Learn moreA business checking account is a secure place to store your company's cash. You can access the money in your business checking account immediately by withdrawing cash, using a debit card, writing checks or sending ACH or wire transfers.
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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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Nerdwallet best-of awards2026 BEST Online Business Checking Account
Bluevine Business Checking
Best for Online banking
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 Business Checking earns 1.30% interest on balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply. This free online business checking account continues to add software features alongside core banking services, like unlimited transactions and free ATM access through the MoneyPass network. You'll have to pay for cash deposits, though.
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 Business Checking earns 1.30% interest on balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply. This free online business checking account continues to add software features alongside core banking services, like unlimited transactions and free ATM access through the MoneyPass network. You'll have to pay for cash deposits, though.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
Fees vary by location.
Overdraft fees
$0
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.
There's a lot to like about American Express® Business Checking. The account has no monthly fees, a competitive APY, 24/7 support and a generous welcome bonus (terms apply). The only major downside is that you can't deposit cash.
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.
There's a lot to like about American Express® Business Checking. The account has no monthly fees, a competitive APY, 24/7 support and a generous welcome bonus (terms apply). The only major downside is that you can't deposit cash.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
N/A
U.S. Bank Business Essentials
Best for Free account at a 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.
A free business checking account from a big brick-and-mortar bank is rare thing to find. But be mindful of limits on cash deposits and high fees for overdrafts, wires and other services.
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.
A free business checking account from a big brick-and-mortar bank is rare thing to find. But be mindful of limits on cash deposits and high fees for overdrafts, wires and other services.
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 Branch access
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 Business Complete Checking customers get the best of both worlds. The bank has one of the largest branch networks in the country. Plus, you get top-notch digital tools, like the ability to accept card payments via the Chase mobile app (processing fees apply).
Chase Business Complete Checking includes unlimited electronic deposits. There is a welcome bonus for new customers, too. Terms apply.
The downsides: The account has a $15 monthly maintenance fee (multiple ways to waive). It also caps in-person transactions at 20 per month.
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 Business Complete Checking customers get the best of both worlds. The bank has one of the largest branch networks in the country. Plus, you get top-notch digital tools, like the ability to accept card payments via the Chase mobile app (processing fees apply).
Chase Business Complete Checking includes unlimited electronic deposits. There is a welcome bonus for new customers, too. Terms apply.
The downsides: The account has a $15 monthly maintenance fee (multiple ways to waive). It also caps in-person transactions at 20 per month.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to $5,000 per month.
Overdraft fees
$34
Relay Business Checking
Best for Expense management tools
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
N/A
at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured
Pros
- No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or 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.
Cons
- No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay has lots of features that benefit midsize businesses and fast-growing startups. For instance, you can invite team members, assign them roles and permissions, and set spending limits. Businesses can also open up to 20 accounts (10 for sole proprietorships).
Relay also has no monthly fees, unlimited fee-free transactions, free incoming wires and low-cost outgoing wires.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$0
Pros
- No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or 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.
Cons
- No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay has lots of features that benefit midsize businesses and fast-growing startups. For instance, you can invite team members, assign them roles and permissions, and set spending limits. Businesses can also open up to 20 accounts (10 for sole proprietorships).
Relay also has no monthly fees, unlimited fee-free transactions, free incoming wires and low-cost outgoing wires.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$0
Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account
Best for Earning interest and 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 business checking account pays you two ways. You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on qualified purchases and up to 1.35% APY on the balance in your account.
You also get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing. There are no monthly fees or overdraft charges. And this online-only account has free access to more than 45,000 ATMs via the MoneyPass and SUM networks. (Third-party fees may apply outside of these networks.) There are no cash deposits, though.
The bank itself offers a variety of financing options for companies ready to grow. It is also an SBA-preferred lender.
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 business checking account pays you two ways. You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on qualified purchases and up to 1.35% APY on the balance in your account.
You also get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing. There are no monthly fees or overdraft charges. And this online-only account has free access to more than 45,000 ATMs via the MoneyPass and SUM networks. (Third-party fees may apply outside of these networks.) There are no cash deposits, though.
The bank itself offers a variety of financing options for companies ready to grow. It is also an SBA-preferred lender.
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
$0
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.
