You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website.

Best Business Checking Accounts Of May 2024

Contributor
Banking Editor

Fact Checked

Updated: Apr 26, 2024, 10:33am

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

One of the most important decisions small business owners face is choosing the right business banking relationship. For many business owners, the first concern is establishing a business checking account. Fortunately, there are several top-notch options, including NBKC Bank Business Checking Account and EverBank Small Business Checking.

Whether you’re a sole proprietor or the owner of a business with employees, it’s critical to separate your business and personal finances. We’ve done the research to help you find the best business checking account for your small business.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the banking methodology for the ratings below.

  • 50 business checking accounts examined
  • 20 banks and credit unions inspected
  • 16 data points studied and compared

Read More

Best Business Checking Accounts of 2024

We’ve compared 50 checking accounts at 20 banks and credit unions to find some of the best business checking accounts available. For the purposes of this list, Forbes Advisor focused on checking accounts that are nationally available to small businesses.

Annual percentage yields (APYs) and account details are accurate as of April 25, 2024.

Best for Startups + Full-Service Online Banking

NBKC Bank Business Checking Account

4.4
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

N/A

$0

$0

Editor's Take

We chose the NBKC Bank Business Checking Account because it doesn’t have fees or minimums, making it friendly to small businesses and startups without a lot of capital. NBKC also stands out as a full-service digital bank.

Why We Like It

We like that this free account helps business owners save time and money. It doesn’t charge fees found with many business bank accounts or require owners to maintain a certain balance or activity level to get the most benefit. We also like that NBKC offers many business accounts, lending options and payment solutions so small businesses can grow without switching banks.

What We Don’t Like

Although the NBKC online platform and mobile app are user-friendly, they’re more basic than offerings from other banks and don’t have many business-specific tools for budgeting and accounting.

Who It’s Best For

The NBKC Bank Business Checking Account is best for smaller businesses that want to save on banking and have the flexibility to let their balances fluctuate. It’s ideal for those without complicated money management or app integration needs.

Pros & Cons
  • Some branch locations
  • Very few fees, including no monthly maintenance fee
  • No minimum deposit required to open an account
  • Up to $12 per month in out-of-network ATM fee refunds
  • No physical bank branches outside of Kansas and Missouri
  • Fees for international (incoming and outgoing) and outgoing domestic wire transfers
  • Only one type of checking account
Details

NBKC Bank offers a single mobile app for both business and personal banking. The account offers surcharge-free ATM access at over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs. Suppose you need to use an out-of-network ATM that charges a fee; NBKC refunds up to $12 per statement period. In addition to a free business checking account, NBKC Bank offers business savings deposit accounts—both money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)—business loans and lines of credit, and business solutions including cash management, fraud management, collections and disbursement services.

Bonus

The NBKC Bank Business Checking Account does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time.

Best for Earning Interest + Small Businesses

EverBank Small Business Checking

4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0.50%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$1,500

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

0.50%

$1,500

$0

Editor's Take

We chose the EverBank Small Business Checking account because it earns interest and is well-suited to businesses owned and operated by one person, including sole proprietorships and single-owner LLCs. It’s most beneficial for those with high transaction volumes.

Why We Like It

We like this account because it’s more flexible than many other business accounts. When running a business alone, you want an account for operating expenses that you can make many deposits into and transfer from. This account offers unlimited free transactions, has no monthly fee and pays 0.50% APY on all balances.

What We Don’t Like

The minimum deposit to open a Small Business Checking account is $1,500, which isn’t ideal. We also don’t like that you need a balance of at least $5,000 to qualify for unlimited ATM fee reimbursements.

Who It’s Best For

EverBank Small Business Checking is only for single-member LLC owners and sole proprietors keeping their business banking separate.

Pros & Cons
  • Multiple checking account options available
  • Small Business Checking pays interest
  • No or waivable monthly maintenance fees
  • Wide range of supporting business services
  • Few physical branch locations, all located in Florida
  • Relatively higher minimum deposit requirement than other banks on this list
  • Domestic and international wire transfer fees
Details

This account provides surcharge-free ATM access at any Allpoint or MoneyPass ATMs in the U.S. If your account balance is $5,000 or more, EverBank will reimburse you for all U.S. ATM fees charged by other banks. If the account balance is below $5,000, you will receive up to $15 per month in U.S. ATM fee reimbursements. EverBank also offers the EverBank Business Checking, which provides up to 200 free transactions and 10 free online bill payments per month. EverBank Business Checking does not earn interest and has a monthly maintenance fee that can be waived with a $5,000 balance.

