On May 6, monoline insurer MBIA announced that it had reached a $1.7 billion settlement with Bank of America in connection with alleged fraud and breach of contract claims related to Countrywide-issued mortgage-backed securities insured by MBIA.  Under the terms of the settlement, Bank of America will make a $1.6 billion cash payment, will transfer back $134 million of MBIA’s securities, and will extend MBIA a $500 million credit line.  The settlement ends litigation pending in the Supreme Court for the State of New York since 2008.  The agreement also affected other MBIA-issued policies insuring Bank of America’s credit default swaps, and grants Bank of America warrants to purchase approximately 10 million shares of MBIA common stock.  The settlement is subject to approval by the New York State Department of Financial Services.  Press Release.