A business checking account is an easy-to-use, inexpensive home for your company's cash. Our top overall picks for the best business checking accounts are:
- Best online business checking account:American Express® Business Checking.
- Best brick-and-mortar business checking account:Chase Business Complete Banking®.
- Best high-yield business checking account:Bluevine Business Checking.
Our complete list highlights business checking options that can suit a variety of business needs — plus details about why some well-known accounts didn't make the cut.
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
95+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
Objective comprehensive business bank accounts rubric (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.
Sponsored partner picks for
Best Business Checking Accounts
| Best for | NerdWallet rating▼ | Monthly fee▼ | APY▼ | Bonus▼ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-yield business checking Bluevine Business Checking Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.7/5 | $0 | 1.50% With $0 min. balance for APY | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Online business checking account 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 | N/A | Learn more at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC |
Brick-and-mortar business checking account Chase Business Complete Banking® Learn more at Chase, Member FDIC | 4.5/5 | $15.00 Waived with $2,000 minimum balance | N/A | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Chase, Member FDIC |
Sign-up bonus U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC | 4.2/5 | $0 | N/A | $400 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC |
Competitive APY + cash back Grasshopper Business Checking Account Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC | 4.5/5 | $0 | 1.80% With $25,000 min. balance for APY | N/A | Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC |
Online bank with ATM deposits, withdrawals Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC | 4.9/5 | $0 | N/A | $400 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC |
Multiple accounts Relay Business Checking Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.9/5 | $0 | N/A | N/A | Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Discounts, perks on other business services Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking Learn more at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC | 4.5/5 | $16.00 $0 for the first 12 statement cycles. | N/A | N/A | Learn more at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC |
Freelancers and self-employed workers Found Small Business Banking Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.4/5 | $0 | N/A | $125 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Low fees on banking services nbkc Business Account Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC | 4.9/5 | $0 | N/A | N/A | Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC |
Cash management Rho Business Checking Learn more at Rho, Member FDIC | 4.1/5 | $0 | N/A | $500 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Rho, Member FDIC |
Cash back on debit card purchases LendingClub Tailored Checking | 4.9/5 | $10.00 Waived with $500 minimum balance | 1.00% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | |
Built-in payment processing QuickBooks Money | 4.2/5 | $0 | 3.00% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | |
| Best for | NerdWallet rating▼ | Monthly fee▼ | APY▼ | Bonus▼ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-yield business checking Bluevine Business Checking Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.7/5 | $0 | 1.50% With $0 min. balance for APY | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Online business checking account 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 | N/A | Learn more at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC |
Brick-and-mortar business checking account Chase Business Complete Banking® Learn more at Chase, Member FDIC | 4.5/5 | $15.00 Waived with $2,000 minimum balance | N/A | $300 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Chase, Member FDIC |
Sign-up bonus U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC | 4.2/5 | $0 | N/A | $400 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC |
Competitive APY + cash back Grasshopper Business Checking Account Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC | 4.5/5 | $0 | 1.80% With $25,000 min. balance for APY | N/A | Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC |
Online bank with ATM deposits, withdrawals Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC | 4.9/5 | $0 | N/A | $400 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC |
Multiple accounts Relay Business Checking Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.9/5 | $0 | N/A | N/A | Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Discounts, perks on other business services Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking Learn more at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC | 4.5/5 | $16.00 $0 for the first 12 statement cycles. | N/A | N/A | Learn more at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC |
Freelancers and self-employed workers Found Small Business Banking Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.4/5 | $0 | N/A | $125 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Low fees on banking services nbkc Business Account Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC | 4.9/5 | $0 | N/A | N/A | Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC |
Cash management Rho Business Checking Learn more at Rho, Member FDIC | 4.1/5 | $0 | N/A | $500 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Rho, Member FDIC |
Cash back on debit card purchases LendingClub Tailored Checking | 4.9/5 | $10.00 Waived with $500 minimum balance | 1.00% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | |
Built-in payment processing QuickBooks Money | 4.2/5 | $0 | 3.00% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A |
I'M INTERESTED IN:
Our pick for
High-yield business checking
Bluevine's APY is hard to beat, and users can upgrade for an even higher rate. This online account also offers expanded FDIC insurance, covering up to $3 million instead of the usual $250,000.
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. This free online business checking account also includes unlimited transactions and free ATM access through the MoneyPass network.One key downside: Bluevine doesn't offer free cash deposits. At Green Dot locations, you'll pay a fee of up to $4.95 per deposit and face caps of $500 per deposit and $2,000 per day. At Allpoint+ ATMs, you'll pay a fee of $1 plus 0.5% of the deposit amount (though deposit limits are much higher, at $5,500 per day.)
