The 10 Best Banks for Small Business in 2019

The 10 Best Banks for Small Business in 2019

1. Wells Fargo: Best for small business lending.
2. Chase: Best for small business credit cards.
3. Capital One: Best for high number of deposits and monthly transactions.
4. Bank of America: Best for low-cost checking accounts.
5. Azlo (from BBVA Compass): Best for digital, no-fee checking accounts.
6. Citibank: Best for a range of checking options.
7. Live Oak Bank: Best for government-guaranteed SBA loans.
8. Santander Bank: Best for businesses that import or export products.
9. TD Bank: Best for commercial real estate loans.
10. Consumers Credit Union: Best credit union option.

If you’re serious about running and growing your small business, you’ll want to set up a business bank account as soon as possible so you can start managing your finances (and, eventually, apply for a small business loan).

But when you start searching for a bank to work with, you’ll quickly realize that finding the right small business bank is easier said than done: It takes more than just knocking on the door of the bank nearest your business. It can be overwhelming to sort through the fine print on bank websites and really figure out if they can offer the products and services your business truly needs.   

Lucky for you, we’re here to do some of the heavy lifting for you—we’ve scoured the banking landscape and put together this definitive guide on small business banks. First, we’ll cover the 10 best banks for small businesses in 2019, and then tell you how to find the best bank for your company.

The 10 Best Banks for Small Business in 2019

Photo credit: Wells Fargo

1. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo has about $2 trillion in assets, making it the third-largest bank based on total deposits. Despite that huge number, Wells Fargo doesn’t just think big picture: they’re also very focused on small businesses. Here’s why Wells Fargo makes the list of the best banks for small business:

Wells Fargo Small Business Lending

We’re willing to bet that, at some point in your small business’s lifetime, you’ll need to take out a small business loan to finance its growth. And when that time comes, you’ll be glad you have an established relationship with a bank, so you can take advantage of bank loans’ excellent terms.

Unlike most traditional banks, Wells Fargo offers more than just medium-term loans and lines of credit. They also offer short-term loans, SBA loans, and equipment finance, making their lending program incredibly flexible for small business owners.

Depending on the type of loan you’re going for with Wells Fargo, your small business can secure anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 in financing, at a starting interest rate of 6.75%. And because you’ll already have a business account open with the bank, your business loan application for any of the Wells Fargo small business loans will be fast and easy.

Here’s why we think Wells Fargo lending really stands out: It’s the most active SBA lender in the United States. Just take a look at the numbers: In 2016 alone, Wells Fargo issued 6,587 loans from the SBA 7(a) loan program—lending a total of $1,363,161,100 to small businesses.

So, if you find yourself wanting an SBA loan down the line, you’ll be happy to have a bank account with Wells Fargo—aka “American’s leading small business lender”—in place.

Wells Fargo Small Business Checking Accounts

There are four different Wells Fargo business checking accounts, which vary according to your business’s size, needs, and banking capacities: Business Choice Checking, Platinum Business Checking, Simple Business Checking, and Analyzed Business Checking.

The business checking account you choose to use will depend on what kind of small business you run and your needs. But let’s run through the details of Wells Fargo’s most popular and versatile small business checking account: Business Choice Checking.

Wells Fargo Business Choice Checking includes:

• 200 transactions per month
• $7,500 in cash deposits per month
• Text and mobile banking
• $14 monthly service fee, which is easily waived with one of several qualifying transactions

The Business Choice Checking account is a particularly good fit for small businesses that deal largely in cash, because you can make cash deposits of up to $7,500 a month with no extra charge. (That’s almost twice the amount other big banks will give you!) Once you’ve hit the $7,500 limit, there’s a charge of 30 cents for every extra $100 in cash deposits.  

Extra Banking Features at Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo offers robust lending and checking accounts for small business owners. But you can also take advantage of the bank’s additional features, like:

• Full-service payroll solutions, employee benefits, human resources, and tax programs
• A variety of merchant services and new payment technologies to run your business more efficiently
• Business credit cards
• Wells Fargo small business insurance coverage to protect your business, assets, and employees
• Manage your account online with Wells Fargo online banking. Wells Fargo offers a variety of online tools that can help you keep on top of your business expenses, deposits, and cash flow.

