Wells Fargo was established in 1852 to provide banking and express delivery services to Gold Rush pioneers in California. It played a crucial role in moving gold, mail, and valuables across the country
Before railroads dominated, Wells Fargo had the largest stagecoach operation in the U.S., ensuring secure transport of goods and money. The company’s famous stagecoach logo comes from this history
During the late 1800s, Wells Fargo was a prime target for outlaws. The infamous criminal Black Bart robbed several of its stagecoaches but never harmed a passenger or employee
Wells Fargo was one of the first banks to expand across the entire U.S., establishing itself as a truly national bank while others were more regionally focused
In the 1970s, Wells Fargo was among the pioneers in launching automated teller machines (ATMs), helping introduce modern banking convenience
In 1995, Wells Fargo became the first U.S. bank to offer online banking, allowing customers to check balances and make payments over the internet
Wells Fargo played a role in the famous Pony Express mail service, helping speed up communication before the telegraph and railroads took over
Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia Bank during the 2008 financial crisis, making it one of the largest banks in the U.S. and significantly increasing its national footprint
Employees opened millions of unauthorized accounts to meet aggressive sales goals, leading to a massive scandal, billions in fines, and damage to the bank’s reputation
Despite controversies, Wells Fargo remains one of the top five largest banks in the U.S., managing over $1.7 trillion in assets and serving millions of customers