Bank of America's income falls, takes $4 billion of litigation costs; Settles with AIG

Bank of America said Wednesday that its second quarter earnings were hit by higher litigation expenses.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based bank earned $2 billion in the second quarter after payments to preferred shareholders, compared with $3.6 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Per share, that worked out to 19 cents, compared with 32 cents a year ago.

The bank's litigation costs of $4 billion crimped earnings by 22 cents a share.

The bank also said that it had reached a settlement Tuesday with American International Group Inc. to resolve all outstanding residential mortgage-backed securities litigation between the two companies.

Revenue fell 4 percent to $21.9 billion from $22.9 billion.

Bank of America's stock was little changed at $15.91 pre-market trading.