Wells Fargo charges monthly fees on most checking accounts, but you can waive them

Wells Fargo's standard checking accounts carry a monthly maintenance fee of $10 to $15, depending on the account type. You can eliminate this fee by meeting one of several conditions: keeping a minimum daily balance (usually $500 to $1,500), setting up direct deposit, maintaining a linked savings account with a certain balance, or being a student or senior citizen. If you do not meet any waiver requirement, the fee posts to your account each month.

The specific fee and waiver options depend on which Wells Fargo checking account you hold. Wells Fargo offers several tiers—Everyday Checking, Preferred Checking, and Platinum Checking—each with different fee structures and balance requirements. Before opening an account or after you already have one, you can call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 or visit a branch to confirm which account you have and what waivers apply to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Wells Fargo checking accounts charge $10 to $15 per month, but the fee is waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance or set up direct deposit.
  • Student and senior accounts typically have no monthly fee or lower fees than standard accounts.
  • Overdraft fees, ATM fees outside the Wells Fargo network, and wire transfer fees are separate charges that apply regardless of your account type.
  • You can request a fee reversal if you have been charged in error or if you recently met a waiver requirement.

Monthly maintenance fees by account type

Wells Fargo Everyday Checking carries a $10 monthly maintenance fee. This fee is waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $500, set up a direct deposit of any amount, or link a Wells Fargo savings account with a $500 minimum daily balance. Students under 24 with a valid student ID and customers age 65 and older pay no monthly fee on this account.

Wells Fargo Preferred Checking costs $15 per month. The fee is waived with a $1,500 minimum daily balance, direct deposit, or a linked savings account with $1,500 minimum daily balance. This account includes additional perks like higher ATM reimbursement and priority customer service, but you pay for those features through the higher fee if you do not meet a waiver requirement.

Wells Fargo Platinum Checking is designed for customers who want premium features and typically carries the highest fee. Waiver requirements are the same as Preferred Checking. If you are unsure which account you have, log into your online banking portal or call the number on the back of your debit card.

Other fees that apply regardless of account type

Beyond the monthly maintenance fee, Wells Fargo charges for specific transactions and services. Overdraft fees run $35 per transaction if you overdraw your account, and Wells Fargo can charge multiple overdraft fees in a single day. Non-Wells Fargo ATM withdrawals cost $2.50 per transaction, though you may receive reimbursement depending on your account tier and membership in certain programs.

Wire transfers initiated by you cost $15 for domestic wires and $45 for international wires. Cashier's checks cost $10 each. Stop payment requests on checks cost $35. These fees are not waived by meeting balance or direct deposit requirements—they apply when you use these services, period.

If you receive a paper statement by mail rather than viewing statements online, Wells Fargo charges $2 per month for that service on some accounts. Switching to online-only statements eliminates this fee.

How to confirm your current fees and waivers

Log into your Wells Fargo online banking account and navigate to your account details or account summary. The page will show your account type, current balance, and any active fee waivers. If you see a monthly maintenance fee posted to your account, the page will also show which waiver condition you did not meet that month.

If you cannot find this information online, call Wells Fargo customer service at 1-800-869-3557 or visit a local branch with your debit card or account number. A representative can tell you exactly which account you hold, what the current fee is, and which waiver options are available to you. This call takes five to ten minutes and is the fastest way to get a definitive answer.

Requesting a fee reversal

If you were charged a monthly maintenance fee but believe you met a waiver requirement, you can request a reversal. Call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 and explain the situation—for example, "I set up direct deposit on the 15th, but I was charged the fee on the 1st." Wells Fargo may reverse one or two months of fees if you can show you met the requirement, though the bank is not obligated to do so.

Reversals are more likely if you have been a customer for several years, have a good account history, and this is your first request. If you are a new customer or have requested multiple reversals, the bank may decline. There is no harm in asking, and the worst outcome is that they say no.

Alternatives if Wells Fargo fees are too high

If you cannot meet a waiver requirement and do not want to pay the monthly fee, you have options. Many online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement. Banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have no monthly fees and reimburse ATM fees nationwide, which can save you money if you use out-of-network ATMs frequently.

Credit unions often have lower fees and more flexible waiver requirements than large banks. If you are a member of a credit union or work for an employer that offers credit union membership, compare their checking account fees to Wells Fargo's. You may find a no-fee option that also offers better customer service and lower overdraft fees.

Closing a Wells Fargo account is straightforward: visit a branch, call 1-800-869-3557, or use online banking to initiate the closure. Make sure you have moved your direct deposits and automatic payments to your new account before closing, or those transactions will fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I waive the monthly fee by keeping money in savings instead of checking?

No. Wells Fargo requires the minimum balance to be in the checking account itself or in a linked savings account. The balance must be in an account you own at Wells Fargo, not at another bank. If you link a Wells Fargo savings account, that account must also meet its own minimum balance requirement.

What happens if I fall below the minimum balance for one day?

If your balance drops below the minimum even once during the month, you lose the waiver for that month and will be charged the monthly fee. The requirement is a minimum daily balance, meaning your balance must stay above the threshold every single day of the billing cycle.

Does direct deposit have to be from my employer, or can it be from anywhere?

Direct deposit can come from your employer, Social Security, a pension, or any other source that uses the ACH system to deposit money directly into your account. One-time transfers from another bank do not count as direct deposit. The deposit must be recurring or at least appear to be part of a regular pattern.

If I close my Wells Fargo account, will I owe any fees?

Wells Fargo does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if your account is overdrawn when you close it, you will owe the negative balance. Make sure your account has a zero or positive balance before you initiate closure.

Can I switch to a different Wells Fargo checking account to get a lower fee?

Yes. If you currently have Preferred Checking and want to avoid the $15 fee, you can downgrade to Everyday Checking, which has a $10 fee and the same waiver options. Call 1-800-869-3557 or visit a branch to request the change. The switch is free and takes one business day to process.