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Forming an LLC protects your personal assets from business liabilities, but maintaining separate finances is essential to preserving that protection. The first critical step? Opening a dedicated bank account for your LLC. The decisions you make early in your business journey can shape its future success, and choosing the right bank account is no exception.
With countless options available, the process can feel daunting. That’s why we’ve crafted this guide to simplify your decision-making and help you find the best bank account tailored to your LLC’s unique needs.
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Bluevine Business Checking
Annual Percentage Yield
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Minimum Deposit Requirement
$0
Maintenance Fee
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Quick View on the Best Business Bank Accounts for LLCs
- Bluevine – Best LLC Bank Account Overall
- Lili – Best for One-Person Businesses
- Novo – Best for Low Fees
- American Express – Best for Membership Rewards
- Capital One – Best for Unlimited Transactions
- Bank of America – Best for Traditional Banking
- Axos – Best Full-service Online Bank
- US Bank – Best for Lending Options
- Oxygen – Best for Freelancers
- Chase – Best for Cash Deposits
Product or Service
Fees
Interest Rates
Lending
Rewards and Benefits
Support
No monthly fees or minimum required balances
Earn up to 2.0% APY on Standard, up to 4.25% APY with paid tiers
Funds available with a click, no opening or prepayment fees
Deposit cash and checks at over 91,500 locations (Green Dot & Allpoint+)
Business hours phone support; email, chat, and support docs
Standard – monthly fee-free, no overdraft fee, no ATM fee
3.65% APY
$200 overdraft protection
Pre-fill 1040 forms
Business hours email support
$50 required to open
Earn 0% APY
No lending options
Free ATM access, discounts to some software
Business hours phone support; support docs
No maintenance fee
Earn 1.3% APY on up to $500K
Between $2,000 and $250,000; no prepayment penalty
Membership Rewards program
24/7 support
Basic checking account – $15 monthly fee*
Business savings accounts – .01% APY
Business credit card, loans, and lines of credit
Unlimited digital transactions
Full-service support
Fundamentals – $16*
Maintain a $5,000 balance
Business credit cards, loans, and lines of credit
200 or 500 teller transactions and checks written w/no fee
Small business specialists, plus resources
Basic Business – no monthly fee
- Interest Checking – up to 0.81%
- Business Savings – 0.20%
Lines of credit and loans
ATM fee reimbursements
24/7 phone support
Silver – $0 monthly fee, $0.50/transaction after 125
Earn 0.01% APY
Credit cards, lines of credit, and loans
Send and request money
Phone support, support docs
Earth – No monthly maintenance fees
- Earth – 0.25%
- Water – 0.75%
- Air – 1.00%
- Fire – 1.25%
No lending
Netflix and Peloton reimbursement, cell phone protection plan
Support docs, limited email, and phone support
Business Complete – $15/month*
Inquire for interest options
Loans and lines of credit, Chase products
Same day deposits
Physical locations, business hours phone and email support
Best LLC Bank Account – Quick Verdict
Bluevine is the best overall option because it’s well-balanced, has no transaction fees, and also provides a lending option for those who qualify. It’s a well-balanced checking account option for businesses just starting out or LLCs that have been around for a while. You can quickly open a business bank account and be ready to go within minutes.
Best Small Business Bank Accounts for an LLC
The best business bank accounts for LLCs vary depending on how much money you plan on moving through the account and how many deposits you need to make. Most are free, but some, especially traditional options, require transaction fees that you’ll need to pay attention to.
Below, you’ll find a detailed look at the best small business account options for LLCs and how they stack up.
Bluevine – Best Overall
A Bluevine business checking account provides a basic online business checking account option that is very well-rounded for most small businesses. You can pay bills, apply for small loans in minutes, and even earn a decent interest rate, all without any monthly fees.
The application process is simple and can be completed in minutes, with the possibility of your account up and running on the same day. All these features make Bluevine one of the best banks for startups and for businesses in general. Read our complete review on Bluevine if you’re interested in opening a business account with it.
Fees
Bluevine charges no maintenance, NSF, or deposit fees, which goes beyond the industry standard. You can complete as many transactions as you need without incurring additional fees. Bluevine has no minimum balance or minimum deposit requirements either.
