Vanguard Group

Valley Forge, United States

The Vanguard Group is a major investment management company widely recognized for its pioneering efforts in low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The firm advocates for investor interests and is noted for having a unique ownership structure where investors in its funds own the company, thus aligning the company's objectives with those of its clients.

CCI Score

-49.11

0.03% April 18

Latest Event

Vanguard Group Political Finance Profile 2024

The OpenSecrets profile for Vanguard Group details campaign contributions of $502,046 and lobbying spending of $2,650,000 during the 2024 cycle, with data released by the FEC and the Senate Office of Public Records. The disclosed figures suggest significant corporate political activity, which raises concerns from an anti-fascist perspective regarding the potential influence on democratic processes.

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QUISLING

Vanguard Group is currently rated as a Quisling.

-44 to -59 CCI Score

These companies are fully aligned with authoritarian regimes. They not only support but also enforce oppressive policies, playing a significant role in the regime’s operational apparatus and contributing directly to its consolidation of power.

Latest Events

FEB

19

2025

Vanguard Group Political Finance Profile 2024
-14.76

The OpenSecrets profile for Vanguard Group details campaign contributions of $502,046 and lobbying spending of $2,650,000 during the 2024 cycle, with data released by the FEC and the Senate Office of Public Records. The disclosed figures suggest significant corporate political activity, which raises concerns from an anti-fascist perspective regarding the potential influence on democratic processes.
-15

Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts

April 11

The reported political contributions and lobbying expenditures indicate that Vanguard Group is actively engaging in corporate political spending. From an anti-fascist, left-leaning perspective, such activities may contribute to disproportionate corporate influence in politics, potentially undermining labor rights and progressive democratic reforms.

Vanguard Group Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets
JAN

21

2025

Vanguard Fined for Misleading Investor Disclosures
-58.58

Vanguard Group has agreed to pay $106.41 million in relief to settle SEC charges over misleading statements related to capital gains distributions and tax liabilities affecting retail investors in its Target Retirement Funds. The SEC’s order highlighted failures in providing accurate disclosures and implementing proper procedures.
-60

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

January 21

The SEC’s investigation revealed that Vanguard provided materially misleading disclosures regarding the tax implications of its retirement funds. By failing to implement robust compliance policies, the firm compromised investor trust and violated ethical business practices. This misconduct not only harmed retail investors but also reflects a broader disregard for transparent and responsible corporate governance.

SEC.gov | Vanguard to Pay More Than $100 Million to Resolve Violations Related to Target Date Retirement Funds
JAN

10

2025

Vanguard Faces $106M Settlement for Failing to Notify Investors
-68.13

New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside a bipartisan multistate coalition and the SEC, has secured a $106 million settlement from Vanguard. The settlement stems from Vanguard’s failure to notify its retirement fund investors about changes that would result in significantly higher capital gains tax bills, impacting over 15,000 New York investors.
-70

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

April 11

Vanguard’s failure to disclose the significant financial impact of changes to its retirement funds represents a serious lapse in ethical business practices. This lack of transparency and failure to adequately inform investors about consequential tax liabilities undermines investor interests and constitutes negligent corporate behavior. The multi-jurisdictional settlement underscores the broader regulatory and ethical concerns related to business practices.

Attorney General James Secures $106 Million from Vanguard for Failing to Notify Investors
OCT

18

2023

Settlement for Retaliation Lawsuit
-68.84

Vanguard Group has agreed to pay $500,000 and implement anti-discrimination measures to settle an EEOC lawsuit alleging retaliation against a Black employee who complained about race discrimination.
-80

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 11

The settlement following the EEOC lawsuit underscores serious breaches in labor relations and human rights practices. Allegations of retaliation and racial discrimination reveal a failure to protect minority workers and uphold fair employment practices, marking a significant negative signal regarding Vanguard's ethical responsibilities.

VANGUARD GROUP TO PAY $500,000 FOR RETALIATION
OCT

01

2023

Accusations of Ignoring Human Rights
-34.26

A Financial Times report has accused Vanguard Group, along with Fidelity Investments and JPMorgan, of paying lip service to human rights and failing to commit to responsible investment practices.
-40

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 11

The report accuses Vanguard Group of ignoring human rights, suggesting that the firm offers only superficial commitments rather than genuine responsible investment practices, which raises concerns over its business practices and ethical responsibility toward human rights.

Fidelity, Vanguard and JPMorgan accused of ignoring human rights
AUG

08

2023

Federal Lawsuit Over Racial Discrimination Allegations
-67.51

A federal lawsuit filed on August 8 alleges that Vanguard Group engaged in racially discriminatory practices against Black women, including wrongful terminations and hostile work environment measures that violate federal and state civil rights laws.
-80

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 11

The lawsuit accuses Vanguard Group of fostering a racially hostile work environment by discriminating against Black employees—especially Black women—through practices in hiring, firing, and internal complaint dismissal. Such allegations indicate significant ethical failings in labor relations and human rights practices, warranting a strongly negative score.

Vanguard Group faces federal lawsuit over alleged racially discriminatory practices
JAN

19

2016

Vanguard Faces Multiple Discrimination Lawsuits
-31.71

A report highlights that since 2010, Vanguard has faced 20 discrimination lawsuits linked to allegations of racial and age discrimination and the use of controversial forced ranking practices, resulting in multiple settlements.
-80

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 11

The series of 20 discrimination lawsuits, including allegations that Vanguard uses a forced ranking system to disadvantage older workers and those taking family leave, clearly reflects problematic labor relations and human rights practices. Such patterns of workplace discrimination and ethical lapses are highly concerning from an anti-fascist perspective that champions worker rights and fairness.

Report: Vanguard slammed with 20 discrimination lawsuits in 5 years