11 Best Banks for Small Businesses in Ohio in 2024

By Haley Davidson

Founder & Content Strategist, Gaia Content

As a small business owner in Ohio, you have a plethora of choices when it comes to business banking. We've conducted a thorough comparison of various business banking providers and their account offerings for small business owners in Ohio to help you pick the right bank for you. 

Choices range from traditional banks with extensive branch networks to modern digital banks offering cutting-edge financial technology. We excluded credit unions. 

To help you decide, we’ve compared the Buckeye State’s best member FDIC regional banks, national banks, local banks, and online banking platforms for small businesses.

We compared everything at these financial institutions, from checking accounts to lending services to business credit cards in hopes you’ll find the perfect fit for your business’s unique needs. From Columbus to Cincinnati, here’s the list of the best banks for small businesses in Ohio. 

Let’s dive in! 

Best banks for small businesses in Ohio:

  1. Relay: Best for digital banking in Ohio 

  2. The First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky: Best for traditional business banking

  3. Woodforest National Bank: Best for diverse checking options 

  4. Park National Bank: Best for local community banking 

  5. Sutton Bank: Best for fee transparency 

  6. Union Savings Bank: Best for small business loans 

  7. Westfield Bank: Best for high-balance accounts 

  8. North Valley Bank: Best for flexible transaction limits 

  9. Wayne Savings Community Bank: Best for non-profit organizations

  10. First National Bank of Pandora: Best for agriculture businesse

  11. First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lakewood: Best for Health Savings Accounts

Relay: Best for digital banking in Ohio 

🏆 Verdict: Relay is an online banking platform designed for small businesses. It's a great option for businesses that want to enjoy zero monthly fees, no overdraft fees, convenient mobile banking, and free domestic wire transactions. 

Relay provides access to over 55,000+ ATMs. Companies that bank with Relay have the liberty to establish up to 20 unique accounts and can allocate up to 50 Visa® debit cards to their staff. Plus, our savings accounts boast competitive interest rates at 1-3% APY1, ensuring your funds are always growing.

Banking Built for Business Owners

No account fees or minimums; 20 checking accounts; 2 savings accounts with 1.00%-3.00% APY; 50 virtual + physical debit cards. Open account 100% online.

Learn more

Being digital-first means being convenient. Whether you’re in California, New York or Ohio, you can seamlessly integrate Relay with top accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks Online, and Gusto. Relay Pro has automated Bill Pay, streamlining your month-end financial chores.

Banking feature

Account Fees

$0

Minimum Balances

$0

Checking Accounts

Up to 20

Savings Accounts

None

Money Movement

• Unlimited transactions

•Free ACH and check deposits 

•Domestic outgoing wires: $5

•International outgoing wires: $10

•Or with Relay Pro for $30/month, you get:

•Unlimited outgoing domestic and international wires

•Same-day ACH transfers

Accounts payable automation

Cards

Up to 50 free virtual or physical debit card Mastercards

Financing

None available

Customer Service

Dedicated customer service via email, chat or phone

TrustPilot Score

4.5/5

The First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky: Best for traditional business banking 

🏆 Verdict: The First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky offers traditional banking services. They are similar to those you’d find at Chase, Bank of America, and other traditional banks. 

Because The First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky is a smaller U.S. bank, the service is more personalized. It has a reasonable fee structure and diverse loan programs, which makes it a solid choice for businesses seeking financial growth.

Banking feature

Account Fees

$7.50 monthly fee

Minimum Balances

$750

Checking Accounts

Business Classic Checking

Business NOW Checking

Savings Accounts

Business Statement Savings

Money Movement

Unlimited transactions

ACH and wires, fees may apply

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Business loans including term loans, commercial loans, real estate loans

Customer Service

Phone, in-person, email

Reviews

4.2 star rating on Google Play

Woodforest National Bank: Best for diverse checking options

🏆 Verdict: Woodforest National Bank has branches in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. It offers multiple business checking accounts as financial services. Advantage Business Checking and Second Chance Business Checking stand out. 

Account Fees

$20 monthly fee

$32 overdraft fee

Minimum Balances

$100

Checking Accounts

Business Simple Checking

Second Chance Business Checking

Advantage Business Checking

Business Checking

Business Plus Checking

Savings Accounts

Business savings account

Money market account

Money Movement

Outgoing international wires $55-$85

Outgoing domestic wires $35

Incoming wires $20

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Lines of credit, term loans, and real estate loans

Customer Service

Phone, email, chat, in-person

Reviews

2.0 stars on Yelp

Park National Bank: Best for local community banking

🏆 Verdict: Park National Bank offers in-person services. This is ideal for businesses that value local community banking relationships. The financial institution focuses on local community banking but has locations across Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina. 

Account Fees

$8 monthly fee

Minimum Balances

$50

Checking Accounts

Business Checking

Commercial Checking

Commercial Checking Plus

Non-Profit Checking

Savings Accounts

Business savings accounts

Money Movement

150+ free transactions per month

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Commercial loans and lines of credit

Customer Service

Phone, email, chat, in-person

Reviews

4.4 star rating on Google Play

Sutton Bank: Best for fee transparency

🏆 Verdict: Sutton Bank offers a clear fee structure, ensuring businesses are never caught off guard. Their range of checking accounts caters to different business sizes and needs.

