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Best Business Checking Accounts Of January 2025

Updated: Nov 1, 2024, 11:43am
Written By
Contributor
Fact Checked
Deputy Editor of Investing and Retirement
& 1 other
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

One of the most important decisions small business owners face is choosing the right business banking relationship. For many business owners, the first concern is establishing a business checking account. Fortunately, there are several top-notch options, including NBKC Bank Business Checking Account and Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking.

Whether you’re a sole proprietor or the owner of a business with employees, it’s critical to separate your business and personal finances. We’ve done the research to help you find the best business checking account for your small business.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the banking methodology for the ratings below.

  • 226 checking accounts
  • 79 banks and credit unions
  • 16 data points studied and compared

Read More
Show Summary

Best Business Checking Accounts of 2025

We’ve compared 226 checking accounts at 79 banks and credit unions to find some of the best business checking accounts available. For the purposes of this list, Forbes Advisor focused on checking accounts that are nationally available to small businesses.

Annual percentage yields (APYs) and account details are accurate as of November 1, 2024.

Best for Businesses with High Volume Transactions

PNC Treasury Enterprise Plan

5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$50 (waivable)

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Review

N/A

$100

$50 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We chose the PNC Bank Treasury Enterprise Plan because it includes a high monthly transaction limit of 2,500 and allows businesses to deposit $50,000 in cash monthly with no additional charge. This account also has investment options for excess cash with the ability to set up an automatic sweep into a money market account for balances over a minimum you set.

PNC offers two other accounts that scored well in our ranking—the Analysis Business Checking and Business Checking Plus accounts are both worth considering if your business doesn’t need the transaction volume or cash deposits our top pick offers.

All three of these accounts include no ATM fees at PNC Bank ATMs, no set-up fee overdraft protection, free online banking, free bill pay and cash-back rewards through PNC Purchase Payback. Cash-back promotions change often and vary by location but may help you save on business spending.

Why We Like It

We like this account not just for the rewards but also because it permits businesses to deposit up to $50,000 in cash fee-free each month and has one of the highest monthly transaction limits of any bank we reviewed. If you operate a business that handles a large volume of transactions and cash every month, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better account for your needs than PNC Bank’s Treasury Enterprise Plan.

What We Don’t Like

On the list of things we don’t like, this account’s $50 monthly fee is at the top. And while it is waivable, the requirements to avoid it may be too high for small businesses. PNC Bank also requires some business owners to visit a branch to finish opening their accounts.

Who It’s Best For

PNC Treasury Enterprise Plan is best for established businesses with high deposit and transaction volumes. While PNC Bank offers mobile and digital banking, this account may be best suited for business owners who prefer banking at a branch.

Pros & Cons
  • Allows 2,500 transactions per month
  • Get $50,000 in cash deposits monthly with no fee
  • Autosweep option to a money market account for higher interest earnings.
  • Cash back at select retailers
  • Branches in 28 states and Washington, D.C.
  • High balance requirement ($30,000) to waive monthly maintenance fee
  • Fees to sync with accounting software like QuickBooks
  • High fees for over-the-limit transactions
  • High overdraft, out-of-network ATM and other service fees
Details

PNC Treasury Enterprise Plan is a non-interest-bearing account. The first 2,500 transactions (including deposits, paid items and ACH transfers) and $50,000 in cash deposits are free each month.

The $50 monthly account maintenance fee can be waived by maintaining a $30,000 average monthly collected balance between the primary and all beneficiary business checking accounts. This account carries a number of incidental fees you may be charged. PNC Bank has branches in 28 states.

Bonus

The Treasury Enterprise Plan currently offers a $500 bonus: maintain a minimum average ledger balance of $30,000 for each of the first three statement cycles to earn a $500 bonus.. Or you can earn a $1,000 bonus when you maintain a minimum average balance of $100,000 for each of the first three statement cycles. This offer expires 9/30/2024.

Best for Unlimited Transactions + Large Balances

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

4.7
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0.50%

with an average daily balance of $10,000

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
On First Internet Bank's Website
Member FDIC

0.50%

with an average daily balance of $10,000

$0

$0

Editor's Take

We picked the First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking account because it earns interest and includes perks like unlimited transactions and $10 in monthly ATM reimbursements. It’s also one of the only competitive business checking accounts without a monthly fee.

