Beware the Clash of cultures The first mstake acquring companies make is underestimating the problems that unalke company cultures can infict on a merger. Staid Bank of America's acqusition of while-shoe Meml Lynch and its thundering hend of highly paid brokers high ghts just how important ture is in determining the success or failure of a merger Dozens senior Merrill bankers. Ike George H. Young have left since the merger to join competitors Ike Lazard Ltd. Many left because they don't want to give up the fast paee of Wal where money is king. te work in a commercial banking eulture with Southern characteristes.