On Friday, DZ Bank AG, a German lender, jumped the bandwagon of other German lenders and filed a lawsuit against The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) for misrepresentation of documents while selling mortgage-backed securities (MBS), Bloomberg reported. The lodged complaint accuses Goldman of presenting modified documents related to the sale of over $188.6 million in residential mortgage-backed securities.
The Allegation
DZ Bank alleged that Goldman issued misleading statements with omissions related to the mortgage-backed securities and concealed risks associated with these securities. The plaintiff claims that the documents used for offering the securities contained fraudulent statements or omissions regarding the risks associated with the investments. Misinterpretation of these risks led to the investments, which incurred losses at current levels.
The case has been filed in the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan and the company demands compensation for the damages. However, Goldman has refrained from commenting on the issue.
Others Facing Similar Issues
Last week, UBS AG (UBS) was censured by the U.S. regulator for credit unions –National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) – for misrepresentation of documents while selling MBS worth $1.1 billion to two credit unions – U.S. Central Federal Credit Union and Western Corporate Federal Credit Union, which collapsed later.
Similar suits have been filed in the past by NCUA against other big shots like JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc. (RBS), Goldman as well as against Wachovia, which is now a unit of Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC). Moreover, settlements have been reached by NCUA with Deutsche Bank AG (DB), Citigroup Inc. (C) and HSBC Holdings Plc. (HBC), worth over $170 million.
Our Viewpoint
Troubles for Goldman seem to be unending, as only recently it was sued by two other German lenders – IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG (IKB) and Bayerische Landesbank in the Supreme Court over the same issue worth $73.2 million and $511.9 million, respectively.
The array of lawsuits has continued for the major U.S. banks since the financial meltdown. Last month, another Wall Street Biggie – Morgan Stanley (MS) along with Goldman was sued by HSH Nordbank AG, a German lender, related to the sale of over $524 million and $110 million, respectively, in residential mortgage-backed securities.
Numerous lawsuits alleging banks of such wrongdoings are expected to tarnish their reputation and financials over time. However, the investors and other financial institutions bearing the brunt of these faulty practices are expected to be fairly compensated.
Goldman currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating. Considering the fundamentals, we also maintain a long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.
CITIGROUP INC (C): Free Stock Analysis Report
DEUTSCHE BK AG (DB): Free Stock Analysis Report
GOLDMAN SACHS (GS): Free Stock Analysis Report
HSBC HOLDINGS (HBC): Free Stock Analysis Report
JPMORGAN CHASE (JPM): Free Stock Analysis Report
MORGAN STANLEY (MS): Free Stock Analysis Report
ROYAL BK SC-ADR (RBS): Free Stock Analysis Report
UBS AG (UBS): Free Stock Analysis Report
WELLS FARGO-NEW (WFC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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