Wells Fargo online ... which download options should I choose?

Dave_fin

I'm probably going to be starting over after a few days, having made a few boo-boos, and wanting to start fresh.

I have both regular checking/savings as well as retirement investment accounts (Stock and cash sweep). There seemed to be multiple ways (3?) to authenticate and do the initial downloads. The first time I tried, I kept having authentication issues. After calling in to Quicken, they walked me through first signing into WF directly to enable the download process. And then it brought in about 2 1/2 years of data.

IS there a consensus on the best way authenticate/set up (for Wells specifically)? I utilize WF's bill pay for the few services I need to push a payment, vs having my Wells Fargo Visa charges, or direct debit to my checking account by the biller. I dont plan on using Quicken bill pay.

Boatnmaniac

I have a WF checking account and credit card account set up with Direct Connect (via Add Account > Wells Fargo > Advanced Options). Since it appears that you already had a DC connection set up (you had previously enabled DC on the WF website) you probably do not need to go through that enabling process, again.

When you have DC set up for the download connection for the checking account you can set up and pay bills via the Bank Bill Pay process directly with WF. NOTE: Bank Bill Pay is not to be confused with Quicken's Bill Manager Check Pay or Quick Pay. Bank Bill Pay does not use a 3rd party to pay bills like QBM does. Instead of logging into WF to set up your bill pays you can do it from within Quicken. Neither Quicken nor WF charge for Bank Bill Pay.

When given an option between different connection methods I almost always opt for the DC method. It is faster, more reliable and, IMO, more secure. And for the most part I've found the WF DC connection to be trouble-free. To set up WF DC go to Add Account > type in Wells Fargo > Advanced Options > Continue> select Direct Connect > Next > enter your WF login information > Connect > when prompted be sure to carefully select Add, Link or Do Not Add (depending on whether you are starting a brand new file or new account or if you are simply setting up the existing account for downloading, again).

I would avoid using the EWC+ connection method for your checking or savings. It is my understanding that it has been working pretty well but you will not be able to use this connection method with Bank Bill Pay.

I do not have any investment accounts with WF so I can't be sure but I believe you will need to set up the IRA account with Wells Fargo Advisor instead of with Wells Fargo.