WELLS FARGO & CO
DEF 14A, 1995-03-10
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
 
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
                PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Filed by the Registrant /X/
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
/ /  Preliminary Proxy Statement
/X/  Definitive Proxy Statement
/ /  Definitive Additional Materials
/ /  Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
 
                             Wells Fargo & Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter
 
                             Wells Fargo & Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
/X/  $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2).
 
/ /  $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
     14a-6(i)(3).
 
/ /  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 

     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11.
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

/ /  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1)  Amount Previously Paid:
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3)  Filing Party:
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4)  Date Filed:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                                                  March 13, 1995
 
To Our Shareholders:
 
     You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders to
be held on Tuesday, April 18, 1995. Enclosed are the Secretary's official notice
of this meeting, a proxy statement and a form of proxy. This year the meeting
will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Penthouse at the Company's headquarters, 420
Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California.
 
     At this meeting you will be asked to elect directors to serve until the
next annual meeting, to approve amendments to the Director Option Plan and to
ratify the selection of the Company's independent auditors for 1995.
 
     We hope that you will attend. But whether you plan to attend or not, please
complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy as soon as possible. It is
important that your shares be represented at the meeting.
 
                                  Sincerely yours,
 
                                  PAUL HAZEN
                                  Chairman of the Board
 
                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
 
     WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN YOUR PROXY IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL
MEETING.
<PAGE>   3
 
                             420 MONTGOMERY STREET
                        SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                 APRIL 18, 1995
 
To the Shareholders of Wells Fargo & Company:
 
     The annual meeting of shareholders of Wells Fargo & Company (the "Company")
will be held in the Penthouse at the Company's headquarters, 420 Montgomery
Street, San Francisco, California, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 1995, in
order to:
 
          1. Elect directors to serve until the next annual meeting of
     shareholders or until their successors have been elected and qualified;
 
          2. Approve the adoption of amendments to the Director Option Plan; and
 
          3. Ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
     auditors for the Company for 1995.
 
     The meeting will also act upon such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Shareholders of record at the
close of business on February 17, 1995, will be entitled to vote the number of
shares held of record in their names on that date. The transfer books will not
be closed.
 
     Whether you plan to attend the shareholders' meeting or not, please
complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed
envelope. You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted.
 
                                         GUY ROUNSAVILLE, JR.
                                         Secretary
 
March 13, 1995
<PAGE>   4
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
     These proxy materials are furnished in connection with the solicitation by
the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), of proxies to be used at the annual meeting of shareholders of the
Company and at any adjournment thereof. The meeting will be held in the
Penthouse at the Company's headquarters, 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco,
California, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 1995. These proxy materials are
being mailed to shareholders on or about March 13, 1995.
 
                               PURPOSE OF MEETING
 
     At the meeting, shareholders will be asked to (i) elect directors to serve
until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are
elected and qualified; (ii) approve the adoption of amendments to the Director
Option Plan; and (iii) ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
independent auditors for the Company for the year 1995. In addition, the
shareholders may act upon such other matters as may properly come before the
meeting.
 
                                     VOTING
 
     Holders of record of the Company's Common Stock, $5.00 par value (the
"Common Stock"), at the close of business on the record date, February 17, 1995,
will be entitled to vote on all matters to be presented at the annual meeting.
On the record date, 50,921,627 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Votes
may be cast in person or by proxy, and each share of Common Stock entitles its
holder to one vote.
 
     A quorum comprising the holders of the majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock on the record date must be present or represented for the
transaction of business at the annual meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will be counted in establishing the quorum. Directors are elected by holders of
shares representing a plurality of the quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes
are not counted in the election of directors. Proposal 2 must receive the
affirmative votes of the holders of a majority of the shares present and
entitled to vote at the meeting. An abstention would thus have the effect of a
vote against Proposal 2. In accordance with the Company's By-Laws, Proposal 3
must be adopted by the holders of a majority of the shares present and voting,
and an abstention would not be counted in this determination. A broker non-vote
would have no effect on the outcome of Proposals 2 or 3.
 
     Proxies in the accompanying form which are properly executed and returned
to the Company will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance with the
shareholders' instructions contained in such proxies and, at the discretion of
the proxy holders, on such other matters as may properly come before the
meeting. Where no such instructions are given, the shares will be voted for the
election of directors as described herein, for the approval of the adoption of
the amendments to the Director Option Plan and for the ratification of the
selection of independent auditors. The Board of Directors does not know of any
matters to be acted upon at the meeting other than the items specifically
described in this Proxy Statement. Any shareholder has the power to revoke his
or her proxy at any time before it is voted.
<PAGE>   5
 
                              CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
     The Company is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended, and is incorporated in the State of Delaware.
The Company's principal subsidiary is Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
(the "Bank"), a national banking association organized under the laws of the
United States. The Company's 1994 Annual Report provides a review of certain
activities of the Company during the past year.
 
     The Board of Directors of the Company met 12 times during 1994 and now
consists of 15 members. Paul A. Miller, currently a member of the Board, has
reached the mandatory age for retirement under the Company's tenure policy for
directors and accordingly will not stand for reelection at the annual meeting.
Upon the retirement of Mr. Miller at the annual meeting, the Board will be
reduced to 14 members. The 14 remaining incumbent directors have been nominated
for reelection. Biographies of all nominees are provided under "Proposal 1 --
Election of Directors."
 
     The Company and the Bank have each established the Board committees
described below. The membership of each committee is the same for the Company
and the Bank, and the corresponding committees of both institutions usually hold
joint meetings.
 
     The Executive Committee may exercise all of the power and authority of the
Board when it is unable to meet, except for certain fundamental responsibilities
such as amending the By-Laws, which are reserved to the Board. In addition,
subject to the authority of the Board, the Committee is authorized to supervise
the general management and direction of the business and affairs of the Company.
Directors serving on the Executive Committee since the last annual meeting are:
Paul Hazen, Chairman; H. Jesse Arnelle; William R. Breuner; Rayburn S. Dezember;
Robert K. Jaedicke; Philip J. Quigley; Carl E. Reichardt; Susan G. Swenson;
Chang-Lin Tien; John A. Young; and William F. Zuendt. The Committee met nine
times in 1994.
 
     The Committee on Examinations and Audits oversees the adequacy of the
Company's control environment. The Committee meets regularly with management,
the Company's general auditor and its independent auditors to review the scope
and results of their work. The Committee also recommends the appointment of the
independent auditors. See "Proposal 3 -- Ratification of Selection of
Independent Auditors." In addition, the Committee reviews the Company's
quarterly and annual financial statements, including the adequacy of the
allowance for loan losses, and other reports that law or regulation requires to
be reviewed on behalf of the Board. The Committee also reviews all reports of
examinations conducted by bank regulators and ensures that appropriate
management personnel follow up on audit and examination findings and
recommendations and implement corrective actions on a timely basis. Directors
serving on the Committee since the last annual meeting are: Robert K. Jaedicke,
Chairman; H. Jesse Arnelle; William R. Breuner; William S. Davila; Philip J.
Quigley; and Chang-Lin Tien. The Committee met eight times during 1994.
 
     The Management Development and Compensation Committee administers the
executive compensation programs (including employee stock plans) of the Company
and its subsidiaries and advises the chief executive officer concerning salary
policy for employees of the Company and its subsidiaries below the executive
level. Directors serving on the Committee since the last annual meeting are:
Paul A. Miller, Chairman; William R. Breuner; Rayburn S. Dezember; Ellen M.
Newman; Donald B. Rice; and John A. Young. The Committee met four times during
1994.
 
     The Nominating Committee is responsible for proposing candidates to fill
vacancies on the Board as they occur and recommending yearly to the Board the
director nominees to be elected by the shareholders at the annual meeting. At
its meeting in 1995, the Committee recommended
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   6
 
the 14 nominees for director named in this Proxy Statement. Directors serving on
the Committee since the last annual meeting are: John A. Young, Chairman;
William S. Davila; Paul A. Miller; Ellen M. Newman; and Donald B. Rice. In
carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee will consider candidates
suggested by shareholders. Suggestions for candidates, accompanied by
biographical material for evaluation, may be sent to the Secretary, Wells Fargo
& Company, 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104.
 
     The following two committees are committees of the Bank only:
 
     The Trust and Investment Products Committee supervises the administration
and proper exercise of the fiduciary powers of the Bank as well as the
administration of the Bank's non-fiduciary investment management activities.
Directors serving on the Committee since the last annual meeting are: William F.
Zuendt, Chairman; Rayburn S. Dezember; Paul Hazen; Paul A. Miller; Ellen M.
Newman; Carl E. Reichardt; Donald B. Rice; and Susan G. Swenson. The Committee
met four times in 1994.
 
