PRESS RELEASES

Media Contact (Richmond): Tony Mattera
(804) 787-6872

December 22, 2005
Kent Christian Joins Wachovia Securities

Richmond, Va., Dec. 21, 2005 -- Danny Ludeman, president and CEO of Wachovia Securities, LLC, announced today that Kent Christian has joined the firm as President of its Independent Brokerage Group. He was most recently Senior Vice President and head of National Sales for the Investment Management and Securities Divisions of Raymond James Financial Services. In his new role, Christian has executive responsibility for the division of Wachovia Securities that includes Wachovia Securities Financial Network -- a broker/dealer affiliate for independent representatives -- as well as the firm's Correspondent Client Group, Latin America Group and Discount and Online Brokerage Group.

As president of Wachovia Securities' Independent Brokerage Group, Christian will report to Ludeman and serve as a member of the brokerage firm's Operating Committee. Christian succeeds David Monday, who earlier this year was named Chief Growth and Productivity Officer and head of the firm's Individual Investor Group.

"We are extremely pleased that Kent Christian has joined Wachovia Securities to lead our Independent Brokerage Group," said Ludeman. "Kent is a highly experienced professional who brings talent, insight and understanding that will strengthen this important part of our organization and enhance our capacity to offer Financial Advisors and their clients choice and flexibility that is unparalleled in our industry."

Prior to joining Wachovia Securities, Christian was with Raymond James since 2003 and managed the activities of more than 4,300 financial advisors and independent sales associates. He spent the majority of his professional career with Bank of America Corp., serving in various leadership and management capacities in investment and securities areas of that company and its predecessors.

Christian is a graduate of Duke University. Currently a resident of Tampa, Fla., Christian and his family will relocate to Richmond, Va., headquarters city of Wachovia Securities, LLC.

The Independent Brokerage Group of Wachovia Securities is one of three main brokerage business units within the firm. The others are the Private Client Group, in which Financial Advisors serve clients in a traditional brokerage firm model, and the Investment Services Group, through which Wachovia Securities advisors provide advice and brokerage services primarily to customers of Wachovia Bank.

The nation's third largest full service retail brokerage firm with more than $680 billion in client assets, Wachovia Securities provides financial advisory, brokerage, asset management and other financial services through more than 10,400 registered representatives in more than 2,800 locations nationwide.* Wachovia Securities is the trade name used by two separate, registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wachovia Corporation providing certain retail securities brokerage services: Wachovia Securities, LLC, member NYSE/SIPC, and Wachovia Securities Financial Network, LLC, member NASD/SIPC

*As of 9/30/2005.