Best banks for staffing agencies in 2026

Finding the best banks for staffing agencies is essential for managing your unique financial needs. This guide is for staffing agency owners seeking a banking partner that understands their business model. The right choice in banking for staffing agencies can significantly impact your cash flow and operational efficiency. To help you make an informed decision, this article breaks down key factors to consider, such as account fees, checking account features, and integration capabilities, empowering your business for growth and success.

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Industry pain points

Staffing agencies operate in a fast-paced environment, but their financial operations often face unique hurdles that can slow down growth. Managing complex payroll, processing numerous transactions, and ensuring compliance can create significant administrative burdens. Here are some of the most common financial pain points for staffing agencies:

• Payroll fund segregation compliance: Many states require staffing agencies to keep client funds for payroll separate from their operating funds, which can complicate account management.
• High-volume payment processing: Agencies handle a large number of payments to temporary employees, which requires an efficient and scalable processing system.
• Multi-client billing and payment tracking: Juggling invoices and payments from multiple clients simultaneously can make tracking accounts receivable a major challenge.
• Large deposit protection: Staffing agencies often handle large sums of money for payroll, making it crucial to ensure deposits are protected beyond standard FDIC limits.

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Highlights

• Bluevine - Bluevine offers staffing agencies an all-in-one digital platform to streamline complex payroll, manage cash flow, and support scalable growth.
• Other options include traditional and digital banking solutions like Relay, US Bank, Chase Business, Wells Fargo, and more.
• How to choose - The best business bank account for a staffing agency is determined by key factors like payroll management features, transaction processing capabilities, and deposit protection.

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Best small business bank

Bluevine

Bluevine is a financial technology company¹ that provides innovative banking solutions designed to empower growing businesses. For staffing agencies, our platform is built to tackle your biggest financial hurdles. We help you streamline complex cash flow with features like high-yield business checking,² sub-accounts for budgeting,³ and access to working capital⁴ when you need it. Our all-in-one digital experience means you can manage your finances efficiently from anywhere, saving time and reducing fees so you can focus on scaling your agency.

How Bluevine addresses the challenges of staffing agencies

• Sub-accounts: With a Bluevine Business Checking account, you can create up to 20 sub-accounts,³ each with a unique account number. This makes it simple to separate payroll funds from your operating capital, helping you stay compliant and organized without the complexity.
• High-volume payment processing: Our platform is built to handle the demands of a growing staffing agency. You get unlimited transactions⁵ and a scalable accounts payable system⁶ that automates payments via ACH, wire, or check, so you can pay your team efficiently without the administrative headache.
• Multi-client billing and payment tracking: You can create and send unlimited invoices directly from your dashboard. To make tracking even easier, Bluevine connects seamlessly with accounting software like QuickBooks Online,⁷ giving you a clear, real-time view of your accounts receivable.
• Large deposit protection: We help you protect your company's cash reserves. Deposits in your Bluevine Business Checking account are FDIC insured up to $3,000,000⁸ through our partner banks, giving you peace of mind when managing large payrolls.

Top features for staffing agencies

• Debit cards: Issue physical and virtual cards⁹ to your team with set spending limits, giving you control over expenses while empowering your employees.
• Accounts payable: Automate your bill payments⁶ and set custom approval workflows, saving valuable time and ensuring your contractors are paid accurately and on schedule.
• Sub-accounts: Organize your finances and simplify budgeting by creating up to 20 dedicated sub-accounts,³ making it easy to set aside funds for payroll, taxes, and other expenses.
• Check deposits: Deposit checks anytime, anywhere with convenient mobile check deposit, helping you get funds into your account faster without trips to the bank.
• Accept payments: Receive payments your way with flexible options like ACH, wire transfers, and Tap to Pay,¹⁰ all managed from a single dashboard for streamlined client billing.
• Cash deposits: Easily add cash to your account at over 91,500 retail locations and ATMs nationwide,¹¹ giving you flexibility when handling physical payments.
• Customer Satisfaction: With an A+ BBB rating and a 4.6-star “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot,¹² customers value how Bluevine simplifies banking and supports the unique needs of small businesses.

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Other options

Here are several additional small business banking providers commonly compared in this category.

Relay

Relay is a financial technology company that provides online business banking services for small businesses via its partner, Thread Bank. Its platform is built around financial organization, allowing businesses to manage funds for different purposes. While this can help with basic fund segregation, its features are geared toward general small business needs. Relay offers FDIC insurance up to $3M for funds on deposit.

