8 Best Banks for Real Estate Investors in 2023
This article is part of a larger series on Business Banking.
The best banks for real estate investors should provide both excellent business bank accounts and commercial real estate (CRE) lending. They should also offer business support services, including expense management systems and rent collection services. Banks with no lending products or limited lending offerings should have banking products and other services that can assist both landlords and fix-and-flip investors.
Here are the eight best banks for real estate investors, with links directly to the bank’s websites:
- Bank of America: Best overall for outstanding business checking, business support, and CRE loans
- Chase: Best for wide-range of CRE loans, business checking, and credit cards
- Baselane*: Best for all-in-one landlord and real estate investor banking with CRE loan products
- Stessa*: Best for online rent collection with banking product
- Bluevine*: Best small business line of credit with interest-earning checking
- U.S. Bank†: Best for long-term owner-occupied CRE loans
- First Internet Bank: Best digital-only bank with full-service business lending
- Wells Fargo: Best for CRE loans for multifamily properties
*Providers are financial technology (fintech) platforms backed by and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)-insured through a supporting bank partnership (Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. for Baselane and Stessa and Coastal Community Bank for Bluevine).
†Provider is geographically limited. See the U.S. Bank geographic limitations to see if your business is located in an area served by it.
Best Banks for Real Estate Investors at a Glance
Provider | Monthly Fee | Checking Account | Free monthly transactions | Annual Percentage Yield (APY) | Free Cash Deposit Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $16; waivable | Fundamentals Business Checking | 200 | N/A | $7,500 per month |
 | $15; waivable | Business Complete Banking | 20 | N/A | $5,000 per month |
 | None | Landlord Banking | No limit | 3.30% | None; Deposits at Allpoint ATMs only |
 | None | Cash Management | No limit | 3.85% | Cash deposits not accepted |
 | None | Business Checking | No limit | 2.0% on qualifying balances $100,000 or less | None free; $4.95 per deposit (Green Dot locations) |
 | None | Silver Business Checking | 125 | N/A | $2,500 per month |
 | None | Business Checking | No limit | 0.50% on balances of $10,000 or more | Cash deposits not accepted |
 | $10; waivable | Initiate Business Checking | 100 | N/A | $5,000 per month |
Provider | Loan Amounts | Interest Rates | Loan Terms | Minimum Time in Business | Minimum Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 and up | As low as 5.75% | Up to 15 years | 2 years | $250,000 |
| $50,000 and up | Undisclosed | Up to 30 years | Undisclosed | No income verification |
| $55,000–$2 million | Undisclosed | Up to 30 years | Undisclosed | No income verification |
| No loan products | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Up to $250,000 | As low as 6.2% | 6 or 12 months | 6 months | $120,000 |
| Up to $12.375 million | As low as 5.99% | Up to 25 years | Generally 2 years | Undisclosed |
| $100,000 and up | As low as 4.75% | Up to 25 years | Undisclosed; likely 2 years | Undisclosed |
| $50,000 and up | As low as prime plus 1.75% | Up to 25 years | Undisclosed; likely 2 years | Undisclosed |
Bank of America: Best Overall for Outstanding Business Checking, Business Support & CRE Loans
 | |
|---|---|
Required Opening Deposit | $100 |
Required Balance Minimum | None |
Transaction Limit Before Fees | 200 monthly, then 45 cents per item |
Monthly Fees | $16; waivable if conditions are met |
Domestic Wire Transfer Fees | Fees vary |
International Wire Transfer Fees | Fees vary |
ATM Fees | Free access to more than 16,000 ATMs nationwide; $2.50 per transaction on out-of-network ATMs |
Cash Deposited | Up to $7,500 per month free, then 30 cents per $100, per statement cycle |
APY | N/A |
Other Products Available | Business Advantage Relationship Banking, business savings, certificates of deposit (CDs), lending products, and financial analysis through Merrill financial advisor |
Review | |
Open an Account |
What We Like About Bank of America
For real estate investors looking for great business checking, outstanding business support products, and several commercial real estate loan products, Bank of America is an excellent choice. It’s our best overall bank for real estate investors as it has one of the best small business checking accounts available and is the leading bank for small business loans.
Bank of America offers two business checking options with waivable monthly fees. Its basic business checking, Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking, allows for up to 200 free transactions and up to $7,500 in free cash deposits each month. The monthly fee is $16, but there are several easy ways to get the fee waived.
For real estate investors looking for loans, Bank of America offers CRE loans, lines of credit, term loans, and SBA loans. It also has outstanding business credit cards and provides your Dun & Bradstreet credit score for free if you have a business checking account.
