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Best-of Awards 2026
Best banks for small business
- American Express: Best for 24/7 customer support.
- Axos Bank: Best for high APY on savings.
- Bluevine: Best non-bank option. Banking services are provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.
- Capital One: Best for cash deposits and withdrawals.
- Chase: Best for brick-and-mortar banking.
- Grasshopper Bank: Best online bank with interest and cash back on checking.
- Live Oak Bank: Best for business savings accounts, SBA loans.
- Navy Federal Credit Union: Best for military-affiliated entrepreneurs.
- nbkc: Best for straightforward online banking.
- U.S. Bank: Best for free checking account at a national brick-and-mortar bank.
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No monthly fee- No minimum deposit
- No overdraft fees
- ATM fee reimbursement
- Free cash deposits
- Interest-earning
- Physical checks
- Cash deposits
- Insured cash sweep
- Invoicing
- Payment processing
- Sub-accounts
- Branch access
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Showing 0 of 10 results
American Express® Business Checking
Best for 24/7 customer support
APY
1.00%
Earn 1.00% APY (annual percentage yield) on balances up to $500,000 as of 09/15/2026. APY is subject to change at any time without notice before and after a Business Checking Account is opened.
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
35,000 Points
Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points. Convert Membership Rewards® points into deposits directly into your American Express® Business Checking account. Other redemption options available. Terms apply. For new members: Points you earn, including the Welcome Bonus and from making Business Debit Card purchases, can be converted into deposits made directly into your Business Checking account. Terms apply. For Membership Rewards-enrolled Card holders: You can choose to convert points into deposits directly into your Business Checking account or use them the same way you always have – for travel, gift cards, and more. Terms apply. *Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.
1) Deposit a total of $5,000 or more in eligible deposits within 30 days of opening your first account, AND
▪ Eligible deposits are any deposits except deposits using our Redeem for Deposits feature, deposits from interest payments, and deposits from any other American Express Business Checking accounts.
2) Maintain an average account balance of $5,000 for the next 60 days,
AND
3) Make 5 or more qualifying transactions within 60 days of opening your account
▪ Qualifying transactions are mobile deposits, check deposits by mail, and electronic/online transactions including ACH, Wire, and Bill Payments. Business Debit Card transactions and deposits using our Redeem for Deposits feature are not qualifying transactions.
4) American Express is currently accepting applications from eligible U.S. businesses. Not all applicants will be approved for a Business Checking account. Select industries or businesses engaged in certain activities are currently ineligible, such as money service businesses, cryptocurrency, internet gambling businesses, and marijuana related businesses.
Requirements to qualify
at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC
Pros
- No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit or excess transaction fee.
- 24/7 customer support.
- No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
- Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every $2 spent on eligible business debit card purchases.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- No outgoing international wire transfers.
- Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
American Express has a single business checking account, but it’s a good one. American Express® Business Checking offers a competitive interest rate for business checking accounts — 1% on balances up to $500,000.
You'll earn one Membership Rewards point for every $2 spent using an American Express Business Debit Card. This free online business checking account has no monthly fees, overdraft fees or stop-payment fees. And though it's an online bank, users have access to 24/7 phone support.
If you're in the market for a higher APY, AmEx launched a dedicated business savings account in September 2026.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
N/A
Pros
- No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit or excess transaction fee.
- 24/7 customer support.
- No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
- Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every $2 spent on eligible business debit card purchases.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- No outgoing international wire transfers.
- Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
American Express has a single business checking account, but it’s a good one. American Express® Business Checking offers a competitive interest rate for business checking accounts — 1% on balances up to $500,000.
You'll earn one Membership Rewards point for every $2 spent using an American Express Business Debit Card. This free online business checking account has no monthly fees, overdraft fees or stop-payment fees. And though it's an online bank, users have access to 24/7 phone support.
If you're in the market for a higher APY, AmEx launched a dedicated business savings account in September 2026.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
N/A
Nerdwallet best-of awards2026 BEST Online Business Checking Account
Bluevine Business Checking
Best for Non-bank option
APY
1.30%
Earn 1.30% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
With $0 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
$500
Earn a $500 bonus when you open a new Bluevine Business Checking account and meet eligibility requirements. Apply with referral code NW500.