Wells Fargo also allows you to integrate your QuickBooks accounting software so you can easily and safely maintain all your financials online. But if you prefer to do your banking in person, you can visit one of Wells Fargo’s 6,000 locations nationwide.

The Bottom Line on Banking With Wells Fargo

Across the board, Wells Fargo is particularly small business-friendly. It’s an especially good option for small business owners who are looking for a strong lending program from their bank. As an account-holder with Wells Fargo, you can easily apply to lots of different loan products with low rates. 

Photo credit: Chase Bank

2. Chase Bank

With $2.39 trillion in assets, Chase has the biggest banking presence in the United States. In fact, Chase serves almost half of all American households. But Chase isn’t only focused on the consumer—it also has a significant small business banking program. Here’s why Chase bank might be the best bank for your small business.

Chase Small Business Lending

Chase offers a variety of loan options for small business owners, like term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, commercial real estate loans, and equipment financing. While Chase is starting to offer more alternative lending products, it’s best known for those traditional small business loans.

And, for qualified borrowers, Chase small business loans can fetch huge amounts of capital. With a Chase line of credit, you can get as little as $10,000, or as much as $500,000 for your small business. And if you want an SBA loan, you have three options: A classic SBA 7(a) loan, an SBA Express term loan, or an SBA 504 loan.

Chase Small Business Checking Accounts

With its three Chase business checking accounts—Total Business Checking, Performance Business Checking, and Platinum Business Checking—Chase can easily meet your business’s checking needs.

Each account is designed for the different stages in a business’s lifetime. The one that’s best suited for small businesses, though, is probably the Chase Total Business Checking account.

Some fundamental features of the Chase Total Business Checking account include:

• A monthly service fee of $12 when you enroll in Paperless Statements (or $15 for paper statements)
• Service fee can be waived if you maintain a $1,500 minimum daily balance in your account
• 200 free transactions per month
• You can deposit $7,500 in cash each month without a fee.

Extra Banking Features at Chase

If Chase’s established small business lending program and business checking accounts aren’t reason enough to sign up for account, here are some other advantages to consider:

• Some of the Chase business credit cards are some of the best on the market
• Both human resources and payroll programs for businesses of any size. With the full-service payroll program, you can manage your payroll (and payroll tax filing) completely online
• Access to a Chase merchant services account that can make your checkout process as streamlined as possible
• A Mobile Banking system that’s easily accessible from any mobile device. One of the best features of Chase Mobile Banking is QuickDeposit, where users can scan and deposit checks electronically without visiting a branch
• 5,300 branches and 15,500 ATMs countrywide
• When you sign up for Chase’s small business banking, you’ll be given access to free business debit cards for you and your employees.

The Bottom Line on Banking With Chase

Your small business will absolutely benefit from the well-established Chase lending program and their several low-cost business checking accounts. But we think Chase really shines with their small business credit card. In particular, Chase offers some of the most substantial cash back and rewards points earnings on business credit cards.

Photo credit: Capital One

3. Capital One

Although Capital One has substantial consumer and commercial banking programs, their comprehensive suite of financing solutions proves that they’re equally devoted to small business owners.

Capital One Small Business Lending

Capital One wants to be a partner for your small business, not just your bank. When you need to grow your business and smooth out your cash flow along the way, Capital One has a few different loan products for you to consider.

There are a variety of Capital One small business loan options: you could take out a working capital line of credit, equipment or business auto loan, business installment loan, or SBA loan from Capital One. With a wide variety of loan products available, they’re sure to meet any financing need that comes up as your business grows.

Capital One truly prioritizes your banking relationship. If you have an established Capital One business account and apply for a loan with the bank, you might qualify for what Capital One calls “relationship-based” business loan rates. Simply put, Capital One might give you a lower-cost loan if you already have an established relationship with the bank.

Capital One Small Business Checking Accounts

Capital One offers a straightforward small business checking account system. You have two Capital One business checking options to choose from: the Spark Business Basic Checking and the Spark Business Unlimited Checking.

