8-KExhibits & Filings

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY/MN 8-K Report, Exhibit Filing (Mar 7, 2019)

Filed March 7, 2019For Securities:WFCWFC-PDWFC-PCWFC-PYWFC-PAWFC-PLWFCNPWFC-PZ

Summary

This Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) 8-K filing from March 7, 2019, primarily serves to disclose the forms of specific debt issuances and related legal opinions. The company, through its subsidiary Wells Fargo Finance LLC, issued Medium-Term Notes, Series S (linked to the S&P 500 Index) and Medium-Term Notes, Series A (linked to an emerging markets ETF and the S&P 500 Index with various maturities). These notes are structured as "Principal at Risk Securities," indicating that the return of principal may be subject to certain market performance conditions. Investors reviewing this filing should note that it does not contain new financial results or material business developments. Instead, it focuses on the legal and structural documentation for these specific debt offerings. The filing includes the forms of the notes themselves, along with legal opinions from Faegre Baker Daniels LLP confirming the validity of the notes and the guarantee provided by Wells Fargo & Company for the Series A Notes. This type of filing is routine for debt issuances and provides transparency on the terms and legal standing of these financial instruments.

Key Highlights

  • 1Wells Fargo & Company and Wells Fargo Finance LLC issued new Medium-Term Notes.
  • 2The issuances include Series S Notes (linked to S&P 500 Index) and Series A Notes (linked to iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and S&P 500 Index).
  • 3The notes are classified as 'Principal at Risk Securities,' meaning principal repayment is contingent on market performance.
  • 4The filing primarily serves to submit the forms of these notes and associated legal opinions to the SEC.
  • 5Wells Fargo & Company provides a full and unconditional guarantee for the Series A Notes.
  • 6Legal opinions from Faegre Baker Daniels LLP are included regarding the Series S Notes and Series A Notes/Guarantee.
  • 7This is a disclosure of debt instrument documentation, not a report of new financial performance or strategic changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Principal at Risk Securities are a type of structured note where the repayment of the principal amount at maturity is linked to the performance of an underlying asset or index. If the performance of the underlying asset or index falls below a certain threshold, investors may lose some or all of their principal investment.

No, this 8-K filing does not report new financial results, earnings, or significant business developments. It is specifically to disclose the legal documentation and forms for recently issued debt securities.

The Guarantee by Wells Fargo & Company for the Series A Notes means that Wells Fargo & Company is directly and unconditionally responsible for the payment obligations of Wells Fargo Finance LLC under these notes. This enhances the credit quality of the Series A Notes from the perspective of investors.

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP is a law firm providing legal counsel. Their opinions are included in this filing to provide assurance to investors and regulators that the terms and conditions of the issued notes and the guarantee are legally sound and validly executed.