Since small business owners are among the busiest individuals on the planet, if you are looking for a new business banking relationship, you may want to save time and open a business bank account online.
By providing you with a secure location to store your business money, separating your personal and business accounts, and making it simpler to keep track of your tax deductions, opening an online business online account can benefit your company in a number of ways.
Don’t assume that opening a business bank account requires you to visit a physical branch of a bank. Opening a business checking account online is easier than ever.
What Is a Business Bank Account?
What the big deal may be, especially if your present bank offers online business accounts, may be a question on your mind. There are no high street branches and you may open and manage your business bank account entirely from anywhere with an online-only service.
As they have been designed to work differently from conventional banks, these banks are frequently referred to as “challenger banks” because they compete with them in areas like customer service, usability, and accessibility.
How These Banks Differ From Traditional Banks
Online banks often focus on optimizing the client experience in addition to having no physical presence, thus you may frequently open accounts quickly or even the same day. Forms and statements will likely all be filled out and saved online, making paperwork likely to be digital as well.
Online banks are able to offer competitive pricing and put out extra effort to provide good customer service with 24/7 helplines and assistance because there are no physical branches.
Security Level Of Online Bank Account
Small enterprises, limited corporations, and charities using online business bank accounts are now covered for up to £85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects deposits in the event that a bank fails.
To confirm that the bank you’re using is a member of the FSCS programme, look for the FSCS emblem. Not all banks with operations in the UK, particularly those with headquarters elsewhere, will sign up.
However, there is another type of safety to take into account while discussing internet banking, and that is your personal online security. This entails making sure your passwords are complicated and one-of-a-kind, avoiding utilizing public Wi-Fi networks to access critical information, logging out when using a shared computer, and maintaining the most recent version of your antivirus programme.
You should exercise the same caution while utilizing any online banking service, whether it be provided by a traditional bank or an online one.
Why Do We Need An Online Business Bank Account?
To aid in the expansion of your company, there are various reasons why you should open a business checking account:
Keep your personal and business finances separate: This makes it simpler to safeguard your private assets in the event that your company is sued.
Observe your tax deductions: Opening an online business bank account can make it simpler for you to keep track of tax-deductible business expenses including payments to contractors and vendors, purchases of inventory, equipment, and other things you need to run your company.
Boost your company’s credit: You can begin to establish business credit in your company’s name if you have a business bank account (separate from your personal credit history). The first step to obtaining a business credit card, business line of credit, or small business loan may be opening a business checking account.
Purchase cutting-edge business banking services: In order to better understand your company’s financial performance as it expands, you may wish to use higher-level banking services like cash flow management, merchant services, point of sale (POS) systems, revenue predictions, and data analytics.
Choosing The Best Online Business Account
Before opening an online business bank account, consider your overall business needs, your expectations for your business banking relationship, and the features and services that are most essential to you when choosing the ideal business checking account for you.
Facets of digital banking: The finest business checking accounts often have excellent mobile and online banking capabilities, including mobile check deposit, online bill pay, and a user-friendly mobile app.
Financial services for businesses: A wide range of business banking services are provided by some banks, including cash flow management, data analytics for revenue and sales forecasting, small company loans, and others.
Simple integration: If your company uses digital tools like PayPal, QuickBooks, Shopify, Stripe, or Venmo to process payments and handle bookkeeping, you may want to be sure that your chosen business checking account can interact smoothly with the programmes you like.
Deposit account interest rates: Even though some business checking accounts pay interest, their annual percentage yields (APY) might not be as high as those offered by the top online savings accounts.
Service charges: Pay close attention to any costs associated with using your account or receiving payments from your customers, including monthly service fees, ATM fees, wire transfer fees, and any other expenditures.
How To Open An Online Business Account
A bank branch is not necessarily necessary to open a business bank account. It is now simpler to register a business bank account online thanks to the expansion of many banks’ online services.
The specific procedure varies by bank, but in general, the following is how to open a business checking account online:
1. Visit the bank’s online presence. Look online for instructions on how to open a business checking account.
2. Pick the bank account for your business that you want to open.
3. Make sure you have the necessary funds on hand to fund the account with the minimum starting deposit that may be necessary.
4. Read the fine print to learn what business documentation is required and how to submit it online according to your business entity—limited liability company (LLC), partnership, or sole proprietorship. For instance, if your company is an LLC, the bank can need you to present the articles of organization.
5. A tax ID number for your company, such as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or, in some situations, your personal Social Security number, will be required from you. You might also have to show proof of your identity as the company’s owner.
6. Any essential authorizations, such as allowing the bank to check your credit, should be electronically signed.
Not all business types can open an online business bank account. Some banks will require you to physically visit a bank location to open the account if your company is not privately held or has numerous owners, members, or partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much money do you need to open an online business bank account?
Ans. It varies with each bank, but frequently not much. Some of the top business checking accounts don’t have a minimum deposit requirement or only ask for a $50 or $100 starting deposit. You can open a business bank account even if your company is new and hasn’t generated much revenue yet.
2. Do you need an EIN to open a business bank account?
Ans. No, although in rare circumstances you may be able to open a business bank account using your personal Social Security number or, if you are a non-citizen of the United States, your Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
3. Do I need an LLC for a business bank account?
Ans. No. You can create a business bank account even if you haven’t set up an LLC or incorporated your company as a distinct legal entity, for instance if you’re operating as a sole proprietor.