If you live or work near a Capital One branch, take a look at the bank's entry-level business checking account. It includes unlimited transactions and no fees on cash deposits at Capital One and select Allpoint ATMs. And while it charges a monthly fee, it's relatively easy to waive. You just need an average minimum balance of $2,000 over the previous 30 or 90 days, whichever is greater.
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.
If you live or work near a Capital One branch, take a look at the bank's entry-level business checking account. It includes unlimited transactions and no fees on cash deposits at Capital One and select Allpoint ATMs. And while it charges a monthly fee, it's relatively easy to waive. You just need an average minimum balance of $2,000 over the previous 30 or 90 days, whichever is greater.
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
Mercury Business Account
Best for Free wire transfers
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
$300
$300 bonus to users on deposits $10K or more in their first 90 days.
Requirements to qualify
at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured
Pros
- Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
- Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
- No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction fee on U.S. dollar transactions or overdraft fees.
- Users can apply for the rewards-earning Mercury IO Card, a corporate credit card with numerous expense control tools.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- Choice Financial Group, one of Mercury’s banking partners, is currently under a federal consent order.
Mercury's business checking account stands out for its sophisticated suite of software tools. Wire transfers in U.S. dollars have no fees. Both those features make Mercury a good choice for cashless startups, especially those handling large amounts of money. (If you ever do need to withdraw cash, though, you'll get unlimited refunds on ATM fees.)
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
$0
Pros
- Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
- Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
- No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction fee on U.S. dollar transactions or overdraft fees.
- Users can apply for the rewards-earning Mercury IO Card, a corporate credit card with numerous expense control tools.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- Choice Financial Group, one of Mercury’s banking partners, is currently under a federal consent order.
Mercury's business checking account stands out for its sophisticated suite of software tools. Wire transfers in U.S. dollars have no fees. Both those features make Mercury a good choice for cashless startups, especially those handling large amounts of money. (If you ever do need to withdraw cash, though, you'll get unlimited refunds on ATM fees.)
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
$0
nbkc Business Account
Best for Low-fee 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 Account keeps costs low. There's no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, 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.
You’ll pretty much only face fees for outgoing domestic wires ($5) and incoming and outgoing international wires ($45).
The downside: NBKC doesn’t offer direct integration with any invoicing or bookkeeping tools. This is a common feature among online business checking accounts. You can add on Autobooks for $10 per month.
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 Account keeps costs low. There's no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, 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.
You’ll pretty much only face fees for outgoing domestic wires ($5) and incoming and outgoing international wires ($45).
The downside: NBKC doesn’t offer direct integration with any invoicing or bookkeeping tools. This is a common feature among online business checking accounts. You can add on Autobooks for $10 per month.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$0
Found Small Business Banking
Best for Paying contractors and saving for taxes
APY
2.00%
New customers signing up after 11/1/25 can earn 2.00% APY on balances up to $20K when you spend $5000 on qualifying transactions in a month.¹
Terms Apply¹
Monthly fee
$0
None Required*
Bonus
$125
Earn $125 when you deposit $5,000 within the first 30 days of account creation and maintain it for another 30 days. Offer valid until 12/31/26. Terms Apply.
Bonus Terms Apply²
at Lead Bank, Deposits are FDIC Insured
Pros
- No required monthly fee*, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
- Built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
- Built-in payroll features for contractors.
- Can manage up to 5 businesses from a single login.
Cons
- No weekend or after-hours phone support.
- Subscription required to earn interest.
Found business checking is a great starter kit for self-employed workers thanks to its built-in bookkeeping, invoicing and tax-planning tools. You can also use Found to manage contractors, their W-9s and their 1099s. Found's entry-level business checking account has no required monthly fees*, overdraft fees or minimum opening deposit.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
$1.75 fee per deposit
Overdraft fees
$0
Pros
- No required monthly fee*, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
- Built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
- Built-in payroll features for contractors.
- Can manage up to 5 businesses from a single login.
Cons
- No weekend or after-hours phone support.
- Subscription required to earn interest.
Found business checking is a great starter kit for self-employed workers thanks to its built-in bookkeeping, invoicing and tax-planning tools. You can also use Found to manage contractors, their W-9s and their 1099s. Found's entry-level business checking account has no required monthly fees*, overdraft fees or minimum opening deposit.
