Business banking for an LLC: accounts, the EIN, and non resident owners

Snapshot

A US LLC is a separate legal entity, so it usually wants its own business account in the company name to keep owner and company money apart. To open one you generally need the LLC formed and in good standing, an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service, the formation documents, and owner identification. Non resident owners can often use fintech providers such as Mercury and Wise Business, subject to checks and eligibility that depend on where the owner is based.

Why a business account: To keep the LLC and its owners separate and make tax and bookkeeping cleaner.
Usually required: The formed LLC, an EIN, formation documents, and owner identification. Often a US address for records.
Non resident path: Fintech providers such as Mercury and Wise Business, subject to checks, as of 5 June 2026.
Watch out for: Country restrictions, the EIN step, and how funds are held and protected.

Fees and features as of 5 June 2026Last reviewed 5 June 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

An LLC, most often a United States limited liability company, is a separate legal entity, so the cleanest setup is a business account in the company name rather than running money through a personal account. To open one you generally need the LLC formed and in good standing, an Employer Identification Number or EIN from the Internal Revenue Service, the formation documents such as the articles of organization, and identification for the owners. Owners based abroad can often open an account through fintech providers such as Mercury and Wise Business after the LLC and EIN are in place, though each runs its own checks, approval is not guaranteed, and eligibility depends on where the owner lives. None of this is a recommendation. Compare providers that serve your situation and confirm the current terms, as of 5 June 2026.

What an LLC needs from a business account

Because an LLC is legally separate from its owners, the main reason for a dedicated account is to keep that separation clean. Mixing personal and company money can blur the line that the structure is meant to draw, and it makes tax and bookkeeping harder. Beyond separation, the priorities are familiar: a way to receive customer payments, issue cards, pay suppliers and contractors, and connect to accounting software. A single member LLC and a multi member LLC have the same banking needs, though the paperwork and the tax treatment differ. This is general information, not advice. As of 5 June 2026.

The EIN and the documents

The EIN is the pivot point. It is the nine digit federal tax identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service, and providers generally require it before they will open an account for the LLC. Alongside it you usually need the formation documents, evidence the company is in good standing, and identification for the owners and anyone with significant control. Many providers also ask for a US address for company records, which does not always mean a physical presence but should be consistent and verifiable. Requirements vary, so confirm the list with the provider. As of 5 June 2026.

Options for non resident owners

Owners who live outside the United States can still bank a US LLC, most often through fintech providers rather than walking into a branch. Mercury and Wise Business are the names that come up most for founders abroad, each with its own onboarding and checks. As of 2026, Mercury has published a list of countries whose resident owners it does not serve, which is why some founders use Wise Business instead after forming the LLC and obtaining the EIN. Approval is never guaranteed, and a traditional bank may want an in person visit. Check directly whether a given provider serves owners in your country. As of 5 June 2026.

What to check before you open

Confirm the LLC is formed and in good standing and that the EIN has been issued.
Check the provider serves owners based in your country, since some restrict by residence.
Confirm how funds are held and protected, whether by deposit insurance at a partner bank or other means.
Compare the real cost, including transaction and currency fees, against the features you actually need.

Compare business accounts for an LLC

Availability and eligibility depend on where the LLC is formed and where the owners are based. Explore the provider reviews and country guides to compare options that serve your situation, shown as of 5 June 2026, then confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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Questions about business banking for an LLC

Does an LLC need its own business bank account?

An LLC is a separate legal entity, so keeping its money in a dedicated business account rather than a personal one helps preserve the separation between the owners and the company and makes bookkeeping and tax cleaner. Banks and many providers expect an LLC to use a business account in the company name. This is general information, not advice, so confirm what your situation needs with a professional. As of 5 June 2026.

What do I need to open a bank account for a US LLC?

You generally need the LLC to be formed and in good standing, an Employer Identification Number or EIN from the Internal Revenue Service, the formation documents such as the articles of organization, and identification for the owners. Many providers also ask for a US address for company records. Requirements vary by provider, so confirm before applying. As of 5 June 2026.

Can a non resident owner open a US bank account for an LLC?

It is possible after the LLC is formed and has an EIN. Fintech providers such as Mercury and Wise Business are common paths for founders abroad, subject to their own checks, and approval is not guaranteed. As of 2026, Mercury has listed some countries whose owners it does not serve, so eligibility depends on where the owner is based. Confirm current eligibility with the provider. As of 5 June 2026.

How long does it take to open an account for an LLC?

Once the LLC is formed and the EIN is issued, a fintech account can often be approved within a few business days where the applicant qualifies, while a traditional bank can take longer and may want an in person visit. Getting the EIN can be the slower step for a non resident owner. Confirm the current timeline with the provider. As of 5 June 2026.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 5 June 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.