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Best Business Checking Accounts Of June 2024

Contributor
Banking Editor

Fact Checked

Updated: Jun 11, 2024, 8:41am

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 Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking.

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.

  • 226 business checking accounts examined
  • 79 banks and credit unions inspected
  • 16 data points studied and compared

Read More

Best Business Checking Accounts of 2024

Best Business Checking Accounts of 2024

We’ve compared 226 checking accounts at 79 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 June 5, 2024.

Best for Startups + Full-Service Online Banking

NBKC Bank Business Checking Account

5.0
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

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 Merchant Services + Branch Access

Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking

4.9
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

0%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$29.95 (waivable)

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

0%

$100

$29.95 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We picked the Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship 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 requirement of at least $100 to waive it.

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.

Consider the Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking instead if you need an account with a lower monthly fee that’s easier to waive, but note that this option—which also scored highly in our analysis—carries lower free transaction and cash deposit limits and more service fees.

Pros & Cons
  • Monthly maintenance fee can be waived with balance or spending activity
  • QuickBooks integration and Zelle compatibility
  • Dedicated small business customer service
  • Up to $500 in free transactions and $20,000 in free cash deposits per month
  • 15,000 ATMs and 3,800 local branches
  • High minimum required balance to waive monthly fee
  • $0.45 fee for each transaction over 500 monthly limit
  • $0.30 fee per $100 in cash deposits over $20,000 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 does not offer a bonus for the Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking account, but the Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking offers the following 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 Low-Cost Business Services + ATM Fee Rebates

Axos Bank Business Interest Checking

4.9
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

0.10% to 1.01%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$10 (waivable)

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Read Our Full Review

0.10% to 1.01%

$100

$10 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We picked the Axos Bank Business Interest Checking account because it offers several free business services and earns competitive interest. It also comes with access to dedicated Axos Bank relationship managers.

Why We Like It

We like this account because it includes unlimited domestic ATM reimbursements for third-party ATMs and discounted business services with partners Celero and ADP. And, of course, it earns up to 1.01% APY on balances below $50,000.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that this account carries a $10 monthly fee and has a low remote deposit limit of 60 items per month. It also only earns the best interest rate on balances below $50,000.

Who It’s Best For

Axos Business Interest Checking is best for business owners open to using Axos’ service partners who plan to keep between $5,000 and $50,000 in the bank. More or less than this and you’re probably better off going with a different account.

Pros & Cons
  • Potential to earn relatively high APY
  • Low minimum deposit requirement
  • Unlimited domestic ATM reimbursements
  • Compatible with QuickBooks

 

  • High monthly service fee and balance requirement to waive
  • No physical bank branches
  • Fees for paper statements, checks and outgoing wire transfers
  • Monthly remote deposit limit
Details

Axos Business Interest Checking earns up to 1.01% APY on balances below $50,000, 0.20% APY on balances between $50,000 and $249,999.99 and 0.10% APY on all other balances. The account limits free remote deposits to 60 items per month and a monthly processing limit of 100, including remote deposits. This account offers a complimentary starter set of paper checks.

Dedicated banking relationship managers are available Monday through Friday. 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.

Best for Unlimited Transactions + Large Balances

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

4.8
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

0.50%

with average daily balance of $10,000

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

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

0.50%

with average daily balance of $10,000

$0

$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 $10 in monthly ATM reimbursements, in addition to being one of the only competitive business checking accounts out there without a monthly fee.

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. First Internet Bank also doesn’t have an ATM network of its own or partner with an existing network, so business owners may have trouble staying under the out-of-network reimbursement limit.

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, but it could also meet the needs of smaller businesses with less to deposit.

Pros & Cons
  • Interest on checking balances of at least $10,000
  • 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 Sign-Up Bonuses + Rewards

PNC Business Checking Plus

4.8
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

None

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$22 (waivable)

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

None

$100

$22 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We chose the PNC Bank Business Checking Plus account because it comes with a sign-up bonus and offers ongoing cash-back rewards through PNC Purchase Payback. Cash-back promotions change often and vary by location but may help some save on business spending.

