Wachovia stockholders were left with more questions than answers Friday as details of a second offer to acquire the Charlotte-based bank unfurled.

Just a year ago, Wachovia stock was trading near $50 a share, but by Friday, the $7-a-share buyout offer from Wells Fargo was looking like quite a deal -- especially compared with the $1 a share Citigroup is offering.

But as the banks and the U.S. government weighed in on the two offers, shareholders were left with little information.

"I don't understand why everything's wishy-washy," said Floye Dombalis, who began investing in Wachovia with her husband in the 1960s.

Over the decades, the Dombalises bought thousands of shares of Wachovia, and at the moment, Floye Dombalis said she'd much rather take $7 than $1 per share.

"I'll take all the positive signs that I can," she said.

Triangle brokers spent much of the week fielding calls from concerned Wachovia stockholders and potential buyers looking for a bargain.

"The other day, I had people calling in wanting to buy Wachovia because they thought it was only $1," said Sarah Place, CEO of Place Trade Financial, with two offices in Raleigh.

"There's a lot of frustration and uncertainty today. People are just unsure."

Regardless of which company ends up buying Wachovia, changes in the Triangle will likely be minimal. Both Citi and Wells Fargo have minimal presence here, meaning there wouldn't be a lot of overlap of employees or facilities.

Still, whatever happens, the decision is likely to affect thousands of investors in North Carolina, where the stock is widely held -- a throwback to the days when the company was the gold standard in banking and also a result of the many mergers that built the bank.

"So many of these older clients have owned Wachovia for so long," said Frank Smith, a Raleigh financial planner. "For a lot of folks, it's almost like having a grandchild or something. It's a core holding, and safety is one of the reasons it's been a core holding. It's a shocking thing for all of us to go through."

Most clients didn't want to sell right away, he said.

"And thank goodness, because along comes Wells Fargo to save the day," Smith said. "They've got a wonderful reputation, whereas Citibank has had numerous ethical issues over the years and a series of blowups."

Smith called several clients Friday to ensure they had heard about the Wells Fargo offer.

"Generally speaking," he said, "my clients are greatly relieved not only by the higher price but by the prospect of a higher quality buyer. ... This is much better for everyone. It's better for the state, I believe."

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