Comparison of Basic Business Checking Accounts
Bank of America vs. JP Morgan Chase vs. Wells Fargo vs. HSBC vs. Citibank
A friend of mine is starting his own international business and was looking at opening up a business account with a top bank.
Of the five mentioned above, three of them have a focus that is more domestic than international. These include Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo. HSBC and Citibank both have branches in China.
The business has no revenues and is practically a start-up. His criteria is a bank that has banking relations overseas thereby reducing the costs of doing business overseas and the account has to have a low to no maintenance fee.
When we looked for banks that fit what he needed, we noticed that the terms of banks vary depending on where you open the account. For example, the fees could vary if you opened an account in New York versus California. The below is a summary of what we found if you were to more or less open an account in California. Banks will change their fees from time to time, therefore it is important that you visit their official website for the most current rates/fees.
Conclusion: For my friend's purposes, I would say HSBC is the way to go because of its no maintenance fee and no minimum. Furthermore, they have a presence in China.
Conclusion: For my friend's purposes, I would say HSBC is the way to go because of its no maintenance fee and no minimum. Furthermore, they have a presence in China.
Monthly maintenance fee
Approximately $15 is waived when a specified balance requirement is met.
Specified balance and maintenance fees vary based on state. For example, in Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, D.C. if the following criterion are met the fee will be waived.
How to waive maintenance fee
Maintain at least one of the following balances:
• $3,000 minimum daily balance
• $10,000 average monthly balance
• $10,000 combined minimum daily balance
• $20,000 combined average monthly balance
OR
Enroll your Business Economy Checking account in Business Fundamentals and make qualified monthly purchases with your Bank of America Visa Business debit card
Account Features
• No fee for first 150, then 45¢ per item
• No fee for ACH, debit card, Online Bill Pay debits and ATM withdrawals Deposit tickets
• No fee Cash deposited
• No fee for first $10,000, then 20¢ per $100
Monthly Service/Maintenance Fees
Check Safekeeping - $15
Image Statement - $17
Check Return - $21
How to waive maintenance fee
Meet any of the following:
•Maintain an average daily balance of $7,500 or more in the account
•A relationship balance of $25,000 (all linked business checking/savings/CDS)
•Maintained a linked Chase qualifying personal checking account (Chase Premier Plus Checking, Chase Premier Platinum Checking and Chase Premier Platinum Asset Management Account)
•Make $1,000 in purchases on your linked Chase Business Credit Card during the monthly checking statement cycle
•Pay $50 or more in qualifying checking account fees (not including the Monthly Service Fee)
Account Features
•200 transactions per monthly service cycle (includes all customer-initiated debits and credits and deposited items)
•$0.40 for each transaction that exceeds 200 transactions in the month
•No Cash Deposit Processing Fee for the first $7,500 per month
•FREE Chase Business Debit Card
Overdraft protection
Business online services
•Package of additional benefits for business savings, CDs and personal checking
How to waive maintenance fee
The $12 monthly service fee is waived when you meet any of the following:
•Maintain $3,000 minimum daily balance,
•Maintain $6,000 average ledger balance,
•Have a Wells Fargo Business Payroll Services transaction from this account each month.
Account Features
The following account transactions are included free of charge:
Up to 150 combined paid and deposited items.
Up to $5,000 cash deposited.
How to waive maintenance fee
No Maintenance Fee
Transaction Fees (each statement cycle)
See link above.
Account Features/ Services
Unlimited monthly transactions at HSBC ATMs
No HSBC fees when using non-HSBC ATMs
Free HSBC Debit MasterCard BusinessCard®
10 free wire transfers per month (5 incoming, 5 outgoing)
Business Internet Banking with free online Bill Pay
No monthly maintenance fees
No minimum balance requirement
Maintenance Fee $10
How to waive maintenance fee
Monthly Fee Currency Deposits $5,000
Minimum Average Monthly Balance to Waive Monthly Fee $5,000
Monthly
Account Features
Monthly Free Transactions 100
NO monthly maintenance fee when you maintain the minimum balance.
Free U.S. dollar deposits and monthly transaction allowances up to applicable limits.
Fee-free withdrawals at Citibank ATMs.