Gov Uscourts Cand 287476 162 0
Gov Uscourts Cand 287476 162 0
1 Derek Loeser, admitted pro hac vice David H. Fry (Bar No. 189276)
Gretchen Freeman Cappio, admitted pro hac vice MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON LLP
2 KELLER ROHRBACK L.L.P. 560 Mission Street, 27th Floor
3 1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3200 San Francisco, California 94105-2907
Seattle, WA 98101-3052 (415) 512-4000; Fax: (415) 512-4077
4 (206) 623-1900; Fax: (206) 623-3384 [email protected]
[email protected]
5 [email protected]
6 Jeffrey Lewis (Bar No. 66587) Erin J. Cox (Bar No. 267954)
7 KELLER ROHRBACK L.L.P. MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON LLP
300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1000 350 South Grand Avenue, 50th Floor
8 Oakland, CA 94612 Los Angeles, California 90071-1560
(510) 463-3900; Fax: (510) 463-3901 (213) 683-9100; Fax: (213) 687-3702
9 [email protected] [email protected]
10
Attorneys for Plaintiffs Attorneys for Defendants Wells Fargo & Co. and
11 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
12
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
13 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION
14
SHAHRIAR JABBARI and KAYLEE Case No. 3:15-cv-02159-VC
15
HEFFELFINGER, on behalf of themselves
16 and all others similarly situated,
AMENDED STIPULATION AND
17 Plaintiffs, AGREEMENT OF CLASS ACTION
SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE
18 v.
19 WELLS FARGO & COMPANY AND
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
20
21 Defendants.
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23
24
25
26
27
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1 Subject to the approval of the Court, this Amended Stipulation and Agreement of Class Action
2 Settlement and Release (the Stipulation or the Settlement) is entered in the above-captioned putative
3
class action (the Action) between and among the Plaintiffs Shahriar Jabbari and Kaylee Heffelfinger
4
and additional proposed settlement class representatives Jose Rodriguez and Antonette Brooks
5
(collectively, Named Plaintiffs), on behalf of themselves and the Settlement Class (as hereinafter
6
7 defined), and Defendants Wells Fargo & Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (collectively, Wells
8 Fargo or Defendants). The Settlement is intended to fully, finally and forever resolve, discharge and
9 settle the Released Claims (defined below) on the terms set forth herein.
10
1. RECITALS
11
1.1. All terms with initial capitalization shall have the meanings ascribed to them in paragraph
12
2 below.
13
1.2. On May 15, 2015, Plaintiff Jabbari filed a putative class action complaint captioned
14
15 Jabbari v. Wells Fargo & Co., et al., Case No. 3:15-cv-02159-VC (N.D. Cal.), asserting various
16 statutory claims, including claims for violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681
23 Jabbaris claims, a motion to dismiss the majority of Plaintiff Jabbaris claims and to stay the case, and a
24 motion to transfer Plaintiff Jabbaris claims to the United States District Court for the Northern District
1 their claims against Wells Fargo and, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, filed a
2 Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint (Consolidated Complaint) captioned Jabbari, et al. v.
3
Wells Fargo & Co. et al., 3:15-cv-02159-VC (N.D. Cal.).
4
1.6. On August 11, 2015, Plaintiffs filed their response in opposition to Wells Fargos Motion
5
for Transfer. Also on August 11, 2015, the Court held a case management conference, and verbally
6
8 1.7. On August 13, 2015, Wells Fargo filed a motion to compel the arbitration of Plaintiff
15 1.10. On September 2, 2015, Wells Fargo filed a reply to Named Plaintiffs opposition to Wells
23 1.13. On September 23, 2015, the Court granted Wells Fargos motions to compel arbitration
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1 1.15. While the appeal was pending, the Parties commenced settlement discussions. Under the
2 direction of Ninth Circuit mediator Ann Julius, the Parties exchanged extensive mediation briefing, and
3
met directly with Ms. Julius. Thereafter, the Parties retained the Honorable Layn Phillips (Ret.) to
4
engage in further mediation. On September 6, 2016, the Parties reached an agreement in principle.
5
1.16. On September 8, 2016, Wells Fargo announced that it had reached settlements with the
6
7 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
9 1.17. Pursuant to the September 8, 2016 Consent Order issued by the CFPB (CFPB Consent
10
Order), Wells Fargo was required to set aside $5 million for refunding fees paid by customers who had
11
accounts opened or were enrolled in services without authorization. Pursuant to the September 13, 2016
12
Stipulated Judgment in People of the State of California v. Wells Fargo & Co., Case No. BC580778
13
(Los Angeles County Superior Court) (Stipulated Judgment), Wells Fargo was required to reimburse
14
15 certain fees to customers identified by a third-party consultant (Consultant) retained by Wells Fargo as
16 having potentially unauthorized accounts opened between May 2011 and July 2015 (or September 2015,
17 in the case of credit cards). The September 6, 2016 Consent Order issued by the OCC (OCC Consent
18
Order), also required Wells Fargo to create a plan for submission to the OCC to identify potentially
19
harmed customers and calculate an amount of reimbursement to be paid to each customer. Under the
20
terms of the CFPB Consent Order, the OCC Consent Order, and the Stipulated Judgment, Wells Fargo
21
22 was required to pay $100 million to the CFPBs Civil Penalty Fund, pay a $35 million civil penalty to
23 the OCC, and a $50 million civil penalty to the City and County of Los Angeles.
24 1.18. Pursuant to the CFPB Consent order, the scope of the analysis conducted by the
25 Consultant to identify customers having potentially unauthorized accounts was expanded to cover
26
accounts opened between January 1, 2011 and September 8, 2016. Wells Fargo committed to expand
27
the scope of the Consultants analysis further, to cover accounts opened between January 1, 2009 and
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1 September 30, 2016 (Consultant Analysis). Persons who were or will be identified through the
2 Consultant Analysis are referred to herein as Consultant-Identified Persons. Wells Fargo issued
3
payments to reimburse Consultant-Identified Persons for certain fees associated with the potentially
4
unauthorized accounts, including payment of monthly or annual fees, payment of overdraft fees due to
5
the potentially unauthorized movement of funds, foregone interest payments on checking and savings
6
7 accounts, and interest charges on credit card accounts. As of April 14, 2017, Wells Fargo had issued
15 Honorable Layn Phillips (Ret.) for several months before reaching agreement on the terms and
16 conditions set forth in this Stipulation. Negotiations were extensive and conducted at arms length. The
17 Parties met directly with Judge Phillips, and engaged in numerous telephone conferences with Judge
18
Phillips and his colleague, Michelle Yoshida, and directly with each other. Despite their efforts to come
19
to terms, the Parties were not able to agree on the amount of the settlement. Judge Phillips ultimately
20
provided a mediator recommendation of $110 million that was accepted by the parties on March 25,
21
22 2017.
23 1.21. Following confirmatory discovery and the release of the Independent Directors of the
24 Board of Wells Fargo & Company, Sales Practices Investigation Report (Apr. 10, 2017), the parties
25 resumed negotiations, to expand the Class Period back to 2002. With the assistance of the mediator and
26
after additional negotiations, the Parties agreed to extend the Class Period back to May 1, 2002, and to
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increase the Settlement Amount Fund by $32 million, to $142 million.
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1 1.22. The Settlement provides relief to Settlement Class Members as provided for by Paragraph
2 9, below.
3
1.23. After investigating the facts and carefully considering applicable law, the Named
4
Plaintiffs and Class Counsel have concluded that it would be in the best interests of the Settlement Class
5
to enter into this Stipulation in order to avoid the uncertainties of litigation, and to ensure meaningful
6
7 benefits to the Settlement Class, and that the terms and conditions of this Stipulation and the settlement
8 contemplated hereby are fair, reasonable, and adequate and in the best interests of all members of the
9 Settlement Class.
10
2. DEFINITIONS
11
2.1. Action means the instant action, Jabbari, et al. v. Wells Fargo & Co., et al., Case No.
12
3:15-cv-02159-VC (N.D. Cal.).
13
2.2. Authorized Claimant means a Settlement Class Member who is approved for payment
14
15 from the Net Settlement Fund, either through submission of a timely and valid Claim to the Settlement
16 Administrator (in accordance with Paragraph 9.5 below), or by virtue of being an Automatically-
17 Enrolled Claimant.
18 2.3. Authorized Credit Analysis Account means an authorized credit card account for which
19
Wells Fargo made a Delinquency or Derogatory Report that was caused by fees or overdraft protection
20
amounts charged to that account as a result of the account being linked for overdraft protection to an
21
Unauthorized Account that is a consumer or small business checking or savings account that is either (a)
22
23 identified by the Consultant Analysis; (b) an unused account opened from January 1, 2009 to April 20,
24 2017, inclusive, for which Fee Damages are paid under Paragraph 9.7.2 below; or (c) is an unused
25 account opened from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, for which the Authorized Claimant
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1 provides to the Settlement Administrator information sufficient to identify the Unauthorized Account
2 and verify that the account was not used.1
3
2.4. Automatically-Enrolled Claimant means a member of the Settlement Class who has
4
been either (a) identified through the Customer Complaint Review Process within sixty (60) days of the
5
date of entry of the Preliminary Approval Order, or (b) subsequently identified through the Customer
6
7 Complaint Review Process at least forty-five (45) days before the deadline for Claim Forms to be
8 submitted as set by the Court in the Preliminary Approval Order, or a later deadline if extended by order
9 of the Court. The Settlement Administrator shall mail the Mailed Notice to Automatically-Enrolled
10
Claimants (substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 1.1 to Exhibit B hereto) beginning within sixty
11
(60) days of the date of entry of the Preliminary Approval Order, and no later than at least thirty (30)
12
days before the deadline for Claim Forms to be submitted as set by the Court in the Preliminary
13
Approval Order, or a later deadline if extended by order of the Court. Automatically-Enrolled Claimants
14
15 are automatically entitled to a Non-Compensatory Damages Payment from the Net Settlement Fund
16 without submission of a Claim, and will become Settlement Class Members unless they timely and
17 properly opt-out of the Settlement Class pursuant to the procedures set out in Paragraph 12 of this
18
Stipulation. If an Automatically-Enrolled Claimant seeks a Compensatory Damages Payment from the
19
Net Settlement Fund, or seeks a Non-Compensatory Damages Payment on the basis of more than one
20
(1) Unauthorized Account, Unauthorized Application, or Identity Theft Protection Services, the
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23 2.5. Claim means a completed and signed Claim Form submitted to the Settlement
1 2.6. Claim Form means the Proof of Claim Form and Release that a Settlement Class
2 Member (other than an Automatically-Enrolled Claimant) must complete and submit (in accordance
3
with the requirements established by the Court) if that Settlement Class Member seeks to be eligible for
4
payment from the Net Settlement Fund. Automatically-Enrolled Claimants and Consultant-Identified
5
Persons will be mailed short-form notice and claim forms (Mailed Notices, defined below)
6
7 substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2 to Exhibit B. A generic claim form,
8 substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 4 to Exhibit B, will be mailed to any Person who
9 requests it and made available on the Settlement Website in an interactive format that can be filled out
10
electronically.
