Depending on a single joint venture partner, relying on a solitary source for leads, or working with only one supplier or vendor can leave you vulnerable to a single point of failure.
But perhaps the most crucial area where you should avoid being a “one” is banking. Having just ONE BANK ACCOUNT can be a recipe for disaster.
If that account is closed, frozen, or otherwise inaccessible, your business could be brought to its knees.
That’s why it’s crucial to diversify your banking relationships and work with multiple partners. Doing so will protect your funds, and your business can continue operating even if one bank account is compromised.
So, if you rely on just one bank account, it’s time to diversify. Don’t let the worst number in business bring you down – instead, take control of your financial future by working with multiple banking partners.
Update November 2024: We now offer a private banking solution for companies with at least two years of operational history and a $100K minimum deposit requirement. No U.S. travel is necessary, but an ITIN is required. If you meet these qualifications, contact us to learn more.
Update August 2024: Mercury Bank began closing accounts for businesses in certain high-risk jurisdictions, including Ukraine and 13 African countries, citing changes in account eligibility criteria and enhanced regulatory compliance measures. This decision is likely tied to increased scrutiny on AML and KYC compliance following global fintech regulatory updates. Businesses affected should explore alternative banking options that meet international compliance standards.
Update April 2024: Neo-banks Mercury and Relay do not allow the registered agent address for banking purposes. Mercury has an exception if your company’s physical address is in your country and you provide a personal bank statement or utility bill to your foreign address.
Update November 2023. Mercury requires that the account be set up with a US person who would complete a W-9, which means a single-member LLC disregarded is no longer an option. Do some setup with Mercury and disregard this acknowledgment, yes, we don’t recommend it for potential IRS issues.
NCP partners with both neo-banks and offers special customer support for our banking services. We can also consult if you are stuck with your U.S. banking process or need to know the best and most current options.
If you do not have a U.S. company formation, first gain clarity on your best U.S. banking options BEFORE forming a U.S. entity. You want to avoid what so many do: to find a low-priced option only to form the LLC and realize either during the process or after opening a U.S. bank account (even without travel) is impossible.
At NCP, we have experience since 1997, having formed thousands of companies and worked with dozens of banks, brokerage accounts, and online banking platforms. We have the experience to help you fit all the puzzle pieces in the correct sequence to accomplish this task.
As we can’t control the banks and their policy changes, we can control how best to form your U.S. company to lead to your best option to establish the bank account. This may involve how the LLC is formed and managed, to a lease agreement without an expensive lease, to match documents and state records to streamline the experience.
Most important are our relationships with our bankers, our doing things right, and our attraction to successful entrepreneurs with whom the banks prefer to work over time. Let us share our current U.S. banking options and recommendations for 2024.
If you or someone you know needs support in 2025, we can help set up your U.S. entity correctly and provide all the resources, from sales tax to tax returns.
Ensuring your bank account is verified starts with setting up your U.S. company correctly, and we’re here to guide you through the process. Book a call with our team, and as we learn more about your unique situation, we’ll provide a custom quote tailored to your needs—whether it’s reviewing and amending your LLC formation, updating IRS records, or starting fresh to do it right from the beginning. Click here to schedule your call today.
Before we get to the banking details, you must know this ONLY works on a U.S. entity, not a foreign entity. If you want to open an account with a national bank such as B of A, Citibank, Wells Fargo, or Chase, we consult on the latest requirements and hoops to travel to the U.S. and open those accounts (see our update above).
If you don’t hit every checkmark, you will NOT get these accounts opened (even if you travel to the U.S. in person). They are not easy to set up and will be much more expensive with the extra level of scrutiny at the company and personal level.
As you know, we do a lot of work in the e-commerce space, and there are “transfer” accounts, such as Payoneer, Wise, and others.
The challenge is that moving money from one currency to another is great, but they are not fully functioning bank accounts. They do not allow for an ACH pull, which is required to automate the payment of sales taxes.
Bank Rejections: Why Starting with the Right Support Matters
If you set up your own U.S. bank account with services like Mercury or Relay Financial (Relayfi) and it remains unverified, we cannot assist as a partner. Once your account is rejected, we cannot override the bank’s decision, as their processes and compliance standards are final.
However, if your account requires additional verification—such as providing a business utility bill linked to our Nevada address service—we can help. This process will also involve completing several additional steps to ensure all your documentation is aligned. While we can assist in such cases, the most effective and cost-efficient approach is to work with us from the beginning. By allowing us to review your documents, set up the account, and ensure verification is completed correctly, you can avoid costly errors and delays.
Proceed with Caution: Setting Up a U.S. Bank Account on Your Own
When setting up a U.S. bank account, especially with neo-banks like Relayfi, it’s crucial to ensure that all your business documents are accurate and consistent. A single oversight can lead to significant hurdles, including additional verification requirements and unexpected expenses.
If you choose to set up your account on your own and run into issues, there may be limitations to how much we can assist. Here’s why:
- Mismatched Information Leads to Rejection:
Banks require that all submitted documents—such as your LLC Articles of Organization, operating agreement, and address—match perfectly with the information on your account. Even minor inconsistencies can trigger rejection or requests for additional verification. - Costly Corrections:
Resolving an account rejection typically involves amending your LLC’s Articles of Organization, updating your business address, and resubmitting documentation. These steps are time-intensive and come with additional fees. - Business Utility Bill Requirements:
Many banks, including Relayfi, require a business utility bill to verify your address. While obtaining this is possible, it often necessitates aligning your LLC with the utility bill’s address, which can be both complex and expensive.
Real-World Consequences
Below is an example of what can happen when attempting to set up a Relayfi account without proper preparation. A recent seller submitted inconsistent documents and was subsequently required to provide additional verification. The process became significantly more expensive and required address changes and document amendments, delaying account setup by several weeks.
Avoid the Hassle by Doing It Right the First Time
While we are here to help if issues arise, starting with a clear and accurate setup process saves time, money, and stress. When your documents are aligned from the outset, the chances of rejection or extra verification steps are minimized, ensuring a smoother path to getting your U.S. bank account approved.