Showing posts with label merger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label merger. Show all posts

Monday, October 13, 2008

Federal Reserve Board Approves Wells Fargo’s Application to Merge with Wachovia Corporation

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) said today that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve has approved its application to merge with Wachovia Corporation (NYSE: WB) including all its subsidiaries, and the share exchange agreement previously entered into between Wachovia and Wells Fargo.

The approval is an important step forward in the transaction, which still requires the approval of Wachovia shareholders. The merger is on schedule to be completed by the end of this year.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $609 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through almost 6,000 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the U.S., and one of only two banks worldwide, to have the highest possible credit rating from both Moody’s Investors Service, “Aaa,” and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “AAA.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements about Wells Fargo and Wachovia and the proposed transaction between the companies. There are several factors – many beyond Wells Fargo’s control – that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. Among these factors are the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and the approval of Wachovia shareholders. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date.

For a discussion of factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, refer to each company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, including information incorporated into each company’s 10-K from their respective 2007 annual reports, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND WHERE TO FIND IT

The proposed merger will be submitted to Wachovia Corporation shareholders for their consideration. Wells Fargo will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of Wachovia Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of Wells Fargo. Wachovia Corporation will mail the proxy statement-prospectus to its shareholders. Wachovia shareholders and other investors are urged to read the final proxy statement-prospectus when it becomes available because it will describe the proposed merger and contain other important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed merger, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). You may also obtain free copies of these documents by contacting Wells Fargo or Wachovia, as follows:

Wells Fargo & Company, Attention Corporate Secretary, MAC N9305-173, Sixth and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, (612) 667-0087.

Wachovia Corporation, Investor Relations, One Wachovia Center, 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288, (704) 374-6782

Wells Fargo and Wachovia and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Wachovia Corporation shareholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information about Wells Fargo’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Wells Fargo common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Wells Fargo’s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed by Wells Fargo with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 17, 2008. Information about Wachovia’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Wachovia common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Wachovia’s 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed by Wachovia with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 10, 2008. You may obtain a free copy of these documents by contacting Wells Fargo or Wachovia at the contact information provided above. The proxy statement-prospectus for the proposed merger will provide more information about participants in the solicitation of proxies from Wachovia Corporation shareholders.

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Friday, October 10, 2008

Wells Fargo’s Merger With Wachovia to Proceed as Whole Company Transaction With All of Wachovia’s Banking Operations

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) said today (October 9, 2008) that it and Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE:C) have terminated discussions concerning a possible sale of certain banking assets of Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) and reaffirmed that it is proceeding with its merger with Wachovia Corporation as a whole company transaction with all of Wachovia’s banking and other operations, requiring no financial assistance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.

Wells Fargo has submitted its application to the Federal Reserve Board seeking expedited approval of the merger and the share exchange agreement previously entered into between Wachovia and Wells Fargo. Under the share exchange agreement, Wachovia is issuing Wells Fargo preferred stock that votes as a single class with Wachovia’s common stock representing 39.9 percent of Wachovia’s voting power. The acquisition of the non-banking related operations of Wachovia and the share exchange agreement have received early termination from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

As previously announced, under the definitive agreement between the two companies, Wells Fargo will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Wachovia in a stock-for-stock transaction. In the transaction, Wells Fargo will acquire all of Wachovia Corporation and all its businesses and obligations, including its preferred equity and indebtedness, and all its banking deposits.

Wells Fargo Chairman Dick Kovacevich said the merger is “simply an incredible fit that will result in an immensely strong, stable financial services company that will carry on Wachovia’s proud tradition of being one of the very best financial institutions in the world. We’re combining the industry’s number one ranking customer service culture of Wachovia with the industry’s number one sales and cross-selling culture of Wells Fargo. The best in service and the best in sales, an unbeatable combination. We also bring to this merger our 157 years of experience in financial services and the unparalleled convenience we can offer Wachovia customers through one of the most extensive financial services distributions systems in North America. We have the highest regard for the quality and commitment and caring of Wachovia team members. We believe their demonstrated commitment to outstanding customer service and their highest standards of community leadership are identical to our own values.”

