Wells Fargo Everyday Checking Account

To open a Wells Fargo Everyday Checking, you need to prepare your Social Security Number or ITIN, as well as valid ID. You'll also need to make a $25 opening deposit.

You can apply online for the Wells Fargo Everyday Checking, and you can also call 1-877-250-2239.

If you're under 18, you need to visit your local Wells Fargo branch to open a Wells Fargo Everyday Checking. You'll need to get your ID, SSN, as well as certificate of enrollment ready to prove you're a student. You'll also need a way to fund your account ($25 minimum opening deposit).

We assume you'll also need someone to accompany you, whether it be your parent or legal guardian. You can contact a Wells Fargo banker for more information at 1-866-370-2264.

In order to avoid the monthly fee on the Wells Fargo Everyday Checking, one of your options is to have a qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more made to your Everyday Checking account each month. It can be a salary, pension, social security or any other form of income deposited through the ACH network by your employer or an outside agency. You can't transfer those funds from another bank account of yours, it must be a third-party-made deposit.

If you're considering getting overdraft protection, then you should know Wells Fargo offers the following overdraft services:

1. Overdraft Protection Transfer or Advance Fee: if you enroll, you can have another account(s) linked to your Wells Fargo Everyday Checking, so, in case you don't have enough money in your checking account, Wells Fargo will automatically transfer the required amount from your linked account, for a $12.50 fee per transfer. If you're in the Wells Fargo Campus Card program, this fee is waived if the account linked is a Wells Fargo savings account.
2. Debit Card Overdraft Service: You can choose how your ATM and everyday debit card transactions are processed in case of insufficient funds. If you enroll in this service, ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions may be approved, but you'd still be charged a fee, unless you fund your account in a timely manner.

We advise against adding overdraft protection services, because, while less significant, there are still applicable fees. The best way to control your budget is to set up balance and card alerts, so you always know how much money you've got in your Wells Fargo Everyday Checking balance. If necessary, you can transfer funds from another account yourself, to ensure not having your transactions declined or checks returned. This way, you'll avoid overdraft and NSF fees altogether, but also learn how to better organize your spending and manage your budget.

Control Tower is a tool you can use to access, manage, and monitor your Wells Fargo cards and account information. 

Once signed in, you'll be able to turn your Wells Fargo cards on and off, which is a useful feature if you lose your card, for example. You can also control which transactions are to be prohibited, such as transactions made outside the U.S. Having a list of all the merchants you've paid within the last 12 months can also be helpful if you change your debit card, and would like to update some merchants with your new card information to ensure automatic/recurring payments with your Wells Fargo card are executed alright.

Finally, you can choose which data are to be shared with third-party financial service businesses, such as Intuit or Xero.

Wells Fargo lets you set up various debit card alerts, so you're always in control of your debit card usage, as well as your spending:

1. Purchase alerts:

• when a purchase made with your Wells Fargo debit card exceeds an amount you set,
• when a purchase made online, by phone or mail with your Wells Fargo debit card exceeds an amount you set,
• when a purchase made with a merchant based outside the U.S. exceeds an amount you set.

2. ATM activity alerts:

• when an ATM withdrawal made within the U.S. exceeds an amount you set,
• when an ATM withdrawal made outside the U.S. exceeds an amount you set.

3. Debit card declined:

• when your Wells Fargo debit card is declined (due to insufficient funds, an incorrect PIN, an exceeded daily dollar limit or a blocked card).

These alerts are easy to set up. All you need to do is to sign in to your Wells Fargo Online account to access "Manage Alerts". You can choose to be notified by email, text or push notifications.

Yes, the Platinum Debit Card you get when you open a Wells Fargo Everyday Checking has a daily limit on both purchases and cash withdrawals you can make using the card. You can see your Platinum Debit Card daily limits in your Wells Fargo Online account. Once signed in, click "Open Card Details", and you'll find the information under "Limits for This Card". You can also call the number on the back of your card or account statement, check debit card disclosure materials you received with your card or by visiting your local Well Fargo branch.

The Wells Fargo Campus ATM and Campus Debit cards are available if your school is participating in the Wells Fargo Campus Card Program. You can check that here.

The Wells Fargo Campus ATM card is actually issued by your school - it's a student ID that serves as your official campus ID card, and can be used as an ATM card (for cash withdrawals and PIN purchases).

The Wells Fargo Campus Affinity Debit card is a Visa debit card you can use to access ATMs and make purchases, but there's no campus-access feature with this card. It's an optional, Wells Fargo-issued debit card, available to students, faculty, and staff. You can also link it to your Wells Fargo Everyday Checking.

Learn more about the Wells Fargo Campus Card Program.