Small business checking with big features and big solutions
Get a business checking account that provides security, flexibility and convenience.
Three business checking account options to choose from
Essential Checking
Ideal for: New businesses, sole proprietors or other business types with low monthly transaction volumes and balances.
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No monthly service charge3
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100 combined monthly items included*
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Cash deposits up to $5,000 per month*
Preferred Checking
Ideal for: Established and growing businesses with moderate transaction activity and balances.
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$18 monthly service charge waived to $0 with qualifying activities3
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750 combined monthly items included*
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Cash deposits up to $30,000 per month*
Interest Checking
Ideal for: Businesses with higher account balances, which can earn interest at a competitive rate.
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$25 monthly service charge waived to $0 with qualifying activities3
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500 combined monthly items included*
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Cash deposits up to $20,000 per month*
Want to see a side-by-side comparison of your options?
All business checking accounts come with these choice features
Secure Direct Deposit
Make secure direct deposits into your employees’ accounts easily and quickly with ACH Employee Direct Deposit4 (monthly fee required)
Overdraft Protection Options
Enjoy overdraft protection by linking to your Business Line of Credit
Next Day Funding
Next day funding when combined with a Merchant Services account
Contactless Payments
Shop in confidence online or in-person with Visa SavingsEdge® and Visa's Zero Liability Policy5 by adding your card to your Mobile Wallet or using your card's Tap to Pay feature. It's safe and easy!
We've upgraded.
Our new business banking mobile app is packed with powerful features designed to give you more control over your business's finances.
Transaction Translator
Get a clearer picture of your expenses with enhanced display features that automatically categorize transactions.
Transaction Details
Get a breakdown of every transaction, with spending trends and custom notes so you can track patterns and make smarter decisions.
Account Details
Track revenue, expenses, and account balances in a single glance so you always know where your business stands.
Budgeting Tools
Create budgets, track spending, and get easy-to-understand strategies to strengthen your business's financial health.
Business banking with Hancock Whitney
Every small business starts with somebody's dream, and who you bank with is an important step in making that dream a reality. You need a bank that is dependable, flexible, and supportive.
When your business banks with Hancock Whitney, you'll discover that your dream is our mission.
125 Years of Banking Excellence
For more than a century, Hancock Whitney has been dedicated to the financial well-being of local businesses and communities.
Business Banking Services
From checking and savings accounts to merchant services and SBA loans, Hancock Whitney provides a full suite of business financial products and services.
Secure Banking
Keeping your business financial information safe is our highest priority, which is why we employ the latest security tools to protect your accounts, including data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and biometric identification.
Simplify your account opening by having the following items ready:
- US Government-issued photo ID for all authorized signers
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) documentation issued by the IRS
- Business listed in Good Standing with the Secretary of State (business account name must match registration)
- Legal formation documents (e.g., Articles of Incorporation, Operating Agreement)
- Beneficial ownership information for individuals with 25% or more ownership
Additional documentation may be required based on the nature of the business, including but not limited to businesses that handle or exchange funds and state-run lottery retailers.
Business checking account frequently asked questions
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Can business checking accounts earn interest?
Yes, a business checking account can earn interest as long as it's an interest-bearing checking account. For more information, see our Interest Business Checking.
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Do I need an EIN to open a business checking account?
In most cases, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to open a business checking account—especially if your business is structured as an LLC, corporation, or partnership.
Sole proprietors may be able to open an account using a Social Security Number (SSN). However, a sole proprietor must obtain an EIN if they hire employees. Once employees are added, an EIN is required for payroll processing, tax withholding, and IRS reporting, and must be used instead of an SSN for business tax purposes. -
Are business checking accounts FDIC-insured?
Business checking accounts are covered under an FDIC ownership category that is separate from personal accounts when the business is a distinct legal entity, such as a corporation, partnership, or most LLCs. In these cases, deposits are insured up to $250,000 per business, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category, allowing a business to maintain up to $250,000 in insured funds in addition to any personal account coverage the owner may have at the same bank. Sole proprietorships are treated differently under FDIC rules; because a sole proprietorship is not a separate legal entity, deposits held in the business name are combined with the owner’s personal accounts and insured together up to $250,000 at the same bank. FDIC insurance applies automatically, with no enrollment required.
Source: https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/understanding-deposit-insurance/your-business-your-deposits.html
*Additional cash deposits and/or additional items will incur fees. See a banker for details.
