Wells Fargo checking accounts
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Wells Fargo is the fourth-largest bank in the United States by asset size, with over $1.75 trillion in assets. It has a large physical footprint, with more than 4,100 brick-and-mortar locations in the country and a large network of ATMs, as well as a full suite of online and mobile banking tools.
Wells Fargo offers several checking accounts that span day-to-day checking services to more premium services. (See Bankrate’s list of best checking accounts.) The bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), so its checking accounts are safe places to deposit your paycheck, Social Security benefits or other income.
Wells Fargo checking accounts
Wells Fargo has four main checking account options. Each account has a minimum deposit requirement and a monthly fee, though in certain circumstances, the monthly fee is waived.
| Account name | APY | Minimum deposit | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Access Banking | None | $25 | $5* |
| Everyday Checking | None | $25 | $15* |
| Prime Checking | 0.01% | $25 | $25* |
| Premier Checking | 0.01% | $25 | $35* |
*Waivable if certain conditions are met
The annual percentage yield (APY) shown is as of Jan. 27, 2026 and may vary by region.
Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking
Clear Access Banking is a checkless account. Payments and purchases are made with a contactless debit card or digital wallet.
Clear Access Banking is a good fit for teens and college students, since the account requires no minimum balance and automatically waives monthly service fees for those ages 13 to 24. Minors 13 to 16 must have an adult co-owner on the account, and those age 17 and under must open it at a branch.
The Clear Access Banking account is also a second chance for customers who can’t qualify to open a standard bank account because of a spotty banking or credit history. Customers can convert the account to another type of Wells Fargo checking account after 365 days.
With the account, customers have access to the Wells Fargo Mobile app, a debit card with chip technology, budgeting, cash flow and spending tools, online bill pay and 24/7 customer service. Account holders also have access to the Zelle peer-to-peer payment platform.
There are no overdraft protection options or overdraft fees for this account.
Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking fees
Monthly service fee
Amount: $5
How to avoid:
- The primary account owner is 17 to 24 years old
- The primary account owner has a campus debit or ATM card linked to the account.
- Receive a qualifying monthly military direct deposit.
- Have $250 or more in qualifying direct deposits.
Out-of-network ATM fees
Amount: $3 per transaction in the U.S., $5 outside the U.S.
How to avoid:
- Wells Fargo has a large ATM network that can be used to avoid fees.
International purchase fee
Amount: 3%
How to avoid:
- Don't use your debit card to make international purchases.
Other fees
No fees are charged for stop payments or returned deposited items, and overdraft services are not available for the account.
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking is the bank’s most popular account for day-to-day banking. It offers check writing, overdraft protection and 24/7 fraud monitoring, as well as convenient features like the Wells Fargo Mobile app, which can be used to pay bills, deposit checks, send and receive money with Zelle, set up account alerts and more.
Everyday Checking accounts, like all Wells Fargo personal checking accounts, include zero-liability protection for any unauthorized card transactions that are promptly reported.
The Everyday Checking account differs from Clear Access Banking in that it comes with checks as well as overdraft protection with linked backup accounts. Account holders can set up the optional overdraft protection to avoid declined transactions and overdrafts.
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking fees
Monthly service fee
Amount: $15
How to avoid:
- The primary account owner is 17 to 24 years old
- Receive a qualifying monthly military direct deposit.
- Maintain a $5,000 minimum balance across qualifying deposit and investment accounts.
- Maintain a $1,500 minimum daily balance.
- Make $500 or more in qualifying direct deposits each month.
Out-of-network ATM fees
Amount: $3 per transaction in the U.S., $5 outside the U.S.
How to avoid:
- Wells Fargo has a large ATM network that can be used to avoid fees.
International purchase fee
Amount: 3%
How to avoid:
- Don't use your debit card to make international purchases.
Overdraft fee
Amount: $35
How to avoid:
- Link another account to cover the transaction.
Wells Fargo Prime Checking
You’ll only need $25 to open a Wells Fargo Prime checking account. And, regardless of your balance, you'll earn a very small amount of interest.
You may qualify for a lower lending rate on a qualifying Wells Fargo personal loan by having this account and making automatic payments through it.
Wells Fargo Prime Checking fees
Monthly service fee
Amount: $25
How to avoid:
- Have $20,000 or more in a qualifying linked account.
Types of qualifying accounts include:
- Checking accounts.
- Savings accounts.
- Certificates of deposit (CDs).
- IRAs.
- Investments through qualifying affiliates.
Banking services fees
Some banking services fees are waived. Cashiers and money orders are included in this. Some ATM fees may also be reimbursed, including up to one domestic out-of-network fee charged by the operator and one located outside the U.S. each month.
International purchase fee
Amount: 3%
How to avoid:
- Don't use your debit card to make international purchases.
Overdraft fee
Amount: $35
How to avoid:
- Link another account to cover the transaction.
Other fees
Up to $40 fee for outgoing domestic wire transfers.
Wells Fargo Premier Checking
You can open a Premier Checking account with only $25. But you’ll need to have at least a total of $250,000 in total balances in certain accounts at Wells Fargo to have the $35 monthly maintenance fee waived.
Having this account means you’ll save on ATM fees, since the account reimburses an unlimited amount of them all over the globe. You also won’t be charged a fee for using your debit card abroad.
Wells Fargo Premier Checking fees
Monthly service fee
Amount: $35
How to avoid:
- Have $250,000 or more in a qualifying linked account.
Types of qualifying accounts include:
- Checking accounts.
- Savings accounts.
- Certificates of deposit (CDs).
- IRAs.
- Investments through qualifying affiliates.
Banking services fees
This account waives many fees, including ATM fees, incoming and outgoing wire transfers and cashier’s checks. However, there’s still a $35 overdraft fee.
Checking account features
Each of Wells Fargo’s four main checking accounts caters to a different type of consumer, but they share a few things in common:
- Wells Fargo mobile app. The bank’s highly rated mobile app lets customers make deposits, pay bills, get account alerts and track balances using a smartphone or tablet.
- Fraud monitoring. Every account is monitored for fraud, and account holders are notified if the bank spots unusual account activity.
- Zero liability for fraudulent debit card transactions.
- The ability to turn a debit card on and off with the mobile app.
- Access to more than 11,000 Wells Fargo ATMs.
- Free access to Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment platform for sending and receiving money to individuals.
- Free online bill pay.
Alternatives to Wells Fargo checking accounts
If you’re not sure whether a Wells Fargo checking account is what you’re looking for, know that there are lots of other banks with similar or better offers.
For a checking account that earns a higher yield, consider one of Bankrate’s best online-only banks, which may offer a better rate to compete with established big banks. Or consider an online bank for your savings account. It’s possible to find savings yields of over 4 percent APY at FDIC-insured online banks listed in Bankrate’s best high-yield savings accounts.
A credit union is another alternative, as long as you meet the membership requirements. Credit unions can offer better rates on loans and savings, along with personalized service. As member-owned institutions, credit unions prioritize their members' needs, fostering a more supportive banking experience.