11
2.7. Class Counsel means Derek W. Loeser, Gretchen Freeman Cappio, Jeffrey Lewis,
12
Daniel Mensher, and Matthew J. Preusch of Keller Rohrback L.L.P.
13
2.8. Class Distribution Order means an order entered by the Court authorizing and
14
15 directing that the Net Settlement Fund be distributed, in whole or in part, to Authorized Claimants.
16 2.9. Class Period is the period from May 1, 2002 through April 20, 2017, inclusive.
17 2.10. Compensatory Damages Payment means the payment made to an Authorized Claimant
18
from the Net Settlement Fund to compensate for out-of-pocket losses, as determined by the Settlement
19
Administrator, in accordance with Paragraph 9.
20
2.11. Complaint means the Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint filed by Named
21
23 2.12. Consultant Analysis means the analysis conducted by the third-party consultant and
24 referenced at Paragraph 16 of the September 13, 2016 Stipulated Judgment in People of the State of
25 California v. Wells Fargo & Co., Case No. BC580778 (Los Angeles County Superior Court), but
26
expanded in scope to encompass accounts opened between January 1, 2009 and September 30, 2016.
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8 2.14. Court means the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, the
15 a Credit Analysis Account. Wells Fargo shall pay the cost of engaging the Consumer Reporting
16 Agencies to conduct their respective tasks in connection with the analysis of Credit Impact Damages as
17 described in Exhibit A and up to $1 million in fees and costs incurred by Class Counsels independent
18
experts on Credit Impact Damages (Credit Impact Damages Experts), in addition to its payment of the
19
Settlement Fund. Any additional amount of the cost of calculating and administering Credit Impact
20
Damages (other than the cost of engaging the Consumer Reporting Agencies and up to $1 million in fees
21
22 incurred by the Credit Impact Damages Experts) shall be paid out of the Settlement Fund.
1 2.20. Defendants or Wells Fargo means and includes Wells Fargo & Company and Wells
2 Fargo Bank, N.A.
3
2.21. Defendants Counsel means David H. Fry and Erin J. Cox of Munger, Tolles & Olson
4
LLP.
5
2.22. Delinquency or Derogatory Report means a report made by Wells Fargo to a Consumer
6
7 Reporting Agency of a delinquency, collection, or charge off concerning a Credit Analysis Account.
8 With respect to an Authorized Credit Analysis Account, Delinquency or Derogatory Report is limited
9 to those reports that were caused by fees or overdraft protection amounts charged to that account as a
10
result of the account being linked for overdraft protection to an Unauthorized Account that is a
11
consumer or small business checking or savings account and is either (a) identified by the Consultant
12
Analysis; (b) is an unused account opened from January 1, 2009 to April 20, 2017, inclusive, for which
13
Fee Damages will be paid under Paragraph 9.7.2 below; or (c) is an unused account opened from May
14
15 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, for which the Authorized Claimant provides to the Settlement
16 Administrator information sufficient to identify the Unauthorized Account and verify that the account
17 was not used.
18
2.23. Effective Date means the date on which all of the following shall have occurred: (i) the
19
Court has entered the Preliminary Approval Order; (ii) the Court has approved the Settlement, following
20
dissemination of Notice and a hearing, as prescribed by Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure;
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22 (iii) the Court has entered the Judgment, substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit C, or the
23 Court enters an order and final judgment in a form other than that provided above (Alternative
24 Judgment) and neither Named Plaintiffs nor Defendants elects to terminate this Settlement; and (v) the
25 Judgment or Alternative Judgment has become Final.
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2.24. Escrow Account means an interest-bearing escrow account maintained at the Escrow
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Agent, which account shall be under the exclusive control of Class Counsel.
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1 2.25. Escrow Agent means a financial services company designated by Class Counsel.
2 2.26. Escrow Agreement means the agreement between Class Counsel and the Escrow
3
Agent, approved by Defendants, setting forth the terms under which the Escrow Agent shall maintain
4
the Escrow Account.
5
2.27. Fee and Expense Award means such funds as may be awarded by the Court to Class
6
7 Counsel to compensate Class Counsel for their attorneys fees and expenses in connection with the
15 is not subject to further review on appeal or otherwise. Without limitation, an order becomes Final
16 when: (i) no appeal has been filed and the prescribed time for commencing any appeal has expired; or
17 (ii) an appeal has been filed and either (a) the appeal has been dismissed and the prescribed time, if any,
18
for commencing any further appeal has expired, or (b) the order has been affirmed in all material
19
respects and the prescribed time, if any, for commencing any further appeal has expired. For purposes
20
of this paragraph, an appeal includes appeals as of right, discretionary appeals, interlocutory appeals,
21
22 proceedings involving writs of certiorari or mandamus, and any other proceedings of like kind. Any
23 appeal or other proceeding pertaining solely to an order solely adopting or approving a Plan of
24 Allocation or solely to any order issued with respect to an application for attorneys fees and expenses
25 shall not in any way delay or preclude the Judgment from becoming Final.
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2.30. Final Approval Hearing means the hearing set by the Court under Rule 23(e) of the
27
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to consider final approval of the Settlement.
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1 2.31. Identity Theft Protection Services means Wells Fargo products or services designed to
2 monitor and alert enrolled customers when specific information is reported to any Consumer Reporting
3
Agencies, if such products or services were opened with the consumers consent.
4
2.32. Judgment means an order of judgment and dismissal approving the Settlement to be
5
rendered by the Court substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
6
7 2.33. Long-Form Notice means the Court-approved notice to be referenced in other forms of
8 notice and posted on the Settlement Website and mailed to any Person who requests it, substantially in
15 Kaylee Heffelfinger, and additional proposed settlement class representatives Jose Rodriguez and
16 Antonette Brooks.
17 2.36. Named Plaintiff Service Award means the award, subject to Court approval, to be paid
18
to each Named Plaintiff as compensation for their services in the Action.
19
2.37. Net Settlement Fund means the Settlement Fund less: (i) any attorneys fees and costs
20
awarded by the Court; (ii) the Named Plaintiff Service Awards; (iii) any Notice and Administration
21
22 Costs (other than as set forth above regarding Credit Impact Damages); and (iv) other costs, expenses, or
24 2.38. Net Settlement Pool 1 is that portion of the Net Settlement Fund out of which damages
25 related to Unauthorized Accounts, Unauthorized Applications, and Identity Theft Protection Services
26
opened or submitted from January 1, 2009 to April 20, 2017, inclusive, shall be paid. Net Settlement
27
Pool 1 is equal to the Net Settlement Fund multiplied by the fraction 110/142 (that is, 77.46%).
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1 2.39. Net Settlement Pool 2 is that portion of the Net Settlement Fund out of which damages
2 related to Unauthorized Accounts, Unauthorized Applications, and Identity Theft Protection Services
3
opened or submitted from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, shall be paid. Net Settlement
4
Pool 2 is equal to the Net Settlement Fund multiplied by the fraction 32/142 (that is, 22.54%).
5
2.40. Non-Compensatory Damages Payment means the payment made in accordance with
6
7 Paragraph 9.8 to an Authorized Claimant from the Net Settlement Fund, following allocation of
9 2.41. Notice means, collectively, the Mailed Notices, Long-Form Notice, Summary Notice,
10
and Statement Notice provided to the Settlement Class as provided herein and directed by the Court.
11
2.42. Notice and Administration Costs means (i) the costs, fees and expenses that are
12
incurred in connection with providing Notice to the Settlement Class; (ii) any costs, fees and expenses
13
that are incurred by the Escrow Agent; and (iii) the costs, fees and expenses that are incurred in
14
15 connection with administering the Claims process (with the exception of the cost of engaging the
16 Consumer Reporting Agencies to conduct the analysis necessary to calculate Credit Impact Damages
17 and up to $1 million in fees incurred by Class Counsels independent expert on Credit Impact Damages,
18
which Wells Fargo shall pay in addition to its payment of the Settlement Fund).
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2.43. Notice Plan means the proposed plan of disseminating the Mailed Notices, Summary
20
Notice, and Statement Notice as provided in Paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and making the Long-Form
21
23 2.44. Parties means the Named Plaintiffs, the Settlement Class, and Defendants, collectively.
24 2.45. Person shall include, without limitation, any individual, corporation, partnership,
25 limited partnership, limited liability company, association, joint stock company, estate, legal
26
representative, trust, unincorporated association, government or any political subdivision or agency
27
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1 thereof, and any other business or legal entity and their spouses, heirs, predecessors, successors,
2 representatives, and assigns.
3
2.46. Personal Identification shall mean Social Security Number, Drivers License or State-
4
Issued ID number, Passport number, Foreign Issued ID number, Armed Forces ID number, Resident
5
Alien Card number, Matricula Consular Card number, or Permanent Resident Card number.
6
7 2.47. Plan of Allocation means the proposed plan of allocation of the Net Settlement Fund
8 set forth in Paragraph 9, or such other plan of allocation as the Court shall approve.
9 2.48. Preliminary Approval Order means the order (substantially in the form attached hereto
10
as Exhibit B) to be entered by the Court.
11
2.49. Publication Notice or Summary Notice means the notice, substantially in the form
12
attached hereto as Exhibit 3 to Exhibit B, to be published as set forth in the Preliminary Approval Order
13
attached as Exhibit B.
14
15 2.50. Released Claims means, with respect to Settlement Class Members, to the fullest extent
16 permitted by law or equity, any and all claims and causes of action of every nature and description,
17 known and Unknown, whether arising under federal, state, common or foreign law, or any other law,
18
rule, or regulation, that were asserted, or that arise out of the identical factual predicate as the claims that
19
were asserted, in the Action, commensurate with the res judicata effect at the conclusion of the
20
litigation. For the avoidance of doubt, the Released Claims encompass claims and causes of action of
21
22 every nature and description arising from enrollment in Identity Theft Protection Services by members
23 of the Settlement Class. Released Claims do not include claims insofar as they pertain to an account,
24 product, or service (other than Unauthorized Accounts or Unauthorized Applications) for which
25 unauthorized fees were charged to Settlement Class Members. Released Claims also do not include
26
claims asserted in the complaints operative in the following actions as of April 20, 2017, but nothing
27
herein should be construed as precluding Wells Fargo from seeking an offset or credit against, or a
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1 reduction in the gross amount of, any claim asserted in those actions, as Wells Fargo reserves and
2 retains all rights with respect to precluding duplicative recovery in those actions: Bacon v. Wells Fargo
3
Bank, N.A., 1:17-cv-01505-CAP (N.D. Ga.); Shadid v. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Case No. 3:17-cv-
4
01079-JCS (N.D. Cal.), Perez v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Case No. 3:17-cv-424 (S.D. Cal.); Luster v.