Bouns

The EverBank Small Business Checking account does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time.

Best for Cash Back + Rewards

LendingClub Tailored Checking Account

4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

Up to 1.50%

1.50% APY on the first $100,000 of any balance and 0.10% APY on balance portions over 100,000

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$10

$0 with monthly balance of $500

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

Up to 1.50%

1.50% APY on the first $100,000 of any balance and 0.10% APY on balance portions over 100,000

$100

$10

$0 with monthly balance of $500

Editor's Take

We chose LendingClub Tailored Checking Account because, unlike other accounts on this list, it pays both interest and cash back to help business owners earn when saving and spending.

Why We Like It

We like that LendingClub Tailored Checking pays a generous 1.50% APY on the first $100,000 of any balance and 0.10% APY on balance portions over 100,000 and that online and signature-based “credit” transactions made with the LendingClub debit card earn unlimited 1% cash back.

What We Don’t Like

While any cash back on checking is appealing, we don’t like that it’s restricted to signature-based purchases.

Who It’s Best For

With multiple ways to earn rewards and unlimited free transactions, LendingClub Tailored Checking is best for business owners looking for an everyday spending account for frequent use.

Pros & Cons
  • Account earns interest and cash back, provided requirements are met
  • Unlimited transactions and ATM fee rebates
  • Access to digital invoicing and point-of-sale solutions
  • Phone and live chat support available seven days a week
  • Monthly maintenance fee on balances under $500
  • No physical bank branch locations
  • Charges for both incoming and outgoing wire transfers
Details

If your account has a zero balance for over three months, LendingClub reserves the right to close it without notice. Interest compounds daily and is credited monthly on the last business day of each statement cycle. Cash-back rewards will be credited to your account by the tenth calendar day of the month after the month they were earned. LendingClub Bank offers several savings deposit options for small businesses and commercial applications, including savings accounts, money market accounts and CDs. LendingClub also provides various cash management and business lending solutions, including being a nationwide SBA Preferred Lender. This means it has been authorized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to process loan applications independently and, therefore, more quickly than other banks.

Bonus

The LendingClub Tailored Checking account does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time.

Best for High APY + Subaccounts

Bluevine Business Checking

3.9
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

2.00%

on balances up to and including $250,000

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
On BlueVine's Website

2.00%

on balances up to and including $250,000

$0

$0

Editor's Take

We picked the Bluevine Business Checking account because it has unlimited transactions and very few fees, and it earns up to 2.00% APY on balances up to and including $250,000. (Balances over $250,000 do not earn interest.)

Why We Like It

We like that this account lets you create five subaccounts, with adjustable permissions and individual account numbers, to take full advantage of the competitive rate, expanded FDIC coverage and more.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that Bluevine requires you to meet account activity requirements to qualify for the interest or that the fintech charges a fee for cash deposits.

Who It’s Best For

The Bluevine Business Checking account is best for business owners who can easily qualify for the best APY and who will use the many business tools available with the account.

Pros & Cons
  • Earns very competitive checking account APY
  • Very few fees and no monthly maintenance fee
  • No opening deposit or balance minimums
  • Access to extensive ATM network
  • Free and integrated accounts payable platform
  • Can create subaccounts
  • Expanded FDIC deposit coverage
  • No savings deposit accounts
  • No physical bank branches
  • Fees for cash deposits
Details

To earn the 2.00% APY, you will need to spend $500 per month with your Bluevine Business Debit Mastercard or receive $2,500 per month in customer payments into your Bluevine Business Checking account via ACH, wire transfer, mobile check deposit or directly from your merchant payment processing provider.

Bluevine’s accounts payable feature allows business owners to automate workflows and delegate tasks, and account owners can connect their Bluevine accounts with QuickBooks Online. Bluevine charges no ATM fees at 37,000+ MoneyPass ATMs nationwide, does not assess non-sufficient funds fees and offers two free books of checks. Deposits are FDIC-insured through a sweep network of program banks for up to $3 million. This coverage is above the standard $250,000 limit per account because Bluevine deposits are held with multiple banks.