Interest Rates
Bluevine also offers a great APY on its checking account, giving users up to a 2.0% return on balances up to and including $250,000. This is only available to account holders who either spend $500 per month on their debit card or receive $2,500 per month in customer payments into their checking account. Bluevine also offers two paid tiers, Bluevine Plus and Bluevine Premier, where users can earn up to 4.25% APY.
Lending
You can also avail of business lines of credit of up to $250,000 at extremely competitive rates. The application process is fast and easy and you can often get a decision in under five minutes. Bluevine charges no fees for opening, maintaining, prepayment, or account closure.
- Sub accounts each with their own unique account and routing number
- Unlimited Transactions
- No minimum Deposit
- Virtual bank
- Only allow cash deposits through Green Dot & Allpoint+ Services
- No business savings account
Why we chose it: With non-existent banking fees and one of the most lucrative APYs in the market, Bluevine is a top choice for opening a bank account for LLCs. Sign up today.
Lili – Best For One-Person Businesses
Lili is perfect for small, one-person operations. It straddles the awkward and occasionally non-existent division between personal bank accounts and business checking accounts for small businesses. Although it’s FDIC-insured, it’s not a traditional bank.
It provides business checking account options, particularly invoicing, without some superfluous and expensive features. You do miss out on lending and merchant services options, however. Also of help to a ‘tiny business’ is the free online bill payments, making it one of the best business accounts for a one-person LLC.
Fees
Lili’s standard banking services are free. There’s no monthly fee, overdraft fee, ATM fee, or minimum balance requirement, similar to the best business bank account for LLCs: Bluevine. However, if you go with Lili Pro, it costs you $4.99 per month on account of the additional services you receive.
Interest Rates
You won’t get an APY on Lili’s standard offerings. If you go with Lili Pro, you can get up to 3.65% APY with a savings account. The Automatic Savings feature lets you set up an automatic transfer of at least $1 a day to your savings account.
Lending
Lili is far from a traditional bank and so it has very limited lending options. All you can excerpt is a free overdraft of up to $200 on debit card purchases.
- Easily separate business and personal transactions
- Offers tax optimizer tool
- Create and send invoices
- Virtual bank (through Choice Financial Group)
- No real lending or merchant services
- Not good for bigger businesses
Why we chose it:
Lili is designed to handle the sometimes blurred lines between personal and business finances common with single-person concerns. It’s a good choice for freelancers and one-person businesses and has innovative features including Automatic Savings and Tax Optimizer. Read our in-depth review of Lili bank to learn more about its services. Sign up today.
Novo – Best For Low Fees
Novo is a great checking account for small businesses because of its easy-to-use platform, straightforward application process, and ability to make digital payments seamlessly. You can complete and submit your application in under 10 minutes and get a quick response with any missing information. As soon as your account is approved and you make your first deposit of at least $50, you can start using your checking account.
Novo thrives with its easy-to-use mobile app. Since the bank offers free ACH transfers you can easily sign in to your app via your mobile device and pay bills, send money, run payroll, or transfer money to your personal account within seconds. You always have your banking details and transactions at your fingertips to help you stay on top of your financial obligations. The app also gives you a nice overview of what you’re spending and bringing in each month.
Fees
Novo charges no fees for its checking account service. You only need an opening deposit of $50 to get your account running. There are no minimum balance requirements, cash deposit fees, incoming wire fees, or ACH fees with this bank. Novo also refunds all ATM fees and is backed by FDIC insurance through Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A.
Interest Rates
Novo charges no fees for its business checking account, much like Bluevine. However, you have to forgo earning interest for it. The bank offers no interest on your checking account deposits.
Lending
Novo offers no lending options. It’s purely a checking account service and does not offer loans, lines of credit, or even a business credit card. Want a loan? Then here’s a list of the best bad credit loans available for you.
- Unlimited fee-free business checking transactions
- Unlimited ATM fee refunds
- Smooth integrations with third-party software like Shopify and QuickBooks
- No lending options
- No cash deposits
- No lines of credit or loans
Why we chose it: With its great mobile app and integrations with software like Shopify and QuickBooks, Novo is one of the best low-fee options out there. Read our Novo review for an in-depth analysis of its checking account service. Sign up today.
American Express Business Checking – Best for Membership Rewards
American Express Business Checking follows a newer trend in business banking, offering more fee-free services and not requiring a minimum balance for its basic business checking account. You can also charge unlimited transactions through their payment services. If you’re looking for Kabbage business checking, you’d be surprised to know that Kabbage was acquired by American Express.