5
Wells Fargo Dealer Services, Inc., Case No. 1:15-cv-01058 (N.D. Ga.), and Prather v. Wells Fargo
6
7 Bank, N.A., Case No. 1:15-cv-04231 (N.D. Ga.); In re Checking Account Overdraft Litig., MDL 2036,
9 2.51. Released Parties means Defendants and Defendants respective successors, and
10
assigns; and their past, present, and future, direct or indirect, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, principals,
11
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, advisors, representatives, heirs, and administrators.
12
2.52. Settlement Administrator means the administrator selected by Class Counsel that
13
provides notice to the Settlement Class in accordance with the Notice Plan and that administers the
14
15 Claims process. The Settlement Administrator alone is responsible for administering the Settlement
16 terms for which it has duties described herein. The Settlement Administrator will have discretion to
17 reasonably approve and deny claims in accordance with the terms of the Settlement. The Settlement
18
Administrator will work with the Credit Impact Damages Experts as necessary to fulfill the terms of the
19
Settlement.
20
2.53. Settlement Class means all Persons for whom Wells Fargo or Wells Fargos current or
21
23 Account or submitted an Unauthorized Application, or who obtained Identity Theft Protection Services
24 from Wells Fargo during the period from May 1, 2002 to April 20, 2017, inclusive, with the exception of
25 (i) Defendants officers, directors and employees; (ii) the judicial officers and associated court staff
26
assigned to this case, and the immediate family members of such officers and staff; and (iii) Persons
27
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1 who timely and properly opt-out of the Settlement Class pursuant to the procedures set out in Paragraph
2 12 of this Stipulation.
3
2.54. Settlement Class Member means all Persons who are members of the Settlement Class
4
and who do not timely and properly opt-out of the Settlement Class pursuant to the procedures set out in
5
Paragraph 12 of this Stipulation.
6
7 2.55. Settlement Fund means the sum of $142 million in United States dollars, which Wells
8 Fargo shall cause to be deposited into the Escrow Account within ten (10) business days of entry of the
16 2.57. Statement Notice means the Court-approved-form notice to be included in monthly (or,
17 as appropriate, quarterly) statements for Wells Fargo consumer and small business checking, savings,
18
unsecured credit card and unsecured line of credit accounts, and emailed by Wells Fargo to the last
19
known email addresses, to the extent they can be obtained from active data sources (i.e., from sources
20
that do not require restoring back-up tapes or other inactive data repositories), of all current and former
21
22 customers for whom Wells Fargo opened consumer and small business checking accounts, consumer
23 and small business savings accounts, and unsecured credit cards and unsecured lines of credit or who
24 enrolled in Identity Theft Protection Services from May 1, 2002 to April 20, 2017, inclusive,
25 substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 5 to Exhibit B.
26
2.58. Stipulation or the Settlement means this Amended Stipulation and Agreement of
27
Class Action Settlement and Release, including its exhibits.
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1 2.59. Unauthorized Account means any of the following products, services, and accounts, if
2 the product, service, or account was opened without consent: Wells Fargo consumer and small business
3
checking accounts, Wells Fargo consumer and small business savings accounts, and Wells Fargo
4
unsecured credit cards and unsecured lines of credit. For the avoidance of doubt, Unauthorized Account
5
does not include any unauthorized account, product or service other than those specifically listed in this
6
7 paragraph.
8 2.60. Unauthorized Application means an application for one or more of the products,
9 services, and accounts enumerated in the definition of Unauthorized Accounts, if the application was
10
submitted without consent and did not result in the opening of a product, service, or account. For the
11
avoidance of doubt, Unauthorized Application does not include any unauthorized application for any
12
account, product or service other than those included in the above definition of Unauthorized Account.
13
2.61. Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account means (i) an Unauthorized Account that is an
14
15 unsecured credit card, an unsecured line of credit, or a small business checking or savings account
16 opened during the Class Period, or (ii) an Unauthorized Application that is an application for an
17 unsecured credit card, an unsecured line of credit, or small business checking or savings account that
18
was submitted during the Class Period.
19
2.62. Unknown Claims means any and all Settled Claims that any Named Plaintiff and/or
20
Settlement Class Member does not know or suspect to exist in his, her or its favor at the time of the
21
22 release of the Released Parties, which if known by him, her or it might have affected his, her or its
23 settlement with and release of the Released Parties, or might have affected his, her or its decision not to
24 object to this Settlement or not exclude himself, herself or itself from the Settlement Class. With respect
25 to any and all Released Claims, the parties stipulate and agree that, upon the Effective Date, Named
26
Plaintiffs shall expressly waive, and each Settlement Class Member shall be deemed to have waived,
27
and by operation of the Judgment shall have expressly waived, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
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1 any and all provisions, rights and benefits conferred by Cal. Civ. Code 1542, and any law of any state
2 or territory of the United States, or principle of common law, or the law of any foreign jurisdiction, that
3
is similar, comparable or equivalent to Cal. Civ. Code 1542, which provides:
4
A general release does not extend to claims, which the creditor does not know or
5 suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if
known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the
6 debtor.
7 Named Plaintiffs and Settlement Class Members may hereafter discover facts in addition to or
8 different from those which he, she or it now knows or believes to be true with respect to the subject
9
matter of the Released Claims, but each Named Plaintiff shall expressly and each Settlement Class
10
Member, upon the Effective Date, shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall
11
have fully, finally and forever settled and released any and all Released Claims, known or Unknown,
12
14 now exist, or heretofore have existed, upon any theory of law or equity now existing or coming into
15 existence in the future, including, but not limited to, conduct which is negligent, reckless, intentional,
16 with or without malice, or a breach of any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery
17
or existence of such different or additional facts. Named Plaintiffs and Defendants acknowledge, and
18
Settlement Class Members by law and operation of the Judgment shall be deemed to have
19
acknowledged, that the inclusion of Unknown Claims in the definition of Released Claims separately
20
23 3.1. The Parties hereto stipulate to the certification, for settlement purposes only, of a
24 Settlement Class (as defined above), pursuant to Rules 23(a) and (b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil
25
Procedure. The certification of the Settlement Class shall be binding only with respect to the Settlement
26
of the Action and only if the Judgment contemplated by this Stipulation becomes Final and the Effective
27
Date occurs.
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4 Stipulation together with its exhibits to the Court and shall move the Court for preliminary approval of
5 the Settlement. A copy of a proposed form of a Preliminary Approval Order, which Class Counsel shall
6 submit to the Court for its approval in connection with a motion for preliminary approval of the
7
Settlement, is attached hereto as Exhibit B. Entry of a Preliminary Approval Order in substantially the
8
form set forth in Exhibit B is a material term of this Settlement. Among other things, the Preliminary
9
Approval Order:
10
11 4.1.1. certifies, for settlement purposes only, the Settlement Class pursuant to Rules
13 4.1.2. preliminarily approves the Settlement as being a fair, reasonable, and adequate
14 settlement as to Settlement Class Members within the meaning of Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil
15
Procedure;
16
4.1.3. determines that Class Counsel have and had the authority to execute this
17
Settlement on behalf of the Named Plaintiffs and the Settlement Class, appoints Class Counsel as
18
19 counsel for the Settlement Class pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and
20 authorizes Class Counsel to take approved steps to proceed with this Settlement on behalf of the
21 Settlement Class;
22
4.1.4. orders Wells Fargo to provide or cause to be provided to the Settlement
23
Administrator and Class Counsel certain customer-identifying information, and imposes appropriate
24
confidentiality requirements and restrictions on use of this information;
25
4.1.5. directs notice to be disseminated as set forth in Paragraph 8 of this Stipulation,
26
27 and determines that the Mailed Notice, Long-Form Notice, Summary Notice, Statement Notice, the
28 Notice Plan, and the Plan of Allocation fully satisfy Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and
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1 the requirements of due process; provided, that the Parties, by agreement, may revise the Mailed Notice,
2 Long-Form Notice, Summary Notice, Statement Notice, and other exhibits to this Stipulation, in ways
3
that are not material or ways that are appropriate to update those documents for purposes of accuracy;
4
and
5
4.1.6. subjects the Settlement Fund to the continuing jurisdiction of the Court.
6
7 4.2. If the Court enters a Preliminary Approval Order and the Settlement has not otherwise
8 been terminated, then, after the Notice Plan is implemented and after expiration of the time for members
9 of the Settlement Class to timely and properly exclude themselves from the Settlement pursuant to Fed.
10
R. Civ. P. 23(e), Class Counsel shall submit to the Court a motion for entry of final judgment. Entry of
11
a Judgment in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit C is a material term of this Settlement. Among
12
other things, the Judgment:
13
4.2.1. determines that the Mailed Notice, Long-Form Notice, Summary Notice, and
14
15 Statement Notice were disseminated in compliance with the Courts Preliminary Approval Order, and in
16 full satisfaction of the requirements of Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures and the
17 requirements of due process;
18
4.2.2. finally approves this Stipulation and the Settlement contemplated hereby as being
19
fair, reasonable, and adequate as to the Settlement Class Members within the meaning of Rule 23 of the
20
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and directs its consummation pursuant to its terms and conditions;
21
22 4.2.3. lists all Persons who have timely and properly opted out of the Settlement as
24 4.2.4. dismisses the Complaint with prejudice and, except as expressly provided for in
25 this Settlement Agreement, without costs, in favor of the Defendants and against all Settlement Class
26
Members;
27
28
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1 4.2.5. declares that the Named Plaintiffs and each and every one of the Settlement Class
2 Members unconditionally, fully, and finally releases and forever discharges each of the Released Parties
3
from the Released Claims, and expressly terminates any rights of Settlement Class Members to the
4
protections afforded under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, and/or any other similar,
5
comparable, or equivalent laws; and
6
7 4.2.6. reserves to the Court exclusive personal and subject matter jurisdiction with
8 respect to the resolution of all matters relating to the implementation or enforcement of this Settlement
15 5.2. Pursuant to the Judgment, upon the Effective Date, Named Plaintiffs and each of the
16 Settlement Class Members, on behalf of themselves and any of their personal representatives, spouses,
17 domestic partners, trustees, heirs, executors, administrators, predecessors, successors or assigns shall be
18 deemed by operation of law to have fully, finally and forever released, relinquished, waived, discharged
19
and dismissed each and every Released Claim, and covenant not to pursue any or all Released Claims
20
against any Released Party, whether directly or indirectly, whether on their own behalf or otherwise, and
21
regardless of whether or not such Settlement Class Member executes and delivers a Claim Form (except
22
23 that the foregoing provision shall not apply to any such representative, spouse, domestic partner, trustee,
24 heir, executor, administrator, successor or assign who independently would be a Settlement Class
25 Member and timely excludes himself, herself or itself). By entering into this Settlement, Named
26
Plaintiffs and Settlement Class Members represent and warrant that they have not assigned,
27
28
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1 hypothecated, conveyed, transferred or otherwise granted or given any interest in the Released Claims,
2 or any of them, to any other Person.
