The best business bank account depends on your company’s size and maturity. A business checking account should be your first step. Add more accounts, like for business savings, as you grow.
Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Kelsey Sheehy is a NerdWallet authority on small business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/christmas-in-july-sales-to-take-advantage-of-now-64075333536">"Today"</a> show, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tax-code-changes-leave-many-americans-with-unhappy-returns-1440385091860">NBC News</a> and <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/cost-smartphones-reaching-time-high-54166111">"ABC World News Tonight"</a> and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC and American Banker, among other publications. Email: <a href="mailto:ksheehy@nerdwallet.com">ksheehy@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Kelsey Sheehy is a NerdWallet authority on small business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/christmas-in-july-sales-to-take-advantage-of-now-64075333536">"Today"</a> show, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tax-code-changes-leave-many-americans-with-unhappy-returns-1440385091860">NBC News</a> and <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/cost-smartphones-reaching-time-high-54166111">"ABC World News Tonight"</a> and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC and American Banker, among other publications. Email: <a href="mailto:ksheehy@nerdwallet.com">ksheehy@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
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It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
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Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
60+ business bank accounts rated with our objective, comprehensive business bank account rubrics (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business banking content — including our ratings, reviews and recommendations — is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in small-business finances. Their journalism has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
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We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
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financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
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objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
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or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Kelsey Sheehy is a NerdWallet authority on small business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/christmas-in-july-sales-to-take-advantage-of-now-64075333536">"Today"</a> show, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tax-code-changes-leave-many-americans-with-unhappy-returns-1440385091860">NBC News</a> and <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/cost-smartphones-reaching-time-high-54166111">"ABC World News Tonight"</a> and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC and American Banker, among other publications. Email: <a href="mailto:ksheehy@nerdwallet.com">ksheehy@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Kelsey Sheehy is a NerdWallet authority on small business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/christmas-in-july-sales-to-take-advantage-of-now-64075333536">"Today"</a> show, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tax-code-changes-leave-many-americans-with-unhappy-returns-1440385091860">NBC News</a> and <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/cost-smartphones-reaching-time-high-54166111">"ABC World News Tonight"</a> and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC and American Banker, among other publications. Email: <a href="mailto:ksheehy@nerdwallet.com">ksheehy@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
60+ business bank accounts rated with our objective, comprehensive business bank account rubrics (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business banking content — including our ratings, reviews and recommendations — is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in small-business finances. Their journalism has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Earn 1.50% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
Access up to $3 million in FDIC insurance with Insured Cash Sweep.
No fees at MoneyPass ATMs.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links.
Cons
No fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
The Bluevine Business Checking account has no monthly fees, overdraft fees or transaction fees and does not require a minimum opening deposit. This high-yield account also boasts a great interest rate: Earn 1.50% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
Bluevine customers have free ATM withdrawal access through the MoneyPass network. Plus, you can deposit cash at Allpoint+ and Green Dot locations across the U.S., although fees apply.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Earn 1.50% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
Access up to $3 million in FDIC insurance with Insured Cash Sweep.
No fees at MoneyPass ATMs.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links.
Cons
No fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
The Bluevine Business Checking account has no monthly fees, overdraft fees or transaction fees and does not require a minimum opening deposit. This high-yield account also boasts a great interest rate: Earn 1.50% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
Bluevine customers have free ATM withdrawal access through the MoneyPass network. Plus, you can deposit cash at Allpoint+ and Green Dot locations across the U.S., although fees apply.
No excess transaction fees and no charge for domestic incoming wires.
Earn 1.30% APY on balances up to $500,000.
24/7 customer support.
No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
No outgoing international wire transfers.
Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
American Express offers a top online business checking account. It pays a solid interest rate, offers 24/7 customer support, charges no monthly fees and has a highly rated mobile app. You can't deposit cash, though you can withdraw it fee free from MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
No excess transaction fees and no charge for domestic incoming wires.
Earn 1.30% APY on balances up to $500,000.
24/7 customer support.
No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
No outgoing international wire transfers.
Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
American Express offers a top online business checking account. It pays a solid interest rate, offers 24/7 customer support, charges no monthly fees and has a highly rated mobile app. You can't deposit cash, though you can withdraw it fee free from MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
No required monthly fee or minimum balance requirement.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
No foreign transaction fees when you use your Relay Visa® Debit abroad.
