Accounts All Small Businesses Should Have

As a small business owner, you’ve got a lot on your plate – and managing your finances is a big part of it. To help you navigate these financial waters with ease, we’ve put together a guide on the must have bank accounts for your business. These accounts are essential for maintaining financial organization, protecting personal assets, and supporting your business’s growth.

Benefits of Each Business Account

1. Checking Account

Let’s start with the basics – a business checking account. Here’s why this will be your go-to account:

Keeping it Separate. A business checking account keeps your personal and business finances neatly separated. No more mixing the two, making tax time a breeze.

Daily Operations. Use it for everyday transactions like paying bills, buying supplies, or receiving payments. It’s the work horse of your business finances.

Checks and Cards. You’ll get checks and a debit card, making payments and expense tracking a cinch.

2. Savings Account

In addition to a checking account, consider opening a business savings account for the below reasons:

Emergency Funds. Think of it as your financial safety net. Stash away funds for those unexpected expenses or rainy days. It’s like having a financial superhero on standby.

Grow Your Money. Unlike regular checking accounts, savings accounts often offer better interest rates, helping your money grow over time.

Future Goals. Use it to save for those big-ticket items, like equipment upgrades or expansion plans. Having a dedicated savings fund makes reaching your business goals much easier.

3. Merchant Account

If your business deals with customer transactions, a merchant account is a must have – and here’s why:

Go Digital. It enables you to accept electronic payments, including credit and debit cards. Your customers will love the convenience, and so will you.

Streamlined Processing. Your merchant account creates a seamless link between your business, your financial institution, and the credit processor. This ensures that funds from customer transactions land safely in your business account.

4. Business Credit Card

Last but not least, here’s why a business credit card can be your financial best friend:

Expense Separation. Keep personal and business expenses in separate lanes. This is a game changer for your financial records.

Track Your Spending. Monitor your business expenses more efficiently. Many business credit cards also offer detailed statements, simplifying expense management.

Rewards and Perks. Some business credit cards (like our Visa Business Cash Plus Card!) come with fantastic perks like rewards points, cash back, or airline miles – adding a little extra to your business expenditures.*

Your small business’ financial journey is an exciting one, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. At First Financial, we have a range of business banking solutions that are convenient and offer personalized service for your small business. These accounts will not only keep your financial house in order, but also lay the foundation for your business’ growth and success.

Ready to take the next step? Our business development team is here to guide you through the process. With the right accounts in place, your small business can thrive and achieve its financial goals. Reach out today by emailing business@firstffcu.com or stop by any of our local branches for more information on how to get started with a First Financial business account.

 

*This APR of 18% is for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Subject to credit approval. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Your actual APR may vary based on your state of residence, approved loan amount, applicable discounts and your credit history. No Annual Fees. Other fees that apply: Balance Transfer and Cash Advance Fees of 3% or $10, whichever is greater; Late Payment Fee of $35, $10 Card Replacement Fee, and Returned Payment Fee of $35. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Visa® Business Cash Plus Credit Card and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account/loan. Your First Financial Visa® Business Cash Plus Card will earn cash back based on your eligible purchase transactions. The cash back will be applied to your current credit card balance on a quarterly basis and be shown cumulatively on your billing statement. Unless you are participating in a limited time promotional offer, you will earn 1% cash back based on eligible purchases each quarter.

First Financial Business Member Spotlight: Papa John’s

“First Financial is always there for our financial needs as busy business owners.”

As 2022 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on all the supportive individuals we’ve had the privilege to work with this year – including our business members. We’re so grateful to help businesses in our community thrive and are excited for even more growth in the years ahead.

With that said, we’re happy to share our next First Financial member spotlight – a series where we feature some of our personal and business credit union members. This time we’re highlighting Ayesha and Syed Nawazuddin, owners of Papa John’s in Neptune and West Long Branch, NJ.

Ayesha and Syed joined First Financial in 2019 after receiving better care than they previously had at other larger banks. Since then, they’ve opened a business checking and savings account, an auto loan, and they even added personal accounts. “We feel like a close family, and they are always there for our financial needs,” Ayesha shared.

Learn more about their experience banking with First Financial in the video below.

If you’re looking to grab a slice of their iconic “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza” pies, be sure to visit one of Ayesha and Syed’s locations:

Papa John’s of Neptune

712 Rt. 35 | (732) 898-6868

Papa John’s of West Long Branch

357 Monmouth Rd. | (732) 229-0200

How to join First Financial

If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in NJ, you’re eligible to become a member. Businesses in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and our community partners are also eligible for membership. To join, all you have to do is open a savings account with $5. It’s that easy! Once you’re a member, your immediate family can also sign up. To get started, call us at 732.312.1500, email info@firstffcu.com, or stop by any of our local branches.

First Financial Business Member Spotlight: Hairstylist for the Nations

“I have many ideas about my business and First Financial knows how to help.”

It’s Small Business Saturday, and we are taking the opportunity to highlight one of our wonderful business members to encourage the support of shopping and using local Monmouth & Ocean County small businesses! With that being said, welcome back to our First Financial member spotlight – a series where we feature some of our personal and business credit union members who we’ve happily worked with over the years. This time we’re shining a light on business member Ameerah Jones, the owner of Hairstylist for the Nations in Shrewsbury, NJ.

Ameerah started Hairstylist for the Nations in 2012 after working in the fashion industry. One of the first reasons she decided to bank with First Financial was because there were no monthly fees for business checking accounts. Over time, Ameerah learned that First Financial met her needs as a freelance business owner in a fast-paced environment where she is constantly on the go – especially with her business’ credit card processing. The credit union also continues to be invested in helping her business grow.

Learn more about her experience in banking with First Financial in the video below, and why Ameerah recommends our business banking to other business owners she knows.

If you’re looking to book your next hair appointment, check out Hairstylist for the Nations located at 1026 Broad Street, Suite 6 in Shrewsbury. You can also call 732.242.7733.

How to join First Financial

If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in NJ, you’re eligible to become a member. Businesses in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and our community partners are also eligible for membership. To join, all you have to do is open a savings account with $5. It’s that easy! Once you’re a member, your immediate family can also sign up. To get started, call us at 732.312.1500, email info@firstffcu.com, or stop by any of our local branches.