Bank of America vs Wells Fargo:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wells Fargo had more branded searches than Bank of America among banks in the United States. Wells Fargo had about 11.1 million branded searches, while Bank of America had 7.5 million. Wells Fargo made up 23.3% of all bank searches we track, and Bank of America accounted for 15.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about banks, Bank of America appeared in four of the five answers and Wells Fargo in one. Bank of America was mentioned before Wells Fargo in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Wells Fargo, about 48% more searches than Bank of America
Who does AI mention more?
Bank of America, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Wells Fargo in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Bank of America, named ahead of Wells Fargo in 3 of 3 answers
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Top banks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Bank of America was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Wells Fargo was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Bank of America was listed before Wells Fargo in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Chase1st- Bank of America2nd
Capital One3rd- Ally Bank4th
- Wells Fargo5th
Citi6th
U.S. Bank7th
PNC Bank–
Truist–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Bank of America4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Chase4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Capital One3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Ally Bank2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Wells Fargo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- U.S. Bank1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Citi1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- PNC Bank0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Truist0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about banks
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which bank should I use for checking in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best banks in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best big bank in the US for a checking account?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“checking account”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bank accounts”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Is Bank of America or Wells Fargo more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bank of America and Wells Fargo by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine banks we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Wells Fargo, Bank of America. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wells Fargo | Capital One | Bank of America | Chase | PNC Bank | U.S. Bank | Citi | Truist | Ally Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24% | 16.1% | 19.6% | 16.1% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 4% | 0.79% |
| Nov 2025 | 22.4% | 18.5% | 18.5% | 15.1% | 8% | 6.8% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.74% |
| Dec 2025 | 24.1% | 16.2% | 19.6% | 16.2% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 4% | 0.65% |
| Jan 2026 | 22.3% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 15% | 8.5% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 22.3% | 18.4% | 18.4% | 15% | 8.5% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.74% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.3% | 16.3% | 19.8% | 16.3% | 7.6% | 6% | 4.9% | 4% | 0.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.3% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 15% | 8.5% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.9% |
| May 2026 | 21.8% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 8.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 0.88% |
| Jun 2026 | 21.3% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 9.3% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 0.86% |
| Jul 2026 | 22.3% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 15% | 9.7% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.3% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 9.3% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 0.86% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.3% | 19.2% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 8.9% | 7% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 0.77% |
How has the Bank of America and Wells Fargo comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wells Fargo was ahead of Bank of America in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bank of America’s share of searches among banks in the United States moved from 19.6% to 15.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.1M to 7.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wells Fargo’s share of searches among banks in the United States moved from 24% to 23.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 13.6M to 11.1M.
How did search popularity change for United States banks in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Capital One overtook Bank of America to rank 2nd among banks in the United States, with 19.2% of the searches.
In September 2026, Wells Fargo gained share of searches among banks in the United States, from 21.3% to 23.3%.
In September 2026, Bank of America lost share of searches among banks in the United States, from 17.5% to 15.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bank of America’s and Wells Fargo’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Bank of America
1 branded search term
- bank of america
Wells Fargo
1 branded search term
- wells fargo
Other head-to-heads among banks
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