San Francisco based bank Wells Fargo grabbed the title of top mortgage lender in 2009, according to MortgageDaily.com . Wells Fargo saw loan origination volume increase a whopping 83 percent compared with numbers in 2008, thanks largely to the record low mortgage rates on offer. It was the second year in a row Wells Fargo held the top spot; the prior four years were dominated by a certain Countrywide Home Loans, which you may recall was acquired by Bank of America . 
Share:  San Francisco based bank <span class="company">Wells Fargo</span> grabbed the title of top mortgage lender in 2009, according to MortgageDaily.com . <span class="company">Wells Fargo</span> saw loan origination volume increase a whopping 83 percent compared with numbers in 2008, thanks largely to the record low mortgage rates on offer. It was the second year in a row <span class="company">Wells Fargo</span> held the top spot; the prior four years were dominated by a certain Countrywide Home Loans, which you may recall was acquired by Bank of America . Tweet this 

This is allowing banks like Wells Fargo ( ) and even Citigroup ( ) to earn their way back to health. Since banks have cut back on dividend payments and share repurchases (ordered, too, in the case of the TARP banks, strongly encouraged to by the regulators by smaller banks), this has allowed banks to rebuild their depleted capital. While the report has not been confirmed by the White House yet, if true this is an excellent choice. 
Share:  This is allowing banks like <span class="company">Wells Fargo</span> ( ) and even Citigroup ( ) to earn their way back to health. Since banks have cut back on dividend payments and share repurchases (ordered, too, in the case of the TARP banks, strongly encouraged to by the regulators by smaller banks), this has allowed banks to rebuild their depleted capital. While the report has not been confirmed by the White House yet, if true this is an excellent choice. Tweet this 

On Tuesday, we raised the target price of Wells Fargo & Company ( ) to $30.00 from $29.00 after the company posted strong fourth quarter results, paving the way for an optimistic 2010 ahead. The company's fourth quarter earnings came in significantly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, aided by strong growth in revenue and deposits, though offset by higher credit losses. Wells Fargo has a diverse geographic and business mix that enables it to sustain consistent earnings growth, while its strong consumer franchise allows it to offer a vast range of products to households. 
Share:  On Tuesday, we raised the target price of <span class="company">Wells</span> Fargo & Company ( ) to $30.00 from $29.00 after the company posted strong fourth quarter results, paving the way for an optimistic 2010 ahead. The company's fourth quarter earnings came in significantly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, aided by strong growth in revenue and deposits, though offset by higher credit losses. <span class="company">Wells</span> Fargo has a diverse geographic and business mix that enables it to sustain consistent earnings growth, while its strong consumer franchise allows it to offer a vast range of products to households. Tweet this 

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) today said it exceeded a milestone of saving more than 100,000 trees 1 through its Online Statements and Envelope Free ATMs. In addition, it announced a $30,000 contribution to the Arbor Day Foundation to support the planting of trees and honor customers who have chosen to turn off their paper statements."Since 2006, Wells Fargo customers who have chosen to receive their banking statements online have helped save more than 100,000 trees," said Stephanie Smith, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Internet Services Group. "We're honoring that effort with our support of the Arbor Day Foundation, an organization that shares our desire to help our planet through the preservation of more trees." 
Share:  Wells Fargo & Company (<span class="company">NYSE:WFC</span>) today said it exceeded a milestone of saving more than 100,000 trees 1 through its Online Statements and Envelope Free ATMs. In addition, it announced a $30,000 contribution to the Arbor Day Foundation to support the planting of trees and honor customers who have chosen to turn off their paper statements."Since 2006, Wells Fargo customers who have chosen to receive their banking statements online have helped save more than 100,000 trees," said Stephanie Smith, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Internet Services Group. "We're honoring that effort with our support of the Arbor Day Foundation, an organization that shares our desire to help our planet through the preservation of more trees." Tweet this 