Why We Like It

We like this account because instead of paying the best interest rate on smaller balances, as many business checking accounts do, it pays 0.50% APY for accounts with an average daily balance of $10,000 APY on accounts with an average daily balance of $10,000.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that balances below $10,000 don’t earn interest with this account. First Internet Bank also doesn’t have its own ATM network or partner with an existing network, so business owners may have trouble staying under the out-of-network reimbursement limit.

Who It’s Best For

The First Internet Bank Do More Business Checking account is best for mature businesses that keep larger balances in the bank and transact often, but it could also meet the needs of smaller businesses with less to deposit.

Pros & Cons
  • Interest on checking balances of at least $10,000
  • Monthly ATM fee reimbursement of up to $10
  • No monthly maintenance fee
  • Several deposit accounts available
  • No physical bank branches
  • $10,000 minimum balance to earn interest
  • No ATM network or partner network
Details

Interest for this account is compounded and credited monthly on the last day of each month. The Do More Business Checking account has no minimum deposit, balance or monthly maintenance fee. Regardless of your balance, you will be reimbursed up to $10 per month in ATM fees. First Internet Bank also offers several business deposit accounts, including a savings account, money market account and CDs.

Bonus

The First Internet Bank Do More Business Checking account does not have active sign-up or referral bonuses at this time.

Best for Innovative Features

Found Bank Business Checking

4.3
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

None or 1.50% APY on balances up to $20,000 with Found Plus

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0 or $19.99 monthly for Found Plus

Learn More Arrow
On Found's Website

None or 1.50% APY on balances up to $20,000 with Found Plus

$0

$0 or $19.99 monthly for Found Plus

Editor's Take

Found Bank offers two business checking accounts that scored highly in our ranking— Found and Found Plus. Both accounts offer several innovative features to make managing a small business easier, including the ability to send trackable invoices right from the app. Found also calculates your estimated tax bill in real time and allows you to set up automatic savings so you can pay your taxes right from the app.

Why We Like It

We like this account because it brings modern features into banking that business owners need. Instead of toggling between spreadsheets and your bank account, you can send invoices, track expenses, manage your bookkeeping and pay your quarterly taxes all from Found’s app.

What We Don’t Like

Found is not well-suited for a traditional business that works with cash or a large transaction volume. While there are no limits on direct deposits, wire transfers, ACH transfers or transfers from apps like PayPal or Cash App, there are relatively low limits on everything else. Cash deposits are limited to $2,000 per week, check deposits are limited to $3,000 per week and transfers from a linked debit card are limited to $2,000 per week. You can only withdraw $550 from an ATM daily and make $5,000 in card purchases or transfers to payment apps daily.

Who It’s Best For

Freelancers, influencers, and small online businesses or 1099 workers looking to simplify their bookkeeping and streamline their banking will find the extensive features of Found to be useful.

Pros & Cons
  • No minimum balance required
  • 1.50% APY on balances up to $20,000 for Found Plus members
  • Bookkeeping features
  • Tax-management features
  • No monthly maintenance fees for Found (without plus)
  • Low deposit limits
  • Low withdrawal limits
  • FDIC insurance through a partner bank
Details

Found offers several bookkeeping features, including automated expense tracking, receipt capture, one-click business reports, unlimited custom invoices, 1099 contractor payment management and accountant access. Tax management features include real-time tax estimates, write-off tracking, auto-generated tax forms and auto-saving for taxes. Found Plus includes in-app quarterly tax payments and free tax filing for annual plan members.

Bonus

Found currently offers a $100 bonus to Care.com users who sign up and deposit $1,000 in total earnings into their Found accounts (terms apply).

Best for Low-Cost Business Services + ATM Fee Rebates

Axos Bank Business Interest Checking

4.3
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0.10% to 1.01%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$10 (waivable)

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Review

0.10% to 1.01%

$100

$10 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We picked the Axos Bank Business Interest Checking account because it offers several free business services and earns competitive interest. It also comes with access to dedicated Axos Bank relationship managers.

Why We Like It

We like this account because it includes unlimited domestic ATM reimbursements for third-party ATMs and discounted business services with partners Celero and ADP. And, of course, it earns up to 1.01% APY on balances below $50,000.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that this account carries a $10 monthly fee and has a low remote deposit limit of 60 items per month. It also only earns the best interest rate on balances below $50,000.

Who It’s Best For

Axos Business Interest Checking is best for business owners open to using Axos’ service partners who plan to keep between $5,000 and $50,000 in the bank. More or less than this and you’re probably better off going with a different account.

