Wells Fargo Bank Review: Reliable Banking With Nationwide Access
Written by
Rudri Patel
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau
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Wells Fargo is a trusted name, offering nationwide branches and diverse financial products.
Wells Fargo has an extensive network of banks in 36 states and the District of Columbia. It is a good fit for those who want in-person banking at branches and ATM access. As one of the largest banks in the U.S., it offers a wide range of financial products. GOBankingRates has ranked it among the Best National Banks and Best Premium Checking Accounts in 2025.Â
With a nationwide presence and a reputation for high-quality financial products, Wells Fargo meets a variety of banking needs. From accessible branches and extensive ATM networks to specialized account options, it offers the convenience and versatility customers value.
Wells Fargo Checking Account
Wells Fargo offers four checking accounts for consumers. Checking accounts include Everyday Checking, Clear Access Banking, Prime Checking and Premier Checking. Most of the accounts don’t require a maintenance fee and if they do, they can be easily waived.Â
- Clear Access Banking will allow you to waive the monthly $5 fee if you’re between the ages of 13 and 24.
- Everyday Checking requires only a $25 opening deposit.Â
- Prime Checking is an interest-bearing account.Â
Best For
National Banks
Premium Checking Accounts
Branch Locations
Mobile App
Account Perks
Flexible Checking Options
Wells Fargo offers four checking accounts with waivable fees, convenient branches and 24/7 customer service. Perfect for those seeking versatile banking options.
Fees
$5 to $35 waivable monthly fee
APY
Up to
Min Opening
$25
Pros
- Can waive fees for most checking accounts
- Â Multiple branches allow for easy in-person transactions
- You earn a small amount of interest with Prime Checking
- 24/7 customer service
Cons
- A minimum of $25 is required to open most checking accounts
- Expensive overdraft fee
- No checks if you have the Everyday CheckingÂ
Why We Like Wells Fargo
For individuals looking for various account options, Wells Fargo offers basic to more complicated checking options. Withdrawing cash isn’t an issue since there is an extensive network of ATMs.
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Wells Fargo Premier Checking Account
Wells Fargo Premier Checking account was voted one of the best by GOBankingRates for 2025. Customers earn interest of with only a $25 minimum opening deposit.Â
- 24/7 access to customer service.
- Monthly service fee waived for linked checking and savings accounts.
- No wire transfer fees for incoming or outgoing wires.
- $35 monthly fee waived with combined balances of $250,000 or more.
BRONZE WINNER
Best For
National Banks
Premium Checking Accounts
Branch Locations
Mobile App
Account Perks
Premium Perks and No ATM Fees Worldwide
Wells Fargo Premier Checking offers interest earnings, waived ATM fees globally and loan discounts — ideal for those with higher balances seeking premium benefits.
Fees
$35 waivable monthly service fee
APY
Min Opening
$25
Pros
- Earns interest
- No ATM fees worldwide and unlimited reimbursements for non-Wells Fargo ATM fees
- Receive interest rate discounts on jumbo mortgages and home loans
Cons
- Requires $250,000 in linked accounts to waive the monthly fee
- Overdraft fees are high
Why We Like Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Premier Checking Account works for individuals who want to earn interest on their checking balance and receive loan interest discounts.
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Wells Fargo Savings Accounts
Wells Fargo’s Way2Save Savings account has a low minimum opening deposit of $25. Set up automatic deposits from a linked checking account to watch your funds grow. Plus, you’ll earn APY. The Platinum Savings Account comes with checks and has a higher APY, but to waive the $12 maintenance fee, you must keep a daily balance of $3,500.Â
- Way2Save accounts earn APY.
- Requires an opening deposit of $25.
- Monthly maintenance fees waived with a set balance or automatic transfers.
Best For
National Banks
Premium Checking Accounts
Branch Locations
Mobile App
Account Perks
Low Opening Deposit
Wells Fargo savings accounts offer accessibility with a $25 opening deposit and the ability to grow your funds with interest. Easily waive monthly fees with set balances.
