The Best Business Bank Accounts for Small Businesses

Get Started with BlueVine Bank

Pros

No minimum deposit or account balance
No monthly fees
High APY
Free checks
Cash deposits accepted

Cons

No savings options
Lines of credit only credit option
Fee for cash deposits

The best bank for small businesses will offer checking accounts, debit cards, and savings options. The best of the best will offer access to credit and ways to put your money to work earning interest for you. In that top-tier category, we put BlueVine, which offers a high APY on its checking accounts. How high? Right now, BlueVine is offering 0.6% interest on balances of up to $100,000. That compares very favorably to the current national checking account average interest rate of 0.03%. The national average is slightly higher for savings at 0.06% but BlueVine checking outperforms that benchmark as well.

BlueVine business checking offers small business banking with no hidden fees. That means no monthly account maintenance fees or transaction fees and no fees for NSF transactions either. BlueVine doesn’t even charge users for paper checks: As long as you carry a balance in your checking account, you can order two free books of checks. And even though BlueVine doesn’t offer traditional savings options, the balance you carry in your checking account will earn you a rate that’s significantly higher than the national average for savings accounts.

It’s easy to transfer money in and out of a BlueVine checking account, too. Use the mobile app to deposit checks from wherever you’re at, initiate unlimited free domestic wire or ACH transactions, or initiate a transfer using an external bank account. Outgoing wires incur one of the few charges we see with BlueVine, and the $15/wire fee is lower than average. Another fee, the $2.50/transaction charge for using out-of-network ATMs, is relatively easy to avoid by choosing one of the 37,000+ ATMs in the MoneyPass network. A third fee applies to cash deposits made at Green Dot retail locations; you’ll pay $4.95/deposit. Bill pay is free and easy to use.

Small businesses needing access to cash to fund their growth or see them through lean times will appreciate that BlueVine offers access to working capital via business lines of credit. Applying won’t affect your credit score, and approval can be as fast as five minutes. Credit lines can be for as much as $250,000, unlocking a revolving line of credit you can access on-demand, again with no fees. Successful applicants will have a FICO score of 600+, six months in business, and $10,000 in monthly revenue.

Eligibility: All US-based business owners aged 18+, except high-risk businesses
APY: Checking account earns above-average interest up to $100,000
Minimum Deposit: None
Fees: Only for outgoing wires, out-of-network ATM, and cash deposits
Access To Credit: Lines of credit only
Perks: BlueVine offers invoice factoring, letting eligible businesses access cash instead of waiting for customers to pay invoices
Transaction Limits: $10,000 daily limit on debit card purchases and $2,000 daily cash withdrawal at ATMs

2. Chase For Business: Best Bank For Small Businesses Needing An All-In-One Financial Solution.

Chase for Business

Pros

Cash deposits allowed
Accounts aimed at small, medium, and large businesses
Physical branches and ATM network
Built-in merchant services
Access to credit

Cons

Limited free transactions
High account minimums

Equally known for its banking, credit, and merchant services offerings, Chase now offers business bank accounts in the form of Chase Business Complete Banking that can tie all those services together. And it’s worth checking out if you’re looking to sign for one of the best complete business bank services available.

Chase offers three checking accounts for business customers. Aimed at businesses from small to large, each type comes with different limits and fees. Chase Business Complete Banking comes with a $15 monthly fee that can be waived by maintaining a $2,000 minimum daily balance or by using the linked Chase credit card. Chase Performance Business Checking has a $30 monthly fee that can be waived by maintaining a minimum $35,000 daily balance. Chase Platinum Business Checking’s $95 monthly fee will be waived for customers who maintain a minimum balance of $100,000 or more. We like that range of choices and think many users will be able to waive the fees (which are fairly reasonable) if that’s not the case.

The lower-tier plan, Chase Performance Business Checking, has built-in card acceptance, making it suitable for small businesses. If using this option, called QuickAccept, you’ll pay 2.6% + $0.10 per tap, dip, or swipe transaction using the provided mobile card reader and 3.5% + $0.10 for manual transactions you process through the Chase Mobile app. Funds from these transactions will be available on the same day.

Each type of account comes with limited free transactions. It’s a good idea to talk to a Chase banker to familiarize yourself with these limits and fees, or you can check out the Chase checking fee schedule for yourself. For starters, Chase Performance Business Checking allows users unlimited electronic deposits made via ATM, ACH, wire, and Chase QuickDeposit and up to 250 debits and non-electronic deposits each statement cycle. After that cap, a transaction fee of $0.40 will apply. Additionally, fees will apply after the first $20,000 in cash deposits each month. While Chase for Business might not be the best choice for a cash-heavy business, its built-in card services and quick access to cash make it a good choice for small businesses that process the bulk of their sales by cards.

