Together, Wells Fargo and Wachovia have more than 6,600 banking stores in 39 states and the District of Columbia, but none quite like the one at E. Bell Road 
in Phoenix.
Since July 20, the Wachovia banking location there has doubled as a separate Wells Fargo banking store as well — with two distinct signs, teller lines, computer systems, vaults, managers and teams serving customers of both banks through the same set of doors.
"The unique arrangement came about when a grocery store closed, and its in-house Wells Fargo banking store team moved across the street into the Wachovia building. Both teams will continue to serve Wells Fargo and Wachovia customers separately until Arizona's stores and systems are converted.
Lisa Riley, Metro West Regional Banking president in Phoenix, notes that the first-of-its-kind combination was a much better option for customers and the company than opening a new Wells Fargo location for only a few months. While walking into a store with a Wachovia sign on one side of the building and a Wells Fargo sign on the other may seem unusual, she says the teams have worked well together and separately to put customers first and meet their financial needs.
"The results have been strong," Riley reports. "Both teams have outstanding service scores."
Brittany Fixler, an 11-year Wells Fargo veteran who became manager of the E. Bell Road location last summer, explains why the unique store is a hit with customers.
"It's been working very well because we've found that most of our Wachovia customers have Wells Fargo accounts," she says. "So, having both stores in the same location is very convenient for our customers."
Some of the customer comments she's gotten are:
- "Now that I know both banks are here, this makes it much more convenient."
- "I can now withdraw from my Wells Fargo account and pay my mortgage at Wachovia in the same building."
- "Convenience at Wells, service at Wachovia...a great combination!"
Fixler also points out that the experience has helped knit the two teams into one and already allowed them to begin combining the best of both companies. "It's going to be exciting to bring together the legacy of service at Wachovia and the systems and culture of Wells Fargo," she says.
So be sure to look for more of this kind of great teamwork as we complete our first state, Colorado, next week — as well as in the Wachovia banking locations in Nevada and Arizona, which will follow next!
Because as Fixler concludes, "As our experience here has shown, when we mix the two, it’s going to be wonderful."
How about you? Do you have any stories about our teams have helped you? Please let us know!
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It would be great if all locations would do this until the merger is complete. I think A LOT of people would be happy!
Could Wells Fargo possibly implement this dual branch system in some of the larger Wachovia branches in the major metropolitan cities on the East Coast?
This is a pretty cool idea! Whoever at Wells Fargo came up with this creative, efficient way to serve customers deserves a big raise and a promotion too. Very nice thinking!
What a nice concept and arrangement! I also support the idea of dual-system branches in the larger cities in the non-overlapping states, that is until they are ready to be converted.
It's good to see how the employees and cultures of the two companies are being merged together. I guess this story puts a more human touch on a company merger. Still, I think Wells Fargo could speed up the merger timeline if the merger goes smoothly.
Sounds like not only are the customers happy but it seems to be working well with the team members also. Great to hear. Great Teamwork guys!!! Wells Fargo Cash Services,Fresno MODERATOR'S NOTE: The views expressed herein are those of the blogger alone and do not constitute an official position taken by Wells Fargo or Wachovia. Please see About This Blog for more information.
when do they esitmate texas conversion?? ALSO WE BANK AT WACHOVIA 725 E. BELTLINE RD (2 MILES EAST) AND I HOPE THEY KEEP THIS BRANCH OPEN WHEN THEY SWITCH WITH LOTS OF ROOM INSIDE AND IF THEY CLOSE IT, THE W.F. BRANCH ALRDY IN CEDAR HILL IS SMALL INSIDE AND THE INFLUX OF ADDITIONAL CUSTOMERS FROM WACHOVIA WOULD MAKE CUST SVC A PROBLEM
It's a great idea. I don't understand why they don't find two or three large branches in each major metropolitan area that they have a banking presence to allow customer convenience. Reading through the comments on the other blogs - people want convenience and action - so a great way to offer convenience and show action would be to open dual branches.
My husband works for Wells Fargo for over 16 years now. He recommended a loan agent named Ryan Sison for our Mortgage refinancing needs. Guess what? I never got a call back from Ryan Sison. I spoke with him once and he said he will give me a call back to give me my full attention! What an attention I got. It's been 4 weeks. He must have been a Wachovia team member eh? On top of this, I don't know where to go to file my concern. So here I am on your blog.
There were dual Chase/Washington Mutual branches in several states before the conversion. What a mess! I hope they work better for Wachovia/Wells because they were horrible for customers and employees.
when is GA acct moving over
I have a question. I live in California and currently have a Wells Fargo account, but am moving to DC in January. There are no Wells Fargo banks there, just Wachovia. Should I open a Wachovia account first in preparation for my move? Or will there be some sort of dual banks in DC soon?
Hey Tony, thanks for your comment and sorry for the delay in responding. It’s unlikely we’d do this in the East Coast because Wells Fargo Bank doesn't overlap Wachovia Bank's territory there. The overlap is limited to states in the Southwestern part of the United States.
Good question, I live near the dc area in Virginia and I have a Wachovia account and to me according to wells Fargo intergration team banks will not convert untill 2011, but I'm not sure when the conversion will happen out here. I hope they will have two banks in building out here until it is time to convert
Thanks for the info! I think I'll just open a Wachovia account here in California before my move. Judging by the recent post DC isn't slated to change to Wachovia within the first quarter, so I guess I really have no choice, unless of course, I bank with Chase or BofA!