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Stanford Law School


Wells Fargo Bank : Mortgage-Backed Securities
Summary: According to the complaint, following the issuance of the Certificates, disclosures began to emerge revealing the defendant routinely disregarded the underwriting guidelines in its mortgage loan origination. These disclosures were confirmed by substantially higher rates of delinquencies and foreclosures on collateral for such highly-rated debt issues. These disclosures, and the poor performance of the collateral, caused the Rating Agencies to review and revise the ratings assigned to the Certificates due to the fact that the true nature of the collateral had not been properly assessed at the time of the Offerings. The rating agencies dramatically downgraded the Certificates dramatically beginning in August 2008, resulting from the revelations regarding the true underwriting practices used to originate the collateral and the true value and quality of the Certificate collateral, which subsequently caused the substantial decline in the value of the Certificates.

Plaintiff purchased certificates issued by one or more of the defendant pursuant to the Registration Statements described herein. However, as of the date the within action was commenced, Plaintiff's investment suffered a decline of over 60 percent. The claims asserted herein under the Securities Act do not sound in or arise from allegations of fraud.

Several class action complaints have also been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of purchasers of Wells Fargo Asset Securities Corporation Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates pursuant and/or traceable to the false and misleading July 29, 2005 Registration Statement and Prospectus Supplements, October 20, 2005 Registration Statement and Prospectus Supplements or the false and misleading September 27, 2006 Registration Statement and Prospectus Supplements (collectively, the "Certificates").

On April 6, 2009, the complaint filed by Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York was voluntarily dismissed pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The case is continuing in similar actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

On July 16, 2009, Judge Susan Illston signed the order denying the pending motion to change venue and granted the motion for consolidation, appointment of lead plaintiff and selection of lead counsel. According to the Order, the cases are consolidated under General Retirement System of the City of Detroit, et al. v. The Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2006-AR18 Trust, et al. , case number 09-CV-01376. Louisiana Sheriffs' Pension and Relief Fund, Alameda County Employees' Retirement Association, New Orleans Employees' Retirement System and the Government of Guam Retirement Fund are appointed lead plaintiffs. Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP is selected as lead counsel for the class. On August 31, 2009, the lead plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Class Action Complaint for Violations of Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. On October 30, 2009, the various defendant groups filed three motions to dismiss the Consolidated Class Action Complaint.

On February 3, 2010, a Memorandum Opinion was entered dismissing defendants The McGraw-Hill Companies and Moody’s Inc.

According to the Order entered on April 22, 2010, the Court hereby grants the Rating Agency Defendants’ motion to dismiss without leave to amend. (Docket No. 157). The Court grants in part and denies in part the Underwriter Defendants’ and the Wells Fargo Defendants’ motions to dismiss (Docket No. 160, 161). Plaintiffs are granted leave to amend their claims against the Underwriter Defendants and Wells Fargo Defendants and must file their amended complaint no later than May 7, 2010.

On June 2, 2010, the lead plaintiffs filed a Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint. On June 25, 2010, the defendants filed two motions to dismiss the Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint. On October 5, 2010, Judge Lucy H. Koh granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed by defendants Wells Fargo Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., and the individual defendants. The underwriter defendants' motion to dismiss was granted. The plaintiffs have filed a Notice of Appeal from that order granting the underwriter defendants' motion to dismiss. On November 18, 2010, the plaintiffs filed a motion of entry judgment, which was granted on December 27, 2010. A Notice of Appeal was filed as to that order.

On February 11, 2011, the plaintiffs filed a motion to certify the class.

According to a press release dated July 7, 2011, Wells Fargo & Co. agreed to pay $125 million to settle accusations by investors that the bank misled them about the risks of mortgage-backed securities it sold. The plaintiffs in the consolidated group case, or class action, include the General Retirement System of Detroit, New Orleans Employees' Retirement System and other public pensions, according to the proposed settlement filed yesterday in federal court in San Jose, California. Wells Fargo, the largest U.S. home lender, and several investment banks that underwrote the securities were sued in 2009 over alleged violations of securities laws in connection with sales of $36 billion in mortgage pass-through certificates in 2005 and 2006. The securities were backed by pools of mortgage loans that Wells Fargo or its affiliates originated or purchased. In 28 offerings, the bank misrepresented the quality of the loans, failing to disclose that it hadn't followed appropriate underwriting standards and loans were made based on inflated appraisals, investors said in a complaint. The bank and the underwriters deny wrongdoing, according to the proposed accord, which is subject to a judge's approval.

