Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which one wins? | finder.com (2024)

Chase and Wells Fargo are two of the Big Four US banks and are among some of the most popular banks in the industry. They both offer a wide array of banking products but there are a few differences that could make or break your decision on who to bank with.

What’s in this guide?

  • Pros and cons of Chase
  • Pros and cons of Wells Fargo
  • Savings accounts
  • Checking accounts
  • Certificates of deposit
  • Other products
  • Branches and ATMs
  • Special features

Pros and cons of Chase vs. Wells Fargo

Chase

Pros
  • More ATMs. Chase has a network of over 15,000 ATMs, the largest of the Big Four banks.
  • Branches in more states. Chase has branches across 38 states, compared to Wells Fargo‘s presence across 36 states.
  • Signup bonuses. Chase offers signup bonuses on its checking and savings accounts.
  • Lower opening deposits on CDs. You’ll only need $1,000 to open a CD at Chase compared to $2,500 at Wells Fargo
Cons
  • Slightly lower rates. While both banks have very low interest rates, Chase‘s are slightly lower than Wells Fargo‘s.
  • Higher monthly fees. Monthly fees on Chase‘s checking and savings accounts are higher than Wells Fargo‘s.

Wells Fargo

Pros
  • More branches. Wells Fargo has over 5,400 branches, edging out Chase‘s network of roughly 5,000 branches.
  • Higher rates. Wells Fargo‘s Platinum savings account is slightly higher than Chase‘s savings account.
  • Lower monthly fees. Wells Fargo‘s checking and savings accounts generally have lower monthly fees than Chase‘s.
Cons
  • Fewer ATMs. Wells Fargo only has 13,000 ATMs compared to Chase‘s 16,000.
  • In fewer states. Wells Fargo currently has branches in 36 states, which is shy of Chase‘s presence in 38 states.
  • Higher CD opening deposits. You’ll need to deposit at least $2,500 to open a Standard CD.
  • Fewer opening bonuses. You won’t find as many signup bonuses as you would with Chase.

Chase vs. Wells Fargo savings accounts

Chase‘s two savings accounts only pay 0.01% APY, or up to 0.11% with a balance of at least $250,000. Wells Fargo on the other hand, has three accounts that pay 0.25% to 0.05%, but up to 2.15% APY on the Platinum Savings account with a balance of $25,000 or more.

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which one wins? | finder.com (1)
Winner: Wells Fargo

Chase vs. Wells Fargo checking accounts

Both banks offer three checking accounts but Wells Fargo comes out ahead due to its options for teens and customers who don’t qualify for standard accounts.

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which one wins? | finder.com (2)
Winner: Wells Fargo

Chase vs. Wells Fargo business checking accounts

Both banks offer several business checking accounts but Wells Fargo is the clear winner due to its lower monthly fees and higher transaction limits. For example, a large businesses that has up to 500 transactions a month can expect to pay a $40 monthly fee with Wells Fargo versus a $95 monthly fee with Chase.

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which one wins? | finder.com (9)
Winner: Wells Fargo

Chase vs. Wells Fargo CDs

Both banks offer multiple business checking accounts, but Chase‘s rates are slightly higher than Wells Fargo‘s.

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which one wins? | finder.com (10)
Winner: Chase

Chase vs. Wells Fargo other products

Both banks offer similar banking products but Wells Fargo has a broader range of account options. Here’s what you can expect to find at each institution:

Chase

  • Personal, car and student loans
  • Home loans and refinancing
  • Credit cards and reloadable cards
  • IRAs
  • Small business and commercial banking
  • Brokerage accounts
  • Student and military banking
  • You Invest
  • Chase Private Client

Wells Fargo

  • Personal, car and student loans
  • Home loans and refinancing
  • Credit and reloadable cards
  • IRAs and 401(k) plans
  • Small business and commercial banking
  • Brokerage accounts
  • Student and military banking
  • 529 and college savings
  • Foreign exchange
  • Financial advising

Chase vs. Wells Fargo branches and ATMs

Both banks have customer service that’s available seven days a week, but Wells Fargo‘s is available 24/7.

ChaseWells Fargo
BranchesMore than 4,700Roughly 5,400
ATMsMore than 15,00013,000
Customer service
  • Phone 24/7
  • Social media
  • Live chat
  • Phone 24/7
  • Social media
  • No live chat
  • Email support

Chase vs. Wells Fargo special features

Despite these banks’ similar size and account offerings, each option has a few features that make them stand out:

Chase
  • Online and mobile banking
  • Multiple opening bonuses
Wells Fargo
  • Financial education center

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which one wins? | finder.com (11)
Winner: Chase

Bottom line

Chase and Wells Fargo are two of the biggest names in the banking industry, both with decades of history and millions of customers. While products are similar from both institutions, Wells Fargo‘s rates are better on most products, while Chase has more opening account bonuses. Compare your options from both banks.

Frequently asked questions

  • Wells Fargo doesn’t have branches in Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Vermont or West Virginia.

  • Chase does not have branches in Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont or Wyoming.

  • Wells Fargo doesn’t have a rewards program for its deposit accounts, but does have the Go Far Rewards program for credit cards, allowing you to redeem points for travel, gift cards and more.

  • Chase Premier Relationship rates are higher interest rates on deposit accounts that you can get when you open additional accounts and meet deposit requirements.