Pros & Cons
  • Potential to earn relatively high APY
  • Low minimum deposit requirement
  • Unlimited domestic ATM reimbursements
  • Compatible with QuickBooks

 

  • High monthly service fee and balance requirement to waive
  • No physical bank branches
  • Fees for paper statements, checks and outgoing wire transfers
  • Monthly remote deposit limit
Details

Axos Business Interest Checking earns up to 1.01% APY on balances below $50,000, 0.20% APY on balances between $50,000 and $249,999.99 and 0.10% APY on all other balances. The account limits free remote deposits to 60 items per month and a monthly processing limit of 100, including remote deposits. This account offers a complimentary starter set of paper checks.

Dedicated banking relationship managers are available Monday through Friday. This account charges fees for paper statements, checks and outgoing wire transfers. Axos also offers business savings accounts, a business money market account, a nonprofit money market account, business CDs and loans. Merchant services are provided through a partnership with Celero Merchant Solutions. Payroll services are provided through a partnership with Roll by ADP.

Bonus

Axos offers a cash bonus of up to $400 when opening an account and meeting certain requirements by January 31, 2025, using offer code NEW400. To qualify, you must make a deposit within 30 days of opening your new account, and your balance will be used to determine the amount of your bonus. To earn $400, which is paid as $100 for up to four statement cycles, you will need to have an average balance above $50,000 in your new account, a minimum of 10 POS transactions of at least $3 each posted to your account each month and bill pay set up for your account. You need to submit an application by October 31, 2024 to qualify.

Business owners who are also interested in opening a personal checking account can qualify for a bonus of up to $700 when they open a business checking account and a high-yield Rewards Checking account at the same time. To qualify for this bonus, you will use the code AXOS700 to apply for both accounts by October 31, 2024. Then, you must meet individual bonus requirements for each account.

Best for Merchant Services + Branch Access

Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking

4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$100

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$29.95 (waivable)

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Read Our Review

0%

$100

$29.95 (waivable)

Editor's Take

We picked the Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking account because it offers widespread in-person access as one of the largest banks in the country and high customer satisfaction for business accounts.

Why We Like It

We like Bank of America because it ranks highly for merchant services satisfaction with J.D. Power and has nearly 3,800 bank branches in the U.S.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that this account has a high monthly fee and a high minimum balance requirement of at least $100 to waive it.

Who It’s Best For

This account is best for business owners who prefer doing their banking in person and will qualify to waive the maintenance fee every month.

Consider the Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking instead if you need an account with a lower monthly fee that’s easier to waive, but note that this option—which also scored highly in our analysis—carries lower free transaction and cash deposit limits and more service fees.

Pros & Cons
  • Monthly maintenance fee can be waived with balance or spending activity
  • QuickBooks integration and Zelle compatibility
  • Dedicated small business customer service
  • Up to $500 in free transactions and $20,000 in free cash deposits per month
  • 15,000 ATMs and 3,800 local branches
  • High minimum required balance to waive monthly fee
  • $0.45 fee for each transaction over 500 monthly limit
  • $0.30 fee per $100 in cash deposits over $20,000 monthly limit
  • Transaction fees for using non-Bank of America ATMs
Details

Bank of America also offers a wide variety of additional business banking features, including savings accounts and CDs, business management tools and services, credit cards, lending and retirement solutions from Merrill Edge. When you need general customer service support, you can call Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. For specific questions about business banking services like remote deposit or online banking, you can call additional dedicated service lines.

Bonus

Bank of America does not offer a bonus for the Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking account, but the Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking offers the following cash bonus: Earn a $200 cash bonus when you open a Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking or Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking by June 30, 2024, make a qualifying deposit within 30 days, then maintain a balance of at least $5,000 for the following 60 days—until the 90th day after the account was opened..

Best for Online Businesses

Novo Business Checking Account

4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
On Novo's Website

0%

$0

$0

Editor's Take

Novo has many of the common features you’d expect from a top business bank account like no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum deposit requirement. What got Novo onto our list are the features that make it well-suited for e-commerce, including integration to Stripe, Square, Gusto and Etsy.

Why We Like It

We like Novo for its ability to connect and automate business processes with the apps you’re already using to run your business. You can take a payment in Stripe, update inventory in sheets, and pay your employee in Gusto all while Novo integrates the data in your account.

