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Wells Fargo CD rates 2025: How to qualify for the best returns

Joseph HostetlerBy Joseph HostetlerStaff Writer, Personal Finance
Joseph HostetlerStaff Writer, Personal Finance

    Joseph is a staff writer on Fortune's personal finance team. He's covered personal finance since 2016, previously serving as a reporter and editor at sites like Business Insider and The Points Guy. He has also contributed to major outlets such as AP News, CNN, Newsweek, and many more.

    The Wells Fargo logo on a green layered background.
    Illustration by Fortune; original logo from Wells Fargo

    It’s not uncommon for the best certificates of deposit (CDs) nowadays to breach 4.00% APY. These colossal rates most often come from online banks that have little operating costs—so it’s nice to find a full-service bank that offers generous rates too.

    Wells Fargo offers everything from credit cards to high-yield savings accounts. It’s also got a fistful of CD options that go toe-to-toe with just about anyone.

    Here’s what you need to know about Wells Fargo CD rates and which to consider opening for the biggest return.

    All rates and fees are current as of Aug. 18, 2025, and are subject to change.



    Wells Fargo Bank CD rates and products

    Wells Fargo offers a variety of CDs, from standard CDs with myriad term lengths to specialty CDs with promotional, limited-time rates. You can’ll get the absolute best APY if you have either a Prime Checking, Premier Checking, or Private Bank Interest Checking account.

    Just note that rates may vary slightly depending on your region.

    Standard CDs

    Available online are three-, six-, and 12-month CD terms, although more terms are available if you stop into a branch. You’ll need at least $2,500 on hand to deposit to open a standard CD.

    Wells Fargo Bank standard CD features

    Minimum opening deposit$2,500
    Early withdrawal penalty– Terms less than three months (or 90 days): 1 month’s interest- Terms of 90-365 days: 3 months’ interest- Terms of 12-24 months: 6 months’ interest- Terms over 24 months: 12 months’ interest
    Partial withdrawals permittedYes (for a fee)
    Additional deposits permittedNo
    Automatic renewalInto new fixed CD of same term length
    Renewal grace period10 days

    Wells Fargo Bank standard CD rates

    Term lengthAPYRelationship APY
    3 months1.50%1.51%
    6 months1.50%1.51%
    12 months2.00%2.01%
    3 months
    APY1.50%
    Relationship APY1.51%
    6 months
    APY1.50%
    Relationship APY1.51%
    12 months
    APY2.00%
    Relationship APY2.01%

    Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

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    CD specials

    Wells Fargo offers three term lengths for its CD specials: 4, 7, and 11 months. The minimum opening deposit is $5,000 for these improved rates—significantly higher than what you’d need to deposit in a standard CD.

    Wells Fargo Bank special CD features

    Minimum opening deposit$5,000
    Early withdrawal penalty– Terms less than three months (or 90 days): 1 month’s interest- Terms of 90-365 days: 3 months’ interest- Terms of 12-24 months: 6 months’ interest- Terms over 24 months: 12 months’ interest
    Partial withdrawals permittedYes (for a fee)
    Additional deposits permittedNo
    Automatic renewalInto new CD with a term between 3 and 6 months
    Renewal grace period10 days

    Wells Fargo Bank CD specials

    Term lengthAPYRelationship APY
    4 months4.00%4.26%
    7 months3.75%4.01%
    11 months3.50%3.76%
    4 months
    APY4.00%
    Relationship APY4.26%
    7 months
    APY3.75%
    Relationship APY4.01%
    11 months
    APY3.50%
    Relationship APY3.76%

    Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

    Individual retirement account (IRA) CDs

    IRA CDs come with the same standard and relationship APY as regular CD rates. You can choose CD special terms from 4, 7, and 11 months, or you can opt for standard rates in monthly increments from 1-144. To open a CD special, you’ll need to deposit a minimum of $2,500. Standard CDs require just $1,000.

    Note that you’re subject to an early withdrawal penalty when touching your money before it matures, but you may also receive a 10% penalty from the IRS if withdrawing funds before you turn 59½. Read our explainer to fully understand just what is an IRA CD.

    Wells Fargo Bank IRA CD features

    Minimum opening deposit– $1,000 for standard fixed rate CDs- $2,500 for special rate CDs
    Early withdrawal penalty– Terms less than three months (or 90 days): 1 month’s interest- Terms of 90-365 days: 3 months’ interest- Terms of 12-24 months: 6 months’ interest- Terms over 24 months: 12 months’ interest
    Partial withdrawals permittedYes (for a fee)
    Additional deposits permittedNo
    Automatic renewal– Standard IRA CDs will renew to the same term length- Special IRA CDs will renew with a term between 3 and 6 months
    Renewal grace period10 days

    Wells Fargo Bank IRA special rate CDs

    Term lengthAPYRelationship APY
    4 months4.00%4.26%
    7 months3.75%4.01%
    11 months3.50%3.76%
    4 months
    APY4.00%
    Relationship APY4.26%
    7 months
    APY3.75%
    Relationship APY4.01%
    11 months
    APY3.50%
    Relationship APY3.76%

    Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

    Wells Fargo Bank IRA CDs

    Term lengthAPYRelationship APY
    1-2 months0.01%0.02%
    3-5 months1.50%1.51%
    6-11 months1.50%1.51%
    12-23 months2.00%2.01%
    24-35 months2.25% (2.75% for deposits of $100K+)2.27% (2.76% for deposits of $100K+)
    36-47 months1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)1.02% (1.51% for deposits of $100K+)
    48-59 months1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)1.02% (1.51% for deposits of $100K+)
    60-71 months1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)1.02% (1.51% for deposits of $100K+)
    72-144 months1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)1.02% (1.51% for deposits of $100K+)
    1-2 months
    APY0.01%
    Relationship APY0.02%
    3-5 months
    APY1.50%
    Relationship APY1.51%
    6-11 months
    APY1.50%
    Relationship APY1.51%
    12-23 months
    APY2.00%
    Relationship APY2.01%
    24-35 months
    APY2.25% (2.75% for deposits of $100K+)
    Relationship APY2.27% (2.76% for deposits of $100K+)
    36-47 months
    APY1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    Relationship APY1.02% (1.51% for deposits of $100K+)
    48-59 months
    APY1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    Relationship APY1.02% (1.51% for deposits of $100K+)
    60-71 months
    APY1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    Relationship APY1.02% (1.51% for deposits of $100K+)
    72-144 months
    APY1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    Relationship APY1.02% (1.51% for deposits of $100K+)

    Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025



    Business CDs

    Wells Fargo Business CDs can be a good fit for business owners who want to put their cash reserves to work. Similar to other CD options, you’ll choose between special fixed rate CDs with impressive returns (4-, 7-, and 11-month terms) and standard fixed-rate CDs (from 1-144 months). 

    CD specials require a minimum deposit of $5,000, while standard rates require $2,500.

    However, unlike with its personal CDs, Wells Fargo doesn’t advertise any increased relationship APY for its Business CDs. 

    Wells Fargo Bank Business CD features

    Minimum opening deposit– $2,500 for standard fixed rate CDs- $5,000 for special rate CDs
    Early withdrawal penalty (less than 90 days)– Terms less than three months (or 90 days): 1 month’s interest- Terms of 90-365 days: 3 months’ interest- Terms of 12-24 months: 6 months’ interest- Terms over 24 months: 12 months’ interest
    Partial withdrawals permittedYes (for a fee)
    Additional deposits permittedNo
    Automatic renewal– Standard Business CDs will renew to the same term length- Special Business CDs will renew with a term between 3 and 6 months
    Renewal grace period10 days

    Wells Fargo Bank Business special rate CDs

    Term lengthAPY
    4 months4.25%
    7 months3.75%
    11 months3.50%
    4 months
    APY4.25%
    7 months
    APY3.75%
    11 months
    APY3.50%

    Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

    Wells Fargo Bank Business fixed rate CDs

    Term lengthAPY
    1-2 months0.01%
    3-5 months1.50%
    6-11 months1.50%
    12-23 months2.00%
    24-35 months2.25% (2.75% for deposits of $100K+)
    36-47 months1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    48-59 months1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    60-71 months1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    72-144 months1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    1-2 months
    APY0.01%
    3-5 months
    APY1.50%
    6-11 months
    APY1.50%
    12-23 months
    APY2.00%
    24-35 months
    APY2.25% (2.75% for deposits of $100K+)
    36-47 months
    APY1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    48-59 months
    APY1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    60-71 months
    APY1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)
    72-144 months
    APY1.01% (1.50% for deposits of $100K+)

    Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

    Compare Wells Fargo Bank to top competitors

    Even without a Wells Fargo relationship, its CD rates are respectable. Here’s how Wells Fargo stacks up against its competition.

    The Wells Fargo logo.
    Wells Fargo APY (non-relationship)
    Discover Bank logo
    Discover
    Northern Bank Direct Logo
    Northern Bank Direct
    3 months3 months3 months
    1.50%2.00%N/A
    4 months4 months4 months
    4.00% (CD Special)N/AN/A
    6 months6 months6 months
    1.50%3.50%4.25%
    7 months7 months7 months
    3.75% (CD Special)N/AN/A
    9 months9 months9 months
    N/A3.50%4.00%
    11 months11 months11 months
    3.50% (CD Special)N/AN/A
    12 months12 months12 months
    2.00%4.00%3.50%
    View offer
    at Wells Fargo
    View offer
    at Discover
    View offer
    at Northern Bank Direct

    Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

    Learn more about Wells Fargo Bank

    Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. as of this writing, with $1.76 trillion in consolidated assets, according to numbers released by the Federal Reserve. As a leading financial institution, Wells Fargo certificate of deposit (CD) rates are competitive and offer a way for depositors to earn a secure return on their investments—even if they’re not the best we’ve ever seen.

    Its savings accounts can also deliver notably high APY. In terms of CDs vs. high-yield savings accounts, CDs will typically offer a superior return rate. But depending on your account balance, you could earn up to 2.51% APY from a Wells Fargo savings account, which is more generous than some CD terms offer.

    Another consideration when trying to decide between a Wells Fargo CD vs. a savings account is the access you’ll have to your money. CDs typically penalize you for withdrawing your money before maturity—while savings accounts allow you to more freely manage your money, often with a limit of six withdrawals per month.

    In addition to CDs, Wells Fargo offers a wide variety of other banking products, including credit cards, checking, mortgages, personal loans, and investments.

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