As avid blog readers, most of you probably know that Wachovia branches in Colorado will be the first to convert to the Wells Fargo brand in November, adding 19 more stores to an already impressive statewide network.
As part of our transition process, Wells Fargo last month sent a “What to Expect” mailing to Wachovia customers in Colorado that provided a general overview of the November integration and thanked them for their business.
The mailing also invited Colorado customers to help choose the charitable organizations that would receive a grant as a show of support and commitment to the communities we serve.
And nearly 13,500 Wachovia customers cast their ballot!
Based on that overwhelming response, we are excited to today announce grants totaling $95,000 to 10 Colorado charities.
The charities who will receive Wells Fargo grants are as follows:
- American Cancer Society, Colorado Chapter - $25,000
- American Heart Association, Colorado - $20,000
- American Red Cross, Mile High Chapter - $15,000
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado - $5,000
- Colorado Children's Campaign - $5,000
- Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado - $5,000
- Junior Achievement, Rocky Mountain Chapter - $5,000
- Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation - $5,000
- Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center - $5,000
- University of Colorado - $5,000
Although the timing for integrating the five other states where our two companies overlap – Arizona, California, Nevada, Illinois and Texas – and for the east coast has not yet been announced, please continue to check here on the blog and review any communications you get in the mail for updates.
How about posting the "What to Expect" mailing on the blog? This will give all customers an idea of the integration.
So, what is happening with account products? Is Crown Banking staying? What about IRAS, credit cards, etc.? What about Wachovia Securities access to brokerage accounts (which even though is Wells Fargo Advisors now) is still Wachovia as far as integrated access is concertned? If Colorado customers have this information, why not post it on the blog?
Is this blog actually run by Wells Fargo? I am learning more about the progress of the merger by reading the Business Journal then by reading this blog.
How about your company stop patting itself on the back for 5 minutes and tell us about the integration?
Wachovia posted the mailings it sent out to customers on their website for everyone to see (in fact they still have them up for World Savings and SouthTrust). Why don't you do the same?
If you take your time converting the branches over to Wells Fargo, doesn't that ultimately hurt Wachovia customers? Once the conversions start in November, that begins the process of reducing the number of branches that Wachovia customers can use while travelling or if they have moved from one state to another. It will be much more beneficial to finish the conversions quickly once the process starts.
What about those of us who are Wells Fargo customers who have recently moved to the east coast? There are no Wells Fargo branches, but plenty of Wachovia. When will we be able to access our accounts in person? I agree that the conversion should happen quickly. We would like to remain Wells Fargo customers, however we are unable to receive banking services, which is very important when you are buying a new home and need guaranteed funds.
I know many people here in North Carolina feel that Wells Fargo has left the communities out in the cold when it comes to corporate giving. It appers Wachovia is giving nothing to non-profits right now.
Had a terrible customer service experience with Wells Fargo. The rep. was very rude when I asked for more information on a charitable contribution to a non-profit organization in my area. He said he had more important things to do than talk with me, then hung up. Now, I'm a Wachovia customer. It only takes one bad experience to drive customers away. Wachovia would never treat its customers this way!
@ Anonymous, thanks for your comment. I am not sure where you live in North Carolina, but here are some updated facts about our 2009 contributions in the Charlotte region. If you have a question about work in a specific city, please let us know and I will let you know what we've done in that market.
Doug C., Wells Fargo Social Media team
- In 2009 YTD, the Wells Fargo-Wachovia Foundation has supported non-profit community development, education, health/human services and arts/ culture organizations by granting over $9 million in community needs grants.
- More than 5000 Wachovia Wells Fargo Team Members in the Greater Charlotte region actively volunteer in the community through the Wachovia Volunteers Program.
- More than 50 Wachovia Wells Fargo Team Members participate as Board members and bring strategic planning, business process and quality improvement focus non-profit community organizations.
We live in Colorado Springs and did not get the "what to expect" mailing. Perhaps that is because Wachovia did not transfer our account from Georgia to Colorado when we moved 2 years ago. Would it be possible to get a copy of the memo and participate in the conversion activities in November?
In keeping with the slowness of the merger, you'll probably have to wait 1 year before you will ever be able to use a Wells Fargo branch since Georgia won't be converted until late 2010. This is what Wells Fargo calls customer-centric integration. Of course, if they actually got this done quickly, you would be in a better position.
I would guess your other option will be to close all your Wachovia accounts and open new Wells Fargo accounts and get new account numbers in the process.
Bill, thanks for your comment. There could be a number of reasons you haven't received a mailing yet. Your account is still housed in Georgia, so it would convert when Georgia converts. Also, have you used in ATM or branch in Colorado since you've moved out there?