Ufb Direct vs Wells Fargo
High-Yield Savings Accounts Comparison

Last Updated: September 18, 2025

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Summary of UFB Direct vs. Wells Fargo

As of September 18, 2025 UFB Direct offers an APY of 4.10% for its UFB Checking and Savings Bundle account, with a minimum balance of $10,000, compared to Wells Fargo's 2.51% APY for its Platinum Savings account, with a minimum balance of $1,000,000.

UFB Direct yields $405 more than Wells Fargo on a $10,000 balance after one year. UFB Direct pays $410, while Wells Fargo pays $5 (with an effective APY of 0.05%) - an APY advantage for UFB Direct.

In addition, UFB Direct also offers 3.90% APY for the UFB Portfolio Savings account, while Wells Fargo offers 0.01% APY for the Way2Save Savings account.

UFB Direct

Strengths

  • UFB Direct offers a high APY of 4.10%, boosted by direct deposits and a minimum balance.
  • UFB Direct has an A+ BBB rating and is BBB Accredited.
  • UFB Direct has no maintenance fees on its accounts.

Potential Drawbacks

  • UFB Direct has no physical branches.
  • UFB Direct's APY decreased from 4.21% to 4.10% in the last 30 days.
  • UFB Direct requires a minimum deposit of $5,000 for its high-yield account.

Wells Fargo

Strengths

  • Wells Fargo offers physical branches and ATMs in 36 states and Washington, D.C.
  • Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings account has a stable APY of 2.51% for high balances.
  • Wells Fargo has a 4.9 App Store rating and a 4.8 Google Play rating.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Wells Fargo has an F BBB rating and is not BBB Accredited.
  • Wells Fargo's high APY requires a minimum balance of $1,000,000.
  • Wells Fargo charges a $12 maintenance fee on the Platinum Savings account.
Summary: UFB Direct offers a significantly higher APY of 4.10% compared to Wells Fargo's 2.51%, but requires a $5,000 minimum deposit. UFB Direct has no branches and an A+ BBB rating, while Wells Fargo has physical locations but an F BBB rating. Additionally, Wells Fargo's high APY is only available for balances of $1,000,000 or more, making UFB Direct more accessible for savers looking for higher yields.

Compare UFB Direct's vs Wells Fargo's Savings Accounts

UFB DirectWells Fargo
ProductUFB Portfolio SavingsUFB Checking and Savings BundlevsWay2Save SavingsPlatinum Savings
APY
3.90% (as of 9/18/2025)3.90% - 4.10% (as of 9/18/2025)0.01% (as of 9/18/2025)0.05% - 2.51% (as of 9/18/2025)
Bundled Account
NoNoNoYes
FDIC-insured
YesYesYesYes
Online OnlyYesYesNoNo
Compound Frequency
DailyDailyDailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$5000$25$25
Minimum Balance for APY$0$10,000$0$1,000,000
Maintenance Fee$0$0$5. Waived under some circumstances.$12. Waived with $3,500 minimum daily balance.
Direct Deposit Required
NoYesNoNo
NoteThe regular savings or money market APY may be boosted up to 4.10% by direct deposits, minimum balance of $10,000 and making 10 approved debit card transactions per statement cycle. See bank for full details.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.
Sponsored Link
App Store Rating4.8/54.9/5
Google Play Rating4.5/54.8/5
BBB RatingA+F

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 2 Months)

UFB DirectWells Fargo
ProductUFB Checking and Savings BundleUFB Portfolio SavingsvsPlatinum SavingsWay2Save Savings
Latest APY4.10 %3.90 %2.51 %0.01 %
TrendSidewaysSidewaysSidewaysSideways
Slope (bps/mo)-0.6-0.6-0.00.0
Rate Changes / Mo0.460.460.000.00
Days Since Last Change006464
High (-2 m)4.21 %4.01 %2.51 %0.01 %
Low (-2 m)4.10 %3.90 %2.51 %0.01 %
Draw-down from High-2.6 %-2.7 %0.0 %0.0 %
Volatility (CV)0.0040.0040.0000.000
APY Insights Glossary
Latest APY
Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
Trend
Direction over the last 2 months (regression slope).
Slope (bps/mo)
Average monthly change; 10 bps = 0.10 pp.
Rate Changes / Mo
Typical number of APY moves per month.
Days Since Last Change
Recency of the latest APY adjustment.
High (-2 m)
Highest APY in the last 65 days.
Low (-2 m)
Lowest APY in the last 65 days.
Draw-down from High
How far today sits below the 2-month peak.
Volatility (CV)
Coefficient of variation = stdev ÷ mean.
Why Track Savings-Account APYs?
  • See how quickly a bank reacts to Fed moves or competition.
  • Gauge “twitchiness” - frequent moves can annoy savers.
  • Spot if you're buying near a peak (draw-down) or riding a rise.
  • Slope (bps/mo) shows speed of change.
  • Volatility (CV) scales jumps by average level.

Calculate Savings Growth for UFB Direct vs Wells Fargo

All calculations are based on APY.

UFB Direct

APY: 4.10%

⚠️The higher APY only applies once your balance reaches $10,000.

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,469.5 (12.06%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (63.51%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.43%)

Your total balance

$20,469.50

Effective APY: 4.05% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,469.5

Earnings: $2,469.5

Wells Fargo

APY: 2.51%

⚠️The higher APY only applies once your balance reaches $1,000,000.

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $28.6 (0.16%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (72.11%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (27.73%)

Your total balance

$18,028.60

Effective APY: 0.05% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $18,028.6

Earnings: $28.6

Bank Overview

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, UFB Direct's total earnings would be $2,440.9 higher than Wells Fargo's total earnings.

The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.

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