<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WELLS FARGO
FINANCIAL, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000708481
<NAME> WELLS FARGO FINANCIAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 183,631
<SECURITIES> 1,198,378
<RECEIVABLES> 10,361,768
<ALLOWANCES> 414,259
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F1>
<PP&E> 199,904
<DEPRECIATION> 137,111
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12,326,141
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F1>
<BONDS> 9,924,917<F2>
0
0
<COMMON> 3,855
<OTHER-SE> 1,659,776
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 12,326,141
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 582,945
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 212,291
<LOSS-PROVISION> 102,154
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 170,268
<INCOME-PRETAX> 98,232
<INCOME-TAX> 35,997
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 62,235
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<FN>
<F1>Wells Fargo Financial, Inc. has a non-classified balance sheet so this
information is unavailable.
<F2>Includes $3.2 billion of short-term loans.
</FN>
</TABLE>