Why We Like It

We like this account not just for the rewards but also because it permits businesses to deposit up to $10,000 in cash fee-free each month. PNC Bank also offers tools to help businesses track their spending and manage their cash flow, as well as in-person branches in many states.

What We Don’t Like

On the list of things we don’t like about it, this account’s $22 monthly fee is at the top. And while it is waivable, the requirements to avoid it may be too high for small businesses. PNC Bank also requires some business owners to visit a branch to finish opening their accounts.

Who It’s Best For

PNC Business Checking Plus is best for established businesses with high deposit volumes and frequent debit card use. While PNC Bank offers mobile and digital banking, this account may be best suited for business owners who prefer banking at a branch.

Pros & Cons
  • Cash bonus for new accounts
  • Waivable monthly maintenance fee
  • Cash back at select retailers
  • Branches in 28 states and Washington, D.C.
  • High balance and activity requirements to waive fee
  • Fees to sync with accounting software like QuickBooks
  • High fees for over-the-limit transactions
  • High overdraft, out-of-network ATM and other service fees
Details

PNC Business Checking Plus is a non-interest-bearing account. The first 500 transactions (including deposits, paid items and ACH transfers) and $10,000 in cash deposits are free each month.

The $22 monthly account maintenance fee is waived when you either: maintain a $5,000 average monthly balance, use your PNC debit card to make $5,000 in purchases, receive $5,000 in deposits from a linked Merchant Account, or maintain an average combined collected balance of $20,000 across all business checking and money market accounts. This account carries a number of incidental fees you may be charged. PNC Bank has branches in 28 states.

Bonus

New PNC Business Checking or Business Checking Plus accounts are eligible for a $200 cash bonus at sign-up. To earn the bonus, you must open an account by June 30, 2024, maintain the minimum average balance of $5,000 for the first three statement cycles and make a minimum of 20 qualifying purchases using the PNC Bank Visa Business Debit Card within the first three statement cycles. These requirements are the same for both accounts mentioned.

Best for Customer Service + Overdraft Options

TD Business Convenience Checking Plus

4.7
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

None

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$25 (waivable)

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

None

$100

$25 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We chose the TD Bank Business Convenience Checking Plus account because it provides easy-to-reach customer service to business owners, including support on the weekends, along with a variety of ways to avoid overdraft fees.

Why We Like It

TD Bank offers a lot of flexibility for small businesses that need help with their accounts. We like that the bank provides business account support Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET and on weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. The account also offers overdraft protection, a one-day overdraft grace period and optional overdraft protection lines of credit.

What We Don’t Like

The Business Convenience Checking Plus account doesn’t earn any interest, and its $5,000 cash deposit limit is lower than some other banks. Small businesses will have to pay $0.30 for every $100 deposited over the limit.

Who It’s Best For

The TD Bank Business Convenience Checking Plus account is best for businesses that value readily available customer service. It’s also a good fit for small business owners who plan to keep low balances and may benefit from overdraft protection services.

For higher deposit and transaction limits at a higher price point, the TD Business Premier Checking account is another option that scored highly in our analysis. Also an all-around strong choice, according to our research, is the TD Business Simple Checking account, which promises a lower monthly fee with reduced limits.

Pros & Cons
  • Weekend and evening customer support
  • Overdraft protection
  • Waivable monthly maintenance fee
  • Personal account balances can count toward fee waiver requirements
  • Low transaction and deposit limits
  • Small ATM network
  • Out-of-network ATM and other service fees
  • Does not earn interest
Details

TD Bank Business Convenience Checking Plus offers online customer account service and extended banking hours. There is a $3 fee for using an out-of-network ATM.

