But maybe the bank should just forget about the share issuance part. After all, that only drives down the price of shares further. It's simple supply and demand: The more stock Bank of America issues, the less it is worth. Bank of America is trying to slog its way through its difficulties. The bank reached a $315 million settlement with class action plaintiffs who claimed its Merrill Lynch unit made false statements in the marketing of mortgage-backed securities, according to Bloomberg, which cited a filing in Manhattan federal court.