Requirements to qualify
at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured
Pros
- No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
- Earn 1.30% 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.
- Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links, plus tap-to-pay card acceptance.
Cons
- No fee-free cash deposits.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. The company partners with Coastal Community Bank, member FDIC, for banking services. That's where customer funds are stored. Bluevine's free business checking account is our top-rated option from a fintech company.
The checking account earns 1.3% on balances up to and including $250,000 (terms apply; you’ll have to meet certain activity requirements to qualify). It includes up to $3 million in FDIC insurance coverage via the IntraFi network. All users get built-in software tools like invoicing, accounts payable management and the ability to take card payments via tap-to-pay. You can upgrade to a paid plan lower fees on certain services.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
Fees vary by location.
Overdraft fees
$0
Pros
- No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
- Earn 1.30% 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.
- Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links, plus tap-to-pay card acceptance.
Cons
- No fee-free cash deposits.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. The company partners with Coastal Community Bank, member FDIC, for banking services. That's where customer funds are stored. Bluevine's free business checking account is our top-rated option from a fintech company.
The checking account earns 1.3% on balances up to and including $250,000 (terms apply; you’ll have to meet certain activity requirements to qualify). It includes up to $3 million in FDIC insurance coverage via the IntraFi network. All users get built-in software tools like invoicing, accounts payable management and the ability to take card payments via tap-to-pay. You can upgrade to a paid plan lower fees on certain services.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
Fees vary by location.
Overdraft fees
$0
Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account
Best for Online banking with interest, cash back
APY
1.35%
Earn 1.00% APY on balances up to $24,999 and on balances greater than $250,000. Earn 1.35% APY on balances of $25,000 to $250,000.
With $25,000 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
$300
Boost your earnings with a $300 sign-on bonus when you open an eligible Innovator Business Checking Account with promo code NW300 and complete qualifying activities. Terms Apply.
Requirements to qualify
at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC
Pros
- Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
- Earn up to 1.35% APY.
- No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
- Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
- Low fees on wire transfers.
- All account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
- $100 minimum opening deposit.
Grasshopper Bank’s free business checking account pays interest (up to 1.35% APY) and cash back on debit card purchases and includes built-in invoicing and bookkeeping tools. Grasshopper business checking customers also have the option to open a money market account, which pays 3% APY on balances above $25,000.
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
$0
Pros
- Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
- Earn up to 1.35% APY.
- No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
- Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
- Low fees on wire transfers.
- All account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
- $100 minimum opening deposit.
Grasshopper Bank’s free business checking account pays interest (up to 1.35% APY) and cash back on debit card purchases and includes built-in invoicing and bookkeeping tools. Grasshopper business checking customers also have the option to open a money market account, which pays 3% APY on balances above $25,000.
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
$0
U.S. Bank Business Essentials
Best for Free checking account at a national brick-and-mortar bank
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
$400
Earn a $400 bonus when you open a U.S. Bank Business Essentials Account online with promo code Q3DIG26 and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 27, 2026. Member FDIC.
Requirements to qualify
Best free account
at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC
Pros
- No monthly service fee.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
- Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
- Receive and send payments via Zelle.
- Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
- $25 minimum opening deposit.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
- $1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
U.S. Bank has three business checking accounts, including one free option, which is a rarity among brick-and-mortar banks. The bank lets businesses take and receive payments with Zelle. U.S. Bank also has business savings options — including a money market account currently offering promotional rates of up to 3.98% APY.
Min. opening deposit
$25
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to 25 free cash deposit units per statement cycle.
Overdraft fees
$36
Pros
- No monthly service fee.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
- Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
- Receive and send payments via Zelle.
- Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
- $25 minimum opening deposit.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
- $1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
U.S. Bank has three business checking accounts, including one free option, which is a rarity among brick-and-mortar banks. The bank lets businesses take and receive payments with Zelle. U.S. Bank also has business savings options — including a money market account currently offering promotional rates of up to 3.98% APY.
Min. opening deposit
$25
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to 25 free cash deposit units per statement cycle.
