Homeowners Stand Up To Wells Fargo

Yesterday there were 15 cities across the country the participated in petition deliveries and protests at Wells Fargo bank branches.

Lats year Wells Fargo profited more then any other bank in the country yet there continues to be wide spread reports of illegal foreclosures, wrongful evictions, dual tracking, and a general unwillingness to negotiate with struggling homeowners many of whom have already lost all their wealth after the housing crash in 2008.

The petition delivered in 15 cities yesterday was for 86 year old Grandmother Lavinia Curry. Lavinia fell behind by one payment before Wells Fargo moved forward on her foreclosure process. Lavinia and her family have tried to catch up the payments but Wells Fargo has refused to accept the families money instead moving forward with putting the 86 year old out of her home.
Read more about it and sign the online petition here.

American Friends Service Committee was excited to participate in the Atlanta petition deliver with was quickly organized alongside Occupy Our Homes Atlanta.

It was especially exciting that half of the people that participated in the letter delivery are or have been in an active housing fight with one of the big banks.

Santoro Family Stands Up to Wells Fargo

This past weekend Tony and Ladora Santoro organized a foreclosure free cookout at their home near the Big Chicken in Marietta. The Family bought the home in the mid 90's from Ladoro's parents, paid 20% down and were given a 7.5% interest rate.
The family had been paying ever since until Tony was laid off. Ladoro took on an extra job at McDonald's, working 30 hours a week there and 40 hours a week at Waffle House.

Eventually the family had to go to Wells Fargo with their hardship, asking them for a modification. Instead of working with the family Wells Fargo began to move forward with the foreclosure process despite the face that the family was making partial payments and could easily afford a modified mortgage amount.

Despite the fact that Tony has just gotten a new job Wells Fargo had still not agreed to work out a solution for the Santoro family.

So on Saturday friends, neighbors, and family came together to send a message to Wells Fargo that the Santoro's will not be leaving their home. American Friends Service Committee has worked closely with Occupy Our Homes Atlanta in supporting the Santoro's campaign to save their home from Wells Fargo and look forward to supporting their efforts.

The sad reality is that Wells Fargo would actually profit from a deal that would keep the Santoro's in their home, a home that has been in the family since 1976.

We encourage folks to sign and share the Santoro's online petition by clicking here.

Wells Fargo and US Bank are celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month by trying to evict cancer survivors from their homes.

 After retried APD detective and Cancer survivor Jacqueline Baber’s story hit the airwaves and newspapers other cancer survivors facing eviction across the country started reaching out to her, and had more than cancer and eviction in common. It seems there’s a trend emerging that links cancer, US Bank, and Wells Fargo.

One of those is Ana Casas Wilson who has lived in the same home near Los Angeles for 40 years. In 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her husband had to take some time off to care for her. Their income quickly rebounded, but they missed some mortgage payments. They tried to get back on track and work with the bank on modifications.  Ana was born with cerebral palsy, and has been a passionate and effective advocate for the disabled.

Wells Fargo foreclosed on her anyway, refusing to accept her payments.

Jacqueline Barber spent 20 years on the Atlanta police force, only retiring when injured by a car while on duty. In 2009, the predatory loan on her home caused her payment to go up $1500, and she fought to stay current. Then she was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and had to undergo aggressive treatment to save her life. She fought back against the disease, and spent months filling out forms and asking for modifications to her mortgage.

A Wells Fargo Executive Vice President assured her they were working on her case. Instead, they sold her loan to US Bank at foreclosure auction, and now she's fighting imminent eviction. The banks are refusing even to sell the home to friends and family who have banded together to help Jacqueline.

“While the banks do all this cancer awareness lip service with the pink ribbons they’re trying to evict cancer patients like me and Ana”, Said Jacqueline Barber. “In my case, if I had committed the fraud that US Bank did, I’d be in a federal jail. They do whatever they want and get away with it.” Jacqueline is now moving forward with a lawsuit against US Bank for wrongful foreclosure.

“Foreclosure is a cancer of our communities; one way of curing it is to keep people in their homes by working with them through tough times.” Says Jacqueline’s attorney Joshua Davis, who’s filing a lawsuit on Jacqueline’s behalf this week.

“The matter of Wells Fargo and US Bank in Ana and Jacqueline’s case suggests the insensitivity of these banks,” said SE regional Rainbow Push President Joe Beasley. “It’s time for them to do the right thing.”

“I’m surprised the Banks could be so cruel, my mom fought so hard and now this stress has taken her cancer out of remission” said Jacqueline’s daughter Yhonna Flowers

We're in the last week of Breast Cancer awareness month, but it seems like the only awareness Wall Street bankers have is of their foreclosure lists.

Please sign and share Jacqueline's online petition: http://start2.occupyourhomes.org/petitions/us-bank-don-t-evict-cancer-patient-jaqueline-barber-keep-her-in-her-home-1?time=1349475040

Tim Franzen

American Friends Service Committee

You Can Help Save My Home From Wells Fargo!

Since this June you've all helped keep me in my home and given a voice to the thousands struggling in the Atlanta metro area. As a result of the pressure all of you helped put onto Wells Fargo, they called me last month and said they were given authorization to work on a loan modification.  It was historic news considering the fact that they had already foreclosed on my home! When you’re as low as I was at the time, any good news is elating; I honestly thought I had won!

I didn't, and Wells Fargo has been dragging their feet in what feels like a waiting game. I was supposed to get word on my modification yesterday. It looks like my time is running out; while Wells Fargo takes their time on my modification I could be evicted any day now.

Can you help give Wells Fargo another push to make a deal that keeps me in my home? I’m not asking for a handout, I have money to pay, and the last thing my neighborhood needs is another empty house. One phone call can make a huge difference.

Can you help me win a victory for the 99%?

Here's how you can help today:

 Call Mike Heid: Please call Mike Heid, President of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, at (515) 213-6117 and demand that he make a deal to keep me in my home. Here's what you can say:"Make the modificationt  to keep Edmond Steve Boudreaux (Loan #00006391834) in his home. Accept his payments instead of leaving another empty house in our communities."

In Gratitude,

Steve Boudreaux

Help Steve Save His Home

We've gained enough support to push my dispossessory hearing to August 31st. While I'm encouraged that I will not be evicted this week, I know we are still far from a solution that will keep me in my home permanently. Wells Fargo is still refusing to rescind the foreclosure, so there is no time to lose. This is an important week in my campaign. Can you help me win a victory for the 99%? 

Here's how you can help today:

1. Call Mike Heid: Please call Mike Heid, President of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, at (515) 213-6117 and demand that he make a deal to keep me in my home. Here's what you can say:"Rescind the foreclosure and work out a deal to keep Edmond Steve Boudreaux (Loan #00006391834) in his home. Accept his payments instead of leaving another empty house in our communities." Report your results here.

2. Share the petition: I delivered the petition this past Friday, but I'm still hoping to pass 2,000 signatures this week, can you help?

http://start2.occupyourhomes.org/petitions/wells-fargo-keep-steve-boudreaux-in-his-home

3. Plan a solidarity action: For the past month we've been organizing small flash demonstrations outside of Wells Fargo Branchs. We hope that you will add to our numbers by either joining us or by visiting branches in your hometowns. You can go by yourself or get a small contingent together to deliver this letter to tellers and branch managers. If you can take it a step further, organize a rally at a local branch. 

I look forward to reporting back on our progress!

Thank you so very, very much,
Steve Boudreaux

The People vs Wells Fargo

Despite, or perhaps because of, Wells Fargo’s cavalier and callous actions towards someone taking extraordinary measures to comply with the bank’s demands and stay in his home, Steve Boudreaux is refusing to give up his home to the bank. He has been occupying his home despite the recent commencement of eviction proceedings and taking a stand, the first of its kind in Cobb County, GA, for what is right and just. He is fighting for rescinding the foreclosure sale and a halt to the eviction proceedings.

 

While Georgia recorded the highest number of foreclosures in the country recently, Steve claims that many homeowners in his area are ashamed to admit they are going through the same thing. “I look forward to breaking the cycle of silence that keeps so many Cobb residents from standing up to the banks and defending their homes,” he said when asked about his decision to take his fight public.

Steve, who is now employed and getting back on his feet, needs your help to fight this unjust foreclosure eviction. Just ten days ago after a day of phone calls and emails to Wells Fargo big wigs Adam Lawmen, a Wells Fargo representative, committed to work on rescinding Steve’s foreclosure and moving forward with a modification.

As of yesterday Wells Fargo refused to rescind Steve's foreclosure, which means they are willing to stand by and watch him get kicked out of his home.

So we decided to head over to a Wells Fargo branch and give them a taste of some shame therapy. While several of us met with the branch manager and demanded he contact his higher ups to resolve the matter, over a dozen people participated in a direct action training right outside the bank.

The bank manager agreed to follow up with us and Steve on the matter. Ultimately we know it’s not his call, nor can any of the workers have a real say in whether a foreclosure eviction goes down. Our message was to the higher ups at Wells Fargo.

 

We will no longer allow foreclosures and evictions to go down in our communities without a fight. We simply can’t afford another boarded up house while so many need a roof over their heads. If financial institutions and our government can’t figure out a way to truly address the housing crisis then it’s up to regular everyday people to enact our own measures, it’s up to us to fight for our neighborhood.

Please sign the petition to save Steve’s home HERE

Tim Franzen

American Friends Service Committee

The Fight To Save Steve's Home!

Today we hosted two phone banks in the Atlanta area with the hope of generating lots of phone calls and emails to Wells Fargo in our effort to help Steve Boudreaux save his home! It went super well, and it was a lot of fun! We made lots of calls, emails, and we shared a delicious meal!

