250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
60+ business bank accounts rated with our objective, comprehensive business bank account rubrics (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business banking content — including our ratings, reviews and recommendations — is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in small-business finances. Their journalism has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Best Business Checking Accounts From Our Partners
| Best for | NerdWallet rating▼ | Monthly fee▼ | APY▼ | Bonus▼ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Online banking Bluevine Business Checking Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1.50% With $0 min. balance for APY | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
24/7 customer support American Express® Business Checking Learn more at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1.30% With $0 min. balance for APY | 30,000 points Requirements to qualify | Learn more at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC |
Online banking for midsize businesses Relay Business Checking Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.8/5 | $0 | N/A | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Companies seeking financing Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC | 4.8/5 | $0 | 1.80% With $25,000 min. balance for APY | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC |
Free account at a brick-and-mortar bank U.S. Bank Business Essentials Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC | 4.5/5 | $0 | N/A | $500 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC |
Full-service banking Chase Business Complete Banking® Learn more at Chase, Member FDIC | 4.6/5 | $15.00 Waived with $2,000 minimum balance | N/A | $500 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Chase, Member FDIC |
Self-employed business owners Found Small Business Banking Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.3/5 | $0 | N/A | $125 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
High APY North One Standard Business Checking Learn more at North One, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.7/5 | $0 | 2.50% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | Learn more at North One, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Expense management platform Mercury Business Bank Account Learn more at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.6/5 | $0 | N/A | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Online bank with ATM access Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC | 4.7/5 | $0 | N/A | $400 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC |
Low-fee online banking nbkc Business Account Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC | 4.6/5 | $0 | N/A | N/A | Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC |
Discounts, perks on other business services Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking Learn more at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC | 4.4/5 | $16.00 $0 for the first 12 statement cycles. | N/A | N/A | Learn more at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC |
| Best for | NerdWallet rating▼ | Monthly fee▼ | APY▼ | Bonus▼ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Online banking Bluevine Business Checking Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1.50% With $0 min. balance for APY | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
24/7 customer support American Express® Business Checking Learn more at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1.30% With $0 min. balance for APY | 30,000 points Requirements to qualify | Learn more at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC |
Online banking for midsize businesses Relay Business Checking Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.8/5 | $0 | N/A | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Companies seeking financing Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC | 4.8/5 | $0 | 1.80% With $25,000 min. balance for APY | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC |
Free account at a brick-and-mortar bank U.S. Bank Business Essentials Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC | 4.5/5 | $0 | N/A | $500 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC |
Full-service banking Chase Business Complete Banking® Learn more at Chase, Member FDIC | 4.6/5 | $15.00 Waived with $2,000 minimum balance | N/A | $500 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Chase, Member FDIC |
Self-employed business owners Found Small Business Banking Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.3/5 | $0 | N/A | $125 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
High APY North One Standard Business Checking Learn more at North One, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.7/5 | $0 | 2.50% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | Learn more at North One, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Expense management platform Mercury Business Bank Account Learn more at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.6/5 | $0 | N/A | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Online bank with ATM access Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC | 4.7/5 | $0 | N/A | $400 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC |
Low-fee online banking nbkc Business Account Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC | 4.6/5 | $0 | N/A | N/A | Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC |
Discounts, perks on other business services Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking Learn more at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC | 4.4/5 | $16.00 $0 for the first 12 statement cycles. | N/A | N/A | Learn more at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC |
I'M INTERESTED IN:
Our pick for
Online banking
Bluevine Business Checking
Read Review
Learn more
at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured
APY
1.50%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
Fees vary by location.
Overdraft fees
$0
Bonus
$300
Requirements to qualify
The Bluevine Business Checking account earns
1.50%
interest on your account balance 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.Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
- Earn 1.50% 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.
- Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
- No fee-free cash deposits.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
Our pick for
24/7 customer support
American Express® Business Checking
Read Review
Learn more
at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC
APY
1.30%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
N/A
Bonus
30,000 points
Requirements to qualify
There's a lot to like about the American Express Business Checking account, including no monthly fees, a competitive interest rate, 24/7 customer support and a generous welcome bonus:
Earn 30,000 Membership Rewards points. Convert Membership Rewards® points into deposits directly into your American Express®Business Checking account. Other redemption options available. Terms apply.