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
Online business checking account
American Express offers business checking customers a competitive APY, few fees and a sign-up bonus. Plus, you can talk to someone on the phone 24/7.
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
N/A
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. 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.
- Only one debit card per account.
Our pick for
Brick-and-mortar business checking account
Chase is our top-rated brick-and-mortar business checking account. It comes with built-in payment processing plus a generous overdraft policy: $50 of wiggle room and 24 hours to get your account back in the black before fees kick in.
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
$300
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
Sign-up bonus
U.S. Bank offers a hefty sign-up bonus and no monthly fee, both of which set it apart from other brick-and-mortar options.
U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking
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
$400
Requirements to qualify
A free business checking account from a big brick-and-mortar bank is rare on its own. But U.S. Bank's Silver Business Checking Account ups the ante with a whopper of a welcome offer:
Earn $400 bonus when you open a new, eligible U.S. Bank business checking account online with promo code Q4AFL24 and complete qualifying activities, subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through January 15, 2025. Member FDIC.
. The downside: Silver Business Checking has a stingy transaction limit (125 free transactions per statement cycle), especially when compared with similar accounts from competitors. Though most of those accounts carry a monthly fee.
Pros
- No monthly service fee for Silver Business Checking account.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
- No fees at U.S. Bank and MoneyPass ATMs.
- Supports Zelle for Business.
- Unlimited debit cards.
- Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
- Low limit on fee-free cash deposits compared to other brick-and-mortar banks.
- Limit of 125 fee-free transactions per month.
- $1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
Our pick for
Competitive APY + cash back
Online-only bank Grasshopper pays 1% cash back on qualifying debit card purchases and offers a solid APY, which could add up to significant rewards for some businesses.
Grasshopper 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
N/A
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 and cash management.Grasshopper's business 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).
The downsides: You can't deposit cash and the account requires a $100 minimum opening deposit.
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
Online bank with ATM deposits, withdrawals
Axos charges no ATM fees and gives unlimited refunds on the fees charged by other ATM operators. You can also make deposits at compatible Allpoint+ ATMs with no fees charged by Axos.
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. Axos's free online business account has no monthly fee or minimum opening deposit requirement.
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
Multiple accounts
Relay offers a straightforward, free online business banking solution that lets business owners open up to 20 checking accounts and create multiple user roles.
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
N/A
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
Discounts, perks on other business services
Bank of America stands out for its big branch and ATM network, and some banking clients qualify for perks like higher rewards rates on business credit cards and discounts on business loans.
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
This account offers fee-free electronic transactions and you can open an account entirely online. Once you're in, Bank of America rewards loyalty: If your balance is high enough to qualify you for the bank's Preferred Rewards for Business program, you may qualify for higher interest 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.
- Supports Zelle for Business.
- 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.
Our pick for
Freelancers and self-employed workers
Found's bookkeeping, invoicing and tax-planning tools and integrations with business apps make it a great choice for solopreneurs.
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 independent contractors and other 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 monthly fees 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 businesses with multiple owners or nonprofit organizations.
- No fee-free cash deposits.
- Only one physical debit card per account (though users can create up to 20 virtual cards).
- No checks.
Our pick for
Low fees on banking services
NBKC charges remarkably few fees — there's no monthly fee nor a fee on transactions, ATM withdrawals, incoming wires or overdrafts.
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 no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirement and no opening deposit requirement. This account includes 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
Cash management
Rho's business checking account can be linked to a cash management account, a financial tool to earn extra-high APYs on your balances.
Rho Business Checking
Read Review
Learn more
at Rho, Member FDIC
APY
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
N/A
Overdraft fees
N/A
Bonus
$500
Requirements to qualify
Rho’s business checking account stands out for its free same-day ACH and wire transfers and 24/7 customer support. It’s a good choice for cashless corporations, especially those handling large amounts of money. However, it's not available to sole proprietors and doesn't support ATM access.
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions.
- Free domestic wires, same-day ACH transfers.
- No charge for international wires (third-party fees may apply).
Cons
- No cash deposits or ATM access.
- Not available to sole proprietors.
- Long hold time for deposited checks.
Our pick for
Cash back on debit card purchases
LendingClub offers 1% cash back on all debit card purchases and pays interest, making it a great option for businesses seeking rewards. Plus, users pay no ATM fees and get unlimited reimbursements on those charged by ATM owners.
