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Banking » Compare Banks » Truist Bank vs. Wells Fargo Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?

Truist Bank vs. Wells Fargo Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?

Wells Fargo offers better savings rates than Truist Bank, more selection for checking accounts and better credit cards. Here's our comparison
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

When choosing a bank, factors such as a variety of products, account features, fees, and customer service play a crucial role. Two prominent contenders in the banking industry are Truist Bank and Wells Fargo.

In this article, we will compare these banks to help you make an informed decision about which bank aligns better with your financial needs.

Checking Accounts

Wells Fargo is our winner for checking accounts as it offers more options for personal customers than Truist Bank. While Truist fees are lower, Wells Fargo offers premium accounts such as Prime and Premier checking.

Wells Fargo offers four types of personal checking accounts for individuals. The basic account with lower fees is called Clear Access Banking, the Everyday Checking is the classic checking account, and the Prime Checking and Premier Checking target customers who want more features and benefits. 

While all of them charge monthly fees, customers can waive them in various ways:

Wells Fargo Checking Account
Monthly Fee
Average Balance To Waive Fees
Clear Access Banking
$5
Only if you're under 24
Everyday Checking
$10
$500
Prime Checking
$25
$20,000 (Combined with deposits)
Premier Checking
$35
$250,000 (Combined with deposits)

Truist bank offers personal checking accounts with many features and easily waived monthly fees. However, there is no wide selection of accounts as you have with Wells Fargo:

Truist Bank Account
Monthly Fee
Average Day Balance To Waive
Truist One Checking account
$12
$500
Truist Confidence Account
$5
$500

Wells Fargo's basic account offers several key features to enhance the banking experience. The Early Pay Day feature allows account holders to access their funds ahead of traditional payday schedules, promoting financial convenience. The online and mobile banking help customers make almost any financial move online.

For those seeking enhanced banking privileges, Wells Fargo's premium accounts offer a range of attractive features. These include interest-bearing accounts, providing the opportunity for account holders to earn on their balances.

Additional perks encompass free check orders and non-Wells Fargo ATM withdrawals, priority customer service and fee waivers on money orders, cashier checks, and international debit card purchase.

Wells Fargo Account
Main Features
Clear Access Banking
No overdraft fees, Early Pay Day
Everyday Checking
Overdraft Services, check writing, Early Pay Day
Prime Checking
Interest-bearing, free check orders, free Non-Wells Fargo ATM withdrawals
Premier Checking
priority customer service, No fees on money orders/cashier checks/International debit card purchase

For example, customers can add or change overdraft protection to their account:

Wells Fargo overdraft protection
Add/change overdraft protection (Screenshot from Wells Fargo app)

The Truist bank checking account offers a range of features designed to meet the diverse needs of customers. Also, Truist offers a range of personal debit cards, combining convenience, security, and ease of use.

These cards provide control over spending with features like setting limits and purchase tracking. Users can earn cash back through exclusive deals, lock and unlock cards via Truist Mobile for security, and benefit from contactless checkout. 

Truist Bank Account
Main Features
Truist One Checking account
Loyalty Bonus on Truist credit cards, Free first order 10-pack checks
Truist Confidence Account
mobile bill pay, No overdraft fees, No check cashing fees

The Truist app allows users to effortlessly select the desired account for direct deposit and provides the option to save or print the authorization form.

Truist Set Up Direct Deposit
Set Up Direct Deposit with Truist bank (Screenshot from Truist Bank app)

Savings Accounts

Wells Fargo is our top pick for savings accounts because it provides better rates than Truist Bank and offers more choices for savers.

Wells Fargo has two main savings account options – Way2Save Savings and Platinum Savings, along with a kids' savings account. Although Way2Save Savings has a low Annual Percentage Yield (APY), the Platinum Savings plan offers a higher rate. However, to access the highest rate, you'll need to have more than $1 million in your account.

WF Set saving goals
Set saving goals with Wells Fargo (Screenshot from Wells Fargo app)

Truist Bank, a result of the merger between BB&T and SunTrust, offers savings accounts with different features. The Truist One Savings account provides benefits like no overdraft fees with Truist One Checking and the chance to earn interest. It's a helpful tool for building an emergency fund or working towards specific financial goals.

Truist also has a money market account that you won't find with Wells Fargo, but the rates are comparatively low.

Truist One Savings
Wells Fargo Platinum Savings
Savings Rate
0.05%
0.26% – 2.51%
Minimum Deposit
$50
$25
Fees
$5 The monthly maintenance fee can be waived by maintain a minimum daily ledger balance of $300 OR schedule a recurring preauthorized internal transfer of $25 or more per statement cycle into the Truist One Savings account OR waived for a minor under the age of 18 OR waived with ANY related Truist checking product
$5 can be waived by maintaining a $300 minimum daily balance, one qualified automatic transfer, one or more Save as You Go transfers from your Wells Fargo checking account. Primary account owners age 24 or younger are exempt from the fees

Certificate Of Deposits (CDs)

When it comes to CDs, Wells Fargo Bank is a better choice for us.

Truist Bank and Wells Fargo both have high CD rates, but they're only available for specific promotional terms.

Keep in mind that Truist Bank doesn't show CD rates on its website, and you can only open Truist CDs in person at a branch, not online.

