Changing professional banks multiple times over a few years is common among entrepreneurs. The first time due to excessive fees, the second because the neobank didn't offer loans. The third because I finally understood what I was looking for. Here's what I wish I'd known from the start.
The 3 Categories of Professional Banks
Traditional Banks (BNP, Crédit Agricole, CIC, etc.)
Typical monthly cost: €25 to €60/month (depending on the package)
Advantages: dedicated advisor, access to professional credit, check deposits, payment terminal, wealth management. They remain essential if you need professional financing: 95% of loans to small businesses go through traditional banks.
Disadvantages: high fees, opaque pricing (movement commissions, account maintenance fees, card fees, transfer fees…), rigid processes.
Online Banks (Boursorama Pro, Hello Business, etc.)
Typical monthly cost: €9 to €20/month
Advantages: reduced rates, modern interface, fast transactions. Good compromise between cost and services for freelancers and small businesses.
Disadvantages: no physical advisor, limited credit offerings, no cash deposits, sometimes slow customer service.
Neobanks (Qonto, Shine, Blank, etc.)
Typical monthly cost: €7 to €40/month (depending on options)
Advantages: account opening in 15 minutes, excellent interface, integrated expense management, automatic accounting exports, virtual cards for online purchases.
Disadvantages: no professional loans, no checkbooks (or rarely), no authorized overdraft, some basic features charged extra.
The Hidden Fees Nobody Tells You About
Movement commission — traditional banks charge between 0.05% and 0.15% on every credit transaction. On a turnover of €200,000, that's €100 to €300 per year. Invisible but real.
Transfer fees — a SEPA transfer can cost €0.20 to €1 depending on the bank. If you make 30 transfers per month, costs add up quickly.
Card subscription — a Business Visa card costs €30 to €150 per year depending on the bank.
Incident fees — rejected direct debit, insufficient funds, intervention commission. This is where traditional banks make up for it: between €8 and €20 per incident.
My Advice: The Dual Account
The solution that works well for many entrepreneurs:
- An account at a traditional bank — for banking relationships, credit, overdraft. Negotiate a basic package without unnecessary options.
- An account at a neobank — for daily operations, routine management, accounting exports.
The total cost is often lower than an "all-inclusive" package at a traditional bank, and you get the best of both worlds.
How to Negotiate with Your Bank
Yes, professional banking fees are negotiable. Especially if:
- You deposit your turnover with them
- You're a new customer (competition works in your favor)
- You bundle business account, personal account, and insurance
What you can obtain:
- Removal of movement commission
- Free card for the first year
- Reduced account maintenance fees
- Preferential rates on authorized overdraft
Visit 3 banks, compare written offers, and play them off against each other. It's a 2-hour exercise that could save you €500 to €1,000 per year.
Choosing your professional bank is a strategic decision, not an administrative one. Take time to compare before signing.