The US was asking other banks for similar amounts since early on but they settle for less...

"In 2014, the DoJ asked Citigroup (C.N) to pay $12 billion to resolve an investigation into the sale of shoddy mortgage-backed securities, sources said. The fine eventually came in at $7 billion."

Goldman Sachs was also fined for the same, they negotiated it down to 5 billion. So it's not related to recent events with Apple.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/15/business/dealbook/goldman-...