Wells Fargo to Sponsor Los Angeles Performances of Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez.

Business & Entertainment Editors/City Desks

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 18, 2002

In Commemoration of Its 150th Anniversary, Wells Fargo Joins With

Ballet Folklorico de Amalia Hernandez as It Kicks-Off Its Own Golden

Anniversary Tour of 22-U.S. Cities

The first week of Hispanic Heritage Month gets off to a great start in Los Angeles as the world-renowned Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez celebrates its golden anniversary season. As part of its nationwide tour, the dance company comes to Los Angeles this weekend for three performances at the Universal Amphitheatre, sponsored by Wells Fargo. The performances are scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at 8:15 p.m. And Sunday, September 22 at 3:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

The 22-city tour of the United States runs from September 13 through October 13, 2001, and coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, observed in the United States September 15 through October 15. The dance company's golden anniversary is being celebrated throughout the world with a 50-city tour, including Mexico, Japan, Europe, South America, and the 22 cities in the United States.

"This is an opportunity for Wells Fargo to share with residents of Southern California one of the world's top folkloric dance groups," said Wells Fargo Vice President of Communications Miriam Galicia Duarte. "We are proud to sponsor an event of this caliber because it helps us recognize and celebrate the culture and heritage of Mexico which Wells Fargo has shared for 150 years," she added.

The golden anniversary tour features the "best of the best" from 50 years of performances by the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez under the artistic direction of Hernandez's daughter Norma Lopez. For many devoted followers, the Ballet Folklorico is a celebration of life in movement, music and color. The company's dances reflect pre-Hispanic rituals, dramatic events from Mexico's history and depictions of that region's diverse culture and folklore.

"Wells Fargo recognizes the important role Latinos have played in the cultural, social and business development of Los Angeles and our support of programs that focus on these positive contributions is one way to demonstrate our commitment to the Latino community as an integral part of our business," Galicia Duarte explained.

Wells Fargo is a $315 billion diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investment, mortgage and consumer finance from more than 5,400 financial stores, the Internet and other distribution channels across North America and elsewhere internationally. It was the first bank in the United States to accept the matricula consular card as one of the identification pieces required to open an account at any Wells Fargo banking stores in 23 states. In greater Los Angeles, Wells Fargo has more than 10,000 team members and has contributed nearly $20 million to Los Angeles and Orange County non-profit organizations over the past two years.