Eligibility: All business types
APY: Interest rates vary on savings and CDs
Minimum Deposit: $0
Fees: Service fees may be waived
Access To Credit: Credit cards
Rewards: $300 bonus for new accounts
Transaction Limits: Unlimited free electronic deposits, up to 250 free debits and non-electronic deposits per month, up to $20,000 in fee-free monthly cash deposits

3. Wells Fargo: Best Bank For Small Businesses With Growth Plans.

Wells Fargo Business Banking

Pros

Checking options that allow for growth
Fees can be waived
Low opening balance requirement
Savings accounts and CDs
Cardless ATM access

Cons

Limits on free transactions
Fees on cash deposits after cap

Wells Fargo Bank offers three tiers of business banking services: Initiate Business Checking ($10/month) is aimed at new or very small businesses, Optimize Business Checking ($75/month) is aimed at larger businesses with more complex finances, and Navigate Business Checking ($25/month) is for still larger organizations. Each account includes easy options for avoiding the monthly fee, such as maintaining a minimum balance. These accounts offer a range of options, suitable for different business needs. For example, the Initiate account allows up to $5,000 in fee-free cash deposits. As your business grows, you can add Wells Fargo’s merchant services to your account. This makes Well Fargo’s business checking a good option for small businesses with big plans for growth.

Wells Fargo has built on its long history in the banking business, offering online convenience and a highly rated mobile app to deliver the options 21st-century customers demand. That includes more than 5,000 physical locations in the US, meaning you are likely to find a branch near you if you’re not totally comfortable working online or just want a little face-to-face interaction occasionally. There are also 13,000 ATMs, giving most customers fairly easy access to a fee-free ATM option.

Opening an account will be easy for most users. You’ll need just basic documentation, like a Social Security number and/or business tax ID and a state-issued ID of your own. If your business is a partnership, LLC, corporation, or association, you may need additional documents. You can apply for a Wells Fargo business bank account in person, online, or over the phone. Wells Fargo business banking accounts are secure, too, with text and mobile alerts that can help you keep tabs on account activity, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and zero liability for unauthorized card transactions.

In addition to different types of checking accounts, Wells Fargo offers its customers access to a range of credit opportunities. That includes business lines of credit, business credit cards, and letters of credit. Special financing is available for healthcare practice financing and commercial real estate financing. Wells Fargo also offers SBA loans and merchant services. Payments can be made via Zelle, between Wells Fargo accounts, from bank to bank, or to your Wells Fargo credit and loan accounts.

Eligibility: All business types, except high-risk
APY: Starting at 0.01%
Minimum Deposit: $25
Fees: Monthly fees, transaction fees, and cash deposit processing fees may apply
Access To Credit: Loans, credit cards, and lines of credit
Rewards: Wells Fargo business credit cards offer rewards
Transaction Limits: The different account types have varying limits on cash deposits and fee-free transactions

4. Bank of America: Best For Small Businesses That Make Limited Cash Deposits.

Bank Of America Business Banking

Pros

Cash deposits allowed
Monthly fees are easy to waive
Access to credit
Unlimited free electronic transfers
Strong mobile app

Cons

Limited free transactions
Low interest rates
Caps on monthly cash deposits
Foreign transaction fees

Bank of America Business banking services combine the features of online banking with traditional in-person banking services. That means Bank of America Business banking customers can deposit checks and send payments via the bank’s mobile app, for example, while still retaining the ability to make cash deposits and talk to a teller at a physical location. Unlike some online-only banks, Bank of America has 4,000 physical locations across the US and a network of 17,000+ ATMs you can use without fees. That makes it a good fit for anyone looking to combine online convenience with traditional bank services.

Bank of America Business banking offers everything you’ll need to manage your small business finances, including a couple of choices of checking and savings accounts, debit cards, a mobile app, and a digital assistant you can use to set up and send payments, search transactions, and more. You’ll even be able to apply for credit (credit cards, loans, and lines of credit) to keep your business growing.

You can add funds to a Bank of America business account via electronic transfer or use the payment app Zelle. Take advantage of some rewarding boosts available when you join the Preferred Rewards program; you’ll qualify for reduced or eliminated fees, additional bonuses on your credit card spending, and an interest rate boost on some savings accounts, among other benefits.