Kovacevich reiterated that the two companies have a firm, binding merger agreement, are confident the merger will be completed, that it will keep Wachovia intact and create significant value for Wachovia and Wells Fargo shareholders. Wells Fargo will record Wachovia’s credit-impaired assets at fair value. “Credit teams at Wells Fargo have had an opportunity to work with their counterparts at Wachovia,” said Kovacevich. “Much of Wachovia’s portfolio involves businesses where Wells Fargo has a significant market presence, operating history and expertise. We have had experience with such businesses through a variety of credit cycles. Given our broad based operating expertise, and specific understanding of these individual businesses we believe we have adequately evaluated the risks inherent in the portfolios as of the time of this merger agreement.”

In addition, Kovacevich said Wells Fargo is pleased that Citigroup announced that it is no longer seeking that the Wells Fargo-Wachovia merger be enjoined. “We believe that that is the correct and right decision for our Country and our citizens and the health of our already stressed financial system, as well as our and Wachovia’s respective shareholders and stakeholders,” said Kovacevich.

“We are delighted to stride ahead with Wells Fargo in creating a coast-to-coast financial institution -- one of the strongest financial firms in the world,” said Wachovia Corporation President and CEO Robert K. Steel.

The combined company will have $1.42 trillion in assets, $787 billion in deposits, 48 million customers, $258 billion assets under management in mutual funds, 10,761 stores, 12,227 ATMs and 280,000 team members. The merger will create the nation’s premier coast-to-coast community banking presence with community banks in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Wachovia will add the following banking stores, ATMs and deposits to the combined company (Stores/ATMs as of 9/30/08; U.S. Deposits 6/30/08):


Banking stores

ATMs

Deposits (billions)

Alabama 141 178 $ 8.8
Arizona 21 44 2.7
California 193 255 37.1
Colorado 34 35 4.8
Connecticut 74 105 7.4
Delaware 20 37 3.4
Florida 712 963 71.1
Georgia 277 653 27.8
Illinois 8 9 .9
Kansas 8 8 1.2
Maryland 80 116 7.5
Mississippi 13 20 .5
North Carolina 325 649 96.2
Pennsylvania 294 457 30.9
Nevada 6 26 19.0
New Jersey 312 468 28.4
New York 84 183 15.1
South Carolina 143 275 11.7
Tennessee 17 20 .5
Texas 241 290 14.1
Virginia 290 443 25.9
Washington D.C. 32 66 6.9
Total 3325 5300 $ 422

The combined company will be #1 in deposit market share1 in 17 of its 39 Community Banking states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia. Ninety-three percent of its deposits will be in states in which it ranks #1, 2 or 3 and the combined company will rank #1 in ten of the nation’s 20 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in deposit market share.1

1 excludes deposits greater than $500 million in a single banking store

Wells Fargo also is the nation’s:

* #1 small business lender,
* #1 agricultural lender,
* #1 commercial real estate broker,
* #2 largest mortgage originator,
* #2 largest mortgage servicer,
* #2 largest debit card issuer,
* #1 financial services provider to middle market businesses in the western U.S. and a national presence in commercial banking (29 states),
* largest bank-owned U.S. insurance brokerage

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $609 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through almost 6,000 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the U.S., and one of only two banks worldwide, to have the highest possible credit rating from both Moody’s Investors Service, “Aaa,” and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “AAA.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements about Wells Fargo and Wachovia and the proposed transaction between the companies. There are several factors – many beyond Wells Fargo’s control – that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. Among these factors are the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and the approval of Wachovia shareholders. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date.

For a discussion of factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, refer to each company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, including information incorporated into each company’s 10-K from their respective 2007 annual reports, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND WHERE TO FIND IT

The proposed merger will be submitted to Wachovia Corporation shareholders for their consideration. Wells Fargo will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of Wachovia Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of Wells Fargo. Wachovia Corporation will mail the proxy statement-prospectus to its shareholders. Wachovia shareholders and other investors are urged to read the final proxy statement-prospectus when it becomes available because it will describe the proposed merger and contain other important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed merger, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). You may also obtain free copies of these documents by contacting Wells Fargo or Wachovia, as follows:

Wells Fargo & Company, Attention Corporate Secretary, MAC N9305-173, Sixth and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, (612) 667-0087.

