SFERS Inaction on Predatory Bank Motions for City Retirement Funds

IMG_2972_1The San Francisco Employee Retirement System (SFERS) Retirement Board decided on April 10, 2013, not to decide anything at all on the two predatory banking motions Commissioner Herb Meiberger proposed to the Retirement Board. The vote took place in a roundabout way after much comment from the public and the commissioners in Commissioner and SF Supervisor Malia Cohen’s absence (due to illness) and once SFERS Retirement Board President Wendy Paskin-Jordan and Commissioner Brenda Wright, a senior Wells Fargo employee, had recused themselves from the deliberations. Commission Victor Makras disclosed ownership of about $11,000 of Bank of America stock, which perhaps also should have been grounds for recusal.

After much discussion from the standing-room only crowd, including lots of Wells Fargo employees paid to attend and representatives from nonprofit organizations receiving Wells Fargo funds, as well as presentation of a petition in support of the motions signed by more than 130 people, Commissioner Meiberger was unable to get a second for the motion. Then, Commissioner Makras proposed a negative motion to stop further deliberations on Herb’s motion, for which he got a second, but could not get a majority vote since Commissioner and police officer Brian Stansbury joined Commissioner Meiberger in opposing the negative motion. However, when Commissioner Meiberger again proposed the original motion, Commissioner Stansbury still did not second the motion, so the Commission did nothing at all.

If the motion should come up with Commissioner Cohen present, it seems that she could provide the necessary second for the original motions and would perhaps be able to cast the deciding vote yea or nay on at least the first, if not also the second motion.

Go to: Media Coverage    Videos    Audio    Photos    Background    Links   

Media Coverage

San Francisco Business Times (note: incorrectly states that activists protested at Brenda Wright’s home)    San Francisco Examiner

Videos

Thanks to Steve Zeltzer for the first summary video above.

Thanks to John of Bright Path Video for the summary videos above (parts I and II).

Audio

Photos

Background:

IMG_2337_1Current and retired city employees, Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters, and supporters from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1021, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Occupy Bernal, Occupy Noe, and the Occupy the Auctions and Evictions Campaign provided important testimony about the illegal, predatory, and discriminatory practices of banks like Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America at meeting of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System Retirement Board on January 9, February 13, and March 13, 2013.

At each meeting, the group asked the Retirement Board to uphold its fiduciary responsibility to investigate the illegal, predatory, and discriminatory practices of the banks, to request that the banks stop these practices, to sponsor shareholder resolutions if they don’t stop, and to divest from the banks’ stocks if the shareholder resolutions do not succeed. Some of the Commissioners responded favorably to the public comment testimony.

Since the last SFERS Retirement Board meeting, a number of organizations have declared their support of the motions under consideration at the April 10 meeting, including the Retired Employees of the City and County of San Francisco (RECCSF), Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Tenants Union.

The San Francisco Employee Retirement Systems (SFERS) handles investments for pension funds for current and retired San Francisco city employees. SFERS has policies that include “Social Investment Procedures” adopted at the SFERS Retirement Board meeting of September 27, 1988, which requires the SFERS Retirement Board when making investments in stocks, mutual funds, and so on, to consider:

“Community Relations: the relationship of the corporation to the communities in which it operates shall be maintained as a good corporate citizen through observing proper environmental standards, supporting the local economic, social and cultural climate, conducting acquisitions and reorganizations to minimize adverse effects and not discriminate in making loans or writing insurance.” (emphasis added by Occupy the Auctions)

A record number of San Francisco City and County employees, as well as others residents of San Francisco and beyond, are facing mortgage loan defaults, foreclosures, and evictions (an estimated 12,000 foreclosures in San Francisco between 2008 and 2011). Many have already lost their homes.

Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America are the market leaders in foreclosures and related evictions here in San Francisco and statewide. These banks engaged in illegal, predatory, and discriminatory practices by putting African-American and Latino borrowers into higher-cost, subprime loans than white borrowers. In fact, in July 2012, Wells Fargo agreed to pay $175 million to settle a United States Department of Justice lawsuit for its discriminatory mortgage lending practices affecting more than 30,000 borrowers, including those banking at the Bayview Wells Fargo branch.

Billions of dollars in mortgage lender settlements with government agencies and other parties have to date not managed to solve the mortgage lending crisis, making mortgage lenders and servicers a potential medium-term and long-term investment risk. Illegal, predatory, and discriminatory foreclosures harm all homeowners, erode the property tax base, and cost local governments, hurting the standard of living of retirees and all working people.

01Wells Fargo is #1 in San Francisco foreclosures. San Francisco’s Mayor and Board of Supervisors have unanimously requested a halt to foreclosures and related evictions, especially since San Francisco Assessor-Recorder’s report showing that 84% of foreclosures have at least one legal violation and due to Wells’ $175 million settlement with the United States Department of Justice paid in response to allegations of racial discrimination in providing mortgage loans in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point and other neighborhoods.

Wells Fargo’s “waterfall” model, along with similar policies from other lenders, ensures that the bank can squeeze the most money possible from homeowners struggling to make payments while finally discarding them like trash if the bank can’t make a profit on every single loan. Running a mortgage loan business means assuming risks, especially after receiving billions in bailout funds from the taxpayers, many of whom are Wells’ mortgage loan borrowers.

Wells Fargo is putting 32 families at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure and related evictions during this holiday season. Wells Fargo is foreclosing on and evicting veterans and disabled and senior homeowners and families with children, as well as targeting homeowners with life-threatening illnesses. Wells Fargo has engaged in predatory, fraudulent, and racist lending practices and has contributed to a rash of foreclosure deaths.

Links:

Petition Supporting SFERS Motions    April 10 Media Advisory    Agenda for SFERS Retirement Board Meeting on April 10, 2013    Staff Memo for SFERS Retirement Board Meeting on April 10, 2013    SFERS Social Investment Policy    Members of SFERS Retirement Board    SFERS Retirement Board Meeting on March 13, 2013    SFERS Retirement Board Meeting on January 9, 2013    San Francisco Business Times    KCBS (including audio segment)    Wells Pays $175 Million to Resolve Allegations of Racial Discrimination in Providing Mortgage Loans    Occupy Our Homes Wells Fargo Bayview Branch Action    Occupy Wells Fargo Noe Branch    Occupy Wells Fargo HQ    Occupy Senior and Veteran Evictions and Foreclosures (Occupy Anniversary)

Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 30, 2013

wellsfargo-haight-action.stillfromvideoThe Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 30, 2013, went to another location, the Haight! We continue to demand that Wells Fargo stop foreclosing on and evicting our neighbors with their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory loans.

We picketed with signs and leaflets in front of the Wells Fargo bank branch at 1726 Haight Street to a lot of positive and a little negative response. We charged into the bank urging people to “move your money out of Wells Fargo.” The security guard told us to leave, then monitored the door to let in only one customer at a time.

We look forward to continuing the vigils this week and ongoing until Wells Fargo stops their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory foreclosures and evictions of folks like our neighbor Bernetta Adolph, a disabled senior retired Muni employee.

At their weekly meeting this morning, the Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Occupy Bernal, and Occupy Noe decided to endorse the Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions.

To find out more and RSVP for one of the vigil opportunities, see http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=8570

Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 29, 2013

IMG_2950_1The Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 29, 2013, went well. We continue to demand that Wells Fargo stop foreclosing on and evicting our neighbors with their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory loans. They still had covered up the Wells Fargo “family jewels” — the Wells Fargo stagecoach.

We look forward to continuing the vigils this week and ongoing until Wells Fargo stops their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory foreclosures and evictions of folks like our neighbor Bernetta Adolph, a disabled senior retired Muni employee. Bernetta made a cameo appearance at the vigil today, along with a Boston activist named Denise and Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters Gladys and Edzel.

