Merrill Lynch estimates that it could take as long as three months to return to its building at 4 World inancial Center, and up to a year to return to the firm’s facility at 2 World Financial Center. Over the weekend, Stan O’Neal, Merrill’s president and COO, toured the firm’s two World Financial Center buildings that were damaged in last week’s attack.

.”You’re damn right the firm is going to come back,” said Merrill chairman and CEO David Komansky in an interview with the New York Times. “This place did not get to be what it is by having a bunch of pussycats here.”

Over the weekend Merrill also used its telemarketing technology to reach all 12,000 affected employees at their homes in New York City and the tri-state area, with a recorded message from Komansky: “I apologize for reaching you with a recording, but this is one way to let you know that we are thinking of you and your family in this difficult time. With the World Financial Center and other downtown facilities closed, we know you may be feeling anxiety and dislocation. We can provide counseling for you or your loved ones if needed. We’re a family at Merrill Lynch, and I’m proud of the way we’re pulling together. Thank you, and hope to see you soon.”

Debt and equity traders have been moved to alternative locations. Financial advisors who had worked in the World Financial Center are set up to serve clients at locations throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Investment-management professionals who had worked in the World Financial Center will operate out of Princeton and other regional locations.

Meanwhile, Merrill has confirmed the financial industry’s first death from the attack on the World Trade Center – Robert McIlvaine, 26, AVP media relations in Merrill’s Corporate and Institutional Client Group. McIlvaine was attending a banking conference on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower when the attack occurred. It is believed that more than 100 people attending the conference have perished.

The Robert G. McIlvaine Memorial Fund has been established at Princeton University. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to the fund.