Here’s what you can expect with a Spark Business Basic Checking account:

• Unlimited transactions each month
• Deposit up to $5,000 in cash each month with no extra fee
• $15 monthly service fee, waived if you maintain the minimum 30- or 90-day average monthly balance of $2,000, or, if you have two other Capital One products open
• Free business debit card, online bill pay, and online and mobile checking

It’s hard to find a business checking account that has unlimited transactions and a high number of free cash deposits. So, if you run a business that has a high number of monthly transactions and cash deposits, banking with Capital One is a smart choice.

The Capital One Business Advantage Savings Account is a stellar choice for a first savings account for many businesses, too, which requires a minimum initial deposit of just $250.

Extra Banking Features at Capital One

When you sign up for a business account with Capital One, you’ll find that their Spark Business program has a lot to offer. Here are some of the features you can take advantage of:

• Capital One has a pretty great array of business credit cards, and they’re easy to sign up for if you already have a business account open.
• Spark Business has a comprehensive online banking program, so you can do all your banking online
• If you use Capital One’s online banking, you’ll have access to different cash flow management tools that can help you analyze and control your business’s cash flow

The Bottom Line on Banking With Capital One

With a strong lending program and low-cost business checking accounts, Capital One is one of the best banks for small business. But Capital One really sets itself apart by being totally devoted to small businesses. No two small businesses are alike, and Capital One recognizes that by tailoring their Spark Business program to meet various banking needs across various industries.

But here’s where Capital One really shines: When you bank with Capital One, you’ll have access to Spark Business IQ—a program designed to help entrepreneurs manage their business’s operations, finances, and cash flow. You can tap into Spark Business IQ to access valuable guides and share ideas on how to grow your business.

Photo credit: Bank of America

4. Bank of America

In their 200-year history, Bank of America has supported more than 3 million small business owners with easy-to-use banking products and services. With that much influence, Bank of America might just be the best bank for small business. Here’s why it could be a good fit for your small business.

Bank of America Small Business Lending

You won’t have to worry about a lack of small business lending capacity with Bank of America: The bank secured almost $10.7 billion in new credit to small business owners in 2015.

Bank of America offers traditional bank financing, like secured business term loans and lines of credit, along with commercial real estate loans, equipment and vehicle financing, and SBA loans. And, as with any small business loans from major banks, you can get long-term financing at a low rate.

In particular, you’ll definitely want to check out Bank of America if you run a healthcare business, since the bank offers tailored financing solutions specifically for that industry.

Bank of America Small Business Checking Accounts

There are two solid Bank of America business checking account options for small business owners: the Business Fundamentals account and the Business Advantage account.

Here are some major features of the Business Fundamentals Checking account, which offers all the essentials your small business needs:

• $18 monthly fee that can be waived if:
  • You charge at least $250 per month on a business debit or credit card
  • Maintain an average monthly balance above $5,000
  • Have a combined average of linked Bank of America accounts of $15,000, or
  • Keep a minimum daily balance of $3,000.
• Free cash deposits, up to $10,000 per month
• Free mobile and online banking
• Business and employee debit cards

If your small business mainly deals in cash, you’ll definitely want to consider a Bank of America business account—of the top four small business banks on this list, Bank of America charges the lowest fees on cash deposits.

Extra Banking Features at Bank of America

When you sign up for a small business account with Bank of America, you can take advantage of the bank’s additional features and services, like:

• An award-winning online and mobile banking service
• Payroll and express tax services with Intuit
• Clover Solutions, the bank’s advanced point of sale devices designed to cut down your workload and make your business work more efficiently. Clover products can help organize your payment processing, inventory management, and employee scheduling.

The Bottom Line on Banking With Bank of America

As far as the best bank for small business goes, BoA is a tried-and-true banking option, with a solid Bank of America business lending program and intuitive checking accounts. And if you want to be absolutely sure that you’ll waive a checking account monthly fee, Bank of America is probably your best bet, since it offers the most ways to waive that extra charge.

Photo credit: Azlo

5. Azlo

When you think about the best bank for small business, you’re probably thinking of the brick-and-mortar banks dotting your area. But with Azlo Business Checking, you don’t need to step foot into a traditional bank to have a positive banking experience.

