Bank of America Escalates Foreclosures After Settlement

NEW YORK -- It's no secret that Bank of America wants to put its mortgage-related woes behind it. But it appears that a key $8.5 billion settlement with large investors is playing a role in pushing many more people into foreclosures.

The number of homes across the country that received an initial default notice -- the first step in the foreclosure process -- jumped 33 percent in August from July, the foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac reported last week. It was the largest monthly increase since August 2007, right after the housing bubble had burst.