Wachovia Corporation, Investor Relations, One Wachovia Center, 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288, (704) 374-6782

Wells Fargo and Wachovia and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Wachovia Corporation shareholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information about Wells Fargo’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Wells Fargo common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Wells Fargo’s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed by Wells Fargo with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 17, 2008. Information about Wachovia’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Wachovia common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Wachovia’s 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed by Wachovia with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 10, 2008. You may obtain a free copy of these documents by contacting Wells Fargo or Wachovia at the contact information provided above. The proxy statement-prospectus for the proposed merger will provide more information about participants in the solicitation of proxies from Wachovia Corporation shareholders.

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Monday, October 6, 2008

Wells Fargo Statement on Appellate Court Decision to Vacate Temporary Restraining Order

BUSINESS WIRE --Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) issued the following statement this evening (October 5, 2008) regarding Citigroup’s claimed exclusivity agreement with Wachovia Corporation:

“The appellate court has entered an order vacating Judge Ramos’s order of yesterday. We are pleased that the unfounded order entered yesterday has been vacated. Wells Fargo will continue working toward the completion of its firm, binding merger agreement with Wachovia Corporation.”

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $609 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through almost 6,000 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the U.S., and one of only two banks worldwide, to have the highest possible credit rating from both Moody’s Investors Service, “Aaa,” and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “AAA.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements about Wells Fargo and Wachovia and the proposed transaction between the companies. There are several factors – many beyond Wells Fargo’s control – that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. Among these factors are the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and the approval of Wachovia shareholders. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date.

For a discussion of factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, refer to each company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, including information incorporated into each company’s 10-K from their respective 2007 annual reports, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND WHERE TO FIND IT

The proposed merger will be submitted to Wachovia Corporation shareholders for their consideration. Wells Fargo will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of Wachovia Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of Wells Fargo. Wachovia Corporation will mail the proxy statement-prospectus to its shareholders. Wachovia shareholders and other investors are urged to read the final proxy statement-prospectus when it becomes available because it will describe the proposed merger and contain other important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed merger, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). You may also obtain free copies of these documents by contacting Wells Fargo or Wachovia, as follows:

Wells Fargo & Company, Attention Corporate Secretary, MAC N9305-173, Sixth and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, (612) 667-0087.

Wachovia Corporation, Investor Relations, One Wachovia Center, 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288, (704) 374-6782.

Wells Fargo and Wachovia and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Wachovia Corporation shareholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information about Wells Fargo’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Wells Fargo common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Wells Fargo’s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed by Wells Fargo with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 17, 2008. Information about Wachovia’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Wachovia common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Wachovia’s 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed by Wachovia with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 10, 2008. You may obtain a free copy of these documents by contacting Wells Fargo or Wachovia at the contact information provided above. The proxy statement-prospectus for the proposed merger will provide more information about participants in the solicitation of proxies from Wachovia Corporation shareholders.

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Saturday, October 4, 2008

Wells Fargo, Wachovia Agree to Merge

BUSINESS WIRE)--Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) and Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) said today (October 3, 2008) they have signed a definitive agreement for the merger of the two companies including all of Wachovia’s banking operations in a whole company transaction requiring no financial assistance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.

Under the agreement, Wells Fargo will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Wachovia in a stock-for-stock transaction. In the transaction, Wells Fargo will acquire all of Wachovia Corporation and all its businesses and obligations, including its preferred equity and indebtedness, and all its banking deposits.

Under terms of the agreement, which has been approved unanimously by the boards of both companies, Wachovia shareholders will receive 0.1991 shares of Wells Fargo common stock in exchange for each share of Wachovia common stock. The transaction, based on Wells Fargo’s closing stock price of $35.16 on October 2, 2008, is valued at $7.00 per Wachovia common share for a total transaction value of approximately $15.1 billion. Wachovia has almost 2.2 billion common shares outstanding. The agreement requires the approval of Wachovia shareholders and customary approvals of regulators.

Wells Fargo will record Wachovia’s credit-impaired assets at fair value. The acquisition is expected to exceed Wells Fargo’s internal rate of return goal and add to Wells Fargo’s earnings per share in the first year of operations, excluding integration costs, write-downs, transaction charges, and credit reserve build. Wells Fargo expects to incur merger and integration charges of approximately $10 billion. To maintain its strong capital position, Wells Fargo intends to issue up to $20 billion of new Wells Fargo securities, primarily common stock.

