What you'll need to open a business deposit account

What you’ll need to open a business deposit account

When opening a business checking or savings account, all banks are required to obtain information verifying the business as well as the individuals associated with the business.

If you open an account in a banking location, all owners, partners, and key executives need to be present at account opening and should provide:
- Original copies of your business documents
- Taxpayer Identification Number for both the business and the individuals opening the account (e.g. Employer Identification Number for the business and Social Security Number for individuals)
- Personal identification, which must be issued by a government agency (e.g. drivers license or passport)
If you apply online, you will receive instructions for how to provide us with your business documents.

Sole Proprietor

If the business name does not include the legal first and last name of the owner, you will need one of the following documents:

Fictitious Name Certificate or Statement
Business License

For example: If the owner’s legal name is Dave Smith, and the business name is Smith’s Jewelers, you will need the additional documentation. However, if the business name is Dave Smith Jewelers you will not.

Partnerships

Partnership

You will need one of the following business documents:

Partnership Agreement
Fictitious Name Certificate or Statement
Business License

Limited Liability Company

You will need the following business documents:

Articles of Organization
Operating Agreement

Corporation

You will need the following business documents:

Articles of Incorporation
Corporate By Laws

Social/Recreational Clubs, Unicorporated Associations and Civic Groups

You will need one or more of the following business documents:

Organization/Association Articles or By Laws
Meeting Minutes designating F&M Bank as the entity’s depository FI as well as list of officer names and titles for the organization

If you do not have one of the above or comparable documentation issued by a government agency, please provide governing documentation for your business entity such as board resolutions and meeting minutes. If you do not have documents issued by government agency, all authorized signers need to be present.