LendingClub Tailored Checking
APY
1.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$10.00
Waived with $500 minimum balance
Min. opening deposit
$100
Free cash deposits
Yes
Unlimited
Overdraft fees
$0
Bonus
N/A
LendingClub Tailored Checking pays you back in two ways: You get unlimited 1% cash back on qualifying debit card purchases (terms apply) and earn
1.00%
APY on balances up to $100,000 and 0.10% APY on all balances after that. Beyond that, LendingClub Tailored Checking offers unlimited transactions, fee-free ATM access (with the ability to deposit cash) and unlimited reimbursements for ATM fees charged by other banks.
The downside: This account requires a $100 minimum opening deposit and has a $10 monthly maintenance fee (waived with a minimum balance of $500).
Pros
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
- Earn 1.00% APY on balances up to $100,000 and 0.10% on all balances after that.
- Fee-free ATM access with automatic refund of third-party ATM fees (worldwide).
- Cash deposits via MoneyPass and SUM ATMs.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on debit card purchases.
Cons
- $10 monthly fee.
- $100 minimum opening deposit requirement.
- Minimum $500 balance required to earn cash-back rewards and waive monthly fee.
- Limits of $10,000 on both incoming and outgoing ACH transfers.
Our pick for
Built-in payment processing
QuickBooks Money includes both a business checking account and a payment processor, allowing you to send customers invoices and take their payments without using a third-party service. This can mean faster access to your funds, too.
QuickBooks Money
APY
3.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Min. opening deposit
$0
Free cash deposits
No
Fees of up to $5.95 may be collected by retailers when depositing cash to your account at their locations.
Overdraft fees
N/A
Bonus
N/A
QuickBooks Money's business checking account has no monthly fee and pays up to 5% APY on funds that customers move into so-called savings "envelopes." It also includes payment processing services. That makes it a solid choice for the owners of new or very small businesses who make most of their transactions online and want to earn interest.
Drawbacks: Stingy cash withdrawal limits and no checks.
Pros
- Account holders can set money aside for specific purposes and earn 3% APY on it.
- Built-in invoicing.
- Built-in payment processing, which means same-day availability for some funds.
Cons
- Only four free ATM withdrawals per month; $3 per withdrawal after that.
- Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
- Only one debit card per account.
NerdWallet evaluates business checking accounts on more than 20 different factors, including:
- Monthly fees.
- APY.
- Transaction limits.
- Access to ATMs.
- Access to branches.
- Cash deposit limits and fees.
- Availability of customer support via phone and live chat.
- App store rating.
- Availability of checks.
We continually reevaluate and update our methodology to reflect evolving industry norms and business owner needs.
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 4.0 to 4.9 stars are good to excellent. They deliver terrific value and might be the best choice for your businesses depending on your needs.
Business accounts that earn 3.0 to 3.9 stars are fine. You'll get some value out of using them, but there are other accounts that offer fewer fees, more features or a better customer experience.
Business checking accounts that earn below 3 stars are considered subpar and would generally not be recommended by NerdWallet.
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.
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 than their online counterparts. They may also lack the more developed digital tools of national banks.
America FIrst Credit Union, American Express, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Blue Federal Credit Union, Bluevine, BMO Bank, Brex, Capital One, Chase Bank, Citibank, Consumers Credit Union, Digital Federal Credit Union, First Tech Credit Union, Found, Grasshopper Bank, Huntington Bank, LendingClub, Lili, Live Oak Bank, Mercury, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, NorthOne, Novo, PNC Bank, QuickBooks, Relay, Rho, Self-Help Credit Union, TD Bank, Truist, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo.
The following business accounts didn't make our top picks, but may still make sense for certain businesses.
- Brex Business Account:4.4stars. Brex is a great cash management account option. It's not included in our top picks for businesses, though, because it's only available to a small number of them — venture-backed startups or mid-market companies with annual revenue in the millions. More businesses can take advantage of similar tools with Rho.
- Novo Business Checking:4.4stars. Novo's bare-bones online account is still a good choice for solopreneurs and small, online-only companies. But its standout feature — invoicing — is also offered by Grasshopper, Found and QuickBooks Money, both of which include additional perks for free (like bookkeeping tools and built-in payment processing).
- Lili Basic Business Checking:4.4stars. Lili has tools to help freelancers with tasks like tax planning and bookkeeping. Unfortunately, you'll have to pay a monthly fee to access most of them. Found offers a similar suite of features for free.
