- About Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor
- Overall Rating
- Pros and Cons
- How to Invest
- Fees
- How it Compares
- Related Terms
- Why You Should Trust Us
- FAQs
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Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors is not just a robo-advisor but a hybrid brokerage account offering the convenience of automated management with the additional benefit of personalized human guidance. It's easy for beginners to invest through Intuitive Investors and start managing a diverse portfolio of ETFs. However, its investing tools are limited.
About Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors blends robo-advisor services with advisor access to build and manage personalized portfolios of low-cost ETFs. Its smart-beta portfolios allow users to get domestic and foreign market exposure in a cost-effective way.
Like some of the best robo-advisors, Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors is a comprehensive automated trading platform for investors who want a low-cost, professionally designed ETF portfolio. Portfolios are automatically allocated and balanced to match your risk/return profile.
Although Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors doesn't offer a wide selection of advanced charting tools, you can access some of the most sought-after automated trading features, like dividend reinvesting, automated portfolio rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting.
Moreover, you'll get unlimited access to personalized portfolio management by Wells Fargo for no additional cost. For just a $500 minimum, Intuitive Investors will create a suggested portfolio of globally diverse or suitability-focused funds with compounding capabilities for long-term growth.
You may be eligible for a discount with a Wells Fargo checking account. Depending on the kind of bank account you have, your advisory fee can be as low as 0.25%. This makes Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors a great option for existing Wells Fargo members.
Is Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors Right For You?
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors is a great hybrid robo-advisor for beginners and hands-off investors interested in creating a diverse portfolio of ETFs with the help of unlimited assistance from Wells Fargo advisors.
However, you won't be able to invest in options, fractional shares, mutual funds, or cryptocurrencies with a Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor account.
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor Pros and Cons
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor Pros
- Smart-beta portfolios
- Unlimited access to CFPs
- Tax-loss harvesting features
- Dividend reinvesting
- Various account options
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor Cons
- $500 account minimum
- Annual management fee
- Limited investment options
- Few advanced charting tools
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors doesn't offer mutual funds, individual stocks, cryptocurrencies, or fractional shares. If you're interested in DIY investing and increased investment options, check out the Do-it-yourself investing offered in a WellsTrade brokerage account.
Is Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors Trustworthy?
Wells Fargo has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB gives businesses grades ranging from A+ to F. Ratings represent how well a company interacts with its customers, and Wells Fargo has received the lowest possible score.
The BBB states that the low rating is due to Wells Fargo's failure to respond to customer complaints and government actions against the business.
February 2024, Amanda Gonzales, a schoolteacher in New Mexico, filed a class-action lawsuit after the bank sent customers opaque-sounding letters to contact the bank if they had enrolled in unwanted products. The lawsuit alleges that Wells Fargo is violating the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and California and New Mexico consumer protection laws by attempting to sweep intentional misconduct under the rug. It's seeking at least $5 million for affected customers. Wells Fargo has yet to respond to these allegations.
In 2022, The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accused Wells Fargo of wrongfully charging users fees that led to the loss of homes and vehicles. The bank was also accused of wrongfully charging various checking and savings account overdraft fees. Wells Fargo agreed to pay a $3.7 billion settlement.
How to Invest with Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors
Individual and Joint Brokerage Accounts
To get a diversified investment portfolio through Wells Fargo, you'll complete an online investment questionnaire about your investing goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon to get started. Intuitive Investors' algorithm then generates a portfolio comprised of a blend of ETFs based on your preferred investing style:
- Globally diversified: A blend of low-cost investments from domestic and foreign markets for long-term returns.
- Sustainability focused: A blend of low-cost, globally diverse investments from domestic and foreign markets, but with an emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) processes. These portfolios have similar risks and return rates as traditional investment portfolios.
You can link your Intuitive Investor account to access Brokerage Cash Services features if you have an existing Wells Fargo checking or savings account. With this feature, you can quickly transfer money between your accounts, make investment deposits, deposit checks through the Wells Fargo Mobile app, and directly get cash through an automated clearing house (ACH).
Retirement Savings Account
With a Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor retirement account, you can start saving for retirement. The following IRAs are available:
- Traditional IRA
- Roth IRA
- SIMPLE IRA
- SEP IRA
- Inherited IRAs (Roth or traditional)
Custodial (UGMA/UTMA) Accounts
Invest on behalf of your child with a Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors custodial account. For the same $500 minimum, parents can contribute to either a UGMA/UTMA savings account.
The best custodial accounts offer long-term growth capabilities with tax advantages. Intuitive Investors does one better by providing clients unlimited human advisor access to ensure you're on track to reach your goals. But keep in mind that you'll also be limited to the same ETF selection.
Investment Options
Wells Fargo recommends that its investors make recurring transfers into their investment accounts for long-term investment growth. This way, your money can grow with compound interest and dollar-cost averaging.
The smart-beta portfolio utilizes an algorithm to create a diverse portfolio of ETFs based on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. ETFs are made up of individual stocks, bonds, and other assets. Here's an example of a moderately conservative portfolio:
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors Fees
There's a $500 minimum to open an automated investing account with Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors. There's also an annual advisory fee of 0.35% of your total account balance.
