Wells Fargo is a financial services company that offers banking services in the US. Its headquarters are in San Francisco, California. However, its managerial offices are located throughout the United States, meaning that it is a countrywide financial company and serves millions of Americans. For your information, Wells Fargo is among the big four banks of the US. Others include Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Citigroup. Later, you will know whether you can get a Wells Fargo checking account bonus.
A bonus refers to the free money you get when you open an account. Financial companies offer rewards to attract more customers. Others also reward you if you refer others into their business. However, there are always some terms and conditions to meet to get the bonus. You might be required to maintain a particular bonus for a particular time or deposit a particular amount when you open the account, among other requirements.
Wells Fargo offers a checking and savings account. You can also get payment cards such as debit and credit cards which are essential to help you make transactions online and at physical stores. The checking account also allows you to make transactions online when you log in and maybe carry a wire or ACH transfer. There are various ways you can use a checking account.
How to open a Wells Fargo checking account
You can open your checking account online using your computer or smartphone. A tablet can also do as long as you have a secure and consistent internet connection. When opening your account, it is advisable not to use public WiFis to avoid losing your data to hackers. You might open an account and start losing money if your login details land in the wrong hands.
Before opening your account, you require various things such as;
- An identification document such as the driver’s license, national/state ID, or passport
- Social Security Number
- Phone number
- Email address
- Physical address
You will also need to provide your full names as they appear in your identification document, your state, ZIP code, and any other information that may be necessary for the online application. After you have submitted your details, you can then wait for the approval and start enjoying the services offered by the company. Similarly, when opening a Wells Fargo second chance checking account, you need to provide the information above to get an account that rectifies your bad past banking practices.
Remember also the bank has a banking app that you can use for your online banking services on your smartphone. You only need to make a few hits on your device, and you are good to go. Payment of bills and sending money to others has never been that easy with Wells Fargo. Alternatively, you can open your account at a branch when you visit with all the documents.
You will need photocopies of the identification document. To prove that the physical address you give is the current one, you must provide the latest utility bills for water, electricity, or internet.
What are the benefits of a Wells Fargo checking account
We have a few reasons to consider opening a Wells Fargo account. They include the following.
i) Banking app
You do not need to queue at a physical branch anymore since you can transact and check your balance online using your smartphone. Very few people are left going to banks, and more so those older people who still value traditional banking practices.
ii) Mobile check deposit
The bank allows you to deposit checks online using your mobile banking app. You only need to sign the back of the check, then take pictures and upload them to the site for verification.
iii) Digital wallet
If you have payment cards such as debit and credit cards, you can add them to your mobile app to use them for your transactions. You, therefore, do not need to have money in your checking account as the cards can cater to any deficit.
iv) Card control
If you notice that someone in your house is misusing your card, you can quickly turn it off anytime you like to ensure that they do not misuse your money. Again, if you misplace your card, the best thing you can do is lock it so that no one can use it fraudulently, then begin the application process for a new card. All these are possible with the Wells Fargo banking app.
v) Zelle
Wells Fargo supports Zelle, a digital money transfer service that allows you to send money across banks. With Zelle, you do not need the account and routing numbers to send funds. The phone number or email number of the recipient is enough.
Also, transferring money with Zelle is free of charge. Zelle allows instant money transfers to cater to emergency cases. You can as well send money with a checking account number instantly to another Wells Fargo branch.
vi) Biometric authentication
Biometric authentication is crucial to help you secure your account from unauthorized access. It requires the use of your fingers or face. And since no one has biometric information similar to yours, no one can access using their biometric details. Additionally, you can strengthen your access with a PIN or password.
What are the features of Wells Fargo checking accounts
You can enjoy various features as soon as you get your checking account. They include the following.
a) Online banking
With the feature, you get early access to your money and enjoy the best banking tools that you need to achieve your financial needs. Online banking is taking shape throughout the world to reduce commotions in banks. A time will come when banks will have very few employees to handle online cases.
b) Contactless debit card
Upon opening a checking account, you get a debit card that you can use for your transaction activities. It can help you pay contactless using the NFC technology or by tapping/swiping at the register for fast, secure payments.
The card also allows you to pay online at Amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc. You can also withdraw funds at Wells Fargo ATMs. The institution has approximately 12,000 ATMs throughout the country.
c) 24/7 fraud monitoring
Wells Fargo has systems to detect fraud and can stop any transaction immediately and reach you to talk about it. That secures your money, even more, to ensure that criminals do not steal from you.
You also get alerts notifying you about any transaction and take the necessary action, i.e., reporting to the customer care, who then takes the necessary action.
d) Zero Liability protection
Almost all banks offer Zero liability for their cards. That relieves the card users of any burden of repaying money used illegally by criminals when they lose their cards. Instead, they compensate the misused money to ensure that you are not financially affected.
Does Wells Fargo offer a bonus for opening a checking account
I am sure you are curious to find out whether Wells Fargo is among the banks that give money for opening accounts. Well, you can get a bonus when you open a new Everyday Checking account with Wells Fargo. You can earn $300 in bonuses when you open a new checking account. For you to earn the bonus, they have to pull a soft credit check from the relevant bureaus.
To get the bonus, you must also put a minimum opening deposit of $25 in your new checking account at a Wells Fargo branch by March 31, 2022. Also, you must complete a qualifying direct deposit before the expiration date. The offer is open nationwide, and every American has can benefit. Wells Fargo will deposit your bonus into your account within 30 days after meeting the requirements.
Which are the various checking accounts at Wells Fargo
The institution offers three main types of checking accounts. They include the following.
1) Clear Access Banking
Clear Access Banking is checkless banking but with digital and debit card payments. It has no overdraft services, and you can only spend what is in your account. The account is suitable for teens and students, and people who need help to manage their accounts.
It has a monthly service fee of $5 and requires a minimum opening deposit of $25. For ages 13 – 16, they must open the accounts with an adult co-owner (parent/guardian). Teens between 13 and 17 years must open at the nearest branch.
The account is among the few you can open for your financial needs. For your information, this is among the online checking accounts with no ChexSystems that you can open to rectify your past poor banking behavior.
2) Everyday Checking
The Everyday Checking is the most popular checking account at Wells Fargo. The account. It gives you multiple ways to avoid fees, and you can enjoy check writing and overdraft protection. The account also permits student banking.
You require an opening deposit of $25 and a monthly service fee of $10. Again, you can manage your money using the online banking app. You can get an overdraft if you run out of money when buying something.
The account is suitable for 17 years or older. For teens, 17 years old must open their accounts at a branch.
3) Portfolio by Wells Fargo
The account comes with premium benefits that you cannot see in the other accounts. You can get discounts and waivers for particular banking services and can also receive priority support from the Wells Fargo team. You require $25 to open the account.
Furthermore, the bank charges $25 monthly service fees. The account is interest-bearing and also allows you to get an overdraft. You also enjoy online banking services and must be eighteen years or older to open this account.
If you are looking for a free checking account with no credit check no deposit to open, you can consider Portfolio by Wells Fargo. After all, checking accounts only checks whether you are in the Chexsystems and not your credit scores.
Bottom line
Wells Fargo is a financial company that operates in the United States of America. The bank offers three types of checking accounts and you can earn a bonus for opening a checking account. The institution has online banking services via the web or its mobile money wallet that allows you to manage your money conveniently.
One can deposit a check with the mobile app and add payment cards to cater for transactions. However, the account requires a minimum deposit and monthly fees.
