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## Overview Wells Fargo is one of the largest and most recognizable financial institutions in the United States, offering a comprehensive range of banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance services[7]. Headquartered in San Francisco, it serves millions of customers through thousands of branches and ATMs nationwide, as well as a robust digital banking platform. ## History Wells Fargo was founded on March 18, 1852, during the California Gold Rush, by Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and Johnston Livingston[2][3]. Initially, it provided express shipping and banking services—facilitating the rapid transport of gold, mail, and valuables to and from the booming West[1][2]. The company quickly became a trusted name, operating stagecoach lines and, later, leveraging the transcontinental railroad to expand its express network nationwide[1][4]. By the late 19th century, Wells Fargo was a dominant force in Western finance and logistics. However, after the U.S. government nationalized the railroads in 1918, the company focused solely on banking in San Francisco[1]. Over the decades, it weathered economic downturns, including the Great Depression and World War II, and gradually expanded its reach through mergers and acquisitions, most notably the 1998 merger with Norwest Corporation, after which the combined entity retained the Wells Fargo name[6]. ## Key Achievements Wells Fargo’s early innovations—such as merging express and banking services—set industry standards for reliability and customer service[3][5]. It played a crucial role in the development of the American West, financing businesses, settlers, and infrastructure projects. In the modern era, Wells Fargo became a leader in retail banking, mortgage lending, and wealth management, consistently ranking among the top U.S. banks by assets and market capitalization[6]. Its acquisition strategy in the late 1990s and early 2000s significantly expanded its geographic footprint and custome