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Having a reliable bank to manage your business finances is the bedrock of a successful business. As a small business owner, your bank of choice can either stunt the growth of your business or promote it.
Whether you’re a new or existing small business owner in Alaska finding it difficult to decide on your choice of bank, this article is for you. It will guide you on all you need to make an informed decision.
We’ve researched and brought together in this article the best banks for small businesses in Alaska. Read on to find the most suitable one for your business.
Best Banks for Small Businesses in Alaska
- Bluevine: Best Bank for Online Banking
- Lili: Best for Freelancers and Independent Contractors
- Capital One: Best Bank for Credit Card Offerings
- U.S. Bank: Best Bank for Loan Offers
- Oxygen: Best for a Sole proprietor business
- Axos: Best for Affordable Banking
- Bank of America: Best Bank for in-person banking
- Chase Bank: Best Bank for Fraud Protection Service
Featured Partner
Bluevine Business Checking
Annual Percentage Yield
2.0%
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$0
Maintenance Fee
$0
Our Methodology
We carried out extensive research before concluding these are the best banks for small businesses in Alaska. Our methodologies include assessing the banks on a range of features such as access to mobile banking, interest rates, monthly and transaction fees, online ratings, minimum balance requirements, and ease of use. Our choice is narrowed down to the banks in this article based on these criteria.
Click here for a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Bank
Pricing (Per Month)
Additional Fees
Interest Rates
Minimum Balance
Access to Mobile Banking
$0
$4.95 per cash deposit, $2.50 for out-of-network ATM fees, $15 for outgoing wires
2.0% APY
$0
Pay vendors by wire or check, schedule payments, manage cash flow
$0
$2.5 for out of network
1.50% APY
$0
Manage finances and payments, control expenses, and save money for taxes
$15 (waivable)
$15 per incoming domestic wire, $25 for outgoing domestic wire
0.20% APY
$2,000
Access credit card accounts, transfer money, deposit checks, access bank statements, access to CreditWise service
$0
$0.50 fee for transactions after the first 125, fees at out-of-network ATMs
0.01% APY
$500 for business savings
Transfer funds, view documents, find branch/ATM locations, manage cards
$16
Out-of-network ATM fees, fees for excessive deposits
Up to 0.04% APY
$5,000
Manage accounts, pay and transfer, digital wallets, bill pay
$15 (waivable)
$25 to $40 for wire transfers, $0.40 per transaction (after the first 20)
Up to 0.02% APY
$0
Fraud monitoring, card control, pay, and transfer, view offers
$0
$3 for out-of-network ATM fee, fees for international transactions, $5 international ATM fee, fees for Ingo mobile check deposit
1.0% APY
$0
Check deposit, bill payment, check deposit, account statement
Bluevine: Best Bank for Online Banking in Alaska
4.7
Bluevine was built to help small business owners who prefer to manage their finances on their phones and do not want the stress of visiting a physical branch. It has the highest interest rate of all the banks on our list. You can earn up to 2.0% APY on your account balance.
Other perks of opening a Bluevine checking account include unlimited fee-free transactions, no monthly or overdraft fees, and no minimum opening deposits.
It offers strictly online banking and has a mobile app that can be accessed by Android and iPhone users. Its customer care support is also top-notch; always available to tend to customers’ complaints.
Why we chose it: High-interest rates, minimal fees, and a lack of maintenance requirements make Bluevine the best business bank account for LLCs or other business types.
- High-interest rates
- Very few fees
- No minimum deposit required
- No business savings account
- No ATM reimbursement
- Fee for cash deposits
Fees
You won’t find any monthly fees when using Bluevine, making it possible to bank without ever paying a dime. Expect charges for using out-of-network ATMs, making the mobile app a valuable tool for finding free withdrawal sites. Each cash deposit will set you back $4.95, making this a tool you want to use sparingly if at all.
Interest Rates
Bluevine comes through in a big way with its 2.0% APY. The rate is 50 times the current national average and applicable on balances up to $100,000. Once your small business’s balance grows beyond this amount, those extra funds won’t accrue any interest.
Minimum Balance
There’s no minimum balance requirement for using Bluevine, no matter how much you have in your account. Small businesses can start with next to nothing and take immediate advantage of the high-interest rate.
Access to Mobile Banking
The Bluevine mobile app makes banking from anywhere a breeze. The thoroughly-designed tool makes it easy to manage your accounts and see where your money is going. It’s also possible to pay vendors by wire or check and schedule payments for fulfillment down the road.
Lili: Best Bank in Alaska for Freelancers and Independent Contractors
Lili bank is best for small businesses that do not have accountants to manage their finances. Lili has a mobile banking system that provides integrated tools to keep track of your finances accurately.
From recording all business transactions to keeping financial records for tax time, Lili has business accounting software to help manage all of this accurately.
