Best Banks for Small Businesses in Montana
Montana's no-sales-tax advantage, stunning natural resources, and growing entrepreneurial scene make it an increasingly attractive state for small businesses. Whether you're running a nonprofit in Billings, a ranch supply operation in Miles City, or a tech startup in Missoula, choosing the right bank account matters.
Updated March 18, 2026 · 8 banks compared
Looking for a nationwide comparison? See our national ranking of the best banks for small business.
Quick Comparison
| Bank | Type | Monthly Fee | APY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holdings | Online | $0 | 1.75% |
| Glacier Bank Totally Free Business Checking | Regional | $0 | 0.00% |
| Opportunity Bank of Montana Business Checking | Regional | $5 | 0.00% |
| Stockman Bank Business Checking* | Regional | $10waivable | 0.00% |
| Chase Business Complete Banking | National | $15waivable | 0.00% |
| Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking | National | $15waivable | 0.00% |
| Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals | National | $16waivable | 0.00% |
| Capital One Basic Business Checking | National | $15waivable | 0.00% |
Still paying monthly bank fees?
1,000+ organizations stopped. Here’s what they got:
- ✓$0 monthly fees—actually $0, not "waivable"^
- ✓1.75% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)† on every dollar
- ✓Full accounting for $25/mo — auto-reconciles your banking & invoicing (vs. QuickBooks)
- ✓Switch in ~30 minutes. Run both banks in parallel.
*Holdings is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by i3 Bank, Member FDIC. ^No account or domestic transaction fees. \u2020Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and subject to change. Deposits insured up to $3M through i3 Bank and program banks.
Detailed Reviews
Holdings
Online | $0/mo | Online only
Businesses wanting free banking + optional accounting from $25/mo
Key Features
- •Free: 62 free tools + $0 banking + 1.75% APY
- •Software ($25/mo): Full double-entry accounting, invoicing, P&L reports
- •Nonprofits: fund accounting at $25/mo + free verified profile & directory listing
Pros
- ✓$0 banking — no monthly fees, no minimums, no transaction fees
- ✓1.75% APY on every dollar — among the highest in business banking
- ✓62 free tools: invoices, estimates, payroll calculator, receipt scanner
- ✓Full accounting from $25/mo replaces QuickBooks
- ✓Free verified nonprofit profile + directory listing for 501(c)(3)s
Cons
- ✗No physical branches
- ✗Less name recognition than legacy banks
Glacier Bank Totally Free Business Checking
Regional | $0/mo | 65 branches
Western Montana businesses wanting fee-free community bank checking
Key Features
- •Montana-headquartered bank (Kalispell) with deep local roots
- •200 free items per statement cycle with no excess item fee
- •Free VISA debit card, online banking, and eStatements
Pros
- ✓No monthly fee, no minimum balance
- ✓200 free transactions per cycle
- ✓$10,000 free cash/coin deposits per cycle
Cons
- ✗Branch network concentrated in western Montana
- ✗Operates under multiple division names which can be confusing
- ✗Account may be upgraded to paid tier if transaction volume exceeds limits
Opportunity Bank of Montana Business Checking
Regional | $5/mo | 30 branches
Montana businesses needing statewide branch access and commercial lending
Key Features
- •Statewide Montana presence with branches across urban and rural areas
- •Full business banking suite — checking, savings, lending
- •Cash management and treasury services for growing businesses
Pros
- ✓Branches across Montana including rural communities
- ✓Strong commercial and agricultural lending
- ✓Local decision-making and relationship banking
Cons
- ✗$0/month fee plus per-item charges ($0.15/check)
- ✗Per-transaction pricing can add up for high-volume businesses
- ✗Digital tools less robust than national banks
Stockman Bank Business Checking
Regional | $10/mo | 25 branches
Agricultural and ranch businesses needing a Montana-owned bank
Key Features
- •Montana-owned community bank with locations across the state
- •Strong agricultural and ranch lending expertise
- •Business checking, savings, and commercial loan services
Pros
- ✓Deep Montana roots and agricultural expertise
- ✓Locally owned and operated — decisions made in Montana
- ✓Strong ag lending and ranch financing
Cons
- ✗Monthly fee unless minimum balance maintained
- ✗Smaller branch network than Glacier Bancorp divisions
- ✗Less advanced digital banking compared to national competitors
Chase Business Complete Banking
National | $15/mo | Online only
Digital-first businesses wanting a national bank with advanced tools
Key Features
- •Built-in payment acceptance via Chase QuickAccept
- •Integrated invoicing and cash flow tools
- •Same-day deposits with QuickAccept
Pros
- ✓Excellent mobile app and digital tools
- ✓Integrated payment acceptance and invoicing
- ✓Nationwide ATM network
Cons
- ✗No or very few branch locations in Montana
- ✗$15/month fee unless $2,000 balance maintained
- ✗Only 100 free transactions per cycle
Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking
National | $15/mo | 30 branches
Businesses wanting a national bank with Montana branch presence
Key Features
- •Low $25 minimum opening deposit
- •Strong Montana branch presence
- •Business Online banking with Zelle
Pros
- ✓Established branch network in Montana
- ✓Strong digital banking platform
- ✓Multiple ways to waive monthly fee
Cons
- ✗$15 monthly fee
- ✗Only 100 free transactions per cycle
- ✗Less personal than local community banks
Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals
National | $16/mo | 5 branches
Businesses that qualify for Preferred Rewards tier benefits
Key Features
- •200 free transactions per statement cycle
- •No monthly fee for first 12 statement cycles
- •Preferred Rewards for Business program
Pros
- ✓200 free transactions (more than Chase/Wells Fargo)
- ✓First year free
- ✓Strong integration with Zelle and digital tools
Cons
- ✗Very limited branch presence in Montana
- ✗$16/month fee after first year
- ✗Higher minimum balance to waive fees