“We at Wachovia have great admiration and respect for the people and businesses at Wells Fargo and we are extremely pleased to join forces with this outstanding company,” said Robert K. Steel, President and CEO of Wachovia Corp. “Today’s announcement creates one of the strongest financial firms in the world and is great for all Wachovia constituencies: our shareholders, customers, colleagues and communities. This deal enables us to keep Wachovia intact and preserve the value of an integrated company, without government support. The market presence and composition of our businesses, along with our service-oriented cultures, are extraordinarily complementary and this combination creates great potential for sustained stability and growth.”

“This agreement represents a compelling value for Wachovia shareholders,” said Wells Fargo Chairman Dick Kovacevich. “It provides superior value compared to the previous offer to acquire only the banking operations of the company and because Wachovia shareholders will have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the growth and success of a combined Wachovia-Wells Fargo that will be one of the world’s great financial services companies. We are combining the industry’s number one ranking customer service culture of Wachovia with the industry’s number one sales and cross-selling culture of Wells Fargo. The best in service and the best in sales, an unbeatable combination. Wachovia shareholders also will benefit from holding the stock of a strong financial institution, the U.S. bank with the highest credit ratings and with a long history of increasing dividends on its common stock. Wachovia’s brokerage and asset management businesses, which would have been left behind in the prior proposal, are tightly interwoven with Wachovia’s core banking business – and this agreement avoids the complexity and unavoidable loss of value in trying to separate them, which would have disrupted Wachovia’s team members and customers. We also bring to this merger agreement our 157 years of experience in financial services and the unparalleled convenience we can offer Wachovia customers through one of the most extensive financial services distributions systems in North America. We have the highest regard for the quality and commitment and caring of Wachovia team members. We believe their demonstrated commitment to outstanding customer service and their highest standards of community leadership are identical to our own values. And, of course, this agreement won’t require even a penny from the FDIC.”

The combined company will have a strong presence in Charlotte, which will be the headquarters for the combined company’s East Coast retail and commercial and corporate banking business. St. Louis will remain the headquarters of Wachovia Securities. In addition, three members of the Wachovia Board will be invited to join the Wells Fargo & Company Board when the transaction is completed.

Kovacevich said, “This agreement is an outstanding opportunity for Wachovia common and preferred shareholders and debt holders, team members and customers, for the Charlotte and St. Louis communities and indeed all of the communities that Wachovia serves, and for the U.S. government and our banking system. It makes compelling business and strategic sense and is simply an incredible fit that will result in an immensely strong, stable financial services company that will carry on Wachovia’s proud tradition of being one of the very best financial institutions in the world.”

“We know this has been a time of great uncertainty for Wachovia team members and many of its customers as their company has gone through a very painful and challenging time of unprecedented change in our industry,” said Wells Fargo President and CEO John Stumpf. “We want to assure them we’ll do everything we can to make the integration of our operations as smooth as possible. An important measure of success for this integration will be our ability to retain as many of the talented Wachovia team members as possible so they can continue to provide outstanding service and financial advice to their customers and continue their careers with Wells Fargo.”

The combined company will be one of North America’s most extensive financial services distribution networks:

6/30/08

Wells Fargo

Wachovia

Combined
Assets $609 billion $812 billion $1.42 trillion
Deposits $339 billion $448 billion $787 billion
Customers 28 million 20 million

48 million1
Assets under Mgt.
(Mutual Funds) $151 billion $107 billion $258 billion
Stores 5,941 4,820 10,761
ATMs 6,950 5,277 12,227
Team Members 160,000 120,000 280,000

1 unadjusted for customer overlap

Wells Fargo’s Chief Financial Officer Howard Atkins said Wells Fargo used conservative assumptions in evaluating this opportunity. "As always, we only consider acquisitions that add to earnings per share no later than the third year after purchase and earn an internal rate of return of at least 15 percent,” said Atkins. “This acquisition comfortably exceeds all our financial requirements. This is a unique opportunity to expand both our Community Banking and Wholesale Banking presence in current markets and enter some new markets by acquiring another full service financial services retail banking company with a strong culture of customer service and community involvement very similar to ours.”

