Companies With the Best and Worst Reputations

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5. The Trump Organization
> 2018 reputation quotient: 57.94
> 2017 reputation quotient: N/A
> Industry: Real estate
> CEO: Donald Trump Jr.

President Donald Trump is considered the one of the least popular presidents at this point in his tenure in American history — and the reputation of the company bearing his name also suffered recently. A real estate company, The Trump Organization operates a winery, a number of luxury hotels, and international golf courses. Once headed by Trump, the organization is now run by his son, Donald Trump Jr.

In addition to the those who dislike the company for political reasons, The Trump Organization’s reputation is also likely suffering as many suspect that there could be a conflict of interest between the president’s family running the business and his duties as a public servant.

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4. Wells Fargo & Company
> 2018 reputation quotient: 57.78
> 2017 reputation quotient: 49.11
> Industry: Financial services
> CEO: Timothy Sloan

Scandals are perhaps most harmful to a company’s reputation, and Wells Fargo is still reeling from one of the worst scandals in finance in recent memory. In 2016, regulators revealed the bank had created millions of fake credit and debit accounts without customers’ knowledge or consent. The revelation resulted in a $185 million fine and the resignation of then CEO John Stumpf. The company found itself in hot water once again last year for modifying mortgages without customers’ knowledge and charging over half a million customers for auto insurance they did not need.

As the fallout continues, earlier this year the Federal Reserve Bank decreed that the bank would not be allowed to grow its assets until it fixes its culture and internal problems. As a result, Wells Fargo areed to overhaul its board of directors.

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3. Equifax
> 2018 reputation quotient: 55.56
> 2017 reputation quotient: N/A
> Industry: Credit risk assessment
> CEO: Paulino do Rego Barros Jr.

Credit reporting company Equifax was the target of one of the largest data breaches in history. Between mid-May and late July 2017, Equifax’s databases were hacked, exposing the personal information, including addresses and social security numbers, of nearly 148 million Americans.

While Americans were rightfully outraged that their personal information was not adequately secure, the way the company handled the breach drew further ire. Rather than reporting the breach immediately as it was known, Equifax waited over a month to announce the hack. In a move many perceived as insufficient, Equifax offered those affected by the breach one-year of free identity theft protection.

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2. Weinstein Company
> 2018 reputation quotient: 52.48
> 2017 reputation quotient: N/A
> Industry: Film production
> CEO: Robert Weinstein

Rarely is a company’s reputation so badly damaged that it is no longer able to function. The Weinstein Company is one such rare example. Following an October 2017 story published in The New York Times detailing sexual harassment allegations spanning decades against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, The Weinstein Company is now all but defunct.

Earlier this year, a deal for a third party to purchase the company fell through following revelations of previously unknown millions in debt the company holds. As it stands, The Weinstein Company will likely be forced to file for bankruptcy.

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1. Takata
> 2018 reputation quotient: 45.17
> 2017 reputation quotient: 48.70
> Industry: Automotive
> CEO: N/A

Takata is a Japanese airbag manufacturer that is behind one of the biggest safety recalls in history. Takata airbags can explode with such force during an accident that they shoot dangerous shrapnel into drivers and passengers faces. The company’s airbags are installed in over 50 million Honda, Toyota, and Ford vehicles, and they have been linked to 22 known fatalities and over 180 injuries. The costly recall sent the company into bankruptcy. Chinese seatbelt manufacturer Key Safety Systems inked a deal to take over Takata’s remaining assets.