The account provides 500 free transactions and up to $5,000 in cash deposits per statement cycle. After reaching these maximums, you will pay $0.50 for each transaction and $0.30 per $100 deposited.

There is a $25 monthly fee that can be waived by maintaining an account balance of $1,500 in combination with a TD Bank personal checking account. The TD Business Premier Checking and TD Business Interest Checking Plus accounts also scored highly and offer additional benefits, like interest or lowered service fees. TD Bank maintains a network of 1,100 branches and 2,600 ATMs, primarily along the East Coast.

Bonus

The TD Bank Business Convenience Checking Plus account does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time.

Best for Sole Proprietors + Cash Deposits

Key Business Reward Checking®

4.7
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

None

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$25

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$25 (waivable)

Learn More Arrow
Find Related Offers

None

$25

$25 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We chose KeyBank Business Reward Checking because of its high cash deposit limit and low over-limit fees, its unlimited incoming wire transfers and its affordable merchant services.

Why We Like It

We like this account because it has many perks for sole proprietors. Although the cash deposit limit of $25,000 and low fees may appeal to any business, the account lets sole proprietors count personal balances toward fee waiver requirements. And with modestly priced Key Merchant Services, business owners may save when processing card payments.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like this account’s steep requirements to waive the monthly service fee, with higher balance minimums than other business checking accounts. Business owners must maintain a $7,500 average daily balance or have $20,000 in combined balances to avoid the $25 fee unless they’re enrolled in Key Merchant Services.

Who It’s Best For

The KeyBank Business Reward Checking account is best for business owners who need to make frequent cash deposits and sole proprietors looking to avoid fees. KeyBank could also be attractive to business owners who like banking in person, as the bank has more than 1,000 branches across 15 states.

Pros & Cons
  • Waivable monthly maintenance fee (automatically waived for first two months)
  • High cash deposit limit of $25,000
  • Low over-limit cash deposit fee of $0.18 per $100
  • Unlimited incoming wire transfers
  • High balance requirements to waive monthly maintenance fee
  • Low monthly transaction limit
  • Branch locations not available nationwide
Details

KeyBank Business Reward Checking has a $25 minimum opening deposit requirement and comes with a $25 monthly fee, which is waived for the first two months. After that, the fee can be waived with an average daily balance of at least $7,500 in this account or a combined average daily balance of $20,000 across eligible business deposit and credit accounts. It is also waived for customers with Key Merchant Services subscriptions. Overdraft protection is available when linked to an eligible KeyBank business account.

Customers can deposit up to $25,000 in cash per month without paying any fees and will pay $0.18 per $100 deposited over that limit. There is a 500-item monthly transaction limit, and each transaction made above this incurs a $0.40 charge. This is a non-interest-bearing account, but the KeyBank Business Interest Checking account ranked comparably in our analysis, though it only offers 0.01% APY on all balance tiers.

Bonus

The KeyBank Business Reward Checking account does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time. However, KeyBank is offering a $300 statement credit for new Key Merchant Services accounts. To qualify, new account holders must process at least $5,000 in credit or debit card transactions within three months of onboarding, and the account must be open and in good standing—with no uncollected chargebacks or ACH rejections—to qualify for the credit.

Best for ATM Network + Employee Access

U.S. Bank Gold Business Checking Account Package

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

0%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$20 (waivable)

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

0%

$100

$20 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We picked the U.S. Bank Gold Business Checking Account Package package because it offers widespread in-person access to ATMs for convenient deposits and withdrawals, and it also offers perks for small businesses with multiple employees who need to use the account.

Why We Like It

We like that this account provides customizable access options for employees. Business owners can share account access with others at no cost and choose from a long list of permissions to grant or deny. And between U.S. Bank’s many ATMs and the bank’s partnership with the MoneyPass ATM network, account holders can easily avoid fees when handling cash.