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
$1.75 fee per deposit
Overdraft fees
$0
Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking
Best for Perks on other business services
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$16.00
$0 for the first 12 statement cycles.
Bonus
$400 or $750
Click 'Learn More' for details
Requirements to qualify
at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC
Pros
- No monthly fee for the first 12 statement cycles.
- Welcome offer for new accountholders.
- 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.
Bank of America stands out for its big branch and ATM network. Plus, if you qualify for the bank's Preferred Rewards for Business program, you can earn perks like higher rewards rates on business credit cards and discounts on business loans.
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to $5,000 per statement cycle.
Overdraft fees
$10
Pros
- No monthly fee for the first 12 statement cycles.
- Welcome offer for new accountholders.
- 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.
Bank of America stands out for its big branch and ATM network. Plus, if you qualify for the bank's Preferred Rewards for Business program, you can earn perks like higher rewards rates on business credit cards and discounts on business loans.
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to $5,000 per statement cycle.
Overdraft fees
$10
Jump to
How we choose the best business checking accounts
Who should get a business checking account?
How to find the right account for your business
Other great business checking accounts
The following accounts are not available through NerdWallet. Our editorial team still recommends them if they fit your business's needs.
Anyone who donates to a qualifying organization can join First Tech Federal Credit Union. You can open an account during a virtual appointment. The institution's Business Dividend Checking account includes unlimited electronic transactions. Its $15 fee can be waived with a minimum balance of $5,000.
Note: First Tech merged with Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) on Jan. 1, 2026. Each made our list of the best credit unions for business accounts. The institutions now share a name (First Technology Federal Credit Union) and some services. For instance, they combined branch networks to 54 locations overall.
The institutions say account numbers and banking relationships will remain the same until later in 2026 at the earliest. But change will likely come eventually. Keep that in mind if you opt for an account from either credit union.
Navy Federal is one of the largest credit unions in the U.S. Its business checking account has no monthly fee, unlimited fee-free electronic transactions and no limit on cash deposits. Read our review.
🧾 Important product updates
August 2026: We removed North One Standard Business Checking from this page. We previously listed it among our "other great" picks. But this account appears to no longer be available, with the North One website now redirecting to Relay.
How we choose the best business checking accounts
NerdWallet has a full-time team of small-business writers and editors. We review and rate business checking accounts using more than 25 pieces of data. These include:
- Monthly fees.
- Fees for other services, like wire transfers and cash deposits.
- Customer service.
- Software features.
- Benefits, like interest on your balances and sign-up bonuses.
Accounts generally need to earn at least 4.4 stars to make our list. But if an account offers a unique feature that makes it exceptional compared to the competition, we might include it.
Here’s our full business bank accounts rating methodology.
Business accounts that earn 5 stars are exceptional. These are best-in-class accounts that deliver the most value for the greatest number of business owners.
Business accounts that earn 4.5 to 4.0 stars are excellent. They deliver terrific value and might be the best choice for your businesses depending on your needs.
Business accounts that earn 4.0 to 4.5 stars are good, and potentially great for business owners with relatively specific needs. But other accounts may offer fewer fees, more features or a better customer experience.
Business checking accounts that earn below 4 stars are lacking important features, have many high fees or both. You can likely find a better option.
Which business checking accounts did we consider?
There are 4,000+ FDIC-insured banks in the U.S. On top of that, lots of financial technology companies offer business banking tools. We can’t review them all.
Instead, our writers and editors focus on business accounts available to the largest number of business owners. We’ve rated more than 50 business checking accounts for 2026. The list includes:
- The largest banks in the U.S. by assets, according to the Federal Reserve.
- The largest credit unions by membership, according to the National Credit Union Administration.
- Online banks and fintech companies with growing market share or notable features.