Overdraft fees
$36
Nerdwallet best-of awards2026 BEST Brick-and-mortar Business Checking Account
Chase Business Complete Banking®
Best for Brick-and-mortar banking
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$15.00
Waived with $2,000 minimum balance
Bonus
Earn up to $500
Earn up to $500 when you open a new Chase Business Complete Checking® account. For new Chase business checking customers with qualifying activities.
Requirements to qualify
at Chase, Member FDIC
Pros
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
- Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
- No fee on cash deposits at Chase ATMs.
- Overdraft grace period/amount (24 hours and up to $50).
- Built-in invoicing and Zelle for Business.
- Accept credit card payments using the Chase mobile app.
Cons
- $15 monthly service fee.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs, no ATM fee refunds.
- High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
- Does not earn interest.
Chase has something for every business. The bank offers three business checking accounts, plus business savings accounts (albeit with low APYs) and certificates of deposit (some of which have decent APYs as long as you have an eligible linked business checking account). And businesses can make fee-free transfers using Zelle.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to $5,000 per month.
Overdraft fees
$34
Pros
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
- Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
- No fee on cash deposits at Chase ATMs.
- Overdraft grace period/amount (24 hours and up to $50).
- Built-in invoicing and Zelle for Business.
- Accept credit card payments using the Chase mobile app.
Cons
- $15 monthly service fee.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs, no ATM fee refunds.
- High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
- Does not earn interest.
Chase has something for every business. The bank offers three business checking accounts, plus business savings accounts (albeit with low APYs) and certificates of deposit (some of which have decent APYs as long as you have an eligible linked business checking account). And businesses can make fee-free transfers using Zelle.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to $5,000 per month.
Overdraft fees
$34
Capital One Business Basic Checking®
Best for Cash deposits and withdrawals
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$15.00
Waived with $2,000 minimum balance
Bonus
$500
Earn $500 when you open a new Capital One Business Basic Checking or Enhanced Checking account, and complete qualifying activities.
Requirements to qualify
at Capital One, Member FDIC
Pros
- No minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free digital transactions.
- No fees at more than 70,000 ATMs, including the Capital One, MoneyPass and Allpoint networks.
- No fee on cash deposits at Capital One and select Allpoint ATMs.
Cons
- $15 monthly service fee.
- High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
- Invoicing, payment processing not included.
Capital One has two business checking accounts, both of which offer unlimited fee-free digital transactions (mobile deposits, ACH payments and some bill pay). Account holders get fee-free access to nearly 80,000 ATMs nationwide across the MoneyPass, Allpoint and Capital One networks. Capital One does not place a monthly limit on cash deposits at ATMs.
Capital One's business savings account also offers a competitive promotional APY — up to 3.5% for your first three months as of this writing — for your rainy day fund. After the promotional period ends, though, the rate reverts to an ongoing variable APY that may be lower.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
$5,000 included monthly at no charge; $1 for every $1,000 deposited after that
Overdraft fees
$35
Pros
- No minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free digital transactions.
- No fees at more than 70,000 ATMs, including the Capital One, MoneyPass and Allpoint networks.
- No fee on cash deposits at Capital One and select Allpoint ATMs.
Cons
- $15 monthly service fee.
- High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
- Invoicing, payment processing not included.
Capital One has two business checking accounts, both of which offer unlimited fee-free digital transactions (mobile deposits, ACH payments and some bill pay). Account holders get fee-free access to nearly 80,000 ATMs nationwide across the MoneyPass, Allpoint and Capital One networks. Capital One does not place a monthly limit on cash deposits at ATMs.
Capital One's business savings account also offers a competitive promotional APY — up to 3.5% for your first three months as of this writing — for your rainy day fund. After the promotional period ends, though, the rate reverts to an ongoing variable APY that may be lower.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
$5,000 included monthly at no charge; $1 for every $1,000 deposited after that
Overdraft fees
$35
Business Premium Savings Account
Best for High APY on savings
APY
3.50%
Earn 3.50% APY on all balances.
With $0.01 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
$600
Earn a bonus of up to $600 when you bundle a new Business Premium Savings account with a new Basic Business Checking account and use promo code SBB600. Terms apply. Offer expires 06/30/2026.
Requirements to qualify
at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC
Pros
- Industry-leading APY.
