8 Best Banks for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania for 2024

Sections of this topic

    Your Pennsylvania-based business isn’t complete without a business bank account. However, choosing the perfect one for your organization can be quite the daunting task. To save you time, we identified the best business bank accounts in Pennsylvania you can use right now to help your company grow.

    Best Banks for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania

    Our Methodology

    When selecting the best banks for small businesses in Pennsylvania, we looked at fee schedules and minimum balance requirements for keeping maintenance charges at bay. We also studied interest rates and how accessible mobile banking happens to be. Finally, it was important that each bank be easy to use both at set up and throughout your banking journey.

    You can find a more detailed explanation of our methodology here.

    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 for checking (waivable), $3 for savings (waivable)

    $15 per incoming domestic wire, $25 for outgoing domestic wire, fee for excess cash deposits

    0.20% APY

    $2,000 for checking, $300 for savings

    Access credit card accounts,
    transfer money,
    deposit checks,
    access bank statements,
    access to CreditWise service

    $5 (waivable) for savings

    $35 for outgoing wire transfers, $25 returned check fee

    0.20% APY

    $2,500 on savings account

    Pay bills, analyze spending patterns, monitor accounts

    $12 (waivable) for savings and checking

    Fees for excess transactions, out of network ATM use

    Varies by region (0.01% to 0.03% APY)

    $500 for checking, $2,500 for savings

    Bill pay, cash flow insights, access to merchant services, PINACLE

    $4 (waivable) for savings

    $0.50 fee for transactions after the first 125, fees at out of network ATMs, overdraft fee

    0.01% APY

    $500 for business savings

    Transfer funds, view documents, find branch/ATM locations, manage cards

    $15 for checking (waivable), $10 for savings (waivable)

    $25 to $40 for wire transfers, $0.40 per transaction (after first 20)

    Up to 0.02% APY

    $2,000 for checking, $1,000 for savings

    Fraud monitoring, card control, pay and transfer, view offers

    $4.99 (waivable)

    $0.50 fee for each excessive transaction, $39 overdraft fee

    Up to 0.02% APY

    $500 for savings account

    Custom business alerts, check balances, transfer funds, find branch locations

    BlueVine logo

    Bluevine: Best Overall Bank for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania

    Up to 2.0% APY

    4.7

    Most banks don’t put interest rates on checking accounts, but Bluevine breaks the mold. Not only does its checking account have 2.0% APY, it blows the average rate out of the water. Because of this, the fintech company doesn’t offer any account specifically for savings. You also won’t find many fees and don’t have to worry about a minimum deposit when signing up.

    Why we chose it: Bluevine sets the bar high with minimal fees, an intuitive layout, and a generous interest rate on a checking account.

    • High interest rates
    • Very few fees
    • No minimum deposit required
    • No business savings account
    • No ATM reimbursement
    • Fee for cash deposits

    Fees

    It’s possible to handle almost all of your banking with Bluevine and never come across a single fee. There’s no monthly cost to maintain your account and thousands of MoneyPass ATMs around Pennsylvania you can draw money from for free. You will see a $4.95 charge every time you go to make a cash deposit, so use this feature sparingly.

    Interest Rates

    A 2.0% APY is unheard of even on most savings accounts, and Bluevine offers it here on the money you keep in checking. Funds up to the $100,000 mark accrue this interest, but the fintech draws the line there. Anything you have beyond this amount doesn’t receive any interest at all.

    Minimum Balance

    Bluevine doesn’t require a minimum balance to open an account and will never charge you a fee if your balance falls below a certain amount. Small businesses can start with a lot or few funds and take advantage of the interest rate right away.

    Access to Mobile Banking

    Your mobile device becomes an extension of Bluevine’s web features through the app. You can use the software to pay bills by wire, check, or set up a payment to go out in the future. It’s a great tool for managing your funds, depositing checks, and transferring money between bank accounts.

