Who is Wells Fargo Bank right for?
Wells Fargo Bank is right for you if you need a bank branch you can easily visit in person. Their notary service has come in handy for me, and because the bank has one of the largest branch networks in the country with over 5,600 locations, I appreciate feeling like I can always find a bank to help if I need it.
Wells Fargo also provides personalized service for high-net-worth clients, and its top-rated app makes performing account functions easy for customers with any checking or savings accounts.
However, if you're looking for a fee-free option that doesn't make you jump through hoops to avoid being charged each month, if you want a reasonable savings account interest rate, or if you want a bank that hasn't had problems with violating consumer protection laws, you may wish to look elsewhere.
Wells Fargo Checking
Unlike many competitors, including Ally and SoFi® that have no minimum deposit requirements and promise not to have excessive fees, Wells Fargo accounts come with a lot of costs.1 <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p> There's a minimum deposit needed to open any of their checking accounts, and a monthly account maintenance fee applies as well.
Checking account | Minimum to open | Monthly account fee |
Clear Access Banking | $25.00 | $5.00 |
Everyday Checking | $25.00 | $102 <p>The Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account monthly service fee is $10. Minimum opening deposit is $25. The monthly service fee can be avoided with one of the following each fee period:</p> <ul> <li>$500 minimum daily balance.</li> <li>$500 or more in total qualifying electronic deposits.</li> <ul> <li>A qualifying electronic deposit is a deposit of funds, such as your salary, government benefit payment, or other income, that has posted to your account and is (1) a direct deposit made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, (2) an instant payment processed through the RTP® network (real-time payment system) or FedNow℠ Service, or (3) an electronic credit from a third party service that facilitates payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network (e.g., an Original Credit Transaction).</li> <li>Transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, Zelle®, or deposits made at a branch or ATM are not considered a qualifying electronic deposit.</li> </ul> <li>Primary account owner is 17 – 24 years old. (When the primary account owner reaches the age of 25, age can no longer be used to avoid the monthly service fee.)</li> <li>Linked to a Wells Fargo Campus ATM Card or Campus Debit Card.</li> <ul> <li>Eligibility is based on university and college participation in the Wells Fargo Campus Card℠ program. Ask a banker or visit <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/debit-card/campus-card/">wellsfargo.com/campuscard</a> for additional details.</li> </ul> <li>A qualifying monthly non-civilian military direct deposit with the Wells Fargo Worldwide Military Banking program.</li> <ul> <li>You will receive your Worldwide Military Banking program benefits 45 days after your qualifying non-civilian military direct deposit is deposited into your eligible Wells Fargo checking account. For more information on the qualifying non-civilian military direct deposit, program qualifications and benefits, please visit <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/military/worldwide-military-banking">wellsfargo.com/military/worldwide-military-banking</a> or <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures">wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures</a>.</li> </ul> </ul> |
Prime Checking | $25.00 | $25.00 |
Premier Checking | $25.00 | $35.003 <p>The Premier Checking account has a $35 monthly service fee. The fee can be avoided each period with $250,000 or more in statement-ending qualifying linked accounts.</p> |
While these fees can sometimes be waived, doing so usually requires things like large monthly direct deposits or large minimum balances in order to avoid the added charge.
Clear Access Banking
Monthly account fee: $5.00
APY: N/A
Clear Access Banking is primarily designed for young people. There are no overdraft fees, and the account is open to individuals 13 years of age and older. However, you must be at least 18 years old to open an account online or 13-16 to apply with an adult co-owner. You also must make a $25 minimum deposit to get started.
While the Clear Access Banking fee is $5, this fee can be waived if the primary account holder is under 24 or if a qualifying monthly non-civilian military direct deposit is made through the Wells Fargo Military Banking Program. The fee is also waivable for those with a Campus ATM or Debit Card, but no new Campus cards are being issued after May 1, 2025.
Unfortunately, you cannot write checks out of this account, although you can deposit them. You'll also owe a $3 fee for withdrawals from a non-Wells Fargo ATM in the U.S. or $5 from a foreign ATM while abroad.
