Office address: 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104
Website: wellsfargo.com
Year established: 1852
Company type: banking
Employees: 217,000 (2024)
Expertise: retail banking, commercial banking, investment banking, wealth management, asset management, mortgage lending, treasury management, capital markets, insurance, global payments
Parent company: Wells Fargo & Company
Key people: Charles Scharf (CEO); Barry Sommers, Fernando Rivas, Michael Santomassimo, Derek Flowers, Scott Powell, and Kyle Hranicky (senior EVPs)
Financing status: corporation
Wells Fargo is a leading US bank headquartered in California, serving millions of clients nationwide. It delivers diverse financial and investment options, covering wealth management, asset management, and investment banking services. Managing over $2 trillion in assets, the company operates one of the largest investment advisory networks and is recognized as a Big Four US bank.
Wells Fargo began its story in 1852, when Henry Wells and William Fargo saw a need for reliable banking and express services during the California Gold Rush. Their company quickly became known for moving gold, mail, and freight across the growing American West. The famous Wells Fargo stagecoach soon became a symbol of trust and connection for people seeking opportunity.
The company played a key role in linking distant towns and cities, helping communities grow and thrive. By the late 1800s, Wells Fargo was handling express deliveries, banking, and even managing the western portion of the Pony Express. Its reach stretched from California to the Midwest, making it a household name for pioneers and businesses.
Wells Fargo faced many changes over the years, including government takeovers and new banking laws. In 1905, the express and banking businesses split, and the bank merged with Nevada National Bank. Through world wars, economic downturns, and the rise of new technologies, it adapted to meet the needs of each era.
A major milestone came in 1998, when Wells Fargo merged with Norwest Corporation, creating a coast-to-coast banking powerhouse. The company expanded further by acquiring Wachovia in 2008, which made it one of the largest banks in the US. Today, it stands as a leader in American banking, known for its resilience and commitment to serving millions of customers nationwide.
Wells Fargo’s offerings are structured to provide a range of options for independent advisors, individuals, and businesses. The company combines technology, national reach, and advisor support to deliver financial and investment solutions:
Wells Fargo also provides digital tools and platform enhancements to help advisors and clients manage their finances efficiently. The company’s national reach and experienced teams offer support and resources for a wide range of financial needs.
Wells Fargo states that its culture focuses on inclusion, support, and engagement for all employees. The work environment is described as one where people are encouraged to speak up and feel valued, with teamwork and respect emphasized.
Eligible employees at Wells Fargo receive a variety of benefits that support their health, finances, and work-life balance, including:
According to Wells Fargo, it supports social, economic, and environmental sustainability through business practices and community efforts. The company reports $178 billion deployed in sustainable finance over three years, including $16 billion for renewable energy. It also notes $55 billion in commitments to oil, gas, utilities, and over $15 billion for clean transportation.
Charles W. Scharf is CEO and President of Wells Fargo, leading the company’s strategy and operations since 2019. Scharf previously served as CEO of Bank of New York Mellon and Visa, and held executive roles at JPMorgan Chase. He brings over 30 years of experience in banking and payments, including leadership in both public and private companies.
Here are the key people overseeing Wells Fargo’s investment, banking, and financial management divisions:
The board and management state that they are committed to sound and effective corporate governance. Leadership aims to ensure strong oversight and clear accountability throughout the company.
Wells Fargo Investment Institute’s chief investment officer shared four signals that could support a longer bull market for clients. The firm highlights trends like AI growth, fiscal clarity, and broadening market strength as reasons for optimism through 2026. This analysis helps the company guide investors with strategies that match changing market conditions and future opportunities.
Wells Fargo Advisors also brought in four experienced professionals in 2025, adding nearly $1 billion in assets under management. The company’s new hires from UBS and JPMorgan show its focus on attracting advisors with strong client relationships and established books of business. This move expands Wells Fargo’s wealth management division and increases the firm’s total client AUM.
A Wells Fargo Securities analyst has speculated that Prudential Financial Inc. may target ING's U.S. retirement business as an acquisition.
Insurance brokerage fee income at banks hit $3.05 billion for the third quarter of 2009, up 11.7% from the year-ago period, according to the Michael White-Prudential Bank Insurance Fee Income Report.
Benjamin “Tad” Edwards IV, the great-great-grandson of Albert Gallatin “A.G.” Edwards, took another step toward expanding his own brokerage business with the launch of a branch in White Plains, N.Y. — one that will house a number of former A.G. Edwards Inc. advisers and employees.
Pete Secret and Peter Ardolino join the growing list of complex managers who have exited the firm since its merger with Smith Barney
When it comes to controlling client assets, LPL Investment Holdings Inc.'s recent IPO registration offers clear proof that the remaining four wirehouse broker-dealers still dwarf the more diverse galaxy of independent broker-dealers.
Stocks got carried away about the recovery. That at least is one interpretation of two curious market moves so far this earnings season. Intel Corp. blew away expectations Thursday. Ditto for JPMorgan Chase & Co. the next day.
Large adviser teams at wirehouses control, on average, 80% of their firm's assets, and about a third of the industry's total adviser-managed assets, according to Cerulli Associates Inc.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett says the economy appears to have leveled off at the bottom of the recession over the summer, but Berkshire Hathaway's CEO still isn't seeing much improvement.
Wells Fargo is seeing early signs of improvement in its lending portfolios as it reports an unexpected fourth-quarter profit.
Discount brokers lost a vote of confidence from equity analysts at Goldman Sachs Group on Monday. In a report, Goldman cut its recommendation on TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. (AMTD) to neutral from buy, and lowered its price target to $21 from $24. It kept its ratings on The Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) and E*Trade Financial Corp. (ETFC) at “sell” and “buy,” respectively, but lowered its target prices on those firms and also on discount brokers OptionsXpress (OXPS) and TradeStation Group (TRAD).
Both large and small financial services firms joined the worldwide effort to relieve the suffering caused by the earthquake in Haiti.
Moneta Group, a large financial planning and retirement benefits firm, has hired a team of A.G. Edwards Inc. veterans who last year produced around $1.3 million in revenue and managed about $300 million of client assets.
The last of the big Wall Street banks' efforts to repay TARP funds met with mixed results in the stock market last week — a cautionary tale for investors who are looking to dabble in the financial services sector.
Finra is investigating Wells Fargo Advisors LLC to determine whether the firm of 16,000 advisers violated rules that protect private client information.
