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 June 30, 2009 June 27, 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 $ 8,554 $ 7,340 $ 8,581 ======== ======== ======== ======== 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 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2009 June 27, 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 $ 14,680 $ 17,109 $ 14,680 $ 17,168 ======== ======== ======== ======== Fixed charges $ - $ - $ - $ - Preferred securities distribution requirements 14,240 14,680 14,240 14,680 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total combined fixed charges and preferred securities distribution requirements $ 14,240 $ 14,680 14,240 $ 14,680 ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred securities distribution requirements 1.03 1.17 1.03 1.17