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Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form

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Power of Attorney (POA)

Complete this durable Power of Attorney (POA) form to designate a person(s) as attorney-in-fact. A POA may not be used to establish an attorney-in-fact on a custodial, estate, or guardianship account. If you have questions or would like help completing this form, call a Wells Fargo Advisor Financial Consultant at 1-800-368-1230, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Time.

This Power of Attorney is:

NOTE: A durable Power of Attorney will continue even if you become incapacitated. A non-durable Power of Attorney will terminate at such time as we receive actual notice of your incapacitation.

Notice to Person Executing Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is an important legal document. By signing the Power of Attorney, you are authorizing another person to act for you, the principal. Before you sign this Power of Attorney, you should know these important facts:

Your agent (attorney-in-fact) has no duty to act unless you and your agent agree otherwise in writing.

This document gives your agent the powers to manage, dispose of, sell, and convey your personal property, and to use your property as security if your agent borrows money on your behalf. This document does not give your agent the power to accept or receive any of your property, in trust or otherwise, as a gift, unless you specifically authorize the agent to accept or receive a gift.

Your agent will have the right to receive reasonable payment for services provided under this Power of Attorney unless you provide otherwise in this Power of Attorney.

The powers you give your agent will continue to exist for your entire lifetime, unless (a) you state that the Power of Attorney will last for a shorter period of time, (b) you terminate the Power of Attorney (effective when we receive written notice from you), or (c) for a non-durable Power of Attorney, you become incapacitated (effective when we receive written notice of your incapacitation). The powers you give your agent in a durable Power of Attorney will continue to exist notwithstanding your subsequent disability or incapacity. In other words, the powers you give your agent in a durable Power of Attorney will continue to exist even if you can no longer make your own decisions respecting the management of your property.

You can amend or change this Power of Attorney only by executing a new Power of Attorney or by executing an amendment through the same formalities as an original. You have the right to revoke or terminate this Power of Attorney at any time. However, you retain this right for a durable Power of Attorney only so long as you are competent. A non-durable Power of Attorney will automatically terminate at such time as we receive written notice of your incapacitation.

This Power of Attorney must be dated and must be acknowledged before a notary public.

You should read this Power of Attorney carefully. When effective, this Power of Attorney will give your agent the right to deal with property that you now have or might acquire in the future. The Power of Attorney is important to you. If you do not understand the Power of Attorney, or any provision of it, then you should obtain the assistance of an attorney or other qualified person.

Notice to Person Accepting the Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact

By acting or agreeing to act as the agent (attorney-in-fact) under this Power of Attorney you assume the fiduciary and other legal responsibilities of an agent. These responsibilities include:

1. The legal duty to act solely in the interest of the principal and to avoid conflicts of interest.

2. The legal duty to keep the principal’s property separate and distinct from any other property owned or controlled by you.

You may not transfer the principal’s property to yourself without full and adequate consideration or accept a gift of the principal’s property unless this Power of Attorney specifically authorizes you to transfer property to yourself or accept a gift of the principal’s property. If you transfer the principal’s property to yourself without specific authorization in the Power of Attorney, you may be prosecuted for fraud and/or embezzlement. If the principal is 65 years of age or older at the time that the property is transferred to you without authority, you may also be prosecuted for elder abuse under California Penal Code Section 368. In addition to criminal prosecution, you may also be sued in civil court.

I have read the foregoing notice and I understand the legal and fiduciary duties that I assume by acting or agreeing to act as the agent (attorney-in-fact) under the terms of this Power of Attorney.

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2 NOTICES

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3 ACCOUNT INFORMATION (PLEASE PRINT)

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4 DESIGNATION OF ATTORNEY(S)-IN-FACT

I, , hereby appoint (hereinafter referred to as “Agent”), to act for me as my agent and attorney-in-fact for the “Account(s),” defined as the accounts listed in section 3, which may include a retirement account such as an IRA, Qualified Retirement Plan (QRP) and or SEP IRA account (retirement accounts collectively referred to as “Retirement Account”).