     The Directors' CRA Committee reviews the Bank's compliance with the
Community Reinvestment Act and the statement made by the Bank under the Act with
respect to the communities it serves. Directors serving on the Committee since
the last annual meeting are: Chang-Lin Tien, Chairman; H. Jesse Arnelle; William
S. Davila; Robert K. Jaedicke; Ellen M. Newman; and Susan G. Swenson. The
Committee met five times in 1994.
 
ATTENDANCE AT BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
 
     Average attendance at Board meetings during 1993 was approximately 94
percent. During 1994, only one director attended fewer than 75 percent of the
total number of Board meetings and meetings of the committees of which he or she
was a member. Mr. Young attended 19 of 26, or 73 percent, of such meetings.
 
DIRECTOR REMUNERATION AND RETIREMENT POLICY
 
     Directors who are officers of the Company or the Bank do not receive an
annual retainer or meeting fees for service on either Board or as a member of
any Company or Bank committees. Non-officer directors of the Company and the
Bank were paid a basic annual retainer of $23,000 in 1994, with additional
amounts payable in accordance with committee service. This amount was increased
by $5,000, effective January 1, 1995. Robert K. Jaedicke, as chairman of the
Committee on Examinations and Audits, and the other members of such committee
received additional amounts of $7,500 and $2,500, respectively, during 1994.
These additional amounts were both increased by $2,500, effective January 1,
1995. Paul A. Miller, as chairman of the Management Development and Compensation
Committee, and the other members of such committee received additional amounts
of $4,000 and $1,500, respectively, during 1994. These additional amounts were
increased by $1,000 and $500, respectively, effective January 1, 1995.
Non-officer directors were paid a fee of $1,000 for each Board meeting attended
during 1994, except that when Board meetings of the Company and the Bank were
held on the same day, the total fee was limited to $1,000. This amount was
increased by $200, effective January 1, 1995. During 1994, all non-officer
directors received a fee of $800 for each committee meeting attended, except
that when the same committees of the Company and the Bank had a combined
meeting, the total fee for such meeting was limited to $800. This amount was
increased by $200, effective January 1, 1995. The receipt of annual retainer and
meeting fees may be deferred by a director, who may choose either to receive
interest on the deferred amount or to receive a return based upon the
hypothetical investment of the deferred fees in Common Stock. Directors are also
reimbursed for travel, food, lodging and other expenses incurred in attending
Board and committee meetings.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   7
 
     Two directors have consulting arrangements, one with the Company and the
other with the Bank. Rayburn S. Dezember promotes customer, community and trade
association relations and provides customer referrals under a consulting
agreement with the Company that runs until 1996 at a yearly fee of $75,000.
Ellen M. Newman provides consulting services relating to the Bank's retail
marketing strategies for a monthly fee of $2,500.
 
     The Directors' Retirement Plan provides that a non-officer director with at
least five years' service on the Board is entitled to receive, during a period
equal to the lesser of 10 years or the number of full years the director
actually served on the Board, an annual retirement benefit equal to the annual
retainer in effect at the time of the director's retirement, without regard to
that director's service on particular committees of the Board.
 
     Non-officer directors may participate in the Director Option Plan. Under
the Plan, a non-officer director may elect to receive at the beginning of a year
an option to purchase Common Stock in lieu of the director's annual retainer for
that year. The number of shares subject to option is the quotient of the
participant's annual retainer divided by the excess of the market value of the
Common Stock at the beginning of the year over $1.00. In general, options become
exercisable at $1.00 per share on the first anniversary of the date they are
granted and remain exercisable for nine years thereafter. During 1994, options
to purchase an aggregate of 561 shares of Common Stock were issued to three
directors under the Plan. At the annual meeting, shareholders are being asked to
approve amendments to the Plan which would increase the exercise price for
options granted after December 31, 1995 (thus increasing the number of shares
subject to each option), and extend the life of the Plan until all 75,000 shares
originally authorized are used. See "Proposal 2 -- Amendments to Director Option
Plan."
 
     Under the 1990 Director Option Plan, each non-officer director elected or
reelected each year at the annual meeting automatically receives an option to
purchase 500 shares of Common Stock. Directors joining the Board at other times
receive options to purchase a prorated number of shares. The exercise price per
share of each such option is the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as
of the date the option is granted. During 1994, options to purchase 5,588 shares
of Common Stock were granted to 12 directors under the 1990 Plan.
 
     The Board of Directors has adopted a retirement policy which precludes any
non-officer director from standing for election to the Board after age 70. This
policy also precludes any director who was an active officer at the time of his
or her first appointment from continuing to serve as a director after
retirement, except that a director who has held the office of chairman of the
board or president continues to be eligible to stand for election as a director
until age 70.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   8
 
                              BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
 
     The following table shows the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned as of January 31, 1995, by all directors and nominees for director, each
of the five most highly compensated executive officers during 1994 and all
directors, nominees and executive officers as a group. Executive officers are
defined as all Company officers at the level of vice chairman and above and all
Company staff heads on January 31, 1995 (10 persons). No individual director,
nominee or executive officer beneficially owned more than 1 percent of all
outstanding Common Stock as of January 31, 1995. All directors, nominees and
executive officers as a group owned beneficially 2.2 percent of all outstanding
Common Stock as of such date. No share of any other class of equity security was
then beneficially owned by any member of the group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            SHARES        SHARES
                                                          SUBJECT TO       HELD
                                                            OPTIONS       THROUGH
         NON-OFFICER            SHARES       SHARES       EXERCISABLE     COMPANY
          DIRECTORS              HELD         HELD          WITHIN        401(K)
        AND NOMINEES           DIRECTLY    INDIRECTLY       60 DAYS        PLAN         TOTAL
- -----------------------------  --------    ----------     -----------     -------     ----------
<S>                            <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>         <C>
 
H. Jesse Arnelle.............       190            0          1,602            0           1,792
William R. Breuner...........     2,054            0          2,000            0           4,054
William S. Davila............       100            0          2,825            0           2,925
Rayburn S. Dezember..........         0       59,619          2,000        5,194          66,813
Robert K. Jaedicke...........       400            0          2,000            0           2,400
Paul A. Miller...............     9,188        2,6001         2,000            0          13,788
Ellen M. Newman..............     2,650           27          2,000            0           4,677
Philip J. Quigley............         0          400              0            0             400
Donald B. Rice...............       610        4,490            775            0           5,875
Susan G. Swenson.............        50            0              0            0              50
Chang-Lin Tien...............       100            0          1,931            0           2,031
John A. Young................       400            0          4,586            0           4,986
 
MOST HIGHLY COMPENSATED
OFFICERS DURING 1994
- -----------------------------
Carl E. Reichardt2...........   150,529           20         20,000            0         170,549
Paul Hazen2..................   125,717       65,800        202,005        3,357         396,879
Rodney L. Jacobs.............         0       13,088         45,170        1,010          59,268
Clyde W. Ostler..............     8,104            0         56,503            0          64,607
William F. Zuendt2...........    36,349            0        108,270            0         144,619
 
            GROUP
- -----------------------------
Directors, Nominees, and
  Executive Officers as a
  Group (22 persons).........   376,776      146,692        599,802       16,295       1,139,565
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
1.  These shares are held in trusts for which Mr. Miller acts as trustee. As to
    600 of these shares, Mr. Miller disclaims any beneficial interest.
 
2.  Also a director.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   9
 
     The following are the only persons known to the Company to have been the
beneficial owners of more than 5 percent of the outstanding Common Stock on
January 31, 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME AND ADDRESS OF             AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
                     BENEFICIAL OWNER              BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP      PERCENT
          --------------------------------------   ---------------------     -------
          <S>                                      <C>                       <C>
          Walter H. Annenberg
            St. Davids Center, Suite A-200
            150 Radnor-Chester Road
            St. Davids, Pennsylvania 19087......        4,525,0101              8.8
 
          Warren E. Buffett
            1440 Kiewit Plaza
            Omaha, Nebraska 68131...............        6,819,2182             13.3
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
1.  Mr. Annenberg shares voting and dispositive power over 10,000 of the
    reported shares with his wife. He has sole voting and dispositive power over
    the balance.
 
2.  Mr. Buffett shares dispositive power over all of the reported shares. As to
    6,791,218 of them, subject to the following two sentences, he shares voting
    power and dispositive power with Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a diversified
    holding company he may be deemed to control, and certain of its
    subsidiaries. In connection with obtaining the approval of the Board of
    Governors of the Federal Reserve System to acquire up to 22 percent of the
    Common Stock, Berkshire Hathaway and the Company have entered into an
    agreement, and Berkshire Hathaway has made commitments to the Board of
    Governors, designed to assure that its investment in the Company will at all
    times be passive. Accordingly, Berkshire Hathaway has granted its proxy to
    the Company to vote Berkshire Hathaway's shares in accordance with the
    recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Company. The 28,000-share
    balance of the shares identified as beneficially owned by Mr. Buffett is
    held by certain defined-benefit-type employee benefit plans for Berkshire
    Hathaway employees. While Mr. Buffett may be deemed to have beneficial
    ownership of such 28,000 shares due to his power to direct the investments
    of such plans, Mr. Buffett does not have or share voting power over such
    shares.
 
