“The only way we can overcome the tragedy of an immense disaster like this one is by pulling together as a nation and doing all we can to help out our fellow citizens in great need,” said Wachovia CEO Ken Thompson. “The people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are not alone. Like the rest of our nation, the people of Wachovia want to lend them a helping hand so they can begin rebuilding their lives and their communities.”
Wachovia will donate an additional $750,000 to the American Red Cross, increasing the company’s total contribution to the organization to $1 million. Earlier, the company announced that it had donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The company is also expanding its matching gifts program, matching an additional $1,000 per employee for donations made to the American Red Cross through the end of the year. The program regularly matches up to $4,000 per employee per year for donations to educational institutions and other nonprofits.
In addition, Wachovia will donate $800,000 to establish a fund with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation in Mississippi and $200,000 to establish a fund with the Community Foundation of South Alabama in Mobile. Wachovia will serve on advisory councils for both funds, partnering with community leaders to identify the area’s long-term needs.
“We’re establishing these funds because we know we need to look to the future—to what will help this region thrive for years to come,” Thompson said. “We invite other businesses across the country to join us in contributing to these funds in support of this work, which is crucial to the Gulf Coast’s long-term development.”
Wachovia collects donations to the American Red Cross
In addition to these contributions, Wachovia is continuing to accept donations to the American Red Cross at Wachovia and SouthTrust financial centers throughout its retail market and through its Bank by Mail program.
Anyone can help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, as well as those of thousands of disasters across the country each year, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund at any Wachovia or SouthTrust financial center in any state except Georgia.
Because of a previous arrangement with Atlanta’s WSB Channel 2 TV, donations to the American Red Cross can be made by giving to the Family 2 Family Relief Fund in Georgia financial centers.
Those wishing to make a donation can also send a check payable to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to either of the following addresses:
Wachovia Bank
ATTN: FL8044
P.O. Box 522817
Miami, FL 33152-2817
Wachovia Bank
ATTN: VA3289
P.O. Box 26090
Richmond, VA 23260-6090
Special information and programs for customers
SouthTrust/Wachovia has opened all but two of its financial centers in hurricane damaged areas: the main financial center in Mobile, Ala., and the main financial center in Gulfport, Miss. are closed until further notice. Customers seeking information about Wachovia financial center locations and hours can call 800-WACHOVIA (922-4684). For SouthTrust financial centers, customers can call 800-CALL-STB and press 0 to speak to a representative.
For Wachovia Securities, the New Orleans Private Client Group office remains closed. Employees from this office have been reassigned to the Lafayette, La. office and other locations in the region. Clients of the New Orleans office can contact 800-255-6708.
SouthTrust/Wachovia continues to provide assistance to hurricane victims through special payment arrangements for customers, special loan assistance offers and ATM waivers.
Customers with installment loans or lines of credit who need to make special payment arrangements can call 800-334-3601.
Customers with Wachovia Prime Equity Lines can request an increase in their lines by calling 866-421-2779.
Special unsecured installment loans are available at preferred rates. Loans can be requested in amounts from $3,000 to $15,000. They have no points or fees, and first payment is deferred for 60 days. Customers can call 1-866-421-2779 for information or to apply.
Wachovia Mortgage Corp. is offering an initial 90-day forbearance period, which includes the waiving of late charges and credit reporting for all customers in areas affected by the storm.
SouthTrust Bank, which is now owned by Wachovia, is temporarily waiving fees at its ATMs in Mobile, Baldwin and surrounding counties in Alabama, locations throughout Mississippi and in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio in Texas.
SouthTrust/Wachovia is temporarily waiving fees at its ATMs in the Florida panhandle, including Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay and surrounding counties, as well as Houston, Dallas and San Antonio in Texas.
SouthTrust/Wachovia has initiated special check cashing procedures for customers and non-depositors. Wachovia will cash checks up to $200 drawn on accounts with other banks. Two forms of identification and thumb printing are required.
The bank will also cash personal checks up to $750 when drawn from a SouthTrust or Wachovia account without placing a hold on the check in affected regions.
At present, the bank has also entered into special agreements with McDonald’s Corporation, State Farm Insurance and Allstate Insurance to cash checks drawn on their accounts.
Other programs are available. Customers with questions about what assistance may be available to them can call 800-WACHOVIA (922-4684).
About Wachovia
Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) is one of the largest providers of financial services to retail, brokerage and corporate customers, with retail operations from Connecticut to Florida and west to Texas, and retail brokerage operations nationwide. Wachovia had assets of $511.8 billion, market capitalization of $78.2 billion and stockholders’ equity of $47.9 billion at June 30, 2005. Its four core businesses, the General Bank, Capital Management, Wealth Management, and the Corporate and Investment Bank, serve 13 million household and business relationships primarily through 3,126 offices in 15 states and Washington, D.C. Its full-service retail brokerage firm, Wachovia Securities, LLC, also serves clients through 699 offices in 49 states and five Latin American countries. Our Corporate and Investment Bank serves clients primarily in 10 key industry sectors nationwide. Global services are offered through 33 international offices. Online banking and brokerage products and services also are available through Wachovia.com.
Email This Page
Printer Friendly Version