Local Merrill Lynch Advisors recognized as Top Advisors in ND

Merrill Lynch today announced that Financial Advisors Richard Mercil and Chad DeTienne have been recognized among the top advisors in North

Dakota by Barron's magazine on the "America's Top 1,000 Advisors: State-by-State" list that was published in the February 21, 2011, edition. In total, 301 Merrill Lynch advisors are included on this list, the most of any firm.

Barron's does not receive any kind of compensation from financial advisors,

participating firms and its affiliates, or the media in

exchange for recognition. Financial advisors

considered for Barron's "America's Top 1,000

Advisors: State-by-State" ranking have a minimum of seven years' financial

services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. Measures used to determine the rankings

include: client balances,

return on assets, client

satisfaction/retention,

compliance records and community contribution.

"Rick's and Chad's

recognition on Barron's 'America's Top 1,000 A

dvisors: State-by-State' list is highly merited and

demonstrates their deep knowledge of the industry, as well as their ability to work closely with clients to help them reach their

financial goals," said Mark

Eckerline, director.

Mercil and DeTienne

reside in Grand Forks, N.D. and have been a part of Merrill Lynch's Grand Forks office for 13 years.