    Lili: Best for E-banking Banking

    Up to 1.50% APY

    4.7

    Lili presents itself as the ultimate banking solution crafted specifically for small businesses, boasting a seamless, cost-efficient, and digitally accessible platform. With transparent fee structures, competitive interest rates, and the absence of minimum balance requirements, Lili offers the agility necessary to navigate the financial complexities that small enterprises face. Its intuitive mobile app streamlines account management, including digital invoicing and payments, while personalized customer support ensures businesses receive tailored assistance whenever required.

    Why Choose Lili Banking?

    Lili Banking epitomizes a contemporary, user-centric banking experience that prioritizes convenience without compromising security. From effortless account setup to intuitive mobile banking features, Lili is dedicated to providing transparency and ease of use, making it the preferred choice for businesses seeking modern banking solutions.

    • 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.

    Transparent Fee Policy

    Lili offers fee-free banking for most essential services in contrast to traditional banks burdened with concealed charges, encompassing no monthly maintenance fees, overdraft charges, or ATM withdrawal fees across its extensive network, ensuring businesses can manage their finances without unexpected expenses.

    Competitive Interest Rates

    Lili Banking presents competitive interest rates on savings accounts, empowering businesses to grow their funds effectively. With rates consistently surpassing industry averages, customers can optimize their savings without assuming undue risk, positioning Lili as an appealing option for maximizing financial returns.

    Freedom from Minimum Balance Constraints

    Lili Banking abolishes minimum balance requirements, catering to businesses of all financial standings. Whether initiating their savings journey or upholding substantial balances, there are no limitations or penalties based on account balances, fostering accessibility for all businesses.

    Tailored Business Banking Solutions

    Lili offers tailored small business checking and savings accounts with nominal fees and competitive interest rates. Backed by a user-friendly digital banking platform and personalized support, entrepreneurs can efficiently manage their finances, directing their focus toward business expansion and success.

    Comprehensive Cash Management Solutions

    Lili provides various cash management tools, encompassing expense tracking, invoicing, bill management, automatic savings, and cash flow analysis. These tools streamline financial operations, enabling businesses to optimize cash flow and make informed financial decisions.

    Advanced Online Banking Capabilities

    Lili excels in furnishing convenient and secure online banking, enabling businesses to oversee their accounts, transfer funds, settle bills, deposit checks remotely, and access account details from any device. Equipped with advanced security measures, customers can rest assured that their financial data is safeguarded.

    Diverse Business Banking Offerings

    Lili extends a spectrum of business products tailored to meet entrepreneurs’ diverse requirements, encompassing business checking and savings accounts, cash management tools, invoicing solutions, expense tracking, and comprehensive digital banking services.

    Mobile Banking Accessibility

    Lili delivers a robust mobile banking platform, offering seamless access to accounts anytime, anywhere. The user-friendly mobile app facilitates account monitoring, bill payments, fund transfers, and mobile check deposits, empowering businesses to manage their finances effortlessly on the move.

    Lili Business Banking emerges as the quintessential partner for small enterprises, offering a comprehensive suite of features and services to address their unique needs. With a steadfast commitment to transparency, accessibility, and user experience, Lili stands out as the premier choice for businesses seeking modern banking solutions tailored to their requirements.

    Capital one logo

    Capital One: Best Bank for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania for Digital Transactions

    0.20% APY

    4.6

    Whether you’re making payments or sending money to another account, Capital One allows unlimited digital transactions each month. The bank also looks away should you overdraft an account while moving money from place to place. Perks continue with a high promotional interest rate you can savor for at least a year. A strong online presence makes up for the lack of branch locations in the state.

    Why we chose it: Capital One won’t slow your business down with unlimited digital transactions and overdraft forgiveness.

    • Unlimited monthly digital transactions
    • High promotional interest rates
    • Does not charge overdraft fees
    • Limited physical locations
    • Monthly account fee
    • Out-of-network ATM fees

    Fees

    Capital One checking and savings accounts have waivable monthly fees to contend with, but the demands aren’t too extreme. You’ll also run into charges for incoming and outgoing wire transfers, making unlimited digital transactions that much sweeter. Your first $5,000 in cash deposits each month is free, but it costs $1 for every $1,000 deposited after that.

