PNC vs. Wells Fargo
Comparing PNC and Wells Fargo for savings: PNC's PNC High Yield Savings pays 3.30% APY while Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings pays 0.05% APY.
Note: Wells Fargo requires a checking account.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? PNC pays $325 more than Wells Fargo annually ($330 vs $5).
Choose PNC if getting the best rate matters most, or you want a no-strings-attached account.
Important Considerations
Wells Fargo requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while PNC offers its savings account standalone.
| Metric | PNCPNC High Yield Savings Feb 21, 2026 | Wells FargoPlatinum Savings Feb 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% | 0.05% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$165 $10,000+$330 $25,000+$825 | $5,000+$3 $10,000+$5 $25,000+$13 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $25 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Eligibility restricted to select states. | This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The 0.05% 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. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® SupportedRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® SupportedChecking BundleDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.15% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing PNC vs. Wells Fargo
Executive Summary
PNC offers a superior savings option with its High Yield Savings account, boasting a competitive APY of 3.30%, which is significantly higher than Wells Fargo's top rate of 0.05% available through its Platinum Savings account, contingent on maintaining a high balance and linking to a Premier checking account. PNC's High Yield Savings has no maintenance fees and is accessible in select states, while Wells Fargo's options require a minimum deposit and may incur fees unless certain conditions are met. Overall, PNC stands out for its better returns and simplicity.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why PNC?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.30% vs 0.01%-0.05%) on all balances
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
Why Wells Fargo?
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
- ✓Available Nationwide
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
PNCPNC's PNC High Yield Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $330 vs $5/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
PNCPNC's PNC High Yield Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $825 vs $13/yr).
Best for Simplicity
PNCPNC's PNC High Yield Savings offers 3.30% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, PNC's PNC High Yield Savings pays $325 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
PNC vs. Wells Fargo Savings Calculator
You earn $325 more with PNC than Wells Fargo on a $10,000 initial deposit for 1 year*.
*This calculation assumes that APYs remain unchanged for 1 year, and takes into account known promo rate periods, but does not factor in bonuses. You can see how often these banks have changed their rates in the Compare Savings Rates Over Time section below.
PNC
PNC High Yield Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$330.00(3.2%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,330.00
Wells Fargo
Platinum Savings
Higher APY requires $1,000,000
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$5.00(0.0%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,005.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | PNC | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.23%90d Change | 0.05% Range: 0.05% - 0.05% Verified: 2/21/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | PNC High Yield Savings | Platinum Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $1,000,000 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $12. Waived with $3,500 minimum daily balance. |
| Compound Frequency | Monthly | Daily |
| Branch Access | Yes | Yes |
| Account Type | Online & Branches | Online & Branches |
| Physical Branches | Multiple branches in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI | Wells Fargo offers branches and ATMs in 36 states and Washington, D.C. |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | Yes |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Available Limit: $2,000/dayCentral to Virtual Wallet suite. | Available Limit: $3,500/dayFounding member; zero fees to replace wires. |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A- |
| Important Notes | Eligibility restricted to select states. | This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The 0.05% 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. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at PNC Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Wells Fargo Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | PNC | Wells Fargo | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNC High Yield Savings | Standard Savings | Platinum Savings | Way2Save Savings | |
Current APY | 3.30% | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.01% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -12.2 | 0.0 | -46.5 | 0.0 |
Days Since Change | 66 | 221 | 127 | 221 |
7-Month High | 3.95% | 0.03% | 2.51% | 0.01% |
7-Month Low | 3.30% | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.01% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.54 | 0.00 | 0.41 | 0.00 |
Volatility Score | 0.075 | 0.000 | 1.328 | 0.000 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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Compare PNC's APY of 3.30% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| PNC vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| PNC vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| PNC vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| PNC vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| PNC vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| PNC vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| PNC vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| PNC vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| PNC vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| PNC vs Citibank | 3.20% | $0 |
| PNC vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| PNC vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| PNC vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| PNC vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| PNC vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| PNC vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| PNC vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| PNC vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| PNC vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| PNC vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |