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Wachovia Corporation And Golden West Financial Corporation Announce Shareholder Merger Approval


WEBWIRE

August 31, 2006 - CHARLOTTE, N.C., AND OAKLAND, CALIF. - Wachovia Corporation (NYSE: WB) and Golden West Financial Corporation (NYSE: GDW) announced today that the shareholders of both companies approved their merger.

“We are delighted that shareholders of both companies support the combination of Golden West and Wachovia. Wachovia is proud to join forces with a stellar company that has an impressive track record, and we are confident the combined company will generate superior growth and long-term value,” said Ken Thompson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Wachovia. “We look forward to delivering outstanding products and services to individuals and businesses from coast to coast.”

“We received strong support from our shareholders today and are delighted with their response,” said Herbert M. Sandler, Chairman and CEO of Golden West. “We look forward to the successful completion of the merger and to a combined company that serves the best interests of our shareholders, employees, customers and communities.”

Golden West Financial Corporation and Wachovia announced their intention to merge in May 2006. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006, pending regulatory approval.

About Wachovia

Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) is one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services companies, providing 13.4 million household and business relationships with a broad range of banking, asset management, wealth management and corporate and investment banking products and services. Wachovia has retail and commercial banking operations in 16 states with 3,109 offices from Connecticut to Florida and west to Texas and California. Two core businesses operate under the Wachovia Securities brand name: retail brokerage in 49 states and in Latin America, and corporate and investment banking in selected industries nationwide. Globally, Wachovia serves clients through more than 40 international offices. Online banking is available at wachovia.com; online brokerage products and services at wachoviasec.com, and investment products and services at evergreeninvestments.com. Wachovia had assets of $553.6 billion, market capitalization of $86.0 billion and stockholders’ equity of $48.9 billion at June 30, 2006.

The proposed merger with Golden West Financial Corporation (NYSE: GDW), parent of World Savings Bank, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006, pending regulatory approval. With this proposed merger, Wachovia would strengthen its position in California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey and New York, and enter attractive metropolitan areas in five additional states: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas and Nevada. The combined company would serve banking customers through 3,400 offices in 21 states and Washington, D.C. In addition, Wachovia would gain mortgage lending operations under the World Savings Bank name in 39 states.

About Golden West Financial Corporation

Headquartered in Oakland, California, Golden West is one of the nation’s largest financial institutions with assets over $125 billion as of July 31, 2006. Golden West has one of the most extensive thrift branch systems in the country, with 285 savings branches in 10 states and lending operations in 39 states. Golden West’s stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol GDW. Golden West investor information is available at www.gdw.com. Information about Golden West’s home loans and savings and checking accounts can be found at www.worldsavings.com and about its proprietary no-load mutual funds and annuities at www.atlasfunds.com.

Additional Information

Shareholders are urged to read the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC because they contain important information. You will be able to obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Wachovia and Golden West, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, at Wachovia’s website (http://www.wachovia.com) under the tab “Inside Wachovia - Investor Relations” and then under the heading “Financial Reports - SEC Filings”. Copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the SEC filings incorporated by reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to Wachovia Corporation, Investor Relations, One Wachovia Center, 301 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28288-0206, (704)-374-6782; or to Golden West, Investor Relations Department, 1901 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612, (510)-445-3420.



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