American Express does not offer a traditional business checking account
American Express does not have a business checking account product. The company operates primarily as a card issuer and payment processor, not as a bank that holds deposits or offers checking services. If you have an American Express business card, that is a credit product, not a checking account—you receive a monthly bill and make payments, but you do not deposit money or write checks from an AmEx account.
American Express Bank does exist as a subsidiary, but it focuses on lending products and merchant services rather than deposit accounts. The confusion often arises because American Express is a financial services company with multiple product lines, but checking accounts are not among them.
Key Takeaways
- American Express does not offer business checking accounts; it issues credit cards and processes payments instead.
- American Express Bank, the company's banking subsidiary, handles lending and merchant services but does not take deposits.
- If you need a business checking account, you will need to open one with a traditional bank, credit union, or online bank.
- An American Express business card can work alongside a checking account from another institution to manage business expenses.
What American Express business products actually are
American Express offers business credit cards under brand names like American Express Business Gold, American Express Business Green, and American Express Business Platinum. These are charge cards or credit cards that let you make purchases and pay a monthly bill. They come with rewards programs, expense tracking tools, and sometimes purchase protections, but they are not deposit accounts.
The company also offers merchant services—the systems that process credit card payments when customers buy from your business. This is separate from a checking account. Merchant services handle the movement of money from customer cards into your business bank account, which you would hold elsewhere.
Where to open a business checking account instead
You will need to open a business checking account with a bank, credit union, or online financial institution. Traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer business checking. Credit unions often have lower fees and may offer better rates if you are a member. Online banks like Mercury, Brex, and Wise offer business checking with lower minimums and faster setup than brick-and-mortar banks.
When you choose where to open a business checking account, compare monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, transaction limits, and whether the bank offers integrations with accounting software you use. Some business checking accounts include features like invoicing tools, expense categorization, or payment processing, which can reduce the number of separate services you need.
How to use American Express alongside a business checking account
Many business owners use an American Express business card for expenses and a separate checking account for payroll, vendor payments, and daily operations. The card becomes a tool for tracking certain spending categories—travel, supplies, or client entertainment—while the checking account handles the core cash flow of the business.
When you receive customer payments, they typically go into your business checking account. If you use American Express merchant services to process credit card payments from customers, those funds are deposited into your checking account (usually within one to two business days). Your American Express business card bill comes due monthly, and you pay it from your checking account.
Why American Express does not offer checking accounts
American Express has historically positioned itself as a payment and lending company rather than a deposit-taking bank. Offering checking accounts would require American Express to become a full-service bank with FDIC insurance, regulatory oversight from banking authorities, and the infrastructure to hold and manage customer deposits. This is a different business model than the one American Express has chosen.
The company's strength is in card issuance, rewards programs, and merchant processing. It partners with other banks (like Synchrony and U.S. Bank) to handle the deposit side of some products, but American Express itself does not take deposits or offer checking services.
Alternatives if you want an all-in-one business account
If you want a single account that combines checking, credit, and payment processing, some fintech companies and online banks offer bundled business accounts. Brex, for example, offers a business checking account with a corporate card, expense management, and payment processing all in one platform. Mercury offers checking with integrated accounting features. These services are designed to reduce the number of separate accounts you need to manage.
However, these alternatives do not include the rewards programs or brand prestige that come with an American Express business card. If rewards are important to your business, you may still want to keep an American Express card for certain spending categories while using a separate checking account and payment processor for core operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my American Express business card like a checking account?
No. An American Express business card is a credit product—you make purchases and pay a bill monthly. You cannot deposit money into it, write checks from it, or use it for payroll. You need a separate checking account for those functions.
Does American Express Bank offer checking accounts?
No. American Express Bank is a lending and merchant services subsidiary. It does not take deposits or offer checking accounts. If you need checking, you must open an account with a different bank or financial institution.
What happens to customer payments if I use American Express merchant services?
Customer payments processed through American Express merchant services are deposited into a business checking account you hold at another bank. American Express does not hold the money—it processes the transaction and sends the funds to your designated account, usually within one to two business days.
Can I get a business checking account and an American Express card from the same company?
Not from American Express. However, some banks that offer business checking (like Chase or Bank of America) also issue American Express cards, so you could have both products through the same bank. Alternatively, fintech platforms like Brex offer checking and a corporate card together.