I moved my individual and IRA accounts from Bank of America Investment , self directed , when Merrill Lynch took over at the end of 2010, accounts in the 7 figure range , whereas Merrill refused to execute an order for Vanguard Inflation Protected securities in the sum of $100,000 at my direction... Merrill people seemed not to be able to understand what the term "self directed accounts" means >> I had been very satisfied with B Of A Investments and it all went to hell after Merill took over after many years with B A..---- At Wells Fargo , to which I transferred all accounts, I was able to execute this trade with no problems .. Merrill personnel leave a lot to be desired and I would guess this is a result of the same culture and people who drove it into the ditch during the financial meltdown of recent past?? I would never recommend doing business with Merrill Lynch under any circumstances ... John Thain's remains are still there !!