Running a business in Texas feels busy enough. Your bank account should make life simpler, not louder. Additionally, keeping a close relationship with your banker can bring great benefits to your business. Here is the guide you have been waiting for to choose the right one. Read along to find the Top 21 Banks And Credit Unions in Texas (particularly in Central Texas and the Hill Country).

The “best” bank is the one whose fee waiver, free transactions, and free cash deposit cap match how your money actually moves. Because those three levers reveal who the account is built for, they are the smartest place to start.

Competition in Texas is fierce. That is good news. You can find strong options across national banks, Texas regionals, and local credit unions that serve Austin, San Antonio, and the Hill Country.

Below is a friendly, at-a-glance rundown of the top options from your research. Each entry highlights the monthly fee, the waiver path, free transactions, cash limits, and what makes it different.

National banks

JPMorgan Chase – Business Complete

Fee: 15 dollars
Waive: 2,000 dollars daily balance or 2,000 dollars in Ink purchases or 2,000 dollars in QuickAccept deposits.
Free transactions: 20 items plus unlimited debits. Free cash: 5,000 dollars.
Why it’s different: It is an ecosystem play that nudges you to use Chase cards and processing. However, the 20-item cap acts like a tripwire to push upgrades as you grow.

Bank of America – Business Advantage Fundamentals

Fee: 16 dollars
Waive: 5,000 dollars combined average balance or 500 dollars in new net debit purchases.
Free transactions: 20 items plus unlimited electronic. Free cash: 5,000 dollars.
Why it’s different: The 500 dollar spend waiver is low friction for digital-first businesses. Still, the 20-item limit and cash cap make it a poor fit for cash-heavy shops.

Wells Fargo – Initiate Business Checking

Fee: 10 dollars
Waive: 500 dollars minimum daily balance.
Free transactions: 100 items. Cash cap not specified in table.
Why it’s different: It is an easy on-ramp with the lowest simple balance waiver among the Big 5. But the item limit will eventually push you up a tier.

Capital One – Business Basic

Fee: 15 dollars
Waive: 2,000 dollars 30 or 90-day average balance.
Free transactions: Unlimited digital. Cash deposits free at Capital One ATMs.
Why it’s different: It is built for high-volume digital activity like ACH and mobile deposits. Consequently, it is not ideal for daily cash.

U.S. Bank – Silver Business Checking

Fee: 0 dollars and no waiver needed.
Free transactions: 125 items. Free cash: 25 cash deposit units per cycle.
Why it’s different: It is the strongest truly free starter account from a national bank. Just know the cash unit cap is very low.

Texas regional and community banks

Frost Bank – Frost Business Checking

Fee: 14 dollars
Waive: Waivers available, details not listed in the summary table.
Free transactions: 125 non-electronic items. Free cash: 5,000 dollars.
Why it’s different: Frost competes on award-winning service and SBA preferred status, not price. Therefore, owners choose it for relationship depth.

Hancock Whitney Bank – Business Checking (Essential / Preferred tiers)

Fee: $0 for the Essential tier; $18 for the Preferred tier. Hancock Whitney+2Fit Small Business+2
Waive:
- For the Preferred tier: monthly fee waived if you maintain a $5,000 minimum daily balance or have combined balances of $25,000 in deposits and loans or $2,000 in monthly business credit-card transactions or an active merchant-services account. Fit Small Business+1
Free transactions / Free cash:
- Essential tier includes 100 combined items per month and up to $5,000 in cash deposits per month without additional fees. Hancock Whitney+1
- Preferred tier includes up to 750 items per month and up to $30,000 in cash deposits before extra cash-deposit charges apply. Hancock Whitney
Why it’s different: Hancock Whitney Bank operates as a well-established regional bank with branches in Texas and the Gulf South, offering flexible business checking tiers that scale as your company grows. It combines branch access and local decision-making with the infrastructure of a larger bank. Their waiver structure allows both small startups (via the $0 Essential tier) and growing firms (via the Preferred tier) to avoid monthly fees if they meet standard business activities.

Texas Capital Bank – Select Business Checking

Fee: 12 dollars
Waive: 1,500 dollars average collected balance.
Free transactions: Unlimited. Free cash: not specified.
Why it’s different: It is the rare unlimited-transactions account at this tier and targets high-volume B2B firms.

Prosperity Bank – Small Business Checking

Fee: 10 dollars
Waive: 3,500 dollars minimum balance or 25,000 dollars relationship balance.
Free transactions: 200 items. Cash included within items.
Why it’s different: It rewards full relationship banking with treasury, merchant, and loans under one roof.

Amegy Bank – Business Inspire

Fee: 8 dollars
Waive: 1,000 dollars in monthly debits or credits.
Free transactions: 50 items. Free cash: 3,000 dollars.
Why it’s different: It is meant as a low-cost entry you will outgrow as activity rises.

