LONDON - Friday, February 1st 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bank of America Corporation has announced that all pre-conditions necessary to allow principal closing of the sale of its International Wealth Management business based outside the United States have been met. As a result, ownership of Merrill Lynch Bank (Suisse) has today transferred to Julius Baer Group. Further transfers will occur in due course.

Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 53 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,500 retail banking offices and approximately 16,300 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million acti ... Read more »

DUBLIN - Saturday, February 2nd 2013 [BUSINESS WIRE/ ME NewsWire]

Covidien plc (NYSE: COV) today announced the initial filing by Mallinckrodt plc of a Form 10 Registration Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with Covidien’s previously announced plan to spin off its Pharmaceuticals business.

"The filing of the Form 10 Registration Statement is an important milestone in our ongoing separation process," said José E. Almeida, Chairman, President and CEO. "As two distinct businesses, Covidien and Mallinckrodt will be better positioned to capitalize on significant growth opportunities and provide greater focus on their respective businesses and strategic priorities. We remain on track to complete the spin-off by mid-2013."

As previously announced, Covidien intends to spin off its Pharmaceuticals business through a distribution of Mallinckrodt shares which is expected to be tax-free to U.S. shareholders, except for cash re ... Read more »

LONDON - Friday, February 1st 2013 [ME NewsWire]

 (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ernst & Young has announced the appointment of Mark Beischel as the new Global Sector Leader for Consumer Products. Beischel will lead a global team of over 18,000 sector-focused professionals that help clients make informed decisions and execute better and faster in the market place.

A graduate of General Electric’s Financial Management Program, Beischel originally joined Ernst & Young in Indianapolis, USA, in 1986, working with consumer products and manufacturing companies, and became a Partner in 1995. He is also a Certified Management Accountant and certified by the Association of Operations Management in Production and Inventory Management.

Beischel’s most recent role has been as a Global Client Service Partner based in Cincinnati, USA as well as serving as Ernst & Young’s Global Advisory Leader for Consumer Products.

Commenting on his new role, Beischel says: "Our cons ... Read more »