Wells Fargo Bank Review: Account Good for You?
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Wells Fargo offers nationwide access with thousands of ATMs and branch locations. But are their checkings and savings accounts right for you? Read on to see the best options.
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With more than 13,000 ATMs and 5,800 retail branches nationwide, Wells Fargo is one of the most recognized names in the banking industry.
They offer a large variety of banking products, including checking and savings accounts.
Services Offered
Wells Fargo offers checking and savings accounts that you find at your typical physical bank. But they also have a few features that you may not find elsewhere.
Checking
The Wells Fargo checking accounts each come with a Platinum Debit card featuring chip technology. You'll also get online bill pay, online transfers, and mobile deposit.
And you'll have access to 24/7 customer service and text banking. Here are your account options:
- Everyday Checking: You can open an Everyday Checking account with a small deposit. Wells Fargo does charge monthly service fees.
But you can waive them by meeting requirements such as making a certain number of debit/credit purchases or carrying a specific monthly balance.
- Preferred Checking: Preferred Checking offers interest if you meet the minimum balance requirement. If you have a Wells Fargo mortgage, your monthly service fee waived for this checking account.
With Preferred Checking, you also get access to budgeting and cash flow tools.
- Portfolio by Wells Fargo: If you have a significant amount of money to keep in your checking account, you may earn higher interest rates with the Portfolio account.
The more money you have, the higher the interest rate you may receive. You'll also get benefits like:
- Waived ATM fees for non-Wells Fargo transactions
- Interest rate discounts on Wells Fargo loans
- No overdraft protection transfer fees
- Waived ATM fees for non-Wells Fargo transactions
- Teen Checking: Teens ages 13 - 17 can have their own checking account with a parent as the co-owner. The account comes with tools to learn financial responsibility like 24/7 access, spending limits, and free budgeting tools.
If you opt-in to online statements, you can have the monthly fee waived.
- Opportunity Checking: This account may be the best option if no other bank will give you a traditional checking account.
It has lower balance requirements, includes mobile banking and opportunities to waive the monthly fees.
Compare Checking Account Bonus
Citi Priority Account - Up to $1,500 Cash Bonus
- Earn up to $1,500 cash bonus when you open a new account with required activities
- Open a new eligible checking account in the Citi Priority Account during the offer period 1/5/22-7/17/22
- Within 20 days of opening, deposit $50,000 in New-To Citibank funds between the new checking and savings accounts
- Maintain a minimum balance of $50,000 in the checking account for an additional 60 consecutive calendar days from the 21st day
- After all required activities are met, the cash bonus will be deposited to your account within 90 calendar days
CIT Bank Savings Connect - 0.90% APY
- Earn a competitive high yield savings rate with access and convenience features of an eChecking account.
- Earn 0.90% APY on Savings Connect and up to 0.25% APY on eChecking.
- Minimum of $100 for both the Savings Connect and eChecking to open ($200 total)
BMO Harris Premier™ Account - $350 Cash Bonus
Open a new BMO Harris Premier™ Account and get a $350 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $7,500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening. Offer is limited to one per customer and is not available for existing BMO Harris personal checking customers (including signers on joint accounts) or those who have closed a BMO Harris personal checking account within the past 12 months. Conditions apply.
Savings
The savings accounts at Wells Fargo aren't much different from what you'd find at any other bank. The interest rates are low and each account has monthly fees.
Wells Fargo offers the following savings account options:
- Way2Save Savings: If you find it hard to save, the Way2Save program may help.
For every qualifying purchase you make with your linked Wells Fargo checking account, Wells Fargo will transfer $1 to your savings account automatically.
- Platinum Savings: If you keep a higher balance in your savings account, you may have access to higher interest rates with the Platinum Savings.
Even though it's a savings account, you do have the option to write free checks with this account, giving you easier access to your funds.
- Wells Fargo CDs: If you can tie up your money for a while, CDs offer the highest interest rates than other deposit products.
Finding your Wells Fargo routing number is as easy as visiting the Wells Fargo website and clicking on Routing Number.
After entering information regarding the state you are in and the type of account you need the routing number for, you'll obtain the requested information.
