Matsco Becomes Wells Fargo Practice Finance

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Wells Fargo announced today the unveiling of the Wells Fargo Practice Finance brand, from its previous Matsco identity. This transition articulates a singular resource for finance and support for healthcare professionals that aspire to start, grow or purchase a private practice. Wells Fargo acquired Matsco more than three years ago as part of its acquisition of Greater Bay Bancorp. As a part of Wells Fargo Practice Finance, current clients will enjoy greater access to the full range of products and services that has made Wells Fargo the number one small business lender. (i)

The rebranding initiative reflects the company's 20-year heritage as the leading provider of healthcare practice financing, including start-up and practice acquisition financing, equipment, expansion and practice equity loans, and commercial real estate financing. It is a promise to clients to understand the opportunities and challenges inherent in their businesses, and to do so by leveraging the breadth of products, services and expertise Wells Fargo has to offer.  

Wells Fargo Practice Finance has a particular focus in the dental, veterinary, optometric and medical fields. It is the only practice lender selected especially for members of the American Dental Association and endorsed by ADA Business Resources(SM) for practice financing and commercial real estate. It is also the preferred provider of practice financing for members of the American Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. As clients of Wells Fargo Practice Finance, healthcare practitioners will benefit from seamless access to all products and services that Wells Fargo offers throughout the practice lifecycle.

"As Wells Fargo Practice Finance, we will continue to distinguish ourselves by providing trusted guidance through specialized expertise, our focus on education and our commitment to our clients' success," said Allison Farey, president of Wells Fargo Practice Finance. "With our integration into Wells Fargo complete, we are excited to offer even greater levels of support by connecting our customers with the right resources at the right time."

"Running my own practice was always a dream, but there were times when I didn't know if I could actually make it work," said Gregory Liberatore, DDS, of Liberatore Family Dental, a customer since 2000. "The Wells Fargo Practice Finance team provided so much more than just the financial backing. From their expert advice to aligning me with the right resources, they gave me the confidence to move forward."

Wells Fargo Practice Finance offers a wide range of products and programs designed specifically for the aspiring and established healthcare practice owner. Some of these include customized financing programs that help build a strong foundation for a new practice, expert project and administrative support to help complete projects on time and on budget, educational programs to help prepare for upcoming projects and sustain practice growth, and practice management resources to assist with key practice transitions. More information can be found at www.wellsfargo.com/practicefinance.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 10,000 banking stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With more than 278,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America.  Wells Fargo & Company was ranked #19 on Fortune's 2009 rankings of America's largest corporations. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially.    

Wells Fargo is America's #1 small business lender (2008 Community Reinvestment Act government data) and a leading lender to women- and diverse-owned businesses.  Through its award-winning online advice library of business resources, including topical videos and webcasts, Wells Fargo provides business owners with timely advice and information to help them succeed financially. For more information, speak with a Wells Fargo banker, visit wellsfargo.com/biz or call the National Business Banking Center at 1-800-CALL-WELLS.

(i) Wells Fargo is the number one lender to small businesses in the United States in total dollar volume according to data contained in the 2008 Community Reinvestment Act.

SOURCE Wells Fargo & Company