                                   PROPOSAL 1
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Directors will be elected to serve until the next annual meeting or until
their successors are elected and qualified. Directors are elected by a plurality
of the votes cast by holders of Common Stock on the record date present in
person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting. The proxy holders named on
the accompanying proxy card, unless otherwise instructed, intend to vote all of
the shares they represent as proxies for each of the nominees named herein.
Although it is not contemplated that any nominee will decline or be unable to
serve, if either occurs prior to the annual meeting, the Board of Directors will
select a substitute nominee or amend the By-Laws to reduce the authorized number
of directors.
 
     The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR authority for the proxy
holders to vote in favor of the nominees named below or their substitutes as
described above.
 
     All nominees are directors of the Bank and, if reelected as directors of
the Company, will also be reelected as directors of the Bank.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   10
 
- ---------------------
                        H. JESSE ARNELLE  Mr. Arnelle, 61, is the senior partner
                        of Arnelle, Hastie, McGee, Willis & Greene, a corporate
                        law firm in San Francisco. Mr. Arnelle has held this
                        position since 1994 and held a similar position in a
                        predecessor firm since 1985. He is also a director of
      [PHOTO]           Eastman Chemical Corporation, FPL Group, Inc., Textron
                        Corporation and WMX Technologies, Inc. Mr. Arnelle is
                        the vice chairman of the Pennsylvania State University
                        board of trustees and a past chairman of its 
                        educational policy committee. Mr. Arnelle also serves 
                        on the boards of Bay Area UNICEF, the World Centre and
                        the San Francisco Opera. He has been a director of the
                        Company since 1990.
- ---------------------

- ---------------------
                        WILLIAM R. BREUNER  Mr. Breuner, 69, was chairman and
                        chief executive officer of John Breuner Co., retail and
                        rental home and office furnishers, until his retirement
      [PHOTO]           in 1986. He is a general partner in Breuner Associates,
                        Breuner Properties and Breuner Pevarnick Real Estate
                        Developers. He is also honorary chairman of the 
                        California State Railroad Museum Foundation. He has 
                        been a director of the Company since 1969.
- ---------------------

- ---------------------
                        WILLIAM S. DAVILA  Mr. Davila, 63, until his retirement
                        in 1992 had been president of The Vons Companies, Inc.,
                        a Los Angeles-based chain of supermarkets, since 1985.
                        He is now president emeritus and a director of The Vons
                        Companies, Inc., and a director of Pacific Gas and
      [PHOTO]           Electric Company and Geo. A. Hormel & Company. Mr.
                        Davila is an officer of the Western Association of Food
                        Chains and serves on the board of the Mexican American 
                        Grocers Association and on the foundation boards of 
                        Methodist Hospital, Arcadia, and Santa Marta Hospital, 
                        Los Angeles. He has been a director of the Company 
                        since 1990.
- ---------------------

- ---------------------
                        RAYBURN S. DEZEMBER  Mr. Dezember, 64, served as
                        chairman of the board and chief executive officer of
                        Central Pacific Corporation from 1981 until its
      [PHOTO]           acquisition by the Company in 1990. Mr. Dezember is a
                        director of CalMat Co., Tejon Ranch Company, The
                        Bakersfield Californian and ARB, Inc. He has been a
                        director of the Company since 1990.
- ---------------------

- ---------------------
                        PAUL HAZEN  Mr. Hazen, 53, became chairman of the board
                        of the Company and the Bank in 1995, having been
      [PHOTO]           president of the Company and the Bank since 1984. He is
                        a director of AirTouch Communications, Phelps Dodge
                        Corporation and Safeway, Inc. He has been a director of
                        the Company since 1984.
- ---------------------
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   11
 
- ---------------------
                        ROBERT K. JAEDICKE  Mr. Jaedicke, 66, is a professor
                        (emeritus) of accounting at the Graduate School of
                        Business, Stanford University, where he served as dean
      [PHOTO]           from 1983 to 1990. He is a director of Homestake Mining
                        Company, California Water Service Company, Boise Cascade
                        Corporation, Enron Corporation, GenCorp, Inc. and State
                        Farm Insurance Companies. He has been a director of the
                        Company since 1983.
- ---------------------
 
- ---------------------
                        ELLEN M. NEWMAN  Mrs. Newman, 66, has been president of
                        Ellen Newman Associates, consumer relations consultants,
                        since its founding in 1974. She is chair emeritus of the
                        board of trustees and a trustee of the University of
      [PHOTO]           California, San Francisco, Foundation, a vice president
                        of the board of governors of the San Francisco Symphony
                        and a director of the California Chamber of Commerce, 
                        the Library Foundation of San Francisco and the 
                        National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Mrs. 
                        Newman has been a director of the Company since 1976.
- ---------------------

- ---------------------
                        PHILIP J. QUIGLEY  Mr. Quigley, 52, has been chairman,
                        president and chief executive officer since 1994 of
                        Pacific Telesis Group, a telephone holding company with
                        operating companies in California and Nevada. From 1987
      [PHOTO]           to 1994 he had been president and chief executive
                        officer of Pacific Bell, the California operating
                        subsidiary of Pacific Telesis Group. Mr. Quigley is 
                        also a director of Pacific Telesis Group and Varian 
                        Associates. He has been a director of the Company 
                        since 1994.
- ---------------------

- ---------------------
                        CARL E. REICHARDT  Mr. Reichardt, 63, retired as
                        chairman of the board of the Company and the Bank at the
                        end of 1994, having occupied those positions since 1983.
      [PHOTO]           Mr. Reichardt's directorships include Columbia/HCA
                        Healthcare Corporation, ConAgra, Inc., Ford Motor
                        Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Newhall
                        Management Corporation. He has been a director of the
                        Company since 1979.
- ---------------------

- ---------------------
                        DONALD B. RICE  Mr. Rice, 55, has been president and
                        chief operating officer of Teledyne, Inc., a diversified
                        manufacturing company, since 1993 after serving as
                        Secretary of the Air Force from 1989 to 1993. Prior
                        thereto he had been president and chief executive
      [PHOTO]           officer since 1972 of The RAND Corporation, a nonprofit
                        research and educational institution. He is also a 
                        director of Teledyne, Inc. and Vulcan Materials 
                        Company. Mr. Rice originally served as a director of 
                        the Company from 1980 to 1989 and was reelected to the 
                        Board in 1993.
- ---------------------
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   12
 
- ---------------------
                        SUSAN G. SWENSON  Ms. Swenson, 46, has been president
                        and chief executive officer since 1994 of Cellular One,
                        a cellular telecommunications company. From 1979 to 1994
      [PHOTO]           she held various operating positions within Pacific
                        Telesis Group, including president of PacTel Cellular
                        for two and a half years and general manager of Pacific
                        Bell's second largest operating area for one year. Ms. 
                        Swenson has been a director of the Company since 1994.
- ---------------------
 
- ---------------------
                        CHANG-LIN TIEN  Mr. Tien, 59, was appointed chancellor
                        of the University of California, Berkeley, in 1990. From
                        1988 to 1990 he served as executive vice chancellor at
                        the University of California, Irvine. Currently serving
      [PHOTO]           on the board of trustees of Princeton University and the
                        board of directors of the American Association for the
                        Advancement of Science, he is also an elected member of
                        the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the
                        National Academy of Engineering. Mr. Tien has been a
                        director of the Company since 1990.
- ---------------------
 
- ---------------------
                        JOHN A. YOUNG  Mr. Young, 62, retired in 1992 as chief
                        executive officer and a director of Hewlett-Packard
                        Company, positions he had held since 1978. He is a
                        director of Affymetrix Corp., Chevron Corporation,
                        Shaman Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Smithkline Beecham PLC.
      [PHOTO]           Mr. Young is also a member of the Business Council and
                        the executive committee of the Council on 
                        Competitiveness. He serves as chairman of Smart Valley 
                        Inc., a nonprofit corporation formed to facilitate an 
                        electronic community in Silicon Valley. He has been a
                        director of the Company since 1977.
- ---------------------
 