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.
The only major downside is that you can't deposit cash.
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- No excess transaction fees and no charge for domestic incoming wires.
- Earn 1.30% APY on balances up to $500,000.
- 24/7 customer support.
- No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- No outgoing international wire transfers.
- Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
Our pick for
Online banking for midsize businesses
Relay Business Checking
Read Review
Learn more
at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$0
Bonus
$300
Requirements to qualify
Relay’s free online business checking account comes with several features that benefit midsize businesses and rapidly growing startups, including the option to open multiple accounts (up to 20; 10 for sole proprietorships) and the ability to invite team members, assign roles and permissions, and set spending limits.
Relay has no monthly fees, includes unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires, and allows for direct integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
The downside: There's a long hold time for deposited checks (six to seven business days).
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
- Cash deposits via compatible Allpoint ATMs.
- 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.
- Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
- Direct integration with Shopify.
Cons
- Deposited checks are held for up to 6-7 business days.
- No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Our pick for
Companies seeking financing
Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account
Read Review
Learn more
at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC
APY
1.80%
With $25,000 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
$0
Bonus
$300
Requirements to qualify
Online-only bank Grasshopper is an SBA preferred lender and offers a variety of other financing options. Once cash comes in, Grasshopper Bank’s business checking account pays you two ways: You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on qualified purchases and up to
1.80%
APY on the balance in your account. You also get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing. The account has no monthly fees or overdraft charges and fee-free access to more than 45,000 ATMs via the MoneyPass and SUM networks (third-party fees may apply outside of these networks).
Beyond that, the bank offers a variety of financing options for companies ready to grow. No cash deposits, though.
Pros
- Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
- Earn up to 1.80% APY.
- No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
- Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
- Free incoming domestic wires; low fees on other wire transfers.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- $100 minimum opening deposit.
- No weekend support.
Our pick for
Free account at a brick-and-mortar bank
U.S. Bank Business Essentials
Read Review
Learn more
at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to $2,500 per month.
Overdraft fees
$36
Bonus
$500
Requirements to qualify
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.
Pros
- No monthly service fee.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
- Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
- Supports Zelle for Business.
- Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
- Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
- $100 minimum opening deposit.
- Low limit on fee-free cash deposits.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
- $1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
Our pick for
Full-service banking
Chase Business Complete Banking®
Read Review
Learn more
at Chase, Member FDIC
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$15.00
Waived with $2,000 minimum balance
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to $5,000 per month.
Overdraft fees
$34
Bonus
$500
Requirements to qualify
Chase Business Complete Checking customers get the best of both worlds: top-notch digital tools, including the ability to accept credit card payments via QuickAccept℠ using the Chase mobile app (associated processing fees apply), alongside one of the largest branch networks in the country.
Chase Business Complete Checking includes unlimited electronic deposits and access to thousands of ATM and branch locations nationwide. Plus, there is a welcome bonus for new customers. Terms apply.
The downsides: The account has a $15 monthly maintenance fee (multiple ways to waive) and caps in-person transactions at 20 per month.
Pros
- No minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
- Integrated credit card processing.
- No overdraft fee unless account is overdrawn by more than $50; 24-hour grace period applies to overdrafts beyond that amount.
- 24/7 customer support.
- No fees at 16,000 Chase ATMs and access to around 4,700 branches.
- Supports Zelle for Business.
Cons
- $15 monthly fee.
- Monthly limit on fee-free cash deposits ($5,000) and physical transactions (20).
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Our pick for
Self-employed business owners
Found Small Business Banking
Read Review
Learn more
at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
$2 fee per deposit
Overdraft fees
$0
Bonus
$125
Requirements to qualify
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. This free business checking account has no monthly fees, overdraft fees or minimum opening deposit.
