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Private company

Wells Fargo (1852–1998)

Former American banking company

Wells Fargo & Company was an American banking company based in San Francisco, California, that was acquired by Norwest Corporation in 1998. During the California gold rush in early 1848 at Sutter's Mill near Coloma, California, financiers and entrepreneurs from all over North America and the world flocked to California, drawn by the promise of huge profits.2 It was founded by William Fargo and Henry Wells.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

Jan 1, 1924Founded1
  • HeadquartersSan Francisco1
  • Founded inDes Moines1

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Wellsfargohq
Photo: Laimerpramer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons3

Wells Fargo & Company was an American banking company based in San Francisco, California, that was acquired by Norwest Corporation in 1998. During the California gold rush in early 1848 at Sutter's Mill near Coloma, California, financiers and entrepreneurs from all over North America and the world flocked to California, drawn by the promise of huge profits.2

The story

Founded by Henry Wells and William Fargo on Jan 1, 1924, in Des Moines.1

Leadership

Who has led Wells Fargo (1852–1998), and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Acquisitions

  1. Succeeded by Wells Fargo1

Timeline

  1. Nov 2, 1998Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. Jan 1, 1924Founded Founded in Des Moines1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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