As is common, Bank of America Business accounts come with monthly fees in addition to a few other add-on charges. Fortunately, most of them are fairly easy to avoid. Be sure to read the fine print for the account you apply for — or read our full online Bank of America Business review for all the details.

Eligibility: All US-based businesses
APY: Savings accounts earn between 0.01% and 0.04%
Minimum Balance: Maintain $5,000 average daily balance to eliminate monthly fees
Fees: Monthly fees can be avoided through multiple methods. Fees apply for cash deposits after a monthly limit and for out-of-network ATM use, foreign transactions, and overdrafts.
Access To Credit: Credit cards, loans, and lines of credit
Rewards: The Preferred Rewards program unlocks added benefits, like interest rate discounts, cash back on payroll services, and an interest rate boost
Transaction Limits: Unlimited free electronic transfers, other types limited monthly

5. Spark Business: Best For Small Businesses That Want A Linked Credit Card.

Capital One Spark Business

Pros

Two choices of checking
Monthly fees can be waived
Savings accounts with high APY for 12 months
Credit cards
Merchant services

Cons

High APY promotional rate expires after 12 months
High fees for out-of-network ATMs
Withdrawal limits on savings accounts

Credit card provider Capital One offers business banking services to small businesses under its Spark Business division. Offering a full suite of financial services, including banking, lending, merchant services, escrow, and capital management, Spark could be a good choice for any small business looking for an all-in-one solution that includes access to credit.

Spark Business includes a choice of two types of checking accounts for small business. The Basic Checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee that can be waived by keeping a fairly reasonable $2,000 minimum balance. The Basic account allows up to $5,000 in fee-free cash deposits, with a $1 charge for every $1,000 deposited after that limit. The Unlimited Checking account comes with a $35 monthly service fee that can be waived by keeping a $25,000 minimum balance. Unlimited includes completely fee-free cash deposits and free incoming domestic wires in addition to five outgoing wires each month.

Spark’s small business savings accounts come with a promotional rate of 0.2%, well above the national average for savings accounts (currently 0.06%). Savings accounts come with an ATM card that can be used for free at Capital One ATMs; usage at other ATMs will incur a $2 fee. The $3 monthly fee per savings account can be waived by maintaining a relatively low balance of just $300. And if you link your business checking account to your business savings account, you activate overdraft coverage. Withdrawals from savings are limited to six per month, with a per-withdrawal fee applying after that cap.

Access to credit is where Spark Business shines brightest. In addition to a range of Capital One credit cards, the Spark Cash for Business credit card array includes options for earning cash back and mileage, all with $0 fraud liability, free employee cards, virtual card numbers, and integrations with Quicken, QuickBooks, and Excel to make bookkeeping easy. Even better, Spark Business credit cards include offerings for applicants with credit ranging from fair to excellent, meaning this can be a good way to build and polish your business credit rating. Spark Business customers looking for lines of credit or loans can also find special offers from Capital One.

Eligibility: All business types, must be US resident and 18+
APY: 12-month guaranteed promotional rate of 0.2% on savings account
Minimum Deposit: $250
Fees: No fees for unlimited digital transactions, free electronic bill pay, limits apply to cash deposits and withdrawals
Access To Credit: Loans, lines of credit, credit cards
Rewards: Promotional APY on savings, credit cards earn miles and cash back
Transaction Limits: Cash deposits, savings withdrawals, wire transfers

6. Novo: Best Online Bank For Fee-Free Business Banking.

Novo Bank

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Pros

Low opening deposit and no minimum balance
Numerous integrations
No credit check
ATM reimbursement
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

No cash deposits allowed
No interest
No access to credit
No merchant services

Novo is a financial services company that works with Middlesex Federal Savings, member FDIC, to offer business banking services. Aimed at all types of small business, Novo offers almost fee-free services and a reasonable starting balance of $50, making it an economical choice for freelancers and contract workers.

As a fully online banking option, Novo brings the tools small business owners need to succeed online, including a strong mobile app and numerous integrations with seven popular business software partners like Zapier, Shopify, and QuickBooks. That’s something you won’t find with every business bank account. Even better, Novo offers discounts to more than a dozen types of software, including QuickBooks Online, Gusto, and HubSpot.

And Novo pricing is straightforward, with no hidden fees or fine print to pore through. You won’t pay any monthly fees or be charged for transfers, bill payment, or incoming wires. Although it does not maintain an ATM network, Novo refunds all ATM fees users incur, even overseas. The only fees you’ll pay with a Novo business bank account are for overdrafts and returned payments.

