12 Best banks for small business in 2026

Key takeaways

• The best bank for small business depends on your business’s growth stage and whether you handle cash, operate internationally, or need financing.

• 60% of small businesses still use traditional banks, but 16% have turned to online banks¹ for their business accounts. Regional banks and credit unions also offer small business bank accounts.

• We recommend Airwallex for small business accounts, Chase Bank as the best traditional bank, Columbia Bank as the best regional bank, and America First Credit Union as the best credit union.

Choosing the right bank for your business helps you control your finances, minimize payment fees, and get access to the resources you need to grow. But with so many options – including traditional banks, fintechs, credit unions, and more – it can be hard to know where to start.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the best small business banks in 2026 and help you choose the right banking partner for your needs.

Best small business banks in 2026

Types of top-rated business bank accounts for small business

There are many types of small business banks, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Below, we’ll explain the most popular account types and highlight the best provider for each.

Digital-first nationwide account: Airwallex

Our take

Airwallex is a small business-friendly fintech with a wide range of features to help your company grow. For example, the Airwallex Business Account includes physical and virtual debit cards for you and your employees so you can get the supplies you need quickly. Spend management software and accounting integrations also make it easy for you to monitor your cash flow. Payment acceptance features let you send invoices and payment links, accept online card and e-wallet payments, and even set up recurring subscriptions.

Airwallex especially stands out for eCommerce and growing businesses with international customers and vendors, thanks to its Global Accounts. These let you hold, send, and receive funds in 20+ currencies and collect funds like a local in 70+ countries. Cross-border payments are incredibly fast, with 94% of international payments arriving on the same day they’re sent. There are no international transfer fees for payments to 120+ countries, and you get access to low interbank rates when converting currencies.

Pros

• Supports US and international bill pay

• Earn up to 1.5% cashback on corporate card spend

• Integrates with eCommerce marketplaces like Amazon and Shopify

Cons

• No lending products

• Doesn’t include a savings account

Traditional business account: Chase Bank

Our take

Chase Bank has the largest branch and ATM network in the US, with more than 5,000 locations and 15,000 ATMs. The Business Complete Banking account lets you take advantage of this network with 20 free in-person transactions per month and unlimited monthly ATM transactions. The account also includes a debit card, invoicing, payment processing for credit and debit cards, and online bill pay.

Chase Bank also has a range of business lending products, including small business loans, lines of credit, and credit cards. The Business Complete Banking account costs $15 per month, but there are multiple ways to have the fee waived, including by keeping a minimum balance of just $2,000.

Pros

• No fee for ATM deposits

• Earn 1.5% cashback on debit card purchases

• Business savings account available

Cons

• Hefty fees for international payments

• Limited integrations

• Doesn’t include spend management tools

Regional banks: Columbia Bank 

Our take

Columbia Bank is a Pacific Northwest-based regional bank with more than 350 branches across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. With its Community Business Checking account, you get up to 200 check transactions per month and $10,000 in cash transactions per month. The account also offers online bill pay, mobile check deposits, and debit cards with spend management features.

Columbia Bank also has a business savings account, credit cards, and business loans to help you grow. The Community Business Checking account comes with a $7 monthly fee, but it’s waived if you keep a minimum daily balance of $1,000.

Pros

• Lets you add secondary account users

• Offers Small Business Administration (SBA) and USDA loans

• Low transaction fees

Cons

• Doesn’t offer cashback on card purchases

• No accounting integrations

• Branches in only eight states

Credit unions: America First Credit Union

Our take

America First Credit Union offers a fee-free business checking account that earns dividends with a $2,000 minimum balance. It includes up to 50 check transactions per month, a business debit card, and free online bill pay. The credit union has around 120 branches in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona, but it participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch network. That means you can also transact in person at thousands of other credit unions nationwide.

America First Credit Union is a preferred lender for the SBA 7(a) loan program, so it’s a good choice if you’re considering an SBA loan. It also offers business credit cards, equipment loans, and lines of credit.