- No minimum balance to earn interest.
- Access to Insured Cash Sweep network for expanded FDIC insurance.
Cons
- Fee for excess transactions.
- No ATM or debit card access.
Axos Bank offers a free online business checking account with unlimited ATM fee refunds in the U.S. It's a good option. But the Axos Business Premium Savings Account is the real star. That account provides FDIC insurance on up to $250 million in customer funds by utilizing an Insured Cash Sweep network and offers a near-top-of-the-line APY.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
N/A
Overdraft fees
N/A
Pros
- Industry-leading APY.
- No minimum balance to earn interest.
- Access to Insured Cash Sweep network for expanded FDIC insurance.
Cons
- Fee for excess transactions.
- No ATM or debit card access.
Axos Bank offers a free online business checking account with unlimited ATM fee refunds in the U.S. It's a good option. But the Axos Business Premium Savings Account is the real star. That account provides FDIC insurance on up to $250 million in customer funds by utilizing an Insured Cash Sweep network and offers a near-top-of-the-line APY.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
N/A
Overdraft fees
N/A
nbkc Business Account
Best for Straightforward online banking
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
N/A
at nbkc bank, Member FDIC
Pros
- No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
- 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
- Must pay a fee to use built-in software features via Autobooks.
NBKC’s business checking account stands out for its low fees (where it charges fees at all) and friendliness to cash deposits and withdrawals, which is rare among online banks. Customers can withdraw cash fee free at MoneyPass ATMs and get $12 per month in rebates on fees charged by out-of-network ATMs. NBKC also doesn’t place a limit on monthly cash deposits.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$0
Pros
- No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
- 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
- Must pay a fee to use built-in software features via Autobooks.
NBKC’s business checking account stands out for its low fees (where it charges fees at all) and friendliness to cash deposits and withdrawals, which is rare among online banks. Customers can withdraw cash fee free at MoneyPass ATMs and get $12 per month in rebates on fees charged by out-of-network ATMs. NBKC also doesn’t place a limit on monthly cash deposits.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$0
Live Oak Bank Business Savings
Best for Business savings, SBA loans
APY
2.75%
Earn 2.85% APY with a minimum balance of $0.01.
With $0.01 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
N/A
at Live Oak Bank, Member FDIC
Pros
- High APY.
- Earn interest on balances of $0.01 and higher.
- No monthly maintenance fee or minimum deposit.
Cons
- No ATM or debit card access for Business Savings account.
- No weekend customer support.
Live Oak’s best business banking product is its savings account, which pays 2.75% APY on your idle cash. You can get an even better rate if you opt for the bank's 12-month business CD, though it will cost you the liquidity of the savings account.
Live Oak's online business checking accounts are fine. But there are better free accounts out there that offer lots more value — in the form of interest, software tools, customer support after hours or all three.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits
Overdraft fees
N/A
Pros
- High APY.
- Earn interest on balances of $0.01 and higher.
- No monthly maintenance fee or minimum deposit.
Cons
- No ATM or debit card access for Business Savings account.
- No weekend customer support.
Live Oak’s best business banking product is its savings account, which pays 2.75% APY on your idle cash. You can get an even better rate if you opt for the bank's 12-month business CD, though it will cost you the liquidity of the savings account.
Live Oak's online business checking accounts are fine. But there are better free accounts out there that offer lots more value — in the form of interest, software tools, customer support after hours or all three.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits
Overdraft fees
N/A
Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking
Best for Military-affiliated entrepreneurs
APY
0.01%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
N/A
Pros
- No monthly fee and unlimited fee-free electronic transactions.
- No dollar limit on cash deposits (other limits may apply).
- 24/7 member service.
- No fees to deposit cash at Navy Federal or Co-Op Network ATMs.
Cons
- High opening deposit (up to $255).
- $29 fee for overdrafts, insufficient funds.
- Eligibility limited to veterans, military members, Department of Defense employees and their families.
- Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
- No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in the U.S. by membership. It offers three business checking accounts, one of which has no monthly fee. The highest APY you can earn on any of them is 0.45%. Navy Fed also has money market accounts and business CDs; its money market APYs currently top out at 1.4%.