What We Don’t Like

Similar to other online business accounts, Novo does not have physical locations and does have transaction limits. Unfortunately, these limits are opaque and specific to each business.

Novo currently has limits on ACH transfers, check deposits, ATM withdrawals, and Point of Sale purchases, but to find out what these limits are you’ll have to open an account and find your limits in the “account info” section of the Novo App.

Novo also only offers customer service through their app or by email.

Who It’s Best For

Novo is best suited for e-commerce businesses or small businesses that are looking for a account that offers integration with the apps they already use to manage their business.

Pros & Cons
  • No minimum deposit required
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • Early payment options
  • Discounts on partner products
  • Unclear transaction limits
  • Unclear cash deposit ability or limits
  • Limited Customer Service options
Details

Novo is a banking platform, not a bank. Novo offers an Express ACH option for customers to get paid on the same day. However, this service comes with a charge of 1.5% of the transaction amount. Novo also offers discounts to customers on several partner products including $5k in waived Stripe processing fees, and three months free on Gusto.

Bonus

Novo does not currently offer a welcome bonus.

Best for High FDIC Insurance

Brex Business Account

4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0% - 4.47% (Money Market Fund DGVXX pays 4.47%)

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Review

0% - 4.47% (Money Market Fund DGVXX pays 4.47%)

$0

$0

Editor's Take

Brex isn’t a traditional business bank account, it is a cash management account offered through Brex Treasury. Brex partners with several banks to provide up to $6 million in FDIC insurance on your deposits. Or you can elect to invest your money in a money market fund that pays 4.47% as of August 29, 2024.

Why We Like It

We like Brex for it’s low fees — no maintenance fees, $0 wires and no account minimums. It also offers higher FDIC insurance limits and a money market investment option so your money can work for you. If you’re already a Brex customer, adding a business account can allow you to manage all of your investments and banking needs in one place.

What We Don’t Like

Brex doesn’t allow you to make cash deposits or ATM withdrawals from your account. This account is not well suited for a business processing a large volume of transactions.

Who It’s Best For

Brex is best for a business owner currently sitting on a lot of capital they want to keep FDIC insured, earning money for them or a combination of the two.

Pros & Cons
  • Deposits FDIC insured up to up to $6 million
  • Money Market option earns 4.47%
  • No cash deposits
  • No ATM withdrawals
Details

Brex partners with multiple banks to offer expanded FDIC insurance on up to $6 million in deposits. Customers can choose to keep their deposits in cash or they can invest in money market fund Dreyfus Government Cash Management Investor Shares (DGVXX). Since Brex isn’t a bank account, you cannot deposit or withdraw cash from this account.

Bonus

Brex offers a sign-on bonus of 10,000 points when you spend $3,000 on your Brex card within three months of your Brex business account opening.

Best for Startups + Full-Service Online Banking

NBKC Bank Business Checking Account

4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Review

N/A

$0

$0

Editor's Take

We chose the NBKC Bank Business Checking Account because it doesn’t have fees or minimums, making it friendly to small businesses and startups without a lot of capital. NBKC also stands out as a full-service digital bank.

Why We Like It

We like that this free account helps business owners save time and money. It doesn’t charge fees found with many business bank accounts or require owners to maintain a certain balance or activity level to get the most benefit. We also like that NBKC offers many business accounts, lending options and payment solutions so small businesses can grow without switching banks.

What We Don’t Like

Although the NBKC online platform and mobile app are user-friendly, they’re more basic than offerings from other banks and don’t have many business-specific tools for budgeting and accounting.

Who It’s Best For

The NBKC Bank Business Checking Account is best for smaller businesses that want to save on banking and have the flexibility to let their balances fluctuate. It’s ideal for those without complicated money management or app integration needs.

Pros & Cons
  • No minimum deposit or balance requirements
  • No overdraft fees
  • Business tool add-ons available
  • Out-of-network ATM reimbursements
  • No check deposit fees
  • Doesn’t earn interest
  • Phone support limited to weekdays
  • Branches limited to Kansas and Missouri
Details

NBKC Bank offers a single mobile app for both business and personal banking. The account offers surcharge-free ATM access at over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs. Suppose you need to use an out-of-network ATM that charges a fee; NBKC refunds up to $12 per statement period. In addition to a free business checking account, NBKC Bank offers business savings deposit accounts—both money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)—business loans and lines of credit, and business solutions including cash management, fraud management, collections and disbursement services.

