EXHIBIT 99(a)
                    WELLS FARGO & COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
              COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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                                                                       Quarter
                                                                ended March 31,
                                                               ---------------
(in millions)                                                  1997       1996
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EARNINGS, INCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS (1):
    Income before income tax expense                         $  630       $463
    Fixed charges                                               594        348
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             $1,224       $811
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             ------       ----

Fixed charges (1):
    Interest expense                                         $  561       $330
    Estimated interest component of net rental expense           33         18
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             $  594       $348
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             ------       ----

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)                         2.06       2.33
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             ------       ----

EARNINGS, EXCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS:
    Income before income tax expense                         $  630       $463
    Fixed charges                                               172        107
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             $  802       $570
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             ------       ----

Fixed charges:
    Interest expense                                         $  561       $330
    Estimated interest component of net rental expense           33         18
    Less interest on deposits                                   422        241
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             $  172       $107
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             ------       ----

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)                         4.66       5.33
                                                             ------       ----
                                                             ------       ----
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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 was 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 was 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.