Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Kiwibank vs Wells Fargo
Kiwibank
Wells Fargo
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | KiwibankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Wells FargoReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | NZ$0 | $5 |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.5%Lower | 3% |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0 |
Same on both: Card type (Debit), Card network (Visa).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Wells Fargo scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Founded is lower at Wells Fargo: 1852 vs 2001.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Kiwibank: 2.5% vs 3%.
- Support channels: only Kiwibank offers Email, Chat.
Our verdict on each
Kiwibank
Kiwibank suits New Zealand bank customers who want a plain everyday card, with a NZD 0 monthly fee on the Visa debit card and rewards listed as none. Costs stay light at home, but a currency conversion fee of 2.5% makes overseas spending the trade-off to weigh.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo suits US customers who want one bank for a rewards card, easy-access checking and a fixed-rate personal loan. Deposits sit under FDIC protection, and the card pairs an annual fee of $0 with 2% cash rewards at an APR of 18.74% to 28.74%.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9HigherAPR 12.9% on the credit card and a balance transfer fee of 1% for 6. | 8.8 |
| Offer | 9.9Higher | 9.1Annual fee of $0 plus 2% cash rewards on spending, against a card APR of 18.74% to 28.74% that is high for the market. |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.9Higher |
Which one suits you
Pick Kiwibank if offer and currency conversion fee matter most.
Pick Wells Fargo if trust matter most.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Savings | 292 of 1492 | 240 of 1492 |
| Loans | 441 of 2043 | 370 of 2043 |
| Personal loans | 392 of 1317 | 331 of 1317 |
| Mortgages | 191 of 853 | 159 of 853 |
| Credit and debit cards | 325 of 1594 | 272 of 1594 |
| Credit cards | 106 of 421 | 92 of 421 |
| Debit cards | 202 of 826 | 169 of 826 |
| Balance transfer cards | 11 of 32 | 8 of 32 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed | FDIC FDIC cert 27389 |
Additional countries for Kiwibank: 1. Additional countries for Wells Fargo: 1.
A third option
COCA Card has currency conversion fee at 0%, against 2.5% for Kiwibank and 3% for Wells Fargo.
COCA Card reviewWhere these facts come from
Kiwibank
- kiwibank.co.nz: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- glimp.co.nz: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- wise.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Wells Fargo
- wellsfargo.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- banks.data.fdic.gov: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- creditcards.wellsfargo.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Rewards |
| Audience | Business | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Kiwibank Limited | Wells Fargo National Bank West |
| Headquarters | New Zealand | United States |
| Founded | 2001 | 1852Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more | Phone, Help centre |
Credit cards
| Fact | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | NZ$0 | $0 |
| APR | 12.9%Lower | 18.74% to 28.74% |
| Rewards type | None | Cashback |
| Pricing model | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Rewards rate | Not confirmed | 2% cash rewards |
| Balance transfer intro period | 6 months | 12 monthsHigher |
| Balance transfer fee | 1% | Not confirmed |
| Perks | 55 days interest free on purchases | Not confirmed |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2% |
| Card kind | Credit | Credit |
Loans
| Fact | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | Not confirmed | $3,000 to $100,000 |
| Term | Not confirmed | 12 to 84 months |
| Arrangement fee | Not confirmed | 0 USD |
| Credit check | Not confirmed | Hard |
| Funding time | Not confirmed | Same day as approval for most customers |
| Representative example | Not confirmed | Unsecured personal loan: $17,000 over 48 months at 13.99% APR, monthly payment $464 |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Fixed |
| Lender type | Direct lender | Direct lender |
| Free early repayment | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Eligibility | Not confirmed | Existing customers only: must have been a Wells Fargo customer for at least 12 months |
| Origination fee (%) | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Loan types | Personal | Personal, Debt consolidationCovers more |
| Use cases | Not confirmed | Home improvement |
Savings
| Fact | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Access terms | Not confirmed | more ways to access your money |
| Account kind | Not confirmed | Easy access |
Mortgages
| Fact | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed period | Not confirmed | 30 years |
| Maximum loan to value | Not confirmed | 100% |
| Purpose | Not confirmed | Purchase, Remortgage, First time buyer, Home equity |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 2.5%above the median | 3%highest quarter | 1% |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 336 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Kiwibank
Pros
- The Visa debit card carries a monthly fee of NZD 0 and ranks 1 of 422 on that measure.
- Support covers phone, email and chat, so you can reach a person in the way you prefer.
- Purchases on the credit card can run interest free, with 55 days interest free on purchases.
Cons
- Spending abroad is costly: the currency conversion fee is 2.5%, which ranks Kiwibank at 196 of 258.
- The credit card has a rewards type of none, so spending earns nothing back.
- The debit card is aimed at business customers, so personal shoppers get less from it.
Wells Fargo
Pros
- Personal loans carry an arrangement fee of 0 USD and free early repayment, with funding Same day as approval for most customers.
- Deposits are covered by FDIC up to USD 250,000, and the bank is listed as FDIC cert 27389.
- A 12 month introductory period applies to balance transfers on the card.
Cons
- The card APR of 18.74% to 28.74% is steep for a card with no annual charge, so a balance carried month to month costs a lot.
- Personal loans are for existing customers who have been with the bank for a waiting period, which rules out new applicants.
- Support runs on phone and help centre only.
Who each suits
Kiwibank
Who it suits
- New Zealand bank customers who want an everyday Visa debit card without a monthly charge.
- People who want a credit card with an interest-free purchase window and an annual fee of NZD 0.
- Borrowers moving an existing balance who can use the 6 introductory window.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise, if you convert currency often, because a currency conversion fee of 2.5% pushes Kiwibank down the fee ranking.
- bunq, if your spending sits outside New Zealand, since bunq's monthly fee is €0 while Kiwibank's card serves a single market.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, if you want the card secured, since Kiwibank offers a debit card and a credit card instead.
Wells Fargo
Who it suits
- US customers already banking with Wells Fargo who want a rewards card and loans from the same lender.
- Households holding savings, since deposits carry FDIC up to USD 250,000.
- People planning a home purchase or remortgage, as the listed mortgage purposes are purchase, remortgage and first time buyer.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for applicants with no credit history, since personal loans run a hard credit check, while Varo Believe Secured Credit Card is aimed at rebuilding credit.
- Not for euro or sterling spenders: bunq and Wise both charge an annual fee of €0 and £0, while Wells Fargo is a US bank.
Current offers
Wells Fargo
Current offer
Bonus
Active Cash Card $100 cash rewards bonus: $100
spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Kiwibank | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Kiwibank
What does the Kiwibank debit card cost each month?+
The Visa debit card has a monthly fee of NZD 0, which is why Kiwibank ranks 1 of 422 on that measure. The card is a debit card on the visa network, so the monthly charge is the only regular cost listed.
What does it cost to spend in another currency?+
The currency conversion fee is 2.5% on the debit card, and Kiwibank sits at 196 of 258 on that measure. Spending in New Zealand on the card avoids that cost, so the card suits local use. Travellers who convert often should weigh the fee before applying.
Wells Fargo
What does the Wells Fargo credit card cost to keep?+
The Active Cash card has an annual fee of $0 and pays 2% cash rewards on spending. Borrowing on it costs an APR of 18.74% to 28.74%, which is high for a card with no annual charge. Rewards are cashback, so you get money back rather than points or miles.
Is there an interest-free period for balance transfers?+
The Active Cash card terms set an introductory balance transfer period of 12. That window is for balances you move onto the card, so plan the transfer before it ends. Afterwards the standard rate on the balance takes over.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Kiwibank
Wells Fargo