Free incoming wires and low outgoing wire transfer fees.
Up to 50 debit cards.
Direct integration with Shopify.
Cons
Deposited checks may be held for up to 6-7 business days.
No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay's free online banking platform offers unlimited fee-free transactions, along with free incoming wires and low-cost outgoing wires. You can have up to 20 business checking accounts and up to 50 business debit cards (physical or virtual) with the Relay platform, making it a good option for midsize LLCs or multi-owner businesses. Account holders can also assign user permissions to other team members and automate their spending limits.
Relay offers direct integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero, plus the ability to connect your account with other popular business tools, including Expensify, Gusto, Plaid and Wise.
No required monthly fee or minimum balance requirement.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
No foreign transaction fees when you use your Relay Visa® Debit abroad.
Free incoming wires and low outgoing wire transfer fees.
Up to 50 debit cards.
Direct integration with Shopify.
Cons
Deposited checks may be held for up to 6-7 business days.
No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay's free online banking platform offers unlimited fee-free transactions, along with free incoming wires and low-cost outgoing wires. You can have up to 20 business checking accounts and up to 50 business debit cards (physical or virtual) with the Relay platform, making it a good option for midsize LLCs or multi-owner businesses. Account holders can also assign user permissions to other team members and automate their spending limits.
Relay offers direct integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero, plus the ability to connect your account with other popular business tools, including Expensify, Gusto, Plaid and Wise.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Supports Zelle for Business.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Low limit on fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
$1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
U.S. Bank is one of the few brick-and-mortar banks that lets you open an account online. You can also call or visit a branch — U.S. Bank has more than 2,000 branches in 26 states — to get your account started.
The Business Essentials Checking account has no monthly fee and includes unlimited electronic deposits and withdrawals. You also get up to $2,500 in cash deposits per statement cycle at no additional cost.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Supports Zelle for Business.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Low limit on fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
$1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
U.S. Bank is one of the few brick-and-mortar banks that lets you open an account online. You can also call or visit a branch — U.S. Bank has more than 2,000 branches in 26 states — to get your account started.
The Business Essentials Checking account has no monthly fee and includes unlimited electronic deposits and withdrawals. You also get up to $2,500 in cash deposits per statement cycle at no additional cost.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Integrated credit card processing.
No overdraft fee unless account is overdrawn by more than $50; 24-hour grace period applies to overdrafts beyond that amount.
24/7 customer support.
No fees at 15,400 Chase ATMs and access to around 4,900 branches.
Cons
$15 monthly fee.
Monthly limit on fee-free cash deposits ($5,000) and physical transactions (20).
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Chase Business Complete Checking is a digital-friendly small-business bank account that includes access to around 4,900 branches and 15,400 ATMs across 48 states.
This Chase business checking account carries a $15 monthly service fee, which is waived if you maintain a daily minimum balance of $2,000 or meet other designated criteria. Account holders receive unlimited electronic deposits and can earn up to a $500 sign-up bonus. Chase users can take credit card payments in person via the Chase app, too.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Integrated credit card processing.
No overdraft fee unless account is overdrawn by more than $50; 24-hour grace period applies to overdrafts beyond that amount.
24/7 customer support.
No fees at 15,400 Chase ATMs and access to around 4,900 branches.
Cons
$15 monthly fee.
Monthly limit on fee-free cash deposits ($5,000) and physical transactions (20).
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Chase Business Complete Checking is a digital-friendly small-business bank account that includes access to around 4,900 branches and 15,400 ATMs across 48 states.
This Chase business checking account carries a $15 monthly service fee, which is waived if you maintain a daily minimum balance of $2,000 or meet other designated criteria. Account holders receive unlimited electronic deposits and can earn up to a $500 sign-up bonus. Chase users can take credit card payments in person via the Chase app, too.
No ATM or debit card access for Business Savings account.
No weekend customer support.
Live Oak's Business Savings Account has offered a high APY for years, although it's no longer the highest available. This account also offers unlimited fee-free transactions, so you can withdraw and deposit funds whenever you need to.
No ATM or debit card access for Business Savings account.
No weekend customer support.