Small business owners who need to make cash deposits can do so for a fee through Bluevine’s partnership with Green Dot, with over 90,000 U.S. retail locations.

Bonus

The Bluevine business checking account does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time.

Best for Cash Deposits + No Monthly Fees

U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Account Package

3.8
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
On U.S. Bank's Website Member FDIC

0%

$100

$0

Editor's Take

We picked the U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Account Package package because it has no monthly fee, unlike many business accounts from big banks, and lets you make some cash deposits at no charge.

Why We Like It

We like that this account includes up to 25 free cash deposits (or $2,500 in deposits) per statement cycle and provides in-person and online access.

What We Don’t Like

This account has a low monthly limit of 125 free transactions and lacks the management tools, app integrations and rewards available with many of the best business accounts.

Who It’s Best For

The U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Package is best for businesses that deal with cash and want convenient access to branches and ATMs without the fees often found with big banks.

Pros & Cons
  • No monthly maintenance fee
  • Online account opening
  • Highly rated mobile banking app
  • Access to U.S. Bank physical branches and ATMs
  • Other business checking accounts offer more features
  • Fees apply if you exceed monthly transaction limit
  • Account does not earn interest
Details

A $100 minimum deposit is required to open a Silver Business Checking account. Transactions that count toward the monthly limit include teller deposits, ATM deposits and check and debit card purchases. Transactions are $0.50 each above the 125 limit. If you need to write paper checks, you can receive a 50% discount on the first check order up to $50. U.S. Bank also offers business savings deposit options, including savings accounts, money market accounts and CDs.

Bonus

You can earn a bonus of up to $800 when you open a new U.S. Bank Silver business account, and meet specific requirements. You must use the promo code Q2AFL24 when applying and open a new account by August 30, 2024. To earn the full bonus amount, you’ll have to deposit at least $25,000 in new money within 30 days of opening and maintain this balance for at least 60 days..

Best for Unlimited Transactions + Large Balances

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

3.6
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0.50%

with average daily balance of $10,000

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
On First Internet Bank's Website
Member FDIC

0.50%

with average daily balance of $10,000

$100

$0

Editor's Take

We picked the First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking account because it includes interest and perks like unlimited transactions and ATM reimbursements.

Why We Like It

We like this account because instead of paying the best interest rate on smaller balances, as many business checking accounts do, it pays 0.50% APY for accounts with an average daily balance of $10,000 APY on accounts with an average daily balance of $10,000.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that balances below $10,000 don’t earn interest with this account.

Who It’s Best For

The First Internet Bank Do More Business Checking account is best for mature businesses that keep larger balances in the bank and transact often.

Pros & Cons
  • Interest on checking
  • Monthly ATM fee reimbursement of up to $10
  • No monthly maintenance fee
  • Several deposit accounts available
  • No physical bank branches
  • $10,000 minimum balance to earn interest
  • No ATM network or partner network
Details

Interest for this account is compounded and credited monthly on the last day of each month. The Do More Business Checking account has no minimum deposit, balance or monthly maintenance fee. Regardless of your balance, you will be reimbursed up to $10 per month in ATM fees. First Internet Bank also offers several business deposit accounts, including a savings account, money market account and CDs.

Bonus

The First Internet Bank Do More Business Checking account does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time.

Best for App Integrations + Entrepreneurs

Novo Business Checking Account

3.6
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
On Novo's Website

0%

$0

$0

Editor's Take

We picked the Novo Business Checking Account account because it offers free app integrations, budgeting tools and accounting features in a fee-free account designed for entrepreneurs.

Why We Like It

We like this account because it is compatible with payment apps, automation software and B2C and C2C marketplaces. Platforms that integrate include Stripe, Shopify, eBay, Etsy, Square, Quickbooks and Zapier. Novo also partners with other business services to offer savings.

What We Don’t Like

While the Novo Business Checking account has many strengths, we don’t like that it’s the only account the fintech offers.

Who It’s Best For

The Novo business checking account is best for e-commerce businesses and anyone selling a product. It is well-suited to both growing startups and established businesses with employees.

