? The federal government has announced a massive settlement with five of our nation?s biggest banks. New York State and California have agreed to a landmark $37 million settlement. The settlement will reduce mortgages for about a million underwater homeowners and for people behind on their payments. Others could receive checks for about $2,000. President Obama praised the plan this afternoon and says it is a big first step in stabilizing the housing market. The banks involved in the deal are Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Ally Financial. All had been accused of unfairly foreclosing on some homes.