- ---------------------
                        WILLIAM F. ZUENDT  Mr. Zuendt, 48, became president of
                        the Company and the Bank at the beginning of 1995. Prior
                        thereto he had been a vice chairman of the Company and
      [PHOTO]           the Bank since 1986. He is also a director of 3Com
                        Corporation and MasterCard International and a trustee
                        of Golden Gate University. Mr. Zuendt has been a 
                        director of the Company since 1995.
- ---------------------
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   13
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table summarizes for the last five years compensation earned
by or awarded to the chief executive officer and the other four most highly
compensated executive officers during 1994. No stock appreciation rights were
awarded during any period covered by the table.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             LONG-TERM
                                                                           COMPENSATION
                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION            -------------
                                   -------------------------------------   COMMON SHARES
                                                            OTHER ANNUAL    UNDERLYING      ALL OTHER
         NAME AND                    SALARY       BONUS     COMPENSATION   STOCK OPTIONS   COMPENSATION
    PRINCIPAL POSITION      YEAR      ($)          ($)          ($)             (#)            ($)1
- --------------------------  -----  ----------   ---------   ------------   -------------   ------------
<S>                         <C>    <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>
Carl E. Reichardt.........   1994    837,500    1,650,000      183,3342             03        104,688
Chairman and Chief           1993    775,000    1,350,000          186         50,000          96,875
  Executive Officer          1992    775,000            0          186         50,000          96,875
                             1991    775,000            0          158         55,000          96,874
                             1990    768,333      700,000          158         55,000          96,040
 
Paul Hazen................   1994    737,500    1,250,000          291         40,000          73,750
President                    1993    658,333    1,000,000          186         40,000          65,833
                             1992    575,000            0          186         40,000          57,500
                             1991    575,000            0          158         41,000          57,500
                             1990    566,667      515,000          158         41,000          56,667
 
Rodney L. Jacobs..........   1994    370,833      475,000       11,571         15,000          37,083
Vice Chairman                1993    333,333      400,000       11,466         27,000          33,333
                             1992    241,667      175,000       11,466         16,000          24,167
                             1991    200,000      100,000       11,438          9,000          20,000
                             1990    195,000      250,000       11,438          9,000          19,500
 
Clyde W. Ostler...........   1994    375,000      475,000       11,571         15,000          36,790
Vice Chairman                1993    362,500      400,000       12,092         15,000          36,250
                             1992    300,000      175,000       11,466         16,000          30,000
                             1991    300,000       50,000       11,438         16,000          30,000
                             1990    282,500      300,000       11,438         15,000          28,250
 
William F. Zuendt.........   1994    475,000      850,000       11,571         27,500          47,500
Vice Chairman                1993    466,667      600,000       11,466         20,000          46,667
                             1992    425,000      200,000       11,466         20,000          42,500
                             1991    425,000            0       11,438         20,000          42,500
                             1990    413,333      340,000       11,438         20,000          41,333
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
1.  Amounts shown for 1994 represent Company contributions to its Tax Advantage
    and Retirement Plan ("TAP") and its unfunded Benefit Restoration Program
    (the "BRP"). As permitted by law, the BRP was credited with contributions
    which otherwise would have been made to TAP but for the limits imposed on
    TAP by the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts contributed during 1994 to TAP and
    the BRP respectively on behalf of the named officers were as follows: Mr.
    Reichardt, $18,030, $86,658; Mr. Hazen, $14,280, $59,470; Mr. Jacobs,
    $14,280, $22,803; Mr. Ostler, $15,000, $21,790; and Mr. Zuendt, $14,280,
    $33,220.
 
2.  This amount reflects personal benefits of $159,472, consisting primarily of
    Company-owned club memberships that Mr. Reichardt used while chairman of the
    board ($98,947) and other items ($43,450), mainly a commemorative
    stagecoach, received upon retirement. The Company also reimbursed Mr.
    Reichardt for income taxes payable with respect to these other items.
 
3.  Mr. Reichardt, in view of his impending retirement, was not granted stock
    options in 1994.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   14
 
     Shown below is further information regarding employee stock options awarded
during 1994 under the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan to the five officers
named above. No stock appreciation rights were awarded during the year.
 
                           OPTION GRANTS DURING 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
                                                                                          ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                                                                                         STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                                                                                         FOR 10-YEAR OPTION TERM1
                                                                                 -----------------------------------------
                                                                                 0% ($)
                                                                                 -------
                                                                                 ASSUMED       5% ($)          10% ($)
                                                                                 COMMON    --------------  ---------------
                                         INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                        STOCK       ASSUMED          ASSUMED
                      --------------------------------------------------------    PRICE        COMMON          COMMON
                        COMMON       % OF TOTAL                                    ON          STOCK            STOCK
                        SHARES         OPTIONS                                    NOV.        PRICE ON        PRICE ON
                      UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO     EXERCISE                       15,        NOV. 15,        NOV. 15,
                        OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES IN     PRICE       EXPIRATION      2004--        2004--          2004--
        NAME          GRANTED2(#)   FISCAL YEAR3     ($/SH)         DATE         $146.75      $239.20          $380.08
- --------------------- -----------   -------------   --------   ---------------   -------   --------------  ---------------
<S>                   <C>           <C>             <C>        <C>               <C>       <C>             <C>
Carl E. Reichardt....         0             0             0    --                   0                   0                0
Paul Hazen...........    40,000          14.1       $146.75    Nov. 15, 2004        0           3,698,100        9,333,300
Rodney L. Jacobs.....    15,000           5.3       $146.75    Nov. 15, 2004        0           1,386,790        3,499,990
Clyde W. Ostler......    15,000           5.3       $146.75    Nov. 15, 2004        0           1,386,790        3,499,990
William F. Zuendt....    27,500           9.7       $146.75    Nov. 15, 2004        0           2,542,450        6,416,650
Five Named Officers
  as a Group.........    97,500          34.3       $146.75    Nov. 15, 2004        0           9,014,130       22,749,930
Total Shareholder Benefit.....................................................      0       4,738,200,000   11,958,500,000
Benefit of Five Named Officers as a Percent of Total..........................      0                0.2%             0.2%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
1.  The amounts shown are not the values of the options on the date they were
    granted. Instead, these are hypothetical future values based on the
    difference between the option exercise price and an assumed future Common
    Stock price at the end of the 10-year term of the options using rates of
    growth prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. For all grants
    shown, at an assumed appreciation rate of 5 percent per year starting at
    $146.75 per share, the Common Stock price would be $239.20 and the total
    increase in shareholder value would be $4,738,200,000 ($92.45 increase per
    share x 51.3 million outstanding shares). At an assumed appreciation rate of
    10 percent per year starting at $146.75 per share, the Common Stock price
    would be $380.08 and the total increase in shareholder value would be
    $11,958,500,000 ($233.33 increase per share x 51.3 million outstanding
    shares).
 
2.  The options generally become exercisable with respect to one-third of their
    underlying shares on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of
    their grant. The exercise price may be paid in cash or Common Stock or by
    means of a loan under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. See "Other Transactions
    with Officers and Directors -- Long-Term Incentive Plan," below. No
    stand-alone or tandem stock appreciation rights were granted during 1994.
3.  Options to purchase a total of 284,000 shares of Common Stock were granted
    during 1994.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   15
 
     The following table shows the value realized upon exercise of options
during 1994 and certain information about unexercised options at year-end with
respect to the named officers. There were no stock appreciation rights exercised
during the year or outstanding at year-end.
 
       AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES DURING 1994 AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          OPTIONS EXERCISED DURING         COMMON SHARES UNDERLYING          VALUE1 OF UNEXERCISED
                                    1994                    UNEXERCISED OPTIONS ON         IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS2 ON
                        ----------------------------           DECEMBER 31, 1994             DECEMBER 31, 1994($)
                        SHARES ACQUIRED     VALUE        -----------------------------   -----------------------------
         NAME           ON EXERCISE(#)    REALIZED($)1   EXERCISABLE3   UNEXERCISABLE    EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE
- ----------------------  ---------------   ----------     ------------   --------------   ------------   --------------
<S>                     <C>               <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>
Carl E. Reichardt.....      114,530       13,941,124        321,645         50,0054       25,959,175        2,298,2054
Paul Hazen............       40,000        3,799,000        202,005         79,995        15,704,335        1,838,045
Rodney L. Jacobs......            0                0         45,170         38,330         3,063,481        1,014,269
Clyde W. Ostler.......        4,770          461,908         58,283         30,330         4,299,470          712,269
William F. Zuendt.....        1,375          116,359        108,270         47,505         8,720,988          919,455
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
1.  "Value" represents the difference between the option exercise price and the
    market value of the underlying Common Stock on December 31, 1994, in the
    case of unexercised options, or on the date of exercise, in the case of
    exercised options.
 
2.  An option is "in the money" on a particular date if the market value of the
    underlying Common Stock on that date exceeds the option exercise price.
 
3.  These amounts are not the same as the amounts shown under "Beneficial
    Ownership," above, because these amounts do not include shares subject to
    options first becoming exercisable after January 31, 1995, but on or before
    April 1, 1995.
 
