How to Choose Affordable Business Banking for Your Freelance Services

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KEY POINTS

  • Freelancers can benefit from keeping their business finances separate from their personal finances.
  • Banks offer plentiful business banking products for small business owners and freelancers.
  • Before opening a business bank account, review all fees, research transaction and deposit limits, and check to see what other business financial products the bank offers.

As a freelancer, you're a busy business owner. One way to set your business up for success in the early days is by getting your business finances in order. Using business banking products is an excellent way to keep your personal finances and business financial matters separate for better organization.

You may wonder how to choose affordable business banking solutions for your freelance services. I'll share a few tips to guide you in this important decision.

Research all fees (and read the fine print)

Before opening a business bank account, ensure you understand all the fees. A bank account may be advertised as free, but hidden fees could exist. For example, you may be required to maintain a minimum account balance to be eligible for no monthly maintenance fees.

Other fees to consider are out-of-network ATM fees if the bank isn't local to you. Some banks offer to reimburse out-of-network ATM fees up to a specific monthly limit. Every fee charged adds up and impacts your finances. Before opening an account, carefully research fees and read the fine print. Otherwise, you may be in for an expensive surprise.

Review deposit and transaction limits

Here's another warning about potential fees. Some business bank accounts have cash deposit limits or transaction limits. You may be charged fees if you make additional deposits beyond the limit or have too many transactions within a set period. But not all bank accounts have limits like this. Compare offerings so you can choose the best bank and bank account for your needs.

Review other financial products and services

Before settling on a specific bank or bank account for your business, you should review the other banking products the bank offers. Do they offer competitive financing on loans? What kind of business credit cards do they have? Even if you're only looking for a checking account or savings account, there may come a time when you need other financial products and services.

Consider community banks and credit unions

If a larger bank has a business checking account or savings account that meets your needs, fabulous. But don't assume that's the only option. If you seek affordable business banking solutions, you may want to consider products offered by community banks and credit unions. You may benefit from lower fees and better customer service with these institutions.

Compare interest rates for savings products

With a bank account that earns interest, you can earn money while your cash sits in the bank. Any extra money earned is a win for your small business. If you plan to open a savings account, review interest rates. A savings account with a higher rate could benefit your account balance. It's also wise to monitor rates after opening a savings account because banks can adjust rates.

Business banking solutions can benefit your freelance business

It may seem like your personal checking account is more than enough for your freelancing business. But, combining your personal finances and business finances can get confusing.

Plus, it can make collecting essential accounting and tax information more difficult, which could cause added stress. That's why having separate business bank accounts is best. For additional tips related to business and freelance finances, check out our small business resources.

These savings accounts are FDIC insured and could earn you 11x your bank

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Two of our top online savings account picks:

Rates as of May 10, 2024 Ratings Methodology
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SoFi Checking and Savings Barclays Online Savings
Member FDIC. Member FDIC.
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4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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APY: up to 4.60%

APY: 4.35%

Min. to earn APY: $0

Min. to earn APY: $0

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