    Interest Rates

    When signing up, you’ll receive a guaranteed promotional interest rate on your savings account for the first year of use. At the time of writing, Capital One offers 0.20% APY on funds up to $5 million.

    Minimum Balance

    It takes a $2,000 average balance over a 30 or 90-day window to eliminate the monthly fee on Capital One’s Basic checking account. Savings works the same way, requiring $300 each month to remove service fees there.

    Access to Mobile Banking

    The Capital One mobile app comes with a virtual assistant to notify you of unusual transactions or potential fraud. It’s also perfect for tracking spending and making all those transactions you do each month. If you’re eyeing a big purchase, the app shares your credit score and ways to keep it in a good range.

    Axos logo

    Axos Bank: Best Bank for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania for Online Banking

    0.20% APY

    4.5

    Axos is a great online banking option, keeping an intuitive layout and easy-to-use tools. Fees are few and far between, with reimbursement options for those you can’t work around. The bank links up with both MoneyPass and AllPoint ATMs around the country for cash deposits and withdrawals. New business owners can even capitalize on a $200 welcome bonus.

    Why we chose it: Axos makes banking easy no matter where you are with free checking, ATM reimbursements, and unlimited item processing.

    • Free online banking
    • Cash deposits allowed via MoneyPass and AllPoint ATMs
    • Minimal monthly fees
    • Limited integrations
    • Below average CD rates
    • Significant returned check fee

    Fees

    Your Axos Bank small business checking account does not have monthly maintenance costs and will reimburse both domestic ATM fees and your first two domestic wires each month. If you use checks, the first set of 50 is also free. Outgoing wires after your first two cost $35 apiece, and the bank will charge $25 for any returned checks. There is a $5 monthly service charge for upkeep on an Axos savings account, but you can avoid this with careful planning.

    Interest Rates

    Axos users will earn 0.20% APY through any of its available savings accounts. This interest is flat across all balances. The bank does offer an interest-based checking account starting at 1.01%, but it quickly diminishes the more you have stored in there.

    Minimum Balance

    Standard checking for small businesses has no minimum balance requirements, but all other Axos accounts do. You must maintain $2,500 in your savings account to remove the monthly fee. The Business Interest Checking account has a $5,000 minimum balance to skirt around any service fees there.

    Access to Mobile Banking

    The Axos app lets you link all your accounts to check funds at a glance. It’s easy to pay bills, deposit checks, or transfer funds from one place to another. With a swipe, you can follow your transaction history, analyze spending patterns, and learn where your money flows. 

    PNC Bank logo

    PNC Bank: Best Bank for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania for ATMs

    Varies by region (0.01% to 0.03% APY)

    4.4

    PNC Bank has a huge presence across the United States, either owning or partnering with more than 60,000 ATMs for fee-free access. Over 300 branches reside in Pennsylvania alone, making it a popular choice even if you have no plans to leave the state. The bank allows 24 hours to remedy overdrafts before assigning you a fee, and new members receive a $200 sign-up bonus just for joining.

    Why we chose it: With over 300 branches in the Keystone State, you can rest assured good service and ATM access is never far away.

    • Over 60,000 fee-free ATMs in the US
    • $200 sign-up bonus
    • 24-hour overdraft protection
    • High overdraft fee
    • APY varies by region
    • Must call or visit a branch to open an account

    Fees

    Both PNC Bank’s basic checking and savings charge $12 for account maintenance but have wildly different measures to waive them. You can make do with a minimum balance in your checking account to avoid the fee, but you can also make purchases with a credit card or generate monthly deposits. The only way to do away with costs on a money market account is by keeping a certain balance.