4.  The options represented by these amounts became exercisable upon Mr.
    Reichardt's retirement on January 1, 1995.
 
     Pension Benefits.  The Company terminated its defined-benefit retirement
plan on December 31, 1984, and purchased annuities for participants eligible to
receive benefits under such plan. Since the Internal Revenue Code limits
individual annual benefits payable under the defined benefit retirement plan,
benefits that otherwise would have been payable under the annuities in excess of
that limit will be paid under the Company's Benefit Restoration Program. The
combined annual benefit payable from such annuities and under the Benefit
Restoration Program to each of the named executive officers beginning at age 65
is as follows: Carl E. Reichardt, $185,226; Paul Hazen, $187,490; Rodney L.
Jacobs, $27,573; Clyde W. Ostler, $108,638; and William F. Zuendt, $141,619.
 
          REPORT OF MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
                           ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The Management Development and Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of
the Board of Directors, which consists solely of non-officer directors, has
provided the following report on executive compensation:
 
     The Committee has responsibility for an executive compensation program
designed to attract, motivate, reward and retain the management talent required
to lead the Company, achieve its business objectives and increase shareholder
value. An executive's compensation consists of three elements -- base salary,
bonus and option grants -- which are determined separately based on different
sets of criteria. Each element of compensation is evaluated relative to
positions of similar responsibility at the other institutions that comprise
Wells Fargo's peer group of the 15 largest U.S. bank holding companies (the
"Peer Group").
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   16
 
BASE SALARIES
 
     Base salaries for executives, including the chief executive officer,
typically approximate the median salary for positions of similar responsibility
in the Peer Group. Salaries are adjusted up or down from the median based on the
strategic importance of the position and the skills of the executive. Generally,
increases in salary occur only in response to market changes or when warranted
by an executive's change in responsibilities.
 
BONUSES
 
     Executive officers, including the chief executive officer, are eligible for
bonuses that are based on shareholder, Company and individual performance and on
the Peer Group comparison, described below.
 
     Shareholder Performance Criteria.  The Company's return to its shareholders
is compared to:
 
     - the returns of our Peer Group.
 
     - a broader measure of bank holding company stocks, the 50 bank holding
       companies represented in the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., 50 Total
       Return Index for Bank Holding Companies (the "KBW 50"). All members of
       the Peer Group are included in the KBW 50.
 
     - a broad measure of market performance, the 500 stocks represented in the
       Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500").
 
     Company Performance Criteria.  In 1994 the Committee focused on such
measures of company profitability as return on equity ("ROE") and return on
assets ("ROA").
 
     Individual Performance Criteria.  The Committee considered the contribution
individual executive officers make to the performance of the Company, as
described above. An executive's individual performance is also evaluated in such
areas as leadership, vision, initiative, and personnel selection and
development.
 
     Peer Group Comparison.  To the extent that executive positions can be
matched with positions in the Peer Group, bonuses are compared to those of the
Peer Group. This year, bonuses are competitive with those from the median to the
seventy-fifth percentile of the range of bonuses paid by the Peer Group in 1993,
which reflects Wells Fargo's performance in 1994. The Peer Group is used for
these evaluations rather than the KBW 50 because we believe the Peer Group
reflects the market in which we compete for executives.
 
     In awarding bonuses, all of the foregoing factors are evaluated in a
qualitative manner, are not weighted, and their relative importance may vary in
view of individual circumstances.
 
     Deductibility of Compensation.  The chief executive officer, president and
vice chairmen are eligible for bonuses under the terms of the Senior Executive
Performance Plan ("SEPP"), which we believe will qualify bonuses paid for 1994
for tax deductibility. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits
federal income tax deductions for compensation paid after 1993 to the Company's
chief executive officer and its four other most highly compensated officers to
$1 million per year but includes an exception for performance-based compensation
that satisfies certain conditions. For this reason the Board of Directors
adopted the SEPP on February 15, 1994. The shareholders approved the plan on
April 19, 1994.
 
     In accordance with the terms of the SEPP, in March 1994 the Committee set a
target threshold for ROE, then determined a percentage of net income applicable
to Common Stock in excess of the ROE target threshold, to fund the maximum pool
available for 1994 bonuses. At that time, the Committee also determined the size
of each participant's share of the pool, based
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   17
 
on such participant's potential individual contribution to the success of the
Company. At its meeting in February 1995, the Committee decided to award each
participant in the Plan an amount smaller than the maximum amount permitted by
the available pool. The criteria used in determining bonuses were the
shareholder, Company and individual performance criteria and Peer Group
comparison described above.
 
     1994 Performance.  Results for the Company for 1994 follow:
 
     - The return to our shareholders in 1994, assuming full reinvestment of
       dividends, was 15.2 percent, which was the highest of our Peer Group.
       This compares favorably with -5.6 percent on average for the Peer Group,
       -5.1 percent for the bank holding companies in the KBW 50 and 1.3 percent
       for the companies comprising the S&P 500.
 
     - Our five-year return to shareholders of 138 percent compares favorably
       with the 72 percent average for the Peer Group, 45 percent for the bank
       holding companies in the KBW 50 and 51 percent for the companies
       comprising the S&P 500.
 
     - Our ten-year return to shareholders of 801 percent compares favorably
       with the 271 percent average for the Peer Group and 281 percent for the
       S&P 500. This data is not available for the KBW 50.
 
     - Company performance ranked at the top of the Peer Group in 1994. Our ROA
       of 1.62 percent was the highest of the Peer Group and compares favorably
       with the 1.08 percent average of the Peer Group. Our ROE of 22.41 percent
       was the second highest of the Peer Group and compares favorably with the
       Peer Group average of 16.69 percent.
 
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     Stock options motivate executives to make decisions leading to sustained
growth in shareholder value. Our focus in granting awards, in order of
importance, is on the executive's potential impact on shareholder value and the
executive's individual performance and strategic responsibility. Such individual
performance is always considered in making option grants, with the exception
that a grant may be awarded to a new executive if his or her position has
substantial strategic importance and potential impact on shareholder value. All
of the foregoing factors are evaluated in a qualitative manner, are not
weighted, and their relative importance may vary in view of individual
circumstances. Stock options are granted only at current market price, thereby
linking an executive's potential compensation to shareholder gain and
encouraging management to operate the Company from the perspective of an owner.
 
     Based on these considerations, the Committee awarded 1994 stock option
grants to four of the five officers named in the above table, "Option Grants
During 1994." The chief executive officer, in view of his impending retirement,
was not granted stock options in 1994. Stock options are an additional tool used
to ensure that the total compensation of our executives is generally
competitive, and we analyze individual grants on a Peer Group basis when data is
available. The grants in 1994 approximate the median when compared to the Peer
Group.
 
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
 
     In 1993, the Company introduced minimum stock ownership guidelines to be
met within five years by officers at the level of senior vice president and
above. These guidelines support the
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   18
 
view that management risk and rewards should have a direct relationship to
shareholder returns. The investment at risk of the executive officers meets
these guidelines.
 
                                          Paul A. Miller, Chairman
                                          William R. Bruener
                                          Rayburn S. Dezember
                                          Ellen M. Newman
                                          Donald B. Rice
                                          John A. Young
 
                    COMPARATIVE TOTAL RETURN ON COMMON STOCK
 
     The following graphs present the yearly percentage change in the cumulative
total shareholder return on the Common Stock for the five years and the ten
years ended December 31, 1994. The graphs compare the cumulative total returns
during those periods on the Common Stock, the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Price
Index ("S&P 500") and, in the five-year comparison only, the Keefe, Bruyette &
Woods, Inc., 50 Total Return Index ("KBW 50"), which is not available for the
ten-year period shown below. The KBW 50 is a market-capitalization-weighted
stock price index composed of 50 bank holding company stocks. All computations
have been made to give effect to the reinvestment of dividends.
 
                        FIVE-YEAR PERFORMANCE COMPARISON
 
                                  [LINE GRAPH]

WELLS FARGO   100      83      88      119      206      238
S & P 500     100      97     126      136      150      151
KBW 50        100      72     114      145      153      145

             1989    1990    1991     1992     1993     1994

     Assuming the reinvestment of all dividends, a hypothetical investment of
$100 made as of December 31, 1989, in the Common Stock of the Company, and pro
rata in the 500 stocks comprising the S&P 500 and in the 50 stocks included in
the KBW 50 would have been worth $238, $151 and $145, respectively, as of
December 31, 1994.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   19
 
                       TEN-YEAR PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

                                 [LINE GRAPH]

WELLS FARGO  100   140   232   203   296   379   314   333   452   782   901
S & P 500    100   132   156   164   191   252   244   318   342   377   381

            1984  1985  1986  1987  1988  1989  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994

     Assuming the reinvestment of all dividends, a hypothetical investment of
$100 made as of December 31, 1984, in the Common Stock of the Company and pro
rata in the 500 stocks included in the S&P 500 would have been worth $901 and
$381, respectively, as of December 31, 1994.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   20
 
                 OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     Executive Loan Plan.  The Company's Executive Loan Plan was adopted by the
Board of Directors in 1984. The persons eligible under the Plan to receive
mortgage or general purpose loans or loan guarantees from the Company include
executive officers of the Company and are selected by the chairman of the board
or the president pursuant to authority delegated by the Management Development
and Compensation Committee, which administers the Plan. Loans bear interest at
the applicable rate in effect under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code
at the time the loan is made (currently between 6.97 and 7.93 percent for loans
made in March 1995, depending on the term of the loan and certain other factors)
and may be reduced by up to 5 percentage points while the borrower is an
employee of the Company.
 