Live Oak's Business Savings Account has offered a high APY for years, although it's no longer the highest available. This account also offers unlimited fee-free transactions, so you can withdraw and deposit funds whenever you need to.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.80% APY.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
Free incoming domestic wires; low fees on other wire transfers.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
$100 minimum opening deposit.
No weekend support.
Grasshopper's online business checking account pays you two ways: You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on qualified purchases and up to 1.80% APY on the balance in your account. You also get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing and cash management.
The catch: You can't deposit cash and the account requires a $100 minimum opening deposit.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.80% APY.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
Free incoming domestic wires; low fees on other wire transfers.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
$100 minimum opening deposit.
No weekend support.
Grasshopper's online business checking account pays you two ways: You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on qualified purchases and up to 1.80% APY on the balance in your account. You also get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing and cash management.
The catch: You can't deposit cash and the account requires a $100 minimum opening deposit.
No required monthly fee or minimum opening deposit.
No excess transaction fees or overdraft fees; free incoming domestic wires.
Free, built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
Integrates with popular business and gig work apps, including Stripe, DoorDash, Uber, Etsy and PayPal.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Cons
No weekend or after-hours phone support.
Not available to partnerships or nonprofit organizations.
No fee-free cash deposits.
Found offers a free business checking account with no monthly fees, no minimum opening deposit and unlimited fee-free transactions. On top of that, freelancers may want to take advantage of built-in tools for invoicing and tax planning.
Found is only available to sole proprietors and single-owner LLCs. And cash withdrawals and deposits are limited pretty strictly — $550 per day and $2,000 per rolling seven days, respectively. There are no limits on direct deposits and transfers from payment apps, though.
No required monthly fee or minimum opening deposit.
No excess transaction fees or overdraft fees; free incoming domestic wires.
Free, built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
Integrates with popular business and gig work apps, including Stripe, DoorDash, Uber, Etsy and PayPal.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Cons
No weekend or after-hours phone support.
Not available to partnerships or nonprofit organizations.
No fee-free cash deposits.
Found offers a free business checking account with no monthly fees, no minimum opening deposit and unlimited fee-free transactions. On top of that, freelancers may want to take advantage of built-in tools for invoicing and tax planning.
Found is only available to sole proprietors and single-owner LLCs. And cash withdrawals and deposits are limited pretty strictly — $550 per day and $2,000 per rolling seven days, respectively. There are no limits on direct deposits and transfers from payment apps, though.
Unlimited fee-free transactions, no overdraft fees and free incoming domestic wires.
Up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Unlimited cash deposits via MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
Accept contactless payments via the NBKC app (iOS only). Fees apply.
Unlimited debit cards.
Cons
High fee ($45) for international wire transfers.
Phone support only available during business hours.
No third-party app integrations.
NBKC’s Business Account is a free business checking account with no deposit and no minimum balance requirement. This account includes unlimited transactions, fee-free ATM access through the MoneyPass and Allpoint networks (with the ability to deposit cash) and up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Unlike other business accounts, NBKC does not limit the amount of cash you can deposit per month, and there are no fees for cash deposits. There are also no incidental fees for incoming domestic wires, overdrafts or stop payments.
Unlimited fee-free transactions, no overdraft fees and free incoming domestic wires.
Up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Unlimited cash deposits via MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
Accept contactless payments via the NBKC app (iOS only). Fees apply.
Unlimited debit cards.
Cons
High fee ($45) for international wire transfers.
Phone support only available during business hours.
No third-party app integrations.
NBKC’s Business Account is a free business checking account with no deposit and no minimum balance requirement. This account includes unlimited transactions, fee-free ATM access through the MoneyPass and Allpoint networks (with the ability to deposit cash) and up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Unlike other business accounts, NBKC does not limit the amount of cash you can deposit per month, and there are no fees for cash deposits. There are also no incidental fees for incoming domestic wires, overdrafts or stop payments.
Unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires.
Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
Cash deposits via Allpoint ATMs.
Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
$25 fee for insufficient funds/uncollected funds returned.
No third-party app integrations.
This free online business account delivers cash deposits via compatible ATMs. Plus, you get truly free nationwide ATM access — with unlimited refunds for fees charged by other banks and ATM operators in the U.S.
Unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires.
Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
Cash deposits via Allpoint ATMs.
Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
$25 fee for insufficient funds/uncollected funds returned.
No third-party app integrations.
This free online business account delivers cash deposits via compatible ATMs. Plus, you get truly free nationwide ATM access — with unlimited refunds for fees charged by other banks and ATM operators in the U.S.
Same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo. Direct payments supported from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb.
Sub-accounts that you can use to save for specific goals.
Direct integration with Shopify, Etsy and Amazon.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
Low cash deposit limits ($1,500 per day, $5,000 per month). Service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
Can’t send or receive international wires.
No weekend customer support.
Not available to nonprofit organizations.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
North One's online business checking account pays an industry-leading APY: Earn 2.50% interest on account balances up to $250,000. Terms apply. That could add up for business owners with cash in the bank. Plus, you get unlimited fee-free transactions and reimbursements for up to two ATM withdrawals and one cash deposit per month.
Same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo. Direct payments supported from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb.
Sub-accounts that you can use to save for specific goals.
Direct integration with Shopify, Etsy and Amazon.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
Low cash deposit limits ($1,500 per day, $5,000 per month). Service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
Can’t send or receive international wires.
No weekend customer support.
Not available to nonprofit organizations.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
North One's online business checking account pays an industry-leading APY: Earn 2.50% interest on account balances up to $250,000. Terms apply. That could add up for business owners with cash in the bank. Plus, you get unlimited fee-free transactions and reimbursements for up to two ATM withdrawals and one cash deposit per month.
Loyalty perks via Preferred Rewards for Business program.
Relatively low overdraft fees ($10 per item, limited to two per day)
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
$16 monthly fee after introductory period ends.
Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking account holders have access to thousands of Bank of America branches and ATMs. This business checking account features unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions. There is no monthly service fee for the first 12 statement cycles. After that, you can avoid the fee by maintaining a $5,000 combined average monthly balance or by spending $500 in net-new qualifying purchases on your Bank of America business debit card. (Preferred Rewards for Business members can also qualify to have this fee waived.)
As your business grows, Bank of America business checking customers may be eligible for discounts on other services, like business loans, and higher rewards rates on business credit cards. That makes this an institution your business may be able to grow into down the line.
Loyalty perks via Preferred Rewards for Business program.
Relatively low overdraft fees ($10 per item, limited to two per day)
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
$16 monthly fee after introductory period ends.
Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking account holders have access to thousands of Bank of America branches and ATMs. This business checking account features unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions. There is no monthly service fee for the first 12 statement cycles. After that, you can avoid the fee by maintaining a $5,000 combined average monthly balance or by spending $500 in net-new qualifying purchases on your Bank of America business debit card. (Preferred Rewards for Business members can also qualify to have this fee waived.)
As your business grows, Bank of America business checking customers may be eligible for discounts on other services, like business loans, and higher rewards rates on business credit cards. That makes this an institution your business may be able to grow into down the line.
Access to Insured Cash Sweep network for expanded FDIC insurance.
Cons
Fee for excess transactions.
No ATM or debit card access.
Axos is an online business savings account that, as of this writing, earns 3.80% APY on all balances. The account has no monthly fee or minimum opening deposit.
Access to Insured Cash Sweep network for expanded FDIC insurance.
Cons
Fee for excess transactions.
No ATM or debit card access.
Axos is an online business savings account that, as of this writing, earns 3.80% APY on all balances. The account has no monthly fee or minimum opening deposit.
The NBKC Business Money Market account earns 2.75% APY as long as you have a balance of at least 1 cent and is a great complement to NBKC's business checking account. Both accounts have no monthly fees or minimum opening deposit requirement.
The NBKC Business Money Market account earns 2.75% APY as long as you have a balance of at least 1 cent and is a great complement to NBKC's business checking account. Both accounts have no monthly fees or minimum opening deposit requirement.
A business account is a bank account designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs. In general, every business should start by opening a business checking account for day-to-day operations. These accounts may offer business-specific features, like built-in tools for services such as invoicing or tax planning, as well as higher transaction limits that allow greater cash flow.
However, banks may place additional scrutiny on business accounts to prevent issues like money laundering and fraud. That's one reason some financial institutions explicitly prohibit the use of their personal accounts for business purposes.
