6 Best Banks for Real Estate Investors for 2021

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly verified bank details.

If you’re looking for a real estate investor-friendly bank, loan options are likely your top priority. So, we’ve listed the top real estate banks that offer the best in commercial and noncommercial investment property loan options. What’s more, these banks offer business checking and savings accounts that make managing real estate finances easier. We also included digital banking options for investors who need a simple and free way to store cash without financing options.

The best banks for real estate investors are:

• Chase: Best overall for real estate loans and full-service banking
• Bank of America: Best for discounted funding with relationship rewards program
• US Bank: Best for short-term property investors
• Wells Fargo: Best for real estate banking without lender closing costs
• BlueVine: Best for several accounts for multiple properties
• Azlo: Best for fee-free real estate banking

What Makes a Real Estate Investor-friendly Bank

Real estate investment banks offer you the financial resources you need to support your investment goals and secure your cash, including business checking accounts. A real estate investor-friendly bank also offers short-term mortgages and portfolio loans for multiple properties, although banks that offer portfolio loans don’t always advertise it.

How to Choose the Best Real Estate Bank

It’s a good idea to look for real estate investment banking that offers more than mortgage and property lending. Most real estate investors need full-service banking and multiple account options, including personal and business checking and savings accounts. Plus, because low costs are important, you should choose one that has reasonable account terms that let you process the transactions you need with minimal fees.

You should also check for payment options like bill pay and funds accessibility through electronic transfers, ATMs, and physical branches. Some real estate banks offer introductory bonuses for opening a new account, so it’s an opportunity to get extra cash that you can put toward your real estate.

Chase: Overall Best Bank for Real Estate Investors

Chase Bank is one the best banks for small businesses, and the same goes for real estate banking. Chase remains one of the top conventional banks for real estate investors looking to house personal and business activities at the same location. You can open almost any account you need for your business or personal activities easily online or in person. Plus, with real estate investment lending and a nice welcome bonus, it’s easy to make the most out of your banking experience.

Who it’s best for: Real estate investors who need business products like bill pay and easy access to funds through electronic transfers and ATMs

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(s)
  • 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 100 transactions made with a teller, incoming wires, and all debits each month; no charge for electronic deposits and deposited items made via ATM, automated clearing house (ACH), and Chase QuickDeposit
• 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: None to maintain the account

Additional Features

• Real estate investment lending
• Personal property loans
• Home equity lines of credit (HELOC)
• Mobile and banking with bill pay
• Payroll services
• Accounting software integration
• A suite of the best small business credit cards

Visit Chase

Bank of America: Best for Discounted Funding With Relationship Rewards Program

Bank of America is one of the most notable real estate investor-friendly banks not only for its variety of banking products but also for its loyalty program benefits. The Preferred Rewards for Business program incentivizes relationship-building account holders with lower interest rates on related products, including credit cards and real estate investment loans. Plus, with multiple locations across the United States, you won’t have an issue finding a branch with an available loan officer.

Who it’s best for: Real estate investors looking to receive discounted funding through the relationship program

Fees & Terms

• Monthly fee: $13 to $18, depending on the state in which your business account has been opened; 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 card, credit card, or charge card
  • Maintain an average monthly balance of $5,000 on the primary account
  • Maintain a minimum daily balance of $3,000 on the primary account
  • Maintain a combined average monthly balance of $15,000 or more in your linked Bank of America checking and savings accounts
• Transaction fees: No fee for first the 200, then 45 cents per item
  • No excess transaction fee for ACH, debit card transactions, online bill pay, electronic debits, and checks deposited through remote deposit online
• Cash deposit fees: Free for the first $7,500, then 30 cents per $100 thereafter
• ATM fee: No charge for in-network ATMs nationwide, $2.50 per non-Bank of America ATM transaction
• Minimum initial deposit: $100
• Minimum balance requirement: None to maintain the account

Additional Features

• Real estate investment lending
• Lines of credit
• Personal property loans
• Mobile and banking with bill pay
• Payroll services
• Accounting software integration
• A variety of savings account products
• Small business credit cards

Visit Bank of America

US Bank: Best for Short-term Property Investors

US Bank is another heavy hitter on our list offering commercial real estate loans, multiple locations nationwide, and full-service banking. Plus, those looking for short-term loans will appreciate the five-year loans US Bank offers. With the Silver Business Checking account, you’ll get business banking without the monthly service fee that comes with most business checking accounts.

