SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Wells Fargo says it is acquiring Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia in an all-stock transaction worth about $15 billion, as Wachovia ends talks with rival suitor Citigroup.

The deal announced Friday comes amid a turbulent time for banks and financial firms as they grapple with the ongoing credit crisis, which led to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings and the failure of Washington Mutual.

Wachovia shareholders will receive 0.1991 shares of Wells Fargo for every share of Wachovia stock they own, valuing Wachovia Corp. at about $7 per share.

Wells Fargo & Co. will record merger and integration charges of about $10 billion, but says it expects earnings to be boosted within the first year after the acquisition closes. No government assistance is part of the deal terms.