Min. opening deposit
$255
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$29
Pros
- No monthly fee and unlimited fee-free electronic transactions.
- No dollar limit on cash deposits (other limits may apply).
- 24/7 member service.
- No fees to deposit cash at Navy Federal or Co-Op Network ATMs.
Cons
- High opening deposit (up to $255).
- $29 fee for overdrafts, insufficient funds.
- Eligibility limited to veterans, military members, Department of Defense employees and their families.
- Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
- No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in the U.S. by membership. It offers three business checking accounts, one of which has no monthly fee. The highest APY you can earn on any of them is 0.45%. Navy Fed also has money market accounts and business CDs; its money market APYs currently top out at 1.4%.
Min. opening deposit
$255
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$29
Jump to
How I made this list
Should your business bank be local?
The best banks for small-business owners
How to choose a bank for your small business
Should you have accounts at multiple business banks?
How I made this list
To choose the banks on this list, I did the following:
- Started with FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions. I looked at the 50+ with business checking accounts we rate. I included fintech companies with FDIC-insured partners, though only our top-rated fintech, Bluevine, made the final cut.
- Considered how broad their reach is. This refers to both service area and products. I removed regional options, though your local bank is always worth a look. Then, I focused on great services beyond a checking account. That includes things like offering a high APY or easy-to-use merchant services, as well as being a preferred SBA lender.
- Talked to business owners and bankers. The relationship between a business owner and their bank is an important one. To learn more about how to weight it, I spoke to business owners who use all sorts of banks. I also interviewed business bankers at Bank of America and Five Star Bank and product managers at Bluevine, Lili, Mercury and Relay.
Should your business bank be local?
I haven’t reviewed business banking options from all 4,000-plus FDIC-insured banks in the U.S. So there’s a good chance your local bank or credit union isn’t on our list. That doesn’t mean its offerings are lacking — especially when it comes to having a relationship with a banker.
Take time to see what your local institutions offer before making a decision. Ask other people in your city or your industry what they think. Then, email the bank or drop by for a business account schedule of fees.
Smaller institutions often have clunkier software and fewer ATMs than their national counterparts. But internally, they have fewer people and departments. If your banker knows their colleagues who make lending decisions, they may be better able to help you get what you need.
WHAT BANKERS SAY
"You’re creating an advocate for you within an organization that’s deciding whether or not they want to take risks on you … If you have a great relationship with that banker, they’re going to want to go to bat when things get tough internally. They’re not only selling the business owners, they’re now selling internally to the credit approvers."
— DJ Kurtze, San Francisco Bay Area President and Executive Vice President at Five Star Bank
The best banks for small-business owners
I've arranged these banks in order of NerdWallet's star rating for their business checking account, since that's what business owners are likely to interact with most often. But our top picks all offer several services, which are highlighted.
Grasshopper
Best for: Online bank with interest and cash back on checking
✅ Why we like it: Grasshopper is a great choice for startups seeking a free online business checking account — it pays interest and cash back on your debit card purchases. The bank also offers financing options, including SBA loans. And Grasshopper also assigns every customer to a dedicated customer support representative.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: You want access to branches. Grasshopper is online-only, though it is an FDIC-insured bank.
Additional services:
Grasshopper does not offer business credit cards (it refers customers to Ramp). It does offer a variety of loans, however — including SBA 7(a) loans of $250,000 and up, SBA 504 loans, commercial real estate loans of $1 million and up (in greater New York City only, including parts of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania) and a variety of lending products designed for private equity and venture capital firms. You do not have to be a Grasshopper business checking customer to apply for these loans. Also, founders who are raising funds have the option to tap Grasshopper for access to its investor network.
Grasshopper does not offer merchant accounts.
Phone support is available to all customers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST on weekdays. Grasshopper does not have branch locations.
Bluevine
Best for: Non-bank option. Banking services are provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC
✅ Why we like it: Bluevine is a technology company, not a bank. Customer funds are held on deposit with Coastal Community Bank and protected by FDIC insurance.
Its business checking account offers a competitive APY and standout digital tools like invoicing, accounts payable management tools and tap-to-pay credit card acceptance. Once you’re a customer, Bluevine may offer perks like lower rates on its line of credit.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: You aren’t comfortable banking with a fintech company.
