Will Merrill Lynch force out its chief financial officer Jeffrey Edwards? CNBC reported that he might be replaced over the next few months. But the company promptly issued a denial, saying he is not in jeopardy. But you have to wonder if the bloodletting is done. Merrill Lynch just last week axed global fixed-income chief Osman Semerci, apparently the big fall guy for the $5.5 billion writedown the company will take. Edwards' job was rumored to be up in the air because of a July 17 conference call, in which he suggested the firm was well-protected from the credit crunch. The blame game has snared quite a few high-profile executives. If Edwards were to fall, he would rank as the biggest victim yet. Stay tuned.  

For more:
- here's the AP article

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