American Express Business Checking is a great option for business owners who want to get a line of credit and a bank account. It offers easy loan approval for small businesses for lines of credit of up to $250,000 with Kabbage Funding by American Express. Read our full Kabbage Funding review to find more. Don’t forget also our other reviews of other business bank accounts like NBKC Bank Account Review and SoFI Review.
Fees
American Express Business Checking has no monthly fees. There’s no minimum opening deposit requirement and no online transaction fees either. You can use all MoneyPass ATMs for free, however, using an out-of-network ATM will cost you around $3 per transaction. Cash deposits aren’t supported by American Express.
Interest Rates
This bank account has one of the highest APYs, offering a 1.30% return on balances of up to $500,000, though it does fall short of Bluevine’s generous 2.0% return. American Express Business Checking’s APY doesn’t beat that of Bluevine, still, it’s the second-highest on this list.
Lending
The best thing about opening an account with American Express is that it also has Kabbage Funding which offers easy loan approval for lines of credit of up to $250,000. It’s a great option even if you don’t have a high credit score. You can get your application approved with a FICO score of 640.
With Kabbage Funding, you’re going to receive a simple application process on both the checking and the line of credit products. Kabbage can use your banking history to get you approved for a line of credit automatically and if you’re initially denied you can show history by using a Kabbage checking account and they’ll auto-approve you when your account shows you should be.
- Easy line of credit, no prepayment charges
- No minimum balance
- Easy application process
- Mobile check deposits only available on iOS
- Cash deposits not supported
- Only available to American Express customers
Why we chose it:
American Express Business Checking offers all the services of a traditional business account but with the convenience of an online bank. It offers an attractive APY and is perfect if you also need a business line of credit. Sign up today.
Capital One – Best For Unlimited Transactions
Capital One offers two different options for business checking accounts. The Basic account is just that, offering unlimited electronic deposits, online and mobile banking, and a relatively low minimum balance to waive fees. The Unlimited business bank account includes two Basic accounts, so might be a good fit for businesses with complicated finances.
Capital One is a very traditional banking company but it blows the other traditional banks out of the water with its app and ease of use for your account. Capital One also offers a lot of other products, such as credit cards, that you might qualify for if you’re able to get approved for their business checking account.
The bank’s experienced and highly responsive customer service is one of its strongest features. If you’re interested, bear in mind that Capital One’s business checking is only available in a few states. You also need to visit a branch in-person to apply for a business checking account.
Fees
Capital One’s Basic Checking account comes at a monthly fee of $15, which is steep compared to American Express’s zero maintenance fee. However, the fee can be waived if your balance exceeds $2,000. Cash deposits are free for up to $5,000 in deposits per month. Standard wire transfer fees are charged with this product.
The Unlimited Checking account has a monthly fee of $35 which can be waived with a minimum balance of $25,000. This account has free cash deposits with no limits. All incoming wires are free. You also get five free outgoing wire transfers per month.
Interest Rates
Capital One offers no APY on its checking account. However, you can earn interest at 0.2% with a savings account.
Lending
Capital One offers small business loans and lines of credit but you can only avail of these if you have your checking account with it. It offers one of the largest lines of credit of up to $5 million. If you are looking for a longer repayment term, fixed rates, and lower equity requirements, it also has SBA 504 and SBA7(a) loans.
- Experienced support from a large bank
- Self-service escrow services
- Unlimited checking includes two Basic accounts
- High balances to waive fees
- Only available in some states
- Have to visit a branch to apply for an account
Why we chose it:
Capital One offers a similar range of services to other large banks, with similar pricing. It’s a great option if you prefer to do your banking through physical branches. Sign up today. Read our in-depth review of Capital One to learn more about its services.
Bank of America – Best For Traditional Banking
Bank of America business checking accounts are only one of several products that BofA offers to small businesses. The two levels are similar to Chase and Capital One, with two different levels of service aimed at smaller and larger businesses.
Bank of America is the epitome of a traditional bank. While it has online capabilities with a decent app, it’s still not as simple to use as other options. Plus, the fee structure is not built with small businesses in mind due to the large balances required to waive those fees.