On July 26, 2011, the Court issued an order preliminarily approving the settlement pending notice and scheduling hearing.

INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION:
SIC Code: 6189
Sector: Financial
Industry: Regional Banks


COMPANY/ISSUER NAME: Wells Fargo Bank
COMPANY/ISSUER TICKER: WFC
COMPANY WEBSITE: http://www.wellsfargo.com

FIRST IDENTIFIED COMPLAINT IN THE DATABASE
Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
 COURT: S.D. New York  DOCKET NUMBER: 09-CV-00833
 JUDGE NAME: Hon. Leonard B. Sand
 DATE FILED: 01/29/2009  SOURCE: 
 CLASS PERIOD START: 07/29/2005  CLASS PERIOD END: 01/29/2009
 TYPE OF COMPLAINT: Complaint (Unamended and Unconsolidated)
 PLAINTIFF FIRMS NAMED IN COMPLAINT:
  • Schoengold Sporn Laitman & Lometti PC
      19 Fulton Street, Suite 406, New York, NY, 10038
       (voice) 212.964.0046, (fax) 212.267-8137, shareholderrelations@spornlaw.com
    _____________________________________________
     TOTAL NUMBER OF PLAINTIFF FIRMS:  1

  •  DOCUMENTS FOR THE FIRST IDENTIFIED COMPLAINT
    Complaint For Violation Of Sections 11, 12 And 15 Of The Securities Act Of 1933
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 01/29/2009
    Notice Of Voluntary Dismissal
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 03/30/2009
    Notice Of Voluntary Dismissal
    Type: Other Date on the document: 04/06/2009
    U.S. District Court Civil Docket
    Type: Docket Date on the document: 09/04/2009

    REFERENCE COMPLAINT
    In Re: Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Certificates Litigation
     COURT: N.D. California  DOCKET NUMBER: 09-CV-01376
     JUDGE NAME: 
     DATE FILED: 05/28/2010  SOURCE: 
     CLASS PERIOD START: 07/29/2005  CLASS PERIOD END: 01/29/2009
     TYPE OF COMPLAINT: Consolidated Complaint
     PLAINTIFF FIRMS NAMED IN COMPLAINT:
  • Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP (San Diego)
      12481 High Bluff Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, CA, 92130
       (voice) 858.793.0070, (fax) 858.793.0323, blbg@blbglaw.com
    _____________________________________________
     TOTAL NUMBER OF PLAINTIFF FIRMS:  1

