Sources: SEC to Settle With Banks

Is this really going to make any difference? Sources said Thursday that the Securities and Exchange Commission is in talks with several Wall Street banks to settle charges of fraud that triggered the financial crisis. The settlement is expected to come as soon as next week, and it is collectively the biggest attempt by regulators to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. The settlements will all vary from bank to bank—a move sources said is meant to tailor to each bank’s specific role. Firms being investigated include J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch (now part of Bank of America) and UBS AG—all of which declined to comment about the possible deal. None of the expected settlements will surpass the $550 million fine Goldman Sachs paid last year to settle allegations that it misled investors.