What Wells Fargo's Move Really Means

Wall Street Whispers: What Wells Fargo's Move Really Means

Excerpt:

It's just going to charge more for deposits, stop making risky loans and stop maintaining the employees and branches that it uses to achieve that end. For investors this is a good thing; for consumers it's a bad thing; and for the company and broader banking industry it's a sign of the times.

As of July 1, Wells Fargo began implementing a $5 monthly fee for basic checking accounts that fall below a $1,500 minimum balance. On Wednesday the San Francisco-based bank also announced plans to "restructure" its consumer-finance business by shutting down the Wells Fargo Financial division that has been operating for roughly a century.

As a result, Wells will stop originating subprime mortgages that were once part of the division -- something it indicated in regards to auto finance months ago -- and merge the rest of the division into the broader franchise. The change will result in 638 branch closures and up to 3,800 layoffs. Investors will see near-term charges of $185 million, or less than 3 cents per share, before taxes, which will be offset by cost savings by mid-2012.

Comment: Avoidance of the checking account fee is EZ (check the Wells website). Getting out of subprime is a sign of the times!