     Mortgage loans must be for the purpose of purchasing, constructing or
improving the executive's principal residence or refinancing outstanding
indebtedness with respect to such residence, cannot have a term exceeding 30
years and, when aggregated with other outstanding debt secured by such
residence, must have a maximum principal balance of the lesser of $1,500,000 or
100 percent of the fair market value of such residence. General purpose loans
may not have a term exceeding 10 years and must be for personal household
expenses, education or support of dependents, extraordinary medical or dental
expenses, income taxes or other purposes deemed appropriate by the Management
Development and Compensation Committee. General purpose loans cannot be used for
investment purposes or to acquire shares of Common Stock under a stock option or
similar plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, although such loans are
available under the Long-Term Incentive Plan or a predecessor plan. See
"Long-Term Incentive Plan," below. The maximum principal balance of all general
purpose loans to the same executive cannot exceed the lesser of $250,000 or 150
percent of the executive's annual base salary.
 
     The following table gives information regarding the unpaid principal
balances under the Plan for those of the five most highly compensated executive
officers in 1994 with loans under the Plan and for all 1994 executive officers
as a group during the time they served as such.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      BALANCE AS OF       MAXIMUM BALANCE
                                                    DECEMBER 31, 1994       DURING 1994
                                                    -----------------     ---------------
      <S>                                           <C>                   <C>
      Paul Hazen
        President...................................        $1,422,762         $1,444,322
      Clyde W. Ostler
        Vice Chairman...............................        $1,730,488         $2,207,209
      All 1994 Executive Officers as a Group1.......        $6,605,909         $7,291,110
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
1. The balance as of December 31, 1994, represents loans to five persons; the
   maximum balance during 1994 represents loans to six persons.
 
     Long-Term Incentive Plan.  The Management Development and Compensation
Committee may authorize an extension of credit from the Company to an employee
(including an employee who is an officer or director of the Company) to assist
the employee in the purchase of Common Stock upon exercise of employee stock
options granted under the Plan or a predecessor plan. Under current policy, the
Company may extend or guarantee such loans with a maximum term of six years.
Such loans initially bear interest at a rate equal to the greater of the average
annual rate for three-year U.S. Treasury notes for the immediately preceding
calendar year, currently estimated to be 6.26 percent during 1995, and the
applicable rate in effect under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code at
the time the loan is made (currently between 6.97 and 7.19 percent for loans
made in March 1995, depending on the term of the loan and certain other
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   21
 
factors). The rate is then adjusted annually to equal the average annual rate
for three-year U.S. Treasury notes for the immediately preceding calendar year.
 
     The following table gives information about the unpaid principal balances
for those of the five most highly compensated executive officers in 1994 with
loans under the Plan or a predecessor plan and for all 1994 executive officers
as a group during the time they served as such.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      BALANCE AS OF       MAXIMUM BALANCE
                                                    DECEMBER 31, 1994       DURING 1994
                                                    -----------------     ---------------
      <S>                                           <C>                   <C>
      Carl E. Reichardt
        Chairman of the Board.......................              0         $ 1,119,974
      Paul Hazen
        President...................................    $ 2,699,798         $ 3,003,590
      Clyde W. Ostler
        Vice Chairman...............................    $   411,173         $   411,709
      All 1994 Executive Officers as a Group1.......    $ 3,591,132         $ 5,325,897
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
1.  The balance as of December 31, 1994, represents loans to four persons; the
    maximum balance during 1994 represents loans to six persons.
 
     Other Transactions.  The Bank has had and expects in the future to have
banking transactions in the ordinary course of its business with many of the
Company's directors and executive officers and their associates, including
transactions with corporations of which such persons are directors, officers or
controlling shareholders, on substantially the same terms (including interest
rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with others. The loans included among such transactions did not
involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable
features at the time such loans were made.
 
     Loans by the Bank to directors and executive officers of the Company and to
entities controlled by them are subject to limitations as to amount and purpose
as prescribed by the Federal Reserve Act. For example, extensions of credit by
the Bank in excess of $500,000 to directors and executive officers of the
Company and their related interests require the prior approval of a majority of
the disinterested directors of the Bank. All extensions of credit to such
persons must be made on nonpreferential terms. In addition, the Bank may not
extend credit in excess of $100,000 (not counting up to $15,000 of open-ended
credit) to any executive officer of the Bank, which includes most executive
officers of the Company, unless the purpose is to finance the education of the
officer's children or the purchase, construction, maintenance or improvement of
the officer's residence.
 
     In connection with his retirement as chairman of the board on December 31,
1994, Mr. Reichardt received during 1994 the various items referred to in note 2
to the Summary Compensation Table, above, and the Company agreed to make
available to him, commencing in 1995, office space and the services of a
secretary and a driver on an as-needed basis. In addition, employee stock
options originally granted to Mr. Reichardt during 1992 were modified so that
options to purchase 16,670 shares of Common Stock became exercisable upon his
retirement, approximately one year in advance of the time they would otherwise
have become exercisable. In accordance with the original terms of options
granted to Mr. Reichardt in 1993, options to purchase an additional 33,335
shares became exercisable upon his retirement, approximately 11 months sooner
than otherwise as to 16,665 of these shares and approximately 23 months sooner
as to the balance.
 
     Because of the complexity of the reporting requirements imposed on the
Company's directors and executive officers under Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   22
 
Company has assumed responsibility for preparing and filing the reports of
changes in beneficial ownership required of these persons by this statute. Based
on a review of beneficial ownership reporting forms and representations of its
directors, executive officers and 10 percent shareholders, the Company believes
that such persons were in compliance during 1994 with these reporting
requirements, except as follows. A report of transactions occurring during July
1994 filed on behalf of Stuart V. M. Campbell, a former executive officer,
included an arithmetic error resulting in a month-end balance that was
understated, and a report of a sale in November 1994 by Mr. Campbell was filed
five days late. The understated balance was corrected by amendments filed in
February 1995. The balance of shares reported during 1992 and 1993 on behalf of
Michael J. Gillfillan, an executive officer, was discovered to have been smaller
than his actual share balance during that time. Corrective amendments to these
previous reports were filed in January 1995.
 
          COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The following directors served as members of the Management Development and
Compensation Committee during 1994: Paul A. Miller, Chairman; William R.
Breuner; Rayburn S. Dezember; Ellen M. Newman; Donald B. Rice; and John A.
Young. In the case of each such director, either the individual director, a
family member or an entity controlled by the director had loans or other
extensions of credit outstanding from the Bank during 1994. These loans were
made in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms,
including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for
comparable transactions with other persons. Such loans did not involve more than
the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features at the
time they were made.
 
                                   PROPOSAL 2
 
                       AMENDMENTS TO DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN
 
                                  INTRODUCTION
 
     The Wells Fargo & Company Director Option Plan (the "Plan") was originally
adopted by the Board of Directors on February 17, 1987, approved by shareholders
on April 21, 1987, and amended on November 19, 1991. The purpose of the Plan is
to make service on the Board more attractive to present and prospective outside
directors, since the continued services of qualified non-officer, or outside,
directors are considered essential to the sustained progress of the Company.
 
     Under the Plan, directors may choose each year between payment of a cash
retainer and an option, described below, to acquire shares of Wells Fargo &
Company common stock ("Common Stock"). The number of shares subject to the
option is the nearest number of whole shares equivalent to the foregone retainer
divided by the difference between the year-end closing price of the Common Stock
reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Reporting System
("Year-End Closing Price") and the per share exercise price. Currently, the per
share exercise price of each option is $1.00. No change is proposed to be made
to the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan.
 
     On February 21, 1995, the Board of Directors adopted amendments to the
Plan, subject to shareholder approval, which would (i) change the exercise price
for options granted after December 31, 1995, to 50 percent of the Year-End
Closing Price, in lieu of the $1.00 per share exercise price originally
provided, which results in a corresponding increase in the number of shares
subject to the option and (ii) extend the Plan beyond its original expiration
date of
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   23
 
January 2, 1997, until the issuance of all shares authorized under the Plan. 
The following is a description of the Plan as proposed to be amended. The
description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
proposed restated Plan, which is attached as Exhibit A hereto.
 
     The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the proposal.
 
