The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently hit Wells Fargo with a record-breaking penalty of $1.7 billion, which shocked the financial community. The high cost is the result of alleged decades-long consumer abuses, such as improperly foreclosing on properties and overcharging clients for overdraft fees. It is merely the most recent instance of how Wells Fargo has neglected to consider the welfare of customers when managing their commercial operations.

According to the CFPB, Wells Fargo misapplied consumer payments, resulting in wrongful foreclosures and illegal repossessions, as well as unexpected overdraft penalties and the two-week-on-average freezing of more than 1 million accounts. These moves had a negative impact on 16 million accounts, according to estimates. This settlement follows a spate of comparable infractions since 2011, and the CFPB has so far fined them the most money.

Director Rohit Chopra expressed concern that, notwithstanding this deal, Wells Fargo may continue engaging in unethical behavior without facing just punishment or scrutiny from authorities. Wells Fargo also agreed to pay an additional $2+ billion in restitution to customers who have been damaged by their actions, in addition to the substantial penalties. While this may offer some solace to those who are suffering, it cannot undo the years of harm that corporate incompetence and greed have done to countless people and families.

It is still unclear if this enormous payment will be sufficient to repair Wells Fargo’s reputation and atone for years of unethical activity. No matter if they are banks or not, director Chopra said he expects better from any organization that services so many American households. Consumers must continue to watch out for their rights going ahead and make sure that any organization they deal with does not in any way violate them.