U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo

U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo are both in the top ten of the biggest banks in the US. They both have a large physical presence and offer similar banking products, but there are a few differences to look out for. Find out which is better for your needs, then compare accounts to find the best one.

What’s in this guide?

• Pros and cons of U.S. Bank
• Pros and cons of Wells Fargo
• Savings accounts
• Checking accounts

• Certificates of deposit
• Other products
• Branches and ATMs
• Special features

Pros and cons of U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo

U.S. Bank

Pros

• Lower fees. U.S. Bank’s monthly fees and some service fees are lower than Wells Fargo’s.
• Smaller CD deposits. U.S. Bank requires $500 to open a CD, while initial deposits compared to Wells Fargo’s $2,500 minimum.
• Established bank. U.S. Bank is on the Fortune 500’s list for more than 20 years, earning it financial security to back your deposits.

Cons

• Limited branches. U.S. Bank is only located in 28 states, limiting your face-to-face banking.
• Hard to avoid fees. While U.S. Bank’s fees are lower, it’s harder to waive them.

Wells Fargo

Pros

• Huge ATM network. Wells Fargo has more than 13,000 ATMs in over 40 states, a much larger network than U.S. Bank.
• Higher APY. Wells Fargo’s standard CD rates go as high as 0.50% for a $5,000 minimum deposit, and 0.25% APY on its Platinum Savings account.
• Easy to avoid fees. Wells Fargo accounts charge monthly fees, but you get many ways to waive them.

Cons

• Larger CDs deposit requirements. You’ll need $2,500 to open a Wells Fargo CD.
• Higher fees. Make sure you read the fine print. You could find fees for monthly maintenance, transfers and overdraft charges.

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo savings accounts

U.S. Bank offers a very high 3.8% APY with its Smartly Savings account – a much higher APY than what Wells Fargo can offer. On the downside, you must link the Smartly Savings account with a U.S. Bank checking account and have a cominbed balance of at least $25,000.

Winner: U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo checking accounts

U.S. Bank offers five accounts ranging from your basic account, to accounts tailored for students, to those with multiple accounts. On the other hand, Wells Fargo offers four checking accounts, one catering to those struggling to be approved for a bank account.

Wells Fargo wins here for its larger network of ATMs and with easier requirements to waive the fees.

Winner: Wells Fargo

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo certificates of deposit

Both banks have a selection of CD options. However, U.S. Bank has lower minimum deposit requirements at only $1,000 deposit compared to Wells Fargo’s $2,500.

Winner: U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo other products

Other banking products that these big banks offer include:

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo branches and ATMs

Both banks have 24/7 customer service, but Wells Fargo has a much larger network of branches and ATMs.

	U.S. Bank	Wells Fargo
Branches	3,000	6,000
ATMs	4,700	13,000
Customer service	Phone 24/7 Social media Email support	Phone 24/7 Social media Email support

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo special features

Despite these banks’ similarities, they each have features that make them stand out from their competition:

U.S. Bank	Student and senior banking 24/7 customer service
Wells Fargo	Financial education center One of the largest branch networks

Winner: Tie

Bottom line

U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo have been in business for decades, both with a wide range of banking options. U.S. Bank has more options for CDs, whereas Wells Fargo offers a much larger branch and ATM network and more ways to avoid fees. Compare accounts from both or explore other banks to find an account that’s right for you.

Frequently asked questions

• What states do not have Wells Fargo branches?

  Wells Fargo does not have branches in Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oklahoma, Rhode Island or West Virginia.

• What states do not have US Bank branches?

  U.S. Bank doesn’t have branches in Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia.

• Does Wells Fargo have a rewards program?

  While Wells Fargo doesn’t have a rewards program for its deposit accounts, it does have one for credit cards that allows you to redeem points for travel and gift cards.