Wells Fargo Personal Loans Review

Pros Explained

• Relationship discount for checking members: If you have an eligible checking account with Wells Fargo and make automatic payments from that account on your personal loan, you could receive an interest rate discount of 0.25-0.50%, depending on the type of account you have. 
• No origination fee: Some lenders charge origination fees, which are typically taken out of the loan proceeds. Wells Fargo doesn’t charge origination fees, so the amount you see in the offer is what you’ll get if you accept. 
• No prepayment penalty: Wells Fargo will not charge you a penalty fee if you want to make extra payments or pay off your loan early.
• Fast funding: Wells Fargo reports that applicants typically receive loan funds on either the same day or the next business day once they’re approved.

Cons Explained

• Non-members must apply in person: Wells Fargo will only accept online and phone applications for personal loans from existing customers. Non-members will need to visit a bank branch to apply for a loan. 
• Late fees not disclosed: Wells Fargo does not provide a fee schedule on its website. Before accepting a loan offer, make sure to review the terms carefully. 
• Mixed customer service reviews: Many customers report negative experiences with Wells Fargo on third-party review sites. However, there are positive reviews as well. 
• Recent regulatory action: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) assessed a $250 million civil penalty against Wells Fargo in September of 2021. The penalty was related to issues with the bank’s mortgage loss mitigation program and the bank’s failure to meet the requirements of a 2018 Compliance Consent Order. Though this wasn’t directly related to personal loans, it illustrates that Wells Fargo doesn’t always abide by rules designed to protect consumers. 

Introduction

In addition to a full range of banking products, Wells Fargo offers personal loans with a relationship discount for existing checking account holders. However, non-customers should be aware that they’ll need to visit a Wells Fargo bank branch to apply for a personal loan. 

Wells Fargo loan amounts range from $3,000 to $100,000 with flexible terms from 12 to 84 months. Loans under $5,000 are restricted to terms of 36 months or less. APRs range from 7.49% (with a relationship discount) to 23.74%. Wells Fargo offers fast funding and doesn’t charge origination fees or prepayment penalties. But the bank also does not disclose late fees on its website. 

Wells Fargo personal loans are best for existing Wells Fargo checking account customers who can qualify for the relationship discount. 

Company Overview

Wells Fargo was founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, and it's headquartered in San Francisco, California. In addition to a full suite of banking products, Wells Fargo offers personal loans for various purposes, with a focus on debt consolidation, home improvements, and major purchases.

Customers of Wells Fargo can access 4,900 branches and 12,000 ATMs across 36 states, and this lender issues personal loans in all 50 states. 

Types of Personal Loans Offered by Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo doesn’t disclose a definitive list of what loan funds can be used for, nor does the bank specify any restrictions for its personal loans. In general, personal loans from Wells Fargo could be used for the following purposes:

• Debt consolidation
• Home improvements
• Major purchases
• Covering expenses like medical bills and auto repairs

Time To Receive Funds

The time it takes to receive your funds can vary based on your application. However, Wells Fargo reports that the loan proceeds are typically received the same day or the next business day after approval.

Wells Fargo Personal Loan Features

Relationship Discount

If you have an eligible Wells Fargo checking account and use that account to make automatic payments on your personal loan, you can receive a relationship discount of up to 0.5% on your APR. To receive a discount, you must have one of the following checking accounts:

Mobile App

Wells Fargo has a highly-rated mobile app you can use to make your loan payments. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play store. 

Free Credit Score

Eligible Wells Fargo customers get access to a free FICO score that’s updated once per month. Your score also comes with personalized tips and tools for maintaining good credit. Accessing your free score will not hurt your credit. 

