8 Best Banks for Small Businesses in Montana in 2024

Sections of this topic

    Choosing the appropriate bank is important for handling the finances of your small business. Finding a specific banking service that suits your needs might be challenging with so many alternatives available. 

    We curated a list of the best banks for small businesses in Montana. These reputable banks offer all the resources you require to organize your finances and save money, including individual services, low prices, and more. 

    Best Banks for Small Businesses in Montana 

    • Bluevine: Best Overall Bank for Small Businesses in Montana
    • Lili: Best Bank for Small Businesses in Montana with Streamlined Expense Tracking Tools
    • Capital One: Best Bank in Montana with Convenient Online Banking and Business Services
    • US Bank: Best Bank in Montana in Terms of Customer Satisfaction and Convenience
    • Oxygen: The Best Cost-Effective Banking Solution for Small Businesses
    • Axos: Best Bank In Maximizing Business Earnings with Competitive Business Savings Accounts
    • Bank of America: Best Bank In Supporting Small Business Growth with a Variety of Funding Options
    • Chase: Best Bank for Effortlessly Managing Payroll and Direct Deposit for Small Businesses

    Our Methodology

    To identify the best banks in Montana for small businesses, we analyzed multiple factors. These include account maintenance charges, minimum balance requirements, and additional fees for utilizing bank services. We also took into consideration the interest rates offered to customers.

    Furthermore, we evaluated the mobile banking features provided by each bank to ensure convenient and secure banking for our users.

    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

    $35 for wire transfer

    $0

    Fund transfer, wire transfer, bill payment.

    $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 logo

    Bluevine: Best Overall Bank for Small Businesses in Montana

    Interest Rates: 2.0% APY

    4.7

    Small businesses can earn more money on their deposits with high-interest rates on their accounts. Bluevine offers such rates to its small business customers, without any monthly fees. This makes Bluevine a smart choice for small businesses looking to save money and grow their finances.

    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 for Small Businesses in Montana with Streamlined Expense Tracking Tools

    4.57

    The success of small enterprises relies greatly on keeping track of costs and managing funds. Lili Bank offers an essential service that assists owners of small businesses in keeping track of their spending and precisely categorizing theirs outlays.

    The cost tracker tool from Lili Bank gives small businesses the information they need to make wise financial decisions by allowing them to personalize spending categories, track chargeable expenses, and add notes and tags to each expense entry. Small business owners can quickly access the tool through the Lili Bank mobile app and manage their accounts while on the go.

    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 logo

    Capital One: Best Bank in Montana with Convenient Online Banking and Business Services

    Interest Rates: 0.20% APY

    4.6

    For small businesses, managing cash flow is essential, and unplanned expenses or cash shortages can result in expensive overdraft fees. Capital One‘s overdraft feature is a useful solution that allows small businesses to avoid these fees and continue their daily operations without disruptions.

    By accessing extra funds up to their approved limit through an overdraft line of credit, small businesses can utilize a safety net to manage their finances effectively. This feature is advantageous to small businesses looking to maintain their financial stability and avoid unnecessary expenses.

    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 logo

    U.S. Bank: Best Bank in Montana in Terms of Customer Satisfaction and Convenience

    Interest Rates: 0.01% APY

    4.5

    Effective financial management is essential for small businesses to succeed. U.S. Bank offers essential tools and services that might support small business owners in this area. These services allow companies to easily handle their finances, receive payments, monitor their accounts, and monitor their expenses.

    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 logo

    Bank of America: Best Bank In Supporting Small Business Growth with a Variety of Funding Options

    Interest Rates: Up to 0.04% APY

    4.4

    Small businesses need loans to support expansion and ensure their success. Recognizing the importance of loans in the growth of small businesses, Bank of America offers multiple funding options to aid them in achieving their financial goals.

    This significant lending expertise of Bank of America enables small business owners to find customized loan solutions to suit their particular 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 logo

    Axos: Best Bank In Maximizing Business Earnings with Competitive Business Savings Accounts

    4.61

    Small businesses typically need a safe, dependable location to keep their extra cash while generating interest. Businesses at Axos Bank have access to business savings accounts with attractive interest rates, enabling them to increase profits while retaining a secure location to keep their money.

    Also, Axos Bank offers adaptable and reasonably priced banking options that are especially created to assist small businesses in achieving their financial objectives.

    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 logo

    Oxygen: The Best Cost-Effective Banking Solution for Small Businesses

    4.0

    Small businesses often have tight budgets and every penny counts. That’s why having a banking option with no monthly fees can be incredibly valuable. Oxygen Bank is one such option, offering a no-monthly fee checking account for small businesses. This feature helps businesses save money on banking fees, which can be redirected to other business needs.

    Additionally, no monthly fees provide businesses with greater financial predictability, as they won’t have to worry about unexpected expenses or fluctuations in their banking costs.

    With Oxygen Bank’s no monthly fee feature, small businesses can access a cost-effective and streamlined banking experience, enabling them to focus on growing their business.

    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 Business logo

    Chase: Best Bank for Effortlessly Managing Payroll and Direct Deposit for Small Businesses

    Interest Rates: Up to 0.02% APY

    4.2

    Small businesses can pay staff, suppliers, and other payments easily with the help of Chase Bank‘s direct deposit service. Enabling business owners to plan and automate payments, makes payroll processing simpler and decreases administrative effort.

    It saves time and eliminates the need for physical cheques or cash when money is delivered securely and immediately to the recipient’s account through direct deposit. Chase Bank’s direct deposit feature is supported by strong security protocols to protect your transactions.

    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 Montana

    We evaluated several factors relatinv to opening a business bank account and managing finances to determine the best banks for small businesses in Montana. These key considerations helped us arrive at our conclusions.

    • 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 Montana – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Do you want to know more about opening a bank for your small business in Montana? These FAQs has the answers to your questions:

    Bottom Line

    The importance of selecting the appropriate bank cannot be overstated for small businesses in Montana to efficiently manage their finances and attain their financial objectives. It is essential to take into account essential factors like fees, interest rates, customer service, and digital tools while choosing a bank that aligns with the business’s specific requirements.

    Conducting an in-depth comparison between multiple banks is vital before finalizing the decision. With the right banking services and banks, small businesses in Montana can grow and make a profit. 

    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.

    AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC