More than 90 people are about to lose their jobs in Reading.

The layoffs affect those who work for Wells Fargo. The company said it will start making the cuts in mid-October.

Before layoffs happen, typically companies inform the city ahead of time.

Reading's mayor said another 92 jobs lost is tough on a city with a 14.5% unemployment rate.

He said it will hurt those individuals and it will hurt the business those people bring to Reading just by going to work every day.

"It always affects the downtown businesses, certainly restaurants will be affected and the parking authority," said Mayor Tom McMahon. "The parking revenue decreases when that happens."

McMahon said he contacted Wells Fargo directly when he received word of the layoffs.

"I've been assured by Wells Fargo people that they're going to do everything possible to find locations and other opportunities for those folks, whether it be operations in the city or at other Wells Fargo locations," said McMahon.

Wells Fargo also indicated to McMahon that 25 of the employees live in the city.

The company said it decided to reduce staff because of duplication of jobs since the merger with Wachovia. We're told the employees underwrote loans and performed collections.

"I also have every reason to believe that the banks coming in will see the value of these folks and go after them and say we might have position for you," McMahon said. "I hope that happens."

The mayor said in this economy there is only so much that can be done.

"At the same time, we know we'll do everything we can to try to replace jobs for those folks, but right now it's a very tough environment," he said.