Bank Merger Talks Gaining Momentum

First Interstate Bancorp and Wells Fargo & Co. negotiated feverishly Tuesday to turn Wells Fargo’s once-hostile takeover offer, now valued at $11.56 billion, into a merger creating the nation’s eighth-largest bank.

“You want to make sure you don’t drag things out, that you get on with life,” one source close to the talks said.

“I’d be surprised if something didn’t happen before week’s end. It’s looking good,” said another. But he cautioned that a deal has not been completed.