BlueVine Business Checking Review 2023: Pros, Cons & Alternatives

BlueVine was formed in 2013 as a source of capital for small businesses. It started as a way to provide online banking services and financial options to small businesses and startups. It has disbursed over $3 billion to small business owners through invoice factoring, term loans, and business lines of credit.

BlueVine has two product offerings for small business owners, a business checking account and a business line of credit. Despite having only one checking account option, the solution was built with businesses in mind and offers all the features businesses need to manage their finances. 

Their interest-bearing online checking account earns a competitive 0.60% interest on account balances up to $100,000.The company initially launched to provide lines of credit, however, in 2019 they extended their offering to include business banking accounts to integrate with their financing options and improve the banking experience of small business owners.

BlueVine Business Checking Advantages

Focused solely on small business banking and financing, business owners enjoy many benefits with a BlueVine checking account. Once you’ve opened your account, you have instant access to everything you need to manage your business banking via the BlueVine mobile app or online dashboard. Here are some of the advantages:

• Rapid online sign-up: It is quick and easy to open your BlueVine business checking account. The process requires minimal documentation and can be done completely online.
• High .60% annual percentage yield on the business banking account term loans invoice factoring lines of credit and paycheck Protection Program funding available
• ATM card access: You can easily access ATMs across the country
• Unlimited free transactions and zero minimum opening deposit requirement
• No fees: The BlueVine business checking account is almost entirely fee-free. There are no monthly maintenance fees on business banking and no penalties or ATM fees if you use ATMs in the MoneyPass network 
• No minimum deposit or minimum balance requirements
• You can earn an impressive 0.6% interest on your balance up to $100,000

BlueVine Overall Information

BlueVine is dedicated to delivering small financing and money management tools designed to meet the unique needs of small businesses. The business checking account broadens the appeal of BlueVine, which started as a lending organization. An online-only bank, BluVine’s checking account allows unlimited transactions, zero minimum opening deposits, and other helpful features.

BlueVine Business Checking Quick Overview

5 stars

BlueVine Business Checking

• Founded by Eyal Lifshitz
• Don’t need access to a physical branch.
• Origin in Redwood City, California
• Available across all US states

BlueVine Business Checking Account Review 2023

How BlueVine Business Business Checking Accounts work?

BlueVine is known as an alternative lender that provides business financing. BlueVine is not a bank, banking services are provided by their partner Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC. Getting started with BlueVine is relatively easy, thanks to its simple online form. To open an account, simply visit their website, click the “get started” button, and follow the instructions.

You will need to create an online account and provide basic details and documentation about your business before signing up for BlueVine business banking. You must be at least 18 years old and a US citizen or a resident with a valid address. If you need to withdraw cash, you can do so with the BlueVine BusinessMasterCard debit card. 

Fees

The BlueVine business bank account doesn’t have monthly, non-sufficient funds, or ACH payment fees. The account has unlimited fee-free transactions and no ATM fees for ATMs within the MoneyPass network.. There are also no fees on incoming wire transfers, though you will pay a $15 wire transfer fee on outgoing transfers. It also provides fee-free ATMs at over 37,000 locations thanks to a partnership with MoneyPass.

Vendor Services

It’s easy to pay vendors with BlueVine business checking, with several payment types at your disposal, including wire transfer, checks, and ACH. Small business owners can make one-time bill payments from your account or set up recurring automatic payments for convenience. The recurring payments give you visibility into when your payments are received.

It allows you to make payments to the existing 40,000 registered vendors in the BlueVine directory. You also get free business credit cards and can transfer money to and from your other accounts. BlueVine offers two free checkbooks and access to over 37,000 fee-free ATMs in the MoneyPass network.

Transactions

Since it’s an online-only bank, BlueVine has no branches available for in-person banking services. However, it has partnered with other financial networks, which allow you access to several transaction options. BlueVine offers unlimited transactions. You won’t have to worry about monthly cash or paying fees for higher transaction months.

Safety

Banking services are provided through a partnership with Coastal Community Bank. This bank provides FDIC insurance for all BlueVine business checking accounts up to the legal limit, meaning your deposits are FDIC insured. 

Mobile App

If you want to take care of managing your business on the go, use the BlueVine mobile app

BlueVine offers 24/7 online and mobile banking and is available for Android and iOS platforms. You can view your balances, take advantage of mobile check deposits, and set up transfers using the mobile application. However, some users have reported that the BlueVine app is buggy.

Overall 

BlueVine is for small businesses as it doesn’t offer any personal accounts. It appeals to customers who cannot get funding or accounts from a traditional bank or credit union. It is, therefore, the best option for small businesses looking for an online experience with rapid funding and no fees. You can easily transfer funds in and out of your checking account from accounts at other business checking accounts or financial institutions.

Top 2 Alternatives Business Checking Accounts

Chase for Business

Chase Business Complete checking account has a variety of fees and requirements depending on your account balance. They have multiple account options including ones for larger businesses. It does not pay interest on your balance, though you can deposit cash up to $5000 without a fee. Chase has over 4,700 branches and over 16,000 ATMs.

NBKC Bank

If you want an account with similar features but a little more time in the market and has the backing of brick-and-mortar banks, look into NBKC. This is a top alternative to BlueVine. While the NBKC checking account is online-based, it is a brick-and-mortar bank that offers additional products and services including a free business saving account.

BlueVine Business Checking Disadvantages

BlueVine checking account is not right for every business owner. It is particularly not a good option for small businesses looking to develop a personal banking relationship with a traditional financial institution. Here are some of the brand’s disadvantages:

• It doesn’t have branch access as it is an online business bank account. This is a disadvantage because many business owners still prefer to do their banking in person, especially ones with lots of cash deposits.
• It doesn’t allow joint accounts. Right now, it only allows one account user and one business debit card. This could be problematic to business owners who want to grant account access to their employees or partners.
• If you deposit cash at Green Dot retail locations, there is a $4.95 fee. This is a pretty steep fee, especially if you will be making cash deposits regularly. 

Conclusion

Despite being new to the market, the BlueVine business checking account is a highly competitive option in the online banking space. This interest-earning account suits small business owners who prefer to manage their finances online. It is also a great option for freelancers and self-employed professionals who don’t need access to a physical branch location. The account stands out because BlueVine allows customers to earn interest on their business bank accounts without maintaining a monthly or daily balance requirement. It also doesn’t have ATM fees (at MoneyPass ATMs).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)