Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which Bank Is Better for You?

By Cynthia Bowman

September 15, 2022

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Chase and Wells Fargo are two banking powerhouses. They both have branches nationwide and a variety of products for people and businesses. So which of the two giants is better? It all depends on what you’re looking for. This Chase versus Wells Fargo comparison will help you decide which bank is best.

Who Is Chase Best For?

Customers who like online and mobile banking and prefer to have access to ATMs over branches should consider choosing Chase. A couple of benefits in which Chase wins over Wells Fargo are:

• 16,000 ATMs versus Wells Fargo’s 12,000
• Additional digital wallet offerings: Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay and Click to Pay

Who Is Wells Fargo Best For?

Customers who prefer traditional banking and access to an in-person representative should consider choosing Wells Fargo. Benefits offered by Wells Fargo include:

• Lower fees on checking accounts 
• More options for waiving fees on checking accounts

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Account Types

Here are the different account types the two banks have to offer personal banking customers.

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Fees

As you can see, both banks offer customers plenty of options to manage their money. But how much will it cost you? Here is how Chase’s fees compare to Wells Fargo’s.

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Rates

If you plan on depositing your savings with either bank, earning the highest interest possible should be one of the top reasons to choose one bank over the other.

Is Chase Better Than Wells Fargo?

No two people are alike — and neither are the services of competing banks. Chase might be better than Wells Fargo when you’re on a tight budget and tend to incur overdraft fees. Wells Fargo’s overdraft fees are slightly higher than Chase’s and the fee applies if your account is overdrawn more than $5, whereas with Chase, you have a chance to avoid an overdraft fee if your account is overdrawn no more than $50. 

If you want to maximize your savings, however, Wells Fargo beats Chase on how much you can earn in interest on CDs, but you’ll need a relationship account to qualify.

If you’re interested in a wider variety of CD terms or premium checking accounts, Chase is the better option. 

Tips To Pick the Right Bank

When comparing banks, there are several factors you should consider so you can narrow down your options. The following tips can help you choose the best bank for you.

Choose a Bank With Low Fees

Look for accounts with no fees or those that waive monthly maintenance charges for certain activities, such as receiving direct deposits, using your debit card or maintaining a minimum balance.

Also take into consideration any other fees, such as for closing your account, inactivity and even replacing a lost or stolen card.

Watch Out for Overdraft Fees

Some banks charge as much as $35 for each overdraft, making it one of the most expensive fees a bank charges. Even worse, a bank may allow multiple overdraft fees per day, which could seriously put a dent in your balance. If you occasionally overdraw your account, look closely at how the bank handles overdrafts.

Research Sign-Up Bonuses

Many banks provide cash sign-up bonuses when you open a new account. You could earn hundreds of dollars simply for giving a new bank a try.

Ask Your Friends and Family

Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to know how a bank may work for you. Ask your friends, family and work colleagues about which financial institution they bank with. Find out what they like about the bank and what they think could improve.

Their experience can provide you with good insight into how the bank could benefit you.

Consider Accessibility

Depending on your banking habits and how comfortable you are with online or mobile banking, you may want to choose a bank with physical branches where you can get in-person help with your banking.

Mobile Apps Offer Convenience

A user-friendly app with mobile check deposit and free ways to send money to friends and family can improve your banking experience by reducing your need for checks and the number of visits you need to make to the ATM.

If you’re comfortable with online banking, do some research on each bank you’re considering and how its mobile banking app works.

Consider Your Financial Goals

If you’re actively saving for retirement or growing your savings, choose a bank with robust retirement and investment features.

Depending on where you are in your financial journey, you may want a bank that provides more than a checking account. In most cases, banks will give you special discounts or preferential rates on their loan, insurance and savings products if you already bank with the institution.

Cynthia Measom and Daria Uhlig contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Sept. 13, 2022.

*Chase charges a $34 insufficient funds fee per item during its nightly processing, beginning with the first item that overdraws your account balance by more than $50 (maximum of three fees per business day, up to $102).