Yes, but the bank will verify the manager's authority first
An LLC manager can open a bank account on behalf of the business, but the bank will require proof that the manager has the legal right to do so. The bank needs to see either your operating agreement (which names the manager and their powers) or a resolution or certificate of authority signed by the LLC's members stating that this manager can open accounts and sign checks. Without one of these documents, the bank will refuse to proceed.
The specific document the bank wants depends on the bank and your LLC's structure. Some banks accept a copy of the operating agreement. Others require a formal certificate of authority — a one-page statement signed by the LLC's members confirming the manager's authority. A few larger banks have their own internal form they ask you to fill out and have signed by other members or managers. Call the bank before you go in and ask which document they need.
If your LLC has only one member and that member is also the manager, the process is simpler: you bring your operating agreement and a government ID, and you open the account as the manager. If there are multiple members or managers, you will need signatures from whoever your operating agreement says must approve account openings — usually all members or all managers, depending on how your LLC is structured.
Key Takeaways
- A manager can open an LLC bank account only if the operating agreement or a signed member resolution gives them that authority.
- The bank will ask to see proof of authority before opening the account — usually the operating agreement or a certificate of authority.
- If multiple members or managers exist, you may need their signatures on the authority document before the bank will proceed.
- Bring the manager's government ID, the LLC's EIN letter from the IRS, and the authority document to the bank appointment.
- Some banks have their own internal forms for authority; call ahead to find out what your bank requires.
What counts as proof of authority
Banks accept three main types of proof that a manager has the right to open an account. The first is a copy of your operating agreement — the document that created the LLC and defined who can make decisions. If the operating agreement names the manager and does not restrict their power to open accounts, most banks will accept it. Bring the full document, not just a page or two.
The second is a certificate of authority or resolution, which is a short signed statement from the LLC's members or managers saying that this specific person can open accounts and sign checks. You can write this yourself on plain paper or use a template from your state's Secretary of State office. It needs to be dated, signed by whoever your operating agreement says must approve such decisions, and it should state the manager's name, title, and exact powers. Some banks will accept this even if the operating agreement is not available.
The third option is a certified copy of the operating agreement from your state's Secretary of State office, if your state offers this service. This costs money and takes time, but it carries extra weight with banks that are cautious about document authenticity. Most banks will not ask for this unless they have already rejected the other two options.
Do not assume the bank will accept a text message, email, or verbal confirmation from other members. Banks require a physical signed document. If you cannot get the required signatures, you cannot open the account as a manager — only as the sole member, if that applies to you.
When a manager cannot open the account alone
If your operating agreement requires approval from all members or all managers before opening a bank account, the manager cannot do it alone. This is common in LLCs with multiple owners who want to protect against one person making major financial decisions without consent. In this case, you will need to bring the operating agreement plus a signed resolution or certificate of authority from all required members or managers.
If you cannot get all the signatures, you have two options. The first is to amend the operating agreement to give the manager sole authority — but this itself usually requires a vote or signature from all members, so it does not solve the problem. The second is to ask the bank whether they will accept a power of attorney document instead, in which one member formally authorizes the manager to act on their behalf. Some banks accept this; others do not. Call ahead.
If the LLC has a single member who is not the manager, that member must sign off on the manager's authority. The member cannot delegate this to the manager themselves — the bank needs to see the member's signature on the authority document.
Documents to bring to the bank
Bring these documents to your bank appointment:
- The manager's government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- The LLC's EIN letter from the IRS, which proves the business exists and has a tax ID. If you do not have this yet, you can apply for an EIN online at irs.gov before opening the account.
- A copy of the operating agreement, or a signed certificate of authority or resolution naming the manager and their powers.
- If the LLC has multiple members, bring signed authority documents from all members who must approve, or bring a resolution signed by whoever your operating agreement says must sign.
- Your business address and phone number.
Some banks will also ask for a copy of your business license or articles of organization filed with the state, though this is less common. Call the bank a few days before your appointment and ask for a complete list of what they need. Showing up with everything at once speeds up the process and reduces the chance the bank will ask you to come back.
What happens if the manager is not listed in the operating agreement
If the person opening the account is managing the LLC but is not named in the operating agreement as a manager, the bank will not let them open the account. The operating agreement is the legal document that defines who has authority, and the bank relies on it. If the person is not listed there, they have no authority in the bank's eyes, even if the members verbally agreed they could manage the business.
To fix this, the LLC's members must amend the operating agreement to add this person as a manager. This requires a vote or signature from all members, depending on what the operating agreement says. Once the amendment is signed and dated, bring the amended operating agreement to the bank along with the other documents listed above.
Do not try to work around this by having a member open the account instead and then transferring control to the manager later. Banks track who opened the account and who is authorized to sign checks, and changing this after the fact creates compliance problems and may trigger fraud alerts.
If the operating agreement is lost or missing
If you cannot find the operating agreement, ask the bank whether they will accept a certificate of authority or resolution instead. Many will, as long as it is signed by the people who have authority under your state's LLC law. In most states, if there is no operating agreement, all members have equal authority, so all members must sign the certificate.
If you have only one member and no operating agreement, that member can sign a simple statement saying they authorize the manager to open the account. The bank may also ask for a copy of the articles of organization filed with your state's Secretary of State office, which is a public record and proves the LLC exists.
If you cannot locate or reconstruct proof of authority, some banks will let you open the account with just the member's ID and the EIN letter, with the understanding that only the member can sign checks until you provide the authority document later. This is not ideal, but it is an option if you are in a bind. Ask the bank directly whether they offer this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the LLC's EIN before opening a bank account?
Most banks require an EIN, but some will open an account with just a Social Security number if the LLC is brand new and has not received its EIN yet. You can apply for an EIN free at irs.gov, and you will receive it immediately if you apply online. It is faster to get the EIN first, then open the account.
Can a manager open the account if they are not a member of the LLC?
Yes, as long as the operating agreement or a signed resolution from the members gives them that authority. The manager does not have to own part of the LLC. Bring the authority document and your government ID to the bank.
What if the other members refuse to sign the authority document?
If the operating agreement requires all members to sign and they refuse, you cannot open the account as a manager. You would need to amend the operating agreement to change who must approve, but that also requires their signatures. If the LLC is deadlocked, you may need to consult a lawyer about your options.
Can I open the account online instead of going to the bank in person?
Some banks allow online account opening for LLCs, but they still require you to upload or mail the authority documents. You will need to verify your identity online, usually by taking a photo of your ID. Call the bank to ask whether they offer this option and what documents they need uploaded.
What if the bank rejects the authority document I brought?
Ask the bank what is wrong with it. Common reasons are missing signatures, unclear language about the manager's powers, or a document that is too old. If the bank has specific requirements, ask them to put it in writing so you can fix the document and come back. Do not assume the bank's first answer is final — some banks will accept a revised document if you address their concerns.