FHFA Announces $99.5M Settlement with RBS

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), functioning as the conservator for Freddie Mac, announced a settlement with RBS Securities, Inc. RBS will pay $99.5 million, resolving claims against RBS in FHFA v. Ally Financial Inc.

The settlement resolves alleged violations of federal and state securities law in connection with private-label mortgage-backed securities (PLS) purchased by Freddie Mac during 2005 to 2007.

The FHFA noted that a separate lawsuit involving RBS, FHFA v. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, is not affected by this settlement.

The settlement noted, "This agreement does not constitute an admission by RBSSI of any liability or wrongdoing whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any liability or wrongdoing with respect to any of the allegations that were or could have been raised in the Ally Action."

Furthermore, the settlement's language said, "To the contrary, RBSSI vigorously denies the allegations in the Ally action. This Agreement also does not constitute an admission by FHFA or Freddie Mac that they would not have been able to successfully prosecute their claims, and in fact FHFA and Freddie Mac firmly believe in the merit of each of their allegations in the Ally Action."

This is the 15th settlement related to 18 PLS lawsuits filed by FHFA in 2011.