The Justice Department has reached a $335 million settlement with Bank of America on charges that the bank’s Countrywide Financial unit discriminated against black and Hispanic borrowers. During the housing boom, the government claimed, Countrywide charged higher rates to more than 200,000 minorities and offered people of color more expensive subprime mortgages, while white customers were offered loans. “Such conduct undercuts the notion of a level playing field for all consumers,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “It betrays the promise of equal opportunity that is enshrined in our Constitution and our legal framework.” Although they’ll pick up the tab, Bank of America would like everyone to know that the allegations stemmed from a time before the bank owned Countrywide and everything now is just squeaky clean.
