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Thursday, April 09, 2009

CNBC Interview with Wells Fargo CFO

by Calculated Risk on 4/09/2009 11:09:00 AM

From CNBC: Wells Fargo CFO: Wachovia Merger Behind Record Profits

In December we closed the Wachovia acquisition," said [Howard Atkins, CFO, Wells Fargo]. "This is the first quarter the two companies have been combined and because of the move, we thought it was important to get this news out early."

Atkins said that the losses in the acquistion are behind Wells Fargo. "We did write off most of them [losses]and we are enjoying the benefits of the merged companies," said Atkins.

Atkins said details on Wachovia savings are "going to begin to emerge in the second quarter.
...
Atkins went on to say there was "very little impact" on results from a new rule by the Financial Accounting Standards Board that gives banks more freedom to value assets as they would in normal markets rather than at distressed prices.
NIMs (Net Interest Margins) are Edit: Higher than expected - and Atkins doesn't say it, but their borrowing costs have to be close to zero.