6 Best Banks for Real Estate Investors in 2022
Tom has 15 years of experience helping small businesses evaluate financing and banking options. He shares this expertise in Fit Small Business’s financing and banking content.
This article is part of a larger series on Business Banking.
The best banks for real estate investors should offer a selection of deposit account and financing options, which include checking and savings accounts, short-term mortgages, and portfolio loans for multiple properties. Based on our evaluation, we highly recommend these six real estate investor-friendly banks:
- Chase: Best overall for real estate loans and full-service banking
- Bank of America: Best for discounted funding with a relationship rewards program
- First Internet Bank: Best for a variety of real estate projects
- U.S. Bank: Best for short-term property investors
- Wells Fargo: Best for real estate banking without lender closing costs
- Capital One: Best for unlimited free monthly transactions
All banks listed are member-FDIC insured.
Quick Comparison of the Top Banks for Real Estate Investors
Provider | Monthly Fee | Transaction Fee | APY | Cash Deposit Fee | Minimum Opening Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chase Business Complete Banking | $15; waivable if conditions are met | First 20 free, then 40 cents per transaction | N/A | $2.50 per $1,000 after you deposit $5,000 in a billing cycle | None |
 Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking | $16; waivable if conditions are met | 200 free monthly, then 45 cents/transaction | N/A | Up to $7,500/month free, then 30 cents/$100/statement cycle | $100 |
 Business Checking | None | None | 0.50% on balances over $10,000 | None; cash is deposited through money orders | $100 |
 Silver Business Checking | None | 125 free monthly, then 50 cents/transaction | N/A | Up to $2,500/month free; charge applies thereafter | $100 |
 Initiate Business Checking | $10; waivable if conditions are met | 100 free monthly, then 50 cents/transaction | N/A | Up to $5,000/month free, then 30 cents/$100/statement cycle | $25 |
 Basic Business Checking | $15; waivable if conditions are met | Unlimited free transactions | N/A | Up to $5,000/month free; $1 for every $1,000 thereafter | $250 |
Chase: Best Overall Bank for Real Estate Investors
Chase
What We Like
- $300 cash bonus
- Easy-to-waive monthly fees
- $0 opening deposit
What's Missing
- Only 20 free transactions per month
- Charges $2.50 for cash deposits over $5,000 per month
- Doesn’t refund third-party ATM fees
Features
- Integrates with leading accounting software like QuickBooks
- Allows small business owners to place controls on business debit, deposit, and ATM cards so that only certain employees can access ATMs or make purchases
- Provides a mobile app that lets business owners deposit checks, view account balances, pay bills, and make transfers
- Offers lending options for real estate investors
Why We Recommend Chase: Chase, our top choice for the best small business checking account, is an excellent option for real estate investors who want to keep both business and personal finances in one bank. It makes opening a business bank account easy by allowing you to do so either online or in person. Additionally, it offers a wide selection of real estate investment loan options that will help you with your financing needs.
Chase Is Best For: Real estate investors who want a full suite of business banking services, such as online bills payment, and access to real estate financing options.
Fees & Terms
- Monthly fee: $15—waived if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Maintain a minimum daily balance of $2,000
- Spend at least $2,000 in purchases―minus returns or refunds―using your Chase Ink® Business Card
- Deposit $2,000 into your Chase checking account from your QuickAccept℠ and/or other eligible Chase Merchant Services transactions at least one business day prior to the last day of your bank account statement period
- Maintain a linked Chase Private Client Checking℠ account
- Transaction fee: 40 cents per transaction after your first 20 transactions each month
- Cash deposit fees: $2.50 per $1,000 after the first $5,000 in cash deposited each month
- ATM fee: No charge at more than 16,000 in-network ATMs nationwide—$2.50 per non-Chase ATM transactions
- Minimum deposit to open: None
- Minimum balance requirement: $2,000 to avoid service charges
Bank of America: Best for Discounted Funding With Relationship Rewards Program
Bank of America
What We Like
- 200 free monthly transactions
- $7,500 in free cash deposits per month
- Ongoing rewards
What's Missing
- Charges a monthly maintenance fee unless balance or transaction minimums are met
- Doesn’t refund third-party ATM fees
- Requires a $100 opening deposit
Features
- Offers a variety of loan products
- Allows accounting software integration
- Lets business owners deposit checks remotely and add additional services, including credit card processing and payroll services through ADP
- Has a variety of savings account products
- Offers small business credit cards
Why We Recommend Bank of America: Bank of America offers a wide variety of real estate financing options and business checking and savings account options. Its business checking accounts provide a competitive mix of features and benefits with reasonable balance requirements to avoid monthly service charges. Maintaining a $20,000 average balance qualifies customers for Business Gold status in Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, which includes an interest rate discount on approved loans.
