Types of investments

Part of the investment planning process is making investment choices that fit your investment strategy. Multiple investment types can work together to help you accomplish your financial goals. We’re dedicated to providing you a wide range of investment products and services to help you meet them.

As an investor, you have many options. Common types of investments include:

Part of the investment planning process is making investment choices that fit your investment strategy.

Wells Fargo interest rates offered within two or more consecutive tiers may be the same. When this is the case, this rate sheet may show those multiple tiers as a single tier. Each tier shown reflects the current minimum daily collected balance required to obtain the applicable Annual Percentage Yield. Step Rate CD Rates $2,500 minimum opening deposit A Step Rate CD (Time Account) is a 24-month CD featuring guaranteed interest rate increases and one penalty-free withdrawal every six months, provided the minimum opening balance is maintained 3. Look up current rates on a variety of products offered through Wells Fargo. Check back periodically as we regularly add new rates pages. Credit Card rates.

Stocks ❯

An investment giving you partial ownership in a company based on the number of shares you purchase. Stock prices often fluctuate more in the short term but may perform well over time.

Bonds ❯

An investment that functions as a loan to a government or institution in return for regular interest payments. Bonds can provide more stability than stocks although bonds have historically provided lower returns than stocks.

Mutual funds ❯

A fund allowing you to pool your money with others in a professionally managed portfolio. Mutual funds may offer diversification through stocks, bonds, and other investment types or a combination of each.¹

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) ❯

A basket of securities traded throughout the day — just like individual stocks — on a national stock exchange. Like mutual funds, you purchase shares of an overall fund rather than individual investments.²

Futures and Commodities ❯

Futures contracts are legal obligations to buy or sell a commodity or security at a later date “in the future.” The buyer agrees to purchase the commodity or security at a predetermined future date and price, and the seller agrees to deliver. The method of settlement is specified within the contract but usually takes place in the form of cash via an exchange.³

Annuities ❯

A contract between you and an insurance company requiring the insurer to make payments to you, either immediately or in the future. You purchase the annuity for a guaranteed income stream.⁴

Brokered certificates of deposit (CDs)

Brokered CDs are CDs issued by banks, purchased in bulk by securities firms, and sold to clients. Investors do not receive physical certificates for their brokered CDs but instead receive a periodic account statement detailing their CD holdings.

Contact a Financial Advisor to learn more about the types of investments to consider for your portfolio.

Next steps

Understand the variety of investments available.
Talk with your Financial Advisor about investment choices.

Wells Fargo Advisors and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice.

¹Returns and principal value of a mutual fund will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

²ETFs seek investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield of a particular index. There is no assurance that the price and yield performance of the index can be fully matched.

³Investments in commodities, futures, and managed futures are speculative, involve substantial risk, and are not appropriate for all investors. Investors should be aware that due to leverage, such investments can quickly lead to large losses as well as gains. Additionally, restrictions on redemptions may affect an investor’s ability to withdraw their participation. Further, there may be substantial fees and expenses. Investors should see the disclosure documents for a complete description of investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses.

⁴Variable annuities are long-term investments appropriate for retirement funding and are subject to market fluctuations and investment risk. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Guarantees apply to minimum income from an annuity; they do not guarantee an investment return or the safety of the underlying funds.

Wells Fargo is a household name—a bank with as much recognition as history. Founded during the peak of the Gold Rush in 1852 to transport gold by steamship from San Francisco to New York City, this behemoth of a bank has grown tremendously alongside the American economy.

However, although the bank’s history is rich, their current savings rates will leave you far from it. Their most recognizable savings account – the Wells Fargo “Way2Save” – plus its current certificate of deposit rates are appallingly low.

The Wells Fargo Way2Save savings account may have racked up a lot of users in the past due to its previous incentives and lucrative rates, but it doesn’t have a lot of rave reviews currently and today’s APYs are abysmal. Similarly, Wells Fargo CD accounts would need to reward much higher rates in order to stand up to competitor products.

Simply put, there are minimal (if any) benefits to saving with a Wells Fargo Way2Save or a certificate account at the moment. Take a look at the rates, account details, and customer reviews of Wells Fargo accounts before you dismiss these products entirely, but don’t expect too much from the savings side of this bank anytime soon.

The Wells Fargo Way2Save savings account was designed for individuals (including minors) that need help setting aside savings regularly in an automated way. The account remains mildly popular despite historically low rates because of this benefit.

A Wells Fargo Way2Save savings account offers the option of having funds automatically transferred from a linked Wells Fargo checking account. You can achieve this by enabling “Save As You Go” transfers or by scheduling automatic transfers on a monthly basis. The Save As You Go savings feature is an optional program that automatically transfers $1 from your checking account into your Way2Save account for each debit card or online bill pay transaction.

Wells Fargo Cd Rates For 6 Months

Wells Fargo Way2Save Savings Account APY

To put this offer in perspective the current national average for a savings account is 0.07% APY, although many online only banks still offer above 0.50% APY on all sums. And in addition to offering a shockingly bad rate, the Way2Save account comes with some potential monthly service fees, minimum daily balance requirements, and incidental charges that many consumers only put up with in exchange for high yields.

You will be charged a $5 monthly service fee unless you meet one of the following criteria in any given month:

maintain an average daily balance of $300 or more,
make one or more Save As You Go transfers from your checking account,
schedule an automatic transfer of at least $25 per month or $1 per day from your checking account, or
you are under the age of 18.

Interest is compounded daily and credited monthly. These accounts are regulated by federal regulation D, which limits transactions to six a month. You will be charged $15 for each withdrawal or transfer over this.

As we mentioned, the Way2Save account was designed to help people reach savings goals without requi