                                 ADMINISTRATION
 
     As originally adopted, the Plan was administered by a committee (the
"Committee") of three or more outside directors appointed by the Board of
Directors. Because the Plan was amended on November 19, 1991, to eliminate stock
appreciation rights from the Plan, the substantive terms of the Plan are fixed,
requiring no discretionary administration.
 
                                  ELIGIBILITY
 
     Only the Company's outside directors are eligible to participate in the
Plan.
 
                             STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN
 
     The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under
the Plan will not exceed 75,000, subject to certain adjustments to prevent
dilution. If any option or any portion of an option is terminated or surrendered
for any reason without being exercised, the shares subject to the unexercised
portion of the option are available for subsequent option grants under the Plan.
Options may be granted until all shares authorized for issuance under the Plan
have been issued.
 
                                TERMS OF OPTIONS
 
     All options granted under the Plan are non-statutory stock options,
evidenced by an agreement between the Company and the director. Upon the
exercise of an option, the Company may issue new shares or reissue shares
repurchased by or on behalf of the Company.
 
     Options are granted automatically on January 2 (or if January 2 is not a
business day, on the next succeeding business day) of each year, to any eligible
director who, no later than the preceding July 1, files with the Committee an
irrevocable election to receive a stock option in lieu of the retainer to be
earned in the calendar year of the date of grant of the option (the "Plan
Year").
 
     The number of shares subject to an option granted to an eligible director
is equal to the nearest number of whole shares equivalent to the director's
Annual Retainer divided by the difference between the Year-End Closing Price and
the per share option exercise price. "Annual Retainer" is defined as the amount
which the director will be entitled to receive for serving as a director during
the Plan Year, but does not include fees for attendance at meetings of the Board
of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors or for any other
services to be provided to the Company. For options granted before January 1,
1996, the per share option exercise price is $1.00. For options granted after
December 31, 1995, the per share option exercise price is 50 percent of the
Year-End Closing Price. The per share closing price for the Common Stock, as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Reporting System
on March 1, 1995, was $160 5/8 per share.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   24
 
                          TRANSFERABILITY; TERMINATION
 
     Options granted under the Plan are non-transferable and may be exercised
during the optionee's lifetime only by the optionee. No option may be exercised
prior to the first anniversary of the date the option was granted or more than
ten years from such date. Options become exercisable in full upon the retirement
of the optionee because of age or because of total and permanent disability or
upon the death of the optionee. A director's option rights terminate if the
director ceases to serve as such for any reason other than death or retirement
because of age or disability.
 
                           STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
 
     As originally adopted, options granted under the Plan included grants of
stock appreciation rights ("SARs") with respect to the number of shares subject
to the options held by eligible directors. On November 19, 1991, however, the
Plan was amended to prohibit future grants of SARs, and all SARs outstanding at
that time were cancelled with the consent of each holder.
 
                            MODIFICATION OF THE PLAN
 
     The Board of Directors has the power to suspend, discontinue or amend the
Plan, provided that without shareholder approval no amendment may change the
number of shares subject to the Plan (other than to prevent dilution), change
the class of directors eligible to participate, materially increase the benefits
accruing to participants in the Plan, or impair the optionee's rights under any
option previously granted without the consent of the optionee. In addition, the
provisions of the Plan relating to eligibility for awards under the Plan and the
amount, type, price and timing of awards under the Plan may not be amended more
than once every six months, other than to conform to changes to the Internal
Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or the rules
thereunder.
 
                                 TAX TREATMENT
 
     All options to be granted under the Plan are non-statutory options and are
not entitled to special tax treatment under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The grant of a stock option generally
does not result in taxable income to the recipient. Directors who exercise an
option generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference
between the option price and the fair market value of the resulting shares. The
Company generally is not entitled to an income tax deduction with respect to the
grant of a stock option or the sale of stock acquired pursuant thereto. The
Company is permitted a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income the
recipient is required to recognize with respect to a stock option.
 
                               NEW PLAN BENEFITS
 
     Because the grant of an option to a director under the Plan is subject to
the election of that director, it is impossible to determine the number of
options, if any, that may be granted to
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   25
 
directors under the Plan. In 1995 the following directors were granted options
under the Plan covering the number of shares indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      DIRECTOR                            SHARES
            ------------------------------------------------------------  ------
            <S>                                                           <C>
            William S. Davila...........................................    229
            Philip J. Quigley...........................................    229
            Donald B. Rice..............................................    208
            Chang-Lin Tien..............................................    229
            John A. Young...............................................    208
</TABLE>
 
All such directors have been nominated for reelection to the Board at the annual
meeting.
 
                                   PROPOSAL 3
 
               RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     The Board of Directors has appointed KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, certified
public accountants, Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California, as
independent auditors for the Company for 1995. Shareholders are being asked to
ratify this selection at the annual meeting. This firm or a predecessor has
served as the independent auditors for the Company since 1969. Ratification of
the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent auditors requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares voting at the
meeting.
 
     As in the past, representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP will be present at
the annual meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so
desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
     The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
 
                              COST OF SOLICITATION
 
     In addition to solicitation by mail, proxies may also be solicited by
directors, officers and employees of the Company and the Bank, who will not
receive additional compensation for such solicitation. The Company has also
engaged D.F. King & Co. Inc. to assist in contacting shareholders whose stock is
held in the names of brokers or other custodians and will pay $7,500 plus
out-of-pocket expenses for these services. Brokerage firms and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries will be reimbursed by the Company for their reasonable
expenses incurred in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners of the Common
Stock.
 
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
 
     A shareholder who intends to present a proposal at the 1996 annual meeting
of shareholders for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to such meeting must submit such proposal by November 14, 1995. The
proposal must be mailed to the Company's principal executive offices at 420
Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94104, Attention: Secretary.
 
                                          Guy Rounsaville, Jr.
                                          Secretary
 
March 13, 1995
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   26
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                             WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
 
                              DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN
 
     The Wells Fargo & Company Director Option Plan, as amended and restated
effective February 21, 1995, subject to approval of the Company's shareholders,
is set forth below:
 
                 PART 1.   PLAN ADMINISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY
 
I.  PURPOSE
 
     The purpose of this Director Option Plan (the "Plan") of Wells Fargo &
Company (the "Company") is to make service on the Board more attractive to
present and prospective outside directors of the Company, since the continued
services of qualified outside directors are considered essential to the
Company's sustained progress.
 
II.  ADMINISTRATION
 
     Because the cancellation of stock appreciation rights under the Plan
effective December 31, 1991 eliminates the need for discretionary administration
under the Plan, the Committee previously appointed to administer the Plan shall
thereafter cease to have any responsibility under the Plan and the
administration of the Plan shall be carried out by the Company's Personnel
Division or its delegate.
 
III.  PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN
 
     Each director of the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan
unless he or she is an employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.
 
IV.  STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
 
     A. Class.  The stock which is to be made the subject of awards granted
under the Plan shall be the Company's authorized but unissued Common Stock, par
value $5 per share ("Common Stock"). In connection with the issuance of shares
of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company may repurchase shares in the open
market or otherwise.
 
     B. Aggregate Amount.
 
          (1) The total number of shares issuable under the Plan shall not
     exceed 75,000 shares (subject to adjustment under Section XIII). No
     limitation shall exist on the aggregate amount of cash payments the Company
     may make in connection with the surrender of options pursuant to Section
     VIII.
 
          (2)  If any outstanding option under the Plan expires or is terminated
     for any reason or is surrendered pursuant to Section VIII, then the Common
     Stock allocable to the unexercised or surrendered portion of such option
     shall not be charged against the limitation of Section IV.B.(1) and may
     again become the subject of a stock option granted under the Plan.
 
                                       A-1
<PAGE>   27
 
                PART 2.   OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
 
V.  NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS
 
     All options granted under the Plan shall be non-statutory options not
entitled to special tax treatment under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended to date and as may be amended from time to time (the
"Code").
 
VI.  TERMS, CONDITIONS AND FORM OF OPTIONS
 
     Each option granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by a written
agreement, which agreements shall comply with and be subject to the following
terms and conditions:
 
     A. Option Grant Dates.  Effective for options granted after January 2,
1992, options shall be granted automatically on January 2 (or if January 2 is
not a business day, on the next succeeding business day) of the year to any
eligible director who, before July 1 of the previous year, files with the
Company's Personnel Division or its designate an irrevocable election to receive
a stock option in lieu of retainer fees to be earned in the following year
beginning January 1 and ending December 31 ("Plan Year").
 
