Sometimes the question of responsibility is asked so that we can identify the cause and, in turn, prevent it from happening again. What recommendations would you make to prevent this from happening again?In December 2013, the Los Angeles Times published the results of an ongoing investigation into Wells Fargo. The Times report described high-pressure sales practices that were aimed at marketing additional financial products to present customers, a practice known as cross-selling. The report told of Wells Fargo employees establishing new accounts in customers’ names without their consent or knowledge. The Times story included interviews with numerous branch managers from across the United States who described unreasonably high sales targets and quotas that encouraged such unethical practices. In response to this story, Wells Fargo claimed that it took all legal or ethical lapses seriously but denied any systemic wrongdoing. A spokesperson cited a new corporate Ethics Program Office that would oversee compliance with corporate ethical standards.