Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Find Your Local Branch
Back
Scroll to top

What is Required to Open a Business Checking Account?

Running A Business 3 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch

It’s standard for a business to have a business checking account. After all, a business needs to handle cash and pay bills. If you’re just starting a business, or even if you’re moving your business bank account to a new institution, you’ll need to show several pieces of documentation. So what is required to open a business checking account? The answer to that question is pretty similar from one bank to another.

What You Will Need to Open a Business Checking Account

Identifying Documents

Confirmation of identity is required to open a business checking account. Bring along a government issued picture ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport) to corroborate your identity with your business’ registered information.

Business Licenses

Whether you are an LLC or an individual proprietor, bank officials will typically need to see your current business license.

Legal Incorporation Documents

According to Business News Daily, it is essential to bring along state-filed articles of incorporation in order to open a business checking account. If a business has numerous owners or operates on a board-advisory basis, the bank will require documentation granting the account opener the right to access funds and transactions.

DBA Name Registration

If you are DBA, doing business as a fictitious name, the law requires you to register that name with the state. Photocopy and keep this registration for your records, as you will need it to get started with business banking.

Tax Identification Number

Your business’ employment identification number, also known as the tax identification number, is a key tool for tax management and paying employees. Make sure to bring this to your business banking appointment. If you are a sole proprietor, you can use your own social security number for business tax purposes.

These are the documents typically required to open a business checking account, though requirements may vary by state. However, by contacting your bank, you can easily determine what you need to have on hand to open your company’s checking account.

Open Your Business Banking Account at First Bank

When you choose to open a business checking account at First Bank*, you’ll be rewarded with a number of features and perks, including:

To open a business checking account, bring your required documents to your local First Bank branch, or contact us today.

**While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply.

———

Sources:

Business News Daily: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6477-business-bank-account-documentation.html

