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New York · NY

Business Banking for Financial Advisors in New York

Free business checking with 1.75% APY, built-in accounting, and unlimited sub-accounts for financial advisors in New York.

Starting a Financial Advisory Business in New York

State Tax Rate

4%–10.9% (graduated, plus NYC tax up to 3.876%)

LLC Filing Fee

$200 (LLC)

Major Markets

New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Syracuse

Key Requirements in New York

Must register as an Investment Adviser (IA) with state or SEC depending on AUM
Series 65 or Series 66 license typically required
Fiduciary duty to clients if operating as RIA
Must comply with New York securities regulations
E&O insurance strongly recommended

Best Banks for Financial Advisors in New York

Compare New York's top business banking options for financial advisors.

1

Holdings

$0/mo · 1.75% APY

Free business checking with built-in AI accounting, unlimited sub-accounts, and FDIC insurance up to $3M. Available nationwide including New York.

Key Features

  • Free business checking
  • Built-in AI bookkeeping
  • Unlimited sub-accounts
  • 1.75% APY on all balances

Pros

  • No fees, no minimums
  • Accounting included free
  • FDIC insured up to $3M

Cons

  • No physical branches
  • No cash deposit
2

Signature Bank

Regional bank

Best for: financial advisors with significant banking needs

Pros

NYC-based, strong commercial banking, single-point-of-contact model

Cons

High minimum deposits

3

M&T Bank

Regional bank

Best for: financial advisors in Upstate New York

Pros

Strong Upstate NY presence, full-service business banking

Cons

Less competitive in NYC metro

4

Sterling National Bank

Regional bank

Best for: financial advisors in the NYC/Long Island area

Pros

NY metro focus, strong business lending

Cons

Limited upstate presence

Why Financial Advisors in New York Choose Holdings

Free Business Checking

No monthly fees, no minimums, no hidden costs. Every dollar stays in your business.

Built-In AI Bookkeeping

Automatic transaction categorization, real-time P&L and balance sheet. No QuickBooks needed.

1.75% APY on Every Dollar

Your operating funds earn interest while they sit. No tiered rates, no caps.

Unlimited Sub-Accounts

Organize funds by job, project, or purpose. Track payroll, taxes, and expenses separately.

Financial Advisors Banking in New York — FAQ

Do financial advisors in New York need to register with the state?

Yes — financial advisors managing less than $100M in assets must register with New York's securities division as an Investment Adviser Representative. Firms with $100M+ register with the SEC instead. You'll also need a Series 65 or Series 66 license.

What business structure should financial advisors use in New York?

Most independent RIAs in New York form an LLC ($200 filing fee) or S-Corp for liability protection and tax efficiency. The entity registers as the investment adviser, and you serve as the IAR (Investment Adviser Representative).

What banking features matter for financial advisors in New York?

Advisors need clean separation of business and personal funds (compliance requirement), easy fee collection from AUM billing, robust transaction records for audits, and ideally integration with custodial platforms. AI bookkeeping keeps your books audit-ready.

Do New York financial advisors need E&O insurance?

While not always legally required in New York, E&O (Errors & Omissions) insurance is essentially mandatory in practice. Most broker-dealers and custodians require it, and it protects you from claims of negligence, misrepresentation, or unsuitable recommendations.

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Ready to open your account?

Holdings offers free banking with 1.75% APY for financial advisors in New York. Open your account in minutes.

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