Most banks let you start a commercial account online, but you cannot finish it that way

You can begin the process online — fill out forms, upload documents, choose your account type. But at some point before the account opens, a bank employee will need to verify your identity in person or by video call, and they will need to see original documents or certified copies. A few banks (mainly online-only institutions) complete the whole process remotely, but they are the exception. Most traditional banks and many regional banks require an in-person visit to a branch or a scheduled video verification call before they will set up your account.

The reason is regulatory. The Bank Secrecy Act and Know Your Customer (KYC) rules require banks to verify that the person opening the account is who they claim to be, and that the business is real. A photo ID and a signature on a screen do not meet that standard for a commercial account the way they might for a personal account. Banks treat business accounts as higher-risk because they move more money and because the person signing the paperwork might not be the actual owner.

The timeline varies. If you can visit a branch or join a video call within a few days, you might have an account open in a week. If you need to mail documents or schedule a call weeks out, it takes longer. The online part is fast — usually a few hours to a day. The verification part is what determines how long the whole process takes.

Key Takeaways

  • You can fill out forms and upload documents online, but most banks require an in-person visit or video call to verify your identity before opening the account.
  • Banks need to see original or certified copies of your business license, EIN letter, and personal ID — documents you cannot straightforward photograph and upload.
  • Online-only banks and some regional banks complete the entire process remotely, but they are less common than banks requiring in-person verification.
  • The online portion takes hours to a day; the verification step determines whether your total timeline is one week or several weeks.
  • You will need an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS before you explore, unless you are a sole proprietor using your Social Security number.

What documents you need before you start

Gather these before you begin the online process. Banks will ask for them during the process, and you will need originals or certified copies for the verification step.

For the business itself: a business license (issued by your city or state), an EIN letter from the IRS (the letter that confirms your Employer Identification Number), and articles of incorporation or formation if you are an LLC, corporation, or partnership. If you are a sole proprietor, you may not need articles, but you will need proof that you are operating under a business name — usually a DBA (Doing Business As) certificate filed with your county or state.

For yourself: a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your Social Security number. If you are opening the account on behalf of someone else, you will need their ID and SSN as well.

Some banks also ask for a recent business tax return, a utility bill showing your business address, or a letter from your accountant. The exact list depends on the bank and the type of business. Check the bank's website or call before you start — it saves time to have everything ready.

The online process and what happens next

The online part is straightforward. You enter your business name, address, and type of business. You provide your EIN or SSN. You choose the account type — checking, savings, or both — and any add-ons like a debit card or merchant services. You upload photos or scans of your documents. The bank's system checks them against what you typed and flags anything that does not match.

Once you submit, the bank sends you an email saying they received your process. This usually happens within an hour. Then you wait for them to contact you about the next step. Some banks email you a link to schedule a video call. Others call you directly. A few ask you to visit a branch. The wait is usually two to five business days, but it can be longer if the bank is busy or if your documents raised a question.

During the verification call or visit, a bank employee will ask you to confirm information from your process, show your ID, and sometimes ask about the nature of your business — what you sell, who your customers are, how much money you expect to move through the account. They are checking that you are real and that the business is legitimate. This call or visit usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Banks that complete the process entirely online

Mercury, Brex, and Novo are designed for online-only verification. They use video calls with a real person, but you never need to visit a physical location. The video call is scheduled within a day or two of your process, and the account opens within 24 hours of verification. These banks are popular with startups and remote businesses because of the speed and convenience.

The trade-off is that these banks are newer and smaller than traditional banks. They may not offer the same range of services — some do not have physical branches, some do not offer business loans, and some charge monthly fees where traditional banks do not. They work well if you need an account fast and do not need traditional banking services. If you need a relationship with a loan officer or prefer a bank with physical locations, a traditional bank is a better fit even if it takes longer.

Check the bank's website to see whether they require an in-person visit. If they do not mention it, call and ask directly. The answer is usually yes or no with no middle ground.