Fees
Bank of America offers two types of business checking accounts, Business Advantage Fundamentals, and Business Advantage Relationship banking. The Fundamentals account has a monthly fee of $16 but it can be waived off if you maintain a $5,000 combined average monthly balance, spend at least $250 in new net qualified debit card purchases each statement cycle, or join the Preferred Rewards for Business program.
The Relationship checking account has a monthly fee of $29.95 but can be waived off with a combined average monthly balance of $15,000. If you open a savings account, it has a fee of $10 per month but can be waived off with a $2,500 minimum daily balance.
Interest Rates
Bank of America’s checking account offers no interest earnings. You can earn only a very minimal interest at 0.01% APY with the business savings account, which is far below the 2.0% return from Bluevine.
Lending
When it comes to lending, Bank of America offers a business credit card, secured business loans from $25,000 to $250,000, and secured lines of credit from $25,000. It offers plenty of lending options but you need a minimum credit score of 700 to qualify.
- Integrated with Zelle money transfer.
- Online account integrates with accounting apps
- Payroll services
- High balances to waive fees
- App isn’t as easy to use as other options
- High monthly service fees
Why we chose it:
Bank of America offers a well-established set of business banking options. It’s a great option if your business deals with heavy cash flows. Read our Bank of America review for an in-depth analysis of its account types. Sign up today.
Axos – Best Full-Service Online Bank
Axos is a virtual bank in that it only offers online business banking, not backed by physical locations. However, it doesn’t depend on another financial institution, unlike some competitors. It’s a bank in its own right. Axos regularly shows up on lists of ‘Best Business Checking Accounts’ across the web due to its generous terms and range of services.
Axos is an online-first bank that is easier to navigate and use than most traditional banking options. It prides itself on building a great online presence and experience for its customers, which makes it a terrific option for small or digital businesses. Unfortunately, the APY you’ll earn is up to only 0.20% for basic checking or 1.01% for interest checking if you carry a minimum balance of $5,000.
Fees
Axos offers four main types of business bank accounts. Basic Business Checking, Business Interest Checking, Business Savings Account, and Business Premium Savings.
Basic Business Checking has no monthly fee, but Business Interest Checking comes at a fee of $10 per month. Basic Savings has a monthly fee of $5 while its Premium version has none.
Interest Rates
While Axos’ customers have plenty of interest-bearing options, the yield rates aren’t as high as some of the other banks. The basic checking account has no APY. The interest-bearing checking account has an APY of 1.01%.
If you go with Axos’ savings options, you get a 0.20% yield on both the Basic and Premium Business Savings accounts.
Lending
Axos Bank partners with Centerstone SBA Lending to support businesses with SBA loans. They provide a federally backed guarantee and offer flexible terms. It also has commercial lines of credit and term loans but these are best for large corporations.
- No monthly fee and unlimited transactions
- Cash deposits allowed via MoneyPass and AllPoint ATMs
- Wide range of interest-bearing options
- No physical locations
- Limited integrations
- Doesn’t offer the highest APY
Why we chose it:
Axos is a full-service online bank and is a great option for any business that wants to keep all its banking online. It offers low fees and free cash deposits across all MoneyPass and AllPoint locations across the US. Read our in-depth review on Axos bank to learn more about its services. Sign up today.
US Bank – Best For Lending Options
Unlike its colleagues on this list, US Bank forgoes a monthly maintenance fee on their basic US Bank Silver business checking account, opting instead for transaction fees. This might be a good fit for businesses without a large number of transactions each month, such as a contractor with a single major client.
The fees on more expensive accounts can be waived by meeting minimum balance requirements or one of several other criteria. As long as you’re only running a few transactions each month, US Bank might offer a good account for your LLC.
Fees
US Bank offers three checking accounts. The Silver Business Checking Account package has no monthly fee and 125 free transactions per month. Every transaction is charged $0.50 if the count exceeds 125.
The Gold package comes at a $20 monthly fee and $0.45 per transaction after they cross the 300 limit. The Platinum package has a $30 monthly fee and costs $0.40 per transaction after 500 transactions per month. All these fees are pricey if you compare US Bank to the top-ranked Bluevine, which charges zero fees.
Interest Rates
US Bank doesn’t offer any yields on checking account deposits. When it comes to its savings account, you can earn 0.01% APY with a minimum deposit of $25.
Lending
This financial institution offers a range of lending options including business credit cards, lines of credit, and loans. US Bank has a range of business credit cards that offer different features including cash backs, no annual fees, low interest rates, and rewards programs.