3
5.3. Pursuant to the Judgment, upon the Effective Date, Defendants and each of the other
4
Released Parties shall be deemed by operation of law to have released, waived, discharged and
5
dismissed each and every claim relating to the institution or prosecution of the Action by Named
6
11 for approval by the Court of a Fee Expense Award to be paid from the Settlement Fund. Any request by
12 Class Counsel for a Named Plaintiff Service Award shall also be made at that time.
13 6.2. Class Counsel intend to seek Court approval for fees not to exceed 25% of the Settlement
14 Fund, and for reimbursement of their reasonable expenses of litigation. Class Counsel also intend to
15
seek a Named Plaintiff Service Award of up to $5,000 for each Named Plaintiff.
16
7. SETTLEMENT FUND
17
7.1. In consideration of the Settlement of the Released Claims against Defendants and the
18
other Released Parties, Wells Fargo shall cause the Settlement Fund (the total sum of $142,000,000
19
20 United States dollars) to be deposited into the Escrow Account no later than ten (10) business days after
21 entry of the Preliminary Approval Order. Other than the obligation of Wells Fargo to cause to be paid
22 this amount to the Escrow Agent, and the provisions of Paragraph 9.9, Wells Fargo shall not have any
23
obligation to make any payment into the Escrow Account pursuant to this Stipulation. The interest
24
earned on the Settlement Fund shall be for the benefit of the Settlement Class if the Settlement becomes
25
Final. If the Settlement does not become Final and the Settlement is terminated, the interest earned on
26
27 the Settlement Fund shall be for the benefit of Wells Fargo and Paragraph 14 below shall govern. If the
28 Settlement Fund is not deposited into the Escrow Account no later than ten (10) business days after
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1 entry of the Preliminary Approval Order, Named Plaintiffs reserve the right to either: (i) move to
2 enforce the Settlement, including seeking interest on any unpaid amount; or (ii) terminate the
3
Settlement, in which case Paragraph 14 below shall govern.
4
7.2. The Settlement Fund shall be used to pay: (i) any attorneys fees and costs awarded by
5
the Court; (ii) the Named Plaintiff Service Awards; (iii) any Notice and Administration Costs; and
6
7 (iv) other costs, expenses, or amounts as may be approved by the Court. The balance remaining in the
8 Settlement Fund (the Net Settlement Fund) shall be distributed to Authorized Claimants as provided in
9 Paragraph 9 below. Defendants shall have no responsibility or liability for the maintenance,
10
preservation, investment, or distribution of any amount of the Settlement Fund or the Net Settlement
11
Fund.
12
7.3. Class Counsel may pay from the Escrow Account, without further order of the Court, all
13
reasonable Notice and Administration Costs (with the exception of the cost of engaging any Consumer
14
15 Reporting Agency to conduct the analysis of Credit Impact Damages and up to $1 million in fees
16 incurred by the Credit Impact Damages Experts, which Wells Fargo shall pay in addition to its payment
17 of the Settlement Fund). Such costs and expenses shall include, without limitation, the actual costs of
18
publication of the Summary Notice, printing and mailing the Mailed Notice to Automatically-Enrolled
19
Claimants, printing and mailing the Mailed Notice to Consultant-Identified Persons (to the extent the
20
cost of mailing the Mailed Notice to Consultant-Identified Persons exceeds $1 million), and printing and
21
22 mailing the Long-Form Notice and Claim Form to Persons who submit written requests for the same, the
23 administrative expenses actually incurred and fees reasonably charged by the Settlement Administrator
24 in connection with providing Notice and processing the submitted Claims, and the reasonable fees of the
25 Escrow Agent. In the event that the Settlement is terminated pursuant to the terms of this Stipulation, all
26
Notice and Administration Costs properly paid or incurred, including any related fees, shall not be
27
returned or repaid to Defendants.
28
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1 7.4. Except as provided herein or pursuant to orders of the Court, the Net Settlement Fund
2 shall remain in the Escrow Account prior to the Effective Date. All funds held by the Escrow Agent
3
shall be deemed to be in the custody of the Court and shall remain subject to the jurisdiction of the Court
4
until such time as the funds shall be distributed or returned pursuant to the terms of this Stipulation
5
and/or further order of the Court. The Net Settlement Fund prior to the Effective Date shall be invested
6
7 solely in obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America or any of its
8 departments or agencies or in money market funds invested solely in obligations of, or obligations
9 guaranteed by, the United States of America or any of its departments or agencies. All risks related to
10
the investment of the Settlement Fund shall be borne by the Settlement Fund.
11
7.5. The Parties and the Escrow Agent agree that the Settlement Fund is intended to be a
12
Qualified Settlement Fund within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.468B-1. The Escrow Agent,
13
as administrator of the Settlement Fund within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.468B2(k)(3),
14
15 shall be responsible for filing all informational and other tax returns as may be necessary or appropriate
16 (including, without limitation, the returns described in Treasury Regulation 1.468B-2(k)) for the
17 Settlement Fund and paying from the Settlement Fund any and all taxes, including any interest or
18
penalties thereon (the Taxes), owed with respect to the Settlement Fund. All Taxes arising with
19
respect to the income, if any, earned by the Settlement Fund, and any expenses and costs incurred in
20
connection with the payment of Taxes pursuant to this Paragraph (including, without limitation,
21
22 expenses of tax attorneys and/or accountants and mailing, administration, and distribution costs and
23 expenses relating to the filing or the failure to file all necessary or advisable tax returns (the Tax
24 Expenses)), shall be considered to be a cost of administration of the Settlement and shall be paid out of
25 the Settlement Fund. The Escrow Agent shall timely make such elections as are necessary or advisable
26
to carry out this Paragraph, including, as necessary, making a relation back election, as described in
27
Treasury Regulation 1.468B-1(j), to cause the Qualified Settlement Fund to come into existence at the
28
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1 earliest allowable date, and shall take or cause to be taken all actions as may be necessary or appropriate
2 in connection therewith.
3
7.6. Class Counsel and its agents shall be solely responsible for causing payment to be made
4
from the Settlement Fund of any Taxes and Tax Expenses owed with respect to the Settlement Fund and
5
for all Tax reporting and withholding obligations, if any, with respect to amounts distributed from the
6
7 Settlement Fund. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Defendants shall have no authority,
9 investment, maintenance, or control of the Settlement Fund, or any distribution therefrom, or for any
10
expenses the Settlement Fund may incur or for any Taxes or Tax Expenses that may be payable by the
11
Settlement Fund or with respect to any distribution therefrom, or for any Tax reporting or withholding
12
obligations with respect to amounts distributed from the Settlement Fund. The Parties agree to cooperate
13
with each other, and their tax attorneys and accountants, to the extent reasonably necessary to carry out
14
16 8. NOTICE PLAN
17 8.1. For the purpose of identifying and providing notice to potential Settlement Class
18 Members, the Preliminary Approval Order shall order Wells Fargo to provide or cause to be provided to
19
the Settlement Administrator within sixty (60) days of the date of entry of the Preliminary Approval
20
Order the names, Personal Identification, last known addresses, and, if known, email addresses, of the
21
Automatically-Enrolled Claimants and Consultant-Identified Persons to the extent such information is
22
23 available at that time, and for each Consultant-Identified Person, information on the type of account,
24 product, or service that was identified through the Consultant Analysis as potentially being an
25 Unauthorized Account, and the account number, if any, of each such account, product, or service, for
26
purposes of including such information in the electronic Claim Form made available on the Settlement
27
Website to each such Consultant-Identified Person. If additional Automatically-Enrolled Claimants or
28
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1 Consultant-Identified Persons are subsequently identified, Wells Fargo shall promptly provide or cause
2 to be provided the names, Personal Identification, last known addresses and, if known, email addresses
3
of those Persons to the Settlement Administrator, and for each Consultant-Identified Person, information
4
on the type of account, product, or service that was identified through the Consultant Analysis as
5
potentially being an Unauthorized Account, and the account number, if any, of each such account,
6
7 product, or service. The Preliminary Approval Order shall impose appropriate confidentiality
8 requirements and restrictions on use of this customer-identifying information, including that the
9 Settlement Administrator shall not provide this information to any Person other than Class Counsel and
10
the Credit Impact Damages Experts, that Class Counsel and the Credit Impact Damages Experts shall
11
keep such information confidential and will use the information only in connection with the
12
administration of the Settlement, and that the Settlement Administrator, Class Counsel, and the Credit
13
Impact Damages Experts shall adopt data security measures reasonably calculated to protect the
14
16 8.2. The Settlement Administrator shall mail the Mailed Notices (substantially in the form
17 attached hereto as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2 to Exhibit B) to the Automatically-Enrolled Claimants and
18
Consultant-Identified Persons, respectively, on a rolling basis and as soon as practicable but no later
19
than forty (40) days after the Settlement Administrator receives the names, Personal Identification, and
20
last known addresses of the Automatically-Enrolled Claimants from Wells Fargo in the case of
21
22 Automatically-Enrolled Claimants and Consultant-Identified Persons identified within sixty (60) days of
23 entry of the Preliminary Approval Order, and, for subsequently identified Automatically-Enrolled
24 Claimants and Consultant-Identified Persons, no later than thirty (30) days before the deadline for Claim
25 Forms to be submitted as set by the Court in the Preliminary Approval Order, or a later deadline if
26
extended by order of the Court. The Mailed Notice sent to each Consultant-Identified Person shall
27
include information on each account, product, or service that was identified through the Consultant
28
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1 Analysis as potentially being an Unauthorized Account, including the account number, if any, of each
2 such account, product, or service. Wells Fargo shall pay up to $1 million in United States dollars for
3
the cost of mailing to the Consultant-Identified Persons the Mailed Notice (substantially in the form
4
attached hereto as Exhibit 1.2 to Exhibit B) as described in this paragraph, separate from the $142
5
million Settlement Fund.