    Interest Rates

    Interest rates are unclear from PNC’s website and can vary considerably from region to region. In Pennsylvania, you’re likely to earn somewhere between 0.01% and 0.03% if you use a money market account. You’ll have to visit the nearest branch location to learn specifics, but you need to pay them a visit to open an account anyway.

    Minimum Balance

    You only need to keep a $500 balance in PNC’s business checking account to steer clear of maintenance fees. Money market accounts aren’t so unforgiving, mandating a $2,500 minimum throughout the month to remove fees there.

    Access to Mobile Banking

    ATMs and branches are everywhere, but you’re still in luck even if you’re not near one. The mobile banking app allows for card services and all the income and expense management you’ll ever need. You can also link up to PINACLE, offering additional services to help your business thrive.

    U.S. Bank logo

    U.S. Bank: Best Bank for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania for Low Fees

    0.01% APY

    4.4

    It’s not difficult to bank with U.S. Bank completely for free if you play your cards right. There’s no charge for opening or maintaining a checking account, and you can transfer and withdraw funds fee-free from in-network ATMs. Branch locations tend to hang out in the big cities but exist strategically in the heart of Pennsylvania as well. The bank also has a list of merchant services for specific industries you can take advantage of.

    Why we chose it: With all but nonexistent fees, U.S. Bank doesn’t nickel and dime you just for running your business.

    • Nearly nonexistent fees
    • Specialized merchant services for restaurants, retailers, and service providers
    • 2,400 branch locations
    • Charges for overdrafts
    • Relatively low APY
    • Only locations in 28 states

    Fees

    U.S. Bank’s Silver Business checking doesn’t have a service fee, but there is a $4 waivable monthly charge for keeping a savings account. Other fees come from out-of-network ATMs, overdrafting your account, or making an abundance of transactions each month.

    Interest Rates

    You won’t make a fortune off U.S. Bank’s interest rates. All but one savings plan has just 0.01% APY for excess funds you can spill over from your checking account. There is a Platinum Business Money Market account with bonus rates as high as 3.50% if you can manage the high balance requirements.

    Minimum Balance

    How much you keep in your checking account is entirely up to you. U.S. Bank’s package for small businesses does not have minimum requirements to negate a monthly fee. The same isn’t true for basic savings, where you’ll need at least a $500 balance. It takes $25,000 to tap into the high interest rates from the Platinum Money Market account. 

    Access to Mobile Banking

    Stay up to date with your balances and transactions from your phone with the U.S. Bank mobile app. In addition, you can transfer funds and set alerts about account activity you want to keep an eye on. It’s also possible to view your credit score or find the U.S. Bank location nearest you.

    Chase Business logo

    Chase: Best Bank for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania for Lending

    Up to 0.02% APY

    4.3

    Chase is a large financial institution with a long list of business services to help your business out. These include lending options to secure a large purchase or help you weather an untimely setback. Although there are monthly fees on all Chase products, you can work around them through one of several methods. Business owners also receive a $300 bonus for becoming a member by meeting certain criteria.

    Why we chose it: Chase puts its best foot forward with several loan and line of credit options alongside other stellar business services.

    • Several loan and line of credit options
    • Up to $300 sign-on bonus
    • Multiple ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee
    • Monthly maintenance fees
    • Only 20 free transactions per month
    • Minimal APY

    Fees

    Chase places monthly service fees on all its accounts but includes several ways to waive them. Small businesses will likely introductory checking and savings, charging $15 and $10, respectively. Fees can get a bit out of hand if you do a lot of transactions, though. Only your first 20 each month come at no cost.

    Interest Rates

    New business owners starting out with Chase will accrue somewhere between  0.01% and 0.02% APY with a savings account. Certificates of deposit can go as high as 4.00% if you have enough time and money.

    Minimum Balance

    A $2,000 minimum balance is all it takes to negate the service fee on your Chase business checking account. In lieu of that, you can make $2,000 in purchases on business cards or receive $2,000 in deposits through Chase QuickAccept. A savings account requires $1,000 in your account or a linked business checking account to remove fees there.

