Wells Fargo Business Checking Accounts: What to Know As a Small Business Owner

It’s absolutely crucial that once you’ve gotten cracking on a new business idea that you open a business checking account—so it’s fantastic that you’re taking this first step, and you’ve found a place to start. If you’re a small business owner who lives near one of the 6,000-plus Wells Fargo locations across the country, then it’s no surprise you’d be curious about the range of Wells Fargo business checking accounts.

Or maybe you’ve been in business for quite a while, and you’re simply looking to switch banks and find the right one for your company. In that case, you might also be wondering about Wells Fargo business checking, trying to figure out if they have what you need in a new business checking account, too.

Regardless of whether you’re a business bank account rookie or an absolute veteran, you want to make sure you sign on with a bank that fits your needs—whether that means low monthly fees, ample transactions, or 24/7 support.

There are several differences between each of Wells Fargo’s small business checking accounts, and you’ll pick the one that’s right for you mostly with regard to the size and needs of your business. We’ll break down the differences, similarities, and help you find the best fit among Wells Fargo’s small business checking options.

Why Do You Need a Business Checking Account?

The reason to open a business checking account is really simple: You need to keep your business and your personal life separate.^[1] That’s not just good advice with regard to not hiring friends and passing on making your Uncle Ned a trustee in your company. You need to open a separate business banking account for liability reasons, too. If you have an LLC or any other kind of limited liability setup, having a separate account is crucial for minimizing your personal exposure to any kind of lawsuits or damages in case something goes upside down.

What to Look for in a Business Checking Account

Before we go through the individual Wells Fargo business checking accounts, you should know what to look for in a business checking account. That’s the only way to distinguish what each account offers—and figure out which will serve your small business best.

What you want in a small business checking account really boils down to how much support your company needs in terms of day-to-day and monthly finances. Here are the kind of questions you should be asking yourself:

• Do you need to process several deposits and withdrawals a month, or only one or two?
• What will your average minimum balance look like?
• Are you going to have thousands of dollars in checking at any given time, or do you anticipate carrying a smaller amount of money in the account?
• Are you going to do mostly cash transactions, or do you anticipate seldom needing to visit a branch if at all?
• How important is constant access to support?

These questions should drive your decision-making as you determine what kind of business checking account is right for you.

If you don’t know the answers to some of these big questions, pause before opening up an account, and look through this comprehensive guide to choosing the best business checking accounts. This’ll help you dig a little deeper into your small business’s patterns and make some of those determinations.

If you don’t have the kind of bandwidth and time to do research, we get it—you’re a small business owner, and that means time is at a premium. In that case, start here:

• First, determine what you believe your balance will be from month to month and use that as your benchmark. Open an account that only requires you to carry that minimum balance (or less, if possible).
• Then, make sure that other features—such as minimum transactions and the like—match up with what your business practices are at the moment. Most business checking accounts spell out their balance minimums and maximum transactions per month on their websites, so make sure to look into what these numbers are and how they stack up against a normal month for your company.

How to Choose Your Wells Fargo Small Business Checking Account

Before we get in depth with the details of the Wells Fargo small business accounts, have a plan for how to analyze their features. You’ll want to approach the search for a Wells Fargo business checking account the same way you would any other business checking account: determine what you’re really looking for.

For instance, sole proprietorships, freelance LLCs, and other companies that don’t generate a ton of revenue or don’t have a lot of transactions don’t often need the upgrades that come with a top-tier business checking account. And if that sounds like it’s true for your business, then you’re going to want to start off with an introductory-level business checking account, rather than one with tons of features that you’re not going to need (and won’t want to pay for!).

On the other hand, if your business is growing and you don’t think that the introductory Wells Fargo business checking accounts offer you the full range of functions you’ll need to get the most out of your banking, consider going for something in the middle of the range of accounts available. Make sure that the number of transactions you’ll need per month isn’t higher than what your account provides, otherwise you’ll start racking up fees pretty quickly.  

The Difference Among Wells Fargo Business Checking Accounts

Wells Fargo has four business checking account options: Simple Business Checking, Business Choice Checking, Platinum Business Checking, and Analyzed Business Checking. These products range from the most basic banking services for small businesses, all the way up to cash management for bigger companies that need a serious banking partner to help with things as advanced as treasury services.

Wells Fargo Simple Business Checking

Simple Business Checking by Wells Fargo is made for small businesses that don’t need a ton of hands-on support from their bank. This account is made for companies with lower account balances, and for entrepreneurs who only need the basics of a business checking account.

Additionally, Wells Fargo Simple Business Checking offers:

• 50 transactions per month
• $3,000 in cash deposits per month
• $10 monthly service fee (waived with a $500 average balance)

You only need $25 to get this account started.

Best for: Sole proprietors, new freelancers

Wells Fargo Business Choice Checking

With Wells Fargo Business Choice Checking, you’ll get a bit more bank for your buck (sorry, we had to) if your company is growing and its needs are changing. If you need a place for steady banking activity (i.e. recurring withdrawals and deposits), payroll services, or more hands-on support from your bank, this account might be the one for you.

Wells Fargo Business Choice Checking includes:

• 200 transactions per month
• $7,500 in cash deposits per month
• Text and mobile banking
• Access to Wells Fargo’s National Business Banking Center or its Small Business Customer Service phone center
• Fee waivers and discounts for business loans and lines of credit
• $14 monthly service fee (waived with one of several qualifying transactions—here’s the full list)

You can also start this account with a minimum $25 deposit.

