Tips for small-business owners making banking choices

(BPT) - From figuring out where to open up a new shop so that it gets great foot traffic to choosing the right employees, all a small-business owner’s decisions are important for the health of their business.

Another key consideration for a small business owner is what to do about money – figuring out the best way to make it, how to spend it – and where to manage it. Choosing the right bank to manage your business finances can be one of those important decisions.

What should a small-business owner consider when making the choice? What can the right bank offer?

Convenience

It’s not convenient when a bank is only open the same hours as a business; what if a small business owner has to deposit cash after their business closes? Banks that are open early and open late, as well as on the weekends, help take the stress out of having to run the errand during the work day.

Small-business owners who don’t need to visit the actual brick-and-mortar location of their bank all the time should also choose a bank that has a great online banking experience, too.

Great product choices, like low minimum-balance business checking accounts are also an important convenience. TD Bank, for example, has a number of small business checking solutions, including a competitive $1,500 minimum balance – which can help the small business owner avoid monthly fees – on its TD Business Convenience Checking Plus account.

“Small-business owners should seek out a bank that treats small business like big business,” said Jay DesMarteau, head of small business at TD Bank. “Look for a bank that’s open early, open late, and can offer the whole bank. Look for a relationship, not just a transaction.”

One-stop shop

Finding a bank that can offer a breadth of banking services will help a business owner streamline their finances so that they aren’t running off to one bank to withdraw money, and taking that cash to a different bank to pay the bills.

The ability to open a line of credit where a small-business owner also has a business checking account, business credit card and treasury management service is truly convenient. A one-stop shop approach, getting all business banking done in one place, can help the small business owner focus on making the bottom line.

It’s even better if that whole-bank experience comes with a staff that’s personable. Where the teller knows the names of your kids’ or that your daughter got promoted last week.

Making decisions isn’t always easy for a small-business owner. But ultimately finding a bank that can be a business partner, help streamline the management of the owner’s finances and allow the owner to focus on their business in a tough economic environment – that will be one of the best decisions they make.