Best Banks for Small Businesses in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's tax-friendly environment — no personal income tax on wages, no sales tax, and no franchise tax — makes it one of the most business-friendly states in New England. Whether you're running a tech startup in Manchester, a seasonal tourism business in the White Mountains, or a nonprofit in Concord, choosing the right bank matters.
Updated 2026-03-18 | 8 banks compared
Quick Comparison
| Bank | Type | Monthly Fee | APY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holdings | Online | $0 | 1.75% |
| Mascoma Bank* | Regional | $5waivable | 0.00% |
| Bank of New Hampshire* | Regional | $8waivable | 0.00% |
| Chase Business Complete Banking | National | $15waivable | 0.00% |
| Citizens Bank Business Checking* | Regional | $10waivable | 0.00% |
| Granite State Credit Union* | Credit Union | $0 | 0.00% |
| Triangle Credit Union* | Credit Union | $0 | 0.00% |
| TD Bank Business Convenience Checking* | National | $10waivable | 0.00% |
Detailed Reviews
Holdings
Online | $0/mo | Online only
Nonprofits and small businesses wanting zero fees and high APY
Key Features
- •Built specifically for nonprofits and small businesses
- •1.75% APY on all balances — checking and savings
- •Unlimited transactions with no hidden fees
Pros
- ✓Truly $0 — no monthly fees, no minimums, no transaction fees
- ✓1.75% APY is among the highest in online banking
- ✓Purpose-built for nonprofits with donation tracking and reporting tools
Cons
- ✗No physical branches — online/mobile only
- ✗Less name recognition than legacy institutions
Mascoma Bank
Regional | $5/mo | 15 branches
Mission-driven businesses and nonprofits valuing a B Corp bank
Key Features
- •Certified B Corporation — one of the first B Corp banks in the US
- •Community mutual bank serving NH and VT since 1899
- •Strong commitment to local lending and community development
Pros
- ✓Certified B Corporation with strong community values
- ✓Deep roots in Upper Valley and NH/VT region since 1899
- ✓Excellent personal service and local business expertise
Cons
- ✗Limited branch network (NH and VT only)
- ✗Less advanced digital banking compared to national banks
- ✗Smaller institution with fewer product options
Bank of New Hampshire
Regional | $8/mo | 20 branches
NH businesses wanting a locally-owned bank with statewide presence
Key Features
- •New Hampshire's largest independently-operated mutual bank ($1.5B in assets)
- •Full-service business banking with local decision-making
- •SBA lender with dedicated business banking team
Pros
- ✓Largest independent mutual bank headquartered in NH
- ✓Local decision-making on business loans
- ✓Statewide branch network with strong NH community ties
Cons
- ✗No presence outside New Hampshire
- ✗Digital banking tools less robust than national competitors
- ✗Monthly fee unless minimum balance maintained
Chase Business Complete Banking
National | $15/mo | 10 branches
Businesses needing national bank capabilities with branch access
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
- ✓Large ATM network
Cons
- ✗$15/month fee unless $2,000 balance maintained
- ✗Limited branch presence in New Hampshire
- ✗No interest earned on business checking
Citizens Bank Business Checking
Regional | $10/mo | 35 branches
Businesses needing a full-service regional bank across New England
Key Features
- •Strong New England presence with many NH branches
- •Comprehensive suite of business banking products
- •SBA Preferred Lender
Pros
- ✓Large branch network throughout New Hampshire and New England
- ✓SBA Preferred Lender for faster loan processing
- ✓Good digital banking platform
Cons
- ✗$10/month fee requires $5,000 combined balance to waive
- ✗Customer service reputation is mixed
- ✗Not locally headquartered (Providence, RI)
Granite State Credit Union
Credit Union | $0/mo | 10 branches
NH businesses wanting fee-free credit union banking
Key Features
- •Largest credit union headquartered in New Hampshire
- •Open membership for anyone living or working in NH
- •Free business checking with no monthly fees
Pros
- ✓No monthly service fee
- ✓Open membership — anyone in NH can join
- ✓Access to shared branch network and CO-OP ATMs
Cons
- ✗Limited branch network
- ✗Fewer business product options than larger banks
- ✗Less advanced digital tools
Triangle Credit Union
Credit Union | $0/mo | 6 branches
Southern NH businesses wanting a community credit union
Key Features
- •Southern NH credit union serving Nashua, Manchester, and surrounding areas
- •Free business checking with no minimum balance
- •Competitive business lending rates
Pros
- ✓No monthly fees on business checking
- ✓Strong southern New Hampshire presence
- ✓Competitive lending rates for small businesses
Cons
- ✗Very limited branch network (southern NH only)
- ✗Smaller institution with fewer resources
- ✗Digital banking tools less robust than national banks
TD Bank Business Convenience Checking
National | $10/mo | 25 branches
Businesses needing extended banking hours and branch access
Key Features
- •Extended hours — 'America's Most Convenient Bank' with longer branch hours
- •Good New Hampshire branch presence
