CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Bank of America has not confirmed how many people could lose their jobs if the Charlotte-based bank merges with Merrill Lynch.

A Bank of America representative emailed Channel 9 Tuesday night. The e-mail said "We are currently evaluating our staffing levels, given both the pending merger with Merrill Lynch and the weak economic environment which is affecting the level of business activity.

While we believe both factors will result in eliminations of positions, we have not completed our analysis.

We expect to have a final plan early in 2009."

The Bank of America-Merrill Lynch merger is waiting on a shareholder vote, scheduled for Friday.

The $35 billion purchase combines the country's largest U.S. bank by deposits, with the world's largest brokerage.

Analysts believe the deal could result in at least 10,000 layoffs.