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Frazz
Frazz (@guest_2104347)
July 22, 2025 15:51

I was able to open a basic business checking account this afternoon in southwest PA. As a sole prop using my SSN, I only needed to provide my passport, my driver’s license, and my driver’s license update form (since my license card doesn’t have my current address).

The banker said that they could only do in-person opening deposits via cash or check, neither of which I had on me at the time. So I scheduled a $100 transfer from Ally to Key (via the Key side) as soon as I got home and enrolled in online banking.

david fontaine
david fontaine (@guest_2103534)
July 21, 2025 12:17

Opened this am in CT. Asked for EIN and article of organization for SP. Didnt ask for check writing, which might have saved me from a chex rejection, as I’m lol/12 and every time period. he did confirm soft pull for credit card

Jack
Jack (@guest_2103541)
July 21, 2025 12:25

Thanks David. So far we have half a dozen of DP that asked for business documents!

RM
RM (@guest_2102966)
July 19, 2025 23:39

Opened in branch OOS with Chex frozen. Banker said that frozen Chex is permitted for business account opening only and only if you do not request check-writing privileges. Tried to open a consumer account during the same visit and was forced to thaw Chex for that.

Jack
Jack (@guest_2102967)
July 19, 2025 23:40
  RM

RM, did you apply as a sole proprietor? What business document did you bring? Thank you for your DP! RM

RM
RM (@guest_2102995)
July 20, 2025 00:57

Yes, opened as a sole prop. The document part of my DP is not going to be useful to folks who have a “business” because I am a licensed professional with an actual business. I brought my city business license, and the banker also checked my business registration with my state licensing agency after not finding my business on the Secretary of State website. No idea whether these items were needed, but they certainly made the banker comfortable that my app was legitimate.

Sean
Sean (@guest_2101436)
July 17, 2025 12:46

I can confirm the $200 business credit card is a soft pull and doesn’t report to personal credit. Opened the $500 business checking along with the credit card. Branch manager was awesome

Jack
Jack (@guest_2101845)
July 17, 2025 20:53

What docs or business license did your branch manager ask for? Is that for sole prop? Sean

Fatbeard
Fatbeard (@guest_2100680)
July 16, 2025 15:39

I have a kind of funny DP which might interest anyone wondering if you need a business license / registration.

Went in to a local branch, spoke with a rep who was adamant that I could not open biz checking without a business license. I politely thanked her and left. Next day, I called a different branch 10 minutes away and asked if I could open without a biz license. She said they would accept other documents, and I asked what kinds. She rattled off 5 or 6 things I didn’t have, then mentioned an “occupational license.” I thanked her and said I would come in when I had one of the documents. The next day (day 3), I came in to the branch I had called, and I brought my Washington State Teacher Certification (I am a teacher). I told the rep (who was not the one I talked to on the phone) that this certification was relevant to my business (which is true, as my side-hustle is selling tests, study guides, and powerpoints to supplement classic literature courses). He said hold on, took my certificate to back room, then came back and told me I was approved.

YMMV indeed!

robertw
robertw (@guest_2100855)
July 16, 2025 18:29

Excuse me Fatbeard, what county in Washington state do you live in? Fatbeard Fatbeard

Elon Muffs
Elon Muffs (@guest_2100496)
July 16, 2025 12:08

Called a branch in MI and for sole prop he said he’d need the full laundry list of crap lol…. So not sure what states people are from where folks only needed DL to open .. maybe it varies by branch?

Ben
Ben (@guest_2099293)
July 14, 2025 21:42
  • Opened account in-branch as Sole Prop using SSN + Legal Name as business name.
  • Banker requested copy of registration / license with the state, which I had.
  • Took about 30 minutes for opening.
favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_2099071)
July 14, 2025 16:23

Approved with chex frozen without issue.

Ricky
Ricky (@guest_2099074)
July 14, 2025 16:27

Did they ask for business documents? Thank you favo🔗

favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_2099095)
July 14, 2025 16:54

Yes, they asked for EIN and article of organization.

Phil
Phil (@guest_2097842)
July 12, 2025 15:40

My banker told me this business credit card with a $200 bonus was only a soft pull and did not report to personal credit reports

https://www.key.com/small-business/banking/credit-cards/cash-rewards-business-credit-card.html

Does anyone know if that is actually true?

Jack
Jack (@guest_2098110)
July 13, 2025 01:41

What kind of banker would tell people applying for credit card is a soft pull? Is that an Amex banker? Phil
I guess I also don’t like that this is not a true 2% cash back cc. But the terms says it’s up to 2% if you use their bells and whistles and blow their flute…. so no…. Phil

Phil
Phil (@guest_2098114)
July 13, 2025 01:50

I asked if it will show up on my personal credit report and he said “No, it’s a soft pull to open and does not get added to your personal credit report”

In 2022, I got the Wells Fargo Business Platinum card in branch with a soft pull so it’s not completely unheard of.

Jack
Jack (@guest_2098119)
July 13, 2025 01:54

Sometimes bankers or CSR are wrong. You just need to live with it if they’re wrong Phil

RM
RM (@guest_2099309)
July 14, 2025 22:19

Phil Please report back if you decide to get it. I agree with you that business cards can be a soft pull – I had the exact same experience with the WF card in branch in 2022.

Phil
Phil (@guest_2101690)
July 17, 2025 17:56
  RM

So I applied over the phone earlier today for the business CC. He filled out a Docusign, emailed it to me, then I signed it and it was sent off to underwriting.

He just called me back and told me I was approved for the $10k I requested on the application.

I did not get an alert from Aura or an email from any of the free credit monitoring services telling me someone pulled my credit.

Additionally, the last bullet on this key bank website says they do not report business cards to personal credit reports:

https://www.key.com/small-business/banking/credit-cards/business-credit-card-faq.html

Jack
Jack (@guest_2101843)
July 17, 2025 20:51

Congrats Phil! Did you open the business checking bonus too? What business documents/license did you show them? Thank you Phil

Phil
Phil (@guest_2101862)
July 17, 2025 21:25

I opened the business checking last week. No business docs required for Sole Props in CO if you aren’t doing business as another name.

Jack
Jack (@guest_2101868)
July 17, 2025 21:36

Good for you Phil. I should move to CO…..! Phil

Jack
Jack (@guest_2098112)
July 13, 2025 01:43

It’s unlikely that it’s only a soft pull. You’ll have to find out yourself… Phil

Sean
Sean (@guest_2101471)
July 17, 2025 13:28

Can confirm soft inquiry. Did the business credit card with a branch manager today after opening the $500 business checking.

Jack
Jack (@guest_2101844)
July 17, 2025 20:52

Thank you Sean. Did you apply for business checking account too? What documents or business license did you show them? Sean

Sean
Sean (@guest_2101852)
July 17, 2025 21:00

Yes. I did the business checking and business credit card. I have a real LLC, so EIN and Pennsylvania certificate of organization.

Jack
Jack (@guest_2101854)
July 17, 2025 21:04

Thank you Sean. What’s your business? Also, you should try to do the WF and BoA business checking bonuses too. On the other hand, none of these 2 ask for business docs Sean

Mark
Mark (@guest_2097163)
July 11, 2025 15:56

Is it worth the banker’s suspicious look when he spits out my Chex report?

Phil
Phil (@guest_2097841)
July 12, 2025 15:37

I don’t think they pull Chex.

zerosum
zerosum (@guest_2105919)
July 25, 2025 04:23

LOL I got kinda laughed out of a Flagstar with that and it haunts me whenever I try in person apps now.