US business banking, from anywhere
Mercury and Relay account support, plus Stripe payment setup. We check the requirements before you apply; the provider decides approval.
EasyFormX is not a bank. Mercury and Relay are fintech companies; banking services come from their partner banks, Members FDIC.
The right setup starts with what you need
Three providers, one honest comparison
Mercury
Best for: receiving USD funds, paying suppliers and connecting financial tools.
- ✓ Online application, business and owner verification
- ✓ No required monthly fee or minimum balance
- ✓ USD payments and international wires
- ✓ Stripe, Shopify and Amazon payouts
- ✓ QuickBooks and Xero
Country, address and activity requirements checked before you apply.
Relay
Best for: separate accounts for income, expenses, taxes and reserves.
- ✓ Online application for supported businesses
- ✓ Multiple checking accounts, cash-allocation tools
- ✓ Free Starter plan, paid plans available
- ✓ Physical and virtual cards, subject to eligibility
- ✓ QuickBooks and Xero
Non-resident requirements need careful review.
Stripe Payments
Best for: collecting customer payments online.
- ✓ Payment Links and checkout
- ✓ Cards and other supported methods
- ✓ Recurring billing
- ✓ Payouts to a linked account
- ✓ Business, identity and tax verification
Not a bank account. Stripe Atlas and Treasury are separate products.
Mercury, Relay and Stripe at a glance
As of October 2026. We confirm the current rules before you apply. Scroll the table sideways.
| Feature | Mercury | Relay | Stripe Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Business banking platform | Business banking platform | Payment processing |
| Is it a bank? | No · Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC | No · Thread Bank, Member FDIC | No · separate Treasury product |
| Non-US founders | Supported, with country restrictions | Supported cases; US presence and address rules need confirmation | US-registered company route, subject to verification |
| SSN or ITIN | Passport route; no universal ITIN requirement | SSN or passport number; some cases need confirmation | Non-US tax-ID route for eligible representatives |
| Address | US legal address plus a real operating address, which can be abroad | Physical address and US-presence rules; confirm your case | Real business location; no P.O. box |
| Base fees | Core banking $0/month | $0 Starter; paid plans from $30 | Per-transaction pricing; no monthly fee |
| Review timing | Usually 1–2 business days initial review | Usually 1–2 business days initial review | No universal target; first payout usually 7–14 days after first payment |
| Best for | Central USD account and international payments | Cash allocation and bookkeeping collaboration | Customer checkout, payment links, subscriptions |
Eligible deposits may receive expanded FDIC coverage through each provider’s sweep program, subject to program terms and limits. Insurance protects against the failure of a partner bank, not against losses from investments or provider insolvency.
What you need before applying
We help you prepare accurate information, not bypass provider rules.
How our application support works
Need the company or an ITIN first?
We also form Wyoming and Texas LLCs and help with ITIN applications.
Questions before you start
Can I open a US business account without visiting the US?
Eligible non-US founders can apply online without a branch visit. That does not mean every business qualifies. Owners, countries, activity, documents and addresses must meet the provider's requirements. We review those points before recommending an application.
Do I need an ITIN or SSN?
Not always. Requirements depend on the provider and the person being verified. Mercury accepts passports from international applicants, and Stripe describes a non-US tax-ID route for qualifying representatives. We do not sell an ITIN as a universal prerequisite.
Do I need an LLC and EIN first?
For the US-company route covered here, you normally need formation documents and an EIN with accepted IRS confirmation. A company and EIN support your application; they do not guarantee approval.
Can I use my registered-agent address?
It depends on the field and the provider. A legal address is not always an acceptable operating address, and providers may ask where you actually work and request proof. Never present a mailbox as your real office.
Are Mercury and Relay banks?
No. They are financial technology companies. Mercury's banking services are provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A.; Relay's are provided by Thread Bank. These banks are Members FDIC. Insurance eligibility and limits depend on the account and program terms.
Is Stripe a bank account?
Not automatically. Stripe Payments helps you accept customer payments. Stripe Treasury is a separate product with financial accounts for eligible users. We identify the exact product rather than promising a generic "Stripe bank account".
How long does approval take?
Mercury and Relay publish initial-review guidance of around 1–2 business days, but extra checks can take longer. Stripe has no universal approval deadline. Our preparation time is separate. We do not guarantee approval or a completion date.
Can I receive Stripe, Shopify or Amazon payouts?
Mercury and Relay publish workflows for marketplace and payment-platform payouts. The sending platform must also accept your account and business details, and names should match the legal account holder.
Not answered here? Talk to a real person.
Check your options before you apply.
Tell us where you live, how your business works and what payments you need to handle.
EasyFormX is a private service provider, not the IRS, a government agency, a law firm or a bank.
US business banking, from anywhere
Mercury and Relay account support, plus Stripe payment setup, for non-US founders. We check the requirements before you apply; the provider decides approval.
EasyFormX is not a bank. Mercury and Relay are financial technology companies; banking services are provided by their partner banks, Members FDIC.
The right setup starts with what you need
Need an account for business funds?
To receive payouts, hold money and pay expenses, we help you explore Mercury or Relay.
Need to accept customer payments?
For checkout, payment links and subscriptions, we help you prepare for Stripe Payments.
Many founders need both
Banking and payment processing are different services. We check your business, owners, countries and documents before recommending a route.
