Wells Fargo vs. Chase

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which Is Best for You?

Both banks have similar fees, low rates and big branch networks. Chase has more locations, but both banks focus on convenience.

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Updated Mar 24, 2026

Wells Fargo and Chase are two of the largest U.S. banks, and they make it convenient to bank in person, with many ATMs and branches. Keep in mind that the interest rates both banks pay are low compared with other banks.

Here’s how they stack up against each other.

Snapshot comparison

Chase	Wells Fargo
Checking accounts
Chase Total Checking® Monthly fee: $15. (See below for ways to waive it.) Minimum opening deposit: $0.	Wells Fargo Everyday Checking Monthly fee: $15. (See below for ways to waive it.) Minimum opening deposit: $25.
Savings accounts
Chase Savings℠ APY: 0.01% effective as of 05/07/2025. Interest rates are variable and subject to change. Monthly fee: $5. (See below for five ways to waive it.)	Wells Fargo Way2Save APY: 0.01%. Monthly fee: $5. (See below for five ways to waive it.)
Certificates of deposit
Chase interest rates on CDs 1 year: 0.01% APY. 5-year: 0.01% APY. Minimum deposit: $1,000.	Wells Fargo interest rates on CDs 1 year: 1.50% APY for standard CDs. 5-year: No standard rates available online beyond one-year terms. Call or visit a branch for rates. Minimum deposit: $2,500.
Overdrafts and ATMs
Chase details Chase details Overdraft fee: $34, maximum of three per day. No charge if account is overdrawn by $50 or less at end of day. Customers can also avoid an overdraft fee if the account balance is overdrawn more than $50 but is brought down to being overdrawn by $50 or less by the end of the next business day. Overdraft protection transfer fee: $0 per transfer. ATMs: More than 14,000. Branches: More than 5,000.	Wells Fargo details Wells Fargo details Overdraft fee: $35, maximum of three per day. No charge if account is overdrawn by $10 or less at end of day. Overdraft protection transfer fee: $0 per transfer. ATMs: About 11,000. Branches: Over 4,300.
NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service. Read review	NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service. Read review

Choose Chase if:

You want a larger ATM network.
You prefer a wider range of terms and special rates for certificates of deposit.

Choose Wells Fargo if:

Wells Fargo branches are more convenient for you.

Or go with an alternative

Unlike these brick-and-mortars, online banks don’t have thousands of branches. But they do have excellent annual percentage yields, or APYs, that make your savings grow faster. And fees tend to be low or nonexistent.

» Want to know more? Check out NerdWallet's best high-yield online savings accounts and top online checking accounts

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Basic checking accounts

The Chase Total Checking® and Wells Fargo Everyday Checking accounts are comparable, with large ATM networks and many branches. Both banks also offer premium checking accounts that earn interest — but not much.

Chase Total Checking®	Wells Fargo Everyday Checking
Monthly fee
$15. How to waive it How to waive it Receive $500 or more in direct deposits each month. Keep a beginning day balance of at least $1,500. Have an average beginning day balance of at least $5,000 spread across qualifying Chase accounts. Link to a qualifying checking account, which includes premium and private checking options.	$15. How to waive it How to waive it Receive $500 or more in qualifying direct deposits each month. Keep a daily balance of at least $1,500. Have $5,000 or more in qualifying deposit or investment balances (or both). Be a primary account owner who is 17-24 years old. Receive a qualifying direct deposit in the bank's military banking program.
Minimum deposit to open
$0.	$25.
APY
None.	None.
ATM fees and network
More than 14,000 Chase ATMs. $3 fee for using non-Chase ATMs in the U.S. and U.S. territories, plus any fees from ATM owner.	About 11,000 Wells Fargo ATMs. $3 fee per withdrawal for out-of-network ATMs in the U.S., plus any fees from ATM owner.
Sign-up bonus
$400 (expires 07/15/2026); our bank bonuses roundup explains how to qualify.	$325 (expires 07/14/2026); our bank bonuses roundup explains how to qualify.

+ Click here for analysis of Chase and Wells Fargo's checking accounts

» See more options on our list of best checking accounts or check out Chase checking account bonuses

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Basic savings accounts

Both accounts have monthly fees, but they are easy to avoid. Wells Fargo requires $25 to open an account, but Chase’s $0 opening deposit requirement is helpful if you’re starting out with just a few dollars. Neither account pays much interest, though. For savings options with higher yields, see NerdWallet’s list of best savings rates.

Chase Savings℠	Wells Fargo Ways2Save
APY
0.01% effective as of 05/07/2025. Interest rates are variable and subject to change.	0.01%.
Monthly fee
$5. 5 ways to waive it 5 ways to waive it Have a daily balance of at least $300. Set up an automatic transfer of at least $25 a month from a Chase checking account. Link to a premium Chase checking account. Link to a Chase College Checking℠ account that is enrolled in overdraft protection. Fee waived for those younger than 25. Link to a qualifying checking account, which includes premium and private checking options.	$5. 5 ways to waive it 5 ways to waive it Have a daily balance of at least $300. Have at least one Save As You Go transfer from a linked Wells Fargo checking account. Set up a recurring automatic transfer of at least $25 from a Wells Fargo checking account. Set up an automatic transfer of at least $1 each business day from a linked Wells Fargo checking account. Fee waived for those 24 and younger.
Minimum deposit to open
$0.	$25.

+ Click here for analysis of Chase and Wells Fargo's savings accounts

Both accounts have monthly fees, but they are easy to avoid. Neither account pays much interest, though.

» Looking for higher rates? Explore NerdWallet's list of top online savings accounts

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Certificates of deposit

Chase requires less than half the amount Wells Fargo does to open a standard CD, but neither bank offers high APYs on standard CDs. Chase has more terms available online and occasionally more special rates than Wells Fargo does. You can find one-year rates at online banks more than double than what these national banks offer.

Chase	Wells Fargo
1-Year APY
0.01% standard rate.	1.50% standard rate.
3-Year APY
0.01%.	None online. Call or visit branches for rates.
5-Year APY
0.01%.	None online. Call or visit branches for rates.
Minimum deposit to open
$1,000.	$2,500 (for standard CDs).
For more details:
See our coverage of Chase CD rates.	See our coverage of Wells Fargo CD rates.
Rates may vary by location.

» Learn more about the top CD rates

Big banks, small rates

If you’re seeking the broad reach and expansive product selection of a national bank, you’ll find those at Wells Fargo or Chase. For similar banks, see our list of best national banks. If the low interest rates or hefty fees at these institutions don’t work for you, however, check out other top bank options such as credit unions or online banks.

» Compare: U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo: Which is best for you?

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