Merrill Lynch:
The Cost Could Be Fatal

My War Against Wall Street's Giant

In the true spirit of David and Goliath, rookie financial consultant Keith Schooley takes a stand to expose a corrupt corporate culture at one of the nation's most respected firms.


Battles Over Wall Street Ethics

Keith Schooley

In an explosive account, Keith Schooley takes on his former employer in a stand to expose internal wrongdoing and cover-ups. In Merrill Lynch: The Cost Could Be Fatal - My War Against Wall Street's Giant, Schooley's initial excitement for a new career in finance with Merrill Lynch is clear.

His enthusiasm is soon overshadowed by blatant wrongdoing in this powerhouse financial firm. In a daring move, Schooley decides he cannot look the other way and writes a lengthy memo to company management. Confident things will be put right, Schooley is shocked at Merrill Lynch's ensuing attempts to keep him quiet. His eventual dismissal and threat of a lawsuit by his boss are followed by further steps to keep him down.

Discover the fascinating details behind:

  •   What events led to the courtroom and binding arbitration
  •   Why Schooley's appeals to regulatory agencies were futile
  •   How Schooley made the ultimate sacrifice, both financially and personally
  •   The shocking reason behind Schooley's move from the courtroom to the court of public opinion

Merrill Lynch: The Cost Could Be Fatal is a must for all investors; anyone employed in the area of securities, insurance, financial services, employment law, or human resources; as well as anyone with an association with Merrill Lynch. This exposé of corruption and conspiracy on Wall Street strikes at America's very foundation.




Book Reviews

This book is a profile in courage… Schooley illustrates the ways the "powerful and mighty" play the game inside and outside of a court of law, including employing unethical and perhaps illegal tactics… [He] documents a pattern of problems at the firm ranging from brokers to senior management, and suggests that the problems could even be traced to the board of directors… This is a book that should be read by not only Merrill Lynch clients, but all investors.

Michael L. Rustad, Editor
Bimonthly Review of Law Books


This is the story of David versus Goliath. The war involved a rookie employee and his opponent was one of the very largest, wealthiest, most successful and prominent brokerage houses in the US.... He is the real warrior. But the story is greater than Keith's. The real issue here is whether the American stock-buying public is prepared to continue to…turn a blind eye to the regulatory gaps as well as regulators' shield for securities firms; and whether they can with assurance put their money in the financial institutions. As the global economic growth has taken a hit as a result of the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis, the publication of this book has great and far-reaching significance. Who are responsible for financial bubbles? Can regulators effectively protect the interests of investors? You can find the answers in this book.

Shanghai University of Finance & Economics Press


I rate this book so highly because I think it raises a number of questions which must be addressed by senior-level corporate executives… I think this [book] is a brilliant achievement.

Robert Morris
Amazon Top 10 Reviewer


Keith Schooley's…highly-controversial book…has earned its author a great deal of interest. His book takes an investigative look at one of America's largest financial institutions.

Barnes & Noble


Call this author a man with daring…. Schooley's story of his ordeal against Merrill Lynch is impressive in detail. The book fits right in with the current climate in America of rampant corporate scandals.

Brian Gilmore
ForeWord Reviews


Keith, a former financial consultant with Merrill Lynch and the hero of the book, had a decade-long courtroom battles with this powerhouse financial firm. Although the relentless battles didn't finally reward Keith with justice, they expose internal wrongdoing and cover-ups in Merrill Lynch, which strikes at potential problems with the financial industry in the US.

Zhang Hui, Investment Director
China Universal Asset Management Co., Ltd.


When Keith Schooley went to work for Merrill Lynch, he had high hopes for a successful career in finance. What he found instead shocked him. In this time of disturbing revelations about many well-known companies, Keith brings us a thrilling and disturbing real-life tale of one of the largest and best known Wall Street entities and the man who saw cheating and deception within its walls and dared to stand up against it.

Borders Books


[This book is] a most worthwhile memoir setting down in exhaustive…detail just how corporate entities maneuver around, over and through problems with corporate ethics while continuing to profess the highest regard for their commitment to them.

Loren Singer
Ethikos and Corporate Conduct Quarterly


This book names names, takes no prisoners, and is explosive.

Stephen Jones, Attorney
Enid, Oklahoma




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