I authorize Agent to act for me and on my behalf in the same manner and with the same force and effect as if I were acting with respect to such transactions as set forth below and all things necessary or incidental thereto:

• Buy, sell, redeem, exchange, assign, or otherwise transfer to dispose of mutual fund shares, change my dividend and distribution options, direct and receive disbursements, and exercise any/all investment powers available under my Account(s);

• Receive account statements and act with respect to them;

• Endorse and cash or deposit checks payable to me; open other accounts in my name alone or together with my Agent; and make, execute and deliver any and all written instruments necessary to effectuate the powers conferred herein;

• Do any other lawful act with respect to my Account(s).

• If a Retirement Account is listed as one of my Account(s), then in addition to the other powers specified herein, make contributions on my behalf; select any distribution option or change the payment options I have selected; make rollovers or transfers to or from my Retirement Account, up to and including the total amount of such account; exercise the investment powers available under the Retirement Account as specified herein, including the purchase or sale of mutual fund shares held in the Retirement Account on my behalf.

I agree that any third party may act under this Power of Attorney, whether durable or non-durable, without further inquiry or investigation and regardless of the date of such authorization. I hereby ratify and confirm any and all transactions heretofore and hereafter made by Agent pursuant to this Power of Attorney for my Account(s). I agree this Power of Attorney is governed by applicable California law.

I, for myself and my heirs, executors, legal representatives and assigns, hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, the transfer agent for Wells Fargo Advantage FundsSM, and any and all affiliated or non-affiliated third parties from and against any and all claims that may arise against such third party by reason of any action or inaction by such third party having relied on this Power of Attorney, and to pay such third party promptly on demand, for any and all losses arising out of any act by Agent under this Power of Attorney. This indemnification and hold harmless provision shall survive any termination of this Power of Attorney.

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NOTE: The signature of the Account Holder(s) must be notarized.

On this day of , 20 , before me personally appeared personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.

6 THE USA PATRIOT ACT OF 2001

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

In compliance with the USA Patriot Act of 2001, all financial institutions are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account or is granted authority to act on an account.

What this means: As you are being named Agent to act on the above-referenced Account(s), we must ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure your identity as required by the USA Patriot Act. The bolded items below must be completed.

Being duly sworn and deposed, I affirm that:

did,

on this day of , 20 , appoint me his/her/their true and lawful Agent by the foregoing instrument hereby made a part hereof. I further certify, under penalty of perjury, that the personal information I have provided above is true and accurate.

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for the Wells Fargo Advisor program.

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What the Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form Is

The Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form is a bank-specific authorization that allows a customer (the principal) to appoint another person or entity (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on their behalf for Wells Fargo accounts and services. Typical uses include managing bank accounts, making deposits and withdrawals, handling bill payments, and accessing account information. The form can be limited to specific accounts or powers, or durable to remain effective if the principal becomes incapacitated. Banks may require notarization or other identity verification before accepting a completed form.

Why You Might Use a Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form

A Wells Fargo Power of Attorney centralizes account management when the principal cannot act, avoids repeated in-person authorizations, and creates a clear, bank-recognized record of designated authority. It is commonly used for aging customers, business owners, and people planning for incapacity.

Why You Might Use a Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form

Who Typically Completes This Form

The Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form is completed by individuals and entities that need someone else to manage banking relationships.

  • Individual account holders who expect temporary absence or want a trusted person to manage finances.
  • Business owners who authorize employees, partners, or registered agents to act on company accounts.
  • Caregivers or family members handling finances for elderly or incapacitated principals.

Choose the profile that matches your situation to determine form options and authentication needs.

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form

Follow these steps in order to complete the form accurately and meet bank authentication requirements.

  • 01
    Gather IDs: Collect government IDs for principal and agent before beginning.
  • 02
    Specify Accounts: List account numbers and types to ensure correct coverage.
  • 03
    Define Powers: Choose limited or broad powers and describe them clearly.
  • 04
    Sign and Authenticate: Sign in front of required witness or notary, per bank instructions.

