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:

Our top choice

#1

9.8

Excellent

User Engagement

Based on the past 7 days

9.9

Brand Visibility

Based on digital performance

9.5

Products & Services

Based on

editorial assessment

9.8

Learn more on how we score

Explore

1148 Excellent reviews on

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.

Read Review

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

Explore

Read Review

1148 Excellent reviews on

#2

9.4

Excellent

User Engagement

Based on the past 7 days

9.4

Brand Visibility

Based on digital performance

9.5

Products & Services

Based on

editorial assessment

9.3

Learn more on how we score

Explore

9268 Excellent reviews on

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.

Read Review

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

Explore

Read Review

9268 Excellent reviews on

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 Q3DIG26 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.

Wells Fargo Business Checking:

¹ How to qualify for this offer

To be Eligible: Offer is for new business checking customers only. Only the business entity is eligible for this offer. Limit one business checking bonus offer per business entity or business owner within 24 months. Only a Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking®, Navigate Business Checking®, or Optimize Business Checking® account is eligible for this offer. A business entity is not eligible for this offer if the business entity is a current owner of a Wells Fargo business checking account or has closed a Wells Fargo business checking account in the past 90 days, or the business entity is owned in whole or in part by a Wells Fargo employee. Non-resident aliens or foreign entities signing Form W-8 are not eligible for the offer. If Wells Fargo, in its sole discretion, suspects promotional offer abuse it may close an account and not pay a bonus.

To receive the cash bonus: You must use your bonus offer code by September 8, 2026 when opening a new eligible Wells Fargo business checking account, which is subject to approval, and complete the following requirements.

• Deposit: Bring $2,500 or more in deposits to your new eligible business checking account by day 30 from account opening. The account balance as of day 30 will determine the maximum cash bonus you may earn based on the below table. You may not deposit additional funds after the first 30 days to qualify for a higher cash bonus.

• Maintain the account balance in your account through day 60 from account opening (the “qualification period”). If your balance drops to a lower tier amount in the above table during this period, your cash bonus will be reduced or your account will no longer qualify for this bonus if it falls below the lowest tier.

• Qualifying Transactions: Complete 5 or more qualifying posted transactions within the 60-day qualification period. A qualifying transaction is a completed transaction that has been fully processed and posted to your account. Transactions generally post within 1 to 3 days, however, timing of when a transaction will post can vary from the same day to weeks later.

The following count as qualifying transactions:

• Posted transactions from purchases using your Wells Fargo business debit card

   ∙ Eligible debit card purchases are limited to: one-time or recurring payments and purchases made using PIN, signature, online, by phone, or Digital wallet².

   ∙ Wells Fargo can’t post your debit card transaction until the merchant submits the transaction to us for payment. Transactions received from a merchant after the cutoff time or on a non-business day are posted on the next business day.

• Posted payments you initiated through Wells Fargo Bill Pay

• Posted deposits using the Wells Fargo Mobile® app, ATM, Branch Teller, ACH, or Wire transfers

The following don’t count as qualifying transactions:

• Sending or receiving money with Zelle®

• Withdrawals from ATM, Branch Teller, ACH, or Wire transfers

• Transfers or payments to or from other Wells Fargo accounts

• Transfers made through the RTP® network (real-time payments) or FedNow^SM Service

• Debit Card Original Credit Transactions (OCT): a credit to your card when your debit card number is used to receive funds

After the 60-day qualification period, if you have met all offer requirements, we will deposit the bonus into your new account within 30 calendar days. Your new account must stay open throughout the time we attempt to deposit the bonus. We may close accounts with a zero balance without prior notice. You are responsible for any taxes due on the bonus. We will report the bonus as income to tax authorities, as required by applicable law. If you are subject to backup withholding at the time of payment, we will withhold the required amount and remit to the tax authorities.

Other Terms: This offer may be discontinued or changed at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other business checking offer. Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded.

Talk with a banker or see the "Business Account Fee and Information Schedule” and “Deposit Account Agreement" for complete checking account details, including the applicable monthly service fee and options to avoid it. The actions required to earn this bonus are separate from the actions available to avoid the monthly service fee.

²Digital wallets may not be available on all devices. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.