  • Wells Fargo occasionally offers opening bonuses, like the current $400 bonus when you open an Everyday Checking account online and meet the promotional requirements.

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which one wins? | finder.com (2024)

FAQs

Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which one wins? | finder.com? ›

Both banks offer several business checking accounts but Wells Fargo is the clear winner due to its lower monthly fees and higher transaction limits. For example, a large businesses that has up to 500 transactions a month can expect to pay a $40 monthly fee with Wells Fargo versus a $95 monthly fee with Chase.

Which is best Wells Fargo or Chase? ›

A client heavily involved in real estate investing who is in frequent need of creative mortgage financing might look to Wells Fargo. Meanwhile, those who actively trade stocks and concern themselves more with the brokerage side of a bank's business may be better off with JPMorgan Chase.

Is Wells Fargo better than JP Morgan Chase? ›

Wells Fargo & Co currently has a 2.5% dividend yield. Currently, JPMorgan Chase & Co's price-earnings ratio is 10.9. JPMorgan Chase & Co's trailing 12-month revenue is $181.0 billion with a 26.4% net profit margin. Year-over-year quarterly sales growth most recently was 43.4%.

Which bank is better than Wells Fargo? ›

Bank of America could be a better choice if you have a lower budget to open a CD account. It requires a minimum of just $1,000 to open a CD compared to $5,000 at Wells Fargo. For savings accounts, the minimum opening deposit is $100 at Bank of America versus $100 at Wells Fargo, so slightly higher.

Which bank is better Chase or bank of A? ›

Bank of America pays slightly higher interest on your account balance. It also has a lower monthly fee and more options to have it waived. While the comparison between the two banks' checking accounts stacks up as a draw, the clear winner among savings accounts is Bank of America Advantage Savings.

Is it worth switching from Wells Fargo to Chase? ›

Between the two, the Chase account is a clear standout. It offers free money orders and cashier's checks, while Wells Fargo's basic account charges $5 for money orders and $10 for cashier's checks.

Is Chase the number 1 bank? ›

Unsurprisingly, JPMorgan Chase has retained the top spot as the largest US bank, as it's done for more than 20 years. In its latest release, based on data as of Dec. 31, 2023, the Federal Reserve ranked 2,129 US commercial banks.

What is the disadvantage of Wells Fargo? ›

Overview of Wells Fargo Bank: Pros and Cons

You'll often find higher fees with Wells Fargo than with some competing banks, although in some instances, the bank will waive those fees. Also, the interest rates on its deposit accounts generally aren't as competitive as you'll find with online banks and credit unions.

Is Chase a good or bad bank? ›

In short, Chase is an excellent bank to work with, but not for the usual reasons (high interest and low fees) consumers choose a bank.

Who is Wells Fargo biggest competitor? ›

The main competitors of Wells Fargo are three of the other big four major U.S. banks—JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. Combined, these four banks together hold between 40% to 45% of all bank deposits in the country and serve the majority of personal and commercial accounts in the United States.

Which is the No 1 bank of USA? ›

JPMorgan Chase, or Chase Bank, is the biggest bank in America with nearly $3.4 trillion in assets. It boasts a vast network of over 4,800 physical branches and more than 15,000 ATMs. With generous bonuses and promotions and a variety of products, Chase is a popular choice for consumers across the country.

Which bank is best in USA? ›

  • Capital One – Best overall.
  • First Horizon Bank – Best rate (savings)
  • PNC – Best combo checking/savings account.
  • Regions Bank – Best checking perks.
  • Bank of America – Best for mobile banking.
  • U.S. Bank – Best for low fees.
  • Citibank – Best for relationship rewards.
  • Chase – Best customer satisfaction.
Oct 11, 2023

What is the most stable bank in America? ›

Summary: Safest Banks In The U.S. Of April 2024
BankForbes Advisor RatingProducts
Chase Bank5.0Checking, Savings, CDs
Bank of America4.2Checking, Savings, CDs
Wells Fargo Bank4.0Savings, checking, money market accounts, CDs
Citi®4.0Checking, savings, CDs
1 more row
Jan 29, 2024

What are the disadvantages of Chase Bank? ›

Cons
  • Low interest rates on CDs, savings and checking accounts.
  • Monthly fees with most accounts if you don't qualify for waivers.
  • Out-of-network ATM fees with Chase's basic accounts.
Apr 4, 2024

Why is Chase Bank so popular? ›

It provides mortgages, auto loans and one of the broadest selections of credit cards in the industry. And its website experience can compete with that of online-only banks. Chase ranked well in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study.

Why is Chase Bank so good? ›

Though it has a large branch network, it offers all the tools you need to bank online if you prefer. Its interest rates fall far short of what you can find with online banks, but loyal Chase customers who keep a lot of money in the bank can earn slightly better rates as well as discounted fees and other perks.

Why should I choose Wells Fargo as my bank? ›

Wells Fargo is an excellent bank for those looking for both local branch access and digital banking services. The bank's interest rates on most of its accounts leave a lot to be desired compared to the best online banks, but they are comparable to other national banks.

What is the best bank to use? ›

Best Banks of April 2024
  • Capital One 360 Checking: Best online checking account.
  • Chase Total Checking®: Best for a large branch network.
  • Axos Bank Rewards Checking: Best for online account options.
  • Discover® Bank: Best for doing all of your banking at one place.
  • Synchrony Bank: Best high-yield savings account.
Mar 27, 2024

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