6
7 8.3. Class Counsel shall instruct the Settlement Administrator to cause to be published the
8 Summary Notice substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3 to Exhibit B in Time magazine as
9 well as select national and regional newspapers, and through digital media outreach, as further described
10
in the Declaration of Shannon Wheatman, filed herewith, or by whatever other manner might be ordered
11
by the Court.
12
8.4. Wells Fargo shall incorporate the Statement Notice (substantially in the form attached
13
hereto as Exhibit 5 to Exhibit B) in monthly statements for Wells Fargo consumer and small business
14
15 checking, savings, unsecured credit cards and unsecured line of credit accounts scheduled to be mailed
16 or electronically delivered not later than four months from the first day of the calendar month following
17 the issuance of the Preliminary Approval Order. In the case of accounts that receive statements
18
quarterly, rather than monthly, the Statement Notice will be included in the earliest feasible statement.
19
Concurrently with disseminating the Statement Notice in monthly account statements, Wells Fargo shall
20
send the Statement Notice by e-mail to current or former Wells Fargo customers for whom Wells Fargo
21
22 has an e-mail address and for whom Wells Fargo opened one or more consumer or small business
23 checking or savings accounts and/or consumer or small business unsecured credit cards or lines of credit
24 during the period May 1, 2002 and April 20, 2017, inclusive.
25 8.5. By no later than forty (40) days after the Settlement Administrator receives the names,
26
Personal Identification, and last known addresses of the Automatically-Enrolled Claimants and
27
Consultant-Identified Persons, Class Counsel shall instruct the Settlement Administrator to establish a
28
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1 website making available the Long-Form Notice both as .html websites and through a .pdf download
2 prior to causing the publication of the Summary Notice, and creating an interactive, online Claim Form
3
that can be filled out electronically by Settlement Class Members. In addition, Class Counsel shall
4
instruct the Settlement Administrator to maintain a mailing address and email address to which Persons
5
may write to submit a request for a hardcopy of the Long-Form Notice and Claim Form. Class Counsel
6
7 shall further instruct the Settlement Administrator to mail, within five (5) days of receipt of the request,
8 the Long-Form Notice and Claim Form to all Persons who submit a timely request.
9 9. PLAN OF ALLOCATION
10 9.1. The Net Settlement Fund shall be distributed to Authorized Claimants as provided herein.
11
9.2. The Settlement Administrator, with the assistance of the Credit Impact Damages Experts,
12
shall administer the process of receiving, reviewing and approving or denying Claims, and shall
13
discharge its duties under Class Counsels supervision and subject to the jurisdiction of the Court.
14
15 9.3. A valid Claim shall authorize Defendants to make available to the Settlement
16 Administrator and the Credit Impact Damages Experts information related to the account(s), product(s),
23 Settlement or the claims process, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Settlement Administrator
24 under the supervision of Class Counsel, pursuant to the Plan of Allocation. Furthermore, Defendants
25 shall have no liability whatsoever to any Person, including, but not limited to, the Settlement Class
26
Members, in connection with any such administration or distribution of the Net Settlement Fund, or any
27
dispute by any Settlement Class member concerning the handling or resolution of his, her, or its claim.
28
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1 Defendants Counsel shall cooperate in the administration of the Settlement to the extent reasonably
2 necessary to effectuate its terms.
3
9.4. Each Claimant shall be deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court with
4
respect to the Claimants Claim, including, but not limited to, the releases provided for in the Judgment,
5
and the Claim will be subject to investigation and discovery under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
6
7 provided that such investigation and discovery shall be limited to that Claimants status as a Settlement
8 Class Member and the validity and amount of the Claimants Claim. There shall be no discovery on the
9 merits of this Action or this Settlement in connection with the processing of Claim Forms.
10
9.5. Class Counsel shall instruct the Settlement Administrator to review each Claim Form
11
timely submitted, and the information made available by Defendants and any other data provided by the
12
Credit Impact Damages Experts relating to the account(s), product(s), or service(s) identified on the
13
Claim Form, to determine whether the Claimant is an Authorized Claimant. The Settlement
14
15 Administrators good faith determination of whether a Claimant is an Authorized Claimant shall be final
16 and shall not be subject to any review or appeal by the Claimant. In the event that the Settlement
17 Administrator observes information from any source or Claim Form(s) containing potential
18
irregularities, the Settlement Administrator may bring this issue to the attention of Class Counsel and, if
19
needed, to the attention of the Court. The Settlement Administrator, under the supervision of Class
20
Counsel, shall administer and calculate the claims submitted by Claimants and, after final approval and
21
22 entry by the Court of an order approving disbursement of the Net Settlement Fund to Authorized
23 Claimants, shall oversee distribution of the Net Settlement Fund to Authorized Claimants.
24 9.6. Pursuant to the CFPB Consent Order, Wells Fargo was required to set aside $5 million
25 for refunding fees paid by customers who have had accounts opened or been enrolled in services without
26
authorization. Wells Fargos obligations to refund fees paid by customers under the CFPB Consent
27
Order will not be diminished by this Settlement. Pursuant to the September 13, 2016 Stipulated
28
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1 Judgment in People of the State of California v. Wells Fargo & Co., Case No. BC580778 (Los Angeles
2 County Superior Court), Wells Fargo was required to reimburse certain fees to customers identified by
3
the Consultant as having accounts, products, or services that are potentially Unauthorized Accounts.
4
None of Wells Fargos obligations under the Stipulated Judgment will be diminished by this Settlement.
5
The Preliminary Approval Order shall also direct Wells Fargo to disclose to the Settlement
6
7 Administrator and the Credit Impact Damages Experts the following information (to the extent such
8 information is available) regarding Settlement Class Members claiming to have an Unauthorized Credit
9 Analysis Account: an indication of whether that Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account was activated or
10
used by the Settlement Class Member, the date of the hard credit inquiry associated with that
11
Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account, the relevant Consumer Reporting Agency for the hard credit
12
inquiry, and information concerning any Delinquency or Derogatory Report associated with that
13
Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account. The Preliminary Approval Order shall also direct Wells Fargo
14
15 to disclose to the Settlement Administrator the following information (to the extent such information is
16 available) regarding Settlement Class Members claiming to have an Authorized Credit Analysis
17 Account: information concerning any Delinquency or Derogatory Report associated with that
18
Authorized Credit Analysis Account. The Preliminary Approval Order shall also direct Wells Fargo to
19
disclose to the Settlement Administrator transaction records or information for the purpose of
20
calculating Fee Damages, as described in Paragraph 9.7.2.
21
22 9.7. Compensatory Damages Payment: Authorized Claimants shall first be reimbursed from
23 the Net Settlement Fund for out-of-pocket losses stemming from Unauthorized Accounts and
24 Unauthorized Applications. Such out-of-pocket losses shall consist of two components: (1) Credit
25 Impact Damages; and (2) Fee Damages. If an Automatically-Enrolled Claimant seeks a Compensatory
26
Damages Payment from the Net Settlement Fund (either in the form of Credit Impact Damages or Fee
27
Damages), the Automatically-Enrolled Claimant must submit a Claim.
28
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7 during the Class Period that he or she believes was impacted by the Unauthorized Credit Analysis
15 April 20, 2017, inclusive, on which the Claimant paid fees is identified; or (c) the Authorized Claimant
16 submits a Claim attesting a consumer or small business checking or savings account was opened
17 without consent from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, for which the Authorized Claimant
18
provides to the Settlement Administrator information sufficient to identify the Unauthorized Account
19
and verify that the account was not used.
20
9.7.1.2. For purposes of calculating the amount of Credit Impact Damages
21
22 payable to the Authorized Claimant, if any, the Authorized Claimant must provide consent to allow their
23 credit information from Consumer Reporting Agencies to be accessed in a manner that will not affect
24 the Authorized Claimants credit score. The calculation of Credit Impact Damages shall be determined
25 by the Credit Impact Damages Experts using the methodology specified in Exhibit A attached hereto.
26
Information obtained from Consumer Reporting Agencies may be used to verify information submitted
27
28
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1 by the Authorized Claimant and may also be used as part of the process of approximating increased
2 borrowing costs.
3
9.7.1.3. Activation or use: Authorized Claimants who activated or used an
4
Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account are not eligible to receive Credit Impact Damages in connection
5
with such account; however, they remain entitled to receive a Non-Compensatory Damages Payment in
6
7 connection with such account. For purposes of this Settlement, fees charged to an Unauthorized Credit
8 Analysis Account do not constitute activation or use, nor does the charging of amounts to the
9 Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account due to the account being linked to another account for overdraft
10
protection.
11
9.7.1.4. Consultant-Identified Persons: Consultant-Identified Persons are
12
eligible to receive Credit Impact Damages in connection with an Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account,
13
regardless of whether the Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account was identified through the Consultant
14
15 Analysis.
16 9.7.1.5. Payment from Net Settlement Pools: Credit Impact Damages related to
17 either (a) Unauthorized Credit Analysis Accounts opened or applied for without consent from January 1,
18
2009 to April 20, 2017, inclusive, or (b) Authorized Credit Analysis Accounts with respect to which the
19
Unauthorized Account that caused the Delinquency or Derogatory Report was opened from January 1,
20
2009 to April 20, 2017, inclusive, shall be paid from Net Settlement Pool 1 (2009-2017 Credit Impact
21
22 Damages). Credit Impact Damages related to either (a) Unauthorized Credit Analysis Accounts opened
23 or applied for without consent from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, or (b) Authorized
24 Credit Analysis Accounts with respect to which the Unauthorized Account that caused the Delinquency
25 or Derogatory Report was opened from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, shall be paid
26
from Net Settlement Pool 2 (2002-2008 Credit Impact Damages).
27
28
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7 9.7.1.7. Interim Credit Damages Analysis Review: To assist the Court in its
8 evaluation of Credit Impact Damages, Class Counsel shall file a report approximately 130 days after
9 Preliminary Approval, or on such other date as the Court shall set, addressing the implementation of the
10
Credit Impact Damages process.
