Wells Fargo Completes Conversion of Wachovia Community Banking Operations in 363 Stores in Florida

Wachovia banking locations across north and central Florida and the greater Tampa area became Wells Fargo stores over the past weekend in the latest phase of the largest bank merger in U.S. history. More than 4.6 million Florida customers can now take advantage of 363 Wells Fargo stores and more than 500 ATMs across that part of the state, along with added products and services.

Wachovia banking locations in the southern half of Florida will transition to Wells Fargo stores in July, and other eastern states will follow throughout 2011.

"We’re proud that Wells Fargo has officially arrived in Florida, and we’re ready to continue offering our customers outstanding service and a greater choice of products to help them succeed financially,” said Shelley Freeman, regional president, Florida Community Banking.

"Our team members have been planning and working for nearly two years to ensure a smooth transition. I thank them and our customers, who continue to trust us with their business,” said Scott Coble, regional president, North Florida.

"Our name has changed; however, customers will continue to get the same great service from the same great team of tellers and bankers they’re accustomed to doing business with,” said Larisa Perry, regional president, Central Florida.

"Wells Fargo’s dedication to our communities remains strong, as we pledge to continue to support their needs with team member volunteers and financial resources,” said Carl Miller, regional president, Greater Gulf Coast.

Already the change to Wells Fargo has brought new benefits to Florida. Wells Fargo has added new jobs across the state, mostly in community banking, and customers now have expanded choices in checking, savings, and other products ranging from renters and auto insurance to identity theft prevention and the ExpressSend^® remittance service. Environmentally friendly ATMs that accept stacks of cash or checks without envelopes or deposit slips have also been installed. These ATMs help small businesses by offering an 8:00 p.m. deadline for check deposits with funds available at midnight, so deposits can be made after the close of the business day.

The Wells Fargo ExpressSend distribution includes over 27,000 remittance payout locations with 26 remittance network companies located in 15 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Wells Fargo’s ExpressSend remittance service is extremely popular with Hispanic customers because it’s an economical, convenient, and dependable way to send money home.

Local communities and nonprofit organizations are also benefiting from the changeover to Wells Fargo. The company announced charitable contributions totaling more than $200,000 to 15 nonprofit organizations within the converting regions.

In addition, all banking stores have been remodeled to the Wells Fargo open layout floor plan to improve the customer experience and to help the environment by using green materials and systems where possible. Many stores feature murals depicting local history, produced in conjunction with local historical societies.

The origins of the Florida changeover began on Dec. 31, 2008, when Wachovia Corporation merged with Wells Fargo & Company. Continuing through 2011, the company will convert Wachovia operations in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Important customer information – To ensure a smooth transition, customers can continue to use their existing Wachovia checks and deposit slips until they run out, and they can use the same debit card until it expires or they receive a new one.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com, and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With approximately 280,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 19 on Fortune’s 2009 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.

Wells Fargo Investments, LLC (member SIPC), is a non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by two separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (members SIPC).

Deposit products offered through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801.

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