Everyday Checking
Monthly account fee: $10.002 <p>The Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account monthly service fee is $10. Minimum opening deposit is $25. The monthly service fee can be avoided with one of the following each fee period:</p>
<ul>
<li>$500 minimum daily balance.</li>
<li>$500 or more in total qualifying electronic deposits.</li>
<ul>
<li>A qualifying electronic deposit is a deposit of funds, such as your salary, government benefit payment, or other income, that has posted to your account and is (1) a direct deposit made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, (2) an instant payment processed through the RTP® network (real-time payment system) or FedNow℠ Service, or (3) an electronic credit from a third party service that facilitates payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network (e.g., an Original Credit Transaction).</li>
<li>Transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, Zelle®, or deposits made at a branch or ATM are not considered a qualifying electronic deposit.</li>
</ul>
<li>Primary account owner is 17 – 24 years old. (When the primary account owner reaches the age of 25, age can no longer be used to avoid the monthly service fee.)</li>
<li>Linked to a Wells Fargo Campus ATM Card or Campus Debit Card.</li>
<ul>
<li>Eligibility is based on university and college participation in the Wells Fargo Campus Card℠ program. Ask a banker or visit <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/debit-card/campus-card/">wellsfargo.com/campuscard</a> for additional details.</li>
</ul>
<li>A qualifying monthly non-civilian military direct deposit with the Wells Fargo Worldwide Military Banking program.</li>
<ul>
<li>You will receive your Worldwide Military Banking program benefits 45 days after your qualifying non-civilian military direct deposit is deposited into your eligible Wells Fargo checking account. For more information on the qualifying non-civilian military direct deposit, program qualifications and benefits, please visit <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/military/worldwide-military-banking">wellsfargo.com/military/worldwide-military-banking</a> or <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures">wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures</a>.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
APY: N/A
Wells Fargo describes Everyday Checking as its "most flexible" option because it provides access to digital payments and the ability to write checks. It comes with the standard bank account features you'd expect with $0 fees for Wells Fargo ATMs and the ability to manage your account on the full-feature mobile app.
However, Everyday Checking has a $10 monthly fee2 <p>The Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account monthly service fee is $10. Minimum opening deposit is $25. The monthly service fee can be avoided with one of the following each fee period:</p> <ul> <li>$500 minimum daily balance.</li> <li>$500 or more in total qualifying electronic deposits.</li> <ul> <li>A qualifying electronic deposit is a deposit of funds, such as your salary, government benefit payment, or other income, that has posted to your account and is (1) a direct deposit made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, (2) an instant payment processed through the RTP® network (real-time payment system) or FedNow℠ Service, or (3) an electronic credit from a third party service that facilitates payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network (e.g., an Original Credit Transaction).</li> <li>Transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, Zelle®, or deposits made at a branch or ATM are not considered a qualifying electronic deposit.</li> </ul> <li>Primary account owner is 17 – 24 years old. (When the primary account owner reaches the age of 25, age can no longer be used to avoid the monthly service fee.)</li> <li>Linked to a Wells Fargo Campus ATM Card or Campus Debit Card.</li> <ul> <li>Eligibility is based on university and college participation in the Wells Fargo Campus Card℠ program. Ask a banker or visit <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/debit-card/campus-card/">wellsfargo.com/campuscard</a> for additional details.</li> </ul> <li>A qualifying monthly non-civilian military direct deposit with the Wells Fargo Worldwide Military Banking program.</li> <ul> <li>You will receive your Worldwide Military Banking program benefits 45 days after your qualifying non-civilian military direct deposit is deposited into your eligible Wells Fargo checking account. For more information on the qualifying non-civilian military direct deposit, program qualifications and benefits, please visit <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/military/worldwide-military-banking">wellsfargo.com/military/worldwide-military-banking</a> or <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures">wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures</a>.</li> </ul> </ul> you can waive only if you have one of the following each fee period.
- A $500 minimum daily balance
- $500 per month in direct deposits
- A qualifying non-civilian military direct deposit
- A Campus ATM or Debit Card (neither of which are being issued after May 1, 2025).
This fee is also waived when the primary account holder is aged 17 to 24. Unfortunately, like all Wells Fargo checking accounts, you'll also need to put in at least $25 to get started. You're also at risk of overdraft fees of $35 per item, and you aren't reimbursed anything for foreign ATM fees.
Prime Checking
Monthly account fee: $25
APY: 0.01% (as of 05/03/25)
The Wells Fargo Prime Checking account comes with a $25 monthly fee that can be avoided only if you have $20,000 or more in statement qualifying balances on linked accounts. In exchange for paying a high fee or tying up money in qualifying accounts, you get to earn 0.01% (as of 05/03/25) APY on your checking account balance.
There's a $25 minimum deposit required, overdraft fees may be charged (although you can opt into overdraft protection), and you qualify for a reimbursement of one domestic and one international foreign ATM fee per fee period. On the upside, you also get free Wells Fargo personal wallet checks.