    Access to Mobile Banking

    The Chase mobile app utilizes Chase QuickDeposit and ChaseQuickPay to get funds where they need to go quickly. You can also set alerts in case balances run too low or transfer money anywhere in the United States. There are well over 100 Chase branches and ATMs in Pennsylvania, and the app will help you find the closest one.

    Citizens Bank logo

    Citizens Bank: Best Bank for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania for Customer Service

    Up to 0.02% APY

    4.2

    Look no further than Citizens Bank’s customer service page for department-specific phone numbers and a well-documented FAQ page. The website also has forms and documents so you don’t have to hunt around for the right one. A lack of monthly fees or balance requirements makes basic checking a strong bank account option for LLCs, partnerships, or sole proprietors.

    Why we chose it: Citizens Bank puts your business first with excellent customer service and hundreds of branch locations to choose from.

    • Excellent customer service
    • Over 250 branches in Pennsylvania
    • No monthly maintenance fee on some accounts
    • Low interest rates
    • High overdraft fees
    • Some accounts charge ATM fees

    Fees

    Citizens Bank accounts come with a hefty $39 overdraft fee, best avoided at all costs. The business savings account has an avoidable $4.99 monthly charge, automatically waived for the first four months of membership. Otherwise, ensure you don’t perform more than 200 transactions each billing cycle to avoid fees there.

    Interest Rates

    Interest rates aren’t really Citizens Bank’s strong point. You’ll earn 0.01% with savings and graduate to 0.02% if you upgrade to a money market account. Even available CDs average 0.03% APY for the duration of each term.

    Minimum Balance

    Small businesses will likely choose free business checking, meaning balances only come into play with savings accounts. You only need a $500 average daily balance with business savings, but this number jumps to $2,500 if you want perks from a money market account.

    Access to Mobile Banking

    Citizens Bank recently revamped its mobile banking app with a new interface and a boost in security. The added protection allows you to move money and make payments wherever you happen to be. New features include access to the document center and debit card management tools.

    Methodology for the Best Banks for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania

    In our methodology section, we make clear all the factors we used when picking out the best banks for small businesses in Pennsylvania. These ended up being our top considerations:

    • Fees: Fees are pretty self-explanatory and can be a real drag when you’re trying to make money. We made sure all our banks either have no monthly fee or at least a reasonable way to avoid it. Similarly, we opted for bank accounts you can use fee-free with a little foresight.
    • Interest Rates: Earning interest on your finances may not make you rich, but it can cover an unavoidable fee or go towards a business expense. It’s harder than ever to find bank accounts with high interest rates in our current market, but we tried to find ones that at least meet the national average.
    • Minimum Balances: Even if your small business has a steady source of income, distributing those funds between multiple accounts can be a challenge. If an account has a minimum balance requirement, you may be unable to float cash around as freely as you’d like. We looked for bank accounts with low minimum balances to allow for more flexibility.
    • Access to Mobile Banking: Few people in our day and age live without a smartphone. The rest of us rely on these gadgets for many aspects of our lives. We wanted to make sure each of our best business bank accounts in Pennsylvania had the same functionality you can find anywhere else. It was also important to make sure no features got locked away behind paywalls.
    • Ease of Use: Ease of use covers everything from setting up your account for the first time to day-to-day interactions. Some banks require lengthy in-person visits, while others allow you to join with little more than your EIN. As you use the website, mobile app, or in-person services, we checked on availability, accessibility, and just how much a small business can do.

    Best Banks for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Want to know more about opening a bank account for your Pennsylvania business? This FAQ answers common questions about the subject.

    Bottom Line

    The best banks for small businesses in Pennsylvania have a healthy mix of low fees, access to mobile banking, and are easy to use. Additionally, they offer incentives like interest rates or business services to keep finances running smoothly. We believe Bluevine is the best of the bunch, but any of the banks on this list should work well with your small business.

    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