It also offers a wide variety of small business loans that you can choose from to fit your business needs. Loan amounts go up to $250,000 with Quick Online loans and $12.375 million with government-backed loans.
- Lending to fit your needs
- Specialized merchant services for restaurants, retailers, and service providers
- Small business specialists
- Charges transaction fees
- No APY on checking accounts, very low APY on savings accounts
- High early withdrawal penalties on CDs
Why we chose it:
US Bank has a range of great products and services. Its lending options are its strongest selling point. It’s a good choice for any business that has a low transaction count. Read our in-depth review on US bank to learn more about its services. Sign up today.
Oxygen – Best For Freelancers
Looking at Oxygen’s website, you might think it’s a fashion magazine or trendy boutique. However, it offers a business checking account through its online-only bank. There is a fee-free option and, unusually, options with an annual fee. Oxygen is perfect for a freelancer that is just looking to separate their personal and business finances.
In fact, Oxygen is explicitly aimed at trendy small business owners or freelancers, with your choice of element-themed business bank account online. Don’t let the fancy presentation put you off, though, as it has some features that make it one of the best business bank accounts for freelancers, like cell phone and lost luggage protection. Perhaps most importantly, Oxygen will help you form an LLC with its business registration services.
Fees
Interestingly, Oxygen divides its services into the elements Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. It calls these loyalty tiers that are created to help business owners succeed in their own way.
The Earth tier is the most basic offering and comes at no fees. The savings option in the Earth tier earns you up to 0.50% APY. Water is the next tier that costs $19.99 per year. It offers a range of features plus 1.00% APY on savings. Air and Fire tiers cost $49.99 and $199.99 annually and offer an APY of 2.00 and 3.00% on savings.
Interest Rates
Oxygen has some lucrative interest rates with its savings option for each tier. You can earn with an APY of 0.50%, 1.00%, 2.00%, and 3.00% on the Earth, Water, Air, and Fire elements respectively. These interest rates are quite a bit higher than even Bluevine and American Express Business Checking, which offer up to 2.0% and 1.3%, respectively.
Lending
Since Oxygen is only a mobile banking app and not a full-fledged bank, it offers no lending options.
- 5% Cashback rewards
- Create virtual, single-use debit cards
- Business savings with 1% AP
- Virtual bank, no cash deposits
- Fewer integrations than other options
- No lending options
Why we chose it:
Oxygen is far from a traditional bank. It’s bringing style and innovation to the financial services sector and offering highly lucrative and feature-packed options for both personal and business bankers. Sign up today. To learn more about its services and fees, read our complete review on Oxygen.
Chase Business – Best for Merchant Services
Chase Business checking offers a strong account option if you’re looking for a traditional bank account where you can deposit cash. The bank offers a huge network of physical branches in addition to its sizable ATM network. Businesses in most states that need to deposit cash will find this to be a great option.
Chase offers business checking accounts with features like a business debit card and cash deposits at their brick-and-mortar locations. Unfortunately, it charges a monthly maintenance fee unlike most of its competitors.
Unfortunately, between the potential for fees and app, Chase ranks lowest on our list but with solid potential. Those needing a more robust online experience will find another option more appealing but traditional bank lovers who take cash from customers and need to deposit cash into their accounts regularly will find Chase to be worth taking a look at.
Fees
For a business checking account option, Chase has three offerings:
- Chase Business Complete Checking: $15/month waived off with $2,000 of minimum daily balance
- Chase Performance Business Checking: $30/month waived off with $35,000 combined average beginning day balance
- Chase Platinum Business Checking: $95/month waived off with $100,000 combined average beginning day balance
Each offers business checking accounts with features like a business debit card and cash deposits at their brick-and-mortar locations. Unfortunately, it’s not monthly maintenance fee-free like Bluevine.
Interest Rates
Chase Business Checking accounts offer no APY on deposits. However, businesses can earn interest with Chase Business Savings but you will have to inquire about what APY it offers you.
Lending
Chase for Business offers several lending options. Apart from its business credit card offerings, it has small business loans and lines of credit you can avail of. Business lines of credit range from $10,000 to $500,000 while loans start at $5000
- Accept payments through Chase mobile app
- International with locations worldwide
- Fraud protection
- Higher fees
- High minimum balance to waive fees
- Unclear APY on savings accounts
Why we chose it:
Chase business complete banking is a good option for a small business looking for some heavyweight banking options. Read our in-depth review on Chase business to learn more about its services. Sign up today.
