Merrill Lynch has reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit that is part of its ongoing battle with thousands of former brokers seeking deferred compensation, according to a regulatory filing.

Merrill “reached an agreement in principle” to settle the suit with two of its former brokers, who filed the case on behalf of the class in 2009.

At issue are years of deferred compensation.

The settlement, the terms of which have not yet been disclosed, must be approved by a Manhattan federal court judge.