Capital One Basic Business Checking
National | $15/mo | Online only
Digital-first businesses with occasional cash deposit needs
Key Features
- •Unlimited fee-free digital transactions
- •$5,000/month free cash deposits
- •Cash deposits at select Allpoint ATMs
Pros
- ✓Unlimited digital transactions
- ✓Strong mobile and online banking
- ✓$5,000 free cash deposits monthly
Cons
- ✗No Capital One branch locations in Montana
- ✗$15/month unless $2,000 balance maintained
- ✗Limited in-person support
Why businesses switch to Holdings:
- ✓$0 monthly fees — not "waivable," just zero
- ✓1.75% APY on every dollar — no minimum balance tricks
- ✓Accounting from $25/mo built in — stop paying for QuickBooks
- ✓FDIC insured up to $3M — not just $250K
- ✓Open in 10 minutes, fully online
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Montana Banking Landscape
36
FDIC-Insured Institutions
3+
Major Regional Banks
3+
Major Credit Unions
Top Regional Banks
- Glacier Bancorp (multiple division banks) — $28B
- Opportunity Bank of Montana — $2.1B
- Stockman Bank — $3.5B
Top Credit Unions
- Whitefish Credit Union — 40,000+ members
- Missoula Federal Credit Union — 35,000+ members
- Valley Credit Union — 15,000+ members
State Banking Programs
- •Montana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) — free counseling and training
- •Montana Department of Commerce — Big Sky Economic Development
- •Montana Board of Investments — INTERCAP loan program for municipalities and nonprofits
- •SBA Montana District Office — government-backed loan programs
Regulator: Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions
Starting a Business in Montana
| Secretary of State | Montana Secretary of State |
| LLC Fee | $70 |
| Corp Fee | $70 |
| Income Tax | Graduated individual income tax: 1% to 6.75%. Corporate income tax: 6.75% flat rate. |
| Sales Tax | No state sales tax — Montana is one of 5 states with no general sales tax |
| Franchise Tax | None |
Business Incentives
- •No state sales tax — significant savings for retail and hospitality businesses
- •Montana Small Business Development Centers — free consulting statewide
- •Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund — grants for job-creating businesses
- •INTERCAP loan program — low-interest financing for infrastructure
- •Montana Growth Through Agriculture — grants for agricultural value-added businesses
Nonprofit Banking in Montana
Registration
File Articles of Incorporation (nonprofit) with MT Secretary of State
Charitable Solicitation
Montana does not require charitable solicitation registration at the state level. Nonprofits may need local permits depending on municipality.
Tax Exemption
Apply to MT Department of Revenue for state income tax exemption. Montana recognizes federal 501(c)(3) status. No sales tax applies (no state sales tax).
AG Reporting
Annual report filing with MT Secretary of State required to maintain good standing.
Resources
- Montana Nonprofit Association →
- MT Secretary of State — Business Services →
- Montana Community Foundation →
Best Bank for Montana Nonprofits
Holdings offers /bin/sh fees, 1.75% APY, and tools built for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Learn more →Find Fee-Free ATMs in Montana
Holdings cardholders get free access to 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs nationwide, including locations throughout Montana.
Find ATMs near you →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bank for a small business in Montana?
The best bank depends on your needs. For nonprofits and small orgs wanting zero fees, Holdings offers $0 monthly fees with 1.75% APY. For businesses needing branch access in western Montana, Glacier Bank offers free business checking with 200 free transactions. For statewide coverage, Opportunity Bank and Stockman Bank serve communities across Montana.
Can I open a business bank account online in Montana?
Yes. Holdings (fully online, no branch visit required), Chase, and Capital One all allow online account opening for Montana businesses. Local banks like Glacier Bank and Opportunity Bank may require an in-person visit.
What do I need to open a business bank account in Montana?
You'll typically need your EIN (Employer Identification Number), Articles of Organization filed with the Montana Secretary of State, a government-issued photo ID, and your business license. Some banks also require an initial deposit.
Are there free business checking accounts in Montana?
Yes. Holdings offers completely free business checking with no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and unlimited transactions. Glacier Bank's Totally Free Business Checking has no monthly fee and includes 200 free transactions per cycle.
What are the cheapest business checking accounts in Montana?
Holdings offers truly free business checking with 1.75% APY. Glacier Bank's Totally Free Business Checking has no monthly fee with 200 free items per cycle. Opportunity Bank charges just $0/month for their basic business checking.
Do Montana nonprofits need a special bank account?
While not legally required, a dedicated nonprofit bank account helps with IRS compliance, transparency, and donor confidence. Holdings specializes in nonprofit banking with $0 fees, 1.75% APY, and tools built specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Does Montana have a sales tax?
No. Montana is one of only five states with no general sales tax, making it particularly attractive for retail and hospitality businesses. The state relies on income taxes and property taxes for revenue instead.
More than a bank account — your whole back office
Free business checking with 1.75% APY, unlimited invoicing, and 62+ free tools for Montana businesses and nonprofits. Add full accounting ($25/mo) when you want your books to run themselves.
Not switching banks today? Use a free tool now
Built by Holdings \u2014 the banking + accounting platform that keeps businesses and nonprofits audit-ready. Free forever, no account needed. Connect banking and let your books run themselves when you\u2019re ready.
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