To find out more and RSVP for one of the vigil opportunities, see http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=8570

Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 28, 2013

IMG_2947_1The Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 28, 2013, went well. We continue to demand that Wells Fargo stop foreclosing on and evicting our neighbors with their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory loans. They still had covered up the Wells Fargo “family jewels” — the Wells Fargo stagecoach.

We look forward to continuing the vigils this week and ongoing until Wells Fargo stops their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory foreclosures and evictions of folks like our neighbor Bernetta Adolph, a disabled senior retired Muni employee. Bernetta made a cameo appearance at the vigil today.

To find out more and RSVP for one of the vigil opportunities, see http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=8570

Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 26, 2013

IMG_2942_1The Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 26, 2013, was again a smashing success! (well, we didn’t actually smash anything) 😉 Two of us gathered to demand that Wells Fargo stop foreclosing on and evicting our neighbors with their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory loans. They still had covered up the Wells Fargo “family jewels” — the Wells Fargo stagecoach.

As students from a local school headed into the Wells Fargo History Museum, we asked them to ask why Wells Fargo is throwing children and disabled seniors out of their homes.

We look forward to continuing the vigils this week and ongoing until Wells Fargo stops their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory foreclosures and evictions of folks like our neighbor Bernetta Adolph, a disabled senior retired Muni employee.

To find out more and RSVP for one of the vigil opportunities, see http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=8570

Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 25, 2013

IMG_2941_1The first day of the Occupy Wells Fargo Vigil to Stop Evictions on March 25, 2013, was a smashing success! Five of us gathered to demand that Wells Fargo stop foreclosing on and evicting our neighbors with their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory loans. Before we even arrived, they had covered up the Wells Fargo stagecoach — the Wells Fargo “family jewels” as it were — so that we couldn’t have nice photo ops of protestors and the stagecoach. Personally, I like the photo op of them being silly enough to cover up the stagecoach for five protestors much better! (see photo on the right and videos below)

We look forward to continuing the vigils this week and ongoing until Wells Fargo stops their illegal, predatory, or discriminatory foreclosures and evictions of folks like our neighbor Bernetta Adolph, a disabled senior retired Muni employee.

To find out more and RSVP for one of the vigil opportunities, see http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=8570

Action: SFERS, Please Stop Investing in Wells Fargo!

ACCE, SEIU, Occupy Bernal, and Occupy Noe Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters and supporters again provided important testimony about the illegal, predatory, and discriminatory practices of banks like Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America at the meeting of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System Retirement Board on March 13, 2013, just as previously on January 9, 2013 and on February 13, 2013.

The group again asked the Retirement Board to investigate the illegal, predatory, and discriminatory practices of the banks, to request that the banks stop these practices, to sponsor shareholder resolutions if they don’t stop, and to divest from the banks’ stocks if the shareholder resolutions do not succeed. Some of the Commissioners responded favorably to the public comment testimony.

Media coverage: San Francisco Business Times    KCBS (including audio segment)

Videos:

Grace Martinez of ACCE provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

Foreclosure and Eviction Fighter Gladys Dewitt provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

SFERS Retirement Board President Wendy Paskin-Jordan, a former Wells Fargo employee, responds to public testimony.

San Francisco Muni employee and Local 200 former President Alice Fialkin provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

Foreclosure and Eviction Fighter Ian Haddow provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

Former San Francisco city employee Susan McDonough provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

Foreclosure and Eviction Fighter Larry Faulks, evicted from his home by Wells Fargo, provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

Foreclosure and Eviction Fighter and Teamster Ricardo Rodriguez provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

Harry Baker, Retirement Security Chair for SEIU Local 1021, which is the largest union representing SFERS members, provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

Foreclosure and Eviction Fighter Jackie Wright provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

Grace Martinez of ACCE provides testimony to SFERS Retirement Board.

