New Wells Fargo/Gallup Poll: Anti-Terrorist Security Measures Not Major Financial Concern for Small Business Owners First Quarterly Issue Survey Reveals Little Financial Burden, Some Operational Impact from Anti-Terrorism Measures SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The financial impact of terrorism fears may not have dealt American small business as severe a blow as once feared, with 70 percent of small business owners saying they have felt no financial impact from increased security measures. The results are part of the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, which measures business confidence and overall market conditions. Sponsored by Wells Fargo, the nation's leading small business lender, and conducted by the Gallup Organization, the Small Business Index provides insight into the views of U.S. small business owners. The new index includes the first quarterly issue survey, Report on the Impact of Anti-Terrorist Security Measures on America's Small Businesses. "We're very encouraged to see that small business owners are not experiencing a significant financial burden from changes in security measures as a result of terrorism," said Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, executive vice president and Small Business Segment Manager for Wells Fargo. "Given that the future of our economy is tied to the success of the small business sector, the results from the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index are another indication that small businesses are resilient and will continue to be a key driver of our economy in both robust and tough times." The Index indicates that small companies investing in security improvements did not find them to be a major capital expense. One in four of the small business owners surveyed indicated that increased security measures have had only a minor negative impact on their companies, with only 2 percent claiming major negative impacts. The Index shows how business owners invested in their immediate protection needs. Only 17 percent of small business owners said they have upgraded security measures for their employees; 28 percent said they upgraded security for data and records. The expense in both instances was perceived as a minor one by surveyed owners. However, while the expense of security improvements was not identified as a financial burden, a significant minority of small business owners said terrorist threats have had a negative impact on other aspects of their business. Almost one in three said security has had a negative impact on the cost of business travel; 18 percent indicating a negative impact on its frequency. Similarly, 17 percent also reported a negative impact on both their access to customers and on freight shipping times. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $391 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance from more than 5,900 stores, the Internet (wellsfargo.com) and other distribution channels across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only "Aaa"-rated bank in the United States. Providing financial products and services to more than one million businesses with annual sales up to $20 million in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, Wells Fargo is the #1 lender to small businesses in the United States in total dollar volume. Wells Fargo ranks 2nd nationally in total dollar volume of SBA loans, 3rd in total SBA loans. An SBA Preferred Lender in 28 states and the District of Columbia, Wells Fargo originated 3,181 SBA loans totaling $473 million for the twelve months ending September 30, 2003. Speer & Associates rated the wellsfargo.com small business site the best online banking site for small business customers in 2002 (wellsfargo.com/biz). Its targeted business services programs provide outreach and education to women, African American, Latino, and Asian business owners about financial services. Since 1995, Wells Fargo has loaned more than $18 billion to women and minority business owners. About the Gallup Organization For more than 60 years, the Gallup Organization has been a recognized leader in the measurement and analysis of people's attitudes, opinions and behavior. While best known for the Gallup Poll, founded in 1935, Gallup's current activities consist largely of providing marketing and management research, advisory services and education to the world's largest corporations and institutions. DATASOURCE: Wells Fargo & Company CONTACT: Matt Hurwitz of Wells Fargo & Company, +1-415-222-1679, or Web site: http://www.wellsfargo.com/

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