Meanwhile, the global wealth management division, which includes an army of brokers, produced net revenue of $US14 billion, up 18 percent from the prior year. The wealth management franchise attracted $US30 billion in new money from clients in the fourth quarter. Total clients assets stood at $US1.8 trillion at year's end. Bank of America analyst Michael Hecht said that despite Merrill's stumbles, the company was still in position to keep its best employees and attract new talent. Merrill shares were down $US4.62, or 8.4 percent, at $US50.47 in afternoon New York Stock Exchange trade. REUTERS