Created especially for freelancers, self-employed individuals, and side-hustlers, Azlo Business Checking stands out from the pack for two very obvious reasons: This bank account is completely digital, and it’s completely fee-free. Azlo was launched with the backing with BBVA Compass Bank, which holds all accounts on this platform and ensures that all deposits are FDIC-insured.

Azlo Small Business Checking Account

Azlo offers one tier of business checking account, and that account comes with no attached fees on any of its transactions. Some key features on Azlo’s app and dashboard include:

• Free bank-to-bank ACH transfers (domestic banks only, with free international transfers coming soon)
• Free debit card with free ATM access at select AllPoint ATMs (there’s an ATM locator in the app) and no foreign transaction fees
• Mobile check deposit
• Receive domestic and international wires for free
• No minimum balance requirement

Since there are no fees and only one checking account tier involved, Azlo’s platform doesn’t come with the (admittedly complicated) fine print that some other checking account terms do. The model is super-simple: Without any minimum balance requirements or tier caps, Azlo offers users a free space to deposit, store, and transfer as much cash as they need.  

Extra Banking Features With Azlo

In addition to all the capabilities you’d expect from a business checking account, Azlo streamlines expense tracking and management through their app and dashboard. Some additional tools on Azlo’s platform include:

• FDIC-insured accounts
• Fast and free application
• Create and send invoices to request payment
• Connect your business’s Stripe payment processing system (other providers are coming soon)
• Electronic bill payment  
• Pay others via mail with digital checks
• Instant, free payments between Azlo users

The Bottom Line on Banking With Azlo

If it’s convenience that you’re seeking, then Azlo might be the perfect bank for your small business. Azlo offers a completely digital banking experience for small business owners. Some features, such as check deposit, that you could get with a physical bank are missing. Azlo’s target customer is the busy small business owner who needs to access their account online and handle transactions electronically.

 

Photo credit: Citibank

6. Citibank

Citibank is concentrated in six urban centers of the United States: New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. That covers a wide net of small businesses, but even if you’re not located in one of those cities, there’s a lot you can accomplish with the bank’s digital footprint. Although Citibank is best known for their credit cards, their checking accounts are what really stand out for small business owners.

Citibank Checking Accounts

There are four different Citibank business checking accounts, while most large banks (except Bank of America) only offer two or three:

• CitiBusiness Streamlined Checking Account: An entry-level checking account. Waive the monthly fee with a $5,000 minimum balance.
• CitiBusiness Flexible Checking Account: This checking account is perfect for fast-growing businesses. You get 500 free transactions per month, and you can avoid fees with a $10,000 minimum balance.
• CitiBusiness Checking Account: This account is good for medium-sized businesses and has an earnings credit to offset fees.
• CitiBusiness Interest Checking Account: Interest-bearing checking account for businesses that can maintain a $10,000 or higher average balance.

With so many checking options, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that works for your small business. And you can stay with the same bank, upgrading to a different checking account as your company grows. Citibank also offers savings accounts, a money market account, and certificates of deposit.

Citibank Business Loans and Credit Cards

You can also use Citibank for business loans and business credit cards. For longer-term financing, Citibank offers commercial mortgages and installment loans, ideal for buying equipment or expanding operations. For shorter-term financing, there are two Citibank business credit cards. One is a business travel credit card that earns you American Airlines bonus miles for spending. The other is a card designed for Costco members.

Extra Banking Features at Citibank

When banking with Citibank, you can access all of the following additional features and services:

• FDIC-insured accounts
• Secure CitiBusiness online account access
• Mobile banking
• Fraud protection
• Industry-based banking packages
• Merchant services
• Global business solutions

The Bottom Line on Banking With Citibank

Citibank is one of the overall best banks for small business, with something to offer for nearly every type of company and every stage of growth. When just starting out, you can try Citibank’s travel business credit card for quick, convenient financing. As you grow, you might need a longer-term loan or merchant services account. And their four business checking accounts mean that your bank can stay the same even as your business evolves.

