Wells Fargo acquiring Wachovia for $15.1 billion
Friday October 3, 7:22 am ET
Wells Fargo to acquire Wachovia for $15.1 billion in all-stock deal; ends Citigroup talks
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Wells Fargo says it is acquiring Wachovia in an all-stock transaction worth about $15.1 billion, as Wachovia ends talks with rival suitor Citigroup.
The deal, announced Friday, comes amid a turbulent time for banks and financial firms as they grapple with the ongoing credit crisis, which led to the recent bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and the failure of Washington Mutual.
Wachovia shareholders will receive 0.1991 shares of Wells Fargo for every share of Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia stock they own, valuing Wachovia Corp. at about $7 per share.
Wells Fargo & Co. will record merger and integration charges of about $10 billion, but says it expects earnings to be boosted within the first year after the acquisition closes. No government assistance is part of the deal terms.