Other than checking and lending products, it has business savings, certificates of deposit (CDs), and financial analysis through Merrill financial advisor. For businesses in New York, Bank of America is one of our choices for the best banks in New York.
You can stop by one of Bank of America’s branches or visit the company’s website to apply.
Chase: Best for a Wide Range of CRE loans, Business Checking & Credit Cards
| |
|---|---|
Required Opening Deposit | None |
Required Balance Minimum | None |
Transaction Limit Before Fees | 20, then 40 cents per transaction |
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Fees | $25 for first 25 items per month, then 15 cents per item; $2.50 return fee |
Monthly Fees | $15; waivable if conditions are met |
Domestic Wire Transfer Fees | Up to $35 for outgoing wires; up to $15 for incoming wires |
International Wire Transfer Fees | Up to $50 for outgoing wires; up to $15 for incoming wires |
ATM Fees | No charge for out-of-network ATM usage; third-party ATM operator fees may apply |
Cash Deposited | $2.50 per $1,000 after you deposit $5,000 in a billing cycle |
Other Products Available | Business savings and CDs, lending products, credit cards, merchant services, collection services |
Review | |
Open an Account |
What We About Like Chase
Another excellent choice for real estate investors is Chase, thanks to a combination of the best small business checking account on the market, great business support products, and strong lending products. Bank of America edges Chase slightly given a better basic checking product and the ability to get your business credit score through Banking of America’s checking app.
Chase has three different business checking products that all have waivable monthly fees as long as you meet specific requirements. The basic checking account, Business Complete Banking, provides only 20 free transactions and $5,000 in free cash deposits monthly. You can get a $300 bonus for signing up for a new account and meeting account requirements.
Real estate investors needing financing will find a wide range of lending options from Chase. It offers business and commercial lines of credit, term and draw loans, advised lines, CRE financing, and SBA loans. It also has a great selection of business credit cards.
For businesses needing merchant and collection services, Chase offers both. You also get great software integrations, fraud protection, and additional perks when you pair business credit cards and savings accounts with its business checking. All of these services make Chase one of the best banks for small businesses.
You can visit a bank branch or Chase’s website to open an account.
Baselane: Best for All-in-One Landlord & Real Estate Investor Banking With CRE Loan Products
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|---|---|
Required Opening Deposit | None |
Required Balance Minimum | None |
Transaction Limit Before Fees | None |
Monthly Fees | None |
Domestic Wire Transfer Fees | Free |
International Wire Transfer Fees | Not indicated |
ATM Fees | Free withdrawals at over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs; third-party fees apply at out-of-network ATMs |
Cash Deposited | Deposit at Allpoint ATMs only |
APY | 3.3% |
Other Products Available | Expense management, rent collection, analytics |
Open an Account | |
*Baselane is a business fintech platform backed by FDIC-insured Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. | |
What We Like About Baselane
For landlords and real estate investors looking for an all-in-one banking and financial platform, Baselane is an excellent choice. You can earn a $150 bonus for opening a new account, which will increase to $300 in January if you fund the account and collect rent.
It offers a business checking product with no fees. You can earn 3.3% APY on all deposits to your account. Free ATM withdrawals are available at more than 55,000 Allpoint ATMs, and you can make cash deposits at Allpoint ATMs but not at out-of-network ATMs.
All incoming and outgoing wires and automated clearing house (ACH) payments to third parties are free. The banking offering ties directly into the company’s free online rent collection system, bookkeeping, and analytics software.
Baselane even provides unlimited virtual accounts with unlimited virtual cards for 2023. Both of these items allow for better expense tracking and finance organization. You can get up to 5% cash back in debit card rewards. What’s more, Baselane allows you to send ACH payments, pay invoices, make transfers, and deposit checks from any device, and you can see all your property finances in one location.
Additionally, it has commercial real estate loan products ranging from $55,000 to $2 million for up to 30 years. It also provides planned unit development loans, long-term retinal loans, portfolio loans, and rehab loans. It even helps you with tax preparation with Schedule E assistance and property tags in the software. You will need a FICO score of at least 680 to qualify.
As it is digital-only, there are no physical locations, so you can go to its website to open an account. But of all the specialized banking products for landlords and real estate investors, this is the best option on the market and rivals traditional options Bank of America and Chase.
