Financial thoughts

Wells Fargo gave $21.6 million to Bay Area nonprofits in 2009.

The greatest focus area for Wells' philanthropy was community development, followed by education. The giving broke down into the following focus areas:

• Community development: $8 million

• Education: $6.8 million

• Human services: $3.2 million

• Arts and culture: $2.4 million

• Civic: $905,000

• Environment: $215,000

Wells Fargo also announced that its giving nationwide totaled $202 million.

The company said that the $21.6 million to Bay Area nonprofits is a 30 percent increase over 2008 giving, though the higher numbers reflect Wells Fargo's takeover of Wachovia, which also had a strong corporate philanthropy program.

In 2008, Wells Fargo gave $16.7 million to local nonprofits and Wachovia gave $5.3 million. Nationwide, Wells gave $102 million in 2008 and Wachovia gave $124 million.

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