EXHIBIT 99(a)
                    WELLS FARGO & COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
               COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES



- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Quarter
                                                               ended March 31,
                                                            -----------------
(in millions)                                                 1998       1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 
EARNINGS, INCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS (1):
   Income before income tax expense                         $  581     $  630
   Fixed charges                                               591        594
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            $1,172     $1,224
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            ------     ------
Fixed charges (1):
   Interest expense                                         $  557     $  561
   Estimated interest component of net rental expense           34         33
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            $  591     $  594
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            ------     ------

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)                        1.98       2.06
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            ------     ------
EARNINGS, EXCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS:
   Income before income tax expense                         $  581     $  630
   Fixed charges                                               181        172
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            $  762     $  802
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            ------     ------
Fixed charges:
   Interest expense                                         $  557     $  561
   Estimated interest component of net rental expense           34         33
   Less interest on deposits                                   410        422
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            $  181     $  172
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            ------     ------

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)                        4.21       4.66
                                                            ------     ------
                                                            ------     ------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------


(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.