Additional services:
Bluevine's business line of credit offers up to $250,000 and can fund in as little as 24 hours. Existing business checking account holders may also qualify for Bluevine’s business credit card, which pays 1.5% cash back on all spending with no annual fee. (This card is not available unless you bank with Bluevine.) You can’t have both lending products at once, however.
Bluevine does not offer merchant accounts. Their software does include an accounts payable management feature, though.
Customer support is available via live chat. A Bluevine representative told NerdWallet that phone support is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST on weekdays, though these hours aren’t listed publicly. Bluevine does not have branch locations.
NBKC
Best for: Straightforward online banking
✅ Why we like it: NBKC’s online business checking account charges very few fees while still delivering plenty of value. The bank also has a money market account that pays a competitive APY.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: You want access to a branch and don’t live in the Kansas City area.
Additional services:
NBKC offers SBA loans and business lines of credit, plus loans for equipment, construction and real estate, to business owners in the Kansas City area. Existing customers can apply for an NBKC credit card issued by Elan Financial Services.
Small-business customers can use the NBKC app to accept tap-to-pay credit card payments. You can also send invoices via a built-in integration with Autobooks, as well as charge your customers using ACH debits.
Phone support is available on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST. Live chat is staffed at the same times, plus Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST. NBKC has four branches in greater Kansas City.
Chase
Best for: Brick-and-mortar banking
✅ Why we like it: Chase stands out for its payment processing services, which are available at no additional charge to its business checking accounts, and its top-rated business credit cards. It also has a presence in 48 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: Your checking account balance regularly dips below $2,000. That's the average you'll need to maintain to avoid a monthly fee.
Additional services:
The Chase Ink suite of business credit cards has some of the best cards on the market — including one of our top overall options, the no-annual-fee Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. The company also has several co-branded hotel and airline business credit cards.
NerdWallet Rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
Annual Fee
$0
on Chase's website
Chase offers business lines of credit and term loans of up to $500,000, plus SBA loans and commercial real estate loans.
Chase offers merchant accounts (Chase Payment Solutions), plus the ability to create a lightweight point-of-sale system in an app and to accept tap-to-pay payments on your iPhone. You can also use Chase to set up a 401(k) plan for your employees.
Chase
Chase Payment Solutions℠
NerdWallet Rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
on Chase's website
Chase has locations in 48 states, with more than 4,700 branches and 15,000 ATMs. Chase phone support is available to existing customers 24/7.
U.S. Bank
Best for: Free checking account at a national brick-and-mortar bank
✅ Why we like it: U.S. Bank stands out for offering a free business checking account. The bank also has merchant services and plenty of additional services, including loans, business cards and discounts on payroll software.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: You want to avoid typical brick-and-mortar bank fees.
Additional services:
Like other national banks, U.S. Bank offers a variety of business loan options — several different business line of credit products, as well as SBA loans, commercial real estate loans and equipment financing. It also has specific financing options for medical, dental and veterinary practices.
U.S. Bank’s business credit cards include popular cash-back and travel card options; the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card is an especially good choice for small-business owners looking for a gas rewards card. And the bank’s commercial rewards card is a good option for businesses large enough to consider corporate cards.
NerdWallet Rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
Annual Fee
$0
on U.S. Bank's website
U.S. Bank offers its own payment processing and merchant services through a subsidiary. Most notably, the bank’s “Everyday Funding” option means that customer payments can arrive in a U.S. Bank checking account within a day.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
NerdWallet Rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
3.9
U.S. Bank also facilitates gift card programs and prepaid debit cards that you can load employee payments onto, plus reduced pricing on payroll services with ADP.
Phone-based customer support is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST on Saturdays. You can also visit a branch for in-person service — U.S. Bank has more than 2,000 branches in 26 states.
American Express
Best for: 24/7 customer support
✅ Why we like it: American Express’s online business checking account comes with a solid APY, ATM withdrawals and 24/7 customer support. They also offer well regarded business lines of credit and credit cards.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: Your business takes many payments in cash (AmEx doesn’t accept cash deposits).
