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Cooke & Bieler Selects Wells Fargo to Adopt The Cooke & Bieler Funds

Effective at the close of business on July 23, 2004, the C&B Portfolios' have joined the Wells Fargo Funds family.  For more information about Wells Fargo Funds, you may visit their Web site at www.wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

 

WELLS FARGO FUNDS MANAGEMENT, LLC COMPLETES ADOPTION OF COOKE & BIELER FUNDS

SAN FRANCISCO, July 23, 2004 – Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC – part of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) – has completed the adoption of all three Cooke & Bieler mutual funds, whose assets totaled $589 million as of June 30, 2004.

Philadelphia-based Cooke & Bieler and Wells Fargo Funds Management announced a definitive agreement for the transaction in early June 2004.

Through a sub-advisory agreement with Wells Fargo Funds Management, Cooke & Bieler will continue to be responsible for the investment management of the three adopted mutual funds, which have been renamed as:

§         Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value FundSM

§         Wells Fargo C&B Mid Cap Value FundSM

§         Wells Fargo C&B Tax-Managed Value FundSM

Shareholders of the former Cooke & Bieler Funds will enjoy the same investment strategy and discipline that has established Cooke & Bieler’s 50-year-old reputation as a value-style equity manager. In addition, shareholders now will have access to an even wider array of investment options and financial services through Wells Fargo.

"We are pleased to welcome the Cooke & Bieler shareholders into the Wells Fargo Funds family. With the new Wells Fargo C&B Funds, we’re able to offer all our shareholders an extensive selection of investment capabilities and products to meet their increasingly sophisticated financial needs,” said Karla Rabusch, President of Wells Fargo Funds.The addition of these value-style equity funds nicely rounds out the investment capabilities of Wells Fargo Funds by complementing our strengths in our fixed-income, growth-style equity, emerging markets, asset allocation and money market products.”

“In working with Wells Fargo, we have been impressed with their commitment to satisfy the financial needs of their clients.  Our shareholders will enjoy even broader client services and investment opportunities through Wells Fargo Funds,” said Kermit Eck, a managing partner at Cooke & Bieler. “We’re also excited that this partnership allows us to extend our portfolio management experience and capabilities to a much larger investment audience.”

Cooke & Bieler is a conservative value manager of equity portfolios whose investment goal is to provide superior long-term returns in a low-risk manner.  Key to the company’s “high quality, low risk” philosophy is its emphasis on investing in high quality companies that are distinguished by sound financial health, strong profitability, effective management, and the demonstrated ability to consistently deliver above-average earnings and dividend growth.

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC is the investment advisor to Wells Fargo Funds. The Fund company is the 28th largest mutual fund manager in the U.S., with over $76 billion in mutual fund assets under management, as of June 30, 2004.  

        NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE

 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds®. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide sub-advisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Stephens Inc., Member NYSE/SIPC. Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates are not affiliated with Stephens Inc.  

For more information, please call 1-800-222-8222

Mutual fund investing involves risk, including loss of principal.  This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.  Investors in the Wells Fargo Advantage C&B Funds should read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.  To view or download the prospectus, which contains information on the Fund's objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses, please visit www.wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com/wfweb/wf/funds/reports.jsp.