Pros & Cons
  • Very few fees and no monthly maintenance charge
  • Highly rated mobile app
  • Integration with business management tools
  • Refunds on up to $7 per month in third-party ATM fees
  • Money orders required for cash deposits
  • $27 fee for non-sufficient funds and uncollected funds returned
  • Only the business checking account is offered: no savings or loan options
  • No physical bank branches
Details

Novo is a banking platform, not a bank. Novo deposits are insured by partner bank Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A. The account has no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement. Novo requires no minimum deposit or balance to unlock all account features. There are very few fees attached to this account. Transfers, mailed checks and incoming wires are free, and Novo reimburses up to $7 in out-of-network ATM fees. If you need to send a paper check, you can request online for one to be sent at no charge. When you need to deposit cash, you can purchase a money order and deposit this through the mobile check deposit feature.

Bonus

The Novo Business Checking account does not currently have an active sign-up bonus, but it does have a referral program. The amount of the referral reward is subject to change. To refer another user and receive a bonus, you’ll share your unique referral code with them to use when they apply for an account. The business owner you refer must achieve a balance of at least $100 in their account within 30 days of opening and maintain this balance for another 30 days.

Best for Merchant Services + Branch Access

Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking

3.5
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$16

Waivable

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

0%

$100

$16

Waivable

Editor's Take

We picked the Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking account because it offers widespread in-person access as one of the largest banks in the country and high customer satisfaction for business accounts.

Why We Like It

We like Bank of America because it ranks highly for merchant services satisfaction with J.D. Power and has nearly 3,800 bank branches in the U.S.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that this account has a high monthly fee and a high minimum balance to waive it, especially considering the monthly limit of 200 free transactions.

Who It’s Best For

This account is best for business owners who prefer doing their banking in person and will qualify to waive the maintenance fee every month.

Pros & Cons
  • Monthly maintenance fee can be waived with balance of spending activity
  • QuickBooks integration and Zelle compatibility
  • Dedicated small business customer service
  • Highly rated mobile app
  • 15,000 ATMs and 3,800 local branches
  • High minimum required balance to waive monthly fee
  • $0.45 fee for each transaction over 200 monthly limit
  • Transaction fees for using non-Bank of America ATMs
Details

Bank of America also offers a wide variety of additional business banking features, including savings accounts and CDs, business management tools and services, credit cards, lending and retirement solutions from Merrill Edge. When you need general customer service support, you can call Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. For specific questions about business banking services like remote deposit or online banking, you can call additional dedicated service lines.

Bonus

Bank of America offers a cash bonus: Earn a $200 cash bonus when you open a Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking or Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking by June 30, 2024, make a qualifying deposit within 30 days, then maintain a balance of at least $5,000 for the following 60 days—until the 90th day after the account was opened.

Best for Payment Processing + Full-Service Banking

Chase Business Complete Banking®

3.4
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$15

Waivable

Learn More Arrow
On Chase's Website

0%

$0

$15

Waivable

Editor's Take

We picked the Chase Business Complete Banking® account because it is one of the best business checking options available for receiving payments and banking in one place.

Why We Like It

We like that Chase has a reasonably priced and convenient payment processing platform, QuickAccept, that permits online, mobile and in-person payments.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like the pesky $15 service fee attached to this account or QuickAccept’s 2.6% or 3.5% credit card processing base rate.

Who It’s Best For

Chase Business Complete Banking is best for growing businesses that sell a product or service and plan to make cash deposits and debit card purchases. Chase is also a good fit for business owners looking to open a credit card or another business account.

Pros & Cons
  • No minimum deposit required
  • 16,000 ATMs and 4,700 local branches
  • Streamlined business cash flow management
  • Up to $5,000 in free monthly cash deposits
  • Unlimited debit card purchases and in-network ATM transactions
  • Other Chase Business banking services
  • Monthly service fee, unless waived
  • Opening account may require a branch visit
  • Transaction fees for paper checks or teller services
  • Out-of-network ATM fees
Details

The monthly service fee is waived for this account each month you do one of the following:

  • Maintain a $2,000 minimum daily balance.
  • Receive $2,000 in eligible deposits from your Chase QuickAccept® or other eligible Chase Payment Solutions transactions.
  • Spend $2,000 in eligible purchases from your Chase Ink Business Card.
  • Maintain a linked Chase Private Client Checking℠, JPMorgan Classic Checking or Private Client Checking Plus account.
  • Meet Chase Military Banking requirements.

