I’d like to introduce you to Ed Terpening, head of our Social Media Department. Ed joined the company three years ago, and before you knew it, we were all using the terms “blogosphere” and “social media.” Better yet, we actually understand what those things mean! My latest personal favorite term I’ve learned from Ed is “tag cloud” — I'd kind of like to use one at my next family reunion. Hmm…okay, on second thought, maybe not.
Thanks, Ann Marie, and hello everybody! I've read lots of comments from you about the very fact this blog exists, and how we're taking advantage of blogging, like this one from Tony:
Mr. Stumpf, thank you for creating this blog during this complex integration. This is a truly innovative way to communicate any pending changes.
As a Wells Fargo customer who lived through the Wells Fargo/Norwest merger, I can assure Wachovia's customers that Wells Fargo can pull this off with few, if any, glitches. And, as a Wells Fargo customer living in New York City, I look forward to having a local Wells Fargo branch to visit soon. Please open more stores and ATMs in the New York metropolitan area ASAP. Thanks!
Posted by: Tony | January 5, 2009 04:49 PM
Given both the strong interest in this blog, and great participation by customers (we've received more comments on this blog in the first 2 days than we typically receive in a month!), I thought I'd tell you more about what we're doing with social media and why.
March 15th will mark our 3-year anniversary blogging. Three year anniversary? I guess we need a Leather gift 
— perhaps a saddle will do (or perhaps an iPod case…it's 2009)?
When we started blogging in 2006, we did so because we wanted to figure out if we could use this new way of communicating to help our customers succeed financially. After all, you can call us, log on to our website, use an ATM, or visit a trustworthy branch. Why not talk to us in the blogosphere?
Our first blog, Guided by History®, was focused on the 100-year anniversary of the 1906 Great Earthquake & Fire that leveled much of San Francisco. We partnered then with the American Red Cross's Bay Area chapter and city government to remind people that "the next big one" could happen anytime, and to be prepared. We'd planned on ending that blog after the big anniversary events April 15th, but our readers voted with their continued visits, so we kept going....
And we've come a long way! We started GBH because we wanted to serve our customers where and how they wanted, and today is no different. Only now we have 5 blogs, a couple Facebook pages, a MySpace page and YouTube channels. It's a diverse set of websites and tools, each with their own particular challenge, but our goal remains the same: finding new ways to communicate and help you succeed financially.
So for all of our Wachovia customers out there, here's a brief intro to our efforts. Enjoy, and please keep your comments, ideas and feedback coming!
- Guided By History® — Wells Fargo is often associated with the Stagecoach, but there's much more to the story. This blog bridges events in the past with the present, and shows how our experience in history positions us to better serve you.
- The Student LoanDownSM — is your resource for financing college and managing debt. Students, parents and graduates can get guidance on the financial aid process, discuss various borrowing and repayment options, and share experiences with a team of Wells Fargo experts.
- Stagecoach Island® Community — Stagecoach Island is our virtual world where you can learn how to manage your money without breaking your piggy bank. You'll find similar information on our MySpace and Facebook pages.
- Commercial Electronic Office® — Get the inside scoop on what's cooking in Wells Fargo's product areas for our commercial banking customers
- YouTube — Offers a library of videos that range from our history, values and culture to a fun video blog of the Butterfield Overland Mail Route.
- Twitter — Wachovia has a Twitter channel to listen, learn and share information with customers.
I'd like to end this post with a YouTube video that reminded me of how far the Internet has come since 1981. It's really funny — I hope you enjoy it. We're still in the early phases of social media and blogging, and I'm sure one day we'll look back at where we are today and have a laugh.
The silence from Wells Fargo is deafening. Now would be the time for a media campaign to illustrate Wells Fargo is indeed healthy and viable -- contrary to what is being portrayed in the media and reflected in the stock price. People are losing confidence and Wells Fargo's silence is only adding credence to the widespread fear. It's time to stand up and defend yourselves.
Well, saw in the news that Wachovia Securities is changing its name to Wells Fargo Advisors, in 3 months.http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200902201753DOWJONESDJONLINE000887_FORTUNE5.htm
Exactly what is the purpose of this blog if outside news organizations are announcing changes to the company before this blog?
if you have a wells fargo account can you deposit a check into a wachovia atm too or just a wells fargo atm?
i have a wells fargo accout can i use it at wachovia
@ Donald, in response to your post on Feb. 23, if you are Wells Fargo customer, you can only deposit checks into a Wells Fargo ATM. We will let you know as soon as more capabilities are added.
@ Collin, in response to your comment on Feb. 23, as a Wells Fargo customer, you should continue to conduct business in a Wells store until you hear otherwise. We will let you know as soon as you can perform transactions in a Wachovia financial center too.
I have been looking for somewhere to send your bank a compliment, but after five hours I guess this is as close as I'm going to get so here goes: I am a soldier in school at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Being over 900 miles away from home and my bank, I ran into a problem. My wife needed money for a rental car for my sister's wedding that, unfortunately, I can't attend (due to school). After spending the day running all over town trying to find a way to wire my wife the money she needed, the Wells Fargo branch in the Safeway grocery store in Sierra Vista, AZ came to my rescue. A woman named Casey caught me as I walked dejectedly away from Western Union. Western Union only accepts cash to limit fraudulant wire transfers and I was unable to access my bank card for the amount needed. She asked me what I needed. After talking for awhile, she helped me out, I got the cash advance, and my wife got the money. Thank you Casey (too bad I didn't get her last name), and thank you Wells Fargo for employing someone like her.
@Zachary, thanks for your note. We have forwarded this message to a service team that will ensure Casey is properly recognized for her outstanding service. We appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to bring this to our attention.
Will Wachovia CD rates and maturity dates be honored by WF? In phone call to WF on 6-29-09, I was told there was no decision, and to wait six months to call back for an answer. Then I found a blog dated May 26, 2009 by Doug C. of Wells Fargo Social Media team that stated "...we will be honoring your rates until maturity." Which is correct? Thanks
Diane, thanks for your note. As communicated in the comment on May 26, your rate will be honored until the maturity date of the CD. I hope that helps.
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