Top 10 Best small business checking accounts

If you have to make or receive payments on behalf of your business, a business checking account will help keep your personal and company finances in order.

Different small business checking accounts will suit different customers — so it’s well worth researching a few options.

This guide gives some tips on how to choose the best small business checking account, and some of the best low fee or free business checking accounts available for US business owners.

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Best checking accounts for small businesses

Here are a few of the best small business accounts to consider for your business.

Summary:
Chase Business Banking Bank of America Wise Business TD Business Checking US Bank Wells Fargo BBVA Business Checking Axos Bank Comerica PNC Business Checking

Chase Business Complete Banking℠

Chase is reputed to be the largest bank in the US, with a strong branch network, and over 16,000 ATMs to choose from.

If you already have a Chase Private Client Checking℠ account, getting a Chase Business Complete Banking℠ account makes a lot of sense. You’ll not need to pay any monthly fee, and you’ll get 100 free transactions, and up to $5,000 in fee free cash deposits every month.

After the free transactions, you pay $0.40 per transaction, including deposits and incoming wires.

If you’re not a Chase Private Client Checking℠, you’ll need to maintain a $2,000 minimum deposit or pay a $15 monthly fee to maintain your account.

While you probably won’t struggle to find a Chase ATM, withdrawals from ATMs not on the Chase network in the US will cost $2.50, and $5 for international ATM withdrawals. You’ll also pay a 3% exchange rate adjustment fee for international card purchases and foreign cash withdrawal. ¹ ² ³

Bank of America Business Fundamentals Checking

Bank of America is the second biggest bank in the US by assets, and its Business Fundamentals Checking account could be a good option for some business owners.

There’s an $16 monthly fee to pay but this is waived if you maintain a minimum balance, spend $250 or more using your linked business debit or credit card. It is also waived if you enroll for the Preferred Rewards for Business program.

It’s worth noting that the features and fees associated with this account may vary by state. Check the details for your location on the Bank of America website.

With your account you’ll get access to 4,600 Bank of America branches and offices, and 15,900 ATMs across the country. Your monthly fee gets you 200 free transactions, with a $0.45 fee for each transaction in excess of this. You can also deposit $7,500 fee free in a month, with a charge of $0.30 per $1,000 deposited after that.⁴ ⁵

Wise Business account

The Wise Business account can be a good choice if you need to make or receive regular overseas payments.

Wise is a financial service provider rather than a bank. Accounts are regulated similarly to bank accounts, and use the same sort of security as you might find in your regular bank. However, Wise accounts operate entirely online, which cuts overheads, and makes it possible for Wise to charge less for many services.

You can open a Wise Business account online, and there is no minimum balance or maintenance fee. It’s a multi-currency account which means you can hold your money in dozens of different currencies, and receive payments fee free using your own local bank account details for major currencies.

Switch between currencies when you need to, using the mid-market exchange rate and with just a low upfront fee to pay.

Wise Business also has additional features for business users. You can connect with accounting software, such as QuickBooks to make your life easier, upload a batch of payments in one go or even automate your payments by integrating with our API.

TD Business Convenience Checking Plus

TD Bank is the US subsidiary of the Toronto-Dominion Bank, with 1,200 locations on the East Coast.

TD Bank advertises itself as America’s most convenient bank, and offers several small business checking accounts, with different terms. If you do a lot of business with Canadian customers or suppliers, and have to travel to Canada frequently, this could be a good choice.

You’ll get fee free ATM withdrawals at TD branches in the US and Canada, as one of the account perks. ATM withdrawals and balance inquiries at non-TD ATMs cost $3.

The TD Convenience Checking℠ account has a monthly fee of $15, which is waived if you hold $1,000 in the account, or in a linked TD personal checking account.⁶ ⁷

5. US Bank Silver Business Checking Account

US Bank is another of the largest banks in the country, with a range of accounts for businesses of different types. You’ll find over 3,000 US Bank locations, and nearly 5,000 ATMs in their network.