Novo includes some attractive features with its business banking services. Use the Novo app to create and manage invoices, connect your card to a digital wallet, add additional users, and use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including overseas, with no transaction fees. Taken together, Novo offers a good business banking package that has earned high ratings on review sites across the web.

Eligibility: All business types, except high-risk
APY: No interest-bearing accounts offered
Minimum Deposit: $50
Fees: Only for NSF and overdrafts
Access To Credit: None
Rewards: Referral program and discounts/special offers with software partners
Transaction Limits: Daily and monthly limits on ACH pull and push, mailed checks, check deposits, POS, and ATM withdrawals

7. NBKC Bank: Best Online Bank For Superior Customer Service & Unlimited Transactions.

NBKC Bank

Pros

$0 opening and minimum account balance
$0 fees
Free ATM access at US MoneyPass sites
Excellent customer support
Access to loans and credit cards

Cons

Low APY
No integrations with business software

If you’re not from the Kansas City area, you may not have heard of NBKC Bank. However, because NBKC Bank is an online bank — though you’ll find a few branch locations, too — its business banking services are open to any business that’s based in the US. And NBKC offers some features and perks that make it worth a look. For one thing, NBKC puts up a lot of zeros: $0 opening balance, $0 minimum balance requirement, $0 NSF fees, $0 bill pay fees, $0 incoming domestic wires, and $0 check deposit fees. Another number that matters is 4.9. That’s how many stars, out of 5, you’ll find in the average NBKC user review.

You can open an NBKC account entirely online, and if you need assistance you can reach an agent for free support via live chat, email, or phone. (Phone support is available on business days from 8 AM-5 PM CST.) You can also apply for an NBKC credit card online, with several options to choose from. Use the NBKC Visa card to earn up to 3% cash back.

Although NBKC does not offer a straight savings account, you can open a Money Market account or a CD. The minimum opening deposit for a Business Money Market account is $0.01. However, no matter how much money you have in your account, you’ll earn the same interest rate, which at 0.05% is slightly under the current national average of 0.06%. Business CD rates are pleasantly higher, with good options for terms that can work for a variety of needs. Certificates with terms ranging from 14 days to 6 months currently earn 0.10%, with higher rates for one and two years (0.15%), three and four years (0.25%), and five years (0.30%).

Eligibility: All US-based businesses
APY: Money Market APY is below national average
Minimum Deposit: $0
Fees: Only for wire transfers
Access To Credit: Credit cards and commercial lending, including lines of credit
Rewards: Credit cards offer rewards
Transaction Limits: Unlimited

8. Square Banking: Best Bank For Small Businesses Using Square POS.

Square Business Banking

Get Started with Square Business Banking

Pros

No credit check
No account minimum
No fees
Instant availability of funds
Access to credit

Cons

Available only to US-based sole proprietorships
Limits on ATM withdrawals
Limits on deposits

If you’re already using the Square system for point of sales and wondering if it’s time to stop using your personal bank account for your business banking, you might be able to find an easy answer. Square has added business banking services to its offerings, and it’s a solution that could be as good for your small business as it is convenient.

Long known for its distinctive square point-of-sales card reader, Square has now added another financial service aimed, well, squarely at small businesses. Square banking may not be the best business bank account for everyone, but if your small business is already using Square, you definitely should take a look at Square Banking.

Why do we think Square Banking is one of the best business bank options for small businesses? For one thing, if you’re already using Square to process payments, you’ll have almost instantaneous access to those funds. It’s simple to transfer money from your Square checking account to subaccounts you can set up for savings, making it easy to pay taxes, set aside money for payroll, or save for special needs. Best of all, Square Banking offers instant account setup, with no minimum balances, $0 opening deposit, no credit check, no income verification, and absolutely no fees (no monthly maintenance, overdraft, withdrawal, or ATM charges). You can also link your Square bank account to mobile wallet options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Once you’re doing business within Square’s financial network, you’ll also be eligible to access loans through Square funding. That includes business loans ranging from $300-$250,000. Loan offers are based on your card sales through Square, and you won’t be charged any ongoing interest, only a flat fee. Loan repayment is automatic, with a percentage of daily card sales through Square going toward the amount owed. Financing through Square is so easy you won’t even have to apply for it; you’ll receive loan offers automatically and be approved immediately, with no lengthy application or credit check.

Eligibility: Available only to Square customers and US-based sole proprietorships
APY: Average rates
Minimum Deposit: $0
Fees: None
Access To Credit: Loans from $300-$250,000
Rewards: 2.75% instant discount with other Square sellers
Transaction Limits: ATM withdrawals limited to $500/transaction, $1,000/day, and $2,000/month