Photo credit: Live Oak Bank

7. Live Oak Bank

Many small businesses aren’t familiar with Live Oak Bank because this bank has no physical branches. A completely digital bank, Live Oak offers both business and personal banking. On the business side, the bank focuses on SBA loans, certificates of deposit, and savings accounts. Although Live Oak Bank offers many different types of business loans, they have a great deal of success and experience with SBA loans. If you’re on the market for an SBA loan, this is definitely a bank that you should contact.

Live Oak Bank SBA Lending

Live Oak Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender, which means the SBA has granted them the authority to approve SBA loan applications on an expedited basis. Compared to other SBA lenders, going with Live Oak gives you a speed advantage. You also get the experience of bankers who have facilitated over $850 million in SBA funding.

Live Oak can work with you on any of the following SBA loan programs:

• SBA 7(a) Loans: These general purpose loans can be used for working capital or a more targeted purpose
• SBA 504 Loans: These loans are for the purchase or upgrade of fixed assets, such as real estate and equipment
• SBA 504 Green Loans: These loans fall under the 504 umbrella but provide more favorable terms for sustainable, green businesses.

In addition to SBA loans, Live Oak has also helped small businesses with other government small business loans, such as USDA business loans.

Live Oak Bank Business Banking

Live Oak also provides certificates of deposit and savings accounts for small business customers. The Business Online Savings Account is a high-yield account, currently at a 1.09% interest rate, which you can open and manage online. The yield, according to Live Oak, is 12 times higher than the national average. There are no monthly maintenance fees. Certificate of deposit rates currently range from 2.45% to 3.15%,  depending on how long you keep your money locked in.

Extra Banking Features at Live Oak Bank

When you open a small business loan or account with Live Oak Bank, you can take advantage of the bank’s additional features and services, like:

• Industry experts to service your loan quickly
• No monthly maintenance fees
• FDIC-insured accounts
• Online application and account opening
• Access account anytime with mobile app
• Secure electronic statements

The Bottom Line on Banking With Live Oak Bank

Live Oak Bank is a great option for small business loans, certificates of deposit, and savings accounts. You can get started online, and the bank has a team of industry and banking experts to help you accomplish your company’s financial goals. If you are looking for a checking account, you’ll need to go elsewhere for that, as Live Oak currently doesn’t offer checking accounts. However, with a commitment to service and technology, Live Oak is definitely one of the best banks for small business in 2019.

Photo credit: Santander Bank

8. Santander Bank

Santander Bank is an FDIC-insured bank with branches and clients located mostly in the northeast. This bank often appears in the news in connection with equity financing, hedge funds, and risk management solutions. Indeed, this is one of the largest banks in the world, with over $13 billion in assets. They have branches in dozens of countries, including the United States, Brazil, Spain, Germany, and Mexico. With over 100 million customers and 14,400 branches, this is one of the best banks for small business if you transact business internationally.

Santander Bank Foreign Exchange Services

If your business does transactions in multiple countries, then you already appreciate the challenge of working with the regulations and currencies of different nations. Santander Bank can make things easier for you with services designed to protect against currency volatility. For example, Santander has trading desks in all major financial markets throughout the world, helping you get the most competitive exchange rates.

Santander commercial customers can send payment via bank drafts for international customers. The payments will be deposited directly into the customer’s overseas bank account. In addition, you can present checks for deposit whether they are in USD or another currency.

Santander Bank Foreign Trade Solutions

Santander Bank also offers a range of solutions for businesses that trade overseas. The services are designed to help your company minimize risk, increase working capital, and negotiate more favorable contract terms.

For exporters, Santander Bank can help you obtain letters of credit from overseas customers. Santander will even work with your buyer’s international bank to ensure payment winds up in your account before your payment deadline. They also with the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the SBA on SBA export loans to help you expand your export business and fulfill orders.

For importers, Santander will issue letters of credit on your behalf to increase the confidence of sellers in current and untapped markets. They’ll also offer banker’s acceptances, which are similar to short-term import business loans. These allow you to defer payments to sellers or break them into installments.