SFERS Retirement Board staff and commissioners discuss whether they can calendar consideration of a resolution on foreclosures and related evictions at the next SFERS meeting in April 2013.

SFERS Retirement Board staff and commissioners continue discussing whether they can calendar consideration of a resolution on foreclosures and related evictions at the next SFERS meeting in April 2013.

The rest of the discussion was not captured on video.


01#1 in SF Foreclosures and Related Evictions: Racist and Predatory

Who: (Retired and Current) City Employees, especially those facing foreclosure/eviction and supporters
What: Public Comment at San Francisco Employees Retirement System (SFERS) Retirement Board Meeting (2 minute limit)
When: 2:00pm, Wednesday, March 13
Where: 30 Van Ness Avenue, 3rd floor (near Market Street)

We are asking SFERS to do the following:

  • Investigate investments in Wells Fargo, which is #1 in foreclosures and related evictions in San Francisco and elsewhere, as well as other lenders foreclosing on and evicting San Francisco homeowners..
  • Prepare and submit a Wells Fargo shareholder resolution to stop predatory and/or racist foreclosures and related evictions for consideration at the next annual Wells Fargo shareholder meeting (probably in April 2013).
  • If Wells Fargo doesn’t adopt the shareholder resolution at its next shareholder meeting and take immediate steps to implement policies and practices in line with the resolution, then divest from any investment in Wells Fargo within three months after that shareholder meeting.

We are asking San Francisco Mayor Lee to do the following:

  • Appoint only qualified candidates to the SFERS Retirement Board who are not executives or employees at Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, or Bank of America (the top three in predatory foreclosures and related evictions in San Francisco).
  • Issue a statement in support of divestment from Wells Fargo of all San Francisco City and County funds, including employee retirement and disability funds.

Background:

The San Francisco Employee Retirement Systems (SFERS) handles investments for pension funds for current and retired San Francisco city employees. SFERS has policies that include “Social Investment Procedures” adopted at the SFERS Retirement Board meeting of September 27, 1988, which requires the SFERS Retirement Board when making investments in stocks, mutual funds, and so on, to consider:

“Community Relations: the relationship of the corporation to the communities in which it operates shall be maintained as a good corporate citizen through observing proper environmental standards, supporting the local economic, social and cultural climate, conducting acquisitions and reorganizations to minimize adverse effects and not discriminate in making loans or writing insurance.” (emphasis added by Occupy the Auctions)

Wells Fargo is #1 in San Francisco foreclosures. San Francisco’s Mayor and Board of Supervisors have unanimously requested a halt to foreclosures and related evictions, especially since San Francisco Assessor-Recorder’s report showing that 84% of foreclosures have at least one legal violation and due to Wells’ $175 million settlement with the United States Department of Justice paid in response to allegations of racial discrimination in providing mortgage loans in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point and other neighborhoods.

Wells Fargo’s “waterfall” model, along with similar policies from other lenders, ensures that the bank can squeeze the most money possible from homeowners struggling to make payments while finally discarding them like trash if the bank can’t make a profit on every single loan. Running a mortgage loan business means assuming risks, especially after receiving billions in bailout funds from the taxpayers, many of whom are Wells’ mortgage loan borrowers.

Wells Fargo is putting 32 families at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure and related evictions during this holiday season. Wells Fargo is foreclosing on and evicting veterans and disabled and senior homeowners and families with children, as well as targeting homeowners with life-threatening illnesses. Wells Fargo has engaged in predatory, fraudulent, and racist lending practices and has contributed to a rash of foreclosure deaths.


This alert brought to you by ACCE, Occupy Bernal, and other supportive organizations coordinated within the Occupy the Auctions and Evictions campaign.