Who it’s best for: Real estate professionals looking for solid business banking with access to short-term investment property loans

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
• ATM fee: No charge for in-network or out-of-network ATMs
• Minimum initial deposit: $100
• Minimum balance requirement: None to maintain the account

Additional Features

• Commercial and noncommercial property lending
• Lines of credit
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loans
• Personal property loans
• Mobile and banking with bill pay
• Payroll services
• Business savings accounts
• A variety of small business credit cards

Visit US Bank

Wells Fargo: Best for Real Estate Banking Without Lender Closing Costs

Wells Fargo is a solid conventional bank that real estate investment bankers can use to their advantage, offering no lender closing costs on commercial real estate loans. It’s another way to save money in the real estate investment process. Plus, you’ll have access to more banking locations than any other bank, making it easy to withdraw funds and to get the loan assistance you need.

Who it’s best for: Real estate professionals looking for easy bank access and real estate investment loans without lender closing costs

Fees & Terms

• Monthly fee: $10, unless you maintain a minimum daily balance of $500
• Transaction fees: Free for the first 100 transactions each month; otherwise, it’s 50 cents per transaction thereafter
• Cash deposit fees: Free for the first $5,000 per month; 30 cents per $100 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: None to maintain the account

Additional Features

• Commercial and noncommercial property lending
• SBA loans
• Mobile and banking with bill pay
• Personal property loans
• Payroll services
• Business savings accounts
• Small business credit cards

Visit Wells Fargo

BlueVine: Best for Several Accounts for Multiple Properties

BlueVine offers an online business checking account that’s worth real estate investors checking out. This is another great real estate investor-friendly bank option for managing your business funds. With no monthly fees and no transaction fees, it’s a great place to open multiple accounts for your multiple properties. Plus, this account earns a high annual percentage yield (APY) on all balances, so you’ll earn money on your deposits.

Who it’s best for: Real estate investors with multiple investment properties who need more than one account to manage them

Fees & Terms

• Monthly fee: None
• Transaction fees: None
• Cash deposit fees: Cash deposits aren’t available.
• ATM fee: No charge for in-network ATMs nationwide: 38,000 ATMs
• Minimum deposit to open: None
• Minimum balance requirement: None to maintain the account
• Ongoing APY: 1% on all balances

Additional Features

• Accounting software integration with QuickBooks Online, Wave, and FreshBooks
• Payment apps services like Stripe, PayPal, and Expensify
• Live customer support from dedicated professionals
• lending products including business lines of credit and other business loans
• BlueVine Business checking debit card

Visit BlueVine

Azlo: Best for Fee-free Real Estate Banking

If you already have your investment loan and are looking for an easy, fuss-free way to store cash, Azlo is a good fit. This online bank is easily one of the best banks for real estate investors because it’s fee-free. However, it’s completely online and has no physical locations.

Who it’s best for: Real estate investors who don’t need real estate loans or to deposit cash

Fees & Terms

• Monthly fee: None
• Transaction fees: None
• Cash deposit fees: Cash deposits aren’t available.
• ATM fee: No charge for in-network ATMs nationwide: 55,000 BBVA Compass and Allpoint ATMs
• Minimum deposit to open: None
• Minimum balance requirement: None to maintain the account

Additional Features

• Business loans through Kabbage
• Mobile and online banking
• Digital invoicing
• Instant transfers
• Payment processing app integration with Kabbage, Stripe, Square, and PayPal
• Accounting software integration with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Wave

Visit Azlo

Tips for Financing an Investment Property

• Raise your credit score: Although private lenders are more lenient with credit requirements, conventional banks require higher credit scores and a strong financial history to qualify for investment loans.
• Start small: Real estate investment loans represent a high risk for banks, so for your first commercial real estate loan, you’ll have a better chance of financing a smaller loan amount than a larger one.
• Build business history first: Real estate banks are looking for businesses that have been established for at least two years. You’ll also likely need to have a checking or savings account history with the lending bank before the banks qualify you for a real estate investment loan.
• Have your paperwork ready: Financing property of any kind takes a lot of paperwork, and you’ll need to apply in person in most cases. You can make the process smoother by preparing your paperwork ahead of time.

How We Evaluated Real Estate Banks

For this article, we specifically looked for banks that offer a selection of real estate investment products to support investment property businesses. We prioritized financing, such as investment property loans, but also considered business products like checking and savings accounts. In addition to the traditional banks, we also included two online banks for real estate investors who don’t need financing.

Bottom Line

Real estate banking provides access to property loans, but real estate investor-friendly banking offers more than just financing. These banks also offer deposit accounts and business products that support your business. The bank that offers the real estate investment products you need is likely the best account for you.