Wachovia has been hurt badly by its 2006 purchase of Golden West Financial, a California lender specializing in so-called pay-option mortgages. And the bank also faced mounting losses on loans made to home builders and commercial real estate developers. Founded in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Understanding the Context

as Wachovia National Bank on , Wachovia grew to be one of the largest diversified financial services companies in the United States. It traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WB. Before its acquisition by Wells Fargo and Company in 2008, Wachovia was the fourth-largest bank holding company in the United States, based on total assets. [3] Wachovia provided a broad range of banking, asset management, wealth management, and corporate and investment banking products and services.

Key Insights

Wells Fargo was able to acquire Wachovia for a fraction of its estimated value, thanks to a secret deal with regulators that allowed Wells to merge with Wachovia despite Citigroup's funding efforts. The Wachovia Corporation developed from a small bank in Salem, North Carolina to become the fourth-largest bank holding company in the United States. The Collapse of Wachovia - How a Bank with $38 in Book Value ... Founded in Winston-Salem, N.C. as Wachovia National Bank on , Wachovia grew to be one of the largest diversified financial services companies in the United States.

Final Thoughts

Wells Fargo announced it had agreed to acquire all of Wachovia for $15.1 billion in stock. Wachovia preferred the Wells Fargo deal because it would be worth more than the Citigroup deal and keep all of its businesses intact.