Expense Control Will Be Key for Wells Fargo in 2024; Increasing FVE to $58

Wells Fargo remains in the middle of a multiyear rebuild. The bank is still under an asset cap imposed by the Federal Reserve, and we don't see this restriction coming off in 2024. Wells Fargo has years of expense-saving projects ahead of it as the bank attempts to get its efficiency ratio back under 60%. We also see a multiyear journey of repositioning and investing in the firm's existing franchises, including expanding its middle-market investment banking wallet share, investing in the cards franchise, and revitalizing a wealth segment that has lost advisors for years. These tasks take on increased importance for a bank that has been on defense for years after its fake accounts scandal broke in late 2016.