Links: SFERS Meeting on January 9, 2013    Wells 29 Action Alert    Wells 32 Action Flyer (four to page)    Wells Pays $175 Million to Resolve Allegations of Racial Discrimination in Providing Mortgage Loans    Occupy Our Homes Wells Fargo Bayview Branch Action    Occupy Wells Fargo Noe Branch    Occupy Wells Fargo HQ    Occupy Senior and Veteran Evictions and Foreclosures (Occupy Anniversary)    Upcoming Bank Auctions of Foreclosure/Eviction Fighter Homes    Foreclosure/Eviction Fighter Profiles

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=8449

ALERT: Wells Fargo – Stop the Eviction of Bernetta Adolph!

acce.foreclosure.bernetta-adolphPlease take action:

  1. Contact Wells Fargo staff with the following phone and email message:

    • Brenda Wright, Senior VP of Community Relations, +1 415-623-7738
    • Alfredo Pedroza, Director of California Local Government Relations, +1 415-396-0829
    • Ruben Pulido, Communications Staff, +1 415-852-1279
    • John Stumpf, CEO, +1 866-878-5865

     
    Sample message:
     
    To: brenda.wright@wellsfargo.com, alfredo.pedroza@wellsfargo.com, ruben.pulido@wellsfargo.com, john.g.stumpf@wellsfargo.com
    Cc: action@occupybernal.org
    Subject: Stop the Eviction of Bernetta Adolph!

    Dear Wells Fargo staff,

    Please stop the eviction of Bernetta Adolph at 48 Lobos Street in San Francisco, loan # 44793073 and rescind the foreclosure sale to offer Bernetta a fair deal loan modification so she can remain in her home. Bernetta is a disabled senior and retired San Francisco city employee who was a victim of loan modification scammers. She made several attempts to negotiate a loan modification with Wells Fargo prior to Wells’ auction of her home.

    Sincerely,

    Your name here

  2. Protest on Saturday afternoon, February 23, at a Wells Fargo branch: success! see http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=8416

  3. Mark your calendar: Protest on Wednesday, February 27, at a Wells Fargo branch, as part of a nationwide day of action (more details TBA soon)

  4. Mark your calendar: Protest on Saturday, March 2, at the home of Wells Fargo Senior Vice President of Community Relations Brenda Wright (Update: postponed because Wells Fargo considering stopping eviction and rescinding sale of Bernetta Adolph’s home)

    Together we can stop predatory banks and help our neighbors!

Background

Bernetta has made several attempts to work with Wells Fargo. After her initial loan modification continued to be unaffordable, Bernetta became the victim of a loan modification scammers who ensured her that they could stop the foreclosure auction of her home. During this time, Bernetta continued to try to reach Wells Fargo to secure another modification. Wells Fargo foreclosed on her home and plans to evict her soon after March 2, 2013. She is a disable senior and a retired San Francisco city employee.

As #1 in foreclosures in San Francisco, Wells Fargo is putting 32 families at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure and related evictions. Wells Fargo is foreclosing on and evicting veterans and disabled and senior homeowners and families with children, as well as targeting homeowners with life-threatening illnesses. Wells Fargo has engaged in predatory, fraudulent, and racist lending practices and has contributed to a rash of foreclosure deaths.

Links: Stop the Foreclosures and Evictions of the “Wells 32”    Bernetta Testifying at San Francisco Employee Retirement System Meeting (fourth video)

For more info and updates: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=8384 or call Occupy Bernal at 415-483-9138.

Action: SFERS, Please Stop Investing in Wells Fargo!

Update: ACCE, Occupy Bernal, and Occupy Noe Foreclosure and Eviction Fighters and supporters provided important testimony about the illegal, predatory, and discriminatory practices of banks like Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America at the meeting of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System Retirement Board on January 9, 2013.

The group asked the Retirement Board to investigate the illegal, predatory, and discriminatory practices of the banks, to request that the banks stop these practices, to sponsor shareholder resolutions if they don’t stop, and to divest from the banks’ stocks if the shareholder resolutions do not succeed. Some of the Commissioners responded favorably to the public comment testimony.

