Wells Fargo

A reader e-mailed us this image taken at a Wells Fargo ATM:

Kudos, Wells Fargo, for showing that even a big bank can make a customer feel a little less like just an account number.

Do you have an example of how your bank or credit union made you feel warm fuzzies? Is there something you wish they'd do (besides deciding to purposely add a couple zeros to your account balance)?

Wells Fargo Bank first opened in San Francisco in 1852 as a financial entity dedicated to serving the West. The gold rush was booming andHenry Wells and William Fargo founded the bank as a way to service all the needs of the time. The organization offered a number of services includingbuying gold, selling paper bank drafts and express delivery of valuables.

Wells Fargo Bank utilizedstagecoach, steamship, railroad, pony rider or telegraph to quickly handle the financial transactions of their client base.Wells Fargo Bank also helped launch the Great Overland Mail Company and the infamous Pony Express. The most notable contribution to transportation of valuables was the Wells Fargo Stagecoach, that had a six horse team to expedite the process. Of course as the railroad system evolved, Wells Fargo Bank relied more on thetranscontinental railroad system and became a nationwide express company.

That express route helped Wells Fargo Bank market themselves and branch out. In 1905, the express delivery operation and Wells Fargo Bank separated it's businesses from each other. The financial institution also managed to weather the Great Depression, all the while Hollywood was marketing the business by featuring the Wells Fargo Stagecoach in many popular westerns of the time.

In the 1960s, Wells Fargo Bank expanded into the northern portion of the state and became an increasingly popular regional bank that was always up to date on banking trends. The 1980s fueled a complete statewide expansion for Wells Fargo Bank and their online services were also launched then. Because of the continued influence of modern technology and the expansion of the financial organization, it is once again providing national service.

Wachovia Bank , now owned by Wells Fargo , is offering some competitive CD rates depending on the term limit you choose. Some of the rates they are offering as of today are a 2.75% APY CD for 32 months , a 2% APY CD for 21 months , and a 1.40% APY CD for 13 months .

Here are some important details...

The fourth largest US bank, Wells Fargo along with 19 of the largest banks in the country were subject to government stress tests last month designed to assess whether they would survive under worsening economic conditions, including a projected unemployment rate of about 12%. So far Wells Fargo...

Wells Fargo Co ., based in San Francisco, will change the name of Wachovia's brokerage arm to Wells Fargo Advisors. While the name change comes into effect tomorrow, Wachovia Securities' brand name will remain for at least a short time while new stationary, brochures, email changes, and other...

When traveling abroad, the last thing you might think will happen is an accident, such as a lost wallet, medical bills or other disasters - but they happen all the time. To help out their customers, Wells Fargo is actively putting products and services in place that will enable travelers to...

I now pronounce you..what?

Wells Fargo Beats out Citigroup

A few weeks ago Citigroup , with a little help from the Fed, had agreed to support and marry Wachovia . Yesterday, the Federal Reserve Board approved the sale of Wachovia to Wells Fargo in a transaction that would not require the...