Business checking review: Bank of America Business checking account comparison

Like individual consumers, small business owners and large corporations alike need a bank where they can stash their money — granted their finances are a bit more complicated. But just because you own a business doesn't mean you're want to pay big monthly fees for your banking needs.

Bank of America offers two checking account options for business owners, each designed for companies at different stages of growth. Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking and Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking have two different monthly fees (with ways to waive) and minimum balance requirements for businesses with small, medium and large revenues.

If you operate a traditional (cash) business and need a brick-and-mortar financial institution designed for handling daily deposits, read on to learn the ins and outs of Bank of America's business offerings. (Learn more about our methodology below.)

1. Access to your cash
2. Perks
3. Fees
4. Bottom line

Users can withdraw cash for free at over 16,900 Bank of America ATMs around the country or by visiting one of the 4,300 branches nationwide.

Here are the fees and limits for depositing money (whether your business handles cash, checks or electronic transfers):

Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking

• Cash deposits up to $7,500 per statement cycle are free (then 30 cents per $100)
• Maximum of 200 check deposits/other debits per statement cycle, then 45 cents per item; may vary by state)
• Unlimited free ACH, debit card, electronic debits and check deposits through Remote Deposit Online

Business Advantage Relationship Banking

• Cash deposits up to $20,000 per statement cycle are free (then 30 cents per $100)
• Maximum of 500 check deposits/other debits per statement cycle, then 45 cents per item; may vary by state.
• Unlimited free ACH, debit card, electronic debits and check deposits through Remote Deposit Online

Bank of America's business checking accounts come with some tailored tools to help account holders stay on top of their day-to-day responsibilities.

• Mobile banking: Deposit checks, request transfers, pay bills and monitor pending transactions from the palm of your hand with the Bank of America mobile app.
• Account balance alerts: Receive notice when your balance dips too low or there is unusual activity.
• Business debit cards: Track expenses with employee debit cards that let you set spending limits.
• Digital tools: Plan ahead while monitoring your balance, payments and revenue with Cash Flow Monitor.

Additional Business Advantage Relationship Banking perks

• Flexible account access: Share and hide details of accounts with certain employees for different job-related purposes.
• Easy cross-account management: Manage multiple accounts with just one online ID.
• Easy sync with QuickBooks and ADP: Manage invoicing and payroll seamlessly with no-hassle integration.
• Free stop payments and wire transfers: Avoid getting nickel-and-dimed on qualifying payments.

The Business Fundamentals account has a $16 monthly maintenance fee. The Business Advantage Relationship Banking account is $29.95 per month.

However, both accounts offer ways that customers can avoid the monthly fees:

Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking

Do one of the following each statement cycle:

• Maintain a $5,000 combined average monthly balance across your linked Bank of America accounts
• Use your Bank of America business debit card to make at least $250 in new net qualified purchases
• Qualify for and enroll in the Preferred Rewards for Business program

Business Advantage Relationship Banking

Do one of the following each statement cycle:

• Spend $2,500 in net new purchases on a Bank of America business credit card
• Maintain a $15,000 combined average monthly balance across your linked Bank of America accounts
• Actively use Merchant Services and/or Payroll Services
• Qualify for and enroll in the Preferred Rewards for Business program (first four checking accounts per enrolled business)

Business owners handling up to $20,000 in monthly cash deposits should consider either the Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking or the Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking. Business Advantage Fundamentals has a few more features, including the option to add one additional checking account for employees (or other purposes) at no extra cost and perks to help busy business owners manage their money.

Entrepreneurs, sole proprietors and nonprofits who average less than $5,000 in their accounts or conduct mostly digital transactions should consider an online, fee-free checking account like Bluevine Business Checking for a more affordable way to bank.

To determine which business checking accounts offer the most convenience, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of U.S. business checking accounts offered nationwide by online banks as well as those with physical branches. We narrowed down our rankings by considering no-fee checking accounts or accounts with easy ways to waive the monthly maintenance fees.

We compared each checking account on a range of features, including:

• Fees
• Minimum balance requirement
• Mobile banking ease
• Small business tools and support
• Large ATM network
• Account accessibility
• Customer reviews, when available

All of the accounts included on this list are either members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or FDIC-insured through partner institutions. This insurance protects and reimburses you up to your balance and the legal limit in the event your bank or credit union fails.

The rates and fee structures for checking accounts are subject to change without notice and they often fluctuate in accordance with the prime rate.

Your earnings depend on any associated fees and the balance you have in your checking account. To open an account, some banks and institutions may require a deposit of new money, meaning you can't transfer money you already had in an account at that bank.