Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Banking for the Daughters of Bilitis

The Daughters of Bilitis, a Wells Fargo customer, established the first national organization for lesbian women, creating a community of shared experience and advocacy.

A Chinese legacy in smalltown Oregon

Merchants and Wells Fargo customers Lung On and Ing Hay owned a general store that became a center for the local Chinese community.

A mother’s pen inspires a community

Poet, civil activist, and Wells Fargo customer Eva Buckner used her pen to inspire and advocate for a more inclusive society.

LGBTQ pride thrives at Wells Fargo

Tim Hanlon and other employees advocated for a more LGBTQ inclusive community at Wells Fargo in the 1990s.

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A Renaissance woman: Cassie Hill

Cassie Hill not only served as an express agent for Wells Fargo in Roseville, California, from 1884 to 1908, she also served as a local agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad and...

Letters from incarceration camps

When Japanese Americans were forcibly moved into federal incarceration camps in 1942, their banker J. Elmer Morrish made it his mission to support them in any way possible.

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Podcast

Responding to the AIDS crisis

A Wells Fargo executive stepped in to lead Shanti Project, a valuable community organization that helped San Franciscans respond to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

A long history of Spanish-speaking support

Since the 1800s, when Wells Fargo offered in-language services and hired Spanish-speaking employees, the company has strived to best serve its Hispanic customers.

Birtan Aka, international banking pioneer

In the late 1960s, Birtan Aka became the first woman banking officer to represent a U.S. bank overseas, working in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Our messenger who championed equal rights

William M. Robison, Wells Fargo’s express messenger in the 1850s, transported millions in gold for the company — while also advocating for equal rights.

Innovative banking solutions for the blind

Before the 1970s, many bank customers who were blind or low vision had to depend on friends and family to handle their finances — until banks began providing new options.

Banking for businesswomen in the 1700s

When women in early America needed access to credit and payment tools, they turned to the Bank of North America in Philadelphia, America’s first commercial bank, and today Wells Fargo.

100+ years of celebrating Lunar New Year

Celebrating the Chinese lunar calendar has been a Wells Fargo tradition since 1912.

Good luck comes in red envelopes

Since 1961, Chinese customers preparing Lunar New Year gifts of “lucky money” have turned to Wells Fargo for festive envelopes.

A lifelong activist and Wells Fargo customer

Mifflin Wistar Gibbs lived a life of service and activism. He fought to end slavery, served as a politician for change, and became a successful African American business owner in Gold Rush...

Staying open for Santa

Julia L. Jones, a Wells Fargo agent in Mariposa, California, provided a link for her customers to the outside world — and even stayed open on Christmas Day.

Giving employees time to make an impact

In 1976, Wells Fargo made history by becoming the first major bank to offer employees paid leave to volunteer in their communities in programs of their choice.

A loan for flying lessons leads to WWII service

In the 1940s, Elizabeth “Betty” Wall got a loan from a local bank to join a local Sky Club. She used her flight experience to become one of the first women to...

Challenging 1882’s Chinese immigration ban

After Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, Wells Fargo agents testified on behalf of Chinese customers and supported their businesses.

A Mexican American mayor’s test of loyalty

Before he was Tucson’s first Mexican American mayor, this Arizona business and Wells Fargo agent chose exile instead of betraying the Union during the Civil War.

A bank founder’s fight against slavery

James McKaye, an original board member for Wells Fargo, was an abolitionist whose work led to the creation of the Freedmen’s Bureau in 1864 to protect the rights of African Americans.

From civil rights activist to banking mentor

Robert “Patt” Patterson started out as a civil rights activist and became an influential banker and mentor at Wachovia Bank.

Breaking glass ceilings in the 1960s

In 1967, Shirley Nelson made history when she became the first woman branch manager for Wells Fargo, paving the way for other women leaders.

The first woman to run a major U.S. bank

Mary Roebling made history in 1937 when she became president of Trenton Trust Company, now part of Wells Fargo.

Tuskegee Airmen bring leadership to Wells Fargo

Col. George S. Roberts and Lt. Col. James A. Walker are two former employees who were part of the famous Tuskegee Airmen.

Translating “Wells Fargo” into Chinese

Wanting to make customers feel comfortable and welcome, Chinese banker Lyman Jang created the name for Wells Fargo using Chinese characters back in 1971.

Woman stagecoach driver makes history

In the late 1800s, Mary Langdon built a business that covered hundreds of miles along the Pacific Coast in a male-dominated industry.

$1 billion investment breaks boundaries

In 1995, Wells Fargo committed $1 billion in lending to women business owners. The program inspired a new generation of women and led to new efforts to address inequities.

In-language service across time

Since the 1800s, Wells Fargo has been committed to providing in-language services and continues to do so today.