Looking for a game-changer when managing your finances? Say hello to Mercury, your go-to fintech solution for all things banking minus the hassle of a traditional bank.
Plus, with built-in expense tracking, seamless integration with accounting software like Quickbooks and Xero, and a transparent fee structure, managing your finances has never been easier or more transparent.
It’s banking made simple.
The good news is: that even if you are a non-US resident, you can still experience Mercury’s incredible features. All you need is a US LLC, and you’re good to go.
Mercury Account – Understanding The Basics
What is Mercury?
Mercury is a fintech company that does everything a bank could do. It is not a bank, but an online banking platform founded to empower businesses with modern financial tools. Long story short, it provides a seamless banking experience entirely online.
Although not exactly a bank, it provides a bank account with an account number and routing number.
With Mercury, you can open a business account, manage transactions, integrate with other financial tools, and more, all from the comfort of your computer or mobile device.
Why Mercury?
You’ll love Mercury’s convenience, efficiency, and flexibility. Let’s go through the top 7 key benefits, and why entrepreneurs love them:
– No ‘minimum balance’ requirements: Unlike traditional banks, Mercury doesn’t force that concept, and makes it accessible to businesses of all sizes.
- No costs for opening the account. You don’t need to pay to get one.
- Free ACH transfers within the United States. You send $100. The receiving party gets $100. No fees for ACH transfers whatsoever.
– Built-in expense tracking: You can easily categorize and track business expenses directly within the Mercury dashboard, simplifying budgeting and financial reporting.
– Integration with accounting software: Connecting your Mercury account with accounting software can be done easily. It integrates perfectly with Quickbooks and Xero to automate your financial workflows.
– Transparent fee structure: Mercury strives for transparency. In other words, it offers straightforward pricing with no hidden fees, and you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for.
– 24/7 customer support: Whenever you find yourself stuck in a problem, Mercury’s responsive customer support team is available around the clock.
Mercury Business Account Requirements
To open a Mercury business bank account, you must have a US company.
Don’t be confused. You can do it from anywhere in the world.
Here is a simple explanation of the whole process – to open a US bank account, you need an EIN. To get an EIN, you need to have an LLC.
(It sounds complicated, but it’s straightforward. You have our word.)
Plus, with the Neubase process, we handle everything from start to finish. Every step is done in roughly 4 weeks, and it’s mostly a waiting queue for the US authorities to approve your company’s EIN.
Also, here is the Neubase ultimate guide on how to start your US LLC from anywhere.
Having said that, to create a Mercury business account, you must meet certain conditions:
Legal entity
As a foreigner, you must operate as a legal entity, such as a corporation (C-Corp), or LLC (Limited Liability Company).
Business address
Your business needs to be registered in the United States. Even though you are remotely operating and you don’t need to be a US citizen or resident, your LLC should have a registered physical address in the US for official correspondence. The registered agent’s address does the job.
Your residence
You can run the business from anywhere in the world, except from some countries that are not allowed. These countries are under US sanctions and therefore US companies must not work with citizens of these countries. These are countries such as North Korea, Russia, Iran, and a few others.
On top of those countries, residents of some restricted countries also cannot open business bank accounts for their US companies. The full list of restricted and prohibited countries is available here.
Compliance
Compliance with financial regulations is crucial. You may need to provide additional information or documentation to ensure compliance.
American institutions have flagged some countries as risky countries, due to connections with criminal and terrorist groups, low level of fight against money laundering, and insufficient level of rules of law.
If you come from such a country, Mercury or any other financial company is obliged to ask you for additional documentation, such as a utility bill, insurance policy with your name on it, pay stub, etc.
Business Activity
Your business activity should be legal and not involved in any prohibited or restricted industries. Mercury may have specific guidelines regarding the types of businesses they accept. Some of the restricted industries include gambling, adult entertainment, cannabis products, and similar risky activities.
Preparing your documentation
Let’s say – you decided to go on this road by doing it yourself.
Remember to verify your identity and business information during the account creation process.
You’ll need to provide certain documentation. While the specific documents required may vary depending on factors such as your business structure and location, here are some commonly requested documents:
– Proof of identity: Valid government-issued identification documents, which for foreigners means a passport, for the individual(s) associated with the account. Mercury requires this for each LLC member who owns at least 25% of the LLC.
– Proof of address: Utility bills, bank statements, or other official documents verifying your residential or business address. Not all members are required to submit this, but if you are from a risky country, they will ask for it.
– Business formation documents: Depending on your business structure, you may need to provide documents such as articles of incorporation, partnership agreements, or registration certificates. You also need to provide the EIN letter to the IRS.
– Tax identification number: For businesses registered in the United States, you’ll need to provide your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The other option is to become part of our growing global business community and let us do every step of the process for you.
To start, check out the Neubase packages.
Create a Mercury Account – Step-by-Step
Now that you’re familiar with the requirements, let’s get a closer look into the step-by-step process of creating your Mercury account.
Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner, these simple steps will guide you through the account setup seamlessly.
Step 1: Sign Up Online
The first step in creating your Mercury account is to visit the Mercury website and initiate the signup process. From the homepage, start with a simple click on the ‘Open Account’ and apply within 10 minutes.
Click here to start the process.
Upon clicking the signup button, you’ll be prompted to provide basic information about yourself. This may include your name, email address, business name, and country of incorporation. Take your time to accurately fill out this information, as it will form the foundation of your Mercury account.
Step 2: Provide Required Information
Once you’ve entered the initial details, you’ll be guided through a series of screens where you’ll need to provide additional information to complete your account setup. This may include:
– Business details: Provide information about your business, such as its legal structure, industry, and anticipated monthly transaction volume.
– Owner information: If you’re the owner or representative of the business, you’ll need to provide details about yourself, including your date of birth, address, and social security number or tax identification number.
Ensure that all information provided is accurate and up-to-date to avoid any delays or complications during the account verification process.
Step 3: Verification Process
Once you’ve submitted the required information, Mercury will begin the verification process to confirm your identity and validate your business details. This typically involves a combination of automated checks and manual reviews by Mercury’s compliance team.
During the verification process, you may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your application. This could include copies of your business formation documents, identification documents, or proof of address.
Step 4: Accessing Your Mercury Dashboard
Once your account has been successfully verified, you’ll receive access to your Mercury dashboard, for managing your business finances. From the dashboard, you can:
– View account balances: Monitor your account balances and track incoming and outgoing transactions in real time.
– Initiate transfers: Easily transfer funds between your Mercury account and external bank accounts.
– Manage payments: Set up one-time or recurring payments to vendors, suppliers, or employees directly from your Mercury account.
– Access additional features: Explore additional features and integrations available within the Mercury platform to streamline your financial operations.
Once you get to this phase, we can say congratulations! This means that you previously started your US LLC and now you have gained access to a world-class bank.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – creating a Mercury account from anywhere in Europe is not only possible but also a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. With its seamless online banking platform, Mercury offers the convenience, transparency, and 24/7 customer support that entrepreneurs love.
To kickstart the process, all you need is to start your US LLC. Your US LLC can be done all by yourself or with Neubase support. Once you’ve completed the setup, the step-by-step process provided by Mercury makes account creation a breeze.
So, whether you’re a freelancer, startup founder, or small business owner, you can schedule a ‘1-on-1’ consultation with Petar, and thank yourself later.
