A customer recently asked us this question:

Is there a way for a not-yet-incorporated business to get a separate business checking account, or would I have to have a separate personal checking account until I have the proper business organization, Tax ID, etc?

Having a checking account is required if you want to accept credit cards, which is why he asked the question. Below was my answer:

There really isn’t, banks have all kinds of legal requirements about the business actually existing, etc.  However, you can *very* easily set up a sole-proprietership (doing business as) which isn’t really a business entity, it’s actually just saying that you personally are going to do business under a different name.  Sole-proprietorships can open business bank accounts.