Bank of America Is Best For: Real estate investors who can maintain a larger banking relationship, which will allow them to take advantage of interest rate deductions on commercial real estate loan products.
Fees & Terms
- Monthly fee: $16 (Fundamentals account), waived if you meet one of the following criteria during each checking statement cycle:
- Spend $250 on new net purchases with your Bank of America business debit, credit card, or charge card
- Maintain a $5,000 combined average monthly balance
- Become a member of Preferred Rewards for Business (first four checking accounts per enrolled business)
- Transaction fee:
- No fee for the first 200 transactions, then 45 cents per transaction
- No excess transaction fee for automated clearing house (ACH), debit card transactions, online bill pay, electronic debits, and checks deposited through remote deposit online
- Cash deposit fee: Deposit up to $7,500 with no cash deposit processing fee, then 30 cents per $100, per statement cycle
- ATM fee: Free access to more than 16,000 ATMs nationwide—$2.50 per transaction on out-of-network ATMs
- Minimum deposit: $100
- Minimum balance: $5,000 to avoid service charges; $20,000 in relationship for Business Gold status
First Internet Bank: Best for a Variety of Real Estate Projects
First Internet Bank
What We Like
- Offers underwriting, closing, and servicing of loans up to $25 million
- Provides checking accounts with no fees
- Interest-bearing business accounts are available
What's Missing
- No physical branches
- Average balance of $10,000 required to earn APY
- No cash deposit functionality
Features
- Provides customized solutions for commercial real estate loans
- Offers debit cards
- Has a variety of business bank accounts, including savings, money markets, and certificates of deposit (CDs)
- Provides mobile and online banking with remote and scanned deposit options and electronic statements
- Accommodates bills payments, wire transfers, and ACH payments
Why We Recommend First Internet Bank: First Internet Bank offers a variety of bank account options that provide real estate investors with an opportunity to earn interest on their deposited funds. With no monthly fees, you’ll never have to worry about meeting waiver requirements. It also provides commercial real estate loans up to $25 million, making it an excellent option for experienced investors who need to finance a larger project. It also has financing for a variety of projects, including residential construction, office, multifamily, retail, and industrial projects.
First Internet Bank Is Best For: Experienced real estate investors looking for a full-service online bank that can provide multiple deposit accounts and larger real estate financing projects.
Fees & Terms
- Monthly fee: None
- Transaction fees: None—offers unlimited transactions
- Cash deposit fees: Unavailable
- ATM fee: None, reimburses ATM fees charged by other banks up to $10 per month
- Minimum initial deposit: $100
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Annual percentage yield: 0.50% on balances of more than $10,000
U.S. Bank: Best for Short-term Property Investors
U.S. Bank
What We Like
- No monthly fee
- 125 free monthly transactions
- Discount on first check order
What's Missing
- All electronic and physical transactions count toward transaction limits
- Cash deposit fee after $2,500 per month
Features
- Has commercial and noncommercial property lending
- Offers remote check deposit
- Provides online and mobile banking with bill pay
- Has payroll services
- Offers business savings accounts
Why We Recommend U.S. Bank: U.S. Bank is another heavy hitter on our list, offering commercial real estate loans, multiple locations nationwide, and full-service banking. It provides investment property loans with terms as short as five years, making it a terrific option for those who are looking for short-term financing. Furthermore, with its Silver Business Checking account, you get business banking without the monthly service fee that comes with most business checking accounts. Commercial real estate options include owner-occupied financing, a real estate secured line of credit, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, mixed-use loans, and multifamily investment property financing.
