Wachovia merged into Wells Fargo in 2008 and no longer exists as a separate bank
Wachovia Bank was acquired by Wells Fargo in October 2008 during the financial crisis. The merger was completed over several years, with Wachovia's branches, accounts, and systems gradually integrated into Wells Fargo's operations. By 2011, Wachovia ceased to exist as an independent institution — all remaining Wachovia customers were fully converted to Wells Fargo accounts.
If you have an old Wachovia account, debit card, or loan, it is now a Wells Fargo product. Your account number may have changed, your routing number changed, and your statements now come from Wells Fargo. The transition happened years ago, so if you still see Wachovia branding anywhere, it is outdated.
Key Takeaways
- Wachovia was acquired by Wells Fargo in 2008 and fully merged by 2011; Wachovia no longer operates as a bank.
- If you had a Wachovia account, it was automatically converted to a Wells Fargo account with a new account number and routing number.
- Your old Wachovia debit card stopped working after the conversion; you received a new Wells Fargo card in the mail.
- You can still access old Wachovia statements and transaction history through Wells Fargo's online banking or by contacting customer service.
- Any Wachovia loans (mortgages, auto loans, personal loans) are now serviced by Wells Fargo or may have been sold to another lender.
What happened to Wachovia checking and savings accounts
When Wells Fargo took over Wachovia, all checking and savings accounts were transferred to Wells Fargo. You did not have to do anything — the conversion was automatic. Wells Fargo mailed you a new debit card, and your old Wachovia card was deactivated. Your account balance remained the same, but your account number and the bank's routing number changed.
If you had multiple Wachovia accounts (a checking account, a savings account, a money market account), each one was converted separately to a Wells Fargo equivalent. The account type remained the same — a Wachovia checking account became a Wells Fargo checking account with the same features and terms.
You should have received written notice from Wells Fargo before the conversion, explaining your new account number, new routing number, and the date the change took effect. If you cannot find that letter, call Wells Fargo customer service and provide your old Wachovia account number; they can look up your current Wells Fargo account details.
How to find your current Wells Fargo account information
Log into Wells Fargo's online banking portal or mobile app using your Social Security number or customer ID. If you do not remember your login, you can reset it on the Wells Fargo website. Once logged in, your account summary will show your current account number, routing number, and account type.
If you do not have online access set up, call Wells Fargo customer service at 1-800-869-3557. Have your Social Security number and a form of ID ready. A representative can confirm your current account number, routing number, and any other details you need — for example, if you are setting up direct deposit or paying a bill and need the routing number.
Your Wells Fargo routing number depends on which state you opened your account in or where your branch is located. If you moved or your branch closed, your routing number may have changed again since the original Wachovia conversion. The online banking portal and customer service will always show you the correct current routing number.
What happened to Wachovia loans and credit products
Wachovia mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans were transferred to Wells Fargo as part of the merger. You continued making payments to the same lender — the loan servicer simply changed from Wachovia to Wells Fargo. Some loans were later sold to other financial institutions, so your current servicer may not be Wells Fargo even though it started there.
If you have a Wachovia mortgage, check your most recent statement to see who is currently servicing it. The servicer's name and payment address appear at the top of your statement. If it still says Wells Fargo, send payments to the address listed. If it has been sold, your statement will show the new servicer's details.
Wachovia credit cards were also converted to Wells Fargo credit cards. Your credit limit and interest rate remained the same unless Wells Fargo later changed them. Your old Wachovia card number was deactivated, and you received a new Wells Fargo card number. Any rewards or points you had accumulated transferred to your new card.
Accessing old Wachovia statements and transaction history
Wells Fargo keeps records of Wachovia accounts for seven years after the merger. You can view statements and transactions from your old Wachovia account through Wells Fargo's online banking portal. Log in, select your account, and look for a date range or archive option that lets you go back to when the account was still branded as Wachovia.
If you need statements older than seven years or cannot find them online, contact Wells Fargo customer service. Provide your old Wachovia account number and the date range you need. Wells Fargo can print and mail older statements to you, though there may be a fee for statements beyond the standard retention period.
If you closed your Wachovia account before the merger or shortly after, you may not have online access to those records anymore. Call Wells Fargo and explain that you had a Wachovia account that was closed. They can search their archives by your Social Security number and the approximate date the account was open.
What to do if you still have a Wachovia debit card or checkbook
Stop using any Wachovia debit cards or checks immediately. They were deactivated years ago and will not work. If you try to use an old Wachovia debit card, the transaction will be declined. If you write a check on a closed Wachovia account, it will bounce.
Destroy old Wachovia debit cards by cutting them up or shredding them. Do not throw them in the trash whole. For old checkbooks, shred them as well to prevent fraud. If you need a new Wells Fargo debit card or checks, order them through your online banking account or call customer service.
If you find old Wachovia checks or cards in a drawer and are unsure whether they are still active, do not use them. Contact Wells Fargo instead. They can confirm the account status and issue you new cards or checks if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my old Wachovia account number?
No. Your Wachovia account number was replaced with a new Wells Fargo account number during the conversion. If you need your current account number, log into Wells Fargo online banking or call customer service. Any automatic payments or direct deposits set up under your old Wachovia account number will not work and must be updated to your new Wells Fargo account number.
What is my Wells Fargo routing number if I had a Wachovia account?
Your routing number depends on the state where your account is held. Wells Fargo uses different routing numbers for different regions. Check your Wells Fargo debit card, a recent statement, or log into online banking to find your current routing number. Do not use an old Wachovia routing number — it will not work for new transactions.
I had a Wachovia credit card. Is it still active?
Your Wachovia credit card was converted to a Wells Fargo credit card during the merger. Your old card number was deactivated, and you received a new Wells Fargo card number. If you never received a new card or it expired, contact Wells Fargo to request a replacement. Your credit limit and rewards balance transferred to your new card.
Where do I send my Wachovia loan payment now?
Check your most recent loan statement to see who is currently servicing your loan. If it says Wells Fargo, send payments to the address on your statement. If your loan was sold to another company, the statement will show the new servicer's name and payment address. Never send a payment to Wachovia — the bank no longer exists and the payment will not reach your lender.
Can I get a copy of statements from when my account was still Wachovia?
Yes. Log into Wells Fargo online banking and look for archived statements from before the conversion. If you cannot find them online, call customer service with your old Wachovia account number and the dates you need. Wells Fargo can provide copies, though very old statements may take longer to retrieve.