Wells Fargo Under SEC Scrutiny for Cash Sweep Programs

Posted on November 28th, 2023 at 9:47 AM
Wells Fargo Under SEC Scrutiny for Cash Sweep Programs

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is investigating Wells Fargo & Company over cash sweep options provided to investment advisory clients. The investigation focuses on the cash sweep options offered to clients when they open their accounts.

According to AdvisorHub, Wells Fargo Advisors offers three cash sweep options for client funds in advisory accounts. The options include two that place cash in interest-bearing bank accounts and a third that invests in money market funds. Upon opening an account, clients are automatically assigned to a default option based on the account type and advisory program they are using.

Currently, Wells Fargo's bank deposit sweep rates vary based on assets, starting at 0.15 percent for households with less than $1 million and reaching a peak of 1.30 percent for those holding $20 million or more. The Money Market Fund Sweep is typically reserved for government accounts, insurance companies, banks, and credit unions. It invests in the AllSpring Government Money Market Fund, which had a 4.93 percent yield as of October 31.

In a July Form ADV filing, Wells Fargo acknowledged a conflict of interest. The bank receives payments from affiliated banks for client cash, but those payments decrease as it pays clients higher interest rates. According to the Form ADV brochure, the company chooses to include those options as default Cash Sweep options in advisory programs instead of selecting other cash investment options that generate financial benefits and typically result in higher interest rate payments.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for us. When we realized this was a very bad investment - we did not know where to turn for help. Then we received your name. When we called you - you were so kind to us and then agreed to help us. For this we are so very grateful. The world would be a much nicer place if there were more people like the two of you in it. We will always remember all the help and kindness you have shown us. Thank you so very very much for everything.

Wayne and Judy S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

February 12, 2026
CFTC Signals New Rulemaking for Prediction Markets and Crypto Oversight

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) plans to develop new regulations governing the growing prediction markets industry, Chairman Michael Selig announced, signaling a shift in regulatory strategy.

February 11, 2026
Ameriprise Advisor Phishing Incident Potentially Exposes Client Data

A phishing incident involving an Ameriprise Financial advisor potentially exposed the personal information of hundreds of clients, according to a disclosure posted by the Maine Attorney General’s office.

February 10, 2026
Merrill Lynch Expands Client Disclosures on Crypto and AI Risks

Merrill Lynch updated its required client disclosure brochure to address, for the first time, the evolving risks tied to cryptocurrency-linked investments and the firm’s expanding use of Artificial Intelligence tools.