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Small Business owners face tons of challenges while building their businesses. From registering their business to hiring top talents, and making sales to choosing the right banking solutions for their daily transactions. We’ve researched all the banks – both brick n’ mortar and online banks – in Minnesota.
So in this post, we’ll be giving you our top 8 picks of the best banks for small business owners in Minnesota. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Quick View Of The Best Banks For Small Businesses In Minnesota
- Bluevine: Best Overall Bank for Small Businesses
- Lili: Best for Financial Management Tools
- Capital One: Best For Low Charges and Maintenance fee
- U.S. Bank: Best Bank Small Business Loan Opportunities
- Oxygen: Best for Freelancers and One-Man Businesses
- Axos: Best For Business Checking Accounts
- Bank of America: Best For Financial Data Tracking and Management
- Chase Bank: Best For Bonus Rewards And Credit Cards
Featured Partner
Bluevine Business Checking
Annual Percentage Yield
2.0%
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$0
Maintenance Fee
$0
Our Methodology
While reviewing multiple banks in Minnesota, we considered Carl’s factors before qualifying these banks as our top picks for small business owners. We considered how many lines of banking services they offered and the ease of setting up an account.
Then we accessed their main features like charges on transactions, monthly maintenance fees, and interest rates. We also analyzed the banks for benefits like high-interest rates, bonus rewards, and business loan opportunities.
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 Overall Bank for Small Businesses In Minnesota
4.7
Bluevine is our best overall bank for small business owners because they have just about every banking service small business owners will need. This goes from offering zero minimum balance requirements, zero monthly maintenance fees, and high-interest rates to multiple transaction methods and fully-online banking solutions.
Although Bluevine doesn’t have any bonus reward yet, unlike any other bank, they offer the highest business checking account interest rate of a whopping 2.0% APY. You can’t find that anywhere else.
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 for Financial Management Tools
Like Bank of America, Lili Bank offers tons of built-in tools for managing and tracking financial activities both manually and automatically.
And they stand out because of their zero monthly maintenance fee, zero minimum deposit requirement, and high-interest APY of 1.5%.
Talking about Lili Financial Management features, they have tools that help business owners create, send and receive invoices, track expenses and automate tax savings.
We recommend them for Sole proprietors who don’t have the time – or can’t hire professionals – to manage their financial paperwork.
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 For Low Charges and Maintenance fee
4.6
For small business owners looking to save as much as they can no matter how small, Capital One offers tons of money-saving options for banking services. Starting with cash-back rewards on their credit cards, they also offer unlimited free digital transfers, zero overdraft fees, and waivable monthly maintenance fees.
Although they charge the industry standard out-of-network ATM fee, they make up for that with a competitive high-yield API interest rate of 0.2%. Plus, their online banking service is top-rated.
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 Small Business Loan Opportunities
4.5
U.S Bank has earned its spot among most small business owners because their robust banking service is designed for helping business owners scale and manage their business over time.
They make it convenient to open various types of banking accounts such as Savings, Checking, Money Markets, and CDs accounts.
They also offer various lines of credit cards including Business, Secured, Low-interest, Cashback, and General Travel credit cards.
And best of all, U.S Bank offers small business owners several loan opportunities like quick loans for up to $250,000 or long-term loans for up to $1 million.
Why we chose it: Small businesses in need of extra funds can turn to 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 For Financial Data Tracking and Management
4.4
In addition to its stellar brick-and-mortar banking services, Bank of America offers a fully-online banking system with tons of digital tools built with growing businesses in mind.
For merchants that handle multiple business transactions, they offer integrated tools such as Cash Flow Monitor, Mobile Check Deposit, and Zelle for easy tracking and managing of their financial transactions in one platform.
They also have a specialized customer support system called Small Business Specialist that guides business owners through their unique transaction challenges.
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 For Business Checking Account
Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Axos has a reputation for offering numerous special benefits to business account owners. Starting with a $200 sign-up bonus for business checking accounts, they also offer zero monthly maintenance fee, unlimited free transactions, and unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursement.
In addition, Axos Business Checking accounts attract a high-interest rate of 1.01% APY, while other business accounts enjoy a 0.20% high-yield APY. They also offer treasury management for helping business owners conveniently execute high-volume transactions.
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 for Remote Deposit
Oxygen is a fully digital-only banking solution suitable for Sole proprietors and freelancers that might never need to work with physical cash. With Oxygen, business owners can create an LLC online using their app.
Oxygen also offers other digital banking features such as online bill pay, peer-to-peer transactions, Early Direct deposit, and cash-back rewards. Users can also create unlimited virtual cards, helping them secure their financial details while making online transactions on various websites.
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 For Bonus Rewards And Credit Cards
4.2
In addition to their convenient banking services, Chase Bank has lots of gifts to help small business owners build and scale their businesses.
Their first gift is the $300 bonus users get on sign-up, and business owners can earn a $750 or 1.5% cash back on every purchase made with the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® card.
They also offer tons of free guides, articles, and tutorials on various topics such as marketing Financial Management business strategy, etc.
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.
Our Methodology For Reviewing The Best Banks For Small Businesses In Minnesota
Here is a breakdown of the various factors we considered when choosing these top banks on our list.
- 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.
The Top Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) For Best Banks For Businesses In Minnesota
Do you have more questions about opening a bank account for your Minnesota business? This FAQ has the answers to your questions:
Bottom Line
Choosing the best banking relationship is a crucial part of growing your business and avoiding transaction errors in the future.
In this article, we’ve shown you the best banks for small business owners in Minnesota by highlighting the special features they offer. Now it’s up to you to choose which is best for your business and start enjoying their amazing features with your fellow Minnesota entrepreneurs.
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.
