U.S. (Treasury Secretary) Henry Paulson was driving the talks out of concern that Bank of America might

be unable to complete the (buyout), cutting Merrill adrift, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier on

Wednesday.

The size and terms of any aid that could result are still being (finalized), with details expected to be

announced with Bank of America's (fourth-quarter) earnings, due out January 20.

In (after-hours) trading, Bank of America's shares dropped more than 5 percent to the lowest level since

1991. During Wednesday's (trading session), Bank of America's shares dropped 4.2 percent to $10.20,

down 28 percent so far this year.