10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2006

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY/MN Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2006

Filed August 3, 2006For Securities:WFCWFC-PDWFC-PCWFC-PYWFC-PAWFC-PLWFCNPWFC-PZ

Summary

Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) reported a strong second quarter of 2006, demonstrating robust growth across its diversified financial services operations. Net income rose 9% year-over-year to $2.09 billion, and diluted earnings per share increased 10% to $1.23. Total revenue grew by 12% to $8.79 billion, driven by solid performance in both net interest income and noninterest income. The company highlighted growth in core deposit funding and a healthy expansion of its loan and asset management portfolios. Despite a $250 million pre-tax loss related to sales of adjustable-rate mortgages and debt securities, and the adoption of new stock option expensing rules, Wells Fargo achieved record earnings. The company also announced a two-for-one stock split, signaling confidence in its future performance and commitment to shareholder value.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income increased 9% year-over-year to $2.09 billion.
  • 2Diluted earnings per share grew 10% year-over-year to $1.23.
  • 3Total revenue increased 12% to $8.79 billion, fueled by strong growth in both net interest income and noninterest income.
  • 4Core deposits, a key funding source, grew 8% year-over-year.
  • 5The company successfully managed its net interest margin despite significant earning asset growth, maintaining a leading position among large banks.
  • 6Wells Fargo Financial segment showed particularly strong net income growth of 28% year-over-year.
  • 7A two-for-one stock split was declared, effective August 2006.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth of 12% was driven by a combination of factors, including strong double-digit growth in net interest income due to expanded earning assets and solid core deposit growth. Noninterest income also saw significant growth, particularly from deposit service charges, trust and investment fees, card fees, and mortgage banking activities.

The company reported $250 million in pre-tax losses from the sale of ARMs and debt securities during the quarter. These sales were undertaken to improve long-term earning asset yields and were part of a strategy to divest lower-yielding assets. Despite the immediate loss, these actions are expected to benefit future earning asset yields.

Wells Fargo maintains a decentralized credit risk management process with comprehensive policies and procedures. Net charge-offs for the quarter were $432 million, representing 0.58% of average total loans, a slight decrease from the prior year. The allowance for credit losses stood at $4.04 billion, or 1.34% of total loans, which management considers adequate to cover inherent credit losses.

The adoption of FAS 123(R) related to share-based payments resulted in the recognition of stock option expense, which reduced reported net income by $17 million for the quarter. The adoption of FAS 156 for accounting for servicing of financial assets led to measuring residential mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) at fair value, resulting in a $101 million after-tax adjustment to retained earnings and influencing the reporting of servicing income.