Banc of America Securities Places Sixth Overall in the Forbes/StarMine

NEW YORK, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Banc of America Securities (BAS) placed sixth among Wall Street firms in the annual Forbes/StarMine overall ranking of top equity research analysts. The Forbes/StarMine rankings objectively measure equity research analysts in two categories: earnings forecasts and stock- picking. In producing the rankings, StarMine only considered earnings calls and recommendations made during 2004.

In addition to the overall award, seven Banc of America Securities equity research analysts received industry earnings estimates awards, five analysts were given industry stock-picking awards and one analyst received an overall stock-picking award. In the 2003 rankings, BAS equity research analysts were awarded four industry stock-picking awards, two industry earnings estimates awards and one earnings estimates award across all sectors. This is the first year BAS Equity Research ranked in the top ten among all Wall Street firms.

"We are always very pleased when our analysts are recognized for their accuracy in both their earnings forecasts and their buy and sell recommendations," said Susan Silverstein, Global Director of Equity Research at Banc of America Securities. "Our equity research team strives to be the best 'idea house' on Wall Street and excellent, intensive research lays at the foundation of that goal."

One notable award went to commodity chemicals analyst Kevin McCarthy, who was awarded sixth place across all sectors for stock-picking. McCarthy also received second place awards for both stock-picking and earnings estimates in Chemicals.

First-place industry awards went to Dana Cohen for earnings estimates in Multiline Retail, Don MacDougall for stock-picking in Industrial Conglomerates and Bryan Spillane for stock-picking in Beverages. In addition to McCarthy's two industry awards, other second-place industry awards went to Tim Long for earnings estimates in Communications Equipment, Robert Ohmes for earnings estimates in Textile, Apparel & Luxury Goods and George Staphos for stock- picking in Containers & Packaging. Third-place awards went to Amy Noblin for earnings estimates in Specialty Retail, Ohmes for stock-picking in Textile, Apparel & Luxury Goods, Staphos for earnings estimates in Containers & Packaging and David Vas for earnings estimates in Hotels & Leisure.

Banc of America Securities

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial services companies. The company's Global Capital Markets and Investment Banking (GCIB) group provides investment banking, equity and debt capital raising, research, trading, risk management, treasury management, and financial advisory services. Through offices in 35 countries, GCIB serves domestic and international corporations, institutional investors, financial institutions, and government entities. Many of the bank's services to corporate and institutional clients are provided through its U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries, Banc of America Securities LLC and Banc of America Securities Limited. For additional information, visit http://www.bankofamerica.com/ .