There is no fee for the first 20 deposits and withdrawals at the teller or by paper check. Each additional paper check or teller transaction incurs a 40-cent fee.

The Chase Business Complete Checking debit card has a daily purchase limit of $10,000. You can withdraw up to $3,000 cash per day at Chase in-branch ATMs. Keep in mind that Chase charges for using out-of-network ATMs in the U.S. and internationally. You can send and receive money using Chase QuickDeposit, wire transfer and Chase Online Bill Pay. Enrollment in Chase QuickDeposit is subject to approval and requires a two-year agreement and a monthly maintenance fee for the check scanner.

As your business grows, Chase also offers Performance Business Checking and Platinum Business Checking, which have additional fees and features. Chase also offers business savings accounts and CDs, small business financing—including loans and lines of credit—and business credit cards.

Bonus

Chase offers a cash bonus of up to $300 when you open a new Chase Business Complete Checking® account. For new Chase business checking customers with qualifying activities. To qualify, . This offer ends on July 22, 2024.

Best for Low-Cost Business Services + ATM Fee Rebates

Axos Bank Basic Business Checking

3.4
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Learn More Arrow
On Axos Bank's Website

N/A

$0

$0

Editor's Take

We picked the Axos Bank Basic Business Checking account because it offers several free business services, doesn’t charge for most activities and has virtually no limits or requirements.

Why We Like It

We like this account because it’s free and offers unlimited ATM reimbursements for third-party ATMs and discounted business services with partners Celero and ADP.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that this account doesn’t earn interest, which is one of the only things it seems to be missing.

Who It’s Best For

Axos Basic Business Checking is best for business owners open to using Axos’ service partners who already have their extra funds earning interest in high-yield savings accounts.

Pros & Cons
  • No monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirements
  • Unlimited free transactions
  • Unlimited domestic ATM reimbursement
  • Compatibility with QuickBooks
  • Complimentary first set of paper checks
  • No physical bank branches
  • Fees for paper statements, checks and outgoing wire transfers
Details

Axos Basic Business Checking has no opening deposit requirement, monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirement. Also, your first set of 50 checks is complimentary. The account provides unlimited reimbursements for domestic ATM fees. Dedicated banking relationship managers are available Monday through Friday. There is no limit to the number of transactions—debits, credits or deposited items—that can be processed each month. You also get two reimbursed domestic wires per month. This account charges fees for paper statements, checks, and outgoing wire transfers. Axos also offers business savings accounts, a business money market account, a nonprofit money market account, business CDs and loans. Merchant services are provided through a partnership with Celero Merchant Solutions. Payroll services are provided through a partnership with Roll by ADP.

Bonus

Axos offers a cash bonus of up to $400 when opening an account and meeting certain requirements by June 30, 2024, using offer code NEW400. To qualify, you must make a deposit within 30 days of opening your new account, and your balance will be used to determine the amount of your bonus. To earn $400, which is paid as $100 for up to four statement cycles, you will need to have an average balance above $50,000 in your new account, a minimum of 10 POS transactions of at least $3 each posted to your account each month and bill pay set up for your account. You need to submit an application by June 30, 2024 to qualify.

Business owners who are also interested in opening a personal checking account can qualify for a bonus of up to $700 when they open a business checking account and a high-yield Rewards Checking account at the same time. To qualify for this bonus, you will use the code AXOS700 to apply for both accounts by June 30, 2024. Then, you must meet individual bonus requirements for each account.


