You will definitely need a commerce bank in Pennsylvania if you are going to be doing business there. Many PA banks are ready to offer you their services.

As a business owner, there are many services that you want your Pennsylvania business bank to provide. At the very least, banks in Pennsylvania should offer you a place to store your financial assets and pay your bills. Many Pennsylvania banks have special services for business owners including credit card processing and business loan services.

If you are choosing between the many banks in PA, you should:

1. Decide what banking services your business needs. Business banking in Pennsylvania can include a variety of different services and you should make sure the bank you choose offers all of the services you need.
2. Know the style of banking that you prefer. Smaller banks in PA may offer a higher level of service.
3. Consider where you will do business. If your business only takes place in central Pennsylvania, than central Pennsylvania banks may be the right choice. If you will do business outside of the state, then you should consider nationwide banks.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose among the local Pennsylvania banks for a personal touch

Small banks can get to know their customers on a personal level. They are an ideal choice for businesses that prefer to do their banking in person.

I recommend: The Harleysville Savings Bank is a Pennsylvania bank that offers its clients business services. Nittany Bank is one of the central Pennsylvania banks that is only located in Pennsylvania.

Go nationwide when banking in Pennsylvania

When you do business in several states, you want to choose a bank that has branches nationwide as well as PA banks. This will be more convenient when you are traveling.

I recommend: Bank of America has many branches in the U.S., including banks in Pennsylvania. Washington Mutual is another convenient option.

Use the online banking services to save time and money

Online banking is a great option for business owners who do not have the time to stop by local banks to do their business. You can save money by paying bills online as well.

I recommend: Almost all Pennsylvania banks offer online banking services. If this is a high priority, make sure your bank offers it before signing up. PNC offers online banking, as does Bank of America.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A good bank account representative can help you save money on your banking. Banks in Pennsylvania charge a variety of fees for their services. If you can accurately predict the types of services that you will be using, and the amount of transactions you will make every month, then it is easy to reduce those fees by applying for the proper account.
• •  If you are worried that you will forget to pay your bills, or are concerned with the rising cost of postage, consider using the automatic bill payment services that most banks in PA offer.