Broadway Bank – Essentials Business Checking

Fee: 4 dollars
Waive: Maintain an active credit card processing account.
Free transactions: 150 items. Cash cap not specified.
Why it’s different: The merchant-services waiver intentionally fits cash-accepting Main Street businesses.

Jefferson Bank – Business Checking

Fee: 9 dollars
Waive: 500 dollars minimum daily balance.
Free transactions: Not specified for base tier. Cash cap not specified.
Why it’s different: Local decision-making with treasury and merchant tools for San Antonio and Austin corridors.

Texas Regional Bank – Small Business Checking

Fee: 9 dollars
Waive: May be reduced to zero with available discounts.
Free transactions: 100 items. Cash included within items.
Why it’s different: It pairs full treasury and remote deposit capture with community-bank accessibility.

Cadence Bank – Business My Way

Fee: 10 dollars
Waive: 500 dollars minimum daily balance or five debit purchases.
Free transactions: 225 items. Cash cap not specified.
Why it’s different: The waiver options are flexible with a generous item cap compared to big banks.

Bank of Texas – Business Access

Fee: 0 dollars
Waive: Not applicable. Free transactions: table lists no limit. Free cash: 3,000 dollars.
Why it’s different: You get merchant discounts and preferred lending on a zero-fee platform.

Horizon Bank – Business Advantage

Fee: 0 dollars
Waive: Not applicable. Free transactions: 150 items. Free cash: 10,000 dollars.
Why it’s different: It is truly free and unusually cash-friendly for small shops around the Hill Country.

Texas credit unions

RBFCU – Basic Business Checking

Fee: 0 dollars with no waiver. Free transactions: 50 items.
Why it’s different: It pairs a free entry point with leading SBA lending among Texas credit unions, so it can grow with you.

Security Service FCU – Not-for-Profit and Premium options

Fee: Not-for-Profit is effectively 0 dollars with a 25 dollar minimum balance. Premium is 20 dollars waived at 50,000 dollars balance.
Why it’s different: Optional bundled benefits like breach response and device coverage can add value for certain orgs.

TDECU – Small Business and Non-Profit

Fee: Small Business is 10 dollars with 150 free items. Non-Profit has no monthly fee.
Why it’s different: It offers a purpose-built, zero-fee nonprofit account that keeps overhead low.

CUTX – Business Checking

Fee: 0 dollars at base tier with 100 free items. Free cash processing limit: 3,500 dollars.
Why it’s different: It is a truly free credit union account that still signals digital focus with a modest cash cap.

Additional Texas option for cash-heavy Main Street

Texas Bank and Trust

Fee: Not listed in the summary table.
Cash strength: 10,000 dollars free cash deposit limit noted as a standout.
Why it’s different: It is highlighted specifically for businesses that touch a lot of cash.

Central Texas Business Banking Infographic

Choosing Your Business Bank in Central Texas

A Small Business Owner’s Guide to the Local Banking Landscape

A Booming Hub for Business

The Austin-San Antonio corridor is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and small businesses are its lifeblood. With over 100,000 small businesses in the metro areas, finding the right financial partner is more critical than ever.

This guide breaks down the top choices to help you find the best fit for your venture.

Banks vs. Credit Unions: What’s the Difference?

For a small business, the choice between a national bank, a regional bank, and a credit union can have a real impact on your bottom line and the services you receive. Here’s a quick comparison.

Banks (National & Regional)

Structure: For-profit institutions owned by shareholders.
Focus: Broad range of services, often with a wider national (or state) footprint.
Features: Typically offer robust merchant services, international wiring, and advanced treasury management.
Good For: Businesses that are scaling, operate in multiple states, or need complex financial tools.

Credit Unions

Structure: Not-for-profit cooperatives owned by their members.
Focus: Member-centric service, often with a strong community or local focus.
Features: generally offer lower fees, better rates on loans, and personalized service.
Good For: Local small businesses, startups, and owners who prioritize low costs and community relationships.

The Central Texas Market Mix

The local landscape features a healthy mix of institution types. While national banks have a large presence, community-focused credit unions and strong regional banks are extremely popular and hold significant market share.

This chart illustrates the general availability and popularity of different types of financial institutions for small businesses in the region.

Comparing Monthly Maintenance Fees

One of the first things owners look at is the monthly fee. Credit unions often lead with $0-fee basic accounts, while regional and national banks typically charge fees that can be waived by meeting certain requirements.

This chart shows typical entry-level business checking fees. Always check for specific account tiers and how to waive these costs.

Key Feature Comparison

What you get for your money is just as important as what you pay. National banks often excel in advanced digital services, while regional banks may have a stronger SBA lending focus. Credit unions provide excellent core banking features.

Institution	SBA Loans	Merchant Services	Payroll Services	Int’l Wires
Chase (National)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Bank of America (National)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Frost Bank (Regional)	✓	✓	—	✓
RBFCU (Credit Union)	✓	✓	—	✓
UFCU (Credit Union)	✓	✓	—	—

This is a representative sample. Feature availability can vary significantly by account type and business relationship.