Media coverage: San Francisco Business Times    KCBS (including audio segment)

Videos and photos:


01#1 in SF Foreclosures and Related Evictions: Racist and Predatory

Who: (Retired and Current) City Employees, especially those facing foreclosure/eviction and supporters
What: Public Comment at San Francisco Employees Retirement System (SFERS) Retirement Board Meeting (2 minute limit)
When: 2:00pm, Wednesday, January 9
Where: 30 Van Ness Avenue, 3rd floor (near Market Street)

We are asking SFERS to do the following:

  • Investigate investments in Wells Fargo, which is #1 in foreclosures and related evictions in San Francisco and elsewhere, as well as other lenders foreclosing on and evicting San Francisco homeowners..
  • Prepare and submit a Wells Fargo shareholder resolution to stop predatory and/or racist foreclosures and related evictions for consideration at the next annual Wells Fargo shareholder meeting (probably in April 2013).
  • If Wells Fargo doesn’t adopt the shareholder resolution at its next shareholder meeting and take immediate steps to implement policies and practices in line with the resolution, then divest from any investment in Wells Fargo within three months after that shareholder meeting.

We are asking San Francisco Mayor Lee to do the following:

  • Appoint only qualified candidates to the SFERS Retirement Board who are not executives or employees at Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, or Bank of America (the top three in predatory foreclosures and related evictions in San Francisco).
  • Issue a statement in support of divestment from Wells Fargo of all San Francisco City and County funds, including employee retirement and disability funds.

Background:

The San Francisco Employee Retirement Systems (SFERS) handles investments for pension funds for current and retired San Francisco city employees. SFERS has policies that include “Social Investment Procedures” adopted at the SFERS Retirement Board meeting of September 27, 1988, which requires the SFERS Retirement Board when making investments in stocks, mutual funds, and so on, to consider:

“Community Relations: the relationship of the corporation to the communities in which it operates shall be maintained as a good corporate citizen through observing proper environmental standards, supporting the local economic, social and cultural climate, conducting acquisitions and reorganizations to minimize adverse effects and not discriminate in making loans or writing insurance.” (emphasis added by Occupy the Auctions)

Wells Fargo is #1 in San Francisco foreclosures. San Francisco’s Mayor and Board of Supervisors have unanimously requested a halt to foreclosures and related evictions, especially since San Francisco Assessor-Recorder’s report showing that 84% of foreclosures have at least one legal violation and due to Wells’ $175 million settlement with the United States Department of Justice paid in response to allegations of racial discrimination in providing mortgage loans in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point and other neighborhoods.

Wells Fargo’s “waterfall” model, along with similar policies from other lenders, ensures that the bank can squeeze the most money possible from homeowners struggling to make payments while finally discarding them like trash if the bank can’t make a profit on every single loan. Running a mortgage loan business means assuming risks, especially after receiving billions in bailout funds from the taxpayers, many of whom are Wells’ mortgage loan borrowers.

Wells Fargo is putting 29 families at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure and related evictions during this holiday season. Wells Fargo is foreclosing on and evicting veterans and disabled and senior homeowners and families with children, as well as targeting homeowners with life-threatening illnesses. Wells Fargo has engaged in predatory, fraudulent, and racist lending practices and has contributed to a rash of foreclosure deaths.


This alert brought to you by ACCE, Occupy Bernal, and other supportive organizations coordinated within the Occupy the Auctions and Evictions campaign.

Links: Wells 29 Action Alert    Wells 29 Action Flyer (four to page)    Wells Pays $175 Million to Resolve Allegations of Racial Discrimination in Providing Mortgage Loans    Occupy Our Homes Wells Fargo Bayview Branch Action    Occupy Wells Fargo Noe Branch    Occupy Wells Fargo HQ    Occupy Senior and Veteran Evictions and Foreclosures (Occupy Anniversary)    Upcoming Bank Auctions of Foreclosure/Eviction Fighter Homes    Foreclosure/Eviction Fighter Profiles

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wordpress/?p=7719

ALERT: Wells Fargo Stop the Foreclosures and Evictions of the “Wells 32”

As #1 in foreclosures in San Francisco, Wells Fargo is putting 32 families at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure and related evictions. Wells Fargo is foreclosing on and evicting veterans and disabled and senior homeowners and families with children, as well as targeting homeowners with life-threatening illnesses. Wells Fargo has engaged in predatory, fraudulent, and racist lending practices and has contributed to a rash of foreclosure deaths.