1 $500 Business Checking Bonus Requirements: Use the required promo code provided when opening a new Preferred Business Checking, Interest Business Checking, or Essential Business Checking account with new money not currently held by Hancock Whitney Bank before the offer expiration of 7/31/2026. To meet requirements, you must enroll in online banking and make at least $5,000 in qualifying deposits within the first 30 days from opening your business checking account. You must continue to maintain the $5,000 or more balance for the next 60 days to receive the payout. If you meet the 90-day Requirements, the Offer Payout will be deposited into your Business Checking Account within 45 days.
This offer is available to new-to-bank or existing Hancock Whitney checking clients who currently do not have a business or commercial checking account; have not closed a business or commercial checking account in the past 90 days; or did not have a checking account closed with a negative balance in the past three (3) years.
2 Up to $750 Payment Processing Bonus: To receive the Payment Processing Promotional Offer you must both apply and be approved for a new Merchant Services payment processing account and open a new business checking account1 before the offer expires on 7/31/2026. The following criteria will be used to determine your Payment Processing Promotional Payout amount:
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To qualify for the $250 Payment Processing offer, you must (1) apply and be approved for a new Merchant Services payment processing account and, (2) activate the account by processing a minimum of $20 in total payment volume no later than the end of the second full calendar month after credit approval. If you meet all requirements within the two full month period, your $250 Bonus will be deposited into your eligible Hancock Whitney Business Checking account 30 days after the end of the two full month period during which the requirements were met. Example: If your account is approved on January 10, you must process at least $20 by March 31. Your $250 bonus will then be deposited within 30 days of March 31.
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To qualify for the $500 Payment Processing offer, you must (1) apply and be approved for a new Merchant Services payment processing account and, (2) process between $5,000 and $7,499 in total payment volume no later than the end of the second full calendar month after credit approval. If you meet all requirements within the two full month period, your $500 Bonus will be deposited into your eligible Hancock Whitney Business Checking account 30 days after the end of the two full month period during which the requirements were met. Example: If your account is approved on January 10, you must process at least $5,000 by March 31. Your $500 bonus will then be deposited within 30 days of March 31.
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To qualify for the $750 Payment Processing offer, you must (1) apply and be approved for a new Merchant Services payment processing account that operates on the Clover platform and, (2) process $7,500 or more in total payment volume no later than the end of the second full calendar month after credit approval, and (3) enroll in Melio Pay Bills and/or Clover Payroll by ADP via the Clover Dashboard after your Merchant Services account has been approved and Clover account activated. If you meet all requirements within the two full month period, your $750 Bonus will be deposited into your eligible Hancock Whitney Business Checking account 30 days after the end of the two full month period during which the requirements were met. Example: If your account is approved on January 10, you must process at least $7,500 by March 31. Your $750 bonus will then be deposited within 30 days of March 31.
The Merchant Services payment processing account must remain open and active until the bonus is paid after account activation. Merchant Services Early Termination Fee and Monthly Minimum Fee applies. The bonus will be deposited into your linked Hancock Business Checking account.
A new or existing Hancock Whitney Business Checking account is required for this offer and must be used to settle funds through the merchant services processing activities. The business checking account must remain open and active until the bonus is paid.
Based on the requirements you meet as defined above for the Merchant Services Payment Processing Bonus, your bonus will be posted to your Business Checking account.
Clover trademark and logo are owned by Clover Network, Inc., a First Data company.
Melio Pay Bills™ is a service provided by Melio Payments Inc. (“Melio”). Hancock Whitney Bank is not affiliated with Melio and does not provide, control, or guarantee Melio services. Enrollment in Melio Pay Bills™ is subject to Melio’s separate terms, conditions, and fees. Additional eligibility requirements may apply.
Clover Payroll by ADP® is a service provided by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (“ADP”). Hancock Whitney Bank is not affiliated with ADP and does not provide, control, or guarantee ADP payroll services. Enrollment in Clover Payroll by ADP® is subject to ADP’s separate terms, conditions, and fees. Additional eligibility requirements may apply.
All loans and accounts are subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.
Hancock Whitney Bank, Member FDIC.
3 Business Checking Accounts Terms and Conditions: Monthly service charges range from $0 to $25, depending on product. A minimum deposit of $50 is required to open the account. A $20 service charge will be assessed if the account is closed within the first 360 days after the account is opened. Transaction limits may apply. Please refer to a banker and the Business Services Information Disclosure Schedule of Fees provided at account opening for additional information.
4 Direct Deposit Services can be accessed through Business Online Banking. Terms and conditions apply. Additional fees apply. See a banker for details.
5 Visa Zero Liability Policy covers U.S. – issued cards only and does not apply to ATM transactions, PIN transactions not processed by Visa or certain commercial card transactions. You must notify your card issuer promptly of any unauthorized use. Consult your issuer for additional details or visit www.visa.com/security.
Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.