American Express issues business lines of credit ranging from $2,000 to $250,000. American Express business credit cards include some great options — like The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card, which offers the following: Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement. Terms Apply. AmEx also has branded hotel and airline business cards for Hilton, Marriott, Delta and Amazon.
NerdWallet Rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
Annual Fee
$0
on American Express' website
American Express offers merchant accounts and multiple bill pay services, as well as a tool for creating employee and virtual credit cards that you can use to pay suppliers.
Business checking account and card holders have access to 24/7 phone-based customer support. Other hours vary by product type. AmEx does not have branch locations.
Axos
Best for: High APY on savings
✅ Why we like it: Axos’s business savings account offers a high APY and a massive amount of FDIC insurance. Its online business checking account is also worth a look for businesses that frequently withdraw cash. You can qualify for a big sign-up bonus if you open both.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: Your checking account is your top priority. Axos's is good, but there are options that offer better software tools or pay interest.
Additional services:
Axos Bank does not offer business credit cards. The company partners with Centerstone SBA Lending to help facilitate SBA loans, but does not offer its own small-business loans. (Commercial financing options are available, though.)
Axos partners with Celero to provide merchant services to its business banking customers. The bank also provides discounted access to Roll by ADP, a payroll service.
Business banking relationship managers are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST on weekdays. Axos does not have branch locations.
Capital One
Best for: Cash deposits and withdrawals
✅ Why we like it: Capital One is the rare brick-and-mortar bank to offer a business checking account with no excess transaction fees. There are no fees to deposit cash at ATMs, no matter the volume. Its suite of business credit cards is highly regarded, too.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: You live outside CapOne’s service area and want to visit branches in person. (Fee-free ATMs are available nationwide, though.)
Additional services:
Capital One offers a suite of business credit cards with the ability to earn unlimited rewards, access free employee cards and incur no foreign transaction fees. It’s also the rare issuer that offers a business credit card — the Capital One Spark Classic — to business owners with fair credit (typically a FICO score between 630 and 690).
The bank also makes commercial real estate loans; SBA 7(a), 504 and Express loans; and lines of credit. Capital One business banking customers may qualify for better rates.
Capital One’s merchant services are provided by Worldpay and include both a merchant account and credit card processing. Customers also get fee-free access to accounts payable software, which lets you pay vendors using either a credit card or your bank account.
Capital One phone support is available daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. You can also visit a branch in a limited number of U.S. states, including Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Washington, D.C. Capital One also has cafes, which have limited banking services, in 18 states.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Best for: Military-affiliated entrepreneurs
✅ Why we like it: Navy Federal Credit Union offers business owners with military affiliations all the banking basics, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards and loans.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: You or one of your business partners can’t qualify for membership. Veterans, current or retired members of the U.S. armed forces, the National Guard, Department of Defense employees, as well as family members of those groups, are eligible.
Additional services:
Navy Federal has a no-frills business credit card that charges no annual fee. It earns 1 point per dollar spent, and points can be redeemed as statement credits, cash or for gift cards at a rate of 1 cent each — essentially a 1% cash back business credit card.
Navy Federal also offers its business members lines of credit, commercial auto loans and commercial real estate loans.
Navy Federal Credit Union does not have merchant accounts. It refers members to Heartland Merchant Solutions for payment processing and merchant services.
Navy Fed business members can get phone-based customer support on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. The credit union has more than 360 branches worldwide, and members can use Navy Federal ATMs as well as 30,000 CO-OP Network ATMs.
Live Oak Bank
Best for: Business savings accounts, SBA loans
✅ Why we like it: Live Oak offers an excellent business savings account and is a top SBA 7(a) lender.
🚫 Look elsewhere if: You take payments in cash (Live Oak doesn’t accept cash deposits) or you often do app-based banking (Live Oak's apps have low ratings).
Additional services:
Live Oak Bank has been one of the largest SBA 7(a) lenders in the U.S. by volume for years. The bank also makes U.S. Department of Agriculture loans, term loans of up to $500,000 and asset-based loans in the form of credit lines. Live Oak does not offer business credit cards.
Live Oak Bank does not offer merchant services.
Live Oak’s Customer Success Managers are available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Live Oak Bank does not have branch locations.