Best for: Growing freelance LLCs, startups, small businesses with a few employees

Wells Fargo Platinum Business Checking

If Wells Fargo Business Choice Checking doesn’t sound like it has enough for your growing small business, check out Platinum Business Checking. The Wells Fargo Platinum Business Checking account offers more transactions, personalized banking service, higher cash deposits, and—best of all—earned interest on your full account balance every month.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can get with the Wells Fargo Platinum Business Checking:

• 500 transactions per month
• $20,000 in cash deposits per month
• Interest on your account balance
• Fee waivers and discounts for business loans and lines of credit
• No fees for stop payments, cashiers checks, money orders, two domestic wire transfers, and two waived ATM fees at non-Wells Fargo banks per period
• No monthly service fees on up to two more Platinum Checking accounts
• Text and mobile banking

This account also only requires a $25 minimum deposit, which is rare for a higher-tier account.

Best for: Established businesses and corporations, businesses that need to hold a high balance in checking, and those who want to build a relationship with a bank

Wells Fargo Analyzed Business Checking

And at the highest tier of Wells Fargo Business checking is Analyzed Business Checking. This option is designed for larger businesses, so it might not necessarily be the best fit for your company unless you’re on the brink of something big. That said, if you need your bank to do more than just hold your money, the Wells Fargo Analyzed Business Checking account might be for you. This option provides:

• Treasury management services
• Treasury information reporting
• Desktop deposits
• Wire transfers
• Access to Commercial Electronic Office, Wells Fargo’s premier online banking platform

Although you can open this one with $25, too, we have a feeling that if you’re looking at this account, you’re also looking at dropping in quite a lot more than $25. You’re also going to want to give Wells Fargo a call if you’re interested in this business checking account, since fees and other details may apply.

Best for: Larger corporations and big businesses that handle a high volume of cash

Other Accounts to Consider in Addition to Wells Fargo Business Checking Accounts

Wells Fargo offers a variety of business checking accounts, and chances are you can find a good one for your business if you’d like to bank with them. But what if you don’t live or work near a Wells Fargo branch, or don’t necessarily want to move all of your banking over to a new company?

There are definitely options out there that offer similarly great features as nearly all of the Wells Fargo business checking products.

Here are just a few to check out at Chase that match up well against Wells Fargo’s small business checking offerings.

If you like Wells Fargo Simple Business Checking, try Chase Business Complete Banking (Previously Chase Business Complete Checking).

This basic business checking account has all of the essentials that a business just getting off the ground, or doing limited transactions, needs.

For starters, the Chase Business Complete Bankinging provides many of the same terms as its Wells Fargo counterpart but with a few additional perks. It offers unlimited electronic deposits, and the $15 monthly service fee gets waived if you have a minimum daily balance of $2,000 (or if you link a Chase Private Client Checking, among a few other options).

The Chase Business Complete Banking account does require a higher minimum daily balance and comes with a lower amount of cash deposits per statement cycle, so keep that in mind. But if electronic deposits are your thing—and you’ve already got a banking relationship with Chase—this option might be right for you.

If you like Wells Fargo Platinum Business Checking, try Chase Performance Business Checking.

For a growing business, look at Chase Performance Business Checking. You’ll like this account, since it has similar features and fee structures to Wells Fargo Platinum Business Checking.

Both accounts provide for $20,000 in cash deposits per statement cycle without fees and two outgoing wires per cycle fee-free, and Chase Performance Business Checking comes with a lower monthly service fee. It does requires a higher average daily balance to waive it, though.

Unlike Wells Fargo, Chase Performance Business Checking offers unlimited incoming wire transfers at no fee. So, if your company relies on processing a ton of deposits coming in, the Chase Performance Business Checking account gives you an added perk.

If you like Wells Fargo Analyzed Business Checking, try Chase Platinum Checking.

Both Wells Fargo Analyzed Business Checking and Chase Platinum Checking are top-tier business accounts for high-volume, large-scale businesses. For tons of freedom to make transactions and move money around with minimal hassle, you can’t go wrong with either.

If you’re interested in Wells Fargo’s high-volume business checking option, you’ll want to be sure to visit your local branch or call for terms and conditions. Chase Platinum Checking, however, spells its terms out online if you’re more inclined to get the ball rolling right away.

Chase’s premier business checking account comes with a $95 monthly maintenance fee, which is waived with a combined daily balance of $100,000. Chase Platinum Checking gets you 500 fee-free transactions per billing cycle, unlimited electronic deposits and incoming wire transfers, $25,000 in cash deposits per cycle fee-free, and won’t charge you for your four most expensive outgoing wires every month.

Not a bad deal if your business needs a high-volume checking option.

Finding the Best Business Checking Account Means Planning for Today and Down the Line

The best way to make sure you’re banking with the right institution is to find a business checking account that’s good for you right now, but will also provide you with options to upgrade as your business grows.

Plus, if you’re able to establish a strong relationship with a financial institution early on, it’ll only help you later down the line as your needs change. As you look to secure a business loan or other types of small business financing, having an existing relationship can provide you that extra boost on top of great credit and positive cash flow. Whether Wells Fargo or Chase are right for you, make sure that you’re not just planning for today’s banking needs but for tomorrow’s, too.

Article Sources:

1. Squareup.com. “8 Easy Ways to Separate Your Personal and Business Finances“