Wells Fargo Joins Flood Rebuilding Effort in India with United Way

Efforts include $100,000 donation, volunteering and transfer fee waiver for remittances

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Oct 21, 2014, 09:29 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), United Way's long-term community partner in improving lives, has taken the leadership to join forces with United Way Worldwide to support the recovery effort for people affected by the floods in Jammu and Kashmir. Wells Fargo has donated $100,000, volunteer work and offered a transfer fee waiver for remittances sent to India through October 31, 2014.

"This is the most devastating flood in 60 years in this region," said Jayanti Shukla, Executive Director of United Way of India. "United Way is the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit, and as its Indian arm, United Way of India is mobilizing companies, individuals and organizations from the worldwide network to support these much-needed efforts on immediate, mid-term and long-term rehabilitation and community building."

In the wake of unprecedented floods and landslides in India's regions of Jammu and Kashmir in September, killing at least 300 people and destructing more than 400 villages, India government had declared this disaster as a national calamity. Aside from immediate loss of lives and property damages, those who are affected by the flood have developed persistent fear about the spread of diarrhea, measles and other of water-borne diseases.

"The catastrophic flooding in India is a very big concern, both for our team members in India, and those in the U.S.," said Tim Hanlon, head of Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships for Wells Fargo. "In light of the devastation caused by this disaster, we feel it's imperative that we support the recovery and rebuilding efforts."

Wells Fargo's grant will be directed to support relief, rescue and reconstruction, as well as to improve education conditions for children, help affected individuals maintain financial stability, and fight health challenges during the rebuilding.

Wells Fargo is one of United Way's strongest partners as it tops the total community support, and has won numerous recognitions in the areas of employee giving, community volunteerism and community impact.

To join the relief effort, please visit https://secure.worldwide.unitedway.org/2014IndiaFloodRecovery

About United Way
With more than 2.8 million volunteers and 9.7 million donors worldwide, and more than $5 billion raised every year, United Way is the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit. It is working in nearly 1,800 communities across 41 countries and territories to create community solutions that improve life for everyone. Across the world, United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, civic and faith organizations, as well as educators, labor, health organizations, government and more. Read more at UnitedWay.org

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.6 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 8,700 locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortune's 2014 rankings of America's largest corporations. In 2013, the Company invested $275.5 million in grants to 18,500 nonprofits, and team members contributed more than 1.69 million volunteer hours around the country. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.