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.
JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, BlackRock and Knight showed first-quarter profits, while Piper Jaffray swung to a loss.
Broker-dealer executives whose firms clear trades through and use the custody services of Bear Stearns Securities Corp. say that their fears have been calmed for the moment by the deal under which JPMorgan Chase & Co. will acquire parent company The Bear Stearns Cos. Inc.
The recent push by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. to return money to harmed mutual fund investors was part of what should be a never-ending effort by the financial services industry to find ways to maintain consumer faith in the marketplace.
Overcrowding is behind a nearly 18% slump in the number of mutual funds launched in 2007 and a comparable percentage jump in those merged out of existence.
JPMorgan Chase said forth-quarter profit fell 34% after the firm posted a $1.3 billion write-down on subprime mortgages.
Construction of new homes rebounded in October, increasing for the first time since June.
Home builders’ confidence stayed at basement levels in November, due to an increased inventory of unsold homes.
SAN FRANCISCO — After years of being heralded as the next big thing in banking, reverse mortgages have come into their own, morphing from a mom-and-pop industry to big business in just the last six months.
Client portfolios may be affected by the fallout from turmoil in the subprime mortgage market — but advisers aren’t exactly sure where the problems may lie and don’t believe their software tools can give them timely answers.
Other banks may follow Bank of America Corp.’s decision this month to cut mortgage clients’ borrowing costs drastically, including waiving the requirement for private mortgage insurance, industry observers say.
Like Southern California itself, the Los Angeles wealth management market is vibrant, sprawling, lucrative, growing and fragmented.
Wells Fargo & Co. posted an 11% increase in first-quarter profit, resulting from growth in lending and a higher-net interest margin, which set off increasing credit losses.
Passive investing is gaining favor among wealth managers, according to bankers, vendors and industry consultants.