Extra Banking Features at Santander Bank

Working with Santander lets you take advantage of the bank’s additional features and services for multinational businesses, such as:

• FDIC-insured accounts
• Variety of lending solutions, including loans and lines of credit
• Foreign exchange, interest rate hedgings, swaps, and options
• Santander International Desk team
• Santander Trade Portal
• Santander Trade Club and Network

The Bottom Line on Banking With Santander

Businesses that have stepped onto the world stage have unique challenges, and you need a bank equipped to handle these. Santander has a presence in multiple countries and their staff have the experience of working with importers and exporters. Just keep in mind that the bank has branches only in the Northeast. Whether it’s something as simple as getting the best rate on currency exchange or a complicated import/export transaction with multiple buyers and sellers, Santander has you covered. This makes Santander one of the best banks for small business in 2019.

Photo credit: TD Bank

9. TD Bank

TD Bank, like Santander Bank, has branches across the East Coast. This bank has a diverse range of solutions for small business owners, including checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, merchant services, and business loans. However, they really stand out because they provide a lot of opportunities for business owners who want to purchase, upgrade, or invest in commercial real estate.

TD Bank Commercial Real Estate Loans

TD Bank offers multiple options in commercial real estate lending:

• SBA 504 Loans: Government-guaranteed loans for the purchase and upgrade of real estate
• Unsecured Term Loans: Provide no collateral for five-year and seven-year term loans
• Secured Term Loans: Collateral-backed loans of up to 10 years
• Bridge Loans: These loans can help you transition from short-term, hard money loans to longer-term bank financing.
• Construction Loans: Long-term loans for the construction of new properties

A variety of business customers are eligible for these loans. Whether you’re a new fix and flipper or an experienced real estate developer, TD Bank likely has a commercial real estate solution that’s right for you. And for other business needs, TD offers other types of business loans.

TD Bank Banking Services

In addition to loans, TD Bank offers other small business banking services. For example, there are TD Bank business checking accounts, with low, waivable monthly maintenance fees. Their entry-level checking account comes with a $10 monthly maintenance fee. Depending on the checking account that you choose, you get up to $30,000 in free monthly cash deposits and up to 500 free monthly transactions.

Extra Banking Features at TD Bank

TD Bank offers a range of value-added features and services for small businesses, including:

• FDIC-insured accounts
• Low monthly maintenance fees
• Merchant services solutions
• Mobile banking and mobile check deposit
• Open account online
• Unlimited cash back on select business credit cards

The Bottom Line on Banking With TD Bank

TD Bank has a full-service bank perfect for businesses located on the East Coast. If you don’t transact in cash, it could be a good bank for you even if you’re not on the East Coast. But you’ll probably want a branch near you, especially if your goal is to have one bank for all your business needs. You can use TD Bank for your checking account, savings account, merchant services, and business loans. The multitude of options makes TD Bank a strong contender among the best banks for small business.

Photo credit: Consumers Credit Union

10. Consumers Credit Union

Credit unions have many of the same financial offerings as banks, but their structure is slightly different. Credit unions are member-owned and operated, and their products are available only to members. Credit unions are often a good choice for business owners because their products come with lower fees, higher interest yield, and better service.

Although the name of this credit union might suggest otherwise, this credit union is not just for personal banking. In fact, Consumers Credit Union provides a range of both personal and business banking services. Plus, Consumers Credit Union is easy to join. To join this credit union, you simply have to pay a $5 membership fee and open a savings account with a minimum deposit of $5.

Consumers Credit Union Business Banking

Consumers Credit Union offers checking and savings accounts for small businesses. Even the entry-level checking account waives the monthly $15 maintenance fee as long as you maintain a $1,000 minimum deposit. And you can open an interest-bearing savings account with as little as $5 (though you have to deposit at least $100 to avoid a monthly fee).

Consumers Credit Union Business Loans

There are also a variety of loan options available through Consumers Credit Union. These include owner-occupied and investment property commercial real estate loans, equipment loans, and lines of credit. There are also secured personal loans that you can use for business purposes.

Consumers Credit Union Business Credit Cards

Consumers Credit Union offers a Visa credit card and Visa debit card for small business owners, perfect for separating your business from personal finances or for authorizing employee purchases. Individualized credit limits are available for different cards, so these can be used by you and your entire team. If you get their debit card, you can access ATMs in the credit union’s nationwide network at no cost.

