of July 2026
Accounts of July 2026
- Banking platform for small businesses
- Integrated bookkeeping & tax features
- Send invoices & pay contractors for free*
- Create customized sub-accounts
- Best overall for small businesses
- Earn a $500 bonus on new accounts
- Use code CAP500. T&Cs apply
- Free ACH & incoming wires, no overdraft fees
- Banking designed to grow your business
- $0 monthly fees, $0 minimum deposit
- ATM fee refunds¹
- FDIC Insured up to $250,0002
- Control your own cashflow
- Auto savings accounts earn up to 3.00% APY
- Bank without overdraft fees or minimums
- Open up to 20 checking accounts
- All-in-one small business banking
- Auto savings accounts earn up to 4.00% APY
- Bank without hidden fees or minimums
- User-friendly and accessible platform
- Enjoy unlimited transactions
- Earn up to 3.10% APY
- Get 1% cash back on purchases
- No monthly fees
- Start-up banking suite
- Business banking without monthly fees
- Deposit $10K in 90 days and earn $200
- Get FDIC insurance up to $5M*
- Simplify your business management
- Earn up to $1,200 bonus*
- Use code Q3AFL26
- Member FDIC
- Banking platform for small businesses
- Integrated bookkeeping & tax features
- Send invoices & pay contractors for free*
- Create customized sub-accounts
Choosing an online bank provides a modern, flexible, and convenient way to manage your finances, offering round-the-clock access to accounts, competitive rates, and innovative tools—all from the comfort of any device. Explore the unique advantages of online banking and see how it aligns with your financial habits and lifestyle.
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Competitive Rates |
What Is Online Banking?
Online banking enables you to manage your account and perform banking functions from any device via the internet instead of having to go into a branch or make a phone call. This includes making transfers, paying bills, viewing balances, and checking transactions. In addition, you get 24/7 access to your accounts and the ability to manage your accounts on the go.
While several institutions offer online banking via an app or online platform, there are specific online-only banks that often have superior rates and cheaper fees than traditional banks due to lower overhead costs.
What Is a Business Checking Account?
A business checking account is a deposit account that lets you deposit and withdraw money, write checks, make transfers, pay bills, and more. It functions much like a traditional checking account except for your business finances instead of personal.
You open it in your company name, and it may have additional features that a personal checking account won’t, such as tax planning or integrated credit card processing.
Do I Need to Own an LLC to Open up a Business Checking Account?
While you can get a business bank account for an LLC (limited liability company), you don’t have to be an LLC to open one. Sole proprietors, partnerships, and other types of businesses can also open a business checking account.
Do I Need a Business Checking Account if I Already Have a Personal Checking Account?
In short, it depends. If your business is a sole proprietorship or a partnership, you aren’t legally required to have a business checking account. You’re free to use a personal checking account, but should still make an effort to separate personal and business finances.
However, if you operate as a corporation, you’ll need to have a dedicated business checking account for liability purposes and show a clear separation between what’s yours versus your business’s.
Also, some providers/banks may not allow you to use personal accounts for business purposes. So read through the terms and conditions of your personal account before using it for your company.
What are the Benefits of Having a Business Checking Account?
Whether you’re legally required to have one or not, there are several benefits of having a business checking account. One of the biggest benefits is keeping business finances separate from your personal finances.
Trying to track what’s for business versus what’s a personal transaction can be a headache if you use a personal account for business purposes. Having a dedicated account for your company makes it easy to keep track of things like your income and expenses, which is especially beneficial come tax time and saves a lot of work.
Another benefit is that it can serve as a foundation to build your business credit. Some lenders require that you have a business bank account to secure a loan or take out a business credit card. Good business credit can help you qualify for better lending and terms in the future as your company scales.
The best business bank accounts also have extra features that are helpful to all companies. This includes things like the ability to scan receipts, tools to categorize spending, and integration with accounting software.
Using a business account rather than your personal account looks more professional to suppliers and clients, too. It helps to show that your company isn’t a hobby but a legitimate operation that you’re taking seriously.
Who Can Open a Business Checking Account?
Anyone who owns a business that is legally registered in the USA can generally open a business account. However, unless you’re a sole proprietor, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Sole proprietors can get an EIN but can opt to use their social security number instead.
Our Top 3 Business Checking Accounts:
In a Nutshell
Found is an all-in-one business banking tool to help manage your company or small business finances. It has no hidden fees or minimum balances. Found features a host of easy-to-use features, like estimating and auto-saving for taxes, bookkeeping, and invoices, and it can connect with other banking/business software. Signing up is quick and easy compared to many other business bank accounts, and the company takes security very seriously.
Features
- Banking platform for small businesses
- Integrated bookkeeping & tax features
- Send invoices & pay contractors for free*
- Create customized sub-accounts
Most Popular Products
Pros
- Easy and quick signup process with no credit check required
- Automatically tracks expenses
- No hidden fees or minimum balance
- Several security procedures and practices to protect data
Cons
- Costs $2 to deposit cash (no fee for withdrawals)
- Low deposit and withdrawal limits
- Doesn’t support sending checks
In a Nutshell
Bluevine is a financial services platform, not a bank, although it provides business checking accounts and other services through Coastal Community Bank. It's an ideal solution for digital-first businesses seeking access to paper checks without the need for numerous cash deposits. With additional features tailored for accountants, it's particularly well suited for small accounting and bookkeeping firms.
