Wells Fargo WFC
Wells Fargo, that venerable banking institution with roots as deep as 1852, was co-founded by Henry Wells and William Fargo, those industrious gents who made their name in stagecoaches and gold. Today, it's known more for its unholy trinity of fake accounts, customer abuses and scandalous greed than for financial stability. Once the darling of the American banking sector, Wells Fargo’s reputation went up in flames around 2016 when it was revealed that employees had opened millions of fraudulent accounts to meet absurdly high sales targets. Valued at roughly $200 billion, the bank has been desperately trying to scrub the tarnish off its once gleaming name. CEO Charles Scharf, the latest captain steering this beleaguered ship, has had his hands full navigating through lawsuits, congressional hearings and a massive PR overhaul. While it does boast accomplishments like a vast network of ATMs and branches, it’s the controversies that stick—like that lingering stench in a forgotten corner. Whether it’s mishandling mortgages or getting slapped with billions in fines, Wells Fargo has mastered the art of financial melodrama. In the grand saga of banking, Wells Fargo is the tragic hero that just can’t keep its hands clean, no matter how hard it tries.