Nation's leading small business lender and Internet bank teams with SurePayroll to provide customers with a simple, reliable, and economic payroll management solution that eliminates paperwork and helps small businesses grow.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- June 14, 2001 - Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC), the nation's leading Internet bank, and SurePayroll, a leading provider of Web-based payroll services, today announced the introduction of OnlinePayroll by Wells Fargo^SM, an end-to-end online payroll solution for Wells Fargo's small business customers. With this service, Wells Fargo becomes the first major financial institution to offer an integrated Web-based payroll management solution to small business owners nationwide.

The new cost-effective service - available through Wells Fargo's online Resource Center for Small Business Owners (http://www.wellsfargo.com/biz) - provides small business customers with an online payroll management solution for payroll processing, direct deposit management, tax filing and payment reconciliation. This paperless service enables small business customers to save time and money while fulfilling their obligation to submit payroll tax deposits and file payroll tax returns in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. With OnlinePayroll by Wells Fargo^SM, customers use a secure, Web-based solution to drive their entire payroll process.

"When I began my search for a payroll company, there were a few items that were important to me," said Rob Eskridge, president of Growth Management Center, Inc., based in Truckee, Calif. "I was interested in a service that saved me time and money while ensuring that my payroll would be paid accurately and on time. OnlinePayroll by Wells Fargo^SM provides me with the flexibility to run payroll on my timetable, which can sometimes be late at night or early in the morning. Plus, by outsourcing my payroll, I can spend more time building and managing my business."

In addition, the new service features access controls that allow small businesses to separate administrative and approver capabilities. Small business customers access current and historical payroll data using enhanced reporting tools to instantly update and view calculations. Customers can access OnlinePayroll by Wells Fargo^SM through the Resource Center for Small Business Owners at http://www.wellsfargo.com/biz - the end-to-end, single sign-on Internet resource for small business customers that features a wide range of products and services to enhance every stage of business development. Wells Fargo was the first major financial services company in the U. S. To launch Internet banking services for its customers in 1995, and has been online since 1989. The company blazed the trail for interactive tools and features with a wide range of easy-to-use services.

About Wells Fargo:
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a $280 billion diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance services through more than 5,400 stores, its Internet site, wellsfargo.com and other distribution channels across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo has more than 1.5 million small business customers and is the largest small business lender in the U. S., according to SNL Securities data. Last year, the company launched the Wells Fargo Resource Center for Small Business Owners. Available at http://www.wellsfargo.com/biz, the resource center offers financial products and services designed to enhance every aspect of the lifecycle of small businesses.

About SurePayroll:
SurePayroll is a simple, reliable, convenient and economical way for small businesses to do payroll and related HR and compliance services securely on the Internet. The Company's services automate the entire payroll process, completely eliminating the traditional processing steps that conventional payroll service providers offer. Founded in 1999, SurePayroll is a privately held company based in Skokie, IL. For more information, click here.

Contacts:

Wendy Grover
Wells Fargo & Company
415-396-5905
groverw@wellsfargo.com

Michael Alter
SurePayroll
847-676-8420, ext 7229
michael.alter@surepayroll.com

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