Leading the way is Wells Fargo & Co., which plans its firstmajor expansion since its merger with Minneapolis-based NorwestCorp. in November 1998. The teaming has created a bankingpowerhouse in Colorado.

Wells Fargo plans to open nine banks in the metro area, now thatit has completed merging systems and services with Norwest and hastime to scout for locations.Development already has started for newsites in the Interlocken Business Park in Broomfield. It also plansnew sites in Aurora, Thornton and Highlands Ranch. In themountains, a new office is in the works for Breckenridge.

Competitor KeyBank plans to open a branch in Colorado Springsnext year. And Vectra Bank is looking to open branches in hotgrowth areas. such as the redevelopment of the former StapletonInternational Airport, along the US 36 corridor between Denver andBoulder and Interstate 25 between Lincoln Avenue and Castle Rock.Bank officials estimate each new branch will cost between $1million and $2 million, depending upon size and location