Choosing the Best Small Business Bank Account for an LLC
For many people, forming an LLC marks a transition, changing their side gig for a bit of extra income to a serious business. There are many boxes to check in that process, but one of the most important may choose the best business checking account for your needs.
The primary benefit is to separate your personal checking account from your business bank account. However, a business checking account for your LLC can also offer a range of other benefits. Even a basic business banking account can offer lines of credit, invoicing services, and more. A business checking account might also come with merchant services, while a savings account can help your money grow.
In the past, LLC business owners had limited choices for business accounts, but using an online bank, with smaller fees and better rewards, is becoming more popular.
Fees—Transaction, Minimum Balance, Early Termination, Daily Batch
In many cases, the main concerns are monthly maintenance fees and other charges that can add up. Many banks offering LLC accounts have sought to attract small business owners by waiving monthly fees under certain circumstances or dropping monthly fees entirely. Fees can show up in many places, however, including
- Transaction fees
- Deposit fees
- Minimum balance
- Overdraft fees
The best business checking account for your needs won’t charge fees in areas important to your business. For example, offering unlimited transactions or free cash deposits per month.
Interest Rate—APY on Checking and Savings Accounts
Several banks on our list offer an APY on their checking accounts. Some of the top-ranked banks offer a yield as high as 2.0% which makes them a lucrative option for business owners. The higher the APY, the better it is for your business. However, note that some banks may offset your interest earnings by charging you monthly maintenance or transaction fees.
You can also earn interest on savings accounts, while you can earn interest on your primary checking with many of the best business bank accounts online. Again, the higher the interest rate offered, the better it is.
Liability—Business vs Personal Funds, Customer Purchase Protection
As the name implies, a Limited Liability Company is intended to limit your financial liability in the event of a problem with your business. Even a basic business checking account for your LLC aids in separating your personal finances, creating a clear distinction between personal and business accounts.
Accounts for LLCs can offer more protection from certain types of liability than just a separate business bank account. Most bank accounts have fraud protection these days. If your bank also offers merchant services, it may add a layer of additional protection by covering the cost of customers who dispute transactions and similar problems.
Beware of “Mattress” Banking!
Did you know many online banks are crediting as low as 0.1%? You may as well stick your money under your mattress! Bluevine business checking accounts pay an APY up to 1.2% on balances up to $100,000.
Unlimited transcations with no monthly fees!
Lending—Lines of Credit, Credit History
You may have a personal credit rating, but your small business needs to establish its own credit history. Business owners may need small loans to cover payroll or billing or larger loans for new equipment or a bigger space.
A loan like that can be easier to get if you already have a business checking account with a particular institution. Developing a history with an institution can also improve the odds of bad credit business loan approval.
While we’ve focused on national and online banks, your local community bank or credit union might be a good option, especially if you anticipate needing a loan. The personal relationships common with local banks can be helpful, particularly for specialist businesses.
Rewards and Benefits—New Account Bonuses, CashBack, Free Services
Even the best business checking account options tend to have a similar set of fees and services. Other factors may determine which bank is best for you. Offering some free cash deposits per month is common, as is online bill pay or no minimum deposit requirements. Picking through those details saves you money.
How to Open a Business Bank Account for an LLC
Opening a business bank account for an LLC isn’t a very complicated process. In this section, we answer some of the most important questions about LLC bank accounts to give you a clear overview of the road ahead
What Do I Need to Open a Bank Account For My LLC
With an online business checking account like Bluevine, you can set up your LLC bank account in no time. You only need the following information:
- Business name and address
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) or SSN if you’re a single-member LLC (Read more about how to open a business account with EIN only)
- Date of LLC registration
- State where your LLC is registered
- Primary business location
- Personal information of the business owner (SSN, DOB)
What Other Documents Does the Bank Need to Open My LLC Bank Account?
While the documentation requirements vary from bank to bank, here’s what you can expect the bank to ask for.
- LLC Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation
- LLC Operating Agreement
Just to be safe, call or visit the bank’s website to ensure you’ve got everything you need to open a business bank account. This will help you avoid the hassle.
Do I Need an LLC to Open a Business Bank Account?