Stessa: Best for Online Rent Collection with Banking Product
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|---|---|
Required Opening Deposit | None |
Required Balance Minimum | None |
Transaction Limit Before Fees | None |
Monthly Fees | None |
Domestic Wire Transfer Fees | Outbound are $5; inbound are free |
International Wire Transfer Fees | Not supported |
ATM Fees | Stessa doesn’t charge ATM fees, but operator fees may apply |
Cash Deposited | Cash deposits not accepted |
APY | 3.85% |
Other Products Available | Online rent collection, expense management |
Open an Account | |
*Stessa is a business fintech platform backed by Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)-insured Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. | |
What We Like About Stessa
While Stessa is the only provider in this guide that does not have lending products, its built-in cash management system and online rent collection product make it a strong choice for real estate investors. Its business banking product is largely fee-free, with only a $5 fee charged for outgoing domestic wires, and its bank account earns 3.85% APY and 1.1% cash back on debit card purchases.
The company has no monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, or transaction limits. It also doesn’t have an ATM network and, while it doesn’t charge ATM fees, you likely will pay third-party fees.
Another drawback is the inability to make cash deposits, although this may be less necessary for real estate investors who receive and send wire transfers to complete real estate purchases. You can deposit checks through any mobile device.
As part of its cash management system, Stessa charges no fees for bounced checks and offers benefits to help manage and grow rental portfolios. It even offers unlimited free accounts for each property or portfolio, and you will receive unique numbers for physical and virtual debit cards, allowing you to track expenditures easily.
Stessa is digital-only, so visit its website to sign up for an account.
Bluevine: Best Small Business Line of Credit with Interest-Earning Checking
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|---|---|
Required Opening Deposit | None |
Required Balance Minimum | None |
Transaction Limit Before Fees | No limit |
ACH Fees | None |
Monthly Fees | None |
Domestic Wire Transfer Fees | $15 for outgoing; incoming are free |
International Wire Transfer Fees | $15 for outgoing; incoming are free |
ATM Fees | Free at MoneyPass locations nationally; $2.50 plus operator fees for non-network ATM use |
Cash Deposited | $4.95 fee per transaction, available through Green Dot retail locations |
APY | 2.0% on qualifying balances of $100,000 or less |
Other Products Available | Line of credit also available |
Review | |
Open an Account | |
*Bluevine is a business fintech platform backed by Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)-insured Coastal Community Bank. | |
What We Like About Bluevine
While Bluevine doesn’t offer the full range of lending products that other providers on this list have, it has an outstanding business checking account combined with the best small business line of credit on the market. This is why we like Bluevine for real estate investors.
Its checking allows you to earn 2.0% APY on all balances of $100,000 or less, so REI customers can draw interest on funds from a sold property while preparing to purchase their next project. In addition to its excellent checking product, it provides a business line of credit of up to $250,000 at rates as low as 6.2%. Draws against the line of credit can be paid back in six- or 12-month terms, and you only pay interest on the amount of the line of credit used.
Bluevine has great software integrations with QuickBooks and Xero and connects with popular business payment solutions, such as Stripe, PayPal, and Expensify.
Since Bluevine is digital-only, it has no physical branch locations. Visit Bluevine’s website for more details on opening an account.
U.S. Bank: Best for Long-Term Owner-Occupied CRE Loans
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|---|---|
Required Opening Deposit | $100 |
Required Balance Minimum | None |
Transaction Limit Before Fees | 125 in a month, then 50 cents per transaction |
Monthly Fees | None |
Domestic Wire Transfer Fees | $40 for outgoing; $14 for incoming |
International Wire Transfer Fees | $75 for outgoing; $15 for incoming |
ATM Fees | No charge for out-of-network ATMs, although operator fees apply |
Cash Deposited | Up to $2,500 in free cash deposits |
APY | N/A |
Other Products Available | Lending products, cash flow products, Gold and Platinum business checking, point-of-sale (POS) solutions |
Review | |
Open an Account |
What We Like About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank is an excellent choice for real estate investors, and it would be even higher on this list if not for geographic restrictions. Your business must be in one of the 26 states listed above to open an account.
If your business satisfies this, it is a great option. The company offers a great business checking product that charges no monthly fees on its basic business checking product, known as Silver Business Checking. You get 125 free transactions and 25 free cash deposits per transaction cycle.
U.S. Bank has the most varied types of business loans on this list. In addition to traditional business and commercial real estate loans, it offers healthcare practice and McDonald’s franchise financing. It also has different business credit card options, including Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® and Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card.
With loan terms of up to 25 years and SBA loans of up to $12.375 million, U.S. Bank is an excellent choice for long-term owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. You can also take advantage of its payment processing systems, check fraud protection, and cash management services.
Stop by a U.S. Bank branch, or visit the company’s website for more information.
