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How to Open a Business Bank Account
You'll need basic information about yourself and your business, as well as legal business documentation.
Writer | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a small-business writer who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics including banking and loan products. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona College. Email: <a href="mailto:rkriss@nerdwallet.com">rkriss@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Christine Aebischer is an assistant assigning editor on the small-business team who joined NerdWallet in 2020, originally as a copy editor. Previously, she held editing roles at Fundera, Northwestern Mutual and LearnVest, where she covered a variety of personal and business finance topics. Christine earned bachelor's degrees in English and journalism from The College of New Jersey. Email: <a href="mailto:caebischer@nerdwallet.com">caebischer@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Business bank accounts help small-business owners manage company finances, streamline invoicing and simplify tax filing.
There are several types of business accounts available — business checking accounts, savings accounts, merchant services and even business credit cards — each with its own purpose and benefits. Chances are your company will use more than one.
Opening a business account is easy; you can typically apply in minutes as long as you have the right details and documents, especially if you open an account online. Here’s what you need to open a business bank account, plus our tips for how to find the best bank for your small business.
Gather what you need to open a business account
Business bank account requirements will vary based on the bank, your entity type, the type of account you're opening and the state where you formed your business.
1. Personal identification
Banks require a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, to open a business bank account (some may ask for two). You also need to give your personal mailing address and contact information, along with your date of birth and Social Security number.
Businesses with multiple owners typically need to include personal details and identification for every owner with 25% or more ownership in the business.
2. Employer identification number
If your business has an employer identification number, you need to provide that along with any corresponding documents from the IRS. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs may be able to use their Social Security number.
3. Business details
The business account application will ask for your business name and address, as well as your trade name or DBA name, if applicable. Beyond that, you’ll need to list your business entity type (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation) and disclose the industry you’re in and type of business you operate.
4. Organizing documents, agreements
The documents you need to provide depend on how your business is set up. Here are common requirements for different entity types:
Sole proprietorships: Business name registration certificate, business license.
Partnerships: Partnership agreement, business name registration certificate, business license, state certificate of partnership.
LLCs: Articles of organization, LLC operating agreement, business license.
Corporations: Articles of incorporation, corporate bylaws, business license.
5. Opening deposit
Some banks require an opening deposit, which can range from $5 to $1,000, for example, while others allow you to open an account with $0.
Review the different types of business bank accounts
Business checking accounts
Business savings accounts
Merchant accounts*
Best for: Everyday use
Best for: Long-term savings
Best for: Accepting debit and credit card payments
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:
Bundled merchant services.
Low transaction fees.
Additional fees.
*You need to open a business checking account before you can get a merchant account, which is used for accepting debit or credit card payments. Learn more about merchant accounts here.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.