U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo: Which Is Best for You?

If bigger is better when it comes to banking, you’ll like what U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo have to offer. Both megabanks have thousands of branches and ATMs across the country. We compared them to help you find which one might suit you best.

Snapshot comparison

Choose Wells Fargo if:

• You want to have your monthly checking account fee waived with lower minimum deposits or balances.

• You are closer to Wells Fargo locations.

Choose U.S. Bank if:

• You live in a state where the accounts are available (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming).

• You have an eligible U.S. Bank credit card, which waives your checking account monthly fee.

• You want access to more ATMs.

Or go with an alternative

Unlike these brick-and-mortars, online banks don't have thousands of branches. But they do have excellent annual percentage yields, or APYs, that make your savings grow faster. And fees tend to be low or nonexistent.

Want to know more? Check out NerdWallet's best high-yield online savings accounts

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo: Basic checking accounts

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo: Basic savings accounts

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo: Certificates of deposit

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo: Banking experience

U.S. Bank vs. Wells Fargo: Overdraft fees

Big banks with a broad range

U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo both have a range of products for customers, but they also tend to have high fees. If you prefer large banks with thousands of ATMs and branches, the best option likely depends on where you live. If you are closer to Wells Fargo locations, that bank may be the better choice. But if U.S. Bank branches and ATMs are more convenient, it may be the one to consider.