Wells Fargo Agrees To $32.5 Million Settlement In 401(k) Lawsuit

Posted on April 12th, 2022 at 12:20 PM
Wells Fargo Agrees To $32.5 Million Settlement In 401(k) Lawsuit

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $32.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleged the firm violated provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).


Yvonne Becker filed suit against Wells Fargo in 2020 after participating in the firm’s $40 billion 401(k) plan and serving as an employee for 26 years. The suit alleged that Wells Fargo improperly included multiple proprietary collective investment trusts in the 401(k) plan despite the existence of cheaper, better-performing products offered by third parties.


According to court documents, plaintiffs estimate that nearly 400,000 class members likely invested in at least one of the proprietary funds. Additionally, the settlement is expected to recover 40% of the plan participant’s estimated fee damages. According to the proposed settlements, recovery payments will be deposited in the Wells Fargo 401(k) plan accounts of current participants, while former participants will recover their fees by check or as a roll-over into a qualified retirement account.


Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

 
 
 

Tags: eccleston law, wells fargo, erisa

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 7, 2025
FINRA Suspends Former Wells Fargo Broker Over Unapproved Real Estate Venture

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suspended former Wells Fargo broker George J. Cairnes for four months and fined him $25,000 for engaging in unapproved real estate outside business activity, according to a settlement letter issued.

November 6, 2025
Former Ameriprise Broker Ordered to Pay $2.2 Million for Elder Exploitation

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Eric A. Dupre to pay nearly $2.2 million in damages to his former firm and two customers following allegations of theft and elder exploitation.

November 5, 2025
Former Wells Fargo Representative Suspended for Unauthorized Texting and Obstruction

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Wells Fargo representative Eyan M. Townsend for one year and fined him $10,000 for using personal text messages to conduct business and attempting to obstruct an internal investigation by deleting those communications.