perry Title: Chief Accounting Officer and Controller Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. August 14, 2009 - --------------- * There is no principal executive officer(s), principal financial officer, controller, principal accounting officer or board of directors of the Registrants. The Trustees of the Trust (which include the Regular Trustees, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee) together exercise all powers and perform all functions with respect to the Trust. 14 INDEX TO EXHIBITS EXHIBITS 12* Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Securities Distributions. 31.1* Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification. 31.2* Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification. 32.1* Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2* Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. - --------------- *Filed herewith 15