Our team has covered the following business checking accounts in 2025:
America First Credit Union Basic Business Checking. American Express® Business Checking. Axos Bank Basic Business Checking. Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking. Bank of the West Any Deposit Checking for Business. Blue Federal Credit Union Basic Business Checking. Bluevine Business Checking. BMO Simple Business Checking. Boeing Employees Credit Union Business Basic Checking. Brex Business Account. Capital One Business Basic Checking®. Chase Business Complete Banking®. CitiBusiness® Streamlined Checking. Citizens Bank Clearly Better Business Checking. City National Bank Small Business Checking Account. Comercia Bank Basic Business Checking. Consumers Credit Union Freedom Business Checking. DCU Free Business Checking. Fifth Third Business Checking Account. First Citizens Bank Business Banking. First Horizon Bank BizEssentials Checking Account. First Internet Bank Do More Business Checking. First Tech Business Dividend Checking. Flagstar Bank Standard Business Checking. Found Small Business Banking. Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account. Holdings High-Yield Cash Account. Huntington Bank Business Checking 100. KeyBank Basic Business Checking. Lili Core Business Checking. Live Oak Bank Business Essential Checking. M&T Bank Business Essential Checking. Mercury Business Account. Mountain America Credit Union Business Essential Checking. Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking. nbkc Business Account. Northern Bank Business Express Checking. North One Standard Business Checking. Novo Business Checking. PNC Business Checking. QuickBooks Money. Regions LifeGreen Business Simple Checking. Relay Business Checking. Rho Business Checking. Santander Business Checking. Self-Help Credit Union Business Checking. Shopify Balance. Square Checking. TD Business Simple Checking℠. Truist Simple Business Checking. Truist Simple Business Checking. U.S. Bank Business Essentials. Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠ Account. Western Alliance Bank Business Checking. Zions Bank Business Inspire Checking.
Many institutions have several business checking accounts. We only rate the account with the lowest monthly fee. It's easier for comparison purposes. We also think most business owners can get what they need without paying more.
But there are exceptions. In exchange for a higher monthly maintenance fee, you often get other benefits — like cheaper wire transfers, more fee-free transactions or a higher APY. Every dollar matters for a business. You might end up ahead.
What about local banks?
We typically don't rate and review local banks because of their limited availability. But they're important options to consider.
The pros: A local bank or credit union can be a great choice if you value a face-to-face relationship with your banker. That personal connection can be especially useful when it’s time to apply for a business loan, for instance.
The cons: Smaller institutions tend to have clunkier software tools. If you want features like built-in invoicing or a cash flow dashboard, national and online banks are probably better options.
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Some accounts on our list come from financial technology companies or "neobanks." Neobanks typically partner with FDIC-insured banks. Those banks hold customer funds, while the fintech provides the banking experience. If a neobank fails, you should be able to recover your funds. But you may have to deal with frozen accounts, failed transactions or other headaches along the way.Nerdy Tip
How we keep our picks up to date
NerdWallet’s small-business writers and editors continually:
- Update our methodology. The business banking industry is always changing. Every year, we tweak our methodology based on which factors we believe are getting more or less important to business owners.
- Review information for all accounts. Core checking account features don't change often. We do a full audit every year anyway. We pay closer attention to updated APYs and welcome offers. Our dedicated data quality and compliance team helps with this.
- Survey banks. We ask for information that matters to business owners, but may not be publicly available. For instance, our most recent questionnaire collected details on after-hours support and average call wait times.
- Keep an eye on user sentiment. We lurk on Reddit and other social channels to see what people say about their business checking accounts. Our team collects reader feedback in a centralized doc to spot trends. We also frequently interview business owners.
- Roll up our sleeves. We can't open and use every account. But we still call help lines, talk to banking experts and watch product demos. We also track industry news and trends to help keep readers informed.
Who should get a business checking account?
Anyone who owns a business should have a business checking account. That includes sole proprietors and freelancers.
Why? It helps keep your business and personal finances separate. That can help shield your personal assets if your company is sued (especially important for LLCs). It may also make it easier to file taxes and find the financial statements you'll need to apply for loans.
Select your business type to see a more specific list of our top accounts:
How to find the right account for your business
As you compare your top choices, pay close attention to the following:
Some business checking accounts charge monthly maintenance fees of around $15. Most offer to waive this fee if you maintain a certain average balance, make a certain number of transactions each month or both.
Here’s NerdWallet’s list of free business checking accounts, which have no monthly fee.