11
9.7.2. Fee Damages: Consultant-Identified Persons are not eligible to receive Fee
12
Damages in connection with the account, product, or service identified through the Consultant Analysis
13
as potentially being an Unauthorized Account, as any fees paid by Consultant-Identified Persons in
14
15 connection with such account, product, or service have been or will be reimbursed through a separate
16 process. Consultant-Identified Persons remain eligible to receive Fee Damages only in connection with
17 Unauthorized Accounts that were not identified through the Consultant Analysis. Each Authorized
18
Claimant claiming out-of-pocket losses as a result of fees assessed by Wells Fargo in connection with an
19
Unauthorized Account that was opened from January 1, 2009 to April 20, 2017, inclusive, and that was
20
not used or activated (other than accounts identified through the Consultant Analysis) will receive
21
22 payment for fees paid in connection with that Unauthorized Account as determined by the Settlement
23 Administrator or independent consultant (2009-2017 Fee Damages). All 2009-2017 Fee Damages
24 shall be paid out of Net Settlement Pool 1. Each Authorized Claimant claiming out-of-pocket losses as a
25 result of fees assessed by Wells Fargo in connection with an Unauthorized Account that was opened
26
from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, will receive for that Unauthorized Account a
27
payment equivalent to the average 2009-2017 Fee Damages payment (calculated by dividing the
28
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1 aggregate 2009-2017 Fee Damages by the number of Claimants claiming out-of-pocket fees for an
2 Unauthorized Account opened from January 1, 2009 to April 20, 2017, inclusive) (2002-2008 Fee
3
Damages). All 2002-2008 Fee Damages shall be paid out of Net Settlement Pool 2.
4
9.8. Non-Compensatory Damages Payments: After Compensatory Damages Payments are
5
allocated to Authorized Claimants from Net Settlement Pool 1 and Net Settlement Pool 2, the balance of
6
7 the Net Settlement Fund will be allocated as described in this paragraph on a pro rata basis defined by
8 reference to the number of claimed Unauthorized Accounts, Unauthorized Applications, and instances of
9 authorized enrollment in Identity Theft Protection Services identified on Authorized Claimants Claims
10
or, for Automatically-Enrolled Claimants who do not separately submit a Claim, on the basis of one (1)
11
Unauthorized Account. Automatically-Enrolled Claimants who submit a Claim will be entitled to
12
receive a Non-Compensatory Damages Payment defined by reference to the number of claimed
13
Unauthorized Accounts, Unauthorized Applications, and authorized enrollment in Identity Theft
14
15 Protection Services listed on their Claim (that is, the account or application that was the subject of the
16 customer complaint identified through the Customer Complaint Review Process will be assumed to be
17 included in the Automatically-Enrolled Claimants Claim). For Automatically-Enrolled Claimants who
18
do not separately submit a Claim, Non-Compensatory Damages Payments on the basis of one (1)
19
Unauthorized Account will be paid from Net Settlement Pool 1 if the customer complaint identified
20
through the Customer Complaint Review Process was submitted from January 1, 2009 to April 20, 2017,
21
22 inclusive, and will be paid from Net Settlement Pool 2 if the customer complaint identified through the
23 Customer Complaint Review Process was submitted from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive.
24 9.8.1. After 2009-2017 Credit Impact Damages and 2009-2017 Fee Damages are
25 allocated from Net Settlement Pool 1, the balance of Net Settlement Pool 1 shall be allocated on a pro
26
rata basis defined by reference to a number equal to the sum of the number of (a) claimed Unauthorized
27
Accounts, (b) claimed Unauthorized Applications, (c) claimed authorized enrollment in Identity Theft
28
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1 Protection Services opened or submitted from January 1, 2009 to April 20, 2017, inclusive, and
2 (d) Automatically-Enrolled Claimants who do not separately submit a Claim whose customer complaint
3
identified through the Customer Complaint Review Process was submitted from January 1, 2009 to
4
April 20, 2017, inclusive (2009-2017 Non-Compensatory Allocation).
5
9.8.2. The amount allocated from Net Settlement Pool 2 for a Non-Compensatory
6
7 Damages Payment for each claimed Unauthorized Account, Unauthorized Application, or authorized
8 enrollment in Identity Theft Protection Services from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, and
9 for each Automatically-Enrolled Claimant who does not separately submit a Claim whose customer
10
complaint identified through the Customer Complaint Review Process was submitted from May 1, 2002
11
to December 31, 2008, inclusive shall be equal to the 2009-2017 Non-Compensatory Allocation if there
12
are sufficient funds in Net Settlement Pool 2 to do so after 2002-2008 Credit Impact Damages and 2002-
13
2008 Fee Damages have been allocated from Net Settlement Pool 2. If funds still remain in Net
14
15 Settlement Pool 2 after distribution is made pursuant to the preceding sentence, the balance of Net
16 Settlement Pool 2 shall be allocated on a pro rata basis, by reference to a number equal to the sum of the
17 number of (a) claimed Unauthorized Accounts opened during the Class Period, (b) claimed
18
Unauthorized Applications submitted during the Class Period, (c) claimed authorized enrollments in
19
Identity Theft Protection Services during the Class Period, and (d) Automatically-Enrolled Claimants
20
who do not separately submit a Claim.
21
22 9.8.3. If there are not sufficient funds in Net Settlement Pool 2 to allocate the equivalent
23 of the 2009-2017 Non-Compensatory Allocation on the same pro rata basis, then Net Settlement Pool 2
24 (after 2002-2008 Credit Impact Damages and 2002-2008 Fee Damages are allocated from Net
25 Settlement Pool 2) shall be allocated on a pro rata basis, by reference to a number equal to the sum of
26
the number of (a) claimed Unauthorized Accounts, (b) claimed Unauthorized Applications, (c) claimed
27
authorized enrollment in Identity Theft Protection Services opened or submitted from May 1, 2002 to
28
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1 December 31, 2008, inclusive, and (d) Automatically-Enrolled Claimants who do not separately submit
2 a Claim whose customer complaint identified through the Customer Complaint Review Process was
3
submitted from May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008, inclusive.
4
9.8.4. The Settlement Administrator retains the authority to deny claims determined to
5
be fraudulent or to reduce the number of Unauthorized Accounts and Unauthorized Applications
6
7 supplying the basis for a Settlement Class Members pro rata payment.
8 9.9. Compensatory Damages Gross-Up: If Net Settlement Pool 1 is insufficient to pay all
15 to be allocated to Net Settlement Pool 1. If Net Settlement Pool 2 is insufficient to pay all
23 respect from the methodology set forth in this Stipulation (including Exhibit A hereto), Defendants
24 obligation to contribute additional amounts under Paragraph 9.9 shall be limited to the amount by which
25 the sum of 2009-2017 Compensatory Damages and $19,366,000 would have exceeded Net Settlement
26
Pool 1 and the amount by which the sum of 2002-2008 Compensatory Damages and $5,634,000 would
27
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1 have exceeded Net Settlement Pool 2 if Compensatory Damages had been calculated using the
2 methodology set forth in this Stipulation (including Exhibit A hereto).
3
9.10. Credit Reporting Correction: For each Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account that:
4
(i) has not been activated or used by the customer; (ii) is closed; and (iii) remains on the customers
5
credit report, Wells Fargo will request that the Consumer Reporting Agencies suppress any credit
6
7 inquiry and, if applicable, permanently delete the tradeline (and any associated Delinquency or
8 Derogatory Report). For each Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account that is an Unauthorized
9 Application, Wells Fargo will request that the Consumer Reporting Agencies suppress the credit inquiry.
10
For each Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account that remains open, but has not been activated or used by
11
the customer, Wells Fargo will attempt to contact the customer and elicit the customers preference as to
12
whether to close the account or not. If the customer elects to close the account, Wells Fargo will request
13
that the Consumer Reporting Agencies suppress the credit inquiry and permanently delete the tradeline
14
15 (including any associated Delinquency or Derogatory Report). With respect to Authorized Credit
16 Analysis Accounts, Wells Fargo will request that the Consumer Reporting Agencies suppress or
17 otherwise take appropriate action to eliminate any ongoing effect of any Delinquency or Derogatory
18
Report to the extent (and only to the extent) it was proximately caused by an Unauthorized Account.
19
Defendants Counsel shall negotiate with Class Counsel regarding administratively feasible methods to
20
delete or suppress adverse credit information reported by a third-party collection agency to whom Wells
21
22 Fargo has sold or transferred debt related to any Unauthorized Account or Credit Analysis Account.
23 9.11. Early Warning Services Reporting: Wells Fargo will request that Early Warning
24 Services delete any account abuse reporting associated with the following accounts, to the extent there is
25 any such reporting that Wells Fargo has not already requested be deleted: (i) checking or savings
26
accounts identified in the Consultant Analysis that are identified as Unauthorized Accounts by
27
Claimants on their Claim Forms; and (ii) any checking or savings account with no customer-initiated
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1 activity that was assessed fees and was opened from January 1, 2009 to April 20, 2017, inclusive, in the
2 name of a Claimant who asserts a claim for Fee Damages. The Parties reserve the right to agree to
3
additional Early Warning Services correction to the extent it is mutually determined to be
4
administratively feasible and beneficial to Settlement Class Members.
5
9.12. This is a common fund settlement; there will be no reversion of the Settlement Fund to
6
7 Defendants upon the occurrence of the Effective Date irrespective of the number of Claims paid, or the
9 9.13. With the exception of the limitations on Defendants obligations under Paragraph 9.9 set
10
forth in Paragraph 9.9.1 above, the Plan of Allocation described in this Paragraph 9 is a matter separate
11
and apart from the proposed Settlement between Defendants and Named Plaintiffs, and any decision by
12
the Court concerning the Plan of Allocation shall not affect the validity or finality of the proposed
13
Settlement. Any order relating solely to the allocation of the Net Settlement Fund among the
14
15 Authorized Claimants, or any request for further judicial review from any order relating solely thereto or
16 reversal or modification thereof, provided it does not affect the limitations on Defendants obligations
17 under Paragraph 9.9 set forth in Paragraph 9.9.1 above, shall not operate to terminate the Settlement.
18
9.14. Other than Automatically-Enrolled Claimants, any Settlement Class Member who does
19
not timely submit a valid Claim Form will not be entitled to receive any distribution from the Net
20
Settlement Fund but will nevertheless be bound by all of the terms of the Settlement, including the terms
21
22 of the Judgment to be entered in the Action and the releases provided for herein, and will be
23 permanently barred and enjoined from bringing any action, claim or other proceeding of any kind
1 Claim Form by such date shall be forever barred from receiving any distribution from the Net Settlement
2 Fund or payment pursuant to this Stipulation (unless, by order of the Court, late-filed Claim Forms are
3
accepted), but shall in all other respects be bound by all of the terms of this Stipulation and the
4
Settlement, including the terms of the Judgment and the releases provided for herein, and will be
5
permanently barred and enjoined from bringing any action, claim or other proceeding of any kind
6
7 against any Released Party concerning any Released Claim. A Claim Form shall be deemed to be
8 submitted when either (a) the Class Member completes and submits an online claim form, or (b) the
9 Claim Form is posted, if received with a postmark indicated on the envelope and if mailed by first-class
10
mail and addressed in accordance with the instructions thereon.