Bonus

Nbkc does not currently offer a welcome bonus for their business account.

Best for Moderate Transaction Volumes With Low Fees

Everbank Business Interest Checking

4.1
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

0.50%

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$1,500

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$14.95 (waived with average daily balance of $5,000+)

Learn More Arrow
Read Our Review

0.50%

$1,500

$14.95 (waived with average daily balance of $5,000+)

Editor's Take

Formerly TIAA bank, EverBank is an online bank with nine branch locations in Florida. This business checking account offers a balance of features, including low fees and 200 free transactions monthly.

Why We Like It

We like EverBank for its simplicity. Low fees combine with a 0.50% APY on checking balances for a solid account for any business owner who needs a moderate volume of transactions processed.

What We Don’t Like

EverBank requires you to maintain a daily average balance of $5,000 to waive your monthly maintenance fee. This account lacks business management features common with other business accounts, like payroll integration and accountant access.

Who It’s Best For

EverBank is best for a small business owner who is looking for a low-fee, interest-earning account that can process up to 200 transactions monthly for free.

Pros & Cons
  • 200 free transactions monthly
  • 0.50% APY
  • $1,500 minimum deposit to open an account
  • No business management features
  • $5,000 minimum balance to avoid monthly maintenance fee.
Details

Business Interest Checking account holders will earn 0.50% APY and benefit from up to 200 transactions for free monthly. The minimum deposit to open an account is $1,500 and the monthly maintenance fee is only waived with an average daily balance of $5,000.

Bonus

EverBank does not currently offer a welcome bonus.

Best for Wire Transfers

Capital One Enhanced Checking

Capital One Enhanced Checking
4.1
Our ratings take into account a product's APYs, fees, minimums and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$35

waived with $25,000 minimum balance

Capital One Enhanced Checking

N/A

$0

$35

waived with $25,000 minimum balance

Editor's Take

We picked Capital One Enhanced Checking because it offers a strong combination of benefits and accessibility. Notably, you won’t pay anything for incoming or outgoing domestic wire transfers, which is rare among business bank accounts. You’ll also have free access to a massive ATM network and branch locations across the country.

Why We Like It

We like that this account offers unlimited free incoming domestic wire transfers and five free outgoing wire transfers each month. We also like that Capital One gives you the option to open two Business Basic checking accounts to meet your business’s needs. Plus, you can access your account for free at more than 70,000 Allpoint, MoneyPass and Capital One ATMs across the country.

What We Don’t Like

We don’t like that you’ll need to keep at least $25,000 in your account to dodge the $35 monthly fee associated with this account. Also, we don’t like that Capital One still charges $35 for overdrafts and nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees. Many other banks have lowered or eliminated these fees.

Who It’s Best For

This account is best for businesses that regularly need to send or receive domestic wire transfers. It’s also good for business owners wanting a full-service bank with nationwide access to branches and ATMs.

Pros & Cons
  • Includes unlimited free incoming domestic wire transfers and five free outgoing domestic wire transfers per month
  • Option to open up to two free Basic Business checking subaccounts
  • Full-service bank with a vast ATM network and branches across the country
  • Must maintain a minimum average daily balance of $25,000 to avoid the $35 monthly fee
  • High NSF fees
Details

Avoid the $35 monthly service fee by maintaining a $25,000 minimum 30- or 90-day average monthly ledger account balance. Account holders can open up to two Capital One Business Basic Checking accounts with no monthly service fee if the Capital One Business Enhanced Checking is open and in good standing. Free overdraft protection is available with a linked Capital One Business deposit account.

Bonus

Capital One does not currently offer any bonuses associated with the Enhanced Checking account.


Summary of Best Small Business Checking Accounts of 2025


Guide to Business Checking Accounts


What Is a Business Checking Account?

A business checking account is a lot like a personal checking account. With both types of accounts, you’re typically able to make deposits and withdrawals, process ACH payments, write checks and use a debit card to make purchases and use ATMs.

The big difference, of course, is that a business checking account holds money for your business, while a personal checking account holds money for personal expenses like mortgage payments, car payments and utility bills. Another key difference: Business bank accounts tend to charge more fees than personal checking accounts do.

How Does a Business Checking Account Work?