Pros

• Offers business savings accounts and certificates of deposit

• Low fees after free transaction limits

• Retail point-of-sale available

Cons

• No integrations or spend management tools

• Limited branch and ATM network

• High fees for international wires

Business bank accounts based on business stages

You can also choose a business account based on your business’s growth phase.

Bank for startup phase: Mercury

Our take

Mercury is a startup-focused fintech that offers business checking and savings accounts starting at $0 per month. It supports free ACH, wire, and check payments, including free international USD wires. Automations and a Slack integration make banking more seamless for time-strapped teams, and you can customize permissions to control who has access to what data. 

Mercury also supports startups with venture debt financing that’s more nimble than traditional business loans. Discounts on productivity software help your business operate efficiently, while premium plans offer more features and support for growing teams.

Pros

• Fully online application process

• Includes spend management software

• Balances are Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured up to $5 million

Cons

• No traditional business loans

• International fees apply to card purchases

• Reimbursements require a premium plan

Bank for growth phase: Brex

Our take

Growth-phase businesses need a bank account that supports international payments and offers high transaction limits. Brex lets you have multiple business entities in different countries, send wires in local currencies, and pay employees worldwide. It also offers low transaction fees for payments, corporate cards with no international fees, and spend management tools to control employee expenses.

Brex also offers tools for booking travel, integrating with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and earning yield on saved cash. There’s a free plan available, and the growth-oriented Premium plan costs $12 per user per month. 

Pros

• AI-powered automations reduce admin time

• Customizable expense and approval workflows

• Local currency debit cards for 50+ countries

Cons

• Only one currency allowed per entity

• Limited payment acceptance features

• No eCommerce integrations

Bank for maturity phase: Bank of America

Our take

Bank of America is a major US bank that offers business checking and savings accounts, plus a wide range of loan products. The Business Advantage account is designed for mature businesses, offering fee-free wires, payment acceptance tools, corporate cards, and foreign exchange (FX) tools for international payments.

Mature businesses can take advantage of Bank of America’s massive financial ecosystem, which includes a Business Investment Account, accounts receivable management, and supply chain financing. Bank of America’s investment banking arm can also help companies hold a stock sale or issue bonds.

Pros

• Advanced asset management and lending programs

• 3,600+ branches nationwide

• Tailored solutions for global payments

Cons

• Above-average banking fees

• Only supports USD balances

• Limited automations for invoicing or expense management

Bank for freelancers and solopreneurs: Novo

Our take

Novo is a freelancer-focused fintech with a fee-free online account. It offers free domestic ACH payments and wires, making it easy to get paid. It also lets you send invoices and offers built-in bookkeeping to track expenses and revenue. Plus, Novo Reserves helps you set aside money for taxes, operating costs, retirement savings, and more.

Novo offers a business credit card with 2% cashback and business loans to help you expand your small business. The application process is fully online, and it’s quick to get started.

Pros

• Funds go straight to your Novo account when clients pay invoices

• Integrations with freelancer marketplaces like Fiverr

• No overdraft fees

Cons

• Doesn’t offer scalable plans with more features

• International payments require a Wise account

• No spend management controls

Business bank account by specific needs

Here are the best small business bank accounts for specific needs such as quick funding and savings interest.

Funding speed: American Express

Our take

American Express offers fee-free business checking with quick access to funding. You can get pre-approved and apply for a business line of credit up to $250,000 in just a few minutes. Once you’re approved, you can draw funds at any time and have them deposited immediately in your American Express Business Checking account.

American Express also offers business credit cards and corporate cards, including some with no annual fees and others with no international fees.