Potential downsides: Limits on deposits and transfers can be low. And the account is currently only available to businesses with one owner.
Pros
- No required monthly fee or minimum opening deposit.
- No excess transaction fees or overdraft fees; free incoming domestic wires.
- Free, built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
- Integrates with popular business and gig work apps, including Stripe, DoorDash, Uber, Etsy and PayPal.
- Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
- Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Cons
- No weekend or after-hours phone support.
- Not available to partnerships or nonprofit organizations.
- No fee-free cash deposits.
Our pick for
High APY
North One Standard Business Checking
Read Review
Learn more
at North One, Deposits are FDIC Insured
APY
2.50%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
NorthOne does not accept cash deposits
Overdraft fees
$5
Bonus
N/A
North One's
2.50%
APY on balances up to $250,000 could offer a lot of value for small-business owners with some spare cash on hand (terms apply). You'll also get unlimited transactions, and North One reimburses fees for two ATM withdrawals and one cash deposit per month.What's missing: Ongoing fee-free access to an ATM network, international wire transfers and phone support during evening and weekend hours.
Pros
- No monthly fees or excess transaction fees.
- Same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo. Direct payments supported from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb.
- Sub-accounts that you can use to save for specific goals.
- Direct integration with Shopify, Etsy and Amazon.
- Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
- Low cash deposit limits ($1,500 per day, $5,000 per month). Service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
- No free ATM network, though North One will reimburse up to two ATM fees per month by request. ATM withdrawals limited to $2,000 per day.
- Can’t send or receive international wires.
- No weekend customer support.
- Not available to nonprofit organizations.
- No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Our pick for
Expense management platform
Mercury Business Bank Account
Read Review
Learn more
at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
No cash deposits.
Overdraft fees
$0
Bonus
$300
Requirements to qualify
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.
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free U.S. dollar transactions; no overdraft fees.
- Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
- Advanced digital tools including API access to automate and customize your banking.
- Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- Mercury is not part of a fee-free ATM network.
Our pick for
Online bank with ATM access
Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking
Read Review
Learn more
at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$25
Bonus
$400
Requirements to qualify
Axos Bank’s Basic Business Checking account includes free, unlimited cash deposits via compatible Allpoint+ ATMs, plus free nationwide ATM access with unlimited refunds for fees charged by other banks and ATM operators in the U.S. You can also make deposits at compatible Allpoint+ ATMs with no fees charged by Axos.
The downside: Unlike some other online business accounts, Axos does charge for overdrafts and returned payments.
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires.
- Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
- Cash deposits via Allpoint ATMs.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
- $25 fee for insufficient funds/uncollected funds returned.
- No third-party app integrations.
- Relatively low mobile app ratings.
Our pick for
Low-fee online banking
nbkc Business Account
Read Review
Learn more
at nbkc bank, Member FDIC
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$0
Bonus
N/A
NBKC’s Business Account is a free business checking account with remarkably few fees — including 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.
Additionally, there are no incoming domestic wire fees, overdraft, stop payment or other similar incidental fees with the NBKC business checking account. You’ll 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, a common feature among online business checking accounts. You can add on Autobooks for $10 per month.
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions, no overdraft fees and free incoming domestic wires.
- 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
- High fee ($45) for international wire transfers.
- Phone support only available during business hours.
- No third-party app integrations.
Our pick for
Discounts, perks on other business services
Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking
Read Review
Learn more
at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$16.00
$0 for the first 12 statement cycles.
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
Yes
Up to $5,000 per statement cycle.
Overdraft fees
$10
Bonus
N/A
Bank of America stands out for its big branch and ATM network, and if your balance is high enough to qualify you for the bank's Preferred Rewards for Business program — meaning potentially higher rewards rates on business credit cards and discounts on business loans.
A few downsides: There is a $16 monthly fee after the first 12 statement cycles (though there are multiple ways to avoid it), and you'll pay to use non-Bank of America ATMs.
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.
NerdWallet evaluates business checking accounts on more than 25 different factors, including:
- Monthly fees.
- APY.
- Transaction limits.