It’s not too late to call! Here’s all the info:

Last year, Marietta, Ga resident Steve Boudreaux lost his job. Like the millions of other Americans battling unemployment, Steve struggled to make his mortgage payments, and eventually fell behind. In an effort to save his home from foreclosure, Steve applied for an emergency loan modification from his lender, Wells Fargo. Everything was set to move forward until the IRS delayed in getting Steve’s tax transcripts to the bank. Rather than wait for the transcripts—the IRS even sent confirmation that they were on their way-- Wells Fargo moved forward with a foreclosure sale. To add insult to injury, the transcripts were delivered to the bank the next day.

Steve is now employed and getting back on his feet, and is willing to do whatever it takes to stay in his home. He contacted Wells Fargo numerous times requesting they rescind the foreclosure, and let him stay in his home. His calls have so far fallen on deaf ears.

Please contact Wells Fargo on Steve’s behalf with this simple message.

"Rescind the foreclosure, and work out a deal to keep Steve Boudreaux (Loan # 00006391834) in his home. Accept his payments instead of leaving another empty house in our communities."

Call AND email:

John G. Stumpf

Chairman & CEO

(415) 396-7018

John.g.stumpf@wellsfargo.com

Michael J. Heid

President, Home Mortgage

(515)213-6117

Michael.j.heid@wellsfargo.com

Pat Callahan

Chief Administrative Officer

Patricia.r.callahan@wellsfargo.com

Avid Modjtabai

Senior EVP, Consumer Lending

Avid.modjtabai@wellsfargo.com

The Fight To Save Steve's Home Continues

The past week three flash demonstrations were carried out in an effort to keep the pressure on Wells Fargo to make a deal to keep Cobb County resident Steve Boudreaux in his home. So far, despite Steve’s willingness to negotiate a very reasonable deal with Wells Fargo, the bank has been unwilling to budge. It seems they would rather see another crime attracting, neighborhood devaluing, boarded up home is his community.

After battling unemployment and struggling to make payments on his mortgage, Boudreaux applied for an emergency home loan modification to stay in his home at a rate he could afford.

Boudreaux said everything was all set to move forward until the IRS delayed in getting tax transcripts to his bank.

Wells Fargo pushed forward with a foreclosure sale, according to Boudreaux. The transcripts were delivered the day after the foreclosure sale.

It’s time the banks stop holding our communities and make an effort to work with home owners to keep them in their home in these historic difficult times.

Next Tuesday Occupy Our Homes ATL and the Cobb Coalition For Change will be hosting a national call in day to Wells Fargo in an effort to pressure the bank to make a deal.

 Event Details

Tim Franzen

American Friend Service Committee

The People VS Wells Fargo

Homeowner Steve Boudreaux, who we've been working with alongside Occupy Our Homes ATL and the Cobb Coalition for Change, hosted a press conference outside his home at 3 pm to declare that he is fighting to keep his home off Rubes Landing in Marietta.

We plan to support Steve and stand along side of him as he refuses to leave the property until Wells Fargo makes a deal that keeps him in his home.

After battling unemployment and struggling to make payments on his mortgage, Boudreaux applied for an emergency home loan modification to stay in his home at a rate he could afford.

Boudreaux said everything was all set to move forward until the IRS delayed in getting tax transcripts to his bank.

Wells Fargo pushed forward with a foreclosure sale, according to Boudreaux. The transcripts were delivered the day after the foreclosure sale.

A demonstration was held Friday outside of the Wells Fargo branch where Boudreaux took out his loan.

On Monday, tents were be pitched and supporters began a 24/7 vigil until Wells Fargo makes a deal to keep Boudreaux in is home.

"Georgia is now the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis. We have to do something about this, and we have to do it now," says Occupy Homes organizer Allie McCullen.

Cobb County Home Owner Stands Up To Wells Fargo

After battling unemployment and struggling to make payments on his mortgage, Cobb County resident Steve Boudreaux did what any diligent homeowner would do--he applied for an emergency home loan modification to stay in his home at a rate he could afford. Everything was all set to move forward until the IRS delayed in getting tax transcripts to his bank, Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo, rather than wait for the transcripts to come in, pushed forward with a foreclosure sale, even though the modification application was incomplete due to no fault of Steve's own. To add insult to injury, the transcripts were delivered the day after the foreclosure sale.

Today Steve was joined by Occupy Our Homes ATL and Cobb United for Change at the Wells Fargo branch that Steve originally applied and received his home lone with one simple message,  "You have all the information you need! Make a deal to keep Steve in his home!"

Cobb United for Change and Occupy Our Homes are ready to stand up with Steve to keep him in his home. Will you?

You can help Steve and call Luis Fortin of the Wells Fargo "Home Preservation" Team and demand he work to keep Steve in his home.

To reach Mr. Fortin call 877-458-8418. Once connected dial 0 until you are asked for an extension. Luis is ext. 31560.

Make sure to tell him that "Wells Fargo needs to work with Steve Boudreaux at 1525 Rubes Landing in Marietta. Set aside the foreclosure and make a deal to keep Steve in his home!"




After putting Wells Fargo on blast folks headed over to the Marietta Daily Journal to let them know that they needed to start covering the worst housing crisis in Georgia History.