Business checking accounts are designed for all types of businesses. Limited liability companies (LLCs), sole proprietors, corporations and partnerships can all open business checking accounts. A business as small as a one-person consulting firm or as large as a 10,000-employee software company can set up a business checking account.

Related: Does Your Business Checking Account Have These 7 Helpful Features?


Benefits of a Business Checking Account

Among the many challenges facing small business owners, one of the most important is choosing the right business banking relationship—whether that means online, in a branch or somewhere in between. A business checking account can provide a solid foundation for building a business by helping to:

  • Keep your business affairs separate from your personal affairs.
  • Lend credibility to your business.
  • Streamline accounting and tax-filing responsibilities.
  • Protect your personal assets if your business is sued or targeted by debt collectors.

Since many of the best business checking accounts featured above are free, there’s no reason not to open one for your business, especially as having a strong relationship with a bank could result in access to a business credit card or business line of credit if needed in the future.

Related: 7 Top Features of a Business Checking Account


How To Choose a Business Checking Account

A business checking account provides the foundation of your business banking relationship. One of its most important functions is to separate your business banking from your personal banking.

Pro Tip
Consider the convenience and accessibility of banking services when selecting an account. If you frequently make deposits or withdrawals in person, proximity to branches may be important. For online-based businesses, robust online and mobile banking platforms are crucial.

Here are several things to consider as you’re choosing the right business checking account:

  • Fees. Since you’ll be using your business checking account to process your business’s day-to-day transactions, it’s important to keep fees to a minimum. In particular, look at any monthly maintenance fees, out-of-network ATM fees or transaction fees that are volume-based.
  • Minimums. Some banks and credit unions require a minimum deposit when you open a business checking account. Others may require you to maintain a minimum balance per statement cycle—or perform a certain volume or type of transactions—to avoid paying a monthly maintenance fee or to enable you to earn the stated APY.
  • Limits. Because you likely will be processing more transactions per statement cycle with your business account, it’s important to look at any limits that may apply. Some accounts will limit the number or type of transactions you can make, while others may limit your cash deposits or withdrawals.
  • APY. The interest you can earn is more of a priority when it comes to savings deposit accounts. Yet, for many businesses, their business checking account may be their primary banking relationship. Not all business checking accounts pay interest. But, if you have the opportunity to earn APY on your business checking, so much the better.
  • Customer service. Regardless of whether you bank online or at a branch, it’s important to be able to get customer service support when and where you need it. Some banks and credit unions offer dedicated specialists to address business needs and concerns.
  • Digital experience. The importance of a good digital banking experience—both online and mobile—can’t be overstated for modern users. With so many transactions occurring by phone or laptop, rather than within a physical bank branch, the quality and functionality of a mobile app can affect your business results.
  • Safety. Make sure that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures your account. It provides up to $250,000 in insurance per depositor, per bank, for each account ownership category, in the event of a bank failure. At credit unions, look for similar coverage from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
  • Room for growth. Because your business checking account represents the entry point of your business banking relationship, look at what else the bank offers that may become important to you as your business grows, including opportunities for your business to save and invest, add merchant or treasury services and access loans or lines of credit.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Choosing the best business checking account for your small business is a personal decision based on your business’s needs and your own habits and wants.


How To Open a Business Checking Account

Once you’ve decided which business checking account to open, you can visit the financial institution’s website, go to a local branch or call customer support to set up the account. Keep in mind that online-only banks will usually steer you toward opening a business checking account through their websites.

Aside from your business’s IRS-issued employer identification number (EIN)—or your Social Security number if you’re a sole proprietor—you’ll probably need to supply the following (although requirements differ depending on the type of business):

  • Business address and phone number
  • Names of people to be listed as account holders
  • Business formation documents, such as articles of incorporation
  • Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
  • Business licenses
  • Partnership agreements
  • Initial deposit

Can You Open a Business Checking Account Online?

You can open many business checking accounts online without ever visiting a branch. After you’ve decided which bank or credit union you want to work with and which account is best for your business, you can submit an online application and provide the required personal and business information. You’ll then make your initial deposit, which will mean linking an external account if opening with a new bank.

How To Get a Business Checking Account With Bad Credit

Most banks don’t require a credit check to open a business checking account. That means even if you have bad credit, you should still be able to get a business checking account.

