Europe’s no. 1 online business account

If you want to open a business, you're likely to be legally required to open a business banking account. That's because in France, you first have to deposit your shares before setting up an SME.

In the cases of companies with shares (SAS, SASU, SARL, EURL etc.), to be able to register your business, you must write your company's statutes, gather funds and deposit them in the business' bank account.

In theory, companies have the right to transfer the balance to a traditional bank account and close the business account. In practice, however, doing this may lead tax authorities to interpret this balance as a salary.

There are exceptions: micro-enterprises, for example, aren't legally obliged to open a business account. If you decide to create a micro-enterprise, you still need to open another bank account that's separate from your personal one, but it doesn't have to be a business account.

Opening a business account is advisable in any case, given the advantages it offers in terms of managing your business, saving time and avoiding hidden monthly fees. A business checking account will mean easier tax auditing and finance management; it also separates your personal finances from your business books, which may be in your best interest in fiscal terms.

People who have been banned from holding an account with traditional banks can still apply to open checking accounts with payment institutions such as Qonto. Associations are not obliged to create a bank account either. However, it is absolutely necessary to obtain subsidies, recruit employees, and spend and receive money in ways other than cash.

Whether you opt for a traditional bank account or an online bank account, the documents you'll need to open your account are, on balance, more or less the same. At minimum, each partner has to provide:

• a valid ID;
• the company statutes;
• a Kbis (NEW: or final INPI summary document or INPI extract);
• proof of address;
• SIREN number;
• APE code;
• and commercial lease (if required).

The institution you choose should provide you with a complete list of all the necessary documents.

A complete list of effective beneficiaries (a beneficiary being a person who holds, either directly or indirectly, at least 25% of the capital or voting rights).

A valid ID for the person applying to open the checking account.Associations are not obliged to create a bank account either. However, it is absolutely necessary to obtain subsidies, recruit employees, and spend and receive money in ways other than cash.

The Kbis is the only document that proves the legal existence of a company. Think of it as your company's ID card. You'll have to go through the Commercial Court to apply for a Kbis, although this can be done online.

You can find all the relevant information on the official website of the French Government. Note: We now accept alternate documents as proof of company registration to open a Qonto account : in addition to the Kbis, you can alternatively provide us with a final INPI summary document or INPI extract.

For professionals, it's important to distinguish traditional banks from online finance solutions like Qonto. From a legal standpoint, Qonto is a payment institution, whereas a traditional bank is a credit institution. Unlike a payment institution, a traditional bank can propose financial tools such as loans and credit or manage securities or real estate portfolios.

In any case, any establishment offering payment services is regulated by the same monetary and financial body: the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR). As such, Qonto is a checking account regulated by the French central bank, the Banque de France. This means all deposits are placed in a holding account and the payment institution is unable use the funds.

Payment institutions build their offer around a sector of the market that's been neglected by traditional banks. This is the case for business banking: online banks, which are often owned by the established, traditional banks, pay it little attention, with some exceptions such as Boursorama pro and monabanq, whose offers cater for freelancers and individual enterprises.

Payment institutions can fill the gap. Qonto's checking account is available for freelancers, SAS, SARL, SCI, SASU and EURL, as well as NGOs and the liberal and medical professions. Our mission is simple: free up your time so you can focus on what really matters, which is growing the best possible business.

For SMEs and VSEs, the playing field is narrowing; there are fewer options. Online payment institutions are well-placed to satisfy the need but not all offer the same rewards and advantages. Most only address 'solopreneurs' (freelancers, SASU, EURL), whereas Qonto caters to all legal forms. Another point of comparison is the possibility of depositing your capital. Again, not all payment institutions and online banks propose this option. Depending on your business and it's size, a whole host of criteria come into play, and they are just as variable as the prices and fees of the different business banking accounts.

Last but not least, payment institutions are accessible for all professionals, even those who are forbidden from holding bank accounts. With no risk of accumulating more debt or credit, Qonto's services are open for anyone to apply.

You can open a business checking account whenever you want to. If you decide to create a company with shareholders, you'll need one by the time you deposit your share capital.

Whether you go for traditional banking or an online business account, the procedures are similar. The major difference is the time it will take you.

If you open a traditional bank account, you'll have to go to a branch of your bank in person, meet your advisor and submit the required paperwork. We recommend you check the list of required documents early in the process to avoid going back and forth to your branch.

If you open your company account with an online payment institution, the whole procedure takes place online. You can transfer the relevant documentation through Qonto's website, wait for validation and as soon as that's completed, you'll be able to use the account. No more trips to your local branch, no need to chase up your advisor, no more hidden monthly fees. With Qonto, you'll be saving time; and time, as they say, is money.

If your company has shares, depositing your capital is a requirement; you'll need to deposit your share capital as soon as the company is founded. The operation involves placing money in a blocked account with a bank, a solicitor or the France's National Fund for Deposits (in French: CDC).

The party that receives the capital then issues you with a capital deposit certificate. This document is needed in order to register your company on the Commercial Registry. It can be a cash deposit or a non-cash contribution-in-kind, provided by the founders or the shareholders.

These funds exist to provide for the company's daily expenses and growth. The capital can also be used as a solvency guarantee in dealing with different stakeholders. Opening a business checking account with Qonto enables you to deposit all of your capital online.

To deposit capital, the founder will need to supply several documents concerning his personal and professional status.

Most banks will require the following documents:

✓ A complete list of the subscribers

✓ A colour photocopy of a valid ID of each subscriber

✓ Proof of address of the company headquarters

✓ Company statutes, including distribution of shares

It is important to transfer the corresponding amount to the company's capital. Once the last steps are completed, the money will immediately be unlocked and accessible to the founders as cash withdrawals, money transfers or debit card payments.

Qonto was founded by professionals for professionals. Whatever business you run, there's a Qonto account for you.

Your debit cards are customizable, your payments and statements are displayed in real time and your expenses can be managed automatically. Qonto allows you to keep the control of your spending at your fingertips. If you're a craftsman, plumber or builder, with Qonto you can control your finances even when you're out on a job.

Save the time you spend doing admin and paperwork each month and focus on what really matters in the best interest of your business. To find out more, read how Qonto adapts to all trades and professions on our blog.

Consulting and Agency:

Invite your teams to join you on Qonto and optimize your expenses, whether they're paid for in cash or by debit card.

Commerce and e-commerce

Process your clients' payments thanks to our mobile payment terminal. Learn more about the rewards and advantages of the business account for Small Business Owners and e-commerce.

Transport

Enjoy customizable debit cards to make time savings on processing travel expenses.

Construction

Whether on a construction site or in the office, simplify your finance management and keep your expenses in check.

Learn more about the advantages of the Qonto checking account for the building industry.