Make it official—Open your business account today
Open a Business Essential Checking account online. No branch visit required. Straightforward, convenient, and made for your business.
Why choose Business Essential Checking?
Smart banking designed to support your everyday business needs.
No monthly maintenance fee with qualifying activity
Simply carry a $1,000 average daily balance per cycle OR complete $300 in debit card transactions per month{{d2080*}}
Built for freelancers, creators, and small business owners
Tailored for modern entrepreneurs who need flexibility and control.
100% digital application — no paperwork required
Apply online in minutes — no branch visit or printed forms needed.
Flexible features with easy account access
Manage your money your way with tools that grow with your business and 24/7 mobile and online access.
No monthly maintenance fee with qualifying activity
Simply carry a $1,000 average daily balance per cycle OR complete $300 in debit card transactions per month{{d2080*}}
Built for freelancers, creators, and small business owners
Tailored for modern entrepreneurs who need flexibility and control.
100% digital application — no paperwork required
Apply online in minutes — no branch visit or printed forms needed.
Flexible features with easy account access
Manage your money your way with tools that grow with your business and 24/7 mobile and online access.
Get more out of your business checking with fewer fees.
Get the features you need to manage your business — with fewer surprises and more value built in.
- $5 monthly maintenance fee waived for first 3 months{{d2081*}}
- No charge for first 25 transactions items each month{{d1311*}}
- $2,500 included cash deposits{{d489*}}
Ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee{{d2080*}}
- Simply carry a $1,000 average daily balance per cycle OR
- Complete $300 in debit card transactions per month
Starting something new?
Make it official with a business account built for you.
What you'll need to apply:
Personal identification
Owner/Signer Information
Basic business documentation
Keep Your business and personal finances on track
Did you know separating your business and personal finances can make managing your money easier, improve cash flow tracking, and help you grow with confidence?
Separating your business and personal finances isn't just smart — it's essential. With M&T Business Essential Checking, you can manage your business expenses with clarity, stay organized, and build a stronger financial foundation for growth. Let your business stand on its own, backed by tools and support designed to help you move forward.
Your business deserves its own account — and now, opening one is easier than ever.
Open your account in minutes
No paperwork. No branch visit. Just a few clicks.
Top business checking questions, answered by our experts.
It’s a streamlined business checking account designed for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want digital-first banking with essential features.
A small business checking account is a type of business account tailored to the needs of small businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs to help manage day-to-day finances efficiently. While similar to a general business checking account, small business checking accounts often come with features and fee structures that accommodate smaller budgets and lower transaction volumes.
Using a business checking account for your small business offers several important benefits:
- Separates business and personal finances
- Pay vendors, employees and other stakeholders under your business name, creating a more professional impression
- Enhanced financial management with transaction records, monthly statements and simplifies bookkeeping.
- Supports business growth as business checking accounts often include access to additional services for small businesses, such as Merchant Services and Business Credit Cards.
