Wells Fargo Hands Santos Sole Control of Consumer Bank

Wells Fargo has named Kleber Santos chief executive of its Consumer Banking and Lending (CBL) division, allowing co-CEO Saul Van Beurden to focus exclusively on artificial intelligence across the US's fourth-largest bank.

The changes, announced October 22, take effect immediately. Santos will oversee consumer deposits, credit cards, business banking and auto lending, while Van Beurden will lead the South Dakota-based bank’s efforts to scale AI adoption across its operations.

The executives have served in a joint leadership agreement as co-CEOs of the division since its formation in November 2025, when Wells Fargo combined its consumer banking and lending businesses. Van Beurden took on responsibility for AI at the same time, and this latest move has separated the two roles.

Van Beurden will work with technology chief Bridget Engle and business leaders to drive AI implementation and strengthen partnerships with technology companies. Both executives will continue to report to chairman and CEO Charlie Scharf and remain members of the bank’s Operating Committee.

“Kleber and Saul have built strong momentum in both areas, and having each focus fully on these priorities will help us accelerate that progress,” Scharf said.

Wells Fargo has been expanding its use of AI tools across the business. In November 2025, the bank said it had trained more than 90,000 employees in AI and deployed tools to more than 180,000 desktops.

Scharf added that AI had evolved from assisting programmers to autonomous agents that could boost branch revenue, accelerate marketing, identify cyber vulnerabilities, and simplify risk management.