Who Brands - Brand Ownership DirectoryWho Brands
HomeBrowse BrandsCategoriesCompaniesCompareBlogQuizAbout
HomeBrowse BrandsCategoriesCompaniesCompareBlogQuizAbout
Who Brands

Your trusted reference for brand ownership information. We provide factual, comprehensive data about who owns the brands you know.

Stay in the know

Get the latest ownership updates delivered to your inbox.

Browse

  • All Brands
  • Categories
  • Companies
  • Countries
  • Compare Brands
  • Blog
  • Brand Quiz
  • RSS Feed

Company

  • About Us
  • Methodology
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Submit a Brand
  • List Your Brand
  • Write for Us

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Disclaimer

Support Us

☕Buy me a coffee

2026 Who Brands. All information is provided for educational purposes. Brand names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners.

  1. Home
  2. Brands
  3. Finance & Fintech
  4. Wells Fargo Bank
Wells Fargo Bank logo
Finance & Fintech

Who Owns Wells Fargo Bank?

Wells Fargo Bank is the flagship banking brand of Wells Fargo & Company, a publicly traded American financial services company founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, trading on NYSE under ticker WFC. The bank serves tens of millions of customers through approximately 4,000 branches and 11,000 ATMs. For FY2025, Wells Fargo reported $83.7 billion in revenue and $21.3 billion in net income.

Parent Company

Wells Fargo & Company

Founded

1852

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

San Francisco, California, USA

mid rangemass marketUnited StatesunisexOfficial Website

Who Owns Wells Fargo Bank?

  • Parent Company: Wells Fargo & Company
  • Ownership Type: Wholly owned
  • Company Type: Publicly Traded
  • Stock Ticker: NYSE: WFC
BrandParent CompanyOwnership Type
Wells Fargo BankWells Fargo & CompanyWholly owned

History of Wells Fargo Bank

  • Founded: 1852
  • Founders: Henry Wells, William G. Fargo

Wells Fargo was founded on March 18, 1852, by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo to provide banking and express delivery to Gold Rush-era California, shipping gold, mail, and packages by stagecoach, the image that became the brand's lasting logo.

The bank survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, rebuilt, and consolidated through the twentieth century. The modern Wells Fargo formed through the 1998 merger of Norwest Corporation and Wells Fargo, with Norwest retaining the Wells Fargo name and moving headquarters to San Francisco. The 2008 acquisition of Wachovia made it a true coast-to-coast franchise.

The brand suffered its defining crisis with the fake accounts scandal revealed in 2016, when employees opened millions of unauthorized accounts to meet sales targets. The scandal cost the bank billions in fines, multiple CEOs, and a 2018 Federal Reserve asset cap. The Fed lifted the cap in June 2025 and terminated the enforcement action entirely in March 2026, closing a near-decade regulatory chapter.

About Wells Fargo & Company

Who owns Wells Fargo?
Wells Fargo & Company is a publicly traded corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WFC. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Ownership is distributed among institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. Berkshire Hathaway, once the largest shareholder, has significantly reduced its position in recent years.

What is Wells Fargo's annual revenue?
Wells Fargo reported total revenue of $83.7 billion for fiscal year 2025, up 2% from $82.3 billion in 2024. Net income for FY2025 was $21.3 billion, or $6.26 per diluted share. The company's primary revenue driver is net interest income, which totaled $47.5 billion in FY2025, supplemented by $36.2 billion in noninterest income from fees, advisory services, and other sources.

Is the Wells Fargo asset cap still in place?
No. The Federal Reserve removed the asset growth restriction on June 3, 2025, after determining that Wells Fargo had met all required conditions under the 2018 enforcement action. On March 5, 2026, the Fed terminated the enforcement action entirely. The asset cap had limited Wells Fargo's total assets to approximately $1.95 trillion for seven years.

Who is the CEO of Wells Fargo?
Charlie Scharf has served as Chief Executive Officer since October 2019. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Scharf was CEO of Visa and Bank of New York Mellon. Under his leadership, Wells Fargo has focused on improving risk management, terminating multiple consent orders, reducing costs, and investing in digital capabilities. Mike Santomassimo serves as Chief Financial Officer.

How many employees does Wells Fargo have?
Wells Fargo employed approximately 205,000 people as of December 31, 2025, with approximately 76% based in the United States. The company's workforce has declined from approximately 268,000 in 2020, reflecting efficiency initiatives and severance programs under CEO Charlie Scharf. The global workforce was 50% female and 50% male as of the end of 2025.

What are Wells Fargo's main business segments?
Wells Fargo operates through four reportable segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Consumer Banking and Lending is the largest segment by revenue, providing checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, and auto loans to individual consumers.

Is Wells Fargo a systemically important financial institution?
Yes. Wells Fargo is classified as a systemically important financial institution by U.S. regulators and is one of the "Big Four" U.S. banks alongside JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. This designation subjects the company to enhanced regulatory oversight, including higher capital requirements and stress testing requirements.