In addition to business checking accounts, there are business savings accounts, cash management accounts, credit cards and more. Many businesses have multiple bank accounts.
Types of small-business bank accounts
Here is an overview of some common business bank accounts you might want to consider:
Best for: Accepting debit and credit card payments.
Open one if: You’re starting or formalizing your business. Every business should have a checking account.
Open one if: You have extra cash on hand, like a rainy-day fund or savings for a future expense.
Open one if: You have cash reserves in the millions.
Open one if: You plan to take card payments from customers online or via a point-of-sale system.
What to keep in mind:
Included monthly transactions.
ATM access.
Account and incidental fees.
What to keep in mind:
APY.
Account fees.
Minimum balance required to earn interest.
What to keep in mind:
Potential yield.
Account fees.
Minimum balance to open account.
What to keep in mind:
Bundled merchant services.
Low transaction fees.
Additional fees.
How to choose a business bank account
If you're not sure what you need, a business checking account is a great start. These accounts are designed for managing everyday cash flow. You’ll need one to open a merchant services account if you accept debit and credit card payments.
As your business grows, high-yield business savings accounts and business money market accounts can help put your savings to work, with some earning more than 3% APY. And if you have large cash reserves (for instance, if your business is a startup with venture funding), a business cash management account could further increase your yield.
Once you know what type of account you need, consider whether you want an online business account, an in-person banking experience or a combination of the two.
Monthly fees: Recurring fees eat into your bottom line, so look for a free business checking account or one with a monthly fee you’ll easily qualify to waive.
Transaction and deposit limits: Most accounts place some restrictions on transactions and deposits. Brick-and-mortar banks typically limit fee-free transactions — anywhere from 100 transactions to 500 per month for entry-level business accounts. Some banks only limit in-person transactions, while others cap all activity. Online banks rarely limit the number of transactions you can make, but most impose other limits, such as how much you can transfer or deposit each month.
ATM access: Note the size and location of your bank’s ATM network before opening a business bank account. For savings accounts, also consider whether the account includes ATM access at all (many do not).
Customer support: If you want to be able to talk to a banker face-to-face, open an account at a bank or credit union with branches close to your home or business. If you're OK with phone support, most online banks offer it — just make sure it's available on evenings and weekends if you work during those times.
Incidental fees: Additional fees on your business account can add up fast. Check the schedule of fees for your account to understand what extra charges could apply when you send wire transfers, deposit cash or accidentally overdraft.
Value-added features: Some business accounts offer tax-planning tools, which are great for sole proprietors and freelancers. Other accounts offer easy integration with software like QuickBooks Online and Gusto to streamline your business operations. And some business banking platforms for startups offer sophisticated expense management tools, including corporate credit cards that can help you control and monitor spending across your company.
Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC.
Note on American Express® Business Checking : At Allpoint® and MoneyPass® locations in the U.S., you can withdraw cash and get balance information with no fee. Access to ATMs outside of the Allpoint® and MoneyPass® networks are subject to fees by the ATM owner and/or network. ATM withdrawal limits apply. American Express applies foreign exchange fees to withdrawals in foreign currencies. American Express does not accept ATM cash deposits into your Business Checking account at this time. Visit americanexpress.com/atm-locator to find participating ATMs in the U.S.
Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC. The Relay Visa Debit Card is issued by Thread Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used anywhere Visa cards are accepted.
Last updated on January 6, 2025
Methodology
NerdWallet evaluates more than 50 business bank accounts from national, regional and online banks. Collectively, these accounts represent the largest banks by assets and the largest credit unions by membership, along with notable and emerging fintech companies and online banks.
We consider more than 20 data points for each account, including services, fees, features and rewards. We gather this information from rates and fees documents, deposit account agreements, financial institution websites and company representatives.
Our editorial team regularly reviews and updates our data to ensure consistency and accuracy. We also update our scoring on an ongoing basis to reflect changing industry norms and business owner needs. For instance, in 2025, we introduced bonus points for notable built-in software features, like the ability to accept tap-to-pay payments from customers using a mobile app.
Final star ratings are presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a five-star score represents the best available product for the largest number of business owners. Learn more about how we rate business checking accounts.