Merrill Lynch has merged its U.S.-based strategic solutions group (SSG), a specialized group responsible for structuring and marketing derivatives-based transactions to U.S. corporations, into its derivatives sales division. As part of the integration process Merrill is looking to place Keith Jacobson, a managing director who headed the strategic solutions group, in another role within the firm. Ricus Van Der Lee, a managing director in the group who had reported to Jacobson, has left. Van Der Lee was unable to be contacted while Jacobson did not return calls. Michael DuVally, a Merrill spokesman in New York, would only say that Jacobson continues to be an employee in Merrill's debt division.
SSG has traditionally differentiated itself from Merrill's sales division by offering more tailored products to clients, noted a Merrill insider.