- Mercury Business Bank Account:4.1stars. Mercury is in the cash management account family alongside Rho and Brex, and like both, it's a solid product. Rho has a slight edge, though, thanks to its 24/7 customer support on weekdays.
- North One Standard Business Checking:4.1stars. Instant deposits from platforms like Amazon, Etsy, Shopify and Square make this online account worth a look for e-commerce sellers. But NorthOne is less valuable if you also deal with cash, as the account lacks fee-free access to an ATM network. Take a look at Lili and QuickBooks Money as alternatives — both offer early access to some payments, plus fee-free access to some ATMs.
- Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking: 4.2 stars. Navy Federal Credit Union is a great choice for veteran-owned businesses, given its 24/7 customer service and unlimited cash deposits. But if all of your business's owners don't qualify for membership, this won't be an option for you.
- CitiBusiness® Streamlined Checking:4stars. This account stands out for high fee-free cash deposit and transaction limits, but Citi has a relatively small footprint — and you have to visit a branch to sign up. If you don’t live in an area served by Citi, Bank of America is a good alternative. It offers a $5,000 fee-free cash deposit limit, unlimited electronic transactions and 20 in-person fee-free transactions.
- Capital One Business Basic Checking®:4stars. This account offers unlimited transactions, which is rare among brick-and-mortar banks, but it’s only available in limited markets. If you value that flexibility but don't live in one of the eight states (plus Washington, D.C.) served by Capital One, consider an online business bank account. Bluevine, for instance, offers unlimited transactions plus interest on the funds in your account.
- BMO Simple Business Checking:4stars. The biggest selling point for BMO’s entry-level account is its $10 monthly fee, which you can waive with a monthly balance of just $100. That’s cheap for in-person banking. But U.S. Bank is cheaper, offering an account with no monthly maintenance fee. Neither option’s features are especially generous otherwise (especially when it comes to transactions), but U.S. Bank at least includes a hefty sign-up bonus.
- Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠ Account:4stars. Wells Fargo's business checking account is pretty standard among brick-and-mortar options, with its standout feature being the bank’s roughly 4,400 branch locations and 11,000 ATMs. Bank of America and Chase offer similarly robust ATM and branch networks, and both rate higher than Wells Fargo thanks to unlimited electronic transactions and sign-up bonuses.
- TD Business Simple Checking℠:3.9stars. This account is worth a look if you want 24/7 live customer service, but there's not much else to set it apart. American Express lacks TD Bank’s physical footprint, but may still be a good alternative: That account also offers round-the-clock phone support, plus interest on your balances and even has a much larger ATM network than TD Bank does
- Huntington BankBusiness Checking 100:3.9stars. Huntington has a generous 24-hour grace period on overdrafts, but low transaction and cash deposit limits. Chase, on the other hand, gives you until the end of the next business day to resolve overdrafts, plus unlimited electronic and debit card transactions and twice as much per month in fee-free cash deposits.
- Truist Simple Business Checking:3.5stars. Truist loses points for a very stingy limit of 50 free transactions. You'll also have to pay a $14.95 monthly fee for integration with QuickBooks. Consider Chase and Bank of America for brick-and-mortar banking instead. Both offer unlimited digital transactions plus free QuickBooks integration.
- PNC Business Checking:4stars. PNC charges all the usual fees that brick-and-mortar banks do, with particularly high wire transfer fees — like $95 per outgoing domestic wire. For a low-fee experience, take a look at NBKC instead. You’ll pay no monthly fee, get unlimited transactions (including ACH transfers) and pay just $5 per outgoing domestic wire
Use the below tool to see which local banks in your state offer free small-business checking accounts, or check out our list of credit unions that offer business 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. Learn more.Anyone who owns a business should have a business checking account. That includes corporations and LLCs, as well as sole proprietors and freelancers.
For LLCs, a separate small-business checking account draws a clear line between business and personal expenses, too, 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 network. 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 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. | |
LendingClub Tailored 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 and international. | Incoming domestic: Free. Incoming international: Free. Outgoing domestic: $18. Outgoing international: $40. | |
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 Silver Business Checking | 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 business checking accounts for freelancers 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 December 17, 2024
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, scoring them on fees, perks and accessibility, among other factors. This information is gathered from each financial institution's website and company representatives. In addition, data is collected regularly and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy.
Final star ratings are presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents "poor" and a five-star score represents "excellent." 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.