Letters: Questionable ethics at Wells Fargo

Re “Wells Fargo sales quotas come at cost,” Dec. 22

From 1996 to 2002, I worked at a Wells Fargo branch in Brentwood. My experience was just as The Times reported for other workers.

I was criticized numerous times for not selling according to the bank’s wishes. Contrary to the bosses’ demands, I chose not to push products on people who did not want or need things like loans or credit cards.

Customers were called in the evenings, as the article describes. Employees misbehaved. The pressure created a workplace that fostered fear-based conduct.

Customers who did their banking in the branch were given the hard sell at each desk and each teller window. Sales goals and tactics were devoid of any kind of business ethics.

I stayed at the job for the health insurance benefits. When I was able to quit, I did.

Kathryn M. Newman

Los Angeles

Your investigation of Wells Fargo’s sales quotas is a prime example of why I’ve kept my subscription to The Times. I notice and appreciate very much the paper’s obvious commitment to investigative journalism.

For years I’ve avoided entering a local branch of a huge bank (not Wells Fargo) through the door that would take me past managers and others who would try to to lure me into their offices to sell me something. It wasn’t until my neighbor told me that, because of sales quotas and pressure, her son had quit his banking job and changed careers that I began to feel sympathy for these employees. Ultimately, I moved all of my accounts to a credit union.

As for Wells Fargo employees, here’s an idea: Organize yourselves (maybe into a union) and fight back. It’s a long process, but certainly it couldn’t be more stressful than what they have now.

Richard Irwin

Los Angeles

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