You can open a business bank account without an LLC. Registered businesses can open a business bank account, be it a sole proprietorship or a partnership. Ultimately, it all comes down to what you need to open a business bank account. Here are the different types of businesses and the documentation they need to create a bank account:
- Sole Proprietorship – DBA certificate
- Partnership – Business partnership agreement and business license if you operate an eatery or healthcare facility
- Corporation – Certified articles of incorporation, corporate bylaws, a signed corporate resolution, business license, and IRS 501(c) letter if you are a non-profit corporation
- Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Certified articles of organization, operating agreement, and business license. Learn more on how a corporation differs from an LLC here.
Want a business account for your sole proprietorship? Check out our list of the best banks for sole proprietorships.
Can I Open a Business Checking Account at a Credit Union?
Yes, you can open a business checking account at several credit unions. Digital Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, and America First Credit Union are some of the top-rated credit unions for opening an account.
Do LLCs Need a Specific Type of Bank Account?
There are no special LLC accounts. Most top-rated banks offer checking or savings accounts, and offerings vary from bank to bank. That said, a checking account can meet all an LLC’s banking needs if it’s in the right bank. We recommend Bluevine, Novo, and American Express Business Checking as the top-rated bank accounts for LLCs.
Do I Need a Separate Bank Account for My LLC?
You start an LLC to separate your personal and business finances. After formation, a Limited Liability Company becomes a separate legal entity from its owner. This is why we recommend creating a separate bank account for your LLC.
State and federal law don’t require you to create a separate bank account for an LLC. However, having separate accounts is a good idea to make financial management easier and avoid trouble in the long run. Plus, you can easily open a business account with free online banks like Bluevine and start reaping the benefits immediately.
Can I Use My Personal Bank Account for My LLC?
You can technically do so, but we strongly advise against using your personal bank account for your LLC.
Forming a Limited Liability Company protects your personal assets in case something goes wrong with your business. However, if you keep using your personal bank account for your LLC, the authorities can come after your personal assets easily.
>> Create an LLC Bank Account for Free With Bluevine >>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Best Small Business Bank Accounts for LLCs
Still, have questions about the best small business bank accounts for LLCs? See if we answer them below.
What Do You Need to Open a Business Bank Account?
If you’re wondering how to open a business account, the requirements can vary depending on the specifics of the account and institution. Some options, particularly online banks aimed at small businesses, may simply require the same information as for a personal bank account.
Some of the best business checking account options may require more. Examples include
1. An EIN or tax ID number – here’s a detailed guide on opening a business account with EIN only.
2. Articles of incorporation
3. Government ID and SS number
Additionally, don’t forget other requirements like the minimum balance or monthly service fee.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Business Account?
The costs can vary depending on the bank. There may not be an explicit charge for opening separate business checking accounts. You may be charged annual or monthly fees. Some accounts require a minimum balance, which isn’t exactly a fee.
Which Is the Easiest Bank for Opening a Business Account?
The best business checking accounts may be a challenge to open, but sometimes convenience is a priority.
If you don’t mind depending on mobile check deposits, one of the online banks focused on small businesses may be a good bet. Larger institutions like Bank of America have more requirements.
Your local bank or credit union might also have options tailored to small businesses.
Can Anyone Start a Business Account?
Depending on a few factors, if you can start a personal account, you can get a basic business checking account. Separating personal and business finances can help manage expenses and taxes, even if you don’t formalize your business.
Bottom Line on Best Small Business Bank Accounts for LLCs
Banks seem intimidating, powerful institutions that can shape the future of your business. But here’s the good news: you have more control than you might think. By researching and comparing different banks, you can find the terms and services that align perfectly with your small business needs.
Remember, as the customer, you hold the power—after all, the saying goes, “The customer is always right.” Don’t hesitate. By applying today, take the essential step to secure your finances and strengthen your LLC!
>> Create an LLC Bank Account With Bluevine >>
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.
Patrick is a financial expert with deep knowledge in trading, technical analysis, and market structure. His analytical skills and ability to simplify complex topics have made him a trusted advisor for firms looking to navigate the financial markets effectively. Recognized for his insightful reports and strategic market analysis, Patrick has earned high praise from industry professionals. He is also the host of a widely-followed podcast, where he delves into market trends, options trading, and value investing, providing actionable insights for investors and professionals alike.