CD Term
APY
Early Withdrawal Penalty
7 Months
3.92% – 4.26%
3 months interest
11 Months
4.50% – 4.76%
3 months interest
3 Months
2.00% – 2.01%
1 month interest
6 Months
2.00% – 2.01%
3 months interest
12 Months
2.75% – 3.26%
6 months interest
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Credit Cards

When it comes to credit cards, Wells Fargo is our winner due to a bit better credit card features and more importantly – better redemption options than Truist Bank. However, both Truist and Wells Fargo don't offer luxury cards with premium benefits.

Wells Fargo has different credit cards for different needs. If you like getting cash back, the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card is great for you. It gives you unlimited cash back on what you buy, plus a cash rewards bonus. For those who spend on daily stuff and travel, there's the Wells Fargo Autograph Card. The Reflect card is best for 0% intro APR.

They also have the Choice Privileges Mastercard. With this one, you earn points for staying at certain Choice Hotels. But that's not all – you also get points for buying gas, groceries, home improvement stuff, and phone plans.

Card
Rewards
Bonus
Annual Fee

Wells Fargo active cash card

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
2% 2% cash rewards on purchases (unlimited)
$200 $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
$0

Wells Fargo Autograph

Wells Fargo Autograph Card
1X – 3X 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Also, earn 1X points on other purchases
20,000 Points 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
$0

Wells Fargo ReflectSM Card (1)

Wells Fargo Reflect Card
N/A
0% Intro APR: 21 months on purchases and balance transfers
$0

Bilt Mastercard

Wells Fargo Bilt Mastercard
1x – 3x 3X points on dining, 2X points on travel and 1X points on rent payments without the transaction fees and other purchases
N/A
$0

Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

Wells Fargo Choice Privileges Mastercard
1x – 5x 5X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels plus on choice privileges point purchases properties, 3X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1X points on other purchases
40,000 points 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months – enough to redeem up to five Rewards nights at select Choice Hotel® properties.
$0

Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard

Wells Fargo Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
1x – 10x 10X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 5X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1X points on other purchases
N/A
$95

Truist Bank also offers a selection of credit cards, with options that cater to various needs, but with fewer redemption options compared to Wells Fargo.

Card
Rewards
Bonus
Annual Fee

Truist Enjoy Cash Secured credit card

Truist Enjoy Cash credit card
1% – 3% 3% cash back on gas and EV charging, 2% on utilities and groceries (up to the $1,000 monthly spend cap) and 1% on all other eligible purchases OR 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases
0% Intro APR 12 months on purchases
$0

Truist Enjoy Travel credit card

Truist Enjoy Travel credit card
1x – 2x 2x miles per $1 spent on airfare, hotels, and car rentals, 1x on all other eligible purchases
20,000 miles 20,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,500 in first 90 days after account opening
$0

Truist Future credit card

Truist Future credit card
N/A
0% Intro APR 15 months on balance transfers and purchases
$0

Truist Enjoy Beyond credit card

Truist Enjoy Beyond credit card
1x – 3x 3x points per $1 spent on airfare, hotels, and car rentals, 2x on dining and 1x on all other eligible purchases
30,000 points 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in first 90 days after account opening
$195

Truist Enjoy Cash Secured credit card

Truist Enjoy Cash Secured credit card
1% – 3% 3% cash back on gas, 2% on utilities and groceries (up to the $1,000 monthly spend cap) and 1% on all other eligible purchase
N/A
$19

Lending Options For Borrowers

When it comes to lending products, there is no clear winner as both banks offer more or less the same products, but if we have to choose one – Truist Bank is winning.

Both banks offer various options for home buyers through different types of mortgage programs and options for those who need personal loans or auto loans. Truist also offers special loans such as boat loans and RV loans and, more importantly – home equity lines of credit which are not available through Wells Fargo 

None of these banks will have a solution for customers who need student loans, including refinancing.

Which Bank Is Our Winner?

Wells Fargo is our winner in this competition. It offers better savings rates than Truist, more selection for checking accounts, including options for premium accounts and better credit card redemption options compared to Truist Bank. 

However, it is crucial to assess various factors, with a primary focus on those that are significant for your specific needs. This could include considerations such as banking services, overdraft assistance, frequent ATM usage, proximity to bank locations, and other elements that vary from person to person.

Compare Truist Versus Other Banks

While Truist is a full-service bank where you can find almost any financial product, Chase is our winner. Here's why – and what else to know: Chase vs. Truist Bank

There is no clear winner as to whether Truist Bank or Bank of America is a better choice, but we prefer the latter. Here's why.

Truist Bank vs. Bank Of America

Citibank is our winner due to its checking account options, various credit cards, and better savings account rates than Truist Bank.

Truist Bank vs. Citibank

Overall, we like Fifth Third a bit more than Truist bank, mainly due to the various checking options. Truist is better in credit cards.

Truist Bank vs. Fifth Third Bank

Each bank excels in different categories, but our winner is M&T Bank over Truist. There are some reasons for that, here's our comparison: Truist Bank vs. M&T Bank

Our winner is PNC Bank as it offers more options for checking and higher savings rates than Truist bank. Here's our comparison: Truist Bank vs. PNC Bank

Both Truist and TD Bank are active in a variety of states, such as Florida, Georgia, North And South Carolina, and more. Here's our winner: Truist Bank vs. TD Bank

There is no clear-cut answer to which bank is better, but Regions Bank is better than Truist if we have to choose one. Here's why: Truist Bank vs. Regions Bank

Our preferred choice is American Express, which provides a comprehensive banking package that outshines Truist Bank. Here's how they compare: Truist Bank vs. American Express Bank

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