Bank of America is removing some of the triggers on stock options granted previously to Merrill Lynch chief executive John Thain, finance chief Nelson Chai and other Merrill executives as the two firms combine this week, according to a securities filing.

The move isn't expected to create a financial windfall for the Merrill officers. The options, according to the filing, "are expected to continue to be substantially out of the money" once they are converted to Bank of America options based on an exchange ratio established by the two companies. BofA's acquisition of Merrill is expected to close by year end.