11
9.16. Class Counsel will apply to the Court, with reasonable advance notice to Defendants, for
12
a Class Distribution Order: (i) approving the Settlement Administrators administrative determinations
13
concerning the acceptance and rejection of the Claims submitted; (ii) approving payment of any
14
15 outstanding administration fees and expenses associated with the administration of the Settlement from
16 the Escrow Account; and (iii) if the Effective Date has occurred, directing payment of the Net
17 Settlement Fund to Authorized Claimants from the Escrow Account.
18
9.17. Payment pursuant to the Class Distribution Order shall be final and conclusive against
19
any and all Settlement Class Members. All Settlement Class Members whose Claims are not approved
20
by the Court shall be barred from participating in distributions from the Net Settlement Fund, but
21
22 otherwise shall be bound by all of the terms of this Stipulation and the Settlement, including the terms of
23 the Judgment to be entered in this Action and the releases provided for therein, and will be permanently
24 barred and enjoined from bringing any action against any and all Released Parties concerning any and
25 all of the Settled Claims.
26
27
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1 9.18. All proceedings with respect to the administration, processing and determination of
2 Claims and the determination of all controversies relating thereto, including disputed questions of law
3
and fact with respect to the validity of Claims, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Court.
4
10. CONFIRMATORY DISCOVERY
5
10.1. The Parties agree that confidential information made available to them solely through the
6
settlement process was made available on the condition that it not be disclosed to third parties (other
7
8 than experts or consultants retained by the Parties in connection with the Action). Nevertheless, nothing
9 contained herein shall prohibit Class Counsel from seeking certain confidential information pertinent to
10 this Settlement Agreement through informal confirmatory discovery, even if not previously requested
11
through formal discovery.
12
11. MEASURES TAKEN BY WELLS FARGO
13
11.1. Wells Fargo has entered into agreements with the CFPB and the OCC in which it has
14
agreed to implement measures for the benefit of its customers that are designed to prevent a recurrence
15
16 of the conduct that gave rise to this lawsuit. These measures include, but are not limited to, the
17 following:
18 11.1.1. As required by the CFPB Consent Order, Wells Fargo has retained an
19
independent consultant with specialized experience in consumer-finance-compliance issues to conduct
20
an independent review of Wells Fargos sales practices, and in consultation with the independent
21
consultant will develop a plan to correct any deficiencies identified through the independent consultants
22
23 review (Compliance Plan). This Compliance Plan will be submitted to the CFPB for a determination
24 of non-objection or direction to make revisions. Pursuant to the CFPB Consent Order, Wells Fargo will
1 and will address the findings as part of the comprehensive action plan to comply with the OCC Consent
2 Order. The OCC Consent Order also requires Wells Fargo to develop a sales practices risk management
3
and oversight program, complaints management policy, and customer reimbursement plan, and to
4
submit these written plan to the OCC for a determination of non-objection or direction to make
5
revisions.
6
7 11.2. Wells Fargo has also voluntarily expanded its commitment to implement such measures
8 beyond the requirements in the agreements with the CFPB and the OCC. These measures include, but
16 11.2.3. When certain criteria are met, closing active-status retail consumer checking and
17 savings accounts and non-analyzed small business checking and savings accounts with $0 balance and
18
no customer-initiated activity in the last 62 days.
19
11.2.4. Ensuring all consumer and non-analyzed small business accounts have no
20
monthly service fee assessed within the first 64 days of the account open date.
21
22 11.2.5. Establishing a dedicated 24/7 toll-free number for any customer with a sales
23 practices concern.
24 11.2.6. Eliminating all product sales goals for retail banking team members, including
25 those in branches and retail banking call centers, effective October 1, 2016, and replacing them, as of
26
January 1, 2017, with a compensation plan that puts the priority on the customer experience, oversight
27
and controls, and team goals versus personal goals.
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1 11.2.7. Revising procedures for credit cards to require each applicants documented
2 consent before a credit report is pulled. Consent is manifested by a physical signature or, if the applicant
3
is unable to sign on the PIN pad, by a dual attestation of the banker and the manager or branch designee.
4
11.2.8. Attempting to contact all customers with open inactive credit cards to confirm
5
whether the customer authorized the account, and closing accounts that were not authorized, and
6
8 11.2.9. Engaging external consultants to review sales practices across Wells Fargo.
9 11.2.10. Expanding the Raise Your Hand initiative encouraging team members
10
to speak up when they see something unethical, or if they have an idea to help reduce risk.
11
11.2.11. Establishing a Sales Practices Oversight Office within Wells Fargos
12
corporate structure to strengthen enterprise oversight of sales conduct risk.
13
11.2.12. Creating an enhanced branch compliance program that will be dedicated to
14
15 monitoring for sales practice violations by conducting data analytics and frequent branch visits, the
23 (substantially in the form of Exhibit 6 to Exhibit B hereto) or mailed to the Settlement Administrator. If
24 mailed, the opt out request must be mailed on or before the last day for mailing opt-out requests
25 specified in the Summary Notice, Long-Form Notice, and Mailed Notice. To be valid, opt out requests
26
must substantially comply with the requirements of Paragraphs 12.1 and 12.3.
27
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1 12.2. Nothing in this Settlement Agreement (including the fact of Settlement) constitutes or
2 shall be construed as a waiver by Wells Fargo of whatever rights it may have under any arbitration
3
agreement, including with respect to any claim, lawsuit, or judicial proceeding initiated by a member of
4
the Settlement Class who has opted-out of the Settlement.
5
12.3. Opt-out requests must: (i) state the name and case number of the Action (Jabbari, et al. v.
6
7 Wells Fargo & Company, et al., 15-cv-02159-VC (N.D. Cal.)); (ii) include the Persons full name and
8 current address; (iii) include a statement to the effect that the Person wishes to exclude himself or herself
9 from the Settlement Class; and (iv) be signed by the Person requesting to opt out.
10
12.4. If a timely and reasonably complete request for exclusion is made by a member of the
11
Settlement Class, then that Person shall not be a Settlement Class Member, and this Settlement and any
12
judgments or orders concerning it shall not bind the excluded Person. Opting out and objecting to the
13
Settlement are mutually exclusive options. Any Person who timely and properly opts out and is
14
15 therefore not a Settlement Class Member may not also object to the Settlement.
16 12.5. Each member of the Settlement Class who does not submit a valid request to opt out shall
17 be a Settlement Class Member and shall be bound by all terms of this Settlement and all judgments or
18
orders concerning it.
19
12.6. Those Settlement Class Members who do not opt out and wish to object to the settlement
20
under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(e) may do so pursuant to the procedures described in the Long-Form Notice,
21
22 and the Settlement Administrator shall provide on the Settlement website a downloadable objection
23 form (substantially in the form of Exhibit 7 to Exhibit B hereto) that a Settlement Class Member may fill
24 out and send to the Court, in accordance with the Northern District of Californias Procedural Guidance
25 for Class Action Settlements. To be valid, objections must substantially comply with the procedures
26
described in the Long Form Notice.
27
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1 12.7. The Settlement Administrator shall scan and send electronically copies of all requests for
2 exclusion in .pdf format (or such other format as shall be agreed) to Class Counsel and to Defendants
3
Counsel expeditiously (and not more than three (3) business days) after the Settlement Administrator
4
receives such a request. A list of the names of Persons who have timely and properly opted out under
5
this Paragraph 12 shall be attached to the Judgment or otherwise recorded by the Court and provided to
6
7 Defendants Counsel.
9 13.1. Class Counsel shall instruct the Settlement Administrator to compile records of Claims
10 made by Settlement Class Members and to file with the Court no later than fifteen (15) days before the
11
deadline for the Named Plaintiffs to file their motion for final approval an affidavit (i) attesting that the
12
Notice Plan was performed in a manner strictly consistent with the terms of this Stipulation and the
13
Preliminary Approval Order, or as otherwise required by the Court; (ii) providing a list of the members
14
15 of the Settlement Class who validly excluded themselves from the Settlement as set forth in Paragraph
16 12; and (iii) the aggregate payments to be made from the Settlement Fund to Authorized Claimants.
17 13.2. Class Counsel shall also instruct the Settlement Administrator to maintain reasonably
18 detailed records of its activities under this Settlement. The Settlement Administrator shall maintain all
19
such records as required by applicable law in accordance with its normal business practices and such
20
records will be made available to Class Counsel and Defendants Counsel upon request. Should the
21
Court request, Class Counsel, in conjunction with the Settlement Administrator shall submit a timely
22
23 report to the Court summarizing the work performed by the Settlement Administrator.
25 13.3.1. Treat any and all documents, communications and other information and
26
materials received in connection with the administration of the Settlement as confidential and shall not
27
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1 disclose any or all such documents, communications or other information to any person or entity except
2 as provided for in this Settlement Agreement or by court order;
3
13.3.2. Receive and maintain all correspondence and communications from any member
4
of the Settlement Class regarding the Settlement.
5
14. TERMINATION OF SETTLEMENT
6
14.1. Within thirty (30) days after the latest of: (a) the Courts entry of an order expressly
7
8 declining to enter the Preliminary Approval Order in any material respect without reasonable leave to
9 amend; (b) the Courts refusal to approve this Stipulation or any material part of it without reasonable
10 leave to amend; (c) the Courts declining to enter the Judgment in any material respect; or (d) the date
11
upon which the Judgment is modified or reversed in any material respect and represents a Final decision
12
on the matter, Wells Fargo and Named Plaintiffs each shall have the right to terminate the Settlement
13
and this Stipulation, by providing written notice to the other of an election to do so. However, any
14
15 decision with respect to an application for a Fee and Expense Award, or with respect to any plan of
16 allocation, shall not be considered material to the Settlement and shall not be grounds for termination.
