For every dollar the bank has given the nonprofits — none of which were victims of fraud themselves — it has claimed at least two dollars off the settlement. The deal ensured the Obama administration that a certain part of the settlement funds would go to friendly liberal groups, bypassing the normal congressional appropriations.

Among the groups receiving the money were Hispanic civil rights group the National Council of La Raza ($1.5 million), the National Urban League ($1.1 million) and the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America ($750,000).

The settlement has been a good deal for Bank of America, which is obligated to donate only $100 million to the nonprofit groups: $20 million to housing groups, $30 million to legal aid groups and $50 million to public or private community development funds.

There is no limit on the amount the bank can give, however, and the double credit it gets toward the settlement gives it a strong incentive to keep on donating. It got a second bonus for all consumer relief “offered or completed by Aug. 31, 2015.”