Wells Fargo and Wachovia will create the nation’s premier coast-to-coast community banking presence. The combined company will have community banks in 39 states and the District of Columbia. The acquisition will establish a Wells Fargo Community Banking presence for the first time in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Wells Fargo already has a Community Banking presence in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas (pending), California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The combined company will be #1 in deposit market share2 in 17 of its 39 Community Banking states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia. Ninety-three percent of its deposits will be in states in which it ranks #1, 2 or 3 and the combined company will rank #1 in ten of the nation’s 20 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in deposit market share.2

2 excludes deposits greater than $500 million in a single banking store

Wells Fargo also is the nation’s:

* #1 small business lender,
* #1 agricultural lender,
* #1 commercial real estate broker,
* #2 largest mortgage originator,
* #2 largest mortgage servicer,
* #2 largest debit card issuer,
* #1 financial services provider to middle market businesses in the western U.S. and a national presence in commercial banking (29 states),
* largest bank-owned U.S. insurance brokerage

In connection with the agreement, Wachovia and Wells Fargo entered into a share exchange agreement under which Wachovia is issuing Wells Fargo preferred stock that votes as a single class with Wachovia’s common stock representing 39.9 percent of Wachovia’s voting power.

Wells Fargo was advised on the transaction by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and JPMorgan Securities, Inc. was the exclusive financial advisor to Wells Fargo. Wachovia was advised on the transaction by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Goldman Sachs & Co. and Perella Weinberg Partners.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $609 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through almost 6,000 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the U.S., and one of only two banks worldwide, to have the highest possible credit rating from both Moody’s Investors Service, “Aaa,” and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “AAA.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements about Wells Fargo and Wachovia and the proposed transaction between the companies. There are several factors – many beyond Wells Fargo’s control – that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. Among these factors are the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and the approval of Wachovia shareholders. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date.

For a discussion of factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, refer to each company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, including information incorporated into each company’s 10-K from their respective 2007 annual reports, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND WHERE TO FIND IT

The proposed merger will be submitted to Wachovia Corporation shareholders for their consideration. Wells Fargo will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of Wachovia Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of Wells Fargo. Wachovia Corporation will mail the proxy statement-prospectus to its shareholders. Wachovia shareholders and other investors are urged to read the final proxy statement-prospectus when it becomes available because it will describe the proposed merger and contain other important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed merger, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). You may also obtain free copies of these documents by contacting Wells Fargo or Wachovia, as follows:

Wells Fargo & Company, Attention Corporate Secretary, MAC N9305-173, Sixth and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, (612) 667-0087.

Wachovia Corporation, Investor Relations, One Wachovia Center, 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288, (704) 374-6782

Wells Fargo and Wachovia and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Wachovia Corporation shareholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information about Wells Fargo’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Wells Fargo common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Wells Fargo’s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed by Wells Fargo with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 17, 2008. Information about Wachovia’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Wachovia common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Wachovia’s 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed by Wachovia with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 10, 2008. You may obtain a free copy of these documents by contacting Wells Fargo or Wachovia at the contact information provided above. The proxy statement-prospectus for the proposed merger will provide more information about participants in the solicitation of proxies from Wachovia Corporation shareholders.

CONFERENCE CALL UPDATE

Wells Fargo will host a conference call Friday, October 3, 2008, at 6:30 a.m. (Pacific Time) to review the acquisition. Investors can call 877-425-9480 (domestic) and (210) 689-8848 (international) with the access code 299254, or listen via live audio webcast. The live audio webcast and presentation visuals will be available on http://www.wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/presents. A replay of the conference call will be available through October 10, 2008 at (877) 660-6853 (domestic) and (201) 612-7415 (international). Enter account 286 and Conference ID 299254. The replay also will be available online.

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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Pilots Say US Airways Still Unable To Complete Its Merger With America West After Three Years

(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 27th marked three full years in which US Airways Management has failed to complete the US Airways/America West Merger. The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) notes that the airline is entangled in labor disputes, law suits, and customer service issues and Management so far seems incapable of getting the merger completed.

US Airline Pilots Association President Stephen Bradford, who represents the 5,000 plus pilots of US Airways, said, “What the Delta and Northwest managements did in just a couple of months, US Airways Management hasn’t been able to do in over three years. Management’s inability to complete the merger of US Airways and America West, coupled with their apparent focus on short term, quick-return management philosophies, is costing our Company in a big way.” According to the Association, for the first six months of 2008 US Airways ranks a dismal 18th out of 19 on the Department of Transportation's consumer complaint list; USAPA finds this to be a sobering change from the airline’s top rankings in years prior to the merger.

