Statement of Allegations: In the Matter of Wells Fargo Financial Canada Corporation
IN THE MATTER OF THE SECURITIES ACT
R.S.O. 1990, C.S.5, AS AMENDED
- AND -
IN THE MATTER OF
WELLS FARGO FINANCIAL CANADA CORPORATION
STATEMENT OF ALLEGATIONS
OF STAFF OF THE ONTARIO SECURITIES COMMISSION
Staff of the Ontario Securities Commission (“Staff”) make the following allegations:
1. Wells Fargo Financial Canada Corporation ("Wells Fargo") is an unlimited liability company, amalgamated under the laws of Nova Scotia. It is a reporting issuer in Ontario and has its principal office in Toronto.
II. THE SHELF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
4. Reporting issuers permitted to use the Shelf Distribution System may file a base shelf prospectus qualifying a maximum number of securities for distribution during a specified period of time.
6. Timely filing of a prospectus supplement ensures that the market is promptly and fully informed of a distribution under a base shelf prospectus.
III. REPEATED LATE FILING BY WELLS FARGO
8. In October 2001, Wells Fargo filed a short-form base shelf prospectus (the "2001 Shelf Prospectus"). The 2001 Shelf Prospectus qualified up to $1.5 billion of unsecured MTNs for distribution during the period ending November 30, 2003.
10. Wells Fargo made five distributions under the 2001 Shelf Prospectus, as outlined in the table below. Two MTN Pricing Supplements for distributions totalling $350 million were filed late.
2001 Shelf Prospectus Distributions
No. |
Date of Distribution
|
Date of Filing |
Principal Amount |
Late Filing? |
1. |
October 23, 2001
|
November 8, 2001 |
$200 million |
No |
2. |
May 2, 2002 |
February 24, 2003 |
$150 million |
Yes: 8 months, 17 days |
3. |
August 26, 2002 |
February 25, 2003 |
$200 million |
Yes: 5 months, 18 days |
4. |
March 21, 2003 |
April 3, 2003 |
$200 million |
No
|
5. |
June 17, 2003 |
June 27, 2003 |
$200 million |
No
|
12. In November 2003, the 2001 Shelf Prospectus lapsed. Wells Fargo filed a subsequent short-form base shelf prospectus (the “2003 Shelf Prospectus”) qualifying up to $1.5 billion of unsecured MTNs for distribution during the period ending November 30, 2005.
2003 Shelf Prospectus Distribution
No. |
Date of Distribution |
Date of Filing |
Principal Amount |
Late Filing?
|
1.
|
June 24, 2004 |
June 25, 2004 |
$200 million |
No
|
2.
|
August 24, 2004 |
September 10, 2004 |
$200 million |
Yes: 3 days
|
3.
|
September 22, 2004 |
October 15, 2004 |
$400 million |
Yes: 8 days
|
4.
|
October 29, 2004 |
October 29, 2004 |
$400 million |
No
|
IV. STAFF’S POSITION
15. Wells Fargo has repeatedly breached Ontario securities law and engaged in conduct contrary to the public interest.
DATED AT TORONTO this 22nd day of December, 2004
TO: Nigel Campbell
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
199 Bay Street
Suite 2800 Commerce Court West
Toronto ON M5L 1A9