Where to Submit the Completed Form

After completion, route the form to the appropriate destination depending on whether you need bank acceptance, recording, or internal retention.

  • Submit to Bank: Hand in at a Wells Fargo branch or deliver to the account services team.
  • Notary Acknowledgement: Obtain notarization if the bank requires it before submission.
  • Record with County: Record only if the POA conveys or affects real property interests.
  • Distribute Copies: Provide copies to agent, bank representative, and attorney if applicable.

Options for Digital Completion and eSubmission

Banks increasingly accept electronically completed forms but requirements vary by institution and state.

  • Integrations: PDF, DOCX; integrates with common systems like Salesforce and NetSuite
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or higher-assurance methods for identity proofing
  • Notarization: In-person notarization or RON where state law and bank policy allow

How to Customize an Online Workflow for This Form

Set up a repeatable online workflow to collect signatures, verify identity, and retain records securely.

Field Configuration
Signers Add agent and principal email addresses with signing order
Authentication Require email or SMS code; enable KBA if needed
Notarization Select remote or in-person notarization option per state
Templates Save a verified template for recurring use

Comparing eSignature Vendors for Bank POA Workflows

Basic vendor comparisons focus on per-user pricing, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA support, and envelope or usage caps.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Required Information Checklist

Principal Name: Exact legal name
Agent Name: Full legal name and contact
Account Details: Account numbers and types
Scope of Powers: Specific authorities listed
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Authentication: Notary or witness info

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Preparing the Form

  • Using informal or nickname versions of legal names, which can cause banks to reject the form and delay account access.
  • Failing to notarize or witness where state law or bank policy requires it, resulting in non-acceptance by the bank.
  • Listing vague powers such as 'handle banking matters' without specifying account numbers or transaction types, creating ambiguity.
  • Not distributing copies to the bank, agent, and legal counsel so third parties are unaware of the agent’s authority.

Key Risks and Consequences of Errors

Invalid Authority: Form defects can void agent powers
Account Freeze: Banks may restrict access pending verification
Financial Loss: Unauthorized actions risk loss or fraud
Tax Exposure: Agent actions may create reporting obligations
Legal Disputes: Errors increase litigation risk
Revocation Issues: Improper revocation may leave residual authority

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Adopt a checklist approach and confirm bank-specific requirements before signature to reduce rework and ensure immediate acceptance.

Verify Names and IDs
Match all names to government-issued identification documents and enter them consistently across the form, bank account records, and any attached attachments to avoid processing delays.
Be Specific About Powers
List accounts by number and describe permitted activities in detail—such as deposit, withdrawal, and closing authority—to limit disputes over scope and bank interpretation.
Confirm Bank Policy
Contact the Wells Fargo branch or account representative to confirm acceptable notarization, witness, and electronic submission methods before signing.
Keep Originals and Distribute Copies
Store the original signed and notarized document securely and provide certified copies to the agent, the bank, and legal counsel for recordkeeping.

Real-World Scenarios for Using a Bank POA

Below are two concise examples that illustrate common, practical uses of a Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form.

Elder Care Management

An aging principal appoints a trusted child to pay recurring bills and manage direct debits

  • Agent accesses online statements and schedules bill payments
  • The POA reduces missed payments, centralizes oversight, and allows the bank to communicate directly with the agent on account questions.

Business Banking Delegate

A small business owner names a manager to handle payroll deposits and vendor payments during travel

  • Agent is limited to specific business accounts only
  • This prevents operational interruptions while preserving owner control for major decisions.

Key Timing Considerations and Processing Expectations

Certain timing milestones affect when agent authority begins and how quickly the bank will act on submitted forms.

Effective Date:

Date when the POA becomes active

Notarization Date:

Date of notary acknowledgement, if required

Bank Processing:

Processing may take several business days

Recording Date:

If recorded, county processing times vary

Revocation Notice:

Provide written notice to bank to revoke

Frequently Asked Questions About the Wells Fargo Power of Attorney Form

Answers to common questions about validity, notarization, electronic signing, and revocation of a bank power of attorney.


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