James Slabbert

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (MLPFS) is the SEC-registered broker/dealer subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., ultimately held by Charlotte-based Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC). The firm was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in New York City. In 2010, Banc of America Securities LLC merged with MLPFS and the firm uses the trade name Bank of America Merrill Lynch. MLPFS's global strategy and economics team serves institutional and individual investors using a wide range of macroeconomic disciplines. Their analysis of global issues provides clients with investment ideas, market forecasts, macro overviews and specific sector recommendations across asset classes, regions and disciplines. Their equity research team conducts fundamental analysis on companies globally and provides institutional and retail clients with industry-specific and in-depth research and analysis on numerous industries. The firm's global fixed-income and equity-linked research focuses on fixed-income and equity derivatives, fixed-income strategy, convertibles, commodities, high-yield, mortgages, municipals and global foreign exchange.

Part of Bank of America Corp., Merrill Lynch South Africa Pty Ltd. is a South African financial services company that offers financial planning tools, calculators, and resources to help individuals stay on track with their financial goals and plan for the future. Merrill Lynch South Africa is based in Johannesburg, ZA. The private company provides a suite of banking products and services, including checking, savings, and credit cards, and also helps manage investment portfolios with options that align with clients' financial goals. Richard Gush has been the CEO of the company since 2012.