What We Don’t Like

This account lacks the management tools, app integrations and rewards available with many of the best business accounts. It also doesn’t earn interest, and its transaction and deposit limits are comparatively low. While U.S. Bank has an extensive ATM network, this account permits only $10,000 in free monthly cash deposits, which is on the low side.

Who It’s Best For

The U.S. Bank Gold Business Checking Package is best for businesses that want convenient access to branches and ATMs without the fees often found at big banks. It’s also one of our top picks for businesses with employees.

The U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Account Package package is another worthy option from this bank. This package has no monthly maintenance fee and offers reduced deposit and transaction limits for businesses with less activity.

Pros & Cons
  • Customizable employee access options
  • Highly rated mobile banking app
  • Access to U.S. Bank branches and ATMs
  • High monthly service fee and balance requirement to waive
  • Other business checking accounts offer more features
  • Low monthly transaction and deposit limits with high over-limit fees
  • Does not earn interest
Details

A $100 minimum deposit is required to open a Gold Business Checking account. The account’s $20 monthly maintenance fee is waived with a combined average checking balance of $10,000 or $25,000 for interest accounts, a combined average deposit balance of $20,000 or $50,000 for interest accounts, or a combined average collected business deposit and credit balance of $50,000.

Transactions that count toward the monthly limit include teller deposits, ATM deposits and check and debit card purchases. Transactions are $0.45 each above the 300 limit, and cash deposits over the $10,000 monthly limit cost $0.33 per unit (where units are calculated by dividing each cash deposit amount by 100 and rounding the resulting value to a whole number). If you need to write paper checks, you can receive a 50% discount on the first check order up to $100. U.S. Bank also offers business savings deposit options, including savings accounts, money market accounts and CDs.

Bonus

This account does not offer a welcome bonus.

Best for Fee-Free Digital Banking + Sub-Accounts

Relay Business Checking

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 for standard accounts

Learn More Arrow
On Relay's Website

N/A

$0

$0 for standard accounts

Editor's Take

We chose Relay because its fee-free digital account lets business owners seamlessly integrate with accounting and payment software and create sub-accounts to separate their funds. Relay offers both a free business checking account and a paid account with more integrations.

Why We Like It

We like that Relay lets business owners open up to 20 checking accounts, issue up to 50 virtual debit cards to employees and connect accounting, payroll and receipt management software. Plus, Relay’s paid checking account—Relay Pro—offers even more integrations and a few waived service fees. Both versions have no minimums or transaction limits.

What We Don’t Like

As an online-only financial technology company, Relay doesn’t offer a traditional banking experience. Along with a lack of branches, this means cash deposits are only accepted at ATMs, and the platform has a long hold time for depositing checks.

Who It’s Best For

Relay is best for tech-savvy business owners who prefer online banking, already use software that’s compatible with the platform, and will make use of free sub-accounts and extra debit cards. It’s a good option for business owners who want to save as well, as Relay also offers a savings account that earns 1.00% to 3.00% APY with extended FDIC insurance coverage.

Pros & Cons
  • Large ATM network
  • No fees on standard accounts
  • Integrations with popular accounting and payroll services
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Multiple accounts and debit cards available
  • Very limited phone support hours
  • Tier-based deposit and withdrawal limits can be confusing
Details

This account doesn’t earn interest. Fees are charged for wire transfers and foreign transactions. This checking account has eight tiers based on transaction history and volume. Limits on deposits and withdrawals depend on your account’s tier.

Bonus

Receive a $100 bonus for holding $10,000+ in your Relay account within 30 days of account opening.¹

¹Limit of one (1) $100 USD cash reward per business. To qualify for this offer, your Relay application must be completed, and your account must have a balance of at least $10,000 USD within 30 days of account approval. An average balance of $5,000 USD or more must be maintained at least until the bonus amount of $100 has been deposited. $100 (‘The Offer’) will be automatically applied to an approved Relay account within 10 business days of fulfilling the eligibility requirement(s). Offer cannot be combined with other offers.

