Former Merrill CEO Thain to Speak at Hedge Fund Meeting - CEOs * US * News * Story

Runway Angels
The superbowl of fashion shows, models walk down the runway at the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
The Richest Members of the US Congress
Recently, the Center for Responsive Politics found that there are 237 millionaires in the US Congress.
10 Tips to Get Out of Debt
Renowned financial author Gail Vaz-Oxlade takes a tough-love approach to helping couples in a financial crisis to face reality.

FEATURED QUIZZES

How Much Do You Know About Green?
Green has become part of our everyday lives. Green is everywhere-- energy, clothing, food, housing, transportation. It's a big business and a global business.
The Billionaire BFF's
Philanthropists. Bridge partners. Hockey players. Which responses are based on facts from Buffett's and Gates' real lives?
The Many Myths of Coca-Cola
Can you tell which statements are true, and which ones are just rumors?

SPECIAL REPORTS

Winterizing Your Portfolio
If 2009 was the winter of our discontent, will 2010 be a winter wonderland for investors? A lot depends on the recovery—or lack thereof.
Investor's Guide to Real Estate
Some even say the long-awaited recovery is here. Regardless, buyers and sellers alike can profit from our guide.
Alternative Investing
Stocks and bonds? Sure. But it's a big world out there for investors.

CNBC ON DIGG

Former Merrill CEO Thain to Speak at Hedge Fund Meeting

Published: Wednesday, 4 Nov 2009 | 2:37 PM ET

Text Size

Nearly a year after leaving Bank of America under a cloud of controversy involving massive losses, executive bonuses, and lavish office decorating, former Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain is set to speak at a hedge fund event in Greenwich, Conn.

Thain is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks at Global Alpha Forum, the hedge fund industry's annual meeting.

The summit brings together leaders from business and finance, as well as academia and non-profit groups. Its theme this year is "Green Shoots and Animal Spirits."

Thain has remained underground since leaving Merrill in January. Wall Street observers are curious to hear what Thain will say about his former employer, government bailouts of financial firms (including Bank of America), regulation of the banking industry and his outlook for the economy.

Shortly after his departure, Thain told CNBC's Maria Bartiromo the losses were unavoidable, the bonuses were justified, and that he regretted spending a million dollars to redecorate his office.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is investigating $4 billion in bonuses given to Merrill Lynch executives just days before Bank of America [BAC Loading... () ] shareholders approved the company's acquisition of Merrill. The bonuses were awarded as Merrill was on the way to losing $15 billion on mortgage and credit-related assets in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Congress has held hearings into the merger, questioning whether the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department pressured Lewis into making a deal to rescue Merrill.