Wells Fargo Shares Gain on Termination of 2015 OCC Agreements

Core Viewpoint - Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) is making progress in resolving regulatory issues, as evidenced by the termination of a 2015 agreement by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which has positively impacted its stock price and moves the bank closer to lifting its $1.95-trillion asset cap [1][5]. Group 1: Regulatory Progress - The termination of the 2015 agreement is the 13th consent order resolved by Wells Fargo since 2019 and the seventh since the beginning of 2025, indicating a significant step forward in addressing regulatory challenges [2]. - The bank has faced scrutiny from regulators due to scandals, including the creation of millions of unauthorized accounts, leading to a$1.95-trillion asset cap imposed by the Federal Reserve since 2018 [3]. - CEO Charlie Scharf expressed confidence in the bank's regulatory improvements and highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance, including an annual allocation of $2 billion to enhance risk controls and operational processes [4]. Group 2: Impact of Asset Cap - The termination of the OCC's 2015 consent order brings Wells Fargo closer to lifting the asset cap, with the focus now on the remaining 2018 Federal Reserve board consent order [5]. - The asset cap has hindered the bank's growth potential, particularly affecting loan growth, which is crucial for the bank's asset base [6]. - Lifting the asset cap will enable Wells Fargo to offer loans without restrictions, supporting top-line expansion and positioning the bank for long-term growth [6]. Group 3: Stock Performance - Over the past year, WFC shares have gained 27.3%, compared to the industry's growth of 29.4%, reflecting a positive market response to the bank's regulatory progress [7].