Chase is opening a total of 20 new branches in California, four of which are in the greater Los Angeles area, said company spokesperson Gary Kishner. J.P Morgan Chase & Co. acquired Washington Mutual (WaMu) in September 2008, the latter of which had a total of 708 branches in California and 87 local branches. The company laid off 3,200 workers in California following the acquisition. But it also announced plans to spend $300 million to overhaul former WaMu locations and $75 million to open new branches. As of March 30, all WaMu branches were re-branded. Chase is still re-furbishing former WaMu buildings statewide. Kishner said Chase is focusing on small and large business banking, private banking and consumer banking. Wells Fargo merged with Wachovia Corp. at the end of 2008. Details of how the institutions will be integrated are still being worked out, said Well's local spokesperson Pia Hahn.