A bank account dedicated to the professional activity, that is to say assigned to the activity and separated from personal accounts, makes it possible to separate the business operations of the entity from those of the person who directs it (theindividual contractor).

The bank account dedicated to the activity of the

• Either one personal bank account (current account separate from the personal account used by the individual contractor for his/her personal expenses)
• Either one business bank account : account opened in the name of {circumflex over} with banking options designed specifically for companies: accounting, monitoring and reporting tools billingetc.

It is therefore generally more expensive to open a professional bank account than to open a personal account dedicated to the professional activity. The choice between the 2 depends mainly on the needs of the individual entrepreneur, the desired services and the associated bank charges.

For more information on the choice of banking institution:

Banking, Online banking, payment institution: how to choose?

Bpifrance Creation

Pour en savoir plus

One at actual regime (normal or simplified) does not have the obligation to open a bank account dedicated to the activity. On the contrary, micro-entrepreneurs must have one if their turnover exceeds €10,000 for two consecutive years.

However, it is compulsory for any person who carries out a commercial activity to open a bank account in a credit institution or in a post office.

To open a bank account dedicated to the professional activity in {circumflex over (X)}, a certain number of documents must be transmitted to the banking institution, whether the account is personal or professional:

• Copy of one of the proof of domicile of the following:
  
  • Lease receipt of less than 3 months
  • Water, gas, electricity, internet or landline bills less than 3 months old, on paper or printed dematerialized
  • Certificate of housing insurance less than 3 months old
  • Certificate on the honor of the host stating that the declarant resides at his home, identity document and proof of residence of the host less than 3 months
  • Last tax or non-tax notice
  • Title to the principal residence
  • Commercial Lease Agreement or professional
  • Domiciliation contract if the business is located in a domiciliation business
• Proof of identity of the individual contractor next:
  
  • Identity card
  • Passport
  • Residence card

If the chosen bank refuses to open a bank account (personal or professional), it must provide a attestation or a rejection letter account opening.

This letter of refusal then makes it possible to approach the Banque de France for the latter to designate a banking institution which will have the obligation to open a bank account. This is the so-called account entitlement procedure.

The right to the account allows any natural person to have a bank account with an institution designated by the Banque de France with a access to basic benefits guaranteed by law (account keeping, collection, bank transfers or payment card for example).

The refusal to open a bank account does not therefore prevent you from having an account in another bank determined by the Banque de France.

If the bank refuses to open a bank account, it shall provide a attestation or a rejection letter account opening.

We must then approach the Banque de France to designate a banking institution that will have the obligation open a bank account in the name of the individual entrepreneur.

For more information about claiming the right to the account, see all the steps to follow on our file.

The closing a bank account dedicated to professional activity is a common step in the life of an individual entrepreneur, whether it is to change establishment for better pricing conditions, migrate to an online bank, or proceed to the closure of the business. This operation is free of charge.

To close your dedicated bank account, the steps may vary depending on the bank. In general, it is appropriate toinform the establishment by sending a request by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (LRAR), indicating the date on which the closure must be effective.

Before this deadline, it is essential to ensure that the account balance is zero and thatno operation is yet awaiting processing, such as card payments or direct debits. We must also return the means of payment, such as checkbooks and bank cards, by destroying them or returning them to the bank.

If the change concerns a new establishment, it is possible to ask this new bank to take over the transfer of recurring credit transfers and direct debits, which greatly simplifies the transition. We are talking about banking mobility.