Q&A - Merrill Lynch

The Risk Awards 2007

Merrill Lynch has aggressively bolstered its derivatives business over the past two years, hiring more than 700 people in debt and equity derivatives sales and structuring. Conceding that it fell behind its competitors in 2001, the bank has declared that derivatives are a core strategy for the firm. Risk talks to Osman Semerci, global head of fixed income, currencies and commodities at Merrill Lynch, about its growth and future goals.

Risk: How important are derivatives to Merrill Lynch's ove