Pros

• Earn interest on checking balances up to $500,000

• No fee at thousands of ATMs

• 24/7 customer support by phone and live chat 

Cons

• Doesn’t offer standard business term loans

• High international payment fees

• No spend management tools

Lines of credit and loans: Bluevine

Our take

Bluevine is an online business banking platform offering checking accounts, business lines of credit, and term loans. You can get a line of credit up to $250,000 at competitive rates. Term loans are available up to $500,00 and with terms of up to 24 months. Bluevine also offers SBA 7(a) loans up to $350,000.

The Bluevine checking account charges no monthly fees and lets you earn interest on balances up to $250,000. You can get paid online with invoices and payment links, plus accept international payments in 39 currencies for a flat fee. Bluevine also offers corporate cards with basic spend management tools. 

Pros

• Get funding in minutes if you already have a Bluevine checking account

• Three scalable plans 

• Manage budgets or financial goals with sub-accounts

Cons

• High fees for international payments

• Only holds USD balances

• No physical branches

Checking accounts: Grasshopper

Our take

Grasshopper is a digital bank with a free checking account you can open online in minutes. The account offers interest on all balances and FDIC insurance up to $125 million, more than almost any other business checking account. You also get free unlimited ACH transfers and automated bill pay.

Grasshopper’s checking account comes with a corporate debit card that earns unlimited 1% cashback on purchases. You can use more than 40,000 ATMs nationwide with no fees, and deposit checks instantly with the Grasshopper mobile app.

Pros

• Below-average fees for international transfers

• Accounting integrations 

• Offers a savings account with boosted APYs

Cons

• Doesn’t support cash deposits

• No physical branches

• No spend management tools

Saving accounts: Live Oak

Our take

Live Oak is an online bank that offers 3.00% APY on unlimited balances in your business savings account. There’s no monthly account fee and you get up to $10 million in FDIC insurance. Live Oak also offers certificates of deposit (CDs) from three months to five years with rates up to 4.00% APY.

Live Oak doesn’t have branches and doesn’t support cash deposits, but it offers scalable business checking accounts and business loans. Another plus: You don’t need a Live Oak checking account to open a business savings account.

Pros

• Much higher interest rates than average

• No minimum deposit or balance requirements

• Savings accounts support ACH transfers and wires

Cons

• Above-average fees for checking accounts

• Doesn’t offer business lines of credit

• High international payment fees

Checklist for choosing a business bank account for a small business

Here are some things to look for when choosing the best bank for a small business account.

• Branch and ATM networks: For cash-heavy businesses, physical branches and ATMs matter.  Digital-focused businesses may benefit more from an online business bank account with lower fees.

• Debit cards and spend management tools: Employee debit cards make paying vendors easier and cut administrative work, but look for spend management software that lets you set limits on employee purchases and easily track expenses.

• Payments support: Consider payment features like automated bill pay and fee-free transfers. If you have international suppliers, choose a bank account with low or zero international payment fees.

• Payment acceptance: Many small business banks offer point-of-sale (POS) devices or online payment gateways. If you have international customers, choose an account like Airwallex that supports local payment methods and doesn’t require currency conversion.

• Integrations: Choose a business bank account that integrates with the software your business already uses, including accounting and eCommerce systems.

• Transaction limits: Most small business banks put monthly limits on free transactions. Decide whether you can stay within these limits and how much it’ll cost if you don’t.

• Lending products: Growing businesses can benefit from access to business loans, credit cards, and lines of credit. Consider what lending products a bank offers and whether its rates are competitive.

• Fees: Avoid accounts with hefty monthly fees and transaction fees that eat into your revenue. Check if any maintenance fees are waivable, and whether you’ll consistently meet the requirements.

Business bank account vs. personal bank account

A business bank account is available only to business owners, while a personal bank account is available to anyone. Both allow you to hold, send, and receive funds. Business accounts typically cost more, but they also offer business-specific financial management tools such as employee debit cards, sub-accounts, and accounting integrations.

Traditional vs online vs credit unions for your small business bank

Traditional banks have the largest networks of physical branches and ATMs. They’re a good option for small businesses that handle cash or want in-person banking, but they usually have higher fees than online banks or credit unions.