Also, the Lili bank account doesn’t require a minimum opening deposit or any minimum balance requirement. It doesn’t charge any monthly fee and offers free overdraft protection.
Why we chose it: Lili’s minimal fees and tax optimization software help businesses hold onto hard-earned income. Plus, if you’re looking for an online best business checking account with no credit checks, Lili is a great option.
- No fees, minimum balance requirements, or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions.
- Fee-free ATM access through the MoneyPass network; ability to deposit cash through the Green Dot network.
- Integrated tools for managing expenses and planning for taxes.
- Offers an early payment feature with direct deposit, allowing you to receive funds up to two days sooner than you might with a traditional bank account.
- Cash deposits at Green Dot locations incur a fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
- No checkbooks; can’t send or receive wire transfers.
- Limited business-related features, e.g., doesn’t offer joint accounts, multiple business debit cards, or third-party integrations.
Fees
While Lili shines for its free tax software, business owners can also rejoice over a lack of account and overdraft fees. You won’t even incur a charge for foreign transactions or at over 38,000 in-network ATMs in the United States. If you end up using an out-of-network machine, expect a charge between $2.50 and $5.
Interest Rates
There is no interest on Lili’s Business Checking account. Those willing to pay can access a savings account with 1.5% APY, but you’ll need at least $34,000 in your account at all times to offset the monthly cost.
Minimum Balance
Lili Bank has a no minimum balance requirement for its checking account, which means that you do not need to maintain a certain balance to avoid monthly fees. This makes it a good option if you are just starting your business or have a fluctuating income.
Access to Mobile Banking
Lili Bank offers a mobile banking app that is specifically designed for freelancers and small business owners. The app allows you to manage your finances, including controlling expenses, saving money for taxes, and managing payments, all from your mobile devices. Plus, the app includes features such as instant payment notifications, budgeting tools, and the ability to make mobile check deposits.
Capital One: Best Bank for Credit Card Offerings in Alaska
4.6
Capital One is popular for its extensive credit card offerings but it offers more benefits to small businesses. Capital One’s credit cards allow you to earn more money when you use them for purchases.
Capital One does not charge monthly fees or require a minimum balance to open an account and there is no limit on the transfers you can make. You can access Capital One on your mobile device and also visit any of their branches if you prefer physical banking.
Why we chose it: With no limits on digital transfers, Capital One gives you the freedom to keep funds moving.
- Unlimited digital transfers
- Does not charge overdraft fees
- Large ATM network
- Limited physical locations
- Monthly account fee
- Out-of-network ATM fees
Fees
Capital One’s business accounts come with a $15 monthly fee that can be hefty for a small business. Luckily, you can waive this fee by keeping an average balance of $2,000 over a 30 or 90-day window. There’s no charge for using one of Capital One’s 70,000 ATMs nationwide.
Interest Rates
Opening up Capital One’s business savings accounts unlocks interest rates of up to 0.20% for your first year. This amount applies to balances up to $5 million, giving small businesses plenty of wiggle room. None of the bank’s checking accounts offer any interest, making free digital transfers that much sweeter.
Minimum Balance
You don’t need to keep a minimum balance with Capital One to keep your account open. It is in your best interest to maintain at least $2,000 in your checking to avoid the $15 monthly service fee. Keeping extra funds in your savings account allows you to generate some interest on money not currently in use.
Access to Mobile Banking
Since you won’t find many physical Capital One locations, the bank’s top-rated mobile app comes to the rescue. With it, you can do all your transfers, make digital payments, and deposit money with your device’s camera. The app also gives you access to Capital One’s CreditWise service to monitor your credit score and hear cool tips.
U.S. Bank: Best Bank for Loan Offers in Alaska
4.5
If you’re looking for quick funds for your business, you should consider U.S bank. It has the best loan offer for small businesses in Alaska. The loan has a flexible term and competitive rate that makes paying back easy.
Apart from this, U.S bank also offers merchant services to help your customers make payments with different options, including point-of-sales options. It also provides an opportunity to earn up to a $500 sign-up bonus.
It has more than 2,000 physical branches that you can visit even when you’re out of state and you can also access it online on your mobile device.
Why we chose it: Small businesses in need of extra funds can turn to the U.S. Bank for a plethora of lending options.
- Lending to fit your needs
- Specialized merchant services for restaurants, retailers, and service providers
- 2,400 branch locations
- Charges for overdrafts
- Relatively low APY
- Only has locations in 28 states
Fees
You’ll never have to worry about monthly fees when using U.S. Bank’s silver checking package for small businesses. Higher-tier accounts do have waivable monthly fees to contend with as your company grows. You’ll just need to keep tabs on monthly transactions to ensure you don’t incur charges for exceeding the monthly limit.
