While the Wachovia sign at her banking store in Texas hasn't changed yet, Pam Birkholz already has experienced the spirit of "One team, twice as strong."
While on vacation in Denver, the treasurer at KMG Chemicals, Inc. 
in Houston — a Wachovia customer — had a problem. Her laptop malfunctioned, seemingly leaving her with no way to make critical wire payments.
Unable to find a Wachovia financial center on her GPS device, she walked into Wells Fargo's downtown Denver store on 17th and Broadway. Personal Banker James Savelsberg greeted Birkholz with a smile and handshake, and then quickly set her up to use one of the store's computers.
"He put my fears to rest and set me up at a computer right away so that I could take care of the business at hand," wrote Birkholz to Wells Fargo about Savelsberg. "It is bankers like this who keep my faith in the banking community especially in today's times, but more importantly, he made the lines between Wachovia and Wells seamless."
Now back home in Houston, Birholz says Savelsberg's service makes her even more excited about the merger and its opportunities and even more convinced that Wells Fargo will continue Wachovia's tradition of excellent service.
"When I walked in, I remember telling James that I was a Wachovia customer and he gave me the same great service I've come to expect here from Wachovia in Texas," she said. "I walked out of there very happy indeed and looking forward to our transition to Wells Fargo."
For Savelsberg, a five-year Wells Fargo veteran, meeting Birkholz was another opportunity to practice his philosophy of "right-now" customer service and to put a face on the merger.
"It was a great opportunity to play a part in the merger's success," he said. "We get Wachovia customers in the store regularly, and have gotten accustomed to helping them and knowing where the Wachovia banking offices are located. The merger is a big opportunity for us, putting us in the national market and giving us the opportunity to show we're customer-oriented."
There have been some recent comment posts about transitioning certain types of accounts at different times, as well as certain states at different times. Most Wachovia customers who have a home mortgage, for example, qualify for Crown Banking at no-charge. As Wells Fargo transitions these account to WFHM, the customers banking relaitionship remains with Wachovia and will no longer qualify for fee-free Crown Banking. Yet, the entire relationship is still with the combined company. This isn't fair. Would someone from your Customer Advocacy Team please respond to this? Thanks!
I want to know why I cant file a complaint over the phone or though email. And why the two customer service reps were both very arrogate (Adam and Jeff). I do know that I will tear up my wells fargo credit card and discontinue any business with them.
Hi at WF, This is off topic but I wanted to say I just left Wamu/Chase to open an account with Wachovia/Wells Fargo. The three reasons I did so? This blog, the Way2Save program, and the Envelope Free ATMs with a late cut-off time for same day deposit. Those ATMs better show up in Florida!!! I look forward to banking with Wells Fargo, actually I joined Wachovia TO bank with Wells Fargo.
I did the same thing i left wamu-chase. after chase decided to remove all the awesome perks that made wamu free check super. no min bal free external trans. atm machines in cvs or walgreens. but after merger chase-wamu became more of the black suit grumpy old men commercial i left. Chase say their nice but they don't care about the customer all the care about is nick and diming you $6.00 maintenance fee for a chase checking.
Wells Fargo-Wachovia still offers 24/7 Customer service any time of day you get dedicated telephone banker to help as of Aug 17, 2009 Wells Fargo will no longer charge Personal Deposit for calling unlimited time and speak to a rep. am not sure about business accounts.
Make Customer aware that More Wachovia's are open on saturday til from 9-2 in florida. and homestead fl branch from *9-4
Since Wells Fargo took over Wachovia, the service levels have dropped off so bad I have closed all of my accounts there. They have proven to me that they are to busy to return calls and now are making mistakes that have cost me personal money from an account I am closing. What a shame. I was a loyal Wachovia customer for over 20 years.
when will there be locations in memphis, tn and boston, ma
Eileen, thanks for your note. Currently, there are eight Wachovia stores in Memphis. At this time, our focus will be on converting existing markets so there are no plans to grow in the Boston market at this time.
Bill, so sorry to hear you have had a number of unpleasant experiences. If there are some examples you wish to share, please email us at socialmedia@wellsfargo.com.
I hope that once Wells Fargo completely take over Wachovia that they improvet the customer service that Wachovia currently has because it sucks it is the worst I have ever encountered at any financial institution
There is a waive code that they are probably entering in the system. All new Wells Fargo Home mortgage customers get the benefit of have the crown relationship with Wachovia, so I would imagine the existing will still get it as well.
I have a Wachovia Credit Card with a high credit line which qualifies me for free Crown Banking (because Wachovia uses the line-amount NOT the charged amount for fee waiver). How will this affect me when credit cards are converted? I read in a business wire a while ago that decisions have already been made on divesting Wachovia's credit card portfolio.