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch
Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Image for tile. Money Mule Scams: How Criminals Convert Fraud into Profit What is a Money Mule? Money mules are individuals who unknowingly or knowingly assist criminals in laundering money, often by transferring illegally sourced funds between accounts or across borders. The source of the money comes from fraudulent scams or other illegal activities like drug trafficking. Criminals use their mule’s identity and layer the illegal transactions in an attempt to hide the illegal funds from law enforcement. Once properly hidden, the criminals are able to access their funds and cash out on their illegal activity. Common Money Mule Scams There are a number of ways that criminals will try to hide their money from law enforcement. Money mules are a form of money laundering, where criminals attempt to make their illegally sourced funds seem legitimate. Here are a few common ways people can unknowingly fall victim to money mule scams. 1- Deceptive Job Offers Money mule scammers will act as employers offering high-paying, remote positions. Common job titles could be payment processor, financial coordinator, or international fund liaison. While these job opportunities seem legitimate, their primary function is to receive and transfer illegal funds. The criminal will wire a large sum of funds to the mule, then instruct them to keep a percentage and transfer the remainder of the money to a different account or purchase a certain amount of cryptocurrency. The criminal hides behind their mule’s identity and is able to more easily access their funds. 2 – Romance Scams This type of mule scam exploits a victim’s emotions and trust. Scammers will find their victims on social media sites, dating sites or other online chat channels. They will deceive their victims with made up personas often using stolen photos and fake details. Over time, the scammer will attempt to build an emotional connection by sending affectionate messages or personal stories. Once they feel they have earned the victim’s trust, they will fabricate a story requiring financial assistance. These are oftentimes medical emergencies or travel issues that need quick funding into an account. Once the scammer has convinced their victim to oblige, they will continue to exploit their trust to launder their illegal funds. 3 – Lottery, Prize, and Investment Scams If something seems too good to be true – it probably is. These scams typically start via an unsolicited message or phone call informing you that you’ve won a prize. They instruct their victims to take a number of steps before they can claim their prize, and that is where the danger lies. These steps could include gathering your personal details, wiring a “prize tax” or fraudulent fee, accepting a large sum of money, and/or transferring a portion of the winning funds to another account. Similarly, investment scammers typically promise their mule victims “return” for their illegal money transfers – sometimes in the form of cryptocurrency or percentages of the money they wire. What are the Consequences? Large overdraft balances are most often the first consequence to the money mule. Once the criminal has access to their mule’s account, they typically push a large lump sum out of the account. This amount oftentimes will exceed the typical balance in the mule’s account, leaving them with a substantial negative balance to dig out from. Acting as a money mule is illegal, whether the crime is knowing or unknowingly committed. The punishment for these crimes include imprisonment and federal charges. Additionally, your identity and personal information could be stolen from the criminals involved in the money mule scheme. Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): The IC3 is run by the FBI and accepts online internet crime complaints from the victim at www.ic3.gov How to Protect Yourself As with most methods of protecting yourself against fraud – remain cautious whenever someone requests your personal information or banking information. Only share those details with people or organizations that you trust. If you receive a job offer from an online business, do your due diligence to confirm they are a legitimate company. Additionally, a legitimate employer will not ask you to form a company or open a new bank account on their behalf. Always be cautious if anyone asks you to wire or transfer money on their behalf. Be weary if something seems too good to be true, like you’ve won an unsolicited prize or been chosen to participate in a giveaway. Scammers act on urgency. If someone is pressuring you to do something that you’re uncomfortable with, walk away. If you or someone you know is afraid they are involved in a money mule scheme, it’s not too late to stop.  Stop communicating with the person giving the directions. Tell your financial institution and consider changing accounts. Report suspicious communications or activity to law enforcement. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the Nation’s central hub for reporting cyber crime and run by the FBI.  Visit www.ic3.gov for resources and more information about how to file a report. Maintain receipts, contact information and communications (emails, text messages, voicemails) so that information can be passed to law enforcement, if needed.   5 min read
Find Small Business Loans in South Carolina It can be hard finding the right small business loans in South Carolina, especially when you’re looking for a new bank. At First Bank, we’re have six convenient locations across South Carolina to provide the best in small business banking. Loan Options for Small Businesses When you work with First Bank, you’re working with the bank that was named the Community Bank of the Year by NC Rural Center. Check out our small business loan options, featuring flexible terms and competitive rates you can expect from working with First Bank. Business Loans — When you need an immediate lump sum of cash to help finance projects, inventory, or equipment, consider one of our business loans. Our loans are convenient for small business owners looking for long-term financing options.* Lines of Credit — First Bank’s lines of credit give small business owners the flexibility they’re looking for when they need to quickly and conveniently access cash. No matter how you use it, our credit lines are designed to meet your business’s unique financial needs. Commercial Mortgages — Our wide selection of commercial mortgages are available at a competitive price. We have a dedicated staff of commercial real estate specialists who can offer industry knowledge and market area expertise to help you find the right product for the needs of your business.* Construction Loans — For small businesses looking for begin a project for new construction, remodeling, expansion, or other construction projects, First Bank’s financing team can provide loans for investors and builders looking to for loans uniquely designed for their construction needs. Business Credit Cards — We offer our First Bank Mastercard Business Card with Rewards credit card, which can benefit small businesses as their own expense management tool that offers lower rates, no annual fee, and rewards benefits.* All Your Business Loan Needs at First Bank in South Carolina Since opening our first branch in 1935, First Bank has been dedicated to helping local communities succeed in their financial endeavors. Whether you’re looking for a personal or small business loan in South Carolina, we can work with you to find the best products for your needs. Come visit your nearest First Bank in South Carolina today to get started. *Loans subject to credit approval. See our Terms and Conditions for complete 3 min read
Changes to SBA 7(a) Program for Business Acquisitions Changes to SBA Loans for Business Acquisitions Coming August 1, 2023 If your client is considering an SBA Loan to acquire or change ownership percentage of a business, they could be impacted by the recent changes announced by the Small Business Administration (SBA). A number of updates to their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), will be made effective August 1, 2023. The following is an overview of the updates. Our Business Development Officers are well-versed in these changes and ready to discuss how they may impact your client’s SBA lending opportunities. Read more about these upcoming changes based on the type of acquisition or ownership change you would be making: Complete change of ownership Complete partner buyout Partial change of ownership or any other change in ownership SBA Loans financing a complete change of business ownership At a minimum, SBA requires an equity injection of at least 10% of the total project costs. This means that in order to qualify, you’ll need to provide 10% of all costs required to complete the change of ownership, including working capital needs regardless of the source of funds. Seller debt may not be considered part of the equity injection unless it is on full standby for the first 24 months of the SBA 7a loan or it is a debt that is on partial standby (only interest payments are being made). Partial standby debt will be considered equity if there is historical business cash flow available to make the payments and at least a quarter of the SBA-required equity injection is from a source other than the seller. If the buyer owns a business that is in the same 6 digit NAICS code, will have identical ownership and located in the same geographic area as the entity being acquired, SBA considers this to be a business expansion and SBA will not require a minimum equity injection. However, depending on the strength of the buyer, the bank may require an equity injection. SBA Loans financing a change of ownership between existing owners If the 7(a) loan will finance more than 90% of the purchase price of a partner buyout, both of the following must be met: The remaining owner(s) must certify that they have been 4 min read
Mobile Friendly Business 5 Ways to Make Your Small Business Mobile Friendly If you review the Google Analytics data for your website, you've probably noticed that more people are visiting your site with a mobile device. How can you take advantage of this shift in technology? 3 min read
First Bank logo
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website are the most popular and useful.