SECURITIES

NASD to Appoint Merrill, Goldman Chairmen to Board: The appointments of Merrill Lynch & Co. Chairman Daniel Tully and Goldman, Sachs & Co. Chairman Jon Corzine by the National Assn. of Securities Dealers are among two dozen to be announced as part of the NASD’s plan to improve the oversight and public responsiveness of its boards, officials said. The selections of Tully and Corzine, which drew praise from securities experts, were made by Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt, who is monitoring the NASD nominees. The NASD, which polices all U.S. brokerage firms and runs Nasdaq, will fill about half the 45 positions on its three boards--those governing the parent body and Nasdaq and broker-regulatory units--with academics, business executives, securities specialists and others.