Timeline from process to first transaction

If you visit a branch in person: process online (1 hour), wait for call or email (1 to 3 days), visit branch (same day or within a week), account opens (same day or next business day). Total: 2 to 8 days.

If you do a video call: process online (1 hour), wait for call or email (1 to 3 days), schedule and complete video call (within 2 to 5 days), account opens (same day or next business day). Total: 3 to 9 days.

If you use an online-only bank: process online (1 hour), wait for video call (within 1 day), complete video call (within 1 to 2 days), account opens (within 24 hours). Total: 2 to 4 days.

Once the account is open, you can log in, set up transfers, and order checks or a debit card. Checks take 5 to 10 business days to arrive. Debit cards take 3 to 7 business days. Wire transfers and ACH transfers can usually start the same day the account opens.

What can go wrong and how to fix it

The most common problem is a mismatch between what you typed in the process and what your documents say. If your process says "John Smith Consulting LLC" but your business license says "John Smith Consulting, LLC" (with a comma), the bank will flag it and ask you to clarify. This usually takes a phone call and a day or two to resolve. Avoid it by copying your business name exactly as it appears on your official documents.

Another common issue is an EIN letter that is too old or a business license that is expired. Banks want documents dated within the last 90 days. If your EIN letter is from three years ago, request a new one from the IRS (you can do this online at irs.gov). If your business license is expired, renew it before you explore.

A third issue is a mismatch between your personal address and your business address. Some banks require them to be different; others do not care. If the bank rejects your process because of this, call and ask whether you can use the same address or whether you need to provide a separate business address.

If the bank denies your process, they will tell you why — usually because they could not verify your identity, because your business did not pass their risk check, or because your industry is one they do not work with (some banks avoid certain industries like cannabis, cryptocurrency, or high-risk lending). If you disagree with the reason, ask to speak to a manager. If the bank will not reconsider, try a different bank. Different banks have different risk tolerances.

Choosing between online and in-person for your situation

Go online-only if you need the account fast, you are comfortable with a smaller bank, and you do not need traditional banking services like a loan or a relationship with a loan officer. Mercury, Brex, and Novo are built for this.

Go with a traditional bank if you want a physical branch you can visit, you might need a business loan later, you want to work with a relationship manager, or you prefer a bank that has been around for decades. The trade-off is that it takes longer and requires an in-person visit or video call.

Go with a regional bank if you want something in between — a bank with physical locations in your area but faster online processes than the biggest national banks. Many regional banks now offer video verification and can open accounts in a week.

If you are not sure which bank to use, start by asking other business owners in your industry or your accountant. They usually have a bank they recommend and can tell you how long the process took them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an EIN before I open a commercial bank account?

Not always. If you are a sole proprietor with no employees, you can use your Social Security number instead of an EIN. But if you are an LLC, corporation, or partnership, you need an EIN. You can request one from the IRS online at irs.gov; it takes about 15 minutes and you get a confirmation number when ready. The official letter arrives by mail in about two weeks, but most banks accept the confirmation number.

Can I open a commercial account if my business is not registered yet?

Most banks require proof that your business is registered — a business license, articles of incorporation, or a DBA certificate. If you have not registered yet, do that first. Registration usually takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your state. Some banks will let you open an account with a pending registration if you show proof that you applied, but this is rare.

What if I cannot visit a branch or do a video call?

Some banks let you mail in certified copies of your documents instead of doing a video call or in-person visit. This takes longer — usually two to three weeks — because the bank has to receive the documents, verify them, and then contact you. Call the bank and ask whether they offer this option. If they do not, use an online-only bank that does video verification, or find a different bank.

Will the bank check my personal credit?

Most banks do a soft credit check (which does not affect your credit score) to verify your identity. Some banks also do a hard credit check, which does show up on your credit report. The bank will tell you whether they do a hard check before you explore. For a commercial account, they are usually more interested in your business history and industry than in your personal credit score.

How long does it take to get a debit card and checks?

Checks take 5 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. Debit cards take 3 to 7 business days. Some banks offer expedited shipping for an extra fee. You can usually start making transfers and paying bills online before the physical cards and checks arrive.