Extra Banking Features at Consumers Credit Union

Consumers Credit Union offers a range of value-added services for small business owners, similar to what you’d expect at a bank:

• Federally insured bank accounts
• Nationwide ATM access with CO-OP ATM Network
• Merchant services solutions available
• Online bill pay and mobile banking
• Free online transfers

The Bottom Line on Banking With Consumers Credit Union

If you’ve entrusted your money at bank all your life, it can be difficult to switch to a credit union. But many who’ve made the switch are pleasantly surprised with lower fees, higher interest yields, more affordable loans, and better customer service. The main hurdle is the eligibility to join a credit union. Fortunately, Consumers Credit Union requires just a one-time $5 fee and a $5 opening savings deposit to become a member.

Finding the Best Small Business Bank

At last count, there were 4,746 commercial banks in the United States. with physical branches. That doesn’t even include the dozens of online banks with a completely digital presence. That’s a lot of banks to sort through to find the one that works for your small business. 

Whether you opt for one of the 10 banks we listed above or another institution, your best option depends on what you need for your small business. To find the perfect fit, you’ll have to ask yourself a few questions:

• Will your small business need financing in the future?
• How much cash flow will you have moving in and out of your bank account on a monthly basis?
• Do you prefer to bank in person, or do you want mobile and online capabilities?
• Are you okay with paying monthly fees to access certain value-added services (such as more included transactions)?
• Do you prefer to do all your banking at one bank, or are you okay with using different banks for different products?

When you’re answering these questions, be sure to have both your business’s current situation and future goals in mind. If you stay realistic and upfront with your banking needs, you’ll know exactly how to sort through the fine print and find the right small business bank for your company.

Before You Find a Bank, Find the Best Small Business Credit Card

You’re probably looking for a bank so you can open a business checking account, a business savings account, a business credit card, and, eventually, take out a small business loan.

The thing is, though, that finding banks with great checking and savings options will be easy—but finding a bank that will also lend you money can be tough, since bank lending to small businesses is down across the board. Additionally, credit cards are becoming a product you consider discretely, not necessarily based on which bank it’s attached to.

So, deciding on a small business bank will really come down to what you’ll be using that bank for the most: checking and savings accounts.

And if you don’t have a business credit card, start shopping for one now. Business credit cards are crucial financing tools for every small business, because they give you an immediate, flexible source of capital. The best way to find a business credit card is to search the market according to what your small business needs.

Here’s a list of a few of our favorite business credit cards, based on common needs.

1. 0% Intro APR Period

The Blue Business Plus from Amex is our favorite 0% intro APR period business credit card on the market. Why? That intro APR period is 15 months long, the longest we’ve ever seen. Keep in mind, though, that after your 15 interest-free months are up, a variable APR sets in at a rate depending on your creditworthiness. This rate will also vary with the market, so check the issuer’s terms and conditions for the latest APR information.

2. Travel

Chase’s Ink Business Preferred business credit card is hands-down the best travel card on the market right now thanks to their stellar signup bonus: You can earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. If you use Chase cards for your personal spending, too, this card is even more powerful.

3. Building Credit

Capital One’s Spark Classic business credit card is great for business owners who are still building up their personal credit score, since you’ll only need a minimum credit score of 550 to apply—one of the lowest minimum credit card requirements you’ll find on a major credit card. Plus, you’ll get 1% cash back on all your spend, so you can earn while you build that credit score.

4. Cash Back

When you use a cash back card, you’re getting two financial solutions in one: a flexible line of credit, and the opportunity to receive cash back with every transaction. Check out Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® for a no-fee cash back card that gives you 3%, 2%, or 1% cash back, depending on where you spend.

The Best Bank for Small Business in 2019

The good news is that small business owners have a lot of options in 2019 about where to bank. The bad news is that all those choices might make it harder to narrow things down and figure out what works best for your company. Fortunately, your choice doesn’t need to be a permanent one. If you’re unhappy with rates or the customer service at your current bank, it might be time for a change. Try one of the 10 best banks for small business listed above. It might be just the thing to help your business grow to the next level.

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from Fundera Ledger https://www.fundera.com/blog/best-bank-for-small-business/