Summary of Best Small Business Checking Accounts of 2024

Company Forbes Advisor Rating Annual Percentage Yield Minimum Deposit Requirement Monthly Maintenance Fee Learn More
NBKC Bank Business Checking Account NBKC Bank 4.4 4.5-removebg-preview-1 N/A $0 $0 Learn More Read Our Full Review
EverBank Small Business Checking EverBank logo 4.0 4-removebg-preview 0.50% $1,500 $0 Learn More Read Our Full Review
LendingClub Tailored Checking Account 4.0 4-removebg-preview Up to 1.50%
on balances up to $100,000 and 0.10% APY any balance portion over 100,000
$100 $10
$0 with monthly balance of $500
Learn More Read Our Full Review
Bluevine Business Checking 3.9 4-removebg-preview 2.00%
on balances up to and including $250,000
$0 $0 Learn More On Bluevine's Website
U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Account Package 3.8 4-removebg-preview 0% $100 $0 Learn More On U.S. Bank's Website
Member FDIC
First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking 3.6 3.5-removebg-preview 0.50%
with average daily balance of $10,000
$100 $0 Learn More On First Internet Bank's Website
Member FDIC
Novo Business Checking Account 3.6 3.5-removebg-preview 0% $0
Though Novo requests $50
$0 Learn More On Novo's Website
Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview 0% $100 $16
Waivable
Learn More Read Our Full Review
Chase Business Complete Banking® 3.4 3.5-removebg-preview 0% $0 $15
Waivable
Learn More On Chase's Website
Axos Bank Basic Business Checking 3.4 3.5-removebg-preview N/A $0 $0 Learn More On Axos Bank's Website

Methodology

To create this list, Forbes Advisor analyzed 50 business checking accounts at 20 financial institutions, including a mix of traditional brick-and-mortar banks and online banks. We ranked each account on data points within the categories of fees, minimum requirements, customer experience, digital experience, limits, features, APY and access.

Here’s the weighting assigned to each category:

  • Fees: 30%
  • Customer and digital experience: 20%
  • Minimums: 15%
  • Limits: 12.5%
  • Features: 10%
  • Access: 7.5%
  • APY: 5%

The specific characteristics taken into consideration within each category included monthly fees, overdraft fees, ATM fees, minimum deposit requirements, minimum balance requirements, integration with accounting and payroll, merchant services, cash deposit and transaction limits, APY, customer service ratings, mobile and online access, ATM network and the national availability of the account.

Business checking accounts offering no or very low fees scored higher, as did those offering low minimum requirements, high customer service and digital experience scores, and reasonable transaction and cash deposit limits. To appear on this list, the business checking account must be nationally available.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Reviews Banks.


Guide to Business Checking Accounts


What Is a Business Checking Account?

A business checking account is a lot like a personal checking account. With both types of accounts, you’re typically able to make deposits and withdrawals, process ACH payments, write checks and use a debit card to make purchases and use ATMs.

The big difference, of course, is that a business checking account holds money for your business, while a personal checking account holds money for personal expenses like mortgage payments, car payments and utility bills. Another key difference: Business bank accounts tend to charge more fees than personal checking accounts do.

How Does a Business Checking Account Work?

Business checking accounts are designed for all types of businesses. Limited liability companies (LLCs), sole proprietors, corporations and partnerships can all open business checking accounts. A business as small as a one-person consulting firm or as large as a 10,000-employee software company can set up a business checking account.

Related: Does Your Business Checking Account Have These 7 Helpful Features?


Benefits of a Business Checking Account

Among the many challenges facing small business owners, one of the most important is choosing the right business banking relationship—whether that means online, in a branch or somewhere in between. A business checking account can provide a solid foundation for building a business. Among other things, it can:

  • Keep your business affairs separate from your personal affairs.
  • Lend credibility to your business.
  • Streamline accounting and tax-filing responsibilities.
  • Protect your personal assets if your business is sued or targeted by debt collectors.

Since many of the best business checking accounts featured above are free, there’s no reason not to open one for your business, especially as having a strong relationship with a bank could result in access to a business credit card or business line of credit if needed in the future.

Related: Who Needs a Business Checking Account?


How To Choose a Business Checking Account

A business checking account provides the foundation of your business banking relationship. One of its most important functions is to separate your business banking from your personal banking.

Pro Tip
Compare overdraft protection options and fees to safeguard your business from potential overdrafts. Consider linked savings accounts, lines of credit or overdraft protection programs that fit your risk tolerance and financial needs.

