8-KExhibits & Filings

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY/MN 8-K Report, Exhibit Filing (Dec 3, 2014)

Filed December 3, 2014For Securities:WFCWFC-PDWFC-PCWFC-PYWFC-PAWFC-PLWFCNPWFC-PZ

Summary

This Form 8-K filing by Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) on December 3, 2014, primarily serves to disclose the issuance of new financial instruments: Medium-Term Notes, Series K, Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the MSCI EAFE Index®. The filing includes the form of these notes and supporting legal and tax opinions from external counsel, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, respectively. For investors, this indicates a new product offering by Wells Fargo, designed to provide returns linked to the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index, a benchmark for developed market equities in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. The "Principal at Risk" nature of these securities means that investors could lose a portion or all of their principal investment if the linked index underperforms. This filing is informational and provides transparency regarding the terms and legal standing of these specific notes, which were registered under a Form S-3 filing. Investors considering these notes should pay close attention to the detailed terms and conditions outlined in the referenced documents, particularly regarding risk factors and potential returns.

Key Highlights

  • 1Wells Fargo & Company issued Medium-Term Notes, Series K, Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the MSCI EAFE Index® on December 3, 2014.
  • 2The filing serves to officially register and provide documentation for this new debt issuance.
  • 3The securities are structured as 'Principal at Risk' notes, implying potential loss of principal based on index performance.
  • 4The underlying performance metric for these notes is the MSCI EAFE Index, representing developed market equities in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.
  • 5The filing includes the form of the Notes, legal opinions from Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, and tax opinions from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
  • 6These notes were issued in conjunction with a previously filed Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-180728).

Frequently Asked Questions

These are debt securities issued by Wells Fargo & Company. Their return and principal repayment are linked to the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index. The 'Principal at Risk' designation means that investors could lose some or all of their invested principal if the index's performance is unfavorable.

The MSCI EAFE Index is a widely used benchmark that represents large and mid-cap equity performance in developed markets across Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. It provides investors with a way to track the performance of these global regions.

The filing of opinions from Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (legal) and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (tax counsel) provides investors with assurance regarding the structure, legality, and tax implications of these Notes. These opinions are standard for complex financial instruments to confirm their compliance with relevant regulations and to clarify tax treatment.

More detailed information can be found in the referenced exhibits within this 8-K filing, specifically Exhibit 4.1 (Form of Note), Exhibit 5.1 (Opinion of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP), and Exhibit 8.1 (Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP). Investors should also refer to the Prospectus Supplement and related documents filed under the Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333-180728).