If you need a simple account with a focus on low everyday costs, the Silver account might be a smart choice. There’s no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance amount to worry about, and you can carry out up to 125 combined transactions per month for free. Beyond that, transactions will cost $0.50 each.

You are able to apply for a linked business bank card, and use ATMs for withdrawals. It’s worth noting that there’s a paper statement fee to pay if you need your statements in hard copy, but you can opt to have them online instead if you would like to avoid this extra cost.⁸

6. Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠

This is the most basic of the Wells Fargo business checking accounts, but still comes with up to 100 transactions for free per month. Once you exceed this number, you’ll pay $0.50 per transaction.

You can also deposit up to $5,000 fee-free, with a charge of $0.30 per $100 deposited added after that amount. There’s a monthly maintenance fee of $10, but this can be avoided by holding just $500 in the account.

As an account holder you can get a linked bank card, which you can custom make to suit your business. There’s also online banking, and 13,000 fee free ATMs to choose from.

Incoming local and international wire transfers cost $15-16, with outward payments made to domestic or international account costing $30 each.

The exact terms and fees of Wells Fargo business checking accounts may vary depending on where in the country you are. You’ll need to put your zip code into the website to see the exact options available in your state.⁹ ¹⁰

7. BBVA Business Connect Checking

The BBVA Business Connect Checking account requires a minimum opening deposit of $100, but has no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement beyond that. You get free digital banking services, and fee free use of a wide range of ATMs, including those at participating 7-Elevens — that’s over 43,000 fee free ATMs in total.

If you’re a sole proprietor you may be able to apply online for your new BBVA account, to get up and running quickly. Once your BBVA small business checking account is set up, you can make up to 2 in branch deposits, and 5 in branch withdrawals a month for no charge.

BBVA Business accounts are available in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Texas. For the exact terms and conditions for each state you’ll need to head over to the BBVA website.¹¹

8. Axos Bank Basic Business Checking Account

Formerly known as Bank of Internet, Axos doesn’t have a branch network, but does offer good value business checking accounts for customers who prefer to manage their money online.

The Basic Business Checking account has the advantage that there are no monthly fees to pay. There’s also no average daily balance requirement to worry about.

You can make unlimited withdrawals from US ATMs for free, and get free online banking and Bill Pay services. There’s a remote deposit feature, so the fact that Axos doesn’t have physical branch locations may not matter to you.

Axos also offer an interest bearing business account, and an analyzed checking account for more complex business needs.¹²

9. Comerica Small Business Checking

The fees associated with the Comerica business account depend on the state you live in. To get full details you’ll need to enter your zip code on the website.

Wherever you are, the account offers up to 300 transactions fee free per month, online banking, a business debit card and the option of specialized services like payroll processing. You can deposit cash up to $5,000 a month for no charge, with a fee added for deposits in excess of that.

The minimum opening deposit amount could be as low as $50, although there is a monthly fee to pay if you don’t hit the average monthly balance requirements. These vary based on your location — so you’ll need to check online to see how they might impact you.¹³

10. PNC Business Checking account

PNC Bank has almost 2,500 branches across 19 states and the District of Columbia. There are also over 9,000 ATMs in the PNC network. If you’re in one of the states serviced by PNC, you might want to look at the business banking options available.

The basic Business Checking account has a monthly fee of $10, which is waived if you meet a number of different criteria, including having a minimum balance of $500, or making at least $500 of purchases using a linked bank card. You’ll also need a $100 opening deposit to get started.

The account gives you 500 free transactions per month, with a fee of $0.50 for each transaction after that. You can also deposit up to $5,000 a month with no extra charge.

One thing PNC are known for is their special offers. It’s worth checking the site for current offers.¹⁴

How to choose the best small business checking account for your business

Choosing the best checking account for small business is much easier if you’ve got a clear view of what you need. Although most small business checking accounts on offer will have some similar features, each has slightly different fees, limits and perks.