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) announced today that John Stumpf, Chairman, President and CEO of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Stumpf will replace George Tamke, who retired from the board on , 2010. Stumpf is a 28 year veteran at Wells Fargo, having joined the former Norwest Corporation (predecessor of Wells Fargo) in 1982. 
Share:  Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) announced today that John Stumpf, Chairman, President and CEO of Wells Fargo & Company (<span class="company">NYSE:WFC</span>), has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Stumpf will replace George Tamke, who retired from the board on , 2010. Stumpf is a 28 year veteran at Wells Fargo, having joined the former Norwest Corporation (predecessor of Wells Fargo) in 1982. Tweet this 

Wachovia Preferred Funding Corp (NYSE:WNAPr) announced today that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend on its Series A 7.25% preferred securities. The dividend is equal to $0.453125 per Series A security. The dividend is payable on , 2010, to holders of record as of the close of business on , 2010. 
Share:  <span class="company">Wachovia Preferred Funding</span> Corp (NYSE:WNAPr) announced today that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend on its Series A 7.25% preferred securities. The dividend is equal to $0.453125 per Series A security. The dividend is payable on , 2010, to holders of record as of the close of business on , 2010. Tweet this 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may force lenders including Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC ), JPMorgan Chase ( NYSE:JPM ), Wells Fargo ( NYSE:WFC ) and Citigroup ( NYSE:C ) to buy back $21 billion of home loans this year as part of a crackdown on faulty mortgages. U. S. banks could suffer losses of $7 billion this year when those loans are returned and get marked down to their true value, according to estimates by Oppenheimer & Co analyst Chris Kotowski. 
Share:  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may force lenders including Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC ), JPMorgan Chase ( NYSE:JPM ), Wells Fargo ( <span class="company">NYSE:WFC</span> ) and Citigroup ( NYSE:C ) to buy back $21 billion of home loans this year as part of a crackdown on faulty mortgages.<span class="sent"> U. S. banks could suffer losses of $7 billion this year when those loans are returned and get marked down to their true value, according to estimates by Oppenheimer & Co analyst <span class="analyst">Chris Kotowski</span>.</span> Tweet this 

An official's criticism of Wells Fargo compensation practices on Thursday casts the federal government as more of a loan shark than a lender of last resort. The opprobrium came from Kenneth Feinberg, who has been assigned the task of reviewing pay practices at bailed out companies by President Obama. Feinberg, who Obama has referred to as the administration's "pay czar," told CNBC he believes the $21.3 million that Wells CEO Stumpf received last year was too high. 
Share:  An official's criticism of <span class="company">Wells Fargo</span> compensation practices on Thursday casts the federal government as more of a loan shark than a lender of last resort. The opprobrium came from Kenneth Feinberg, who has been assigned the task of reviewing pay practices at bailed out companies by President Obama. Feinberg, who Obama has referred to as the administration's "pay czar," told CNBC he believes the $21.3 million that Wells CEO Stumpf received last year was too high. Tweet this 

Pay czar Kenneth R. Feinberg believes the compensation paid to Wells Fargo 's chief executive for 2009 "raises serious questions," he told CNBC on Thursday. He also said companies that do not fall under his jurisdiction should voluntarily adopt the reforms he is proposing for bailed out companies, Reuters reported . Wells Fargo, the fourth largest United States bank by assets, paid its chief executive, John Stumpf, compensation worth $21.3 million for 2009, a package that probably makes him the highest paid American bank executive. 
Share:  Pay czar Kenneth R. Feinberg believes the compensation paid to <span class="company">Wells Fargo</span> 's chief executive for 2009 "raises serious questions," he told CNBC on Thursday. He also said companies that do not fall under his jurisdiction should voluntarily adopt the reforms he is proposing for bailed out companies, Reuters reported . <span class="company">Wells Fargo</span>, the fourth largest United States bank by assets, paid its chief executive, John Stumpf, compensation worth $21.3 million for 2009, a package that probably makes him the highest paid American bank executive. Tweet this