It\u2019s never a good idea to mix your personal money with your limited liability company funds and thus be personally liable for your LLC\u2019s legal obligations and potential debts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we\u2019ve compiled detailed instructions and a comprehensive list of requirements for opening a bank account for an LLC. Stay with us and learn more about the procedure and the required documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a variety of legal and practical reasons for you to open a designated business checking account<\/a> for your LLC. Here are some of them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know why a separate bank account is a good idea for your LLC, here are the steps you need to take to get one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step when opening a bank account is choosing the right bank for your small business needs. When shopping around for the bank that you\u2019ll place your trust in<\/a>, pay attention to the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on whether you prefer to go to the physical bank branch or enjoy banking from your home or office, you can open an LLC bank account online or choose a bank with physical branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you decide on the latter, a favorable system is to pick the same bank you have your personal account with. Visiting the same branch for both business and personal transactions can save you a lot of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are other basic LLC bank account rules, such as checking which banks offer the best terms, conditions, and fee structures. That\u2019s why you should always ask about the monthly maintenance fee, minimum monthly balance, minimum initial deposit, and overdraft fees before you make a decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also see whether you can write checks and if there are any promotions, enticing rewards programs for business customers with high balances, or discounts on loans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most banks will issue you a debit card for your business account right on the spot, while others might mail them, so you could end up waiting for a couple of days. An LLC debit card is useful for tracking your business expenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure to check whether the bank offers a business credit card that you can use for cash-back rewards, miles, points, and other perks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you decide to open an LLC bank account, the requirements might differ from institution to institution. However, here\u2019s a list of some of the most common documents that banks will ask you to submit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If there\u2019s an option to open a bank account for your LLC online, you\u2019ll be required to fill out the application form. It usually asks for information such as the name and address of the business, the date the company was established, the country and state of legal formation, and the country and state of the primary business operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that the business must be formed and operational in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be prepared to enter your company\u2019s EIN number and personal information, such as SSN, for all business owners listed in the application, should they have at least 25% of the ownership. Remember that you\u2019ll also be asked to state the person who will be authorized to sign financial and legal documents. Unless you\u2019re a single-member LLC, that is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some banks will require applicants to come personally to the branch and meet with a designated banker to discuss setting up a bank account for their LLC. In that case, make sure to call the bank beforehand and inquire about all the necessary documents so that you can come prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Congratulations! The time has come to fund your account using any of the deposit methods supported by your bank. Make sure to check whether the bank asks for a minimum deposit amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nonresidents, too, can open a business bank account in the US. However, in that case, the business needs to be officially registered in the US and have its unique EIN number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how do you open an LLC business bank account if you are a nonresident? If you registered your LLC in the US and got your EIN number so that the IRS could identify you, the first step would be to find a bank with foreigner-friendly options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, the documents: You won\u2019t need a residency requirement, an SSN, or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, but most banks will require the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, setting up a bank account for your LLC when you\u2019re a foreign entity has to be done in person. However, some banks might allow you to start the procedure online and then show up to hand over the documents. There are also agencies that help you set up a US business remotely using a registered agent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A business\u2019s credit score is a potential problem that\u2019s often overlooked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to your personal FICO score, from the moment you open your business account, you\u2019ll start to build up your business credit history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opening a bank account for an LLC also means that the way you run your business can affect your credit score in both good and bad ways. These numbers are available to the public and will be used by banks to decide if you can get a business loan or insurance, as well as by potential business partners and rental agencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whereas a personal credit score usually falls between 300 and 850, your business score will range anywhere from one to 100. The calculating models depend on which of the three major bureaus the bank reports to: Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, or Equifax. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, even though it would be beneficial for your business to maintain a good credit score, remember that even if you end up with a less-than-stellar score, you can still get a business loan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re still wondering whether you should open a bank account for your LLC, we can assure you that it\u2019s worth the effort. With a business account, your personal assets will be safer, you\u2019ll appear more trustworthy to your business partners, and it will be much easier for you to keep track of your business transactions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s never a good idea to mix your personal money …<\/p>\n\n
How To Open a Business Bank Account for LLC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Choose a Bank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Online or Brick-and-Mortar Bank<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Check the Fees<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Debit and Credit Cards<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Gather the Documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Fill In the Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Fund Your Account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What About Nonresidents?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Business Credit Score Concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n