FINANCIAL SERVICES

* D.E. Shaw & Co., the investment bank blamed in part for BankAmerica Corp.’s sharp drop in third-quarter profit, said it is seeking a partner or buyer for its financial products group. New York-based D.E. Shaw has retained investment firm Wasserstein Perella & Co. to explore strategic possibilities. The financial products group includes the equity-linked securities and the over-the-counter equity derivatives businesses.