Outlook for Wells Fargo remains strong

Article Excerpt

The U.S. Federal Reserve recently ordered Wells Fargo to halt any activity that would increase its total assets. As of December 31, 2017, those assets equalled $1.95 trillion. The Fed put the restriction in place because of the over 2 million unauthorized accounts the bank’s employees opened in an effort to meet sales targets. That activity came to light in September 2016. Wells Fargo has acted swiftly to address the Fed`s concerns, including firing 5,000 employees involved in the scandal and strengthening its oversight procedures. Its board of directors has also appointed former Fed governor Elizabeth Duke as its new chair. • Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo now has 8,400 branches and 13,000 ATMs in more than 36 countries • Serves one in three U.S. households. • Dividends and share buybacks account for nearly 70% of its earnings Those actions should help convince the Fed to lift its cap. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo has enough financial flexibility to keep raising its dividend and buying back…