     B. Option Formula.  The number of option shares granted to any eligible
director shall be equal to the nearest number of whole shares determined in
accordance with one of the following formulas, depending upon the date of grant:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>   <C>
    OPTIONS GRANTED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1996:
 
         Annual Retainer                 Number
- ---------------------------------   =      of
   Fair Market Value -- $1.00            Shares
 
    OPTIONS GRANTED AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1995:
 
         Annual Retainer                 Number
- ---------------------------------   =      of
     Fair Market Value X 50%             Shares
</TABLE>
 
"Annual Retainer" shall mean the amount which the director will be entitled to
receive for serving as a director in the relevant Plan Year, but shall not
include fees for attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or any
committee of the Board of Directors or for any other services to be provided to
the Company. "Fair Market Value" shall mean the fair market value of the
Company's common stock on January 2, determined in accordance with Section XI of
the Plan.
 
     C. Options Non-Transferable.  Each option granted under the Plan by its
terms shall not be transferable by the director otherwise than by will, or by
the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercised during the lifetime
of the director only by him or her. No option or interest therein may be
transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated by the director during his or her
lifetime, whether by operation of law or otherwise, or be made subject to
execution, attachment or similar process.
 
     D. Period of Option.  Options become exercisable on the first anniversary
of the date upon which they were granted; provided, however, that any option
granted pursuant to the Plan shall become exercisable in full upon the death of
the director or retirement because of age in accordance with Company policy or
retirement because of total and permanent disability. Options shall terminate
upon the expiration of 10 years from the date upon which such options were
granted (subject to prior termination as hereinafter provided).
 
                                       A-2
<PAGE>   28
 
     E. Exercise of Options.  Options may be exercised only by written notice to
the Company at its head office accompanied by payment, in cash, of the full
consideration for the shares as to which they are exercised.
 
     F. Termination of Options.  All rights of a director in an option, to the
extent that it has not been exercised, shall terminate upon his or her
termination as a director for any reason other than the death of the director or
retirement because of age in accordance with Company policy or retirement
because of total and permanent disability and in case of such retirement, three
months from the date thereof. In the event of the death of the director, the
option shall terminate upon failure of the designated representative to exercise
the option in accordance with the time period provided in subsection "G" below.
That portion of an option which is attributable to a portion of an Annual
Retainer which would not have been earned due to termination as a director or a
change in a director's membership on a committee(s) of the Board of Directors
shall be cancelled.
 
     G. Death of Director.  Any option granted the director under the Plan and
outstanding on the date of his or her death may be exercised by the personal
representative of the director's estate or by the person or persons to whom the
option is transferred pursuant to the director's will or in accordance with the
laws of descent and distribution, at any time prior to the specified expiration
date of such option or the first anniversary of the director's death, whichever
is the first to occur. Upon the occurrence of the earlier event, the option
shall then terminate.
 
VII.  OPTION PRICE
 
     The option price per share for the shares covered by each option shall be
$1.00 for options granted before January 1, 1996, and 50 percent of the fair
market value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant for options
granted after December 31, 1995.
 
VIII.  STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
 
     No option granted under the Plan after December 31, 1991 shall include a
grant of a stock appreciation right. Each option granted before January 1, 1992
shall, subject to the approval of the holder thereof, cease to include a stock
appreciation right effective January 1, 1992. In the event that such approval is
not obtained with respect to a stock appreciation right, such right shall remain
outstanding in accordance with its terms, provided that such stock appreciation
right shall be exercisable only for stock, the holder's exercise of such stock
appreciation right shall not be subject to the consent of the Committee or any
other person and any notice of exercise shall be filed with the Company's
Personnel Division.
 
                          PART 3.   GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
IX.  ASSIGNABILITY
 
     The rights and benefits under this Plan shall not be assignable or
transferable by the director other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, and during the lifetime of the director, options and stock
appreciation rights granted under the Plan shall be exercisable only by him or
her.
 
X.  TIME FOR GRANTING OPTIONS
 
     Options may be granted under this Plan until the maximum number of shares
authorized under Section IV.B. have been issued.
 
                                       A-3
<PAGE>   29
 
XI.  VALUATION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     For all valuation purposes under the Plan, the fair market value of a share
of Common Stock shall be its closing price as quoted on the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Transaction Reporting System on the day immediately prior to
the date in question. If there is no quotation available for such day, then the
closing price on the next preceding day for which there does exist such a
quotation shall be determinative of fair market value. If, however, the
Committee determines that, as a result of circumstances existing on any date,
the use of such price is not a reasonable method of determining fair market
value on that date, the Committee may use such other method as, in its judgment,
is reasonable.
 
XII.  LIMITATION OF RIGHTS
 
     A. No Right to Continue as a Director.  Neither the Plan, nor the granting
of an option nor any other action taken pursuant to the Plan, shall constitute
or be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the
Company will retain a director for any period of time, or at any particular rate
of compensation.
 
     B. No Shareholders' Rights for Options.  A director shall have no rights as
a shareholder with respect to the shares covered by his or her options until the
date of the issuance to him of a stock certificate therefor, and no adjustment
will be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to
the date such certificate is issued.
 
XIII.  ADJUSTMENTS TO STOCK
 
     In the event any change is made to the Common Stock subject to the Plan or
subject to any outstanding award granted under the Plan (whether by reason of
merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock
split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure
or otherwise), then appropriate adjustments shall be made to the maximum number
of shares subject to the Plan and the number of shares and prices per share of
stock subject to outstanding options.
 
XIV.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN
 
     The Plan shall take effect upon approval by the shareholders of the
Company, and the Plan as restated shall take effect as of the date of adoption
by the Board of Directors of the Company, subject to the approval of the
shareholders of the Company.
 
XV.  AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN
 
     The Board of Directors of the Company may suspend or discontinue the Plan
or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that without
approval of the shareholders no revision or amendment shall change the number of
shares subject to the Plan (except as provided in Section XIII), change the
designation of the class of directors eligible to receive options, materially
increase the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan or alter or impair
any rights or obligations of any option previously granted without the consent
of the director. In addition, the provisions of the Plan relating to eligibility
for awards under the Plan and the amount, type, price and timing of awards under
the Plan shall not be amended more than once every six months, other than to
conform to changes to the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act or the rules thereunder.
 
XVI.  GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto
shall be governed by the law of the State of California and construed
accordingly.
 
                                       A-4
<PAGE>   30
                                    [LOGO]

                           PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
<PAGE>   31
 
                                     PROXY
                             WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
      THIS PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ON APRIL 18, 1995,
                IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
The undersigned hereby appoint(s) WILLIAM R. BREUNER, PAUL HAZEN, ROBERT K.
JAEDICKE and WILLIAM F. ZUENDT, and each of them, the proxy or proxies of the
undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common
Stock, $5 par value, of Wells Fargo & Company (the "Company") which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the
Company to be held in San Francisco, California, on Tuesday, April 18, 1995, at
2:00 p.m., and at any adjournment thereof, with the same force and effect as the
undersigned might or could do if personally present thereat.
 
UNLESS A CONTRARY INSTRUCTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSALS TO APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF
AMENDMENTS TO THE DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN AND TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR 1995, ALL AS DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
STATEMENT. THIS PROXY WILL ALSO BE VOTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS
ON SUCH MATTERS OTHER THAN THE THREE SPECIFIED ITEMS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.
 
A majority of such proxies or their substitutes as shall be present and acting
at the meeting, or if only one be present and acting then that one, shall have
and may exercise all of the powers of all of said proxies hereunder.
 
The undersigned hereby revoke(s) all proxies heretofore given by the undersigned
to vote at said meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
                  THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
      PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
<PAGE>   32
 
The Board of Directors favors a vote "FOR" authority in Proposal 1 and "FOR"
Proposals 2 and 3.
 
Proposal 1-- Authority to vote for the following nominees as described in the
             accompanying Proxy Statement:

             H.J. Arnelle; W.R. Breuner; W.S. Davila; R.S. Dezember; P. Hazen;
             R.K. Jaedicke; E.M. Newman; P.J. Quigley; C.E. Reichardt; 
             D.B. Rice; S.G. Swenson; C-L. Tien; J.A. Young; W.F. Zuendt.

                                / / FOR        / / WITHHELD
 
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for one or more individual nominees,
              write such name or names in the space provided below.)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
Proposal 2--Approve adoption of amendments to Director Option Plan.           / / FOR   / / AGAINST   / / ABSTAIN
Proposal 3--Ratify selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent         / / FOR   / / AGAINST   / / ABSTAIN
            auditors for 1995.
</TABLE>
 
                                                     Date: _______________, 1995

                                                     ___________________________
                                                     Signature

                                                     ___________________________
                                                     Signature
 
                                                     Please mark, date and sign
                                                     exactly as your name
                                                     appears at the side and
                                                     return in the enclosed
                                                     envelope. Joint owners
                                                     should each sign. When
                                                     signing as attorney,
                                                     executor, administrator,
                                                     trustee or guardian, please
                                                     give full title as such. If
                                                     signer is a corporation or
                                                     other organization, please
                                                     sign in full name of
                                                     corporation or other
                                                     organization and designate
                                                     capacity of signing
                                                     officer.


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