Federal Reserve imposes new penalties on Wells Fargo

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is imposing more penalties on Wells Fargo, freezing the bank’s growth until it can prove it has improved its internal controls. In addition, bank agreed to replace four board members.

It’s the latest blow against the San Francisco bank that has had its reputation tarnished by revelations it opened phony customer accounts and sold auto insurance to customers who did not need it.

The new penalties were announced late Friday on Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s last day at the central bank.

“We cannot tolerate pervasive and persistent misconduct at any bank,” Yellen said in a statement. “The enforcement action we are taking today will ensure that Wells Fargo will not expand until it is able to do so safely and with the protections needed to manage all of its risks and protect its customers.”

The Fed said it is restricting the bank’s assets to the level where they stood at the end of last year until it can demonstrate that it has improved its internal controls.

The announcement came after the close of trading on Wall Street Friday. Wells Fargo’s stock fell more than 6 percent in after-hours trading.

“We take this order seriously and are focused on addressing all of the Federal Reserve’s concerns,” CEO Timothy Sloan said.

Wells Fargo said that it is confident it will satisfy the Fed’s requirements and reiterated that it remains “open for business.”

The bank said it will continue to meet customer’s financial needs, including saving, borrowing and investing.