Wachovia Corp. reported a $24 billion loss Wednesday as it took a goodwill impairment charge of nearly $19 billion ahead of its acquisition by Wells Fargo.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based bank reported a loss after paying preferred dividends of $23.89 billion, or $11.18 per share, in the period ended Sept. 30, compared with earnings of $1.62 billion, or 85 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding goodwill impairment of $18.7 billion and merger and restructuring expense of $414 million, the bank lost $4.76 billion, or $2.23 per share.