The mortgage-backed securities saga is far from over. A fresh suit has been filed in federal court in Manhattan by Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) against originator Countrywide Financial Corporation. The Countrywide suit of course means that Allstate is going after Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) and the sum is a pretty amazing one.
The suit covers some $700+ million in mortgage-backed securities which Allstate had invested in and it names Countrywide executives including Angelo Mozilo as defendants.
Allstate is not alone as being the only insurer or financial institution claiming that the securities they invested in were not what was represented. Countrywide is also not the only firm that has been sued for its mortgage origination, but it is now the post-child of mortgage fraud lawsuits over underwriting standards, data verification, disclosures, mortgage terms and more.
Mozilo has already agreed to pay some $67.5 million out in the form of penalties in order to settle civil charges and possible insider trading charges that took place during the housing bubble and the mortgage meltdown which followed.
What is still far from being known is just how much of a put-back could come down the line, and it is still unknown if Bank of America will be able to just write a check to settle these cases in the coming months and years. Some of these cases may linger on and on. Consider all of this in the early stages of the lawsuits of this form, and go ahead and consider it work in progress.
JON C. OGG
The Average American Is Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)
If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4% today. Checking accounts are even worse.
But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying almost 10x the national average! That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe and earn more at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other benefits as well. You can earn up to 3.80% with a Checking & Savings Account today Sign up and get up to $300 with direct deposit. No account fees. FDIC Insured.
Click here to see how much more you could be earning on your savings today. It takes just a few minutes to open an account to make your money work for you.
Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other benefits as well. You can earn up to 4.00% with a Checking & Savings Account from Sofi. Sign up and get up to $300 with direct deposit. No account fees. FDIC Insured.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.