In addition, through Oct. 3, 2022, you can also earn a $300 bonus when you open a new eligible U.S. Bank business checking account and complete qualifying activities (use promo code: AF49ZCB). Certain terms and limitations apply.
U.S. Bank Is Best For: Experienced real estate investors looking for solid business banking and access to short-term investment property financing options.
Applicant must reside in AZ, AR, CA, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY to be eligible for checking account.
Fees & Terms
- Monthly fee: None
- Transaction fees: 50 cents per transaction after the first 125 transactions each month
- Cash deposit fees: Free for the first $2,500 cash deposit
- ATM fee: No charge for in-network or out-of-network ATMs
- Minimum initial deposit: $100
- Minimum balance requirement: None
Wells Fargo: Best for Real Estate Banking Without Lender Closing Costs
Wells Fargo
What We Like
- No closing, appraisal, and origination fees on approved commercial real estate loans
- Easy-to-waive monthly fee on checking account
- Large branch network in much of the country
What's Missing
- Only 100 free monthly transactions
- Fees for cash deposits of more than $5,000 each month
Features
- Offers a wide range of business and real estate financing options
- Provides merchant services, including payment processing, contactless payment options, and point-of-sale (POS) solutions
- Features mobile and online banking
- Provides payroll services
- Offers business savings accounts
- Has small business credit cards
Why We Recommend Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo is a solid conventional bank that offers a variety of deposit accounts to meet all of your banking needs. Real estate investors will find it most appealing because it doesn’t charge fees for lender closing costs, appraisals, loan origination, or locking in interest rates on its commercial real estate loans.
Wells Fargo Is Best For: Real estate investors conducting numerous commercial real estate transactions because they can save money on a variety of loan closing costs that they would be required to pay at other banking institutions.
Fees & Terms
- Monthly fee: $10, unless you maintain a minimum daily balance of $500
- Transaction fees: Free for the first 100 transactions each month; 50 cents per transaction thereafter
- Cash deposit fees: Free for the first $5,000 per month; 30 cents per $100, per statement cycle thereafter
- ATM fee: No charge for in-network ATMs nationwide, $2.50 per out-of-network ATM transactions
- Minimum initial deposit: $25
- Minimum balance requirement: $500 to avoid monthly service charge
Capital One: Best for Unlimited Free Monthly Transactions
Capital One
What We Like
- Unlimited transactions
- Integrates with top accounting software
- Potential for a line of credit and loan interest rate discounts
What's Missing
- Requires a $250 opening deposit
- Must visit a branch to open an account
- Balance minimum requirement to avoid monthly service charge
Features
- Integrates with top accounting software like Xero
- Is a designated lender with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
- Features a mobile app for paying bills, tracking accounts, making transfers, and depositing checks
- Has several Capital One business credit cards
Why We Recommend Capital One: Capital One made it to our list of best banks for real estate investors because it offers a wide array of commercial real estate funding products. It’s an approved lender with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA and offers institutional specialty solutions, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate investment funds (REIFs). Capital One does require you to visit a branch to open a checking account, which limits its potential appeal to real estate investors in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas, and Louisiana.
Capital One Is Best For: It’s a good choice for real estate investors located in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas, or Louisiana wanting the ability to make unlimited monthly transactions and are looking for an expert team that can help with their real estate financing needs.
Fees & Terms
- Monthly fee: $15—waived if you maintain a $2,000 minimum 30- or 90-day average balance or have two other Capital One accounts
- Transaction fees: None, offers unlimited free transactions
- Cash deposit fees: Up to $5,000 per month free; $1 for every $1,000 after that
- ATM fee: None at more than 39,000 Allpoint ATMs nationwide
- Minimum initial deposit: $250
- Minimum balance requirement: $2,000 to avoid monthly service charge
How We Evaluated the Best Banks for Real Estate Investors
To find the best banks for real estate investors, we looked for institutions that offer a selection of real estate loan options for property investors. We prioritized financing offerings, such as investment property loans, and considered business products that investors might need, such as checking and escrow savings accounts.
Bottom Line
Real estate banking provides access to property loans, but real estate investor-friendly banks offer more than only financing. The best banks for real estate investors also offer deposit accounts and business products that support your business. Make sure to find a bank that offers the real estate investment services and banking products that will work best for you.
