Wells Fargo to aid financially strapped school districts

Northwestern Financial Review, Aug 15-Aug 31, 2003

Wells Fargo & Co., N.A., Minneapolis, recently launched a promotion to raise funds for local school districts. The promotion, called "Team Up for Our Schools," will funnel cash donations directly to Minnesota school districts in the communities where qualifying banking activity occurs. Qualifying banking activity includes: opening a new checking account with direct deposit; packaging a new checking account with up to three other banking services such as a savings account, debit card or mortgage, or a new or existing customer signing up for online bill pay. Each qualifying activity leads to a $10 donation by the bank.

"We believe we're only as healthy as the communities in which we do business," said Marilyn Dahl, regional president of Wells Fargo Bank Minneapolis.

The two-month-long promotion, which began July 14 in Minnesota, runs concurrently in other Midwest states served by Wells Fargo. A similar program in California began June 2 and continues for three months.

The bank is using TV, print and radio advertising to promote the program. In the past three years, Wells Fargo has contributed more than $60 million to schools and educational programs across the country.