Commonwealth of Virginia

Eleven Banks Reach Settlement with Commonwealth of Virginia on RMBS Claims

On Friday, January 22, 2016, eleven banks, including Merrill Lynch, RBS, and Barclays, agreed to settle claims brought by the Commonwealth of Virginia in a 2014 action alleging misrepresentations as to the nature, quality, characteristics, and risk profile of RMBS certificates. The certificates were purchased by the Virginia Retirement System, an agency of the Virginia Commonwealth.  In its complaint, the Commonwealth alleged injury of $383.91 million and demanded treble damages of $1.15 billion, plus a civil penalty of $5,000-$11,000 per violation.  The settlement announced on January 22 is for $63 million.  Press ReleaseComplaint.