Fees
Up to $12 monthly service fee – can be waived
APY
Up to for Platinum Savings accounts
Min Opening
$25
Pros
- Open an account with just $25, making it accessible for all savers
- Savings accounts earn interest
- The monthly fee is waived if minimum balances are kept at a certain level
Cons
- Relatively low interest earned
- Minimum balance required to waive fees
- Opening deposit required
Why We Like Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Way2Savings and Platinum Savings offer the option to waive fees and earn interest. However, the balance requirement may be high for some and interest earnings may be too low for certain consumers.
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Wells Fargo CD Accounts
Wells Fargo offers a smaller selection of certificates of deposits compared to other major banks. These accounts are a good way to earn a fixed-rate APY as you save for upcoming expenses. There are no monthly service fees, but you’ll need a large deposit of $2,500 or more to open one. Special Fixed Rate CDs are available in four, seven- and 11-month terms and they offer higher rates. The minimum deposit for this type of CD is $5,000.
- Online and in-person CD options are available.
- Higher CD interest rates are available with competitors.
- Terms on CDs run three to 12 months online, but there may be more options in person.
- The minimum deposit starts at $2,500.
Best For
National Banks
Premium Checking Accounts
Branch Locations
Mobile App
Account Perks
Flexible Term Lengths
Wells Fargo CD accounts offer flexible terms and fixed rates, starting with a $2,500 minimum deposit. Special Fixed Rate CDs are available with higher rates.
Fees
Early withdrawal penalty may apply
APY
Up to
Min Opening
$2,500 to $5,000
Pros
- Online CD options available
- Varying length termsÂ
Cons
- A high minimum deposit is required
- Interest rate is lower than competitors
Why We Like Wells Fargo
Although Wells Fargo offers online and in-person CDs, consumers may want to look at other competitors for better rates and terms.
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Banking Experience
As one of America’s largest banks, Wells Fargo has the products and services customers need for hassle-free banking. Wells Fargo customer service is available by visiting your local branch or going online.
There are a wide variety of FAQs on the bank’s site to answer your questions. Or you can contact the bank for general banking concerns at 800-869-3557. For online banking questions, call 800-956-4442. Both lines are available 24/7 and accept relay calls, including 711.
Unfortunately, no live chat is featured on the website, but Social Care Support is available daily on the bank’s Twitter and Facebook profiles. Plus, no matter where you live, a Wells Fargo retail banking location or ATM is probably not too far away.Â
Mobile App
The Wells Fargo Mobile app earns 4.8 stars on Google Play and 4.9 on the App Store. It allows you to create account alerts, transfer funds, pay bills and deposit checks. It’s also a useful tool for managing your debit card by monitoring recurring payments and locking and unlocking it and your Wells Fargo credit cards.
Comparable Traditional Bank Options
Wells Fargo stacks up well against the competition, but that doesn’t mean it is the best bank for everyone. Here are Wells Fargo reviews against other popular alternatives.
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
$5 to $35 waivable monthly fee
$0 or $12, with options to waive
Up to $15
APY
APY
APY
Up to
N/A
N/A
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$25
$0
$0
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
$35 waivable monthly service fee
$35, waivable
No monthly service fee
APY
APY
APY
N/A
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$25
$0
$0
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
Up to $12 monthly service fee – can be waived
$5 monthly, waivable
See Citi’s website for details on monthly fees.
APY
APY
APY
Up to for Platinum Savings accounts
Up to
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$25
$0
$0
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
Early withdrawal penalty may apply
No monthly service fee
No monthly service fee
APY
APY
APY
Up to
Up to
Up to
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$2,500 to $5,000
$1,000
$500
Wells Fargo vs. Chase
New depositors with Chase can get $100 for opening a Chase Secure Banking checking account that has direct deposit. However, overall, Wells Fargo’s basic checking fee appears to be a bit more affordable and requires a lower minimum balance.
Wells Fargo vs. Citi®
Citi® has strong bonuses for new checking accounts and cash-back offers on its credit cards; but, with over 600 branches nationwide, it’s not for those who want to bank in person. Wells Fargo has a much wider reach when it comes to in-person banking.
