Wells Fargo Checking Accounts
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Melanie Grafil
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Wells Fargo offers four different types of personal checking accounts to meet the needs of consumers in every stage of their financial life. Whichever Wells Fargo checking account you choose, you’ll gain access to the bank’s 4,500 branches and 12,000 ATMs across 36 states plus Washington D.C.
You’ll also enjoy the security of knowing your money is safe with one of the four largest banks in the U.S. Holding $1.9 trillion in assets, the bank serves nearly one-third of all U.S. households.
Plus, all Wells Fargo checking customers enjoy the benefits of access to the Wells Fargo mobile app, a contactless debit card, Zelle for peer-to-peer payments and early direct deposit.
Comparing Wells Fargo Checking Accounts
Which Wells Fargo checking account is best for your needs?
Take a look at the chart below for the different fees and benefits for each account at a glance.
| Account | Details |
|---|---|
| Clear Access Banking | – Bonus Offer: No – Interest: No – ATM Fee Waivers: No – Overdraft Services: Overdraft services not available – Monthly Fee: $5 – Interest Rate Discounts on Loans: No – Advisory Services: No |
| Everyday Checking | – Bonus Offer: $300, with qualifying direct deposits within 90 days – Interest: No – ATM Fee Waivers: No – Overdraft Services: Extra day grace period, Overdraft protection – Monthly Fee: $10 – Interest Rate Discounts on Loans: No – Advisory Services: No |
| Prime Checking | – Bonus Offer: No – Interest: – ATM Fee Waivers: Yes – Overdraft Services: Extra day grace period, Overdraft protection – Monthly Fee: $25 – Interest Rate Discounts on Loans: Yes – Advisory Services: No |
| Premier Checking | – Bonus Offer: No – Interest: – ATM Fee Waivers: Yes – Overdraft Services: Extra day grace period, Overdraft protection – Monthly Fee: $35 – Interest Rate Discounts on Loans: Yes – Advisory Services: Yes |
Wells Fargo Clear Access Checking
Wells Fargo Clear Access Checking is a great starter checking account, available to customers as early as age 16. Customers under the age of 17 must have an adult co-owner and must open their account at a Wells Fargo branch.
Any transaction that would put the account into overdraft will be declined, which means you don’t have to worry about overextending yourself or paying overdraft fees. A $25 minimum deposit is required to open the account.
Fees
For customers under the age of 24, the account has a low monthly service fee of $5. You can also waive this fee if you have a linked Wells Fargo Campus ATM or Campus Debit card linked to the account or if you receive one qualifying monthly deposit through the Wells Fargo Worldwide Military Banking Program.
Additional fees include $2.50 for using a domestic non-Wells Fargo ATM or $5 for using a foreign non-Wells Fargo ATM. If you use your debit card in a foreign country, you’ll pay a 3% international purchase transaction fee.
Cashier’s checks cost $10 with this account, and money orders cost $5 each.
Best For: First Checking Account
This straightforward bank account with low monthly fees helps teens, young adults and those who were previously unbanked learn to manage their money, providing access to a national network of ATMs and the intuitive Wells Fargo mobile app.
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking
Wells Fargo’s mainstay checking product, Everyday Checking, offers a $300 welcome bonus right now as part of a Wells Fargo promotion. You’ll need to open a new Everyday Checking account with a $25 minimum deposit and receive $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within the next 90 days to claim your bonus. This offer ends Sept. 25, 2024.
Fees
It’s easy to avoid the $10 monthly fee for your Everyday Checking account. You can waive the fee by maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance or by having $500 or more per statement period in qualifying electronic deposits. As with a Clear Access checking, teens, young adults, and members of the military with a qualify direct deposit may also have the monthly fee waived.
Wells Fargo charges $2.50 for domestic non-Wells Fargo ATM withdrawals, balance inquiries, or funds transfers, as well as balance inquiries or transfers at international Wells Fargo ATMs. Be prepared to pay $5 for international non-Wells Fargo ATM withdrawals.
Cashier’s checks cost $10 and money orders up to $1,000 cost $5 each.
If you haven’t signed up for overdraft protection with a linked account, you’ll pay $35 for each overdraft. If the item is returned for non-sufficient funds, you won’t pay a fee.
Best For: Low Fees and Useful Features
This checking account is perfect for any customer looking for overdraft protection, easily waived monthly fees and access to the features and benefits you would expect from one of the world’s largest banks.
Wells Fargo Prime Checking
For customers who are ready for relationship banking and all the perks it offers, but don’t have a $250,000 balance, Prime Checking provides an interest-bearing account, discounts on Wells Fargo loan products, free incoming wire transfers, and a 1% discount on the exchange rate on foreign currency cash purchases.
You’ll need a $25 minimum deposit to open an account.
Fees
Prime Checking has a monthly fee of $25, which can be waived with a $20,000 balance across your linked accounts. As with an Everyday Checking account, overdrafts not covered by linked accounts through Overdraft Protection incur a $35 fee. There is also a 3% international purchase transaction fee.
You won’t pay any ATM fees from Wells Fargo regardless of the ATM you use, and the bank will refund one fee, each, per statement charged by non-Wells Fargo ATMs domestically and internationally.
Best For: High Earners, Not Rich Yet
If you’re looking for a robust account with fewer fees and tons of benefits, including interest earned on your balance, but don’t yet have $250,000 in linked accounts, consider Prime Checking.
Wells Fargo Premier Checking
The top level of relationship banking at Wells Fargo, a Premier Checking account gives you access to a dedicated team of financial advisors, preferred interest rates on loans and jumbo mortgages, higher interest rates on CDs and savings accounts, plus .01% interest on your checking account balance.
Fees
The Premier Checking account carries a $35 monthly service fee, which is waivable with $250,000 or more in statement-ending qualifying balances in linked accounts, which include checking, savings, CDs, IRAs, investment accounts and some fiduciary and custody accounts.
Your Premier checking account has no ATM fees, and full reimbursement of all fees charged by other out-of-network ATM providers. You won’t pay any international purchase transaction fees, either.
Your Premier checking account charges a $35 overdraft fee if you can’t cover the purchase through Overdraft Protection.
Best For: Individuals Who Invest Through Wells Fargo or Hold High Balances
When you’re ready to work with personal financial advisors who can guide you through leveraging Wells Fargo products to your advantage, it may be time to consider upgrading your checking account to Premier Checking.
FAQ
See what people are asking about Wells Fargo checking, as well as checking accounts in general.- What is a checking account?
- A checking account is a bank account that allows you to deposit and withdraw funds via check, mobile deposit, electronic deposits, or ATM. You can use money deposited to pay bills electronically or by check, make debit card purchases, and pay friends or family through services like Zelle.
- What is the minimum balance for a Wells Fargo checking account?
- All Wells Fargo checking accounts require a $25 minimum opening deposit, but there are no minimum balance requirements after you've opened the account.
- Can you get free money from opening a checking account?
- Many banks offer sign-up bonuses when you open an account with new money and fulfill certain requirements. Earn $300 now through Sept. 25, 2024, when you open a Wells Fargo Everyday checking account and have $500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days.
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Oct. 22, 2024.
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.
