Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is paying $56.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit that alleges it and other banks manipulated interest rate benchmark ISDAfix from 2009 to 2012, Reuters reports, citing papers filed in federal court in Manhattan. Seven of the 15 financial institutions named in the legal case had previously agreed to pay $324 million as part of the settlement. Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo & Co., BNP Paribas SA, HSBC Holdings Plc, Nomura Holdings Inc., UBS AG and ICAP Plc still have yet to reach a settlement.

In Florida, former executives, including former President Anthony Atkins, of failed GulfSouth Pvt. Bank were charged with a seven-count indictment for a number of crimes, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The scheme employed by the defendants was to conceal that the bank had mortgage loans in default and submitting related fraudulent security agreements.

Elsewhere in banking:

Kansas City, Mo.-based Dickinson Financial Corp. is acquiring Overland Park, Kan.-based Community Bancshares of Kansas.

Central Federal Corp. President and CEO Timothy O'Dell declared aggregate beneficial ownership of 882,333 common shares, representing a 5.36% stake in the company, mainly based on its 16,002,910 outstanding common shares as of Sept. 30.

Susan Black, president and CEO of Gilroy, Calif.-based Pinnacle Bank, will take on a newly created role in the company as executive vice chairman, effective Feb. 1, 2017.

Benchmark Bankshares Inc. CEO Michael Walker is set to retire from his leadership position and board role in May 2017. Jay Stafford will succeed him.

On the regulatory front, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took action against Moneytree Inc. for misleading consumers with deceptive online advertisements and collections letters and making unauthorized electronic transfers from consumers' bank accounts. The company has been ordered to cease its illegal conduct, provide $255,000 in refunds to consumers, and pay a civil penalty of $250,000.

And Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., is President-elect Donald Trump's pick for budget director, The New York Times reports.

In other parts of the world

Asia-Pacific: Bank of Singapore mulls opening UK bank; National Australia Bank sues Google

Europe: Deutsche Bank settles U.S. 'dark pool' probe; Generali denies French ops sale

Middle East & Africa: Oman bucks the Fed trend; bitcoin piques Nigeria's interest

The day ahead

Early morning futures indicators pointed to a higher opening for the U.S. market.

In Asia, the Hang Seng slipped 1.03% to 21,832.68, while the Nikkei 225 fell 0.05% to 19,391.60.

In Europe, around midday, the FTSE 100 was up 0.07% to 7,016.55, and the Euronext 100 was down by 0.11% to 924.82.

On the macro front

No notable economic reports are due out today.

The Daily Dose is updated as of 7:30 a.m. ET. Some external links may require a subscription.