Wells Fargo wants mortgage customers who are late on payments to attend an event Wednesday or Thursday in St. Paul to see what can be done to avoid foreclosure.

The Wells Fargo Home Preservation Workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days at the RiverCentre. About 100 loan specialists will be on hand for one-on-one discussions with borrowers. It's possible for people to get their loans modified on the spot to make payments more manageable under the federal Home Affordable Modification program.

Letters went out to about 4,000 people across the metro area, inviting them to the event.

About 400 people have already registered; another 400 walk-ins are expected.

The event is for customers of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Wachovia Home Mortgage and Wells Fargo Home Equity who are delinquent on loans.

Those who attend are asked to bring mortgage papers and income and debt statements.

Wells Fargo, the state's largest mortgage lender, held workshops in four other cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago and Phoenix.

"It's part of ongoing efforts to try and do some good to help these homeowners," said Peggy Gunn, a Wells Fargo spokeswoman.

The lender has been sued by some U.S. cities over lending practices but, locally, St. Paul and Minneapolis have been working with Wells Fargo on various efforts to deal with the foreclosure crisis.

For this event, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman sent letters to 300 borrowers urging them to attend.

Borrowers who aren't Wells Fargo or Wachovia customers who need foreclosure counseling can call 651-659-9336 for help.

CHRIS HAVENS