- Access to ATMs.
- Access to branches.
- Cash deposit availability and fees.
- Overdraft and wire transfer fees.
- Availability of customer support via phone and live chat.
- App store rating.
- Availability of checks.
- Software features.
What our star ratings mean
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 accounts does NerdWallet rate?
NerdWallet examines dozens of business checking accounts every year to determine our star ratings and top picks, but we do not review all 4,000-plus FDIC-insured banks in the U.S. We focus on the accounts available to the largest number of business owners. Those include the largest banks in the U.S. by assets, the largest credit unions by membership and online banks with growing market share or notable features.
Should you open a business account at your local bank or credit union? These institutions can be great choices if you're looking for the following:
- A personal, face-to-face relationship with your banker.
- Highly regarded customer support.
- Traditional banking services, including checks, wire transfers and bill pay.
- In the future, a business loan.
However, smaller financial institutions may limit how many transactions you can make each month and tend to charge higher fees for wire transfers, overdrafts and ATM withdrawals than their online counterparts. They may also lack the more developed digital tools of national banks — for instance, their mobile apps tend to have much lower ratings.
America First Credit Union, American Express, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bluevine, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Brex, Capital One, Chase Bank, Citibank, Citizens Bank, City National Bank, Comercia Bank, Consumers Credit Union, Digital Federal Credit Union, First Citizens Bank, First Horizon Bank, First Tech Credit Union, Found, Grasshopper Bank, Huntington Bank, KeyBank, LendingClub, Lili, Live Oak Bank, Mercury, Mountain America Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, Northern Bank, North One, Novo, PNC Bank, QuickBooks, Regions Bank, Relay, Rho, Santander Bank, Self-Help Credit Union, TD Bank, Truist, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, Zions Bank.
Other good business checking accounts
NerdWallet evaluated more than 50 business checking accounts for this page (see the complete list above). The following accounts fell short of our top picks. But the features highlighted below may still make them good choices for certain businesses.
- BMO Simple Business Checking: Low monthly fee, Zelle for Business and potential to earn a big sign-up bonus.
- Capital One Business Basic Checking®: Unlimited digital transactions and no cash deposit fees at ATMs.
- Citizens Bank Simply Better Business Checking: No monthly fee and Zelle for Business.
- Fifth Third Business Checking: No monthly fee and a highly rated mobile app.
- First Horizon Bank BizEssentials Checking: No monthly fee.
- Huntington Bank Business Checking 100: 24-hour grace period on overdrafts and potential to earn a big sign-up bonus.
- PNC Business Checking: Potential to earn a big sign-up bonus, Zelle for Business and a highly rated mobile app.
- TD Business Simple Checking℠: 24/7 live customer service and potential to earn a big sign-up bonus.
- Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠ Account: National branch access.
- America First Credit Union Basic Business Checking: No monthly fee, live chat support and Zelle for Business.
- Boeing Employees Federal Credit Union (BECU) Business Basic Checking: No monthly fee.
- Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) Free Business Checking: No monthly fee, highly rated mobile app and insured cash sweep option.
- First Tech Federal Credit Union Dividends Business Checking: Unlimited transactions, 24/7 phone support and live chat support.
- Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking: 24/7 phone support and APY on checking account balances.
- Brex Business Account: Cash management account and expense management tools for high-growth startups.
- Lili Basic Business Checking: Unlimited transactions for no monthly fee.
- Novo Business Checking: Invoicing.
- QuickBooks Money: Interest-bearing “envelopes” to help you save for certain goals.
- Rho Business Checking:Expense management tools for high-growth startups.
Use the below tool to see which local banks in your state offer free small-business checking accounts.
A business checking account is a secure place to store your company's cash as revenue comes in and expenses go out.
You can spend the money in your business checking account immediately. You can access your funds by withdrawing cash, using a debit card, sending ACH or wire transfers or writing checks.
As a rule, business checking accounts should be FDIC insured up to $250,000. That means, if the bank holding your funds were to fail, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. would cover up to $250,000 in lost cash. Some accounts offer even more FDIC insurance coverage through Insured Cash Sweep networks.
