History & SocietyScience & TechBiographiesAnimals & NatureGeography & TravelArts & CultureGames & QuizzesVideosOn This DayOne Good FactDictionaryCompanionsDemystifiedImage GalleriesInfographicsListsPodcastsSpotlightSummariesThe ForumTop Questions#WTFact100 WomenBritannica KidsSaving EarthSpace Next 50Student Center
Britannica Money
Subscribe Now

Norwest Corporation

American corporation
Also known as: Northwest Bancorporation
Written and fact-checked byThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Updated:
formerly (until 1983):
Northwest Bancorporation
Ticker:
WFC
Share price:
$56.94 (mkt close, Apr. 10, 2024)
Market cap:
$203.86 bil.
Annual revenue:
$82.60 bil.
Earnings per share (prev. year):
$5.16
Sector:
Finance
Industry:
Banks
CEO:
Charles W. Scharf
Headquarters:
Minneapolis

Norwest Corporation, former American holding company that owned subsidiary commercial banks in a number of western and midwestern U.S. states. Norwest and Wells Fargo & Company merged in 1998, and the newly formed business took the latter’s name.

The company was incorporated as Northwest Bancorporation in 1929 to control banks, trust companies, and other financial institutions in the north-central United States. It conducted a general banking business through its subsidiary banks, all of which provided a full range of commercial services and many of which provided trust services. Northwest Bancorporation merged with Dial Financial Corporation, an Iowa-based consumer loan company, in 1982. The Norwest Corp. name was adopted the following year.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.