Take action to stop Wells Fargo from foreclosing on and evicting the “Wells 32”–

  • Contact Wells Fargo staff with the following phone and email message:

    • Brenda Wright, Senior VP of Community Relations, +1 415-623-7738
    • Alfredo Pedroza, Director of California Local Government Relations, +1 415-396-0829
    • Ruben Pulido, Communications Staff, +1 415-852-1279
    • John Stumpf, CEO, +1 866-878-5865

     
    Sample message:
     
    To: brenda.wright@wellsfargo.com, alfredo.pedroza@wellsfargo.com, ruben.pulido@wellsfargo.com, john.g.stumpf@wellsfargo.com
    Cc: action@occupybernal.org
    Subject: Stop the Holiday Foreclosures and Evictions of the “Wells 32”

    Dear Wells Fargo staff,

    Please take IMMEDIATE action to stop holiday foreclosures and evictions. Please meet the demands listed for each of the 32 families listed below who Wells Fargo has put at risk (Name, Demand, Address, Loan #, Priority) and stop dual tracking by continuing to list foreclosure auctions while negotiating loan modifications:

    1. Bernetta Adolph, Stop eviction (20130303) Rescission of foreclosure sale and fair deal loan modification, 48 Lobos Street, SF, CA 94112, 44793073, 1
    2. Larry Faulks, Undo eviction (20121216), Rescission of foreclosure sale and fair deal loan modification, 25 Cameo Way, SF, CA 94131, 004 6406278, 1
    3. David Lewis, Rescission of foreclosure sale and fair deal loan modification, 442 Carl Street, SF, CA 94124, need loan #, 1
    4. Dollie and Sally Ross, Rescission of foreclosure sale and fair deal loan modification, 1075 Gilman Avenue, SF, CA 94124, 004 37815, 1
    5. Lehmann Brightman, Rescission of foreclosure sale (20130114) and fair deal loan modification, 2434 Faria Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564, 0044126233, 1
    6. Gloria Lomeli (and Alberto del Rio), Stop foreclosure auction (20130131) and fair deal loan modification, 565 Banks Street, SF, CA 94110, 47339080, 1
    7. Guadalupe Schmitt, Stop foreclosure auction (20130211) and fair deal loan modification, 11-13 Santa Marina Avenue, SF, CA 94110, 102484459, 1
    8. Benjamin and Irma Reed, Stop foreclosure auction (20130226) and fair deal loan modification, 2 Warren Drive, SF, CA 94131, , 1
    9. Emilia Hughetti, Stop foreclosure auction (20130228) and fair deal loan modification through loan servicer Chase, 1041 Florida Street, SF, CA 94110, Chase loan #20733507, 1
    10. Kim Mitchell, Postpone foreclosure auction until short sale, 601 Van Ness Ave #244, SF, CA 94102, , 2
    11. Segundina San Juan, Fair deal loan modification, 1074 Huron Avenue, SF, CA 94112, 00048634281, 2
    12. Maria and Washington Davila, New owner must keep Davilas as tenants under same rental conditions as before, 4255 Folsom Street, SF, CA 94110, , 2
    13. Armand and Maria Mejia, Stop foreclosure auction (20130204) and fair deal loan modification, 749 Athens Street, SF, CA 94112, 004 37815, 2
    14. Peter Fairfield (and L. Sweet), Stop foreclosure auction (20130205) and fair deal loan modification, 831 Chenery Street, SF, CA 94131, 1100225238, 2
    15. Eric (and John), Fair deal loan modification, 2
    16. Anonymous, Fair deal loan modification, Anonymous Street, SF, CA 94132, 004 5575008, 2
    17. Allen Stowers, Stop foreclosure auction and fair deal loan modification, 699 Peralta Avenue, SF, CA 94110, 0042836544, 2
    18. Sergio and Pureza Cardenas, Fair deal loan modification, 763 Silver Oaks Place, Walnut Creek, CA 94597, 0004274204, 3
    19. Dorothy Crawford, Fair deal loan modification, 407 Broderick Street, SF, CA 94117, 00045941416, 3
    20. Pei Jun Ding, Fair deal loan modification, 2227 38th Ave, SF, CA 94116, 00045599891, 3
    21. Henry Kielarowski, Fair deal loan modification, 1496 La Playa Street, SF, CA 94122, 7080043459395, 3
    22. Juan Lopez, Fair deal loan modification, 566 Madrid Street, SF, CA 94112, 00014382279, 3
    23. Edzel and Merrie Jo Musni, 2nd mortgage fair deal loan modification, 240 Randall Street, SF, CA 94131, 6511663531998, 3
    24. Sandra Reece, Fair deal loan modification, 1240 Revere Avenue, SF, CA 94124, , 3
    25. Margarita Rose, Fair deal loan modification, 908 Athens Street, SF, CA 94112, , 3
    26. Will Saltz, Loan payment grace period until property tax issue resolved, 177 Capistrano Avenue, SF, CA , 372095067, 3
    27. William Sandoval, Fair deal loan modification, 151 Beachview Avenue, Pacifica, CA 94044, 00156852519, 3
    28. Sheila Julia Walsh, 2nd mortgage fair deal loan modification, 112 Judson Avenue, SF, CA 94112, , 3
    29. Gladys Dewitt, 2nd mortgage fair deal loan modification, 772 Hampshire Street, SF, CA 94110, , 3