Apply for a Wells Fargo Personal Loan

Remember that you’ll need an existing account with Wells Fargo to apply for a personal loan online or by phone. If you don’t have an existing account, you’ll need to apply in person. Here’s what Wells Fargo customers can expect when applying for a personal loan:

1. Check your rate: To get started, check your rate with Wells Fargo. This will only require a soft credit inquiry, which will not impact your credit score. 
2. Fill out a formal application: Complete a formal application if you’re happy with your rate. You’ll need to provide your contact information, Social Security number, and employment and income information. When you submit your application, the lender will conduct a hard credit inquiry, which will cause a slight, temporary dip in your credit score. 
3. Provide additional documentation: Wells Fargo may request additional documents for further review. These could include recent paystubs, utility bills, and copies of identifying documents. 
4. Review your loan offer: Review your loan terms and make sure you’re happy with your final rate, which could vary slightly from your initial rate check. 
5. Sign and accept: Sign the required loan documents to accept your loan offer. 
6. Track your application: In most cases, you can check your loan application status online. 
7. Receive your funds: Once you’re approved, you may receive your loan funds as soon as the same day. 

Can You Refinance a Personal Loan With Wells Fargo? 

Wells Fargo allows you to refinance your personal loan, which could be beneficial if your credit score improves and you can get a lower rate. You can also use refinancing to change your term, either to achieve a lower monthly payment or pay off your loan faster. 

Customer Service

To get help with your personal loan from Wells Fargo, you can make an appointment with a banker to discuss your situation in person or contact customer service by phone. 

To open a new account, call 1-877-526-6332 on weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT. To get help with an existing account, call 1-877-269-6056 on weekdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT. 

Customer Satisfaction

Wells Fargo receives poor customer service reviews on Trustpilot, with a 1.8 out of 5-star average rating from 117 customers as of February 2023. Most customer complaints are around fraud claims denied by Wells Fargo or poor communication from customer service. One reviewer commenting on the loan application process had a positive experience. 

Wells Fargo fared slightly better on ConsumerAffairs, with a 3.5 out of 5-star average rating across 1,393 customer reviews. Common complaints included unknowledgeable customer service representatives, particularly in the fraud department, and long hold times with frequent transfers. However, some people also commented that Wells Fargo’s customer service representatives are friendly and helpful, and that the institution occasionally forgives overdrafts and late fees. 

Account Management

The yourLoanTracker tool lets you check your loan application status and provide additional documentation as needed. Some borrowers won’t be eligible for the tool, though. Once you have an account with Wells Fargo, you’ll also be able to access its highly-rated mobile app. From there, you can make your loan payments with just a click. 

How Wells Fargo Compares to Other Personal Loan Companies

Compared to many other personal loan lenders, Wells Fargo offers larger loans. This lender also offers competitive rates, although they’re not the lowest we’ve seen. An important distinction is that Wells Fargo only offers existing customers the option to apply for a loan online. Non-customers will need to apply in person, and thus, may find the application process too restrictive. 

Wells Fargo vs. LightStream Personal Loans

Like Wells Fargo, LightStream offers personal loans in amounts up to $100,000. Both lenders offer fast funding and allow you to use the loan proceeds for almost anything. But there are a few differences between these lenders:

• LightStream offers home improvement loans with up to 12-year terms. Wells Fargo only offers up to a seven-year term. 
• LightStream offers a 0.5% Autopay discount, which is generous compared to other lenders. Wells Fargo only offers a relationship discount. 
• LightStream doesn’t charge any fees, even late fees. Wells Fargo assesses late fees but does not disclose what they are. 
• Anyone can apply for a LightStream personal loan online, while only existing Wells Fargo customers can apply for a Wells Fargo personal loan online. 

LightStream wins here due to lower potential APRs, longer-term options, and less restrictive application processes. But existing Wells Fargo customers may want to check their rate with both lenders before deciding. 

Read our full LightStream review for more details. 

Methodology

Investopedia is dedicated to providing consumers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of personal loan lenders. To rate providers, we collected over 25 data points across more than 50 lenders, including interest rates, fees, loan amounts, and repayment terms to ensure that our reviews help users make informed decisions for their borrowing needs.  

Our full personal loans methodology, including our data collection process and weighted data points, is available for review.