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Wachovia Responds to Hurricane Katrina With $2 Million Donation Wachovia continues to offer special assistance to customers in devastated areas Charlotte, N.C.—Wachovia Corp. announced today that it is contributing an additional $1.75 million to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina, bringing its total contribution for hurricane victim relief to $2 million. “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 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 Wachovia Bank 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 |
About Wachovia