  •  DOCUMENTS FOR THE REFERENCE COMPLAINT
    Order Re: Motions To Change Venue, Appointment As Lead Plaintiff, Selection Of Lead Counsel, And Consolidation
    Type: Order of Consolidation Date on the document: 07/16/2009
    Consolidated Class Action Complaint for Violations of Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 08/31/2009
    Order Granting In Part And Denying In Part Defendants' Motions To Dismiss
    Type: Order Date on the document: 04/22/2010
    U.S. District Court Civil Docket
    Type: Docket Date on the document: 04/26/2010
    Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint For Violations Of §§ 11, 12(a)(2) And 15 Of The Securities Act Of 1933
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 05/28/2010
    Declaration Of Matthew P. Jubenville In Support Of Plaintiffs’ Opposition To: (1) The Wells Fargo Defendants’ And Individual Defendants’ Motion To Dismiss The Amended Complaint; And (2) The Underwriter Defendants’ Motion To Dismiss The Amended Complaint
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 07/16/2010
    Declaration Of Service
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 07/16/2010
    Plaintiffs’ Opposition To: (1) The Wells Fargo Defendants’ And Individual Defendants’ Motion To Dismiss The Amended Complaint; And (2) The Underwriter Defendants’ Motion To Dismiss The Amended Complaint
    Type: Other Date on the document: 07/16/2010
    Order Granting In Part And Denying In Part Wells Fargo Defendants' Motion To Dismiss
    Type: Order Date on the document: 10/05/2010
    Tentative Order Granting Underwriter Defendants' Motion To Dismiss
    Type: Order Date on the document: 10/05/2010
    Notice Of Appeal To The United States Court Of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit By The General Retirement System Of The City Of Detroit
    Type: Notice of Appeal Date on the document: 11/17/2010
    Declaration of David R. Stickney In Support of Lead Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 02/11/2011
    Notice of Motion and Motion for Class Certification; Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support Thereof
    Type: Motion Date on the document: 02/11/2011
    Declaration Of Service
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 05/26/2011
    Declaration of Timothy A. DeLange In Support Of Lead Plaintiffs' Opposition To The Wells Fargo Defendants' And Individual Defendants' Motion For Judgment On The Pleadings And Partial Summary Judgment
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 05/26/2011
    Lead Plaintiffs' Opposition To The Wells Fargo Defendants' And Individual Defendants' Motion For Judgment On The Pleadings And Partial Summary Judgment
    Type: Summary Judgment Date on the document: 05/26/2011
    Declaration Of Service
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 06/02/2011
    Reply In Further Support Of Lead Plaintiffs' Motion For Class Certification
    Type: Motion Date on the document: 06/02/2011
    Declaration Of Timothy A. DeLange In Further Support Of Lead Plaintiffs' Motion For Class Certification
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 06/14/2011
    Declaration Of Timothy A. DeLange In Support Of Lead Plaintiffs' Opposition To The Wells Fargo Defendants' And Individual Defendants' Motion For Judgment On The Pleadings And Partial Summary Judgment
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 06/14/2011
    Lead Plaintiffs' Opposition To The Wells Fargo Defendants' And Individual Defendants' Motion For Judgment On The Pleadings And Partial Summary Judgment
    Type: Motion Date on the document: 06/14/2011
    Lead Plaintiffs' Opposition To The Wells Fargo Defendants' And Individual Defendants' Motion For Judgment On The Pleadings And Partial Summary Judgment
    Type: Motion Date on the document: 06/14/2011
    Reply In Further Support Of Lead Plaintiffs' Motion For Class Certification
    Type: Other Date on the document: 06/14/2011
    Declaration Of Service
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 07/06/2011
    Lead Plaintiffs' Notice Of Motion And Unopposed Motion For Preliminary Approval Of Class Action Settlement; Memorandum Of Points And Authorities In Support Thereof
    Type: Motion Date on the document: 07/06/2011
    [Proposed] Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement, Providing For Notice And Scheduling Hearing
    Type: Order Date on the document: 07/06/2011
    Stipulation Of Settlement
    Type: Other Date on the document: 07/06/2011
    U.S. District Court Civil Docket
    Type: Docket Date on the document: 07/08/2011
    Lead Plaintiff's Notice Of Filing Of Revised Proposed Preliminary Approval Order And Exhibits Thereto
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 07/25/2011
    Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement, Providing For Notice And Scheduling Hearing
    Type: Order Date on the document: 07/26/2011
    Declaration Of David R. Stickney In Support Of Motion For Final Approval Of Settlement And Plan Of Allocation, And Motion For Approval Of Attorneys’ Fees And Expenses
    Type: Other Date on the document: 09/22/2011
    Lead Counsel’s Notice Of Motion And Motion For Attorneys’ Fees And Reimbursement Of Litigation Expenses; Memorandum Of Points And Authorities In Support Thereof
    Type: Other Date on the document: 09/22/2011
    Lead Plaintiffs’ Notice Of Motion And Motion For Final Approval Of Class Action Settlement; Memorandum Of Points And Authorities In Support Thereof
    Type: Other Date on the document: 09/22/2011
    Declaration Of Service
    Type: Other Date on the document: 10/20/2011
    Lead Plaintiffs’ Reply In Further Support Of Motion For Final Approval Of Class Action Settlement
    Type: Other Date on the document: 10/20/2011
    [Proposed] Final Judgment And Order Of Dismissal With Prejudice
    Type: Other Date on the document: 10/20/2011
    [Proposed] Order Approving Plan Of Allocation
    Type: Other Date on the document: 10/20/2011
    [Proposed] Order Awarding Attorneys’ Fees And Reimbursement Of Litigation Expenses
    Type: Other Date on the document: 10/20/2011
    Supplemental Declaration Of Jennifer M. Keough Re Notice Dissemination And Publication
    Type: Other Date on the document: 10/20/2011
    Supplemental Declaration Of David R. Stickney Regarding Plaintiffs’ Counsel’s Lodestar
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 11/02/2011
    Declaration of Service
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 11/03/2011
    [Proposed] Order Authorizing Publication Of Reminders To Submit Claim Forms
    Type: Order Date on the document: 11/03/2011
    Supplemental Submission Regarding Plaintiffs’ Counsel’s Lodestar And Publication Of Reminders To Submit Claim Forms
    Type: Other Date on the document: 11/03/2011
    Declaration of Jennifer M. Keough in Support of Motion for Approval of Distribution Plan
    Type: Other Date on the document: 01/08/2013
    Declaration of Service
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 01/08/2013
    Lead Plaintiffs’ Notice of Unopposed Motion and Motion for Approval of Distribution Plan; Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support Thereof
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 01/08/2013
    [Proposed] Order Approving Distribution Plan
    Type: Order Date on the document: 01/08/2013

