Sources close to the matter said that Bank of America officials attempted to get the two to meet a few weeks ago The bank wants to settle with the Justice Department over accusations regarding securities it sold leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. The sources said that the two sides were negotiating a deal but were nowhere close to reaching an agreement.

Bank of America and the Justice Department have been debating the structure of the settlement, including how much would be paid in cash or if should the bank help homeowners with mortgage discounts and payments.