     
    San Francisco’s Mayor and Board of Supervisors have unanimously requested a halt to foreclosures and related evictions, especially since San Francisco Assessor-Recorder’s report showing that 84% of foreclosures have at least one legal violation and due to Wells’ $175 million settlement paid to resolve allegations of racial discrimination in providing mortgage loans in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point and other neighborhoods.

    Wells Fargo’s “waterfall” model, along with similar policies from other lenders, ensures that the bank can squeeze the most money possible from homeowners struggling to make payments while finally discarding them like trash if the bank can’t make a profit on every single loan. Running a mortgage loan business means assuming risks, especially after receiving billions in bailout funds from the taxpayers, many of whom are Wells’ mortgage loan borrowers.

    Stop contributing to the rash of deaths by foreclosure! Stop the single-minded greedy focus on profit! Stop ignoring the health and well-being of your customers and the communities where we live! Take whatever action is necessary to keep distressed families in their homes!

    This is an URGENT request, so please respond right away.

    Sincerely,

    your name here

  • Reserve December 6 and December 18 on your calendar for Wells Fargo protests on behalf of the “Wells 29”. (Update: Those protests took place with great success!)

Wells Fargo plans to foreclose on or evict the “Wells 29” despite:

This alert brought to you by Occupy Bernal, ACCE, and other supportive organizations coordinated within the Occupy the Auctions and Evictions campaign.

Links: Wells 32 Action Flyer (four to page)    Wells Pays $175 Million to Resolve Allegations of Racial Discrimination in Providing Mortgage Loans    Larry Faulks Profile    Larry Faulks Eviction Witness    DMG Asset Management Profile    Occupy DMG Home Action    Occupy Wells Fargo Noe Branch    SF Chronicle Coverage    Bay Area Reporter Coverage    Occupy Wells Fargo HQ    Occupy Senior and Veteran Evictions and Foreclosures (Occupy Anniversary)    Upcoming Bank Auctions of Foreclosure/Eviction Fighter Homes    Foreclosure/Eviction Fighter Profiles

For updates and this action alert: http://occupytheauctions.org/wells