Wells Fargo, Utah Council of the Blind Announce
Talking ATMs in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – January 16, 2002 - Wells Fargo & Company and the 
Utah Council of the Blind announced today that Wells Fargo Talking ATMs are 
now up and running at approximately 58 locations across the state.  A 
rollout of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) with audio capability will 
continue through 2002 in Utah.

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 Utah were aided by the Utah Council of the Blind 
(UCB).  "We are thrilled that blind and visually impaired people in Utah 
will now have access to this basic financial service," said Terri Lynne 
Pomeroy, UCB Board member.  "We commend Wells Fargo for its significant 
commitment announced today and urge other banks to 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 people in Utah who have difficulty 
reading the ATM screen,” said Feingold.

“We are committed to serving all of our customers and are delighted to be 
offering this enhanced ATM access to better meet the needs of blind or low 
vision Utahns,” said Robert A. Hatch, Wells Fargo President & CEO for Utah 
& Southwest Wyoming. "We were the first in the country to draw up a plan 
for developing and installing Talking ATMs, and we are pleased that Talking 
ATMs are now available in Utah.”
The Utah Council of the Blind (UCB) is an affiliate of the American Council 
of the Blind, representing blind and visually impaired persons across the 
state of Utah.  UCB works to elevate the economic, social and cultural 
level of the blind and visually impaired of Utah. The Utah Council of the 
Blind can be reached at (801) 292-1156.

Wells Fargo is a diversified financial services company with $308 billion 
in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer 
finance from about 5,400 stores and the Internet (www.wellsfargo.com) 
across North America and elsewhere internationally.  In Utah, Wells Fargo 
has more than 150 banking locations and nearly 4,000 team members.

Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, N.A.
Rita Esposito           (801) 246-2843

Utah Council of the United Blind
Terri Lynne Pomeroy     (801) 299-8522


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