Wells Fargo CD Rates: How They Compare

Wells Fargo offers few CD rates online and the rates aren’t worthwhile.
Spencer Tierney
By Spencer Tierney 
Updated
Edited by Sara Clarke

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Wells Fargo CD rates

Rates can vary by location and deposit amount, and whether you already have Wells Fargo premium checking. Here's a range of non-bonus rates for San Francisco:

  • 3-month: 0.50% APY

  • 6-month: 1.01% APY

  • 1-year: 1.50% APY

Wells Fargo CD
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Wells Fargo offers CDs with low rates and high minimums. And unlike other big banks, there aren’t many terms to choose from. Having the bank’s premium checking account provides a slight boost to rates.

Wells Fargo CD rates

  • Standard CDs vs. special CDs. Wells Fargo has standard CDs that require $2,500 to open and special CDs with slightly higher rates and a much higher minimum of $5,000 to open. (See how CD specials work.)

  • Relationship rates vs. standard rates. Each CD has two rate levels: standard and relationship. The relationship rate is available only if you have a linked private banking or premium checking account such as Prime Checking, which is an interest checking account that requires a high minimum balance, such as $20,000, to waive the steep monthly fee.

  • Focus on short terms: Wells Fargo’s online CD offerings are short terms; it’s uncommon for a big bank not to feature three- or five-year terms online.

  • Most CD rates aren’t online. You must call or visit a branch to get rate details. Here’s a look at most of the Wells Fargo CDs online.

CD term

Standard rate*

Relationship rate*

Minimum deposit

3-month (Standard CD rate)

0.50%

0.51%

$2,500

6-month (Standard CD rate)

1.01%

1.02%

$2,500

1-year (Standard CD rate)

1.50%

1.51%

$2,500

*Rates listed are for San Francisco. Rates can vary by location.

APYs shown are as of March 22, 2023.
Compare the best CD rates
See which banks and credit unions offer high-yield CDs right now.

More details about Wells Fargo CDs

Minimum deposit

$2,500 for standard CDs. $5,000 for special CDs.

Monthly fee

None, which is common for CDs.

Range of CD terms

3 months to 12 years, but only a handful are listed online.

Compounding period

Daily. (This detail helps you estimate what you can earn using a CD calculator.)

Early withdrawal penalty

  • 1 month's interest for CD terms less than 3 months.

  • 3 months' interest for CD terms from 3 to 12 months.

  • 6 months' interest for CD terms from 1 year to 2 years.

  • 1 year's interest for CD terms over 2 years.

  • Grace period

    7 days after the CD's maturity date. Wells Fargo CDs automatically renew, so this 7-day window is the only time to withdraw without getting hit by a penalty.

    Wells Fargo IRA CD available?

    No, no retirement CD option for new customers. Compare IRA CD rates at other banks.

    » Want to check how the national bank ranks overall? See our Wells Fargo review

    Frequently asked questions

    If rates are your primary goal, then no. Wells Fargo is comparable to other national banks in that CD rates tend to be low. For an example, see our Chase vs. Wells Fargo comparison.

    Banks change their CD offerings over time so keep an eye on both rates and terms available. See our list of the best CD rates for this month.

    No, the banking giant doesn’t have nearly as competitive rates as those at online banks. See our list of the best high-yield savings accounts.

    What to consider when opening CDs

    • Most interest rates are fixed. If you open nearly any of Wells Fargo bank CDs today, its APY will stay the same until the CD expires. This benefits you if you lock in a CD before rates start dropping, but on the flip side, you’ll earn less on a CD once rates rise again. It’s hard to know when CD rates go up, but CD rates are trending upward thanks to multiple Fed rate increases in 2022. Here’s a quick look at historical CD rates, including this year’s. Or, if you want a sample of rates each month, see current CD rates.

    • You lose interest if you withdraw early. CDs are built to keep your money out of sight, out of mind. If you dip into a Wells Fargo CD before it expires, there’s an early withdrawal penalty, which means losing some or all of the interest you earned. (Learn more about various types of CDs).

    » On the fence about a CD? If there’s a chance you’ll need access to your money, consider one of the best high-yield savings accounts instead.

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    Term

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    Wells Fargo CD
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    Wells Fargo CD review: limited terms, low rates

    Wells Fargo CD rates don’t have many attractive features. You can find more conventional terms and more options on our list of the highest CD rates this month.

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