Following negotiations with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding heightened charges to certain account holders, Wells Fargo has resolved to a settlement. In compliance with the agreement, Wells Fargo will remit $35 million in civil sanctions and compensate approximately $40 million, inclusive of interest, to those customers affected.
An inquiry conducted by the SEC revealed that Wells Fargo’s financial advisors erroneously billed over 10,900 investment advisory accounts a sum surpassing $26.8 million in advisory fees. The erroneous billings were a result of the firm’s failure to accurately record reduced fees for specific clients in its billing systems. These affected clients initiated their accounts prior to 2014 and continuously maintained them until the conclusion of 2022.
Gurbir Grewal, the Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division, made a statement regarding the issue, asserting, “For an extended period, Wells Fargo and its precursor entities negotiated reduced advisory fees with numerous clients but neglected to honor them, consequently overcharging these clients millions.”
.@WellsFargo is under a $35M @SECGov fine partly relating to its acquisition of Wachovia during the market turmoil of 2008. #mergersandacquisitions #financialplanning #advisors https://t.co/JEdRfxU6Oi
— Financial Planning (@finplan) August 27, 2023
As per the settlement terms, Wells Fargo will issue a $35 million civil fine to the SEC without acknowledging or refuting the accusations. Additionally, the organization will refund clients impacted by over $26.8 million in excessive fees, alongside accrued interest.
A few financial advisors affiliated with Wells Fargo, and preceding enterprises due to mergers, had committed to lowering standard advisory fees for clients upon the establishment of their accounts. Nevertheless, challenges within internal systems resulted in the faulty execution of these discounted fees in some instances, leading to the overcharge of a substantial number of accounts.
Caroline Szyperski, a Wells Fargo representative, communicated the firm’s contentment in arriving at a resolution for the issue. She highlighted that the procedure causing this dilemma was rectified almost a decade prior, and Wells Fargo Advisors meticulously assessed the impacted accounts, promptly recompensing affected customers in full.
The settlement underscores Wells Fargo’s dedication to openness, responsibility, and service excellence. The bank and its antecedent organizations are committed to averting similar occurrences by enhancing guidelines and processes to ensure the precise implementation of negotiated advisory fees.
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