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Built for entrepreneurs. Compare low-fee operating accounts, business savings, and cash management solutions.
On ATB Financial's secure site
On BMO Bank of Montreal's secure site
On Tangerine Bank's secure site
On Scotiabank's secure site
On National Bank of Canada's secure site
On ATB Financial's secure site
On National Bank of Canada's secure site
On National Bank of Canada's secure site
On National Bank of Canada's secure site
On National Bank of Canada's secure site
Business chequing accounts aren’t just “chequing, but for companies.” They often have different fee structures, transaction definitions, deposit handling rules, and cash management tools. This guide explains the key terms you’ll see while browsing this page—so you can compare options without getting surprised later.
The “best” business account depends on your monthly activity, how you receive money, and who needs access. Start here, then use the filters above to narrow the list.
Use filters to match your operating style (fees, features, provider type). Then sort by Lowest Monthly Fee or Highest Interest Rate if the account pays interest. If two accounts look close, the “tie-breakers” are usually transaction definitions, deposit handling, and service access.
| Common cost | What it usually means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly account fee | A fixed recurring fee for account access and included services. | It’s predictable, but compare it against how many transactions you actually need. |
| Transaction / item fees | Costs after you exceed included debits, credits, transfers, or “items.” | Two accounts can have the same fee but very different included usage. |
| Deposit fees / limits | Fees based on number of deposit items or cash amount handled. | If you deposit cash/cheques often, this can become a major cost. |
| e-Transfer and transfer fees | Charges for sending e-Transfers or moving money to other accounts. | If you pay contractors/vendors frequently, check what’s included. |
| ATM and cash handling | Fees for withdrawals, out-of-network ATMs, or special cash services. | Important for businesses that deal with physical cash. |
| Overdraft / NSF | Charges related to negative balances or returned payments. | Know the rules—business cash flow can fluctuate and fees can add up fast. |
Here are patterns that often work. Use them to choose filters and quickly eliminate options that don’t fit.
Many business owners keep a dedicated business account to help with clean bookkeeping, clearer cash flow visibility, and simpler tracking of business income and expenses. This can be helpful for reporting, budgeting, and preparing year-end documents.
These are simple operational habits that can reduce common banking costs without changing your business.