Investors who link their account to an existing Wells Fargo checking account pay only a 0.30% fee. Accounts linked to a Premier or Private Bank Interest Checking account only pay a 0.25% annual advisory fee.
ETF expense ratios range from 0.07% to 0.14% and vary based on the kinds of ETFs in your investment portfolio.
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors Alternatives
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors vs. Betterment
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors and Betterment Investing are both beginner-friendly robo-advisors for trading ETFs and tax-loss harvesting. But they differ in fees, investment options, and account benefits.
Betterment has a drastically lower account minimum, only requiring $10 to start investing, compared to Wells Fargo's $500 minimum. Betterment also offers crypto trading. However, cryptocurrencies and access to CFPs are only available under the premium plan, which requires a minimum balance of $100,000.
If unlimited access to human financial planners is important, Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors is a better, more affordable option.
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors vs. Vanguard Personal Advisor
Like Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors, Vanguard Personal Advisor is a hybrid robo-advisor and professional management account. It has a high Vanguard Personal Advisor minimum balance requirement. Both platforms offer the convenience of a robo-advisor with the benefit of personalized guidance from a human advisor.
Intuitive Investors is the overall better option for beginners as its streamlined investing options and low minimum balance requirement make it more readily available for those just starting out. Although it doesn't as many trading tools as Vanguard, automated investing with Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor still gets you access to valuable features like tax-loss harvesting and dividend reinvesting.
Vanguard Personal Advisor is better for retirement-focused investors with larger balances. The higher your account balance with Vanguard, the lower the fees. Plus, the most beneficial features and resources available through a Personal Advisor account is centered on retirement.
Vanguard Personal Advisor review
- Brokerage account: Investment platforms and brokerages offer accounts to hold and invest in assets like stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds.
- Mutual funds: An investment vehicle consisting of stocks, bonds, and other securities. Mutual funds are similar to ETFs, but professional money managers often manage them.
- Robo-advisor: An investing account customized and managed by computers and algorithms based on an individual's risk tolerance, financial goals, and time horizon.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors
We apply Business Insider's rating methodology for rating investment products to compare pricing, investment options, access, ethics, and overall customer experience when reviewing robo-advisors. The best robo-advisors offer various types of accounts, multiple investment options, advanced charting tools, market access, and human advisors with low fees.
Certain robo-advisors are best for beginners, while others are more fitting for advanced investors. Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors was evaluated with a focus on how well it performs in each category compared to similar investment platforms.
Business Insider's Overall Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor Rating
| Feature | Rating (out of 5) |
| Fees | 4.00 |
| Investment selection | 4.00 |
| Access | 4.25 |
| Ethics | 2.00 |
| Customer support | 3.50 |
| Overall score | 3.58 |
Wells Fargo Intuitive Investors FAQs
What is Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor, and what services does it offer? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor is a hybrid robo-advisor and professionally managed brokerage account designed to simplify the investing experience. Financial advisors deliver a personalized portfolio of low-cost ETFs that are automatically balanced and tracked using advanced algorithmic technology.
How does the investment process work with Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.The investment process with Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor starts with clients completing an online questionnaire to assess their risk/return profile and financial goals. Intuitive Investor then recommends a diversified portfolio of ETFs to be continuously monitored and automatically rebalanced to maintain the target asset allocation.
What are the fees associated with Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor requires a $500 with a 0.35% annual advisory fee. The advisory fee is competitive with hybrid, robo-advisor services on the market. Expense ratios for ETFs will vary depending on the assets held in your portfolio but generally range between 0.07% to 0.14%.
Is Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor suitable for beginner investors? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor is suitable for beginner investors who prefer a passive investment style but still want the option to consult with financial advisors. The platform's simplicity, combined with the support of financial advisors, makes it an attractive option for beginners or individuals who prefer not to manage their investments actively.
How does Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor ensure portfolio diversification? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor ensures portfolio diversification by constructing portfolios using a broad range of ETFs across various asset classes, including stocks, bonds, and international investments. ESG and globally diverse portfolios are automatically rebalanced and tracked to match investors' preferences and adjusted as needed.
Tessa Campbell Investing and Retirement Reporter Tessa Campbell is an investing and retirement reporter on Business Insider’s personal finance desk. Over two years of personal finance reporting, Tessa has built expertise on a range of financial topics, from the best credit cards to the best retirement savings accounts.ExperienceTessa currently reports on all things investing — deep-diving into complex financial topics, shedding light on lesser-known investment avenues, and uncovering ways readers can work the system to their advantage.As a personal finance expert in her 20s, Tessa is acutely aware of the impacts time and uncertainty have on your investment decisions. While she curates Business Insider’s guide on the best investment apps, she believes that your financial portfolio does not have to be perfect, it just has to exist. A small investment is better than nothing, and the mistakes you make along the way are a necessary part of the learning process.Expertise: Tessa’s expertise includes:- Credit cards
- Investing apps
- Retirement savings
- Cryptocurrency
- The stock market
- Retail investing
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