Wow, what a first week it's been — lots of excitement brewing out there about the potential for the new Wells Fargo! And lots of comments from so many of you on our posts! From many of the responses we've gotten, it seems there's still some confusion out there about exactly what has changed to your accounts with either Wells Fargo Bank or Wachovia Bank.
And for now, the answer is: "Nothing."
While we are now one parent company as far as the legal types are concerned, right now we're still operating as two separate banks, and the work of integrating our two companies is just beginning. This transition will likely come in stages — we're carefully and deliberately working to transition the banks with as little disruption as possible!
One thing you can be sure of is that you'll receive direct communication from us with specific information as to how the integration may specifically affect your accounts.
So for today and the near future, it's really "business as usual" for you. Just keep using your same checks and check card, continue visiting your same local branch and your same favorite teller, and keep using your same online services and credentials. Remember, too, that you can enjoy the convenience of over 12,000 ATMs! Oh, and if you're about to run out of checks, go ahead and order more.
Once we get everything synched up, you can "bank" 1 on us bloggin' about it right here!
See you next week!
1 Editor's note: That was a horrible pun by Matt. Apologies to all of you for that one.
Why did Wells Fargo want to merge with Wachovia???
I like the blog! Good info. As a Wachovia customer, I love the convenience of Billpay and the Way2Save program. Many people I have talked to would like to know if there are any changes planned for these areas. Thanks!
Are we able to depposit in either bank or should we wait until the complete transition?
wow thats great i work for wells fargo..
Welcome, this will be one interesting move with the economy the way it is right now.
I was wondering when everything is official, will wachovia customers have to choose a wells checking account or will they still have wachovias free account?
As a current Wachovia customer, and a former Wells Fargo customer, I am looking forward to the change. Wells Fargo website is far superior and user friendly. When can we switch?
I understand the ATMs are now available, any idea how long it takes to integrate the online systems? Will they automatically consolidate my Online access to my Wells Mortgage with my online access to my Wachovia checking account?
i can't find a listeing on the stock market for wachovia. what do I look for now???
I live in New York.A couple of months ago i decided I needed to find a new bank that was both financially solvent and that had good customer service.Many of my clients are Wells Fargo customers,and they recommended WFB highly to me. I thought to myself, they are not in New York but the enticement of bank by mail and online services was there. I took the plunge.I must say from the inception of opening my account,dealing with the Wells Bank by Mail team was fantastic.True professionals.Everything I needed or any questions I had were answered on the spot and with a thorough knowledge of their banking products.
My friends thought it was bizare that I would consider using a bank notm in New York.Little did we all know what was to come with the impending merger of Wells Fargo and Wachovia. I used the bank by mail service,online bill pay and just about everything they have to offer and I am extremely satisfied.My former bank should only have been half as good as Wells Fargo.I can speak for many here in my area about their apprehensiveness with regard to the condition of the banking industry and I can say you will have no problems filling the needs of those of us on the eastern seaboard.
Financial stability and soundness together with excellent customer service is tantamount to success and Wells has it all.
Welcome to the Eastern half of America, it's about time!!!
Anton Petrescu de Perrella
Queens, New York City
Hi Matt,
I want to discuss about how the mortgage loan department and HELOC department in wellsfargo work. There seems to be no cooperation and no intention to solve a short sale. They act as if they are not from same company and willing to let house go for foreclosure, than working together. Is there someone I can talk to at higher level who can direct these two departments.
-Thanks
Srini
Editor's note: We removed this commenter's email address for privacy reasons. Nothing else has been altered or changed in any way.
I hope Wells Fargo adopts Wachovia's Way 2 Save account - it really has helped me save money and use it for whenever I need it. I think it is an awesome program.
Joey Keenum
Texas
I really like this. I had no idea that this was available to us. I think that this is a great way to keep up to date about everything going on with the merger. Thanks so much for starting this!
@SB in SC - Thanks for joining the conversation! Decisions on specific Wachovia products are still in the review phase, but keep checking back for updates!
@John & Juanita Harter - For now you can only make deposits at the bank where you have your account. Systems have to be integrated before we can offer cross depositing. Stay tuned!
@Sandra V - Great question! Keep using your Wachovia account for now and keep an eye out for notification about any changes.
@bobby jones - Integrating our online banking systems will surely take several months. As we work towards getting that completed, you can expect some more specific information about whether how you access your accounts will change.
@Adele Jackson - From our Investor Relations page on wachovia.com: On December 31, 2008, Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia Corporation, creating the nation’s premier coast-to-coast financial services franchise. As a result of this acquisition, the surviving common stock now trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol WFC.
@Anton Petrescu de Perrella - Wow, thanks for the great comment!
Will we be able to move money directly from Wells investment accounts t our Wachovia bank accounts after the merger?
I was a Wells Fargo customer for a very short time. When I decided to close my account I opened a new account with Wachovia Bank by Mail. I work very closely with both financial institutions as a third party vendor. After being a customer for both institutions and both institutions being clients there are many things I'd like to see Wells Fargo adopt from the merger and items that Wells Fargo currently use maintained. Wells Fargo's security policies are awesome and some of the most secure compaired to other financial institutions and Wachovia's customer service is the best I have ever seen from major any company. I truely hope this merger is everything everyone hopes it will be.
I hope the name changes soon at my local bank, after all Wells Fargo is iconic. I'd like to see Wells Keep the crown account so I can keep my free safety deposit box :). Also, expanding into Ohio would be nice.
it's important to me to keep the free biz checking and personal checking. if those go away i'll probably be leaving
I am truly discusted n the customer policies at Wachovia. Unfortunately, all business has to go through a nameless faceless person on the end of a phone line. The branches are not empowered to solve customer problems. I am a customer that was just overwhelmed by the lack of customer focus the process has. I was also just speechless to find out that teh bank I have done business with for years was just "thats policy and we don't care who you are or what your credit history is. I asked the branch manager if there was anyone in Wachovia who cared and had the power to understand and help a customer and was told we can only give you the same 800 number you probably already have - does anyone really care?
free business checking and free checking. WB is still offering these so does that mean they will be there to stay (grandfathered, etc.)?
I do have one question. I was with Southtrust when Wachovia took over and I continued to use the checks that I had from them with Wachovia and I am using them now. Will I be able to still use those checks with Wells Fargo also?
If Wachovia is now Wells, how do we get help with current Wachovia loans. We can't seem to find the right person to talk with at Wachovia. Can you help?