When looking for a small business account, you’ll want a product which doesn’t cost too much to run — either in maintenance fees or transaction costs — as well as offering the service and support you need.

Here are some points to consider, when you’re working out what type of account will suit you.

Do you need a physical branch nearby, or will you mainly bank online?

If you’re running a cash business and need to make physical deposits, having a branch close by could be a big bonus. However, if you prefer to manage your money online, maybe it’s more important to find a bank or provider with a great app and simple smart ways to operate your account from your phone or computer.

It’s also worth considering the sort of service you want. Smaller banks may offer a good face to face service in branch, but may have limited ATM networks, for example, while the largest banks in the US have huge numbers of ATMs but might not offer so much of a personal touch.

How much money will you hold in the account?

Many business bank accounts come with a minimum opening deposit, and a minimum average or daily balance. Often, by meeting the minimum average balance, you can have the maintenance fee waived, or get free transactions. If you’re prepared to leave a large chunk of capital in your account, you may find you unlock some great benefits — but if you will be reinvesting your profits then choosing an account with a low minimum balance makes more sense.

What type of transactions will you carry out — and how often?

Many accounts offer a fixed number of transactions for free, as part of the maintenance fee or in return for holding a fixed balance over the month. To work out whether or not this is helpful, you’ll need to think about the type of transactions you’ll carry out, and how many transactions you anticipate making per month.

Check the transaction types you need are covered by the fee-free offer, and don’t forget to check the cost per transaction in case you exceed the number offered in the month.

Some transactions, such as sending or receiving overseas payments can be particularly costly. If you’re dealing with international clients, suppliers or staff, you may want to find a specialist account which offers a good deal on cross border payments, such as the Wise Business account.

What’s the easiest business bank account to open?

If you're looking for the easiest business checking account to open, then opening a business bank account online can be the best way to get started. You won’t have to wait for an appointment or queue up at a bank. This makes life much easier, especially for small business owners.

Many banking alternatives, such as Wise Business, make it possible to open an account in just a few clicks.

Open an account online

What’s the best small business account? Summary

When you’re researching best small business checking accounts, you’ll quickly find that there's a wide range of options to choose from. This can be a bit daunting, so it’s a smart idea to narrow down the things that really matter to you.

Look at the fixed regular fees, and also the transaction costs you’ll pay if you use more than the fixed amount included in your package. As your business grows you might find that you need more from your account then you do right now — so planning for the future makes sense.

Don’t forget to look at the price of international payments if you’re building a business which will work with international customers or suppliers.

These can be costly and quickly eat into your profits. An account like the Wise Business account is a good way to make sure you don’t pay more than you need to on cross border bank fees — so you can focus on building your business and pleasing your customers no matter where in the world they are.

Get a Wise Business account today

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🔍 Read more:
Best free business checking accounts How to open a business bank account How to open a business bank account online What do I need to open a business bank account

Doing business overseas? Wise could save you money versus traditional banks

When you have to pay employees or suppliers overseas it might seem logical to do so with your bank. You already have an account, so it just seems easier. But easier certainly doesn’t mean cheaper. Most banks won’t convert your money with the mid-market exchange rate. Instead they add a mark-up and charge you a hidden fee that way. The Wise Business account is different. Its smart technology skips hefty international transfer fees by connecting local bank accounts all around the world. You can save up to 8x by using Wise rather than your bank when you send money abroad.

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Sources:

1. Chase business services and fees schedule
2. Chase business checking page
3. Nerdwallet Chase ATM review article
4. Boa Business Fundamentals account page
5. BoA Business schedule of fees
6. TD business checking accounts
7. TD Business Convenience Checking Plus account guide
8. US Bank's business checking accounts page
9. Wells Fargo business checking accounts page
10. Wells Fargo Initiate Business checking account fees
11. BBVA Business Connect checking account
12. AXOS Bank's small business checking accounts
13. Comerica Bank small business checking account page
14. PNC business checking overview

All sources checked May 16, 2022.