Online Journal
Front Page 
 
 Donate
 
 Submissions
 
 Announcements
 
 NewsLinks
 
 Special Reports
 
 News Media
 
 Elections & Voting
 
 Health
 
 Religion
 
 Social Security
 
 Analysis
 
 Commentary
 
 Editors' Blog
 
 Reclaiming America
 
 The Splendid Failure of Occupation
 
 The Lighter Side
 
 Reviews
 
 The Mailbag
 
 Online Journal Stores
 Official Merchandise
 Amazon.com
 
 Links
 
 Join Mailing List
Search

Commentary Last Updated: Jun 11th, 2009 - 00:39:51


Is Wells Fargo too big to jail?
By Laura Flanders
Online Journal Guest Writer


Jun 11, 2009, 00:13

Email this article
 Printer friendly page

Everyone wants the economy to bounce bank, and the president�s not wrong to believe that the way to revive things is to boost confidence.

But if mass confidence is what it�s going to take, the people at the bottom of our economic pyramid need hope -- not only that they�ll have jobs again and homes to keep � but protection against mortgage crooks � and restitution if they�ve been scammed.

The city of Baltimore is currently pursuing a suit against Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo stands accused of disproportionately denying minority consumers favorable loans while targeting them for subprime ones with high interest rates, mandatory arbitration clauses and punitive prepayment penalties.

In court papers, Elizabeth Jacobson, who was one of Wells Fargo�s top loan officers said, �Wells Fargo mortgages had an emerging markets unit that specifically targeted black churches, because it figured church leaders had a lot of influence and could convince congregants to take out subprime loans.�

According to another bank officer, the bank even used software, �to translate marketing materials into various languages, including something called �African American.� Tony Paschal (that second loan officer) contends that the subprimes had sub-names -- �ghetto loans� -- their recipients �mud people.�

This isn�t small stuff. It�s huge. Wells Fargo has faced similar complaints since the 1990s and Baltimore�s just one example. Similar suits have been filed in Texas, Tennessee, and California. And Wells Fargo, which denies the charges, is not alone. Joining them are most if not all of the nation�s top bailout recipients including JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup.

If the president really wants the economy to bounce back, confidence needs to be restored.

Wells Fargo -- which, according to the FCC, gave out nearly $1 million in campaign contributions and spent $3.6 million lobbying federal officials in the same period -- stands accused.

We�ve become all too familiar with banks deemed �too big to fail.� Are some also too big to jail?

The F Word is a regular commentary by Laura Flanders the host of GRITtv which broadcasts weekdays on satellite TV (Dish Network Ch. 9415 Free Speech TV) on cable, public television and online at GRITtv.org and TheNation.com.

Copyright © 1998-2007 Online Journal
Email Online Journal Editor

Top of Page

Commentary
Latest Headlines
9/11 �special master� appointed czar to oversee executive pay
Attractive new covers for the same old book
Clearing up myths about the EFCA
Beyond the soaring rhetoric of Obama�s Cairo speech, a toxic innocence at home
Fear is eroding American rights
The current battle against the State Secrets Privilege
Obama�s doublespeak on Iran
Is Wells Fargo too big to jail?
Can Obama change Netanyahu?
Why the Chinese laughed at Geithner
The ooze of piety: Peace be upon you?
The privatization of �Obama�s War�
After Dr. Tiller�s murder, where to for abortion rights?
Oslo redux: Fool�s gold in Israel/Palestine
A �debate� without civility and a murder
The AIPAC espionage case: We can�t even take the law into our own hands
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- why the U.S. should care less
The US Army blows Israel�s nuclear cover
Wanted: A new direction
On Dr. Tiller�s death: �Common ground� is a deadly illusion; abortion on demand and without apology!