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Wells Fargo’s Next Steps

Wells Fargo [1] is getting serious about its risk management and controls and has announced the departure of Hope Hardison, Chief Administrative Officer, and David Julian, Chief Auditor at the bank. The bank has said that these executives will begin a leave of absence and will no longer be members of the company's Operating Committee.

These "leaves of absence" relate to previously disclosed ongoing reviews by regulatory agencies in connection with historical retail banking sales practices, the bank said in a statement.

“Because of the depth of our management team, we are confident in our ability to ensure an effective transition,” said Tim Sloan, CEO, Wells Fargo. “During the past two years, we have become more customer-focused, made significant leadership and board changes, strengthened risk management and controls, simplified the organization, and invested in our team members. We remain steadfast in our focus on making things right for customers and building a better Wells Fargo.”

With these departures, Wells Fargo has made some top management changes to fill these roles. These include changes in reporting as well as taking up the responsibilities of the vacant positions. While David Galloreese, Head of Human Resources will report directly to Sloan and join the bank's operating committee, Cara Peck, who heads the Culture and Change Management teams, will report directly to Galloreese. The bank said that Jim Rowe, Head of Stakeholder Relations would continue in that capacity and report directly to Sloan. This function would expand to include Corporate Philanthropy and Community Relations, headed by Jon Campbell, Wells Fargo said in its statement.

In addition to these changes, Wells Fargo said that the Operating Committee members would take on additional responsibilities that were part of the Chief Administrative Office. They include:

The Chief Auditor's role will be filled by current Executive Audit Director, Kimberly Bordner. Wells Fargo said that the function would continue to report to the Board of Directors’ Audit & Examination Committee (and administratively to Sloan), while the company conducted an internal and external search for the role.