EXHIBIT 12 WACHOVIA CORPORATION RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Nine Months Year Ended Ended September 30 December 31 (A) EXCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS 1997 1996 [S] [C] [C] Earnings: Income before income taxes $ 723,042 $ 934,902 Less capitalized interest (58) -- Fixed charges 584,525 804,019 ----------- ----------- Earnings as adjusted $ 1,307,509 $ 1,738,921 =========== =========== Fixed charges: Interest on purchased and other short term borrowed funds $ 310,256 $ 431,094 Interest on long-term debt 264,186 359,946 Portion of rents representative of the interest factor (1/3) of rental expense 10,083 12,979 ----------- ----------- Fixed charges $ 584,525 $ 804,019 =========== =========== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.24X 2.16X (B) INCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS: Adjusted earnings from (A) above $ 1,307,509 $ 1,738,921 Add interest on deposits 728,527 881,562 ----------- ----------- Earnings as adjusted $ 2,036,036 $ 2,620,483 =========== =========== Fixed charges: Fixed charges from (A) above $ 584,525 $ 804,019 Interest on deposits 728,527 881,562 ----------- ----------- Adjusted fixed charges $ 1,313,052 $ 1,685,581 =========== =========== Adjusted earnings to adjusted fixed 1.55X 1.55X charges