 

Best for Entrepreneurs + Low Transaction Volumes

Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠

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

None

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$25

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$10 (waivable)

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Full Review

None

$25

$10 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We picked the Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking Account because it’s an accessible business banking solution for small businesses and entrepreneurs with low monthly transaction volumes, with one of the lowest deposit requirements and monthly fees on this list.

Why We Like It

We like that Wells Fargo offers a full suite of business products and services to accommodate business owners as their needs expand. This account has a low monthly transaction limit of 100 items and a cash deposit limit of $5,000, making it best suited to new and growing businesses.

What We Don’t Like

Compared to other business checking accounts, this account has meager deposit and transaction limits. Business owners may outgrow it quickly as they increase their volume—or be stuck paying relatively high per-transaction fees.

Who It’s Best For

The Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking is best for new business owners who are just getting started and can stay under the monthly deposit and transaction limits. It is not the right choice for businesses with a lot of monthly activity or extensive integration needs.

Pros & Cons
  • Nationwide ATM and branch network
  • Extended hours for customer support
  • Low and waivable monthly maintenance fee
  • Low fee-free transaction limit of 100 per month
  • Low cash deposit limit of $5,000 per month
  • High fees for transactions and deposits made above limits
Details

The Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking account requires a $25 opening deposit. It comes with a $10 monthly service fee that is waived with a $500 minimum daily balance or $1,000 average ledger balance on the account.

Business owners can deposit $5,000 and make 100 fee-free transactions each month. After that, cash deposits cost $0.30 per $100 deposited, and account holders will pay $0.50 per additional transaction. Business owners have access to mobile and online banking, as well as Wells Fargo’s large national network of ATMs and branch locations.

Bonus

The Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time.

Best for High APY + Expanded FDIC Coverage

Bluevine Business Checking

4.3
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

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$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 with the Standard plan. (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 perks and features. It also provides expanded FDIC coverage of up to $3 million through a deposit sweep program.

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 Plus and Premier plan holders automatically earn interest and can qualify for higher rates of 3.00% and 4.25% APY, respectively.

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.


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 5.0 5 Star preview N/A $0 $0 Learn More Read Our Full Review
Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking Bank of America Logo 4.9 5 Star preview 0% $100 $16
Waivable
Learn More Read Our Full Review
Axos Bank Basic Business Checking 4.9 5 Star preview N/A $0 $0 Learn More Read Our Full Review
First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking 4.8 5 Star preview 0.50% $0 $0 Learn More On First Internet Bank's Website
Member FDIC
PNC Business Checking Plus 4.8 5 Star preview None $100 $22 (waivable) Learn More Read Our Full Review
TD Business Convenience Checking Plus 4.7 4.5-removebg-preview-1 None $100 $25 (waivable) Learn More Read Our Full Review
Key Business Reward Checking® 4.7 4.5-removebg-preview-1 None $25 $25 (waivable) Learn More Find Related Offers
U.S. Bank Gold Business Checking Account Package 4.4 4.5-removebg-preview-1 0% $100 $20 (waivable) Learn More Read Our Full Review
Relay Business Checking 4.4 4.5 Star preview N/A $0 $0 for standard accounts Learn More On Relay's Website
Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠ 4.4 4.5-removebg-preview-1 None $25 $10 (waivable) Learn More Read Our Full Review
Bluevine Business Checking 4.3 4.5-removebg-preview-1 2.00% $0 $0 Learn More On BlueVine's Website

Methodology

To create this list, Forbes Advisor analyzed 226 business checking accounts at 79 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%
  • Limits: 13%
  • Features and integrations: 13%
  • Minimums: 12%
  • Customer experience: 10%
  • Digital experience: 10%
  • Access: 7%
  • 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 by helping to:

  • 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 importance of a good digital banking experience—both online and mobile—can’t be overstated for modern users. 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 review the account terms carefully, 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 will usually 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, CIBC Bank, 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.

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