It looks like Merrill Lynch (MER) is about to get a big lift for its balance sheet.

According to The New York Post, Michael Bloomberg is prepared to pay $5 billion for the minority stake in his company which is owned by Merrill.

But, the newspaper adds "a deal could fall apart as Merrill aims to monetize its minority stake in the privately held company ahead of its second-quarter earnings call set for July 17."

Douglas A. McIntyre