Features
- Best overall for small businesses
- Earn a $500 bonus on new accounts
- Use code CAP500. T&Cs apply
- Free ACH & incoming wires, no overdraft fees
Most Popular Products
Pros
- No fees or required minimum balances
- 2.00% interest rates on balances up to and including $250K
- FDIC-insured accounts up to $3 million
- Apply for a business line of credit and business insurance on the same platform
Cons
- Cash deposits are limited to $2,000/day at green dot locations
- Cash deposits have a $4.95 fee per deposit
- No physical bank locations
- No weekend customer support is available
What Do I Need to Open a Business Checking Account?
To open a business checking account, you’ll have to complete an application. It will request personal information like:
- A piece (or two) of government-issued ID
- Your date of birth
- Personal phone number and email
- Social security number
- Home address
The application will also ask for business-related information, such as:
- EIN, if you have one
- The industry you’re in and what the business does
- Business name
- Company address/phone number
- When the business was formed
- The type of business structure (corporation, LLC, partnership, etc…)
- Certain business-related documents (like a business license, operating agreement, articles of incorporation if applicable, etc…)
The exact requirements may vary from bank to bank, as well. Similarly, while you can open a business bank account online in some cases, certain banks may require you to go into a branch.
Business Checking Account Features to Look For:
You’ll want to seek some key features when choosing the best small business bank account for your needs.
First, try to find free business checking accounts. Fees can eat away at your profits and add up over time if you’re not careful. They might include monthly fees, transaction fees, overdraft fees, deposit fees, ATM fees, and others.
Be aware that some banks may have certain requirements (like maintaining a certain monthly balance) to avoid fees. If finding a no-fee account is challenging, do your homework and choose one with the lowest fees possible.
You can also look for checking account features that aid in managing your business. Examples of this include the ability to:
- Create and send invoices
- Pay bills online
- Integrate with tax and account software you already use
- Easily transfer funds
Choose a business checking account that has a user-friendly app that lets you look at your transactions, view balances, and transfer funds with ease. Even if you mainly do your online banking on a computer or in-branch, being able to quickly check in on your business on the go in an app is valuable.
Ensure that both the app and online platform are highly rated, too. If other business owners have had poor experiences with them, there’s a good chance you’ll experience the same.
Disclaimer
U.S. Bank:
*Promo code Q3AFL26 MUST be used when opening a U.S. Bank Business Essentials® or Platinum Business Checking account. Limit of one bonus per business. A $25 minimum deposit is required to open one of the referenced accounts.
To earn a business checking bonus, open a qualifying U.S. Bank business checking account between 7/01/2026 and 9/27/2026. Make the required deposit(s) in new money within 30 days of account opening, maintain the same required daily balance through the 60th day, and complete 6 qualifying transactions based on posted date within 60 days of account opening.
- Business Essentials: $400 bonus with $5,000 deposits and daily balance
- Platinum Business Checking: $1,200 bonus with $25,000 deposits and daily balance
Qualifying transactions include debit card purchases, ACH and wire credits or debits, Zelle credits or debits, U.S. Bank mobile check deposit, electronic or paper check debits, U.S. Bank bill pay for business (excluding payments made by credit card), and payment received via U.S. Bank Payment Solutions. Other transactions, such as person-to-person payments, credit card transfers (including bill payments to U.S. Bank credit cards), or transfers between U.S. Bank accounts, are not eligible.
New money is defined as funds from outside U.S. Bank and cannot be transferred from another U.S. Bank product or a U.S. Bank Affiliate. For accounts opened on non-business days, weekends or federal holidays, the open date is considered the next business day. Account fees may reduce the required daily balance during the qualifying period.
Bonus will be deposited into your new eligible U.S. Bank business checking account within 30 days after the month-end in which all offer requirements are met, provided the account remains open with a positive available balance.
Offer may not be combined with other business checking bonus offers. Existing businesses with a business checking account or had one closed within the past 12 months, do not qualify.
All regular account-opening procedures apply. For full checking account pricing, terms and policies, refer to your Business Pricing Information, Business Essentials Pricing Information, and YDAA disclosure. These documents are available at any U.S. Bank branch or by calling 800.872.2657.
Bonus will be reported as interest earned on IRS Form 1099-INT and recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes. Current U.S. Bank employees are not eligible. U.S. Bank reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notice.
Member FDIC
Found:
Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC.
*Payments can be sent for free between Found users or by bank transfer via text, email, or direct deposit. Domestic wire transfers are available for a fee. Read Found Fee Schedule.
Mercury:
* Through Mercury's partner bank's and their use of sweep networks. Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC. FDIC deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Deposits in checking and savings accounts are FDIC-insured through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A. and their Sweep Program Network Banks. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through FDIC insurance to apply. Learn more here.