Premier Checking
Monthly account fee: $353 <p>The Premier Checking account has a $35 monthly service fee. The fee can be avoided each period with $250,000 or more in statement-ending qualifying linked accounts.</p>
APY: 0.01% (as of 4/25/25)
Wells Fargo Premier Checking has a monthly fee of $35 that can be waived only with $250,000 in statement-ending qualified linked accounts.3 <p>The Premier Checking account has a $35 monthly service fee. The fee can be avoided each period with $250,000 or more in statement-ending qualifying linked accounts.</p>
You will earn a 0.01% (as of 4/25/25) APY on money in your checking account, and you do qualify for some extra benefits, including preferred rates on CDs and savings accounts as well as special credit card reward bonuses due to the substantial amount of money you have with Wells Fargo.
Unfortunately, overdrafts are a risk here, too, unless you sign up for overdraft protection. As we've noted, this account is best for high net-worth individuals. It even gives you unlimited reimbursement of foreign ATM fees worldwide as well as free cashier's checks and money orders.
Wells Fargo Savings
Wells Fargo offers several savings accounts, but they come with APYs that are lower than what you might find elsewhere and carry monthly account fees that you would need to work to waive. The table below provides more details.
Savings account | Minimum to open | Monthly account fee | APY |
Way2Save® Savings | $25.00 | $5.00 | 0.01% (as of 05/03/25) |
Platinum Savings | $25.00 | $12.00 | 0.01%-2.51% (as of 05/03/25) |
Certificates of Deposit | $2,500 | None | 1.50%-4.26% (as of 07/07/25) |
Way2Save® Savings
Monthly account fee: $5.00
APY: 0.01% (as of 05/03/25)
Way2Save® requires you to pay a $5 monthly service fee unless you have one of the following in each fee period.
- Maintain a $300 minimum daily balance
- Make one automatic transfer each fee period of $25 or more from a linked Wells Fargo account or one automatic transfer each business day within the fee period of $1 or more
- Make one or more Save As You Go transfers from a linked Wells Fargo checking account
The fee is also waived if the primary account holder is 24 or under.
This account's best feature is the Save As You Go® automatic transfer option, which transfers $1 from your linked checking to your savings account each time you use your debit card or complete a bill pay transaction. This automated savings helps your account grow.
Platinum Savings
Monthly account fee: $12.00
APY: 0.01%-2.51% (as of 05/03/25)
Platinum Savings comes with a $12 monthly fee unless you maintain a $3,500 minimum daily balance. If you link your account with Premier Checking, you can bring that rate up to:
- 0.05% if your balance is between $0 and $99,999
- 1.01% if your balance is between $100,000 and $499,999
- 1.99% if your balance is between $500,000 and $999,999
- 2.48% if your balance is above $1,000,000
If you link your account to Prime Checking, on the other hand, your APY will be 0.02%.
However, these APYs are still relatively low, even if you can earn the highest rate. You'll also need to make a $25 opening deposit, which is higher than many competitors require.
Certificates of Deposit
Monthly account fee: None
APY: 1.50%-4.26% (as of 07/07/25)
Wells Fargo offers a variety of CDs that provide more competitive rates than the bank's savings accounts. However, the minimum investment requirements are much higher, and you also must agree to lock up your funds.
For example, you could get a 4-month CD at a 4.00% APY, but there is a $5,000 minimum balance required. The 11-month CD at 3.50% APY also requires the same deposit minimum.
Those with larger Wells Fargo account balances are also able to qualify for the most competitive CD rates in CDs of all term lengths, so these investments are best for those who keep the bulk of their money with the bank.
Additional Wells Fargo products
Wells Fargo offers a wide variety of other financial products beyond checking accounts, savings accounts, and CDs. For individuals, for example, home loans, personal loans, and auto loans are all on offer.
Some of Wells Fargo's rewards cards and cash back cards are worth looking into, including the Active Cash card, which provides unlimited 2% back on all purchases and charges no annual fee.4 <p>Application does not guarantee approval for any financial service product.</p>
I've also found the lender's home loan rates to be competitive, and you can qualify for some loans with as little as 3% down, which is ideal for those who don't have a lot of money saved but who are otherwise financially ready to get on the property ladder.
There are investing and wealth management services, small business financing options including credit lines and loans as well as payroll services and merchant services. Additionally, corporate and investment banking options are available.
What we like about Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is a bank meant for people who need in-person support. Its biggest selling feature is its large number of local branches, which provide services like a notary and enable you to make an appointment online to get personalized help.
Wells Fargo also has an excellent app that makes online account management easy.
Lastly, the bank does provide some options for teens who are ready to start learning about money, and it provides specialized account services to high-end clients, so it can appeal to specific audiences who need these services.
What Wells Fargo could improve
Wells Fargo charges fees on every account, and they can sometimes be waived only if you are willing to tie up what might be large amounts of money for some customers.
You need $25 to open the account and are at risk of overdrafting your account while many other banks have eliminated overdraft fees, including Ally. There's no reimbursement for foreign ATM fees on the entry-level accounts either.