Online banks are ideal for businesses that do all their banking digitally. They typically offer low fees and have scalable plans and financial management tools for growing businesses. Some, like Airwallex, cater to international businesses by supporting multiple currencies. While some online banks provide ATM access, many don’t support cash transactions.

Credit unions have small branch and ATM networks and charge fees that usually fall between those of traditional banks and online banks. They often offer loan products tailored to local businesses and share profits with members. Credit unions typically lack financial management features or advanced software tools.

Methodology: How we ranked the best small business banks

We explored more than 70 banks, credit unions, and fintechs to find the best small business bank accounts in the US. We considered each bank’s small business offerings, including checking and savings accounts, lending products, payment tools, and other financial management features. We also evaluated the online experience, access to in-person banking, fees, and balance requirements to identify the best bank for small businesses.

Explore different types of business bank accounts

For a small business, your bank shouldn't just be a place to store revenue. It needs to be a tool that simplifies your day. The right account saves you time by automating your bookkeeping and saves you money by ditching the maintenance fees that eat into your profit. Whether you need a local branch for cash deposits or a high-yield digital account to grow your reserves, you need a partner that scales alongside you.

We provide more options below to fit your specific business needs:

• Business accounts for LLCs

• Business accounts for eCommerce

• Business accounts for international businesses

• Online business accounts

• Business accounts with no fees

Frequently asked questions about the best banks for small business

Which bank is best for an LLC in 2026?

Airwallex offers the best business account for LLCs with a fully online application process, no minimum deposit, and no monthly fee.

Can I open a business bank account with only an EIN?

Banks require you to provide detailed personal information about yourself and your co-owners to open a business bank account. You may also need to provide your business’s formation documents (e.g., Articles of Incorporation).

Do I really need a separate business bank account?

Yes, it’s essential for separating your business and personal finances. It’s not legally required for sole proprietors or LLCs, but you need a business bank account to get a merchant account or a business loan.

What is the best business bank for no fees?

Airwallex is the best small business account with no monthly fee. It lets you hold, send, and receive 20+ currencies, transact globally using local payment rails, and accept customer payments using 160+ payment methods.

Can I open a business bank account online with no deposit?

Yes, many of the best small business bank accounts don’t require a minimum deposit. For example, Airwallex, Chase Bank, and Columbia Bank all let you open an account with $0 in deposits.

What bank is best for business owners? 

This depends on your business’s needs. Digital-first business owners will find a lot to love at Airwallex. Startup owners may like Mercury for its scalable plans. Cash business owners may prefer Chase Bank because of its large ATM network.

What is the best bank for a business account?

Airwallex is the best business account, because it supports domestic and international payments with no monthly fee. Among traditional banks, Chase Bank offers the best combination of branch access and low fees.

Does my personal credit score affect my business bank account?

Your personal credit score can impact your ability to open a business bank account, but most banks don’t run a full credit check. Instead, many banks look only at your banking history. Your personal credit score matters a lot more if you want to get a business credit card or business loan.

Sources

1. https://www.bai.org/news/bai-research-reveals-large-banks-still-lead-in-small-business-banking-but-neo-banks-are-making-fast-inroads/

2. https://www.airwallex.com/us/business-account/

3. https://www.chase.com/business/banking/checking/business-complete-banking

4. https://www.columbiabank.com/business-banking/checking/community-business-checking/

5. https://www.americafirst.com/business/checking-accounts/business-checking.html

6. https://mercury.com/business-banking

7. https://www.brex.com/product/business-account

8. https://business.bankofamerica.com/en/deposits/checking-accounts

9. https://www.novo.co/business-banking

10. https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/checking/

11. https://www.bluevine.com/business-checking

12. https://www.grasshopper.bank/banking-solutions/startup-banking/

13. https://www.liveoak.bank/business-savings/