Connected through official partnerships
Our partner relationships do not guarantee approval, waive eligibility rules or make us a bank. They mean we know the process and prepare you for it properly.
Mercury
EasyFormX is an official Mercury partner. We help you understand Mercury’s application steps and prepare the information Mercury requests. Mercury reviews every application and decides eligibility.
Relay
EasyFormX is an official partner in the Relay Partner Program. We help you understand Relay’s steps and the requirements that need checking. Relay decides approval and available services.
We may receive a referral payment from Mercury or Relay when a referral meets the provider’s terms. Any EasyFormX service fee is shown separately.
Three providers, one honest comparison
Mercury and Relay offer banking through partner banks. Stripe is payment processing. They are not interchangeable.
Mercury
Best for: founders who want to receive USD funds, pay suppliers and connect their financial tools.
We check country, address, document and activity requirements before recommending an application.
Relay
Best for: businesses that want separate accounts for income, expenses, taxes and reserves.
Non-resident requirements need careful review. Account approval does not automatically include international-wire access.
Stripe Payments
Best for: SaaS businesses, agencies, freelancers and online sellers collecting customer payments.
Stripe Payments, Stripe Atlas and Stripe Treasury are separate products. We explain which one your application covers. Stripe is not a bank.
Mercury, Relay and Stripe at a glance
As of October 2026. We confirm the current rules before you apply.
| Feature | Mercury | Relay | Stripe Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Business banking platform | Business banking platform | Payment processing |
| Is it a bank? | No · Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC | No · Thread Bank, Member FDIC | No · separate Treasury product |
| Non-US founders | Supported, with country restrictions | Supported cases; US presence and address rules need confirmation | US-registered company route, subject to verification |
| SSN or ITIN | Passport route; no universal ITIN requirement | SSN or passport number; some cases need confirmation | Non-US tax-ID route for eligible representatives |
| Address | US legal address plus a real operating address, which can be abroad | Physical address and US-presence rules; confirm your case | Real business location; no P.O. box |
| Base fees | Core banking $0/month | $0 Starter; paid plans from $30 | Per-transaction pricing; no monthly fee |
| Review timing | Usually 1–2 business days initial review | Usually 1–2 business days initial review | No universal target; first payout usually 7–14 days after first payment |
| Best for | Central USD account and international payments | Cash allocation and bookkeeping collaboration | Customer checkout, payment links, subscriptions |
Eligible deposits may receive expanded FDIC coverage through each provider’s sweep program, subject to program terms and limits. Insurance protects against the failure of an insured bank, not every type of loss.
What you need before applying
Your checklist depends on the provider and your business. It usually includes:
How our application support works
Check your situation
Company, owners, residence, activity and payment needs.
Review the available route
We compare your information with current provider requirements.
Prepare your documents
A checklist and a review of what you plan to submit. Target: a few business days.
Complete the application
You complete the provider’s identity checks and approve what is submitted.
Handle the next steps
Requests for more information explained and, if approved, your account setup.
Need the company or an ITIN first?
We also form Wyoming and Texas LLCs and help with ITIN applications.
Questions before you start
Not answered here? Talk to a real person. We usually reply within 5 minutes.
Can I open a US business account without visiting the US?
Eligible non-US founders can apply online without a branch visit. That does not mean every business qualifies. Owners, countries, activity, documents and addresses must meet the provider's requirements. We review those points before recommending an application.
Do I need an ITIN or SSN?
Not always. Requirements depend on the provider and the person being verified. Mercury accepts passports from international applicants, and Stripe describes a non-US tax-ID route for qualifying representatives. We do not sell an ITIN as a universal prerequisite.
Do I need an LLC and EIN first?
For the US-company route covered here, you normally need formation documents and an EIN with accepted IRS confirmation. A company and EIN support your application; they do not guarantee approval.
Can I use my registered-agent address?
It depends on the field and the provider. A legal address is not always an acceptable operating address, and providers may ask where you actually work and request proof. Never present a mailbox as your real office.
Are Mercury and Relay banks?
No. They are financial technology companies. Mercury's banking services are provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A.; Relay's are provided by Thread Bank. These banks are Members FDIC. Insurance eligibility and limits depend on the account and program terms.
Is Stripe a bank account?
Not automatically. Stripe Payments helps you accept customer payments. Stripe Treasury is a separate product with financial accounts for eligible users. We identify the exact product rather than promising a generic "Stripe bank account".
How long does approval take?
Mercury and Relay publish initial-review guidance of around 1–2 business days, but extra checks can take longer. Stripe has no universal approval deadline. Our preparation time is separate. We do not guarantee approval or a completion date.
Can I receive Stripe, Shopify or Amazon payouts?
Mercury and Relay publish workflows for marketplace and payment-platform payouts. The sending platform must also accept your account and business details, and names should match the legal account holder.
Does your partner status guarantee approval?
No. We can guide you through the permitted application route, but the provider and its banking partners make the decision. Our partnership does not waive country, identity, address or compliance requirements.
Can an account be restricted or closed later?
Yes. Providers may review accounts after opening and request updated information. Keep accurate records and respond to requests. EasyFormX cannot guarantee continued account access.
Check your options before you apply.
Tell us where you live, how your business works and what payments you need to handle. We will help you identify the requirements and the questions to resolve.
EasyFormX is a private service provider, not the IRS, a government agency, a law firm or a bank.