For managing client billing, both platforms offer built-in invoicing. A key difference for staffing agencies, however, lies in how each service handles cash balances. Relay offers APY (annual percentage yield) on its savings accounts, whereas Bluevine allows agencies to earn interest directly on their primary checking account balances—a significant advantage for managing large payroll funds. Bluevine further supports operational needs with free checkbooks and access to a line of credit for managing cash flow.¹³

US Bank

As a large, traditional financial institution, U.S. Bank has a significant national presence with over 2,000 branches. It provides conventional business services, including loans and payment processing. However, for staffing agencies needing agile, digital-first tools for high-volume transactions, a traditional banking framework may lack the specialized features and speed of more modern, integrated platforms.

For staffing agencies that value traditional, in-person banking, U.S. Bank provides personalized support through its extensive branch network. Bluevine, in contrast, delivers a modern, high-yield digital banking experience with streamlined tools designed for efficiency, making it a strong fit for agencies needing to manage complex payroll and high-volume payments with digital speed.

Chase Business

Chase Business provides a wide range of financial products for businesses of all sizes, supported by a vast network of branches and ATMs. As the largest bank in the U.S. by assets, its solutions are designed to serve a broad market, which may not align with the specialized, high-volume transaction needs of a growing staffing agency.

Chase provides the extensive branch network of a traditional bank, which can be beneficial for in-person services. However, this model typically includes higher fees and lower interest on deposits. For staffing agencies that need to maximize cash flow from large payroll accounts, Bluevine’s digital-first platform offers a distinct advantage with its high-yield checking and tools built for high-volume operations.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is a major U.S. financial services firm with a history dating back to 1852. It provides a wide range of services, from banking and investments to commercial finance, supported by an extensive branch and ATM network built through acquisitions like Wachovia. For staffing agencies, its traditional banking model offers broad financial tools but may not be specialized enough for high-volume, digital-first payroll and payment processing needs.

Wells Fargo offers traditional business checking and lending with branch access, a contrast to Bluevine’s online-first banking experience with flexible lending and integrated payment tools designed for the high-volume needs of staffing agencies.

Bank of America

Bank of America is a major U.S. financial institution with a vast network of physical branches and a global presence. It provides general business banking products for a wide range of industries, offering services through both digital platforms and in-person branches. For staffing agencies, this broad-market approach may lack the specialized tools needed for high-volume payroll and payment processing.

Bank of America offers the familiarity of traditional banking with in-person branch services. In contrast, Bluevine’s online platform is built for the digital demands of staffing agencies, providing higher-yield checking to maximize payroll funds and flexible lending to manage cash flow without ever needing a bank visit.

Mercury

Mercury is a financial technology company that provides business banking services through its partner banks, Choice Financial Group and Column N.A. Its platform is popular among tech startups, offering features like business checking and savings accounts, tools for paying vendors, and controls for team spending.

Mercury's platform is primarily optimized for venture-backed tech startups, which means it may lack features crucial for many staffing agencies, such as APY on checking balances or physical checkbooks. Access to its interest-earning Treasury account is also restricted to businesses with over $250,000 on deposit. Bluevine, built for the needs of small business owners, offers a more direct approach. Staffing agencies can earn a high APY on their main checking account and utilize a robust digital platform with check-writing capabilities, making it a practical fit for managing daily cash flow and payroll without high balance requirements.

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How to choose a business bank account for staffing agencies

Selecting the right banking partner is a critical decision that directly impacts your agency's operational efficiency and ability to scale. The best choice will offer features tailored to your unique cash flow needs and simplify complex financial tasks. By focusing on a few key areas, you can find a bank that not only meets your current requirements but also supports your future growth.

Payroll management and fund segregation

Staffing agencies must often keep client payroll funds separate from their operating capital to maintain compliance. A bank that offers tools like sub-accounts with unique account numbers simplifies this process, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring your funds are properly organized. This feature is essential for maintaining financial clarity and staying on the right side of state regulations.

Transaction processing capabilities

The nature of a staffing agency involves frequent, high-volume payments to a large number of temporary employees. Your bank should provide a scalable system for processing these transactions efficiently, whether through ACH, wire, or check. Look for a platform that offers unlimited transactions and automated accounts payable to save time and minimize errors.

Deposit protection

Since staffing agencies regularly handle large sums of money for payroll, ensuring those deposits are secure is paramount. Standard FDIC insurance may not be sufficient, so it's crucial to choose a bank that offers extended deposit protection. This gives you peace of mind that your capital—and your clients' funds—are safe.

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Why choose Bluevine

Bluevine provides the modern financial toolkit your staffing agency needs to thrive. Unlike traditional banks, you can earn high-yield interest directly on your checking balance while streamlining payments with automated accounts payable. It’s the smarter way to manage complex payroll, protect large deposits, and scale your business with confidence.

Open a Bluevine Account Today