Account | Excess Transaction Fee | ATM Fees | Wire Fees | Complete Rates and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
American Express® Business Checking | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: MoneyPass and Allpoint networks.* Out-of-network fees: None. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming: Free. Outgoing domestic: $25. Outgoing international: Not supported. | |
Axos Basic Business Checking | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: Due to fee refunds, every ATM is essentially fee-free. Out-of-network fees: None. Third-party ATM fee refunds: Unlimited domestic. | Incoming: Free. Outgoing domestic: $35. Outgoing international: $45. | |
Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking | Unlimited electronic. 20 non-electronic, then 45 cents each. | Fee-free ATMs: Bank of America. Out-of-network fees: $2.50 U.S.; $5 international. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming: $15. Outgoing domestic: $30. Outgoing international: $45. | |
Bluevine Business Checking | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: MoneyPass network. Out-of-network fees: $2.50. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming: Free. Outgoing domestic: $10. Outgoing international; $25. | |
Chase Business Complete Banking® | Unlimited electronic transactions. 20 non-electronic transactions, then 40 cents each. | Fee-free ATMs: Chase network. Out-of-network fees: $3 domestic, $5 international. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming: Free from other Chase accounts. Otherwise, $15. Outgoing domestic: $25, or $35 if sent from a Chase branch location. Outgoing international: $40. | |
Found Small Business Banking* | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: None. Found is not part of a fee-free ATM network. Out-of-network fees: None. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming domestic: Free. Outgoing domestic: $15. All international wires: Not supported. | |
Grasshopper Business Checking Account | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: MoneyPass and SUM networks. Out-of-network fees: Not disclosed. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming domestic: Free. Incoming international: $5. Outgoing domestic: $10. Outgoing international: $25. | |
nbkc Business Account | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: MoneyPass, Allpoint and NBKC networks. Out-of-network fees: None. Third-party ATM fee refunds: Up to $12 monthly. | Incoming domestic: $0. Incoming international: $45. Outgoing domestic: $5. Outgoing international: $45. | |
QuickBooks Checking | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: Four free withdrawals per month at AllPoint network. $3 each after that. Out-of-network fees: $3. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming: Not disclosed. Outgoing domestic: Not disclosed. Outgoing international: Not disclosed. | |
Relay Business Checking | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: Allpoint network. Out-of-network fees: None. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming: None. Outgoing domestic: $5. Outgoing international: $10. | |
Rho Business Checking | None (unlimited transactions). | Fee-free ATMs: None. Rho is not part of a fee-free ATM network. Out-of-network fees: None. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming: None. Outgoing domestic: Free. Outgoing international: Free. | |
U.S. Bank Business Essentials | Unlimited digital transactions and 25 free teller and paper transactions. 50 cents each after that. | Fee-free ATMs: U.S. Bank ATMs. Out-of-network fees: None. Third-party ATM fee refunds: None. | Incoming domestic: $14 or $16. Incoming international: $16. Outgoing domestic: $30 or $40 if sent from a branch. Outgoing international: $75. |
Traditional brick-and-mortar banks make it easiest to access your cash and write checks. Capital One, for instance, offers unlimited cash deposits at ATMs around the country.
Neobanks almost always offer fee-free access to an ATM network. But you might not get a checkbook. Instead, the institution might send checks on your behalf.
North One is the market leader here, at 2.5% APY on all balances. Several other online accounts have annual percentage yields of 1% or higher.
Grasshopper pays 1% cash back on debit card purchases. That’s a nice perk — but if a business credit card is an option for your business, you’ll probably get a higher rewards rate. Plus, credit card charges are easier to reverse in case of fraud.
Some financial institutions also offer business bank account promotions to new customers. You'll need to meet specific requirements to qualify, like maintaining a certain balance for several months after opening the account.
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Want to earn more in interest? Consider a business savings account or business money market account for longer-term savings. Some business savings accounts earn more than 4% APY.Nerdy Tip
Some online accounts offer built-in invoicing, including Bluevine and Relay. Found stands out for tax planning tools.
Another great feature: built-in payment processing. Chase lets you accept tap-to-pay payments from customers using your mobile app.
Most banks have some kind of fee-free ATM access. Big-name brick-and-mortars typically have their own machines. Online providers tap into shared ATM networks.
It can cost you if there’s no in-network machine nearby and you need cash, though.
Some small-business banks charge $2 to $3 if you use an ATM outside of their network. You’ll almost always have to pay an additional $2 or $3 to whatever company owns that ATM as well.