Compare Savings Account Promotions
Discover Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus
To get your $150 or $200 Bonus: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account (online, by phone or Discover App). Enter Offer Code CY222 when applying. Deposit into your account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Deposit must be posted to account within 30 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers or existing or prior customers with savings accounts that are co-branded, or affinity accounts provided by Discover. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 30 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is interest and subject to reporting on Form 1099-INT. Offer ends 06/15/2022, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. See advertiser website for full details.
CIT Savings Builder - 0.55% APY
Earn up to 0.55% APY. Here's how it works: Maintain a minimum balance of $25k OR make at least a $100 minimum deposit every month. Member FDIC
Reasons We Like Wells Fargo
- Wells Fargo has a large ATM network. With 13,000 ATMs nationwide, you may be able to avoid the fees charged for using a non-Wells Fargo ATM.
This makes it easier for consumers throughout the US to use Wells Fargo.
- Wells Fargo gives consumers a "second chance." Many nationwide banks don't offer second-chance checking accounts like Wells Fargo does.
This program gives consumers who suffered an unfortunate financial event a chance to redeem themselves financially. Which means they can work their way up to other deposit products in the future.
- You can set up online bill pay to automatically pay bills. If you are tired of missing due dates, you can set up recurring payments with Wells Fargo. You don't have to worry about making your payments late.
TIP: You can set up alerts to remind you of impending due dates if you prefer making manual payments.
- You can send/receive payments with Zelle®. All you need to send money to friends/family is an email address or phone number.
You do this right from Wells Fargo online or your Wells Fargo mobile app. This makes it easy to pay a friend for dinner or pay the babysitter without cash.
- You can set up account alerts. If you are worried about going over your balance, forgetting about upcoming payments, or you want to be alerted of recent deposits, you can set up your custom alerts.
- You get zero liability protection on your debit card. Using a debit card comes with its risks of fraud and theft. Wells Fargo protects you from those transactions with its zero liability promise.
TIP: Report fraudulent transactions right away so you can avoid paying for the charges.
- You can deposit your check with your smartphone. With just a picture of the front and back of your check, you can deposit your check without visiting the bank.
You can make deposits 24/7 and receive immediate confirmation of receipt of the funds.
- You can receive text alerts regarding your bank account. If you don't have access to your mobile app or computer, you can text your command to 93557 and receive an answer instantly.
All you have to text are words like (BAL) for balance, (ACT) for recent transactions or (DUE) for due dates.
- You have access to Mobile Wallet features. Wells Fargo is compatible with Samsung Pay, Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can also access your Wells Fargo Wallet in the Wells Fargo app for easy payments.
- Wells Fargo provides 24/7 fraud monitoring on your checking accounts. Wells Fargo is continually checking your account for fraudulent activity and alerts you if they get suspicious.
This can help protect you from identity theft or fraudulent activity on your account before you even realize it.
Reasons You May Want to Look Elsewhere
- You'll make minimal interest. It's not unusual for a big bank like Wells Fargo that offers a multitude of bank services to offer minimal interest rates.
TIP: Looking for higher rates? You may be better off with an online bank that focuses strictly on deposit accounts.
- The requirements to waive the monthly service fees are hard to meet. Wells Fargo has rather steep minimum daily balance requirements that you must meet in order to get the monthly service fee waived.
Some accounts do give allowance for direct deposits. But even the Opportunity Checking account charges $10 per month, which can be steep.
- You'll pay a fee for overdraft protection. If you link a savings account or credit account to your Wells Fargo Checking account, you'll pay a fee for the service.
If Wells Fargo has to advance money to your checking account to prevent an overdraft, you'll pay a fee for each transfer.
Wells Fargo is under investigation for unfair lending practices. This is a part of President Trump's promise to crack down on banking. No charges have been made and the final outcome has not been decided.
This isn't the first time Wells Fargo has been in trouble with federal regulators, but the bank is working with the government to make things right.
How It Compares
Bank of America: Bank of America has locations throughout 36 states, but they aren't as widespread as Wells Fargo.
Bank of America offers banking products similar to those at Wells Fargo, except for teens. BofA doesn't have a teen-specific checking account, which gives Wells Fargo the leg up on that competition.
