HYATTSVILLE -- All 50 states are getting big payouts for bad foreclosure deals. This settlement with Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Company, Citigroup Inc. and Ally Financial Inc. calls for a payout of around $26 billion to reimburse homeowners. The settlement also calls for an overhaul of the banking industry. Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler says it will allow thousands of Marylanders to remain in their homes. Maryland will receive nearly $1 billion from the settlement over a three year period. "This is the largest joint state-federal settlement in our nation's history," Gansler said. The settlement follows a federal investigation which found the banks engaged in improper lending practices, resulting in a wave of homeowners falling into foreclosure. "The heartless, soulless conduct of the banks led directly to the foreclosure crisis in the United States and that contributed to the economic downturn that affected us all. Today we hold the banks accountable for that conduct," Gansler said. Prince George's County was one of the hardest hit in the country by the crisis. Gansler says nearly a third of all cases in Maryland came from Prince George's County. Gansler says that's why Maryland ranked 6th in the amount of money awarded to the states. "They were preying upon people here in Maryland," Gansler said. The money will be divided into four pools with the majority going towards loan modifications. Gansler declined to provide any specifics ...