If you use an out-of-network ATM and get hit with those fees, Axos automatically refunds them. That essentially makes all ATM withdrawals free.
Dipping into the red on your business checking account can cost anywhere from $10 to $39 in overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees, sometimes multiple times per day. Chase and Huntington, offer a grace period on overdrafts (up to $50 or 24 hours) to give small businesses some wiggle room.
Most neobanks don't allow overdrafts. If you try to spend more money than you have, the transaction simply won't go through — but at least you won't owe overdraft fees.
Wire transfer fees are common; most customers should expect to pay up to $15 to receive a transfer and up to $40 to send one.
If your business relies on wire transfers, consider an account with Mercury or Brex, both of which charge no fees to receive or send wires.
ACH transfers are usually free, but they take one or two business days to complete. Expect to pay a fee for same-day ACH.
Online business checking accounts usually include unlimited fee-free transactions. That means you can swipe your debit card, send and receive transfers or make withdrawals as often as you want. But they usually limit how much cash you can deposit or withdraw at a time.
Most brick-and-mortar business checking accounts offer 100 to 500 free transactions per month and charge a fee (less than 50 cents) after that. And you’re usually capped at $5,000 per month in free cash deposits with a bank teller. Deposits at ATMs may be free, though.
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.
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.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Notes on Found: Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. The funds in your account are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor for each account ownership category. FDIC insurance only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured depository institution.
*Found's core features are free. Optional subscriptions to Found Plus for $35/month or $315/year or Found Pro for $80/month or $720/year. There are no monthly account maintenance fees, but other fees such as transactional fees for wires, instant transfers, and ATM apply. Read Found Fee Schedule.
¹Customers who have signed up for an account after Nov. 1, 2025 will earn a bonus equal to 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield on the portion of their account balance up to $20,000 for a given month only if they spend $5,000 in qualifying debit card transactions during the month and satisfy other eligibility requirements as described in the Card Spend Bonus Terms. No bonus will be earned on the portion of account balances over $20,000.
²Welcome offer: Earn $125 when you deposit $5,000 within the first 30 days of account creation and maintain it for another 30 days. Offer valid until 12/31/26. Terms Apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, if your bank allows it, you can use a personal bank account for business purposes. But opening a business bank account in your company's name is almost always a better choice. Having separate accounts — and separate record-keeping — makes it easier to identify business expenses for tax deductions and pull financial records for business grants and loans. A dedicated business account can help protect your personal assets if legal action is taken against your company. And business bank accounts may come with software tools that help you run your business, like built-in invoicing.
If your credit union offers business checking accounts, then it can be a great option. Credit union business accounts typically have low or no monthly fees and higher cash deposit limits than big brick-and-mortar banks, making them a good choice for restaurants and other businesses that deal mostly in cash. Some credit unions are also community development financial institutions, which focus on lending to businesses in low-income and underserved communities — so you may be able to work with yours to get a business loan in the future. See our picks for best credit union business accounts.
To open a business checking account, you'll need to provide personal information, such as a government-issued ID and Social Security number, and details like your address and phone number. You'll also need legal business documentation, like your articles of organization or incorporation, and information like your business address and employer identification number (EIN). Here's a list of what you need to open a business bank account.
You don't need an EIN to open a business bank account if you operate a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC. Businesses organized as a partnership, multimember LLC or corporation, however, do need an EIN to open a business checking account. Here are some business accounts available to businesses without EINs.
You may get denied for a business bank account if you have negative marks on your ChexSystems report. A ChexSystems report lists occurrences like bounced checks, overdraft fees and forced closed accounts. Banks generally do not check your credit, however, and it's unlikely you'll be denied for a business bank account based on your credit history. Here's how you can open a business bank account despite a negative ChexSystems history.
Business checking accounts are typically insured by the FDIC up to the standard $250,000 per depositor, per institution. That means, if the bank holding your funds fails, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. would cover up to $250,000 in lost cash. Credit unions are similarly insured through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Some accounts may offer greater protection via Insured Cash Sweep programs. Do not use a checking account that isn't FDIC or NCUA insured.
Methodology
NerdWallet’s writers and editors evaluate more than 60 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 2026, we adjusted our expectations for APYs due to falling interest rates.
Final ratings range from one to five stars. 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.
