Wachovia (former
NYSE ticker symbol
WB) was a diversified
financial services company based in
Charlotte, North Carolina. Before its acquisition by
Wells Fargo in 2008, Wachovia was the fourth-largest
bank holding company in the
United States based on total assets. Wachovia provided a broad range of banking,
asset management,
wealth management, and corporate and
investment banking products and services. At its height, it was one of the largest providers of financial services in the United States, operating financial centers in 21 states and Washington, D.C., with locations from Connecticut to Florida and west to California. Wachovia provided global services through more than 40 offices around the world. The purchase of Wachovia by
Wells Fargo and Company was completed on December 31, 2008. Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia after a government-forced sale to avoid a failure of Wachovia.