Finding the best California bank for your small business is important. Many banks may provide similar services, but as you will soon find out, they are not all the same. Some specialize in specific areas, such as business savings accounts with high interest rates or particularly great customer service. Once you find the bank that works best for you, your business will run more smoothly than it ever has before.

Banking in California can be very beneficial to your business as soon as you find the right one. Since so many banks in California exist, you will need a way to choose the best fit for your business. Get to know the banks in California basics with the following tips::

1. Find a bank that is conveniently close to your company.

2. Consider California banks that provide excellent customer service.

3. Decide between a national and regional bank.

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Select a California bank close to your office

If you plan to make trips to your bank often, it is best to find one near your office. This type of convenience will allow you to make short trips to the bank without being out of the office for long. Visits to the bank during your lunch break are also easy when the trip is short.

I recommend: Southern California banks, such as Mission Oaks National Bank, provide convenience to customers in nearby cities. Northern California banks like Fremont Bank have many locations up north. The Community Banker has a list of banks in California.

Check out CA banks that are known for their superior customer service

Some banks have a reputation for being particularly customer-oriented. These are often the most desirable, as they usually do not charge outrageous fees or have unreasonable requirements to open an account. You will likely hear about these types of banks from other satisfied customers, such as friends and co-workers.

I recommend: Wells Fargo offers free business and personal account access to customers. Community Banks of Northern California also offers free account access, as well as a Remote Deposit Service that allows customers to deposit checks without visiting the bank.

Make a decision between national and regional companies when business banking in California

Commercial banking in California provides many options, including whether you join a bank that has branches nationwide, or is only based in the city or state where you reside. If you plan to travel out of state often, you should go with a national bank. If not, the personalized service that often comes with a smaller bank is usually worth checking out.

I recommend: Santa Barbara Bank & Trust exists only in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Bank of America is nationwide, with several branches throughout California.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take into account options that provide convenience when looking for a commercial bank in California. Several locations, later hours, and plenty of ATMs in your city offer the ultimate convenience.

You need a California bank to do your business, but trying to decide which of the many banks in California to use can be a tricky process.

California banks offer services that go beyond simply storing your money and allowing you to pay bills. A commercial bank in California should also offer credit card processing, which allows your customers to use credit cards to pay for their purchases. Their money will go directly into your account. CA banks may also be able to offer you a business loan to help get your business off the ground.

When trying to compare California banks, you should:

1. Know what types of services your business needs. When you choose a company for business banking in California, that one bank should be able to service all of your needs.
2. Know how you expect a bank to treat you as a customer. While all banks will treat you with the respect that you deserve, many smaller banks are able to offer a more personal approach to business.
3. Know where you will do business. Do you need your bank to have locations in places other than California?
   

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Choose a local California bank for a high level of personal service

Small banks treat their customers like family. If you want to do most of your banking in person, and you won't often travel out of state, then choosing a small bank is a good option for you.

I recommend: Desert Community Bank is one of the Southern California banks that is local to California only. They offer commercial loans and business credit cards to their business customers. If you are looking for Northern California banks, look no further than West America Bank, which offers many business services.

Choose a nationwide bank if you will travel out of state

If you will travel out of state, then it is necessary to find a bank that has locations wherever you go. Many nationwide banks also have banks in California, as well as other states.

I recommend: Two popular California banks are Washington Mutual and Bank of America.

Bank online with your California bank to save time

When you do not have much time to go to the bank, online banking offers a convenient solution. Using online banking, you're able to view your accounts and transactions as well as pay bills. It 's easy to maintain your accounts.

I recommend: 1st Pacific Bank offers online banking for its business and consumer clients. Union Bank of California also has online service. Many banks do offer these services, so ask your bank if you can do your banking online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many southern California banks offer locations in northern California. Banks are easy to find throughout the state.
• •  Many banks charge different fees for their services. Make sure that you understand the fees associated with your account before signing up.
• •  Take advantage of automatic bill pay so that you will never have another late fee.