     OTHER DOCUMENTS
    Class Action Complaint For Violation Of The Federal Securities Laws
    Case Name and/or Number: General Retirement System Of The City Of Detroit, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 03/27/2009
    Class Action Complaint for Violation of the Federal Securities Laws - Demand for Jury Trial
    Case Name and/or Number: General Retirement System of the City of Detroit, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 03/27/2009
    Certificate Of David A. Thorpe Pursuant To Local Rule 3-7(D)
    Case Name and/or Number: New Orleans Employees Retirement System, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Other Date on the document: 04/13/2009
    Certificate Of Timothy A. Delange Pursuant To Local Rule 3-7(D)
    Case Name and/or Number: New Orleans Employees Retirement System, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Other Date on the document: 04/13/2009
    Class Action Complaint For Violation Of §§ 11, 12(A)(2) And 15 Of The Securities Act Of 1933
    Case Name and/or Number: New Orleans Employees Retirement System, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Complaint Date on the document: 04/13/2009
    New Orleans Employees' Retirement System's Certification Of Interested Entities Or Persons Pursuant To Civil Local Rule 3-16
    Case Name and/or Number: New Orleans Employees Retirement System, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Other Date on the document: 04/13/2009
    Certificate Of David R. Stickney Pursuant To Local Rule 3-7(D)
    Case Name and/or Number: New Orleans Employees' Retirement System et al. V. Wells Fargo Asset Securities Corporation et al.
    Type: Other Date on the document: 04/23/2009
    Declaration Of David R. Stickney In Support Of The Motion Of The Public Funds For Appointment As Lead Plaintiffs And Approval Of Their Selection Of Lead Counsel
    Case Name and/or Number: General Retirement System Of The City Of Detroit et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 06/01/2009
    Joint Declaration Of Jerome Davis, Osey McGee, Jr., Joe T. San Agustin, And Robert L. Gaumer In Support Of The Public Funds’ Motion For Appointment As Lead Plaintiffs
    Case Name and/or Number: General Retirement System Of The City Of Detroit, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Declaration Date on the document: 06/01/2009
    Notice Of Motion, Motion, And Memorandum Of Law In Support Of The Motion Of The Public Funds For Appointment As Lead Plaintiffs, Approval Of Their Selection Of Lead Counsel, And Consolidation Of Related Actions.
    Case Name and/or Number: General Retirement System Of The City Of Detroit, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Notice Date on the document: 06/01/2009
    Memorandum Of Law (1) In Further Support Of The Motion Of The Public Funds Group For Appointment As Lead Plaintiffs, Approval Of Its Selection Of Lead Counsel, And Consolidation Of Related Actions; And (2) In Opposition To The Competing Motion For Appointment As Lead Plaintiff
    Case Name and/or Number: General Retirement System Of The City Of Detroit, et al. v. Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities 2006-AR1 Trust,, et al.
    Type: Memorandum Date on the document: 06/26/2009
    U.S. District Court Civil Docket
    Case Name and/or Number: New Orleans Employees' Retirement System , et al. v. Wells Fargo Asset Securities Corporation, et al.
    Type: Docket Date on the document: 07/16/2009

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