Wells Fargo Advisors imposes account fee on more clients

Wells Fargo Advisors imposes account fee on more clients
Households now need $500,000 in assets, up from $250,000, for Wells Fargo to waive the fee
MAR 05, 2020

Wells Fargo Advisors is expanding the number of households that potentially could be charged an account fee of up to $300 annually.

In the future, households with $500,000 and less in retail brokerage assets could be charged the account fee; currently, Wells Fargo Advisors households can avoid the fee if they have $250,000 or more in retail brokerage assets.

The change was discussed in a meeting with Wells Fargo Advisors branch managers at the end of February, company sources said. It was not clear exactly when the change in assessing the fee will take effect.

It was also not clear exactly how many more clients and households would be subject to the annual fee; the firm allows its 13,512 reps and financial advisers limited discretion in whether or not to charge the fee.

There is a maximum account fee of $300 per household, and most households have multiple accounts, company sources said. On certain account types, fees are waived, including advisory and college savings plans.

“Wells Fargo Advisors charges annual account fees up to a $300 maximum per household," spokesperson Kim Yurkovich noted in an email. "The fee amounts per account will remain the same. However, the threshold amount for clients who receive an automatic waiver has shifted from $250,000 in household assets under management, to $500,000. This will impact a small number of clients."

The decision to increase the number of households subject to such a fee comes at a time when Wells Fargo Advisors is trying to shake off the reputational damage it has suffered since 2016, when its parent bank, Wells Fargo & Co., revealed bank employees had secretly created millions of unauthorized accounts in the names of customers without their consent. 

The bank was fined $185 million and then-CEO John Stumpf resigned. Myriad bank-related scandals followed.

"Why would Wells Fargo do something like a fee in this cycle when they’re trying to shed the damage to its reputation and also annoy clients and advisers?" asked Danny Sarch, an industry recruiter.

"In an environment where consumers are fee-sensitive, especially with online trade commissions cut to zero, Wells Fargo Advisors is raising client account fees and even layering them," said one adviser, who asked not to be named. "How does a new fee like this work to attract a younger generation of investors who have not acquired $500,000 outside of company retirement plans?"

Although the firm said that it has seen success recently in recruiting advisers, Wells Fargo Advisors’ head count continued to drop last year, with the firm reporting 13,512 financial advisers at the end of December, a drop of 456 — or 3.3% — over the 12 months of 2019.

While some of those advisers moved to competing firms, others retired and left the industry.

Latest News

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast

Chasing productivity is one thing, but when you're cutting corners, missing details, and making mistakes, it's time to take a step back.

Edward Jones layoffs about to hit employees, home office staff
Edward Jones layoffs about to hit employees, home office staff

It is not clear how many employees will be affected, but none of the private partnership’s 20,000 financial advisors will see their jobs at risk.

CFP Board hails record July exam turnout with 3,214 test-takers
CFP Board hails record July exam turnout with 3,214 test-takers

The historic summer sitting saw a roughly two-thirds pass rate, with most CFP hopefuls falling in the under-40 age group.

Founder of water vending machine company, portfolio manager, charged in $275M Ponzi scheme
Founder of water vending machine company, portfolio manager, charged in $275M Ponzi scheme

"The greed and deception of this Ponzi scheme has resulted in the same way they have throughout history," said Daniel Brubaker, U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspector in charge.

Advisor moves: Raymond James, Wells Fargo reel in billion dollar-plus advisor teams
Advisor moves: Raymond James, Wells Fargo reel in billion dollar-plus advisor teams

Elsewhere, an advisor formerly with a Commonwealth affiliate firm is launching her own independent practice with an Osaic OSJ.

SPONSORED Delivering family office services critical to advisor success

Stan Gregor, Chairman & CEO of Summit Financial Holdings, explores how RIAs can meet growing demand for family office-style services among mass affluent clients through tax-first planning, technology, and collaboration—positioning firms for long-term success

SPONSORED Passing on more than wealth: why purpose should be part of every estate plan

Chris Vizzi, Co-Founder & Partner of South Coast Investment Advisors, LLC, shares how 2025 estate tax changes—$13.99M per person—offer more than tax savings. Learn how to pass on purpose, values, and vision to unite generations and give wealth lasting meaning