EXHIBIT 99(a)
WELLS FARGO & COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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Quarter ended March 31,
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(in millions) 1996 1995
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EARNINGS, INCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS (1):
Income before income tax expense $ 462 $ 370
Fixed charges 348 377
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$ 810 $ 747
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Fixed charges (1):
Interest expense $ 330 $ 360
Estimated interest component of net
rental expense 18 17
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$ 348 $ 377
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2) 2.33 1.98
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EARNINGS, EXCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS:
Income before income tax expense $ 462 $ 370
Fixed charges 107 135
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$ 569 $ 505
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Fixed charges:
Interest expense $ 330 $ 360
Less interest on deposits (241) (242)
Estimated interest component of net
rental expense 18 17
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$ 107 $ 135
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2) 5.32 3.74
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(1) As defined in Item 503(d) of Regulation S-K.
(2) These computations are included herein in compliance with
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. However, management
believes that fixed charge ratios are not meaningful measures for the
business of the Company because of two factors. First, even if there
were no change in net income, the ratios would decline with an increase
in the proportion of income which is tax-exempt or, conversely, they
would increase with a decrease in the proportion of income which is
tax-exempt. Second, even if there were no change in net income, the
ratios would decline if interest income and interest expense increase by
the same amount due to an increase in the level of interest rates or,
conversely, they would increase if interest income and interest expense
decrease by the same amount due to a decrease in the level of interest
rates.