Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Business Description and Basis of Presentation

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company. We provide banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through banking locations and offices, the internet and other distribution channels to individuals, businesses and institutions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in countries outside the U.S. When we refer to “Wells Fargo,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” or “us,” we mean Wells Fargo & Company and Subsidiaries (consolidated). Wells Fargo & Company (the Parent) is a financial holding company and a bank holding company. We also hold a majority interest in a real estate investment trust, which has publicly traded preferred stock outstanding.

Our accounting and reporting policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and practices in the financial services industry. For a discussion of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2023 Form 10-K). There were no material changes to these policies in the first nine months of 2024.

Use of Estimates

To prepare the financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management must make estimates based on assumptions about future economic and market conditions (for example, unemployment, market liquidity, real estate prices, etc.) that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, income and expenses during the reporting period and the related disclosures. Although our estimates contemplate current conditions and how we expect them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be worse than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including:

•allowance for credit losses (Note 5 (Loans and Related Allowance for Credit Losses) and Note 3 (Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities));

•valuations of residential mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) (Note 6 (Mortgage Banking Activities) and Note 13 (Securitizations and Variable Interest Entities));

•valuations of financial instruments (Note 12 (Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities));

•liability for legal actions (Note 10 (Legal Actions));

•income taxes; and

•goodwill impairment (Note 7 (Intangible Assets and Other Assets)).

Actual results could differ from those estimates.

These unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q. The results of operations in the interim financial statements do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for the full year. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with our 2023 Form 10-K.

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2024

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2024

In 2024, we adopted the following new accounting guidance:

•Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-02, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method

•ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated the effects of events that have occurred subsequent to September 30, 2024, and there have been no material events that would require recognition in our third quarter 2024 consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2023-02 [Member]

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2024

ASU 2023-02 expands the use of the proportional amortization method of accounting for tax credit investments, which previously was limited to affordable housing investments that generate low-income housing tax credits. Upon adoption of the Update, an entity may elect to account for equity investments that generate income tax credits and benefits using the proportional amortization method if certain eligibility criteria are met.

The proportional amortization method amortizes the cost of a tax credit investment in proportion to the income tax credits and income tax benefits received. The amortization and related income tax credits and benefits are recorded on a net basis within income tax expense. The cost of an investment includes unfunded commitments that are either legally binding or contingent but probable of funding. Such unfunded commitments are not recognized under other methods of accounting.

We adopted the Update on January 1, 2024, on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. Upon adoption, we elected to account for eligible investments in our renewable energy tax credit portfolio using the proportional amortization method. These investments were previously accounted for using the equity method. We also elected to continue use of the proportional amortization method to account for our affordable housing investments. In addition, we elected to classify liabilities recognized for unfunded commitments related to proportional amortization method investments in accrued expenses and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet, including a change to unfunded commitments for affordable housing investments that were previously included in long-term debt. Prior period amounts were not impacted by these accounting changes.

Table 1.1 presents the transition adjustments recorded upon the adoption of ASU 2023-02 as of January 1, 2024.

Table 1.1: Transition Adjustment of ASU 2023-02

(in millions)	Dec 31, 2023		Transition adjustment upon adoption	Jan 1, 2024
Selected Balance Sheet Data
Equity securities	$	57,336	1,700	59,036
Other assets	78,815		548	79,363
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	71,210		7,333	78,543
Long-term debt	207,588		(4,927)	202,661
Retained earnings	201,136		(158)	200,978

Accounting Standards Update 2022-03 [Member]

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2024

ASU 2022-03 clarifies the guidance regarding the measurement of fair value of equity securities subject to contractual restrictions that prohibit the sale of the security. Specifically, that such restrictions are not part of the unit of account of the

security and therefore are not considered when measuring fair value. We adopted the Update on January 1, 2024, on a prospective basis. The Update did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.