First Internet Bank: Best Digital-Only Bank With Full-Service Business Lending
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|---|---|
Required Opening Deposit | $0 |
Required Balance Minimum | None |
Transaction Limit Before Fees | No limit |
Monthly Fees | None |
Domestic Wire Transfer Fees | $20 for outgoing; $15 for incoming |
International Wire Fees | $50 for outgoing; $15 for incoming |
ATM Fees | None; reimburses up to $10 per month in ATM fees |
Cash Deposited | No cash deposits accepted |
APY | 0.50% on balances of $10,000 or more |
Other Products Available | Business savings, business CDs, lending products |
Review | |
Open an Account |
What We Like About First Internet Bank
If you’re looking for a digital-only bank that provides a wide variety of business lending products, First Internet Bank is a great choice. Not only does it offer an interest-earning business checking product, but it also has several business loan options.
It provides a maintenance fee-free business checking account that earns 0.50% APY on balances of $10,000 or more. In addition to no monthly fees or transaction limits, it refunds up to $10 in ATM fees each month.
For REI customers looking for loan products, First Internet Bank offers SBA loans, commercial real estate lending, public finance, and term loans. You can get lines of credit starting at $100,000 or up to $5 million in SBA loans.
The institution also has interest-earning savings, money market accounts, CDs, personal bank accounts, and health savings accounts.
While it has no physical locations, you can visit First Internet Bank’s website to open an account.
Wells Fargo: Best for CRE Loans for Multifamily Properties
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|---|---|
Required Opening Deposit | $25 |
Required Balance Minimum | None |
Transaction Limit Before Fees | 100, then 50 cents per transaction |
Monthly Fees | $10; waivable if conditions are met |
Domestic Wire Transfer Fees | Incoming: $15 Outgoing: $30 |
International Wire Fees | Incoming: $16 Outgoing: $45 |
ATM Fees | Free at 12,000-plus ATMs nationwide; $2.50 per transaction out-of-network |
Cash Deposited | Up to $5,000 free per month, then 30 cents per $100 per statement cycle |
APY | N/A |
Other Products Available | Business savings, CDs, lending, credit cards, and merchant services |
Review | |
Open an Account |
What We Like About Wells Fargo
For real estate investors interested in a bank that provides both commercial real estate loans for multifamily properties and a great business checking account, Wells Fargo is a solid option.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) named Wells Fargo the top lender of commercial/multifamily mortgage loans in 2021. You can get SBA loans up to $11.5 million for up to 25 years. Interest rates start as low as prime plus 1.75% but will vary depending on the loan product.
It also offers lines of credit, standard commercial real estate financing, and business credit cards. Commercial real estate loans start at $50,000 and go up from there.
Wells Fargo offers three different business checking products. Its lowest-tier account, Initiate Business Checking, has a $10 monthly fee, which can be waived by having at least a $500 balance. You get 100 free transactions and $5,000 in free cash deposits monthly at this tier.
You can also access fraud protection, merchant services, and point-of-sale (POS) solutions with Wells Fargo. Visit a branch or the company’s website to open an account.
How We Evaluated the Best Banks for Real Estate Investors
When evaluating the best banks for real estate investors, we considered the following:
- Monthly fees, if any, and how easily they’re waived
- Required opening deposit and balance minimums
- Transaction limits before fees
- ACH and wire transfer fees
- ATM fees and availability
- Cash deposit fees and availability
- Interest yield, if applicable
- Software integrations
- Other business services provided
- Number of loan offerings
- Size of loans offered
- Loan qualifications required
- Time in business and minimum revenue requirements
- Loan rates and maximum terms
- How widely available the bank is
- Customer reviews
What You Need to Open a Business Bank Account
Each provider on this list may require different documents to open a business bank account. Generally, you’ll need:
- Employer identification number (EIN) or Social Security number if you’re a sole proprietor
- Fictitious business name certificate or doing-business-as (DBA) certificate
- Business formation documents
- Organization documents, including your ownership agreements
- Business licenses
- Government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which bank is best for investors?
Bank of America is our choice as the best bank for real estate investors since it has outstanding business checking products that also provide your Dun & Bradstreet business credit score for free combined with outstanding commercial lending options.
What kind of bank account should I open for real estate?
When you open a bank account for real estate, you should consider an account that earns interest and has limited fees. While savings accounts earn the highest interest rate, finding an interest-earning checking account like Bluevine is best because you won’t be subject to monthly transaction limits that you might find in savings accounts.
Which bank is best for real estate loans?
Bank of America is the best bank for real estate loans. It offers loans starting at $25,000, and you can get lines of credit, term loans, commercial real estate loans, and SBA loans.
Bottom Line
Real estate investors should choose a bank that provides outstanding business checking and great commercial real estate lending. All but one of the providers in this guide offer both, but Stessa’s online rent collection and cash management products are strong enough to merit inclusion on this list. Decide which banking features are most important for your real estate investing business and choose the bank that best meets those needs.