Account Fees

$0-$18

Minimum Balances

$100

Checking Accounts

Small Business Checking

Regular Business Checking

Business Advantage Checking

Savings Accounts

Business savings and money market accounts

Money Movement

$0.15 ACH

$0.20 checks paid

$0.12 per item deposited

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Business loans and lines of credit

Customer Service

Phone, in-person, email

Reviews

2.8 star tating on Trustpilot

Union Savings Bank: Best for small business loans 

🏆 Verdict: With several loan options, Union Savings Bank is a top choice for businesses seeking financing solutions. Their customer service options also ensure businesses have support when they need it.

Account Fees

$7.50+ monthly fee

Minimum Balances

$500+

Checking Accounts

Access Checking

Essential Checking

Core Checking

Savings Accounts

Business savings and money market accounts

Money Movement

75 free transactions per month

$60 monthly service fee for ACH payments and check positive pay

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Small business, commercial, and real estate loans

Customer Service

Phone, in-person, email, chat

Reviews

2.5 star rating on Yelp

Westfield Bank: Best for high-balance accounts 

🏆 Verdict: Westfield Bank’s financial services will appeal to you if you have high-balance accounts and live in the Cleveland area. Accounts that meet its $5,000 minimum balance receive perks and incentives. 

Account Fees

$250 opening deposit

Minimum Balances

$5,000 

Checking Accounts

Simply Business CheckingBusiness Checking

Commercial Checking

Savings Accounts

Business savings and money market accounts

Money Movement

ACH payments

Wire transfers

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Business loans and lines of credit

Customer Service

Phone, email, in-person

Reviews

2.0 star rating on Yelp

North Valley Bank: Best for flexible transaction limits

🏆 Verdict: North Valley Bank's Business Checking I account has 50 free transactions. This makes it a good option if you need flexible transaction limits. 

Account Fees

$100 minimum to open an account

$0-$20 monthly fee

Minimum Balances

None

Checking Accounts

Business Checking I

Business Checking II

Business Interest Checking

Specialty Checking

Savings Accounts

Business savings and money market accounts

Money Movement

50 free transactions ($0.35 each thereafter) with Business Checking I

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Commercial loans and lines of credit

Customer Service

Phone, email, in-person

Reviews

1.0 star rating on Yelp

Wayne Savings Community Bank: Best for non-profit organizations

🏆 Verdict: Its Non-Profit Checking account has unlimited transactions. This makes Wayne Savings Community Bank a top choice for non-profit entities. While it’s not the largest bank, its personalized services make it a win for non-profits that need flexibility and attention. 

Account Fees

$50 minimum deposit to open

$0-$15 monthly fee

Minimum Balances

No minimum balance

Checking Accounts

Business Platinum

Basic Business Checking

Commercial Checking

Non-Profit Checking

Savings Accounts

Business savings and money market accounts

Money Movement

Up to 100 free items each month ($.15 each item thereafter)

$.15 ACH payments

Wire transfer fees apply

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Business loans and lines of credit

Customer Service

Phone, email, in-person

Reviews

1.0 star rating on Yelp

First National Bank of Pandora: Best for agriculture businesses

🏆 Verdict: First National Bank of Pandora stands out for farming and agriculture, one of the main industries in Ohio. It has specific agricultural loans to cater to these businesses. 

Account Fees

$10 monthly fee

Minimum Balances

$100

Checking Accounts

Business First

Business Interest

Non-Profit Business

Savings Accounts

Two business savings accounts

Money Movement

200-400 free transactions

Unlimited transactions with a non-profit account

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Business and agriculture loans

Customer Service

Phone, in-person, chat, mail

Reviews

4.1 star rating on Google Play

First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lakewood: Best for Health Savings Accounts

🏆 Verdict: If health-related benefits for employees are important then consider First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lakewood. While it offers other services like personal loans, a mobile app, and mobile check deposits, this service stands out. 

Account Fees

$0+ monthly fee

Minimum Balances

$1000

Checking Accounts

Simply Free Business Checking

Business Interest Checking

Commercial Checking

Savings Accounts

Business savings, money market, and health savings accounts

Money Movement

Coin and currency deposit fees up to $10,000 per month 

Cards

1 physical debit card 

Financing

Business and commercial loans

Customer Service

Phone, in-person, email

Reviews

2.9 stars on WalletHub

What’s the best bank for small businesses in Ohio?

After reviewing the top banks for small businesses in Ohio, it's clear that each bank and bank account offers unique benefits and features. So which one is the best overall?

The answer ultimately depends on your business's specific needs and preferences. But if you're looking for convenient digital banking and want to save on pesky bank fees, Relay might be right for you.

The best part? You can apply for an account in just 10 minutes, entirely online. Get started here.

Banking Built for Business Owners

No account fees or minimums; 20 checking accounts; 2 savings accounts with 1.00%-3.00% APY; 50 virtual + physical debit cards. Open account 100% online.

Learn more