- •Business lending and merchant services
Pros
- ✓Extended branch hours including some weekends
- ✓Low $500 balance to waive monthly fee
- ✓Good branch presence across New Hampshire
Cons
- ✗Only 100 free transactions per cycle
- ✗No interest on business checking
- ✗TD Bank undergoing changes after First Horizon acquisition
New Hampshire Banking Landscape
44
FDIC-Insured Institutions
3+
Major Regional Banks
3+
Major Credit Unions
Top Regional Banks
- NH Mutual Bancorp (Meredith Village Savings, Merrimack County Savings) — $1.7B
- Mascoma Mutual Financial Services Corp — $1.6B
- Bank of New Hampshire — $1.5B
Top Credit Unions
- Granite State Credit Union — 35,000+ members
- Triangle Credit Union — 30,000+ members
- Service Credit Union — 250,000+ members
State Banking Programs
- •New Hampshire Small Business Development Center — free consulting
- •NH Business Finance Authority — loan guarantees and direct loans
- •Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) — tax credits
- •SBA New Hampshire District Office — government-backed loan programs
Regulator: New Hampshire Banking Department
Starting a Business in New Hampshire
| Secretary of State | New Hampshire Secretary of State |
| LLC Fee | $100 |
| Corp Fee | $100 |
| Income Tax | No personal income tax on wages or salary. Business Profits Tax: 7.5% on business income. Business Enterprise Tax: 0.5% on enterprise value tax base. |
| Sales Tax | No state sales tax |
| Franchise Tax | No franchise tax |
Business Incentives
- •No personal income tax on wages — attractive for business owners
- •No state sales tax — reduces overhead for retailers
- •NH Business Finance Authority — loan guarantees and direct lending
- •Research and Development Tax Credit
- •Community Development Finance Authority tax credit program
Nonprofit Banking in New Hampshire
Registration
File Articles of Agreement (nonprofit) with NH Secretary of State, Corporation Division
Charitable Solicitation
Register with the NH Attorney General's Charitable Trusts Unit before soliciting. File Form NHCT-1 (Registration Statement for Charitable Trusts). Organizations with less than $25,000 in contributions may have limited reporting requirements.
Tax Exemption
New Hampshire has no general income tax or sales tax, so most nonprofits don't need a separate state tax exemption. For property tax exemption, apply to local municipality. BPT/BET exemption is automatic for qualifying 501(c)(3)s.
AG Reporting
Annual report to NH Attorney General's Charitable Trusts Unit. File Form NHCT-2A or IRS Form 990 series. Due 4.5 months after fiscal year end.
Resources
- NH Center for Nonprofits →
- NH Attorney General — Charitable Trusts Unit →
- NH Secretary of State — Corporations →
Best Bank for New Hampshire Nonprofits
Holdings offers /bin/sh fees, 1.75% APY, and tools built for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Learn more →Find Fee-Free ATMs in New Hampshire
Holdings cardholders get free access to 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs nationwide, including locations throughout New Hampshire.
Find ATMs near you →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bank for a small business in New Hampshire?
The best bank depends on your needs. For local expertise, Mascoma Bank and Bank of New Hampshire are strong regional choices. For nonprofits and small businesses wanting zero fees, Holdings offers $0 monthly fees with 1.75% APY. For credit union banking, Granite State Credit Union and Triangle Credit Union serve much of NH.
Can I open a business bank account online in New Hampshire?
Yes. Holdings (fully online), Chase, and Bank of America all allow online account opening for New Hampshire businesses. Most NH community banks and credit unions like Granite State CU may require an in-person visit.
What do I need to open a business bank account in New Hampshire?
You'll typically need your EIN, Certificate of Formation (for LLCs), a government-issued photo ID, and your business license. Some banks also require an initial deposit.
Does New Hampshire have income tax or sales tax?
New Hampshire has no personal income tax on wages and no state sales tax — one of only a few states with neither. However, there is a Business Profits Tax (7.5%) and a Business Enterprise Tax (0.5%) on businesses with gross receipts over $50,000.
What are the cheapest business checking accounts in New Hampshire?
Holdings offers completely free business checking with no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and no transaction limits. Granite State Credit Union and Mascoma Bank also offer competitive low-fee business checking options.
Do New Hampshire 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.
What is the Business Enterprise Tax in New Hampshire?
The Business Enterprise Tax (BET) is 0.5% of the enterprise value tax base (compensation, interest, and dividends paid). It applies to businesses with gross receipts over $250,000 or enterprise value tax base over $75,000. BET paid is a credit against the Business Profits Tax.
Ready to open a business bank account?
Holdings offers free banking with 1.75% APY for New Hampshire businesses and nonprofits.