Until the media started throwing Gregory Curl's name around as a possible successor to Bank of America (BAC) CEO Ken Lewis, he was hardly a brand name on Wall Street. He currently serves as chief risk officer, a position that has been elevated by the credit crisis. But his main claim to fame has been his oversight of some major deals.

Curl oversaw the bank's $35 billion deal for MBNA in 2005 and its $21 billion deal for LaSalle Bank in 2007. According to TheStreet.com, his "crowning achievement" was the $3 billion investment in China Construction Bank in 2005. He is said to keep a low-profile within the bank and is thought to be an introvert.

"Curl is known for his stealth, a trait that's useful for a bank merger specialist." This is interesting. One issue, of course, is the Merrill Lynch and Countrywide deals. It's far from clear how they will pan out. He's a very interesting candidate but I still can't see the board going with an insider. Then again, the pickings are slim outside of Bank of America as well. 

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