US Airways Pilots still work under different Collective Bargaining Agreements left over from their former airlines, each having a different set of work rules and pay rates. In addition, they are not permitted to fly each other’s aircraft or intermix crews. “Our situation causes confusion, inefficiencies and severe morale problems that carry over into the airline’s operation. No wonder we have to charge our passengers for water,” said President Bradford. “We see these inefficiencies day after day and at times they create passenger delays and prevent the Company from achieving its potential.”

USAPA believes that merging US Airways and America West into a single airline, with a single Pilot Collective Bargaining Agreement, would allow Management to capture synergies that would benefit US Airways’ passengers, investors and employees alike and go a long way towards positioning the airline for a secure future.

USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven domiciles across the United States.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Machinists Union to Protest Merger at Northwest/Delta Shareholder Meetings

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) will demonstrate in opposition to the proposed Northwest Airlines/Delta Air Lines merger at shareholder meetings in New York and Atlanta.

Northwest Airlines Shareholder Meeting Protest
September 25, 2008
8:30 am-11:30 am
AXA Equitable Center Auditorium
787 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10019

-and-

Delta Air Lines Shareholder Meeting Protest
September 25, 2008
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
2000 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337


"This merger would eliminate jobs, reduce service and create a single mega-carrier that could lead to the combined entity's bankruptcy," said IAM Transportation Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.

The Machinists Union is the largest airline union in North America. The IAM represents 12,500 Northwest Airlines Ramp Service, Customer Service, Reservation, Stockroom, Office & Clerical, Flight Simulate Technician and Plant Protection employees. More information about the machinists Union and the proposed Northwest/Delta merger is available at www.goiam.org/mergers.

New York Event Contact: Joseph Tiberi, IAMAW
202-974-8250 (office)
301-529-9341 (cell)
Georgia Event Contact: Gary Mobley, IAMAW
404-208-8807 (office)
612-432-6067 (cell)

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Friday, July 11, 2008

Delta Air Lines’ Board of Directors Announces Date of Special Meeting for Stockholder Vote on Merger with Northwest Airlines

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will hold a special meeting of stockholders on Sept. 25, 2008 in Atlanta for stockholders to vote on the issuance of Delta common stock to Northwest stockholders in the merger of the airlines and on an amendment to the Delta 2007 Performance Compensation Plan, a broad-based employee compensation program. The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. EDT at the Georgia International Convention Center located at 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, Ga. 30337.

The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting will be the close of business on July 29, 2008.

Delta in April announced that it is combining with Northwest in an all-stock transaction to create America’s premier global airline. The new company will be called Delta and will be headquartered in Atlanta. Combined, the company and its regional partners will provide customers access to more than 390 destinations in 67 countries. Together, Delta and Northwest will have more than $35 billion in aggregate annual revenues, operate a mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft, employ approximately 75,000 people worldwide, and have one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry. The merger is subject to the approval of Delta and Northwest stockholders and regulatory approvals, which are targeted for completion later this year.

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 327 destinations in 62 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 44 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 609 weekly flights to 62 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 499 worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,’ “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Delta's and Northwest’s expectations with respect to the synergies, costs and charges, capitalization and anticipated financial impacts of the merger transaction and related transactions; approval of the merger transaction and related transactions by stockholders; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the merger transaction and related transactions; and the timing of the completion of the merger transaction and related transactions.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside our control and difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the expected synergies will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, due to, among other things, (1) the airline pricing environment; (2) competitive actions taken by other airlines; (3) general economic conditions; (4) changes in jet fuel prices; (5) actions taken or conditions imposed by the United States and foreign governments; (6) the willingness of customers to travel; (7) difficulties in integrating the operations of the two airlines; (8) the impact of labor relations; and (9) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Other factors include the possibility that the merger does not close, including due to the failure to receive required stockholder or regulatory approvals, or the failure of other closing conditions.

Delta cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in Delta’s and Northwest’s most recently filed Forms 10-K. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Delta, Northwest, the merger, the related transactions or other matters and attributable to Delta or Northwest or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Delta and Northwest do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this news release.

Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed merger, Delta filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that includes a preliminary joint proxy statement of Delta and Northwest that also constitutes a prospectus of Delta. At the appropriate time, Delta and Northwest will mail the final joint proxy statement/prospectus to their stockholders. Delta and Northwest urge investors and security holders to read the final joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available because it will contain important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov/). You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from Delta’s website (http://www.delta.com/) under the tab “About Delta” and then under the heading “Investor Relations” and then under the item “SEC Filings.” You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from Northwest’s website (http://www.nwa.com/) under the tab “About Northwest” and then under the heading “Investor Relations” and then under the item “SEC Filings and Section 16 Filings.”

Delta, Northwest and their respective directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be soliciting proxies from Delta and Northwest stockholders in favor of the merger. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of Delta and Northwest stockholders in connection with the proposed merger will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. You can find information about Delta’s executive officers and directors in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 25, 2008 related to Delta’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. You can find information about Northwest’s executive officers and directors in its Amendment to its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2008. You can obtain free copies of these documents from Delta and Northwest using the contact information above.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Delta Reaches Unprecedented Joint, Pre-Merger Agreement with Delta, Northwest Units of Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today confirms that a tentative agreement has been reached between the Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines units of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) on a joint contract to take effect upon closing of the Delta-Northwest merger, expected later this year. The pilot groups also have established a separate process designed to establish a single pilot seniority list by the close of the merger.

Delta CEO Richard Anderson issued the following statement in response:
“We are pleased that the Delta and Northwest pilot groups have reached a tentative agreement and have outlined a process for seniority integration that will allow us to move forward with a unified pilot group. Achieving a joint contract and combined seniority list in advance of the closing of the merger is something that has never been done in this industry and is a testament to the leadership of ALPA and a working together culture.”

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by both airlines’ pilot groups.

Delta in April announced that it is combining with Northwest in an all-stock transaction to create America’s premier global airline. The new company will be called Delta and will be headquartered in Atlanta. Combined, the company and its regional partners will provide customers access to more than 390 destinations in 67 countries. Together, Delta and Northwest will have more than $35 billion in aggregate annual revenues, operate a mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft, employ approximately 75,000 people worldwide, and have one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry. The merger is subject to the approval of Delta and Northwest shareholders and regulatory approvals, which are expected to be completed later this year.

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 324 destinations in 62 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 43 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 600 weekly flights to 62 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 474 worldwide destinations in 104 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,’ “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Delta's and Northwest’s expectations with respect to the synergies, costs and charges and capitalization, anticipated financial impacts of the merger transaction and related transactions; approval of the merger transaction and related transactions by shareholders; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the merger transaction and related transactions; and the timing of the completion of the merger transaction and related transactions. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside our control and difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the expected synergies will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, due to, among other things, (1) the airline pricing environment; (2) competitive actions taken by other airlines; (3) general economic conditions; (4) changes in jet fuel prices; (5) actions taken or conditions imposed by the United States and foreign governments; (6) the willingness of customers to travel; (7) difficulties in integrating the operations of the two airlines; (8) the impact of labor relations; and (9) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Other factors include the possibility that the merger does not close, including due to the failure to receive required stockholder or regulatory approvals, or the failure of other closing conditions. Delta cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in Delta’s and Northwest’s most recently filed Forms 10-K. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Delta, Northwest, the merger, the related transactions or other matters and attributable to Delta or Northwest or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Delta and Northwest do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this news release.
Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed merger, Delta will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of Delta and Northwest that also constitutes a prospectus of Delta. Delta and Northwest will mail the joint proxy statement/prospectus to their stockholders. Delta and Northwest urge investors and security holders to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available because it will contain important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov/). You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from Delta’s website (http://www.delta.com/) under the tab “About Delta” and then under the heading “Investor Relations” and then under the item “SEC Filings.” You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from Northwest’s website (http://www.nwa.com/) under the tab “About Northwest” and then under the heading “Investor Relations” and then under the item “SEC Filings and Section 16 Filings.” Delta, Northwest and their respective directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be soliciting proxies from Delta and Northwest stockholders in favor of the merger. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of Delta and Northwest stockholders in connection with the proposed merger will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. You can find information about Delta’s executive officers and directors in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 25, 2008 related to Delta’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. You can find information about Northwest’s executive officers and directors in its Amendment to its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2008. You can obtain free copies of these documents from Delta and Northwest using the contact information above.