Joining a quality California bank can be beneficial to your small business. Business banking in California means more than just finding a place to hold your money. Whether you are looking at Northern California banks or financial institutions further south, be aware that when it comes to banks in California, doing business has changed with newer technology. Thanks to these unique options, making the most of banks in California may be easier than ever before.

Business banking in California can benefit your business in many ways. Consider the following useful services:

1. Deposit money to California banks from your home or office.

2. Take advantage of invoicing and payroll features at some banks in California.

3. Use mobile banking to access your bank account.

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Use remote deposit to put money into your commercial bank in California from your office

Some banks offer the ability to deposit money from your office. The Check 21 Act made it legal for business owners to scan a check and send the digital image to the bank online. Such technology can save you a trip to the bank at the end of each business day.

I recommend: California Bank & Trust allows business customers to deposit checks through a computer. First Republic Bank does the same for small business owners.

Use the helpful customized features at CA banks

With the advent of new technology, along with more small businesses, many banks can perform more than just the average services for their business customers. Let your bank make your life a little easier with helpful services, such as easy invoicing and payroll features. When choosing a bank in California, check out each bank's extra services that you could actually use, whether they are online or deal directly with the bank's employees.

I recommend: Create and send custom invoices to clients through your Bank of America account. Citizens Business Bank offers many business services, such as a CD of all your cleared checks for your records, as well as the ability for your clients to send their payments directly to the bank to be credited to your account faster.

Access your California bank through your phone

Some CA banks allow customers to download an application that enables them to access their account through their mobile phone. This is often achieved through downloading an application onto your phone, resulting in you being able to see your account balance and history, pay bills and transfer money. This type of option is perfect for business professionals on the go.

I recommend: Some Southern California banks, like First Regional Bank, offer mobile banking through mobile phones. Wells Fargo also allows mobile access.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Do not confuse remote deposit with direct deposit. Most California banks offer the latter, which involves an employee's pay check being deposited into his or her account automatically. Remote deposit is a little more advanced and has not yet become popular in many banks, which makes it a unique service.

Banking in California is similar to banking in other states. Customers can have savings accounts, checking accounts, receive loans, invest in a variety of bonds and certificates of deposit, get cash, and receive advice from highly trained employees. Like other places in the U.S., California banks are foreclosing on real estate loans and increasing diligence on business and personal loans. There are some institutions that only exist in California. If you are looking for local options that understand the nuances of the state, these resources will prove valuable.

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Negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) account

A negotiable order of withdrawal or NOW account allows account owners to write drafts against the interest-earning bank deposits. California banks offer these specialized accounts to interested business owners.

I recommend: Desert Community Bank operates solely in California and offers NOW accounts as well as many other banking services.

Remote deposit

For businesses that require the option to deposit funds into accounts without actually having to make trips to a local branch, remote deposits are ideal. This option, offered by some California banks enables electronic deposit of funds to accounts.

I recommend: California Bank and Trust provides information on the benefits of remote deposit.

California Bankers Association (CBA)

The CBA is an organization that provides information, resources and support to the state's member institutions. It claims to be one of the largest state trade organizations in the country.

I recommend: To learn more about the organization and its members as well as the benefits of joining, contact CBA officers.

California financial code

Different institutions in California have to abide by different sets of rules and regulations. Based on the type of services provided and the customers, each California bank must abide by certain financial codes specific to the state.

I recommend: Visit the California Department of Financial Institutions to search a list of state financial codes.

Housing finance agency

The state of California developed a local banking institution to specifically provide affordable housing solutions to its more than 100,000 residents.

I recommend: The California Housing Finance Agency has locations in Sacramento and Los Angeles, and helps homeowners locate lenders.

Independent bankers

California Independent Bankers (CIB) is an organization that provides educational and support services to local financial institutions. The CIB represents more than 160 banks in California.

I recommend: Visit the CIB online to learn about the organization and how it tracks state legislation and keeps its members abreast of the latest banking laws and regulations.