If you’re unsure where you fall on the credit spectrum, here are the credit score ranges according to FICO:

  • Exceptional: 800+
  • Very good: 740 to 799
  • Good: 670 to 739
  • Fair: 580 to 669
  • Poor: 580 or lower

Though banks may not check your credit as part of the business checking account application, they may pull your ChexSystems report to see how you’ve managed bank accounts in the past.

A ChexSystems report is a record of your banking history and helps financial institutions assess your risk as a potential bank account holder. ChexSystems collects the following information:

  • Checking account applications
  • Bank account openings and closures (and reason for closures)
  • Check writing history
  • Unpaid bank balances

To avoid any potential account opening delays, request a copy of your ChexSystems report and ensure all information is correct. If you spot a mistake, you can file a dispute to ChexSystems to get it fixed before opening a business checking account. Keep in mind that documentation may be required when filing a dispute. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you’re entitled to a free copy of your ChexSystems once every twelve months.


Is a High-Yield Business Checking Account Worth It?

High-yield business checking accounts are worth considering if you want to earn interest on your balance without opening a separate savings account. If you tend to keep a high balance in your checking account, you may find high-yield business checking accounts particularly valuable.

As the name suggests, a high-yield business checking account usually offers a higher APY than a standard business checking account. Remember to review the account terms carefully, as some high-yield business checking accounts require you to meet certain activity and balance requirements to receive the advertised APY.

Related: How Can A Business Bank Account Help Your Small Business Grow?


Alternatives to Business Checking Accounts

Depending on your business needs and goals, business checking accounts may not be the right choice for you. Here are some alternatives to consider.

Business Checking vs. Business Savings Accounts

Business Checking vs. Personal Checking Accounts


Recap: Best Business Checking Accounts of 2025


Methodology

To create this list, Forbes Advisor analyzed 226 business checking accounts at 79 financial institutions, including a mix of traditional brick-and-mortar banks and online banks. We ranked each account on data points within the categories of fees, minimum requirements, customer experience, digital experience, limits, features, APY and access.

Here’s the weighting assigned to each category:

  • Fees: 30%
  • Limits: 13%
  • Features and integrations: 13%
  • Minimums: 12%
  • Customer experience: 10%
  • Digital experience: 10%
  • Access: 7%
  • APY: 5%

The specific characteristics taken into consideration within each category included monthly fees, overdraft fees, ATM fees, minimum deposit requirements, minimum balance requirements, integration with accounting and payroll, merchant services, cash deposit and transaction limits, APY, customer service ratings, mobile and online access, ATM network and the national availability of the account.

Business checking accounts offering no or very low fees scored higher, as did those offering low minimum requirements, high customer service and digital experience scores, and reasonable transaction and cash deposit limits. To appear on this list, the business checking account must be nationally available.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Reviews Banks.


Banks We Monitor

Business Checking Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who needs a business checking account?

Whether you are a sole proprietor or a business owner with employees, your business needs a business checking account. For tax purposes, it’s important to separate your personal finances from your business finances right from the start. Even if you’re simply working a side hustle, having a business checking account speaks to your credibility and professionalism.

Related: Who Needs a Business Checking Account?

How are business and personal checking accounts different?

Since you will be managing both your personal and your business checking accounts, it’s important to know their similarities and differences. While the accounts are similar, they may operate under different rules, fees and assumptions. With a business checking account, you likely will be handling a wider variety of transactions and the quality of your record-keeping matters more.

How many business checking accounts should I have?

The right number of business checking accounts for you depends on how you prefer to manage your business income and expenses. It may be a good idea to have at least one business checking account to deposit payments and pay expenses and a separate account to hold cash reserves. You may also consider a business money market account, which allows you to earn interest while offering the flexibility of check-writing or debit card access.

What banks offer free business checking accounts?

A number of financial institutions offer free business checking accounts, meaning there are no monthly fees. Many of the financial institutions that offer free business checking are online-only banks that aren’t household names in banking. Some online-only banks that offer free business checking accounts include Axos, BlueVine, Grasshopper, Lili and Novo.

Can I open a business checking account without an EIN?

Yes. If your business is a sole proprietorship or single-person LLC, you can use your Social Security number—instead of an Employer Identification Number—to open a business checking account. But if your business has employees or operates as a corporation or partnership, you will need an EIN.


Next Up In Business Checking


Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Theresa Stevens is a personal finance writer based in Boston, MA. As a former financial advisor, she has first-hand experience helping people solve their money challenges. When she's not writing, you'll find her trying out a new karaoke spot or planning her next trip abroad.

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