Interest Rates
U.S. Bank’s checking accounts do not come with any options to generate interest. While savings plans come with different perks, the current maximum interest rate is just 0.01%. Although a minimal amount, there is no balance cap to what you can earn.
Minimum Balance
There’s no minimum balance requirement when starting with U.S. Bank’s silver account package designed specifically for small businesses. Other checking accounts have waivable fees should you keep up with the necessary balance amounts. Savings accounts start at a $500 minimum balance to remove service fees.
Access to Mobile Banking
If you find yourself away from one of U.S. Bank’s physical locations, you can perform all your banking through the mobile app. It’s possible to seamlessly transfer funds from one account to another and stay up to date with your financial status. The U.S. Bank will also keep you informed with customized alerts.
Bank of America: Best Bank for In-person Banking in Alaska
4.4
If you’re the kind of person that values access to physical branches and large ATM networks, then Bank of America is for you. It also has excellent online functionality and a lot of reward offers. Bank of America has many tools that can benefit your business and your customers.
It offers access to merchant services, payroll services, remote deposits, and access to massive ATM networks. Bank of America business checking account does not require a minimum deposit to open an account. Its monthly fees are also waivable if you meet the requirements.
Why we chose it: Bank of America’s rewards come with several perks to make banking a win-win for all parties involved.
- Preferred rewards to boost interest rate
- Over 17,000 ATMs and 4,300 branches
- Can waive the monthly fee
- Lacks 24/7 customer service
- Monthly fees
- Transaction fees when using non-Bank of America ATMs
Fees
Bank of America’s introductory checking account comes with a $16 monthly fee. You can negate this amount by maintaining a $5,000 monthly balance, spending at least $250 on your debit card, or becoming a Preferred Rewards member. The only other fees to watch out for come from out-of-network ATM withdrawals and charges for excessive deposits in a given month.
Interest Rates
Most small businesses opening a savings account will earn 0.01% interest out of the rate. It is possible to increase this to 0.04% with enough activity in Bank of America’s rewards system. There’s no option to accrue interest with a Bank of America checking account.
Minimum Balance
Keeping an average monthly balance of $5,000 in your checking account will remove the $16 service fee. Similarly, you’ll want to have at least $2,500 in your savings account to avoid a $10 monthly charge there.
Access to Mobile Banking
Bank of America’s mobile app consistently earns high honors for its functionality. Within, you can manage your accounts, pay bills, or transfer funds from any location. You can also make use of the budgeting tool to monitor expenses and control spending.
Axos: Best Bank For Affordable Banking in Alaska
Axos business checking account is best for you if you’re looking for affordable banking. With Axos, you don’t have to worry about monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, and you’ll be given a modest number of free monthly transactions.
Axos offers full-service online banking and has user-friendly online banking tools that can be used to manage your account. It also offers ATM fee reimbursement which is not common to other banks. With Axos, you can earn and do more with your money.
Why we chose it: Free cash deposits and a low fee structure make Axos Basic Business Checking one of the best business bank accounts out there.
- No monthly fee and unlimited transactions.
- Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements.
- Cash deposits via MoneyPass and AllPoint ATMs.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
- 24/7 customer support.
- No third-party app integrations.
- Interest checking APY is good, but not great
Fees
Axos Bank Basic Business Checking does not charge a monthly maintenance fee or impose requirements on keeping your account open. You’ll receive back any ATM fees you incur each month, making this account effectively free to use. If you plan to spend a lot of wire transfers, be aware of Axos’s $35 charge for each one.
Interest Rates
This particular account does not have an annual percentage yield and instead focuses on business perks. Anyone with extra money can open up one of Axos’s interest-bearing business savings accounts and accrue interest that way.
Minimum Balance
Axos Bank has no minimum balance requirements for its checking and savings accounts. As a small business owner, you do not need to maintain a certain balance to avoid monthly fees. This makes Axos an attractive option for you if you do not have a large amount of money to keep in your account.
Access to Mobile Banking
Axos Bank offers a robust mobile banking app that allows customers to manage their accounts, deposit checks, transfer funds, pay bills, and wire transfer all from their mobile devices. You can also use the account alerts feature and budgeting tools to stay on top of your finances.
Oxygen: Best Bank in Alaska for Sole proprietor Businesses
Like Lili bank, Oxygen is a bank that is most suitable for a one-man business. It sought to serve sole proprietors and independent business owners by providing a host of accounting services and features. Its service comes with in-app accounting software that helps track finances accurately.
Oxygen also offers cash-back rewards on debit card purchases. Its other perks include; no monthly fee, no minimum balance or minimum deposit requirements, and no overdraft fee.
Why we chose it: Oxygen speaks the language of the trendy business owner, offering some cool banking features along the way. It’s also one of the best checking accounts for sole proprietors.
