Wells Fargo, Iowa Council of the United Blind Announce Talking ATMs in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - January 16, 2002 - Wells Fargo Bank Iowa, N.A. and the
Iowa Council of the United Blind announced today that Wells Fargo Talking
ATMs are now up and running at approximately 14 locations across the
state.  A rollout of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) with audio capability
will continue through 2002 in Iowa.

Through voice instruction, the new Talking ATMs tell users who cannot read
information on an ATM screen how to deposit money, withdraw cash, transfer
funds and buy stamps.  In addition, customers can use the new Talking ATMs
to hear account balances for primary checking, savings and market rate
accounts. To protect the privacy and security of blind and low vision
users, the Talking ATMs deliver voice information privately through audio
jacks and earphones.


Customers can identify a Talking ATM by the audio decal on the front of the
machine and the earphone decal near the earphone jack.  Both of these
decals are in large print and Braille.
Working with the California Council of the Blind, Wells Fargo announced in
June of 1999 that it would pilot 20 Talking ATMs in California, and now
over 800 Talking ATMs have been installed in that state.  Following the
success of the California effort, Wells Fargo began installing Talking ATMs
at various locations across the country.

Customers can find the Talking ATM nearest to them by calling (800)
869-3557 or by visiting www.wellsfargo.com and clicking on the Talking ATM
Locator link at the bottom of the screen.

Wells Fargo's efforts in Iowa were aided by the Iowa Council of the United
Blind.  "For the first time blind Iowans will be able to enjoy ATM access
equal to that of their sighted peers," said Michael Barber of the
Council.  "We are pleased that Wells Fargo is the first in our state to
recognize the rights of equal access for blind Iowans, and we are hopeful
that other banks will follow in its footsteps."

Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian, two California lawyers who have
assisted members of the blindness community nationally on this issue, also
applauded Wells Fargo's efforts.  "We congratulate Wells Fargo for its
pioneering approach and innovation in providing Talking ATMs that benefit
both the blindness community and all Iowans who have difficulty reading the
ATM screen," said Feingold.


"We are committed to serving all of our customers, including those who are
blind or have low vision," said H. Lynn Horak, Chairman and CEO of Wells
Fargo Bank Iowa.  "We were the first in the country to draw up a plan for
developing and installing Talking ATMs, and we look forward to offering
this enhanced ATM access to our vision impaired customers in Iowa."

The Iowa Council of the United Blind is an affiliate of the American
Council of the Blind, representing blind persons across the state of
Iowa.  The Council advocates for the well being of blind Iowans in areas
including accessible ATMs, quality rehabilitation programs, accessible
computer environments and more. The Iowa Council of the United Blind can be
reached at or www.acb.org/iowa.

Wells Fargo Bank Iowa, N.A offers 75 banking locations and some 120 Wells
Fargo ATMs across the state, serving 45 Iowa communities. Wells Fargo ranks
first in Iowa deposit market share with $5.8 billion in deposits.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $308
billion in assets, banking, insurance, wealth management and estate
planning, investments, mortgage and consumer finance from more than 5,400
stores and the Internet (www.wellsfargo.com) across North America and
elsewhere internationally.

Press Contacts:

Wells Fargo Bank Iowa, N.A.
Joan Dooley     (515) 245-8254

Iowa Council of the United Blind
Michael Barber  (515) 281-1391


Lainey Feingold
Law Office of Elaine B. Feingold
1524 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-5062
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