Baltimore Sues Wells Fargo Over Discriminatory Lending Triggering Foreclosure Crisis

Baltimore became the first U.S. city to sue a major bank — Wells Fargo — under the Fair Housing Act, alleging the bank's reverse redlining concentrated foreclosures in Black neighborhoods. The suit cited a former Wells Fargo loan officer's affidavit describing instructions to target Black churches and community organizations for subprime products. The case was dismissed on standing grounds but established a template for subsequent municipal fair-lending litigation.