What was the Wells Fargo fake accounts scandal?
In September 2016, Wells Fargo was fined $185 million by the CFPB, OCC, and the City and County of Los Angeles for creating approximately 2 million unauthorized bank and credit card accounts in customers' names. The scandal led to the resignation of CEO John Stumpf, a $3 billion DOJ/SEC settlement in 2020, and a Federal Reserve asset cap in 2018 that lasted until June 2025.

  • Founded: 1852
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
  • Company Type: Publicly Traded
  • Stock: NYSE: WFC
  • Revenue: $83.7B (FY2025)
  • Employees: ~205,000

Visit Wells Fargo & Company website

View full company profile for Wells Fargo & Company

Where Is Wells Fargo Bank Made / Based?

  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
  • Manufacturing / Operations: United States

Wells Fargo Bank Categories & Tags

BankingRetail BankCheckingConsumer BankingStagecoach

Wells Fargo Bank Sustainability & Ethics

Wells Fargo has committed to net zero financed emissions by 2050 and pledged $500 billion in sustainable finance through 2030. The bank's ethics record is dominated by the 2016 fake accounts scandal, which produced over $3 billion in DOJ/SEC penalties and an OCC order, alongside later enforcement actions covering mortgage modifications and account fees.

Awards & Recognition

Wells Fargo's mobile app and Fargo virtual assistant have earned digital banking awards, and the brand's history museums and stagecoach iconography remain among the most recognized corporate identities in American banking.

Wells Fargo Bank Recalls & Controversies

Fake accounts scandal (2016): Employees opened millions of unauthorized accounts under sales pressure; the scandal cost billions in fines, CEO John Stumpf resigned, and the Fed imposed an unprecedented asset cap, lifted only in June 2025 with the enforcement action fully terminated in March 2026.

Mortgage and auto remediation: Earlier consent orders covered improper rate-lock fees on mortgages and forced-placement auto insurance, with the bank paying over $1 billion in additional penalties through 2018-2022 remediation programs.

Brands Owned by Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo AdvisorsFinance Fintech

Wells Fargo Advisors

Owned by Wells Fargo & Company

Wealth management and brokerage business of Wells Fargo, serving clients through thousands of financial advisors and the bank's branch network.

wealth-managementfinancial-advisorbrokerage
Wells Fargo AutoFinance Fintech

Wells Fargo Auto

Owned by Wells Fargo & Company

Auto lending division of Wells Fargo providing dealer-financed car loans and lease-related financing through thousands of dealership relationships nationwide.

auto-loanscar-financingdealer-financing
Wells Fargo Home MortgageFinance Fintech

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Owned by Wells Fargo & Company

Mortgage origination and servicing business of Wells Fargo, historically America's largest home lender, serving borrowers through its branch network and digital channels.

mortgagehome-loansrefinancing
Wells Fargo Private BankFinance Fintech

Wells Fargo Private Bank

Owned by Wells Fargo & Company

Private banking and wealth management division of Wells Fargo serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions.

private-bankingwealth-managementtrust-services
View all brands owned by Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo Bank Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • +Coast-to-coast branch network serving tens of millions
  • +Leading mortgage, small business, and middle-market banking franchises
  • +Post-2025 freedom from the Fed asset cap restores growth optionality
  • +Strong capital returns: $23 billion to shareholders in 2025

Considerations

  • -Fake accounts scandal remains a lasting reputational mark
  • -Branch footprint has contracted through consolidation
  • -Deposit market share pressure from money market funds and online banks
  • -Legacy of multiple consent orders invites continued regulator attention

Frequently Asked Questions About Wells Fargo Bank

Sources & Further Reading

  • [Wells Fargo Official Website](
  • [Wells Fargo Investor Relations](
  • [Wells Fargo History](

Competitors to Wells Fargo Bank

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

BrandParent CompanyCountryFoundedMarket PositionPrimary MarketGender Target
Bank of AmericaBank of America
Bank Of America
USA
1998
Mass marketUnited statesUnisex
ChaseChase
Jpmorgan Chase
USA
1877
Mass marketUnited statesAll Genders
CitibankCitibank
Citi
USA
1812
Mass marketUnited statesAll Genders
TD BankTD Bank
Td Bank
USA
1852
Mass marketUnited statesAll Genders

Learn More About Competitors

Bank of AmericaFinance Fintech

Bank of America

Owned by Bank of America Corporation

Consumer and commercial banking brand serving roughly 70 million clients through approximately 3,500 financial centers and industry-leading digital banking.

bankingconsumer-bankingretail-bank
ChaseFinance Fintech

Chase

Owned by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking brand of JPMorgan Chase & Co., operating more than 5,000 branches and serving nearly 87 million consumers.

bankingcredit-cardsconsumer-banking
CitibankFinance Fintech

Citibank

Owned by Citigroup Inc.

American consumer banking brand providing retail banking, credit cards, mortgages, and wealth management services through Citigroup.

bankingconsumer-bankingcredit-cards
TD BankFinance Fintech

TD Bank

Owned by TD Bank, N.A.

TD Bank is the U.S. retail banking brand of Toronto-Dominion Bank, operating about 1,100 East Coast branches as "America's Most Convenient Bank" under a federal asset cap since 2024.

bankingretail-bankfinancial-services

Competitive Analysis

Market Positioning: Wells Fargo Bank competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.

Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.

Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.

Independent Alternatives to Wells Fargo Bank

Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Wells Fargo & Company, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.

TD BankFinance Fintech

TD Bank

Owned by TD Bank, N.A.

TD Bank is the U.S. retail banking brand of Toronto-Dominion Bank, operating about 1,100 East Coast branches as "America's Most Convenient Bank" under a federal asset cap since 2024.

bankingretail-bankfinancial-services
Privately Owned

TD Bank is privately owned, unlike Wells Fargo Bank which is under a publicly traded parent company.

Bank of AmericaFinance Fintech

Bank of America

Owned by Bank of America Corporation

Consumer and commercial banking brand serving roughly 70 million clients through approximately 3,500 financial centers and industry-leading digital banking.

bankingconsumer-bankingretail-bank
Publicly Traded

Bank of America operates independently without a large parent corporation.

Capital OneFinance Fintech

Capital One

Owned by Capital One Financial Corporation

Capital One is the flagship consumer banking and credit card brand of Capital One Financial, the largest U.S. card issuer behind Venture, Savor, Quicksilver, and Capital One Cafes.

credit-cardsbankingfintech
Publicly Traded

Capital One operates independently without a large parent corporation.

Charles SchwabFinance Fintech

Charles Schwab

Owned by The Charles Schwab Corporation

American brokerage and wealth management brand serving 38.5 million active accounts and $11.90 trillion in client assets, flagship of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

brokerageinvestingwealth-management
Publicly Traded

Charles Schwab operates independently without a large parent corporation.

BaringsFinance Fintech

Barings

Owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual)

Global asset management firm headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and subsidiary of MassMutual, managing investments across fixed income, real estate, and private markets.

asset-managementinvestmentsfixed-income
Privately Owned

Barings is privately owned, unlike Wells Fargo Bank which is under a publicly traded parent company.

Bloomberg TerminalFinance Fintech

Bloomberg Terminal

Owned by Bloomberg L.P.

Industry-standard financial data and analytics platform used by approximately 325,000 subscribers at banks, hedge funds, and institutional investors worldwide.

financial-datamarket-dataanalytics
Privately Owned

Bloomberg Terminal is privately owned, unlike Wells Fargo Bank which is under a publicly traded parent company.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Information

Jobs at Wells Fargo & Company

Latest News About Wells Fargo Bank

Related Articles About Wells Fargo Bank

View more articles
Regional Brands That Got Swallowed by Multinationals
Global

Regional Brands That Got Swallowed by Multinationals

La Serenissima is now Arcor/Danone. Innovist is now L'Oreal. Zabka is being bought by Couche-Tard for $8.6B. S Brands is now Wipro. Discover regional brands swallowed by multinationals. Explore our database.

Who Brands StaffSep 26, 2026
GlobalAcquisitionsBrand Ownership
Why Some Global Brands Have Different Names Abroad
Global

Why Some Global Brands Have Different Names Abroad

Lay's is Walkers in the UK. Burger King is Hungry Jack's in Australia. KFC is PFK in Quebec. Mr. Clean is Don Limpio in Spain. Discover why global brands have different names abroad. Explore our database.

Who Brands StaffSep 24, 2026
GlobalInternationalBrand Ownership
Brands That Mean Different Things in Different Countries
Global

Brands That Mean Different Things in Different Countries

Fila is premium in Taipei but budget in Europe. Muller yogurt means indulgence in Italy but health in Germany. Starbucks' Tank Day caused boycotts in Korea. Discover brands that mean different things in different countries. Explore our database.

Who Brands StaffSep 23, 2026
GlobalInternationalBrand Ownership
View more articles

People Also Searched

Discover popular brands and companies in the Finance & Fintech category and related searches from other users.

Afterpay
Brandbuy-now-pay-later

Afterpay

Block's buy-now-pay-later brand, offering interest-free installment payments across a global merchant network, acquired in 2022 for $29 billion.

Brand in Finance & Fintech
bnplfintech
Aladdin
Brandinvestment-technology

Aladdin

Comprehensive investment management technology platform developed by BlackRock, providing portfolio management, risk analytics, and trading solutions for institutional investors and asset managers.

Brand in Finance & Fintech
portfolio-managementrisk-analytics
Apple Pay
Brandmobile-payment

Apple Pay

Apple's mobile payment and digital wallet service enabling contactless payments and financial transactions on Apple devices.

Brand in Finance & Fintech
digital-walletcontactless-payment
Browse All Finance & Fintech

Last reviewed: September 25, 2026 · Reviewed by Who Brands Editorial Team