Getting a Bank Business Bank Account without Business License?

Hey,

I'm something of a drifter, but I'm not a criminal.

I'm sorry to bug you guys with my question but increasingly the "antiterrorism" laws in my country (USA), heh, are making life more difficult on people like me without really making things that much more difficult on terrorists.

Ironically, part of this type of crack down is having the blowback-effect of causing people like me to share (and therefore strengthen) the infrastructure used by criminals.

Here is my problem:

I own a small business. One of my clients stubbornly insists on paying me by check. I opened a business account a few years ago to process these checks for legitimate business. I have no problems showing a bank my personal ID, TIN, letter of introduction, articles of incorporation and certificate of formation. So far, so good.

Unfortunately my bank now requires me to go to the local government and get a "business license", which I am unwilling to do. Instead I am closing my bank account in protest.

What's the best way for me to get a business bank account? I'm willing to travel (domestically or internationally). My two largest problems are that I don't have a stable address, and am unwilling to get a business license.

Advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance guys!


Comments


[9 Points] dlayover123:

Simple answer, just stop accepting checks. A ton of places do not accept checks anymore since it's becoming so outdated. Have the person paypal you, bitcoin, or any other way. Pain in the ass customer that has to pay by check, damn!


[4 Points] None:

Unfortunately if that's the hoop they set up for you, that's the hoop you're going to have to jump thru if you want to accomplish your goal. The red tape is just an easy way for the Feds to make money. If you don't feed into the machine, they won't let you use their infrastructure to conduct your business.


[4 Points] Theeconomist1:

Try a different bank. You have the legal structure already. Afaik not all banks require a license. Mine didn't. I just needed my articles of incorporation and a board resolution stating the fact the corporation wanted to open up a checking account. You can find the verbiage pretty easily online. Aside from that and standard IDs that's all many banks require. But each bank might have their own policies. Just look around. Assuming you are in the US


[2 Points] drugs_4_sale:

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[2 Points] My6thRedditusername:

Two things: your bank sounds like they're just being assholes. I opened my business account with my local bank last year, no questions/documentation required they didn't even ask for my id (because it's a local bank and they recognize me, so that helps)

but on that note, a business licence in every city/town is like $20, or $40 tops. it's incredibly easy to get, and there's no reason to not have one honestly..it doesn't affect taxes or draw unwanted attention. it's literally like a 10 minute process, (just call your town hall and ask when the dude who handles that stuff is working...just in case he doesn't work certain days and you don't waste a trip)...he gives you a paper, you just write down your address (where you operate out of, use a family member's if don't have a stable address and call it a home office i guess?), business name, whether is a sole prop or an llc or whatnot.. sign the paper, and write them a check for $40 (maybe less, it was $40 for me, i've never heard of it costing more than that anywhere though).

Then you can get an EIN and DUNS number and all that stuff...if you want to build business credit or whatever.

if you really really don't want to get one for whatever reason, I'd just go get an acccount with a smaller bank where they are less likely to make you jump through hoops and red tape to have your account. it's kind of ridiculous that your bank would demand you go do that when you already have an account. probably a good idea on your part to tell them to fuck themselves lol.


[2 Points] SLOPSEC:

Have you tried a different local bank or credit union? There are 1001 online accounts / nubanks that don't need anything but a name/address/ssn & scan of ID, utility bill which should give you access to check-clearing services with a debit card / routing #, and bill-pay attached. Maybe some of them take businesses w/ llc scans?


[1 Points] None:

[deleted]


[1 Points] None:

Take the check to the bank that issued it and have them cash it.


[1 Points] DoctorAwesomeBallz69:

You can you banking apps that allow mobile check deposits, like simple. No business req. as of 2 weeks ago, you got 20$ "account warming gift"from them upon opening.


[1 Points] xanaxmanthevendor:

fuck banks and fuck the government, now a days using anything but a fucking atm card or a check and all the sudden your a terrorist or a drug dealer its fucking disgusting how hard the government scrutinizes people now. Fuck the patriot act. and once again fuck banks. BTC and cash(ANONYMIZE) the government needs to take there fuckin finger out of our assholes and stop anal probing their citizens for info. I'm sure they have a fucking Giant hotel full of terrorists and every one of them got caught because of the patriot act and there spending habits. Stop tit fucking me America i want me freedoms back!