How to choose a bank for your small business
Follow these steps while you’re choosing your business bank.
1. Start with a checking account
Above all, using your checking account should be easy. Look for one that offers:
- No monthly maintenance fee, or one that is easy for you to waive by maintaining the required minimum balance.
- Access to the ATMs and branches you need.
- A simple, useful online dashboard and mobile app.
- Customer service you can get a hold of when you have an urgent problem, like a frozen account.
- Easy money movement via unlimited electronic debit transactions. Fees should be manageable on other transactions, like wire transfers and cash deposits.
Everything else is a cherry on top. That might mean interest on your balances, a banker you know personally or software that makes running your business easier.
Just need a checking account to get started? Here are our top picks. You can always shop around for a deeper banking relationship after your business is up and running.
2. Explore the software
When you’re just starting out, an online business checking account can be a one-stop shop for lots of different things.
Many of these accounts come with easy-to-use software — one less thing to focus on while you’re getting started. Their tools often let you send invoices, manage your books and accept payments from customers.
The drawback: You can’t pop into a branch when you have a complicated question. Some online banks assign dedicated bankers or customer support representatives to accountholders; others don’t. If that relationship is important to you, email the fintech company before signing up to ask what they offer. Again, you can always switch banks down the road.
3. Meet with a banker
If you’re considering a credit union or brick-and-mortar bank, try to meet a member of their team face-to-face before you commit. That could be the start of an ongoing relationship.
At best, that person can become an advocate for you when you’re ready to apply for a business loan. They might personally know people who work on loans and will decide whether or not to take a risk on you. If so, your banker may be able to make a case for you.
WHAT BANKERS SAY
"The more you have a relationship and the more a banker and a bank knows you, the easier it is for us to be able to frame up what kind of access to capital you need. When's the right time to take a different kind of bank loan? What do you need to be able to show us to do that? It's always good to plan that ahead."
— Cathleen Callahan, Senior Vice President and Business Banking Northeast Region Executive at Bank of America
4. Compare your options
Ready to decide? Make sure you’ve asked:
- What fees does the bank charge? Some business banks charge monthly fees for checking and savings accounts, although many waive those fees if you keep your balance above a certain level.
- Do you use cash? If your business takes in a lot of cash, look for a business bank account that lets you make unlimited free cash deposits — and if you spend cash often, look for free ATM access and refunds on ATM fees, too.
- Is financing in your future? Starting a relationship with a bank or credit union that offers financing may give you a leg up when it comes to applying for a business loan.
- Do you use business credit cards? You should choose the best business credit card for your company based on features like rewards, travel perks and annual fees, but there may be benefits to using a credit card linked to your bank. Bank of America business credit cards, for instance, offer higher rewards rates to certain B of A customers.
Should you have accounts at multiple business banks?
It can make sense to open multiple business bank accounts if you have more than $250,000 on deposit. The FDIC only insures up to that amount per depositor per institution — which means if your business bank fails, then the federal government only promises to cover your losses up to $250,000.
Some financial providers increase this coverage via Insured Cash Sweep accounts, which spread deposits across multiple FDIC-backed banks behind the scenes. But even if you use this service — or you’re not worried about hitting the $250,000 max — using more than one business bank can minimize the impact of potential issues like an unexpected account freeze.
Avoid diversifying too much, though. Bankers told me that the more tied into their ecosystem you are, the more important your business is to the bank — and the higher priority you’ll be.
WHAT BANKERS SAY
"The bank can spend more time with you if we, as the bank, know we have your full wallet of business. So if you're doing your merchant with us, if you’re doing your card with us, if you are doing your bank accounts with us as opposed to spreading that all around among different vendors… your bank is going to pay more attention to you because they have more growth opportunity with you."
— Cathleen Callahan, Senior Vice President and Business Banking Northeast Region Executive at Bank of America
A good first step is to store an emergency fund at a different bank than your business checking account (especially if that helps you get the highest APY on your savings). If your business keeps significantly more cash on hand — if you’re a startup with venture funding, for instance — a business cash management account may be a better fit to maximize potential returns.
Notes from providers
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.
The information about the Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ account has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