Here are several things to consider as you’re choosing the right business checking account:

  • Fees. Since you’ll be using your business checking account to process your business’s day-to-day transactions, it’s important to keep fees to a minimum. In particular, look at any monthly maintenance fees, out-of-network ATM fees or transaction fees that are volume-based.
  • Minimums. Some banks and credit unions require a minimum deposit when you open a business checking account. Others may require you to maintain a minimum balance per statement cycle—or perform a certain volume or type of transactions—to avoid paying a monthly maintenance fee or to enable you to earn the stated APY.
  • Limits. Because you likely will be processing more transactions per statement cycle with your business account, it’s important to look at any limits that may apply. Some accounts will limit the number or type of transactions you can make, while others may limit your cash deposits or withdrawals.
  • APY. The interest you can earn is more of a priority when it comes to savings deposit accounts. Yet, for many businesses, their business checking account may be their primary banking relationship. Not all business checking accounts pay interest. But, if you have the opportunity to earn APY on your business checking, so much the better.
  • Customer service. Regardless of whether you bank online or at a branch, it’s important to be able to get customer service support when and where you need it. Some banks and credit unions offer dedicated specialists to address business needs and concerns.
  • Digital experience. The Covid-19 pandemic showed businesses how important the digital banking experience—both online and mobile—can be. With so many transactions occurring by phone or laptop, rather than within a physical bank branch, the quality and functionality of a mobile app can affect your business results.
  • Safety. Make sure that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures your account. It provides up to $250,000 in insurance per depositor, per bank, for each account ownership category, in the event of a bank failure. At credit unions, look for similar coverage from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
  • Room for growth. Because your business checking account represents the entry point of your business banking relationship, look at what else the bank offers that may become important to you as your business grows, including opportunities for your business to save and invest, add merchant or treasury services and access loans or lines of credit.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Choosing the best business checking account for your small business is a personal decision, based on your business’s needs and your own habits and wants.


Is a High-Yield Business Checking Account Worth It?

High-yield business checking accounts are worth considering if you want to earn interest on your balance without opening a separate savings account. If you tend to keep a high balance in your checking account, you may find high-yield business checking accounts particularly valuable.

As the name suggests, a high-yield business checking account usually offers a higher APY than a standard business checking account. Remember to carefully review the account terms, as some high-yield business checking accounts require you to meet certain activity and balance requirements to receive the advertised APY.

Related: How Can A Business Bank Account Help Your Small Business Grow?


How To Open a Business Checking Account

Once you’ve decided which business checking account to open, you can visit the financial institution’s website, go to a local branch or call customer support to set up the account. Keep in mind that online-only banks usually will steer you toward opening a business checking account through their websites.

Aside from your business’s IRS-issued employer identification number (EIN)—or your Social Security number if you’re a sole proprietor—you’ll probably need to supply the following (although requirements differ depending on the type of business):

  • Business address and phone number
  • Names of people to be listed as account holders
  • Business formation documents, such as articles of incorporation
  • Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
  • Business licenses
  • Partnership agreements
  • Initial deposit

Can You Open a Business Checking Account Online?

You can open many business checking accounts online without ever visiting a branch. After you’ve decided which bank or credit union you want to work with and which account is best for your business, you can submit an online application and provide the required personal and business information. You’ll then make your initial deposit, which will mean linking an external account if opening with a new bank.


How To Get a Business Checking Account With Bad Credit

Most banks don’t require a credit check to open a business checking account. That means even if you have bad credit, you should still be able to get a business checking account.

If you’re unsure where you fall on the credit spectrum, here are the credit score ranges according to FICO:

  • Exceptional: 800+
  • Very good: 740 to 799
  • Good: 670 to 739
  • Fair: 580 to 669
  • Poor: 580 or lower

Though banks may not check your credit as part of the business checking account application, they may pull your ChexSystems report to see how you’ve managed bank accounts in the past.

A ChexSystems report is a record of your banking history and helps financial institutions assess your risk as a potential bank account holder. ChexSystems collects the following information:

  • Checking account applications
  • Bank account openings and closures (and reason for closures)
  • Check writing history
  • Unpaid bank balances

To avoid any potential account opening delays, request a copy of your ChexSystems report and ensure all information is correct. If you spot a mistake, you can file a dispute to ChexSystems to get it fixed before opening a business checking account. Keep in mind that documentation may be required when filing a dispute. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you’re entitled to a free copy of your ChexSystems once every twelve months.


Alternatives to Business Checking Accounts

Depending on your business needs and goals, business checking accounts may not be the right choice for you. Here are some alternatives to consider.

Business Checking vs. Business Savings Accounts

Business checking accounts are primarily used for everyday business transactions, including deposits, withdrawals and payments. On the other hand, business savings accounts are typically used for specific savings goals, such as taxes, emergencies and employee benefits.