Credit unions are similarly insured through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Do not use a checking account that isn't FDIC or NCUA insured.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Some of the accounts on our list come from financial technology companies or "neobanks," not traditional banks. Neobanks typically partner with FDIC-insured banks; the banks actually hold customers' funds while the fintech companies provide the software experience. If a neobank ever fails, you should still be able to recover your funds — but you may have to deal with frozen accounts, failed transactions or other headaches along the way.Anyone who owns a business should have a business checking account. That includes sole proprietors and freelancers. For LLCs, a separate small-business checking account draws a clear line between business and personal expenses — which can help shield your personal assets if your company is sued.
Using a dedicated business bank account for your business income and expenses also helps streamline record-keeping, making it easier to file taxes and gather the financial statements you'll need to apply for business loans.
Here's how to tell if a business checking account is exceptional, average or below average.
1. Fees on banking services
Common fees charged by business bank account providers include 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. Free business checking accounts have no monthly fee.
Some small-business banks charge $2 to $3 if you use an ATM outside of the bank’s own ATM network; others don't. In most cases, you'll have to pay fees charged by the owner of any third-party ATM you use — though a handful of business banking accounts will automatically refund some or all of your ATM fees.
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. Some banks, including Chase, Axos and Huntington, offer a grace period on overdrafts (up to a certain amount) to give small businesses some wiggle room.
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.
ACH transfers are usually free, but they take one or two business days to complete. Expect to pay a fee for same-day ACH.
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 Bank® 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 Innovator 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 Money | 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 U.S. Bank Business Essentials | 125 free transactions (electronic and non-electronic). 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. |
2. Transaction and cash deposit limits
Most brick-and-mortar business checking accounts offer 100 to 500 free transactions per month and charge fees for additional ones. A monthly cash deposit limit of up to to $5,000 is typical for entry-level accounts at these financial institutions; beyond that, you'll likely pay a fee.
Online business checking accounts usually include unlimited fee-free transactions, but you'll face other limits — for instance, on how much you can deposit or transfer per day.
3. Access to cash and checks
There are a lot of ways to access the money in your business checking account: checks, ACH transfers, online bill pay and cash withdrawal (in person or via ATM). Traditional brick-and-mortar banks typically offer all of these options, though they tend to limit the number of free transactions you can make each month.
Neobanks are more likely to offer unlimited transactions, but they may not offer those other tools — for instance, they don't always issue checkbooks. Most neobank customers have fee-free access to an ATM network, but no branches.
4. Interest or cash back
Several of our top picks have annual percentage yields of 1% APY or higher. Some accounts also pay customers cash back on debit card purchases, similar to what you'd expect from a credit card.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
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.Some financial institutions also offer business bank account promotions to new customers who meet specific requirements, like maintaining a certain balance for several months after opening the account.
5. Built-in software tools and integrations
Some online accounts offer built-in invoicing and bookeeping tools. Others integrate directly with gig work or e-commerce apps, like DoorDash and Etsy, or with business software tools, like QuickBooks.
Still other accounts come with payment processing built in. That can help you take customers' credit or debit card payments in person or collect online payments without relying on a third party. (When you use a point-of-sale system or payment processor to take payments, that software can deposit customers' payments into your business checking account, but it may take an extra day or two.)
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.Last updated on April 9, 2025
Methodology
NerdWallet evaluates more than 30 business bank accounts from national, regional and online banks. Collectively, these accounts represent the largest banks by assets, internet search traffic and other factors, along with notable or emerging players in the industry.
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 2025, we introduced bonus points for notable built-in software features, like the ability to accept tap-to-pay payments from customers using a mobile app.
Final star ratings are presented on a scale of one to five stars, where 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.
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'll need a Social Security number and an Employer Identification Number or other legal business documentation to qualify for a business bank account. Banks generally won't check your credit. However, they may check your ChexSystems report, and may deny your application based on what they find.
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.