17 14.2. Except as otherwise provided herein, in the event the Settlement is terminated, the
18 Settlement termination shall be without prejudice, and none of the terms shall be effective or enforceable
19
and the facts of the Settlement shall not be admissible for any purpose, and the Parties shall be deemed
20
to have reverted to their respective status in this Action as of April 19, 2017, and, except as otherwise
21
expressly provided, this Stipulation shall be null and void and shall have no further force or effect, the
22
23 Parties shall proceed in all respects as if this Stipulation and any related orders had not been entered, and
24 any portion of the Settlement consideration previously paid or caused to be paid by Wells Fargo,
25 including, but not limited to, any funds disbursed in payment of attorneys fees and expenses, together
26
with any interest earned or appreciation thereon, and less Notice and Administration Costs incurred and
27
paid or payable, shall be returned to Wells Fargo within ten (10) business days after written notification
28
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1 of such event by Class Counsel to the Escrow Agent, with a copy of such notice to Defendants Counsel,
2 pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement.
3
15. NO ADMISSION OF WRONGDOING
4
15.1. Whether or not the Settlement is approved by the Court, and whether or not the
5
Settlement is consummated, the fact and terms of this Stipulation, including exhibits, all negotiations,
6
discussions, drafts and proceedings in connection with the Settlement, and any act performed or
7
9 15.1.1. shall not be offered or received against any of the Released Parties as evidence of,
10 or construed as, or deemed to be evidence of any presumption, concession or admission by any of the
11
Released Parties with respect to the truth of any fact alleged by Named Plaintiffs or the validity of any
12
claim that was or could have been asserted against any of the Released Parties in this Action or in any
13
litigation, in this or any other court, administrative agency, arbitration forum or other tribunal, or of any
14
15 liability, negligence, fault or other wrongdoing of any kind of any of the Released Parties to Named
17 15.1.2. shall not be offered or received against any of the Released Parties as evidence of
18 a presumption, concession or admission of any fault, misrepresentation or omission with respect to any
19
statement or written document approved or made by any of the Released Parties, or against the Released
20
Parties, Named Plaintiffs or any Settlement Class Member(s) as evidence of any infirmity in the claims
21
or defenses that have been or could have been asserted in the Action; and
22
23 15.1.3. shall not be offered or received against any of the Released Parties, or against the
24 Named Plaintiffs or any other Settlement Class Member(s), as evidence of a presumption, concession or
25 admission with respect to any liability, negligence, fault or wrongdoing of any kind, or in any way
26
referred to for any other reason or purpose as against any of the Released Parties, in any other civil,
27
criminal or administrative action or proceeding, other than such proceedings as may be necessary to
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1 effectuate the provisions of this Stipulation; provided, however, that if this Stipulation is approved by
2 the Court, Wells Fargo or any other Released Party may file this Stipulation and/or the Judgment in any
3
action for any purpose, including, but not limited to, in order to support a defense or counterclaim based
4
on principles of res judicata, collateral estoppel, release and discharge, good faith settlement, judgment
5
bar or reduction or any other theory of claim preclusion or issue preclusion or similar defense or
6
7 counterclaim.
9 16.1. The Parties agree to undertake their best efforts, including all steps and efforts
10 contemplated by this Stipulation and any other steps and efforts that may be necessary or appropriate, by
11
order of the Court or otherwise, to obtain approval of this Settlement and shall do nothing inconsistent
12
therewith. Class Counsel and Defendants Counsel agree to cooperate with one another in seeking Court
13
approval of the Settlement and entry of the Preliminary Approval Order, entry of Judgment, and
14
15 dismissal of the Action, and to promptly agree upon and execute all such other documentation as may be
17 16.2. All of the following exhibits attached hereto are hereby incorporated by reference as
18 though fully set forth herein: Credit Impact Damages Methodology (Ex. A), Credit Impact Damages
19
Description (Ex. A-1 to Ex. A), Credit Impact Damages Flowchart (Ex. A-2 to Ex. A), proposed
20
Preliminary Approval Order (Ex. B), Mailed Notices (Exs. 1.1 (for Automatically-Enrolled Claimants)
21
& 1.2 (for Consultant-Identified Persons) to Ex. B), Long-Form Notice (Ex. 2 to Ex. B), Publication
22
23 Notice (Ex. 3 to Ex. B), Claim Form (Ex. 4 to Ex. B), Statement Notice (Ex. 5 to Ex. B), Opt-Out Form
24 (Ex. 6 to Ex. B), Objection Form (Ex. 7 to Ex. B), and proposed Judgment (Ex. C).
25 16.3. The Parties intend this Settlement Agreement to be a final and complete resolution of all
26
disputes between them with respect to the Released Claims by the Named Plaintiffs and the Settlement
27
Class, and each or any of them, on the one hand, against the Released Parties, and each or any of the
28
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1 Released Parties, on the other hand. Accordingly, the Parties agree not to assert in any forum that the
2 Action was brought by Named Plaintiffs or Class Counsel or defended by Defendants or Defendants
3
Counsel in bad faith or without a reasonable basis.
4
16.4. The Parties agree that the amount paid and the other terms of this Settlement were
5
negotiated at arms length and in good faith, including in connection with mediations conducted by
6
7 professional mediators, and reflect a settlement that was reached voluntarily after consultation with
8 experienced legal counsel. As all Parties have contributed substantially and materially to the preparation
9 of this Agreement, it shall not be construed more strictly against one party than another.
10
16.5. The Parties have relied upon the advice and representation of counsel selected by them,
11
concerning their respective legal liability for the claims hereby released. The Parties have read and
12
understand fully the above and foregoing agreement and have been fully advised as to the legal effect
13
thereof by counsel of their own selection and intend to be legally bound by the same.
14
15 16.5.1. This Stipulation, including the exhibits to this Stipulation, may not be modified or
16 amended, nor may any of its provisions be waived, except by a writing signed by all signatories hereto
17 or their successors-in-interest. Any condition in this Stipulation may be waived by the party entitled to
18
enforce the condition in a writing signed by that party or its counsel. The waiver by any party of any
19
breach of this Stipulation by any other party shall not be deemed a waiver of the breach by any other
20
party, or a waiver of any other prior or subsequent breach of this Stipulation by that party or any other
21
22 party. Without further order of the Court, the Parties may agree to reasonable extensions of time to
24 16.5.2. Whether or not the Effective Date occurs or this Settlement is terminated, the
25 Stipulation, any related documents, and any negotiations resulting in it shall not be construed as or
26
deemed to be evidence of, or an admission or concession of, the propriety of class certification for
27
purposes of litigation.
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1 16.6. The headings used herein are used for the purpose of convenience only and are not meant
2 to have legal effect.
3
16.7. Nothing in this Stipulation shall prevent Class benefits from being provided, upon
4
appropriate proof, to, or for the benefit of, an otherwise eligible Settlement Class Member, or that
5
Settlement Class Members estate or legal representative, notwithstanding that Settlement Class
6
8 applicable law. The Settlement Administrator will determine the reasonable required documentation for
9 non-standard Settlement Class Members, including, but not limited to, military personnel serving
10
overseas, decedent estates, divorce, bankruptcy, and payment of child support and family or attorney
11
liens.
12
16.8. The administration and consummation of this Settlement as embodied in this Stipulation
13
shall be under the authority of the Court, and the Court shall retain jurisdiction for the purpose of, inter
14
15 alia, entering orders providing for the enforcement of the terms of this Stipulation, including, but not
16 limited to, the releases provided for herein, and awards of attorneys fees and expenses to Class Counsel.
17 16.9. Named Plaintiffs and the Wells Fargo agree that, prior to final approval of the Settlement,
18
the Hon. Layn R. Phillips (Ret.) will continue to serve as a mediator for any disputes between them
19
arising out of the Settlement. The Parties submit to the jurisdiction of the Court for purposes of
20
implementing and enforcing the Settlement embodied in the Stipulation.
21
22 16.10. This Stipulation and its exhibits constitute the entire agreement among the Parties
23 concerning this Settlement, and no representations, warranties or inducements have been made by any
24 Party concerning this Stipulation and its exhibits other than those contained and memorialized in such
25 documents. This Stipulation and the Supplemental Agreement supersede any and all prior statements,
26
representations, promises or other agreements, written or oral, with respect to the subject matter of this
27
Stipulation.
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1 16.11. This Stipulation may be executed in one or more original, e-mailed and/or faxed
2 counterparts. All executed counterparts and each of them shall be deemed to be one and the same
3
instrument.
4
16.12. This Stipulation shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the successors and
5
assigns of the Parties hereto.
6
7 16.13. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Party shall bear its own costs.
8 16.14. Named Plaintiffs represent and warrant that they have not assigned, transferred, or
9 otherwise disposed of any claim or right or interest therein as against the Released Parties to any other
10
Person or Party and that they are fully entitled to release the same.
11
16.15. Each counsel or other Person executing this Settlement Agreement, any of its exhibits, or
12
any related settlement documents on behalf of any party hereto, hereby warrants and represents that such
13
Person has the full authority to do so and has the authority to take appropriate action required or
14
16 16.16. The Parties agree to cooperate in good faith to ensure that any descriptions of this
17 Settlement in the media or in any public forum are fair and accurate. None of the Parties will make any
18
press communications announcing the settlement of the Action without consultation with the others.
19
16.17. If any party is required to give notice to the other parties under this Stipulation, such
20
notice shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt by hand delivery,
21
22 facsimile transmission or electronic mail. Notice shall be provided to the counsel indicated on the
24 //
25
26
//
27
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1 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Stipulation to be executed, by
2 their duly authorized attorneys as of June 13, 2017.
3
KELLER ROHRBACK L.L.P. MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON LLP
4
By /s/ Derek W. Loeser By /s/ David H. Fry (w/email permission)
5 Derek Loeser, admitted pro hac vice David H. Fry (Bar No. 189276)
Gretchen Freeman Cappio, admitted pro hac vice MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON LLP
6
Daniel P. Mensher, admitted pro hac vice 560 Mission Street, 27th Floor
7 KELLER ROHRBACK L.L.P. San Francisco, California 94105-2907
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3200 (415) 512-4000; Fax: (415) 512-4077
8 Seattle, WA 98101-3052 [email protected]
(206) 623-1900; Fax: (206) 623-3384
9 [email protected]
[email protected]
10
[email protected]
11
Jeffrey Lewis (Bar No. 66587) Erin J. Cox (State Bar No. 267954)
12 KELLER ROHRBACK L.L.P. MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON LLP
300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1000 350 South Grand Avenue, 50th Floor
13 Oakland, CA 94612 Los Angeles, California 90071-1560
14 (510) 463-3900; Fax: (510) 463-3901 (213) 683-9100; Fax: (213) 687-3702
[email protected] [email protected]
15
Matthew J. Preusch (Bar No. 298144) Attorneys for Defendants Wells Fargo &
16 1129 State Street, Suite 8 Co. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
17 (805) 456-1496; Fax: (805) 456-1497
18 [email protected]
20
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