- Aimed at trendy business owners
- 5% Cashback rewards
- Create virtual, single-use debit cards
- Virtual bank, no cash deposits
- Fewer integrations than other options
- No lending options
Fees
Oxygen claims to be fee-free from top to bottom but does specify that out-of-network and international withdrawals may be subject to a charge. You’ll never have to worry about paying for ACH transfers or keeping your account open.
Interest Rates
While you won’t earn interest for funds in your business checking account, Oxygen remedies the problem by adding a business savings account to the mix. Any money hanging out in savings accrues 1.0% interest for balances of $20,000 or less. Amounts in excess still earn interest, but at a much lower rate.
Minimum Balance
Oxygen Bank has no minimum balance requirements for its checking and savings accounts. There will be no monthly fees even if there’s no money in your account. You don’t have to worry about any charges if you don’t make up to a certain amount.
Mobile Banking Features
Oxygen Bank offers a mobile banking app that is designed to help small business owners manage their finances on the go. You can deposit checks, make a bill payment, and generate your account statement. Plus, the app offers spending insights to help you track your finances.
Chase: Best Bank in Alaska for Fraud Protection Service
4.2
One thing that stands out about Chase bank is that it makes sure your business account is free from all fraudulent activities. It provides free fraud monitoring to protect customers’ business accounts from any suspicious intrusion.
Along with this, it provides excellent banking services that would make your money grow. Its merchant service, for example, allows your customers to make payments with various methods thereby enhancing your business growth. It also has a comprehensive mobile app that makes it easier to do transactions swiftly.
Why we chose it: Chase adds a long list of merchant services to its traditional banking to help your business succeed.
- Several available merchant services
- Multiple ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee
- $300 sign-on bonus
- Monthly maintenance fees
- Only 20 free transactions per month
- Minimal APY
Fees
Monthly fees start at $15 for Chase Business Complete Banking. You can do away with this charge by maintaining a $2,000 daily balance, and making deposits through Chase QuickAccept, or Chase Ink Business Card purchases. There is a cost for transactions after your first 20, and you’ll want to avoid costly wire transfers if possible.
Interest Rates
As with most banks, Chase doesn’t provide any interest for the money you have in a business checking account. To earn a rate, you’ll need to start up a business savings account that accrues up to 0.02%.
Minimum Balance
If you want to avoid Chase’s monthly service fee, you’ll want to keep at least $2,000 in your checking account at all times. Dipping below this amount even once per month is enough to merit the charge. Savings accounts have no fee as long as you have an active checking account with Chase.
Access to Mobile Banking
In addition to standard banking procedures, you can use the Chase mobile app to lock or unlock your credit card should you misplace it. There’s also a budget planning feature to set aside funds for a large purchase and credit monitoring tools to protect your credit health.
Methodology for the Best Banks for Small Businesses in Alaska
Below are the criteria we used to access the banks before coming up with the list of banks in this article.
- Fees: Small businesses often have to count every penny. Using a bank that nickels and dimes you for every little thing can quickly run your account dry. We looked for banks without maintenance fees or at least the option to waive said charge with a few simple steps. It was also crucial to locate institutions that minimize costs for transactions and transfers that every business needs to perform.
- Interest Rates: We realize business bank accounts function primarily for organization and making payments, but that doesn’t mean you can’t earn a little interest on the side. Between checking and savings accounts, we called out banks offering easily accessible rates you can use for some extra cash. Some options even go well beyond the national average.
- Minimum Balance: Banks with maintenance fees will often waive them if you have enough money in said account. Small businesses may not have a lot of money to work with early on, so we identified institutions with low balance requirements to avoid fees. Some banks also have account minimums to unlock interest rates or other rewards.
- Access to Mobile Banking: In our fast-paced world, having all your banking needs at your fingertips is a huge win. Mobile devices also played a role in the emergence of online-only banks with accounts you can access from anywhere. Even banks traditionally known for physical locations are amping up mobile apps to compete with the masses. Our selections highlight banks with top-tier mobile banking options to manage finances and make payments.
- Ease of Use: When making our top banking for small business picks, we wanted to ensure features were straightforward to use. This applies to everything from transfers and payments to opening a business bank account with nothing more than an EIN. No bank account should be more trouble than it’s worth.
Best Banks for Small Businesses in Alaska Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are you a business owner in Alaska looking to open a business bank account? These FAQs will answer the questions you may have.
Bottom Line
Factors you should consider when opening a business bank account are the interest rates, the services provided by the bank, the fees charged, and the availability and security of the bank. These factors will guide you on the best bank that’s suitable for your business.
Check the banks in this article and choose the one that offers services that align with your business goals and take your business to the next level.
Best Business Bank Accounts by State
Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.