A business savings account can help you organize your money and reach your business goals. It may also help your money grow faster—business savings accounts generally have higher APYs than business checking accounts.

Business savings accounts don’t usually come with debit cards because they’re meant for savings versus everyday transactions. However, in some instances, business savings accounts may come with an ATM card you can use to withdraw funds but not make purchases.

Business Checking vs. Personal Checking Accounts

Business checking accounts and personal checking accounts function similarly, except one is designed for businesses, and the other is meant for individuals. A business checking account helps you organize your business finances and may come with business tools, while a personal checking is used for your personal income and expenses.

Business checking accounts serve the important purpose of helping you separate your personal and business finances. A business checking account can make it easier to track your income and expenses, file taxes and build legitimacy as a new business. Having your business’s revenue and expenses clearly separated into a business bank account may also help you qualify for business loans.


Banks We Monitor

These financial institutions were included in our research: Affinity Federal Credit Union, Amalgamated Bank, American Express, Axos Bank, Apple Federal Credit Union, Bank of America, BankUnitedDirect, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Blue Federal Credit Union, Capital One, Chase, Citibank, Citizens Access, Comerica, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Credit Union of Denver, Financial Partners Credit Union, Financial Resources Federal Credit Union, First Internet Bank, First National Bank of America,  FNBO Direct, Georgia’s Own Credit Union, Golden1 Credit Union, Greenwood Credit Union, Heritage Bank, Ideal Credit Union, Keybank, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, LendingClub, Live Oak Bank, MAC Federal Credit Union, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, Northern Bank Direct, Northpointe Bank, Nuvision Federal Credit Union, Pacific National Bank, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Regions Bank, SalemFiveDirect, Santander, State Bank of Texas, Superior Choice Credit Union, TAB Bank, TD Bank, EverBank, Truist, Union Bank & Trust, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who has the best business checking account?

There’s no one checking account that’s best for every business. But accounts that offer low or no fees, debit cards and lending products—plus easy access to branches and ATMs—are smart picks for most small to midsize businesses.

How many business checking accounts should I have?

The right number of business checking accounts for you depends on how you prefer to manage your business income and expenses. It may be a good idea to have at least one business checking account to deposit payments and pay expenses and a separate account to hold cash reserves. You may also consider a business money market account, which allows you to earn interest while offering the flexibility of check-writing or debit card access.

Who needs a business checking account?

Whether you are a sole proprietor or a business owner with employees, your business needs a business checking account. For tax purposes, it’s important to separate your personal finances from your business finances right from the start. Even if you’re simply working a side hustle, having a business checking account speaks to your credibility and professionalism.

What banks offer free business checking accounts?

A number of financial institutions offer free business checking accounts, meaning there are no monthly fees. Many of the financial institutions that offer free business checking are online-only banks that aren’t household names in banking. Some online-only banks that offer free business checking accounts include Axos, BlueVine, Grasshopper, Lili and Novo.

How to close a business checking account

While you may be able to close a business checking account online, you might need to visit a branch or call the financial institution to close your account. Before shutting down an account and transferring your money elsewhere, make sure all pending transactions have cleared and make other arrangements for scheduled payments and deposits. Also ask for written confirmation that the account has been closed.

How are business and personal checking accounts different?

Since you will be managing both your personal and your business checking accounts, it’s important to know their similarities and differences. While the accounts are similar, they may operate under different rules, fees and assumptions. With a business checking account, you likely will be handling a wider variety of transactions and the quality of your record-keeping matters more.

Can I open a business checking account without an EIN?

Yes. If your business is a sole proprietorship or single-person LLC, you can use your Social Security number—instead of an Employer Identification Number—to open a business checking account. But if your business has employees or operates as a corporation or partnership, you will need an EIN.

What are the most important features of business checking accounts?

As is the case with any financial decision, the most important features of a business checking account will be specific to your business, your needs and your personal banking habits. Business-specific features you may want to consider include integration with other accounting tools, e-commerce and payment capabilities, debit card security features and ATM fee rebates.


Next Up In Business Banking


Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Theresa Stevens is a personal finance writer based in Boston, MA. As a former financial advisor, she has first-hand experience helping people solve their money challenges. When she's not writing, you'll find her trying out a new karaoke spot or planning her next trip abroad.

lorem
Are you sure you want to rest your choices?