All of this makes Wells Fargo costly in comparison to some competitors. Alternatives like SoFi offer better APYs for both checking and savings accounts and provide excellent member benefits at lower price points, just without access to in-person services.
Featured checking accounts
2025 award winner Best Online Checking Account
2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo
Alternatives to Wells Fargo
Bank of America Advantage Banking
Like Wells Fargo, Bank of America offers in-person branches, although Wells Fargo does have more at 5,600 branches versus Bank of America's 3,700. Bank of America does beat out Wells Fargo in its ATM network, though, boasting 15,000 ATMS in the U.S. compared to Wells Fargo's 11,000.
Bank of America's account fees are lower than Wells Fargo's as well, coming in at $4.95 for most accounts. However, Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking® will cost you $12, and Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking® will cost you $25.
Both Bank of America and Wells Fargo also have highly-rated mobile apps, making managing money easier on the go. Unfortunately, though, both have also been fined by the CFPB for regulatory violations that damaged consumer trust, so neither really shines when it comes to a solid reputation for customer service.
With lower cost options and a larger ATM network, Bank of America will likely have a slight edge between these two options for those looking for a brick-and-mortar bank, unless you really need that larger network because you require branch access in more remote places.
Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC
Visit Bank of America Advantage Banking account | Read our Bank of America Advantage Banking review
Discover
Discover offers many great features that Wells Fargo doesn't, including the ability to earn cash back for debit card spending.5 <p>See website for details.</p> You can earn 1.00% back on up to $3,000 in spending, which is rare within the banking industry, as most debit cards do not offer rewards like credit cards do.9 <p>Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See Deposit Account Agreement for details on transaction eligibility, limitations and terms. Deposit Account Agreement can be found at <a href="https://www.discover.com/content/dam/dfs/online-banking/documents/NationalDepositAccountAgreement.pdf">https://www.discover.com/content/dam/dfs/online-banking/documents/NationalDepositAccountAgreement.pdf</a>.</p>
Discover not only offers this great feature, but it also does not charge monthly fees, unlike Bank of America. And, you have access to 60,000 fee-free ATMS, which far exceeds the number available with Wells Fargo.
The big downside to Discover is the lack of local branches and the fact you'll have to use a contactless debit card at Walmart to add cash to your account instead of visiting a local branch to do it. Still, with no fees for this option, Discover remains a better choice for consumers looking for a digital banking experience.
Visit the Discover® Cashback Debit account | Read our Discover review
SoFi
SoFi charges no monthly fees and has no monthly minimum balance requirement, unlike Wells Fargo.1 <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p> You also get access to no-fee overdraft coverage10 <p>Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.</p> as well as opening up the door to many member benefits extended to SoFi customers, including financial planning advice from credentialed advisors and home loan discounts.11 <p>SoFi Plus members can schedule an unlimited number of appointments with a financial planner during periods in which the SoFi Plus member meets the eligibility criteria set forth in section 10(a) of the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions. SoFi members who are not members of SoFi Plus can schedule one (1) appointment with a financial planner. The ability to schedule appointments is subject to financial planner availability. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this benefit at any time with or without notice. Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at <a href="http://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/">www.adviserinfo.sec.gov</a>.</p>
You can also earn up to 3.80% APY on savings accounts and 0.50% (as of 01/24/25) APY on checking accounts with eligible direct deposits on your SoFi Checking and Savings accounts.12 <p>SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus">https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus</a>.</p> This is a better rate than Wells Fargo offers, especially given that you earn interest even on balances in your checking account.
Unfortunately, SoFi has no in-person branches, and depositing cash could end up costing you a $4.95 fee as SoFi's partners may charge for cash deposits.
Member FDIC8 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
Visit SoFi's Checking and Savings account | Read our SoFi review
FAQs
Is Wells Fargo a good bank?
Some people like Wells Fargo because it has a large branch network. However, it receives mixed marks for customer service and has been the subject of disciplinary action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It also charges fees for all its checking accounts, which can sometimes be hard to waive, and it offers a relatively low APY on savings accounts.
Is my money safe at Wells Fargo?
Wells Fargo is FDIC-insured. This means your money is safe as the government protects against losses up to the eligible limits of $250,000 per person per account.
Bottom line
Wells Fargo offers a nationwide network of brick-and-mortar branches that those looking for a traditional banking experience in an increasingly digital world will appreciate. While many of its accounts come with fees and minimum balance requirements, its Premier Checking account could be a great option for wealthier customers, and its Everyday Checking account is widely popular for its flexibility.
Even so, consider researching what the best banks offer and comparing them to Wells Fargo if you're looking for lower fees or don't need in-person service. For example, in addition to the others on this list, you can also compare Capital One vs. Wells Fargo.