Wells Fargo snaps up first security.

• Position: Top Mergers & Acquisitions

In March 2000, First Security Corporation was left hanging after a merger with Zions Bancorporation, 10 months in the works, fell through. The Zions merger was put on hold I one week before it was expected to take place. Spencer Eccles, former First Security CEO, had hoped to work out a merger of equals, keeping the First Security name alive. Zions shareholders backed out after seeing First Security stock falling.

Less than two weeks later, Wells Fargo swept up the deal and announced a First Security merger on April 10, 2000. Wells Fargo paid for the corporation with $2.9 billion in stock. Under the deal. First Security stockholders got.355 of a share of Wells Fargo stock for each First Security stock.

With $23 billion in assets, 333 branches and 9,600 employees at...