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You can open a business bank account at any commercial bank. However, you’ll often find those banks that offer accounts that are packed with fees. The most notorious are transaction fees; a commercial bank will typically charge a per-transaction fee once you get beyond a certain limit. Others charge percentage-based fees if your deposits exceed a certain dollar threshold.
Sometimes that personal touch matters more than anything else. Check to see what type of customer service options you have. Is there someone you can talk to if needed? Is there an in-app chat? Maybe you prefer to go to a physical branch.
If your business runs outside the normal Monday through Friday, 9-to-5 timeframe, you’ll need an account that features 24/7 online and mobile banking. This will be even more important if you frequently travel for your business or for personal reasons.
Figure out what matters most to you in a banking relationship and prioritize those items as you evaluate different best small business checking account options.
you may want a business bank account that integrates with popular financial applications and software like QuickBooks and PayPal. This will be an important feature for small businesses in particular. Integrating your bank account with other financial services will save you time and money while giving your small business the appearance of a large, well-oiled financial machine.
Don’t forget to consider the benefits and perks that come with an account. Some banks offer access to accounting tools like Xero or provide free cash flow analysis. If you have a bookkeeper that you want to have access to your account, you may be able to give them limited access (just to see the transactions).
Think carefully about what business tools and resources you most likely need and use. Depending on the bank, you may be able to avoid paying for some tools, just because the bank includes access.
While we’ve provided some solid choices for some of the best business bank accounts, it’s important to do your own research and choose a bank that works for you. Some of the things to consider when choosing a business bank account include:
Many banks come with various fees. Some of these are fairly obvious, like monthly maintenance fees, but others may be a little harder to see, like transaction fees. For business accounts, you might see between 100 and 500 free transactions before they begin charging.
Exactly what fees will be charged with a business bank account will depend on the bank and the checking account product they offer.
Typical fees charged on business bank accounts include:
The above are the basic fees you should expect to see in a business bank account. But each bank may have a slightly different format, charging for some activities but not for others. Before you sign up, look at the bank’s most recent fee disclosure to learn exactly what you’ll be paying.
In the end, there will probably be a fee somewhere along the line. Consider all your business needs so you can minimize the fees you pay.
Most business checking accounts will let you get started online. In many cases, you may need the following documentation to move forward:
There are business checking accounts that best fit small business owners but not freelancers. While both professionals need to have separate business accounts to better manage their finances, many banks allow small businesses to choose accounts that suit the financial needs of different stages of business.
Although these accounts are great for small business owners, they may not be suitable for freelancers with fluctuating incomes. The assumption that several of these accounts hold is that there will be regular money coming in, and therefore a consistent balance. That is why some small business accounts can have hefty fees.
The bottom line is that small business can manage the fees and maintain the balance, which may not be the case for freelancers.
While freelancers and entrepreneurs might have similar financial needs, freelancers have a few different financial needs. For one, each freelancer approaches their time and money in a different way.
A freelancer typically gets paid for hours worked, usually by acquiring different projects from clients to build a steady income. On the other hand, entrepreneurs build a business that can eventually generate income continuously. While they are both businesses, an entrepreneur tends to have a more structured company and might even have employees or plan to have employees in the future. Freelancers usually just complete work on their own and do not have employees.
Simply put, freelancers must work continuously not only to earn money but also to build a clientele, while entrepreneurs can earn unlimited income once their business grows.
Unless you’re running a hobby business, you should have a dedicated business bank account. There are many benefits of having a business account, including:
It’s much easier to keep track of your business-related income and expenses in a dedicated account. When you separate business and personal expenses in dedicated accounts, year-end income tax preparation is much easier.
Having a bank account where only business transactions happen makes tracking your profit and losses easier. It allows you to see problems quicker and helps you make profit adjustments earlier rather than later. Novo is one fintech company that focuses on business banking, and you might find its checking account helpful for organizing your transactions. You’ll also be able to see all business-related fees, memberships, and subscriptions in one place.
Remember, business fees and memberships/subscriptions qualify as tax-deductible business expenses. But of course, you’ll have to be able to prove it through proper and organized record keeping.
Having a business bank account allows you to accept more types of payments from clients. Especially if you do business online and/or have international clients. With a business account, you can accept credit cards and payments via PayPal, Stripe, and TransferWise. You can also sign up for merchant account ACH bank-to-bank transfers. This is something you can’t do with a personal checking or savings account.
A business account allows for future business structure expansion. You may decide to grow your business and add a partner. Or you may take on employees. Or move from a sole proprietorship to a different structure. If so, you’ll need to have a business bank account.
Business bank accounts offer certain business-related services that are not available with personal accounts. Examples include the ability to integrate the account with third-party service providers and processing large numbers of transactions.
Also, having a separate business bank account allows you to stay accountable to other aspects of your business. For instance:
When a client, customer or vendor sees transactions from a business account, your business will seem more legitimate than if you transact business through your personal account.
A business bank account will give you the professional credibility that a personal bank account can’t. It doesn’t matter what type of business you run, whether it’s an LLC (limited liability company), incorporated company, sole proprietorship, or a side hustle.
A business account legitimizes your company and gives you professional credibility when it comes to writing checks, accepting payments, and sending invoices because the account is in your legal business name.
Certain business formations such as corporations, S-corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs) are established to limit your personal liability in business affairs. A dedicated business bank account will further strengthen that distinction.
The IRS guidelines for small businesses state that owners may keep any records necessary that best suit their business. They need to show any income and expenses clearly. The best way to do that is to make sure your personal transactions are kept as far away from your business transactions as possible. You’ll thank yourself if there’s ever an audit.
For some small businesses just starting out (and for some side-hustle businesses), there is the question of whether it’s considered a hobby or business. According to the IRS publication, if you are keeping things organized with a business account and can prove you are making a profit, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Whether you’re just starting out or have been an entrepreneur for several years, having a business checking account is crucial. With many accounts to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find one that best fits your needs. Here are some of the best banks to choose from:
Our Score: 6.5
If you’re looking for one of the “big guys,” Chase offers a solid small business checking account product. Some of the perks that come with this best business bank account include:
The monthly fee for this account is $15, but it’s relatively easy to avoid the fee if you can keep $1,500 in your business account. Plus, you can see a reduced fee if you enroll in paperless statements.
Our Score: 8
If you’re looking for a great mobile and online business bank, check out Bluevine. One of the best features of Bluevine is that you can earn 1.5% interest on your balance up to $100,000. Plus, there are no monthly maintenance fees, no account minimum, and no NSF fees.
Our Score: 7.5
This is a solid checking account that adds the benefit of more than 1,000 branches, so you can speak with someone in person, depending on your location. However, it’s also possible to manage your account online. Some of the benefits of the Citizens Bank business account include:
What’s great about Citizens Bank is that it is mostly fee-free. However, you do need to be aware that if you have a lot of transactions, you could start seeing a charge.