US Bank: US Bank is another mega bank with locations all throughout the US. US Bank and Wells Fargo charge similar fees and have similar minimum opening balances.
US Bank has around 5,000 ATM locations, whereas Wells Fargo has around 13,000. Both banks offer 24/7 customer service and give you easy access to a mobile app.
- Chase coupon for National Bank
- Discover Bank offer for Checking
- CIT Bank promo code for Savings (read latest review)
- Citibank promotions for Checking + Savings
You might also consider:
Discover Online Savings - $150 Cash Bonus
To get your $150 or $200 Bonus: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account (online, by phone or Discover App). Enter Offer Code CY222 when applying. Deposit into your account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Deposit must be posted to account within 30 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers or existing or prior customers with savings accounts that are co-branded, or affinity accounts provided by Discover. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 30 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is interest and subject to reporting on Form 1099-INT. Offer ends 06/15/2022, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. See advertiser website for full details.
Online Savings Account - Earn 0.70% APY
- No fees
- No minimum opening deposit
- No minimum balance required
High Yield Savings - 1.01% APY
- 1.01% APY
- $100 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
Bottom Line
Wells Fargo is well known and has been around for many years. If you're looking for stability and your basic banking features, you'll find them here.
If you are looking for more sophisticated budgeting tools or you want high interest rates, though, you'll likely find yourself looking elsewhere.
Chase Total Checking® - $200 Bonus
- New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit
- Access to 16,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
- Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
- Open your account online now
- Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠: $0 overdraft fee when you overdraw your account $50 or less*
*We won't charge an overdraft fee if you are overdrawn $50 or less at the end of the business day. Chase may pay, for a $34 fee, overdraft transactions at our discretion based on your account history, deposits and transaction amount. If you've enrolled in Debit Card Coverage, everyday debit card purchases like groceries, may be approved at our discretion when you don't have enough money in your account.
Citi Priority Account - Up to $1,500 Cash Bonus
- Earn up to $1,500 cash bonus when you open a new account with required activities
- Open a new eligible checking account in the Citi Priority Account during the offer period 1/5/22-7/17/22
- Within 20 days of opening, deposit $50,000 in New-To Citibank funds between the new checking and savings accounts
- Maintain a minimum balance of $50,000 in the checking account for an additional 60 consecutive calendar days from the 21st day
- After all required activities are met, the cash bonus will be deposited to your account within 90 calendar days
Money Market Account - Get a Year of Amazon Prime
- Open a new Money Market account using promo code AMZN22.
- Fund your account with $15,000 within 15 days.
- Keep a minimum balance of $15,000 for 60 days.
Discover Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus
To get your $150 or $200 Bonus: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account (online, by phone or Discover App). Enter Offer Code CY222 when applying. Deposit into your account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Deposit must be posted to account within 30 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers or existing or prior customers with savings accounts that are co-branded, or affinity accounts provided by Discover. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 30 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is interest and subject to reporting on Form 1099-INT. Offer ends 06/15/2022, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. See advertiser website for full details.
TD Beyond Checking - $300 Cash Bonus
- Earn $300 when you receive direct deposits totaling $2,500 or more within 60 days
- Get more from your checking account. With TD Beyond Checking with Payback Plus, you'll earn interest and get reimbursed for non-TD ATM transactions, Rush Bill Payments and more.
- Monthly maintenance fee waived when you receive monthly direct deposits of $5,000 or more, or maintain a minimum daily balance of $2,500, or a combined balance of $25,000 across eligible TD accounts.
- TD fees waived at any ATM and non-TD fees reimbursed when you keep at least a $2,500 daily balance
- Overdraft Payback - Get overdraft fees automatically reversed up to two times a year.
- Get your money where it needs to go —fast— with Rush Bill Payments, Send Money with Zelle®, incoming wires and a reimbursement for one outgoing wire (domestic or international) per statement cycle.
- TD checking accounts come with an instant-issue debit card. And, you can pay with confidence with Zero Liability protection and 24/7 fraud monitoring.
- Monthly maintenance fee waived on one TD Simple Checking℠ account and any Savings and Money Market accounts. Plus, get free standard check orders, money orders, official bank checks and stop payments.
Write to Kim P at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
This content is not provided by Citi. Any opinions expressed are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Citi.
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