Wells Fargo said today it will close 25 of Wachovia’s retail locations in Orange County, merging operations with nearby offices often within a mile of each other. The company said it does not plan to cut jobs. Statewide the bank will close 101 Wachovia locations and 21 Wells branches. Courtesy: Bloomberg Wells plans to complete the integration of Wachovia in April 2010, putting all locations under the Wells name. Until then, branches will operate as normal, the bank said. Hector Retta, regional president for Wells in Orange County, said when the process is done there will be 106 branches of Wells Fargo in the county, making Wells the biggest player here by that measure. He said Bank of America is likely to remain the largest by deposits. “The real beneficiary is the customer; they will have more options,” Retta said. “I think we all benefit from a competitive environment.” Wells bought troubled Wachovia last year as the rival suffered from losses on exotic home loans. For more about the ups and downs at Wells Fargo and Wachovia click HERE or HERE.

Read more here – Wells Fargo to close dozens of Wachovia’s O.C. branches