How to Waive Monthly Fees

For accounts with a monthly fee, there’s almost always a way to avoid it. The most common method by far is maintaining a minimum daily or average monthly balance in your checking account.

Other methods include linking multiple business accounts (like a savings or credit card) or processing a certain amount through merchant services.

Key Takeaways for Your Business

There is no single “best” bank in Central Texas. The right choice depends entirely on your business model:

Prioritize Low Fees? Start with local credit unions like RBFCU, UFCU, or Amplify.
Need Robust Digital Tools? National banks like Chase or BofA offer comprehensive platforms.
Want Strong Local Service & SBA? A regional bank like Frost is a celebrated Texas institution.

Do your research, compare fee schedules, and ask about the services that matter most to you.

What really sets these accounts apart

Now, let’s decode the strategy behind the waivers. First, national banks often waive fees if you generate interchange or use in-house processing. For example, Bank of America waives for 500 dollars monthly debit spend and Chase waives for Ink card spend or QuickAccept deposits. Therefore, if you already live in those ecosystems, you can make a paid account function like a free one.

Meanwhile, Texas regionals lean on merchant-services waivers. Broadway and Jefferson make checking effectively free if you route card volume through them. As a result, retailers and restaurants in New Braunfels get simple pricing that matches daily reality.

If your business runs lots of ACH and checks but almost no cash, unlimited items are gold. Texas Capital Bank stands out with true unlimited transactions at the entry tier. Consequently, firms avoid surprise overage fees as they scale.

Credit unions provide a “dividend” in the form of zero-fee checking and predictable costs. RBFCU pairs that with serious lending capacity, including SBA leadership. So you can start free and still have a path to growth capital.

Finally, consider digital strengths and the fintech trade-off. Big banks shine on mobile apps and integrations. However, online-only fintechs struggle with cash. If your business ever handles cash or paper checks, a brick-and-mortar option from this list is essential.

Quick selection guide for Central Texas owners

Use this simple checklist as you compare options across New Braunfels, San Marcos, and Boerne.

Map your activity
Start with monthly item count, not logo loyalty. If volume is high and cash is low, prioritize unlimited transactions like Texas Capital Bank or unlimited digital with Capital One.
Measure cash exposure
Estimate monthly cash deposits. If you touch cash often, look for high caps like Horizon at 10,000 dollars or Texas Bank and Trust at 10,000 dollars.
Reverse-engineer the waiver
Can you meet a spend or balance every month with normal behavior. If yes, a “paid” account can be effectively free. Bank of America’s 500 dollar debit spend and Chase’s Ink or QuickAccept paths are classic examples.
Decide whether to bundle merchant services
If you already run card volume, consider banks that waive checking for using their processor. Broadway and Jefferson are built for that.
Think about lending early
If SBA financing is on your horizon, lean toward Frost or RBFCU. You are building a relationship now that can unlock capital later.
Evaluate digital and treasury
List the tools you need next. You may want ACH, remote deposit, Positive Pay, and secure wires. Big banks lead on UX, while regionals and CUs often bundle treasury at lower cost.

Sample matches by business profile

Startups and solo owners
Pick a truly free account so you can focus on revenue. U.S. Bank is zero-fee with 125 items. Horizon adds a 10,000 dollar free cash allowance if you sometimes handle cash.

Cash-heavy retailers and restaurants
Broadway’s merchant-services waiver keeps payments and deposits under one roof. Bank of Texas is a zero-fee alternative with a 3,000 dollar cash cap and merchant discounts.

High-volume B2B service firms
Texas Capital Bank removes item limits entirely. Capital One is perfect if your activity is fully digital and you meet the 2,000 dollar average balance.

Community nonprofits
TDECU’s nonprofit account charges no monthly fees. SSFCU’s not-for-profit option is effectively free with a minimal balance.

All-in-one relationship seekers
RBFCU blends zero-fee checking with leading SBA capabilities. Frost is the premium relationship play if you want high-touch service plus SBA depth.

A compact comparison you can use while calling around

Truly free with no hoops: U.S. Bank, Bank of Texas, Horizon Bank, RBFCU, CUTX.
Unlimited activity leaders: Texas Capital Bank unlimited items, Capital One unlimited digital.
Cash-friendly caps for tills and safes: Horizon 10,000 dollars and Texas Bank and Trust 10,000 dollars.
Merchant-services waiver strategy: Broadway and Jefferson.
SBA relationship focus: Frost and RBFCU.

Final Thoughts

You do not need a perfect bank. You need a bank that fits your pattern.

Start with how many items you run and how much cash you touch. Then align your choice to the waiver rules, the free items, and the free cash cap. After that, decide whether you want to bundle payments and whether you need a trusted path to SBA lending.

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