The story of our company begins in 1852 in New York City with one idea and two men: Henry Wells and William Fargo. Their idea: start a banking and transportation company founded on trust, service and courtesy.
Today's Wells Fargo—resulting from the Norwest Corporation 1998 acquisition of Wells Fargo—is a blend of thousands of companies, like Wachovia, each with rich histories of service and all sharing values that our company has stood for since 1852. Through Wachovia, the Wells Fargo legacy now traces back to 1781 and the Bank of North America, the first bank chartered in the United States. Wachovia brings to Wells Fargo The Bank of North America's first branch, opened in 1782, which is now the longest continuously operated branch in America. To learn more, please visit Wells Fargo's History, Museums, and Store.
Wachovia Corporation
Wachovia was formed by the 2001 merger of First Union Corporation and the former Wachovia Corporation. In connection with the merger, First Union changed its name to Wachovia Corporation.
When William A. Lemly decided in 1879 to relocate his bank from the quiet Moravian village of Salem to the bustling county seat of Winston, he needed more than a crew of movers. Although the relocation involved moving only a few blocks up the street, changing towns required a new charter and a new name.
Both became effective on June 16, 1879, with the opening of the doors of the new Wachovia National Bank. The bank started business with capital of $100,000, which its directors felt was "very adequate."
Some years later, on June 15, 1893, North Carolina's first trust company - Wachovia Loan and Trust Company - opened its doors for business in the rapidly growing town of Winston. Its two-man staff was headed by a prominent textile and railroad entrepreneur, Francis H. Fries (pronounced "freeze").
In 1911, the two Wachovia's merged to form Wachovia Bank and Trust Company. The consolidated bank began operations with deposits of $4 million, capital stock of $1.25 million and total resources of $7 million. It was the largest bank in the South and the largest trust operation between Baltimore and New Orleans.
Visit us at: Wachovia.com
PNC is a highly diversified and growing financial services organization spanning the retail, business and corporate markets.
There's a lot going on at PNC, and we invite you to find out more about us -- from our business, history, and community involvement, to investment and media information.
A World-class Leader,
from its local banking roots, PNC has developed into one of the leading providers of financial services in the country, with international reach. PNC has been recognized nationally and regionally for its accomplishments and success, including:
-- Jim Rohr named American Banker's 2007 Banker of the Year
-- "BusinessWeek 50" Top Performing Companies
-- Ranked among the "Most Admired Companies", Fortune Magazine
-- 100 Best Companies For Working Mothers, Working Mother magazine
-- Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) Large Company Excellance Award for Jim Rohr and PNC
-- Sesame Workshop Corporate Honoree - Jim Rohr, along with co-honoree First Lady Laura Bush, for PNC's Grow Up Great Early Education Initiative
-- Outstanding overall CRA Rating, Office of the Comptroller
-- Technology Innovator in Financial Services, Information Week
Visit us at: PNC.com
