Wells Fargo (WFC) To Divest 52 Midwest Branches To Flagstar

With a view to cut costs, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) has inked a deal with Flagstar Bancorp (NYSE:FBC) to divest all of its branches in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. While the financial details were not disclosed, the deal is expected to close in the last quarter of 2018.

The 52 branches in consideration, including four branches of Wisconsin, comprise about $2.3 billion in deposits. Also, 490 employees working across the branches will continue to work with Flagstar.

Post this deal, Wells Fargo will cease to have retail banking presence in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. However, the bank will continue providing commercial banking, wealth management and retail brokerage services across the region.

The transaction is in line with the Wall Street biggie’s target to reduce branches by about 800 by the end of 2020 to combat high legal expenses. Also, shift in preferences of consumers to online and mobile banking marks as another key reason behind the closures.

Troubles for Wells Fargo had begun from its retail banking segment in September 2016, when its employees had opened unauthorized accounts on behalf of its clients to fulfil sales targets. Following this, scandals in different areas of business had come to light, which put Wells Fargo under strict supervision of regulators.

In May 2018, Wells Fargo had disclosed an impressive cost-control plan to help it deal with persistent legal expenses. Also, the bank’s efforts to revamp its financial position supported by lower tax rates and rising rate environment might help it overcome the negatives.

Shares of Wells Fargo have lost 8.2% over the past six months compared with the industry’s decline of 1.3%.

Wells Fargo currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Stocks to Consider

Northern Trust Corporation’s (NASDAQ:NTRS) current-year earnings estimates have been revised 4.7% upward over the last 60 days. Over the past year, the company’s share price has been up 17.8%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) has witnessed 5.9% upward estimate revision in current-year earnings over the last 60 days. Additionally, the stock has jumped 16.1%, in 12 months’ time. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies

It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.

And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.

See Them Free>>