Chime vs Wells Fargo
High-Yield Savings Accounts Comparison

Last Updated: July 15, 2025

Summary of Chime vs. Wells Fargo

As of July 15, 2025 Chime offers an APY of 3.75% for its Chime Savings Account account, compared to Wells Fargo's 2.51% APY for its Platinum Savings account.

Chime yields $370 more than Wells Fargo on a $10,000 balance after one year. Chime pays $375, while Wells Fargo pays $5 (with an effective APY of 0.05%) - an APY advantage for Chime.

Chime

Strengths

  • Chime offers a competitive APY of 3.75%, unchanged from 30 days ago.
  • No maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements for Chime Savings Account.
  • Chime has a high App Store rating of 4.8.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Chime requires a direct deposit of $200 to qualify for the 3.75% APY.
  • Chime has a BBB rating of B-, indicating lower trustworthiness.
  • Chime has no physical branches.

Wells Fargo

Strengths

  • Wells Fargo provides access to branches and ATMs in 36 states and D.C.
  • Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings offers a tiered APY of 2.51% for high balances.
  • Wells Fargo has a higher Google Play rating of 4.8.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Wells Fargo's APY of 2.51% is lower than Chime's 3.75%.
  • Wells Fargo charges a $12 maintenance fee unless a $3,500 balance is maintained.
  • Wells Fargo has a BBB rating of F and is not accredited.
Summary: Chime offers a higher APY of 3.75% with no fees, but requires a direct deposit to qualify. In contrast, Wells Fargo has a tiered APY of 2.51% for high balances, but charges maintenance fees and has a poor BBB rating. Wells Fargo provides physical branches, while Chime operates online only.

Compare Chime's vs Wells Fargo's Savings Accounts

ChimeWells Fargo
ProductChime Savings AccountvsPlatinum Savings
APY
1.25% - 3.75% (as of 7/15/2025)0.05% - 2.51% (as of 7/16/2025)
Bundled Account
YesYes
FDIC-insured
YesYes
Online OnlyYesNo
Compound Frequency
DailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$25
Minimum Balance for APY$0.01$1,000,000
Maintenance Fee$0$12. Waived with $3,500 minimum daily balance.
Direct Deposit Required
Yes. You need to receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the preceding 34 daysNo
NoteChime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. To open a savings account you must first open a checking account. To qualify for Chime+ with the 3.75% APY, you must have a Chime Checking account and receive a direct deposit of at least $200. Otherwise, the APY is 1.25%.This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The 2.51%% APY is available for balances of $1,000,000 or more, and 0.05%% APY up to $99,999.99. These APYs require the account is linked to a Wells Fargo Premier checking account. See bank for more tiers and details.
Visit BankChime Savings AccountPlatinum Savings
App Store Rating4.8/54.9/5
Google Play Rating4.7/54.8/5
BBB RatingB-F

No historical data available.

Calculate Savings Growth for Chime vs Wells Fargo

All calculations are based on APY.

Chime

APY: 3.75%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $37.5 (3.61%)
  • Total contributions: $0 (0.00%)
  • Initial deposit: $1,000 (96.39%)

Your total balance

$1,037.50

Effective APY: 3.75% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $1,037.5

Earnings: $37.5

Bank Details

Wells Fargo

APY: 2.51%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $25.1 (2.45%)
  • Total contributions: $0 (0.00%)
  • Initial deposit: $1,000 (97.55%)

Your total balance

$1,025.10

Effective APY: 2.51% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $1,025.1

Earnings: $25.1

Bank Details

After 1 year Chime would earn you $12.4 more than Wells Fargo.

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