Wells Fargo vs. Bank of America
Wells Fargo makes opening a checking account more accessible at $25, while Bank of America, Member FDIC, requires a $100 minimum deposit for some of its accounts. Wells Fargo’s customer service hours are more robust with 24/7 coverage, while Bank of America has limited hours for customer service. Both have robust mobile platforms.
Final TakeÂ
Wells Fargo is perfect for a traditional bank customer when it comes to financial decisions because it offers consistency and availability with its banking services. While you may be able to get a higher interest rate at an online bank, you can walk into a Wells Fargo branch almost anywhere in the country and ask questions or transact business.
It’s ideal for nearly all customers, especially those who want their banking and investment accounts with a single institution. Investors who need the services of a financial advisor also will find Wells Fargo to be a good option. GOBankingRates has rated Wells Fargo among the Best National Banks and Best Premium Checking Accounts for 2025.
Wells Fargo Bank FAQ
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about Wells Fargo Bank.- What fees does Wells Fargo charge?
- Wells Fargo charges various fees depending on the account and service. These include monthly maintenance fees, ATM fees of $3.00 for non-network ATMs, and fees for overdrafts, wire transfers and international transactions.
- Does Wells Fargo have online banking?
- Wells Fargo offers comprehensive online banking services via Wells Fargo online and through the app.
- What is Wells Fargo's daily limit?
- Wells Fargo's daily limits depend on the customer relationship, account type and account history.
- Does Wells Fargo have locations in all 50 states?
- No. Wells Fargo operates in 36 states and Washington, D.C.
- Does Wells Fargo offer auto loans?
- Yes. Wells Fargo has thousands of auto dealerships in its network.
- Does Wells Fargo offer a notary service?
- Wells Fargo offers its customers a notary service free of charge. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment in advance at your local branch.
Cynthia Bowman and Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
The information related to Chase Secure Banking was collected by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see the issuer’s website for current information. GOBankingRates does not receive commission for this product.
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Nov. 25, 2024.Â
To discover the Best National Banks of 2025, GOBankingRates analyzed the top national institutions, (excluding online banks and neobanks) that have branches in at least 25 states and have over $400 billion in total assets, or both. GOBankingRates considered the following factors (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) checking product minimum deposit; (3) monthly checking fee ratio (percentage of the minimum to avoid fees compared to the monthly fee itself); (4) savings product minimum deposit; (5) savings product APY; (6) Bauer rating (out of 5 stars); (7) products/services offered (auto loans, mortgage loans, credit cards, investment services and insurance); and (8) the average mobile app rating between the Google Play (Android) and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factors (1), (2) and (4) were weighed 0.5 times, factor (5) was weighed 2.5 times; and factor (7) was weighed 1.5 times. All products and offerings had to be available as of Nov. 1, 2024, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Nov. 25, 2024.
To determine the Best Premium Checking Accounts of 2025, GOBankingRates looked at the following factors from the most premier or costly checking product from the top 25 banks (in terms of total assets): (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) minimum deposit to open an account; (3) monthly checking fee ratio (percentage of the minimum to avoid fees compared to the monthly fee itself); (4) APY on the checking account; and (6) associated and advertised benefits or perks from these premium products. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factor (1) and (2) were weighed 0.5 times, and factor (6) was weighed 3 times. All products and offerings had to be available as of Nov. 1, 2024, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Nov. 25, 2024.
To discover the Best Banks by state, GOBankingRates analyzed the top institutions (excluding online banks and neobanks) by state branch locations. To determine rankings, GOBankingRates looked at the following factors: (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) checking product minimum deposit; (3) monthly checking fee ratio (percentage of the minimum to avoid fees compared to the monthly fee itself); (4) savings product minimum deposit; (5) savings product APY; (6) Bauer rating (out of 5 stars); (7) products/services offered (auto loans, mortgage loans, credit cards, investment services and insurance); and (8) the average mobile app rating between the Google Play (Android) and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factors (1), (2) and (4) were weighed 0.5 times, factor (5) was weighed 2.5 times and factor (7) was weighed 1.5 times. All products and offerings had to be available as of Nov. 8, 2024, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Nov. 25, 2024.
To qualify as one of the Best Banks in the state, the institution needed at least five branch locations in the respective state, with some exceptions for larger and/or smaller states.
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