Wells Fargo Hit With $85 Million Penalty in Rare Fed Move Against Finance Company
July 28, 2011
The Federal Reserve fined Wells Fargo $85 million last week over high-pressure compensation policies in the firms finance company that allegedly led to steering of prime borrowers to more lucrative non-prime mortgages. The $85 million fine is the largest ever levied by the Federal Reserve in a consumer enforcement case. Wells has since shut down Wells Fargo Financial, its subprime subsidiary that was the focus of the Feds charges. CEO John Stump said in a statement the alleged actions were committed by a relatively small group of team members. The Fed said Wells Fargo Financials incentive compensation and sales quota programs fostered ... [includes one data chart]