DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

First Republic Bank (NYSE:FRC) (FRC) and Merrill Lynch & Co. (NYSE:MER) (MER) said the deadline for First Republic stockholders to make an election to receive cash or shares of Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) common stock in Merrill's acquisition of First Republic will be 5 p.m. Pacific Time Sept. 14.

First Republic, a San Francisco commercial bank, said the companies expect to complete the transaction Sept. 21.

Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) in January agreed to acquire First Republic Bank (NYSE:FRC) for $55 a share in cash and/or stock in a deal worth about $1.8 billion.

First Republic shares closed Thursday up 13 cents to $54.44, while shares of Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) fell 28 cents to $73.72.

-Veronica Dagher; 201-938-5400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com

    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   09-07-07 0839   Copyright (c) 2007 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.