Lili offers business banking that provides tax-planning tools specifically designed to help small-business owners effectively manage their expenses.
- Update 10/7/2023: The $100 bonus is still paused but Lili offers a great product designed for your business banking.
- Update 4/17/2023: Reportedly, Lili Banking is enrolling everyone into a free trial of their pro account which costs $9 per month. After the 2-month trial, you’ll be charged $9 every month unless you cancel it yourself.
Lili was initially launched in 2018 as a business checking account geared towards freelancers. However, over time, they have broadened their scope and diversified their business account offerings in order to cater to a more extensive range of small-business owners.
Some recent enhancements to Lili’s online business checking accounts consist of increased deposit and transfer limits for their free business checking account, along with the addition of desktop access for all business account holders. This is a significant development, as previously, Lili was only accessible through their mobile app.
Additionally, they now allow you to open an account under your business name instead of your personal name, which is crucial for limited liability companies (LLCs) and other types of business entities.
It’s important to note that while Lili is now accessible to LLCs, S corporations, and businesses operating as general or limited liability partnerships, it still has some limitations in terms of basic business features.
For instance, Lili does not currently support joint accounts. Furthermore, you’re not able to write checks, or send or receive wire transfers using your Lili account.
Keep reading to uncover how Lili’s features can transform your small business’s financial management and boost your success.
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Lili Banking $100 Sign Up Bonus & $100 Per Referral
Update: As of February 20, 2022, the referral program has been paused.
- What you’ll get: $100 sign up; $100 per referral
- Where it’s available: Nationwide
- How to earn it:
- Sign up for a Lili account via a referral link and within 45 calendar days of opening the account, receive at least $250 in a single qualifying Direct Deposit (a qualified Direct Deposit is defined as a Payroll Deposit or a payment from a Gig Economy Payer).
- Once you have an active account, you can earn $100 per qualified referral (up to $1,000) who signs up for an account via your referral link and within 45 calendar days of opening the account, receive at least $250 in a single qualifying Direct Deposit (a qualified Direct Deposit is defined as a Payroll Deposit or a payment from a Gig Economy Payer).
- See the referral program terms here.
- When it expires: Not listed
How To Earn The Bonus
- Sign up for a Lili account via a referral link and within 45 calendar days of opening the account, receive at least $250 in a single qualifying Direct Deposit (a qualified Direct Deposit is defined as a Payroll Deposit or a payment from a Gig Economy Payer).
- Once you have an active account, you can earn $100 per qualified referral (up to $500) who signs up for an account via your referral link and within 45 calendar days of opening the account, receive at least $250 in a single qualifying Direct Deposit (a qualified Direct Deposit is defined as a Payroll Deposit or a payment from a Gig Economy Payer).
*Note: We don’t have a personal referral link to share. Current account holders are welcome to leave referral details in the comments section below.
Here are some referral links from readers you can try:
READ MORE: WELCOME OFFERS FROM CHASE, BANK OF AMERICA, TD BANK, AXOS, AND BMO.
About Lili Business Checking Accounts
Lili offers two types of business accounts for you to choose from: Lili Basic (free) and Lili Pro ($9 per month).
Lili Basic is the company’s free business checking account that doesn’t require any minimum opening deposit. It comes with a variety of digital tools designed to help you manage expenses, monitor tax deductions, save for taxes, and accept customer payments all within a single account. Additionally, Lili Basic includes an early payment feature that enables you to receive specific ACH payments up to two days earlier than usual.
On the other hand, Lili Pro is an upgraded version that provides extra business management tools and offers cash-back rewards on select purchases made with your Lili Visa business debit card. This premium account also features BalanceUp, which covers up to $200 in debit overdrafts at no additional cost (terms apply), and a business savings account that earns interest (see rate below).
It’s important to note that Lili’s banking services are provided by Choice Financial Group, and all account deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Lili business checking is particularly well-suited for small-business owners who:
- Seek integrated tools for expense sorting and tax-saving purposes.
- Make only a few cash deposits.
- Require just one business debit card.
- Do not need access to a physical branch location.
Lili Basic Vs. Lili Pro
Lili Basic | Lili Pro | |
---|---|---|
Monthly fee | $0. | $9. |
Minimum opening deposit requirement | $0. | $0. |
APY | None. | Lili Pro Checking: None Lili Savings*: 2.00% APY *Lili Savings is available only to Pro account holders. |
Transactions | Unlimited. | Unlimited. |
Bonus | None. | None. |
READ MORE: Chase Business Complete℠ Banking Sign-Up Bonus
Opening A Lili Business Checking Account
Initially created with freelancers and independent contractors in mind, Lili now caters to a wider range of business entities, including:
- Sole proprietors
- LLCs
- S-corporations
- Partnerships (general and limited liability)
However, Lili does not accommodate B corporations, C corporations, and nonprofits. Additionally, certain types of businesses like trusts, crowdfunding, and cryptocurrency operations, as well as those in the gambling or cannabis industries, are not supported.
To open a Lili bank account, you can either apply online or use their mobile app, and the process only takes a few minutes. Upon submitting your application, you should receive approval and access to your account almost immediately. If you apply online, Lili will send you a verification code through a text message or email, which you will use to link your account to the mobile app.
No matter which method you choose to sign up for Lili banking, you’ll primarily use the mobile app to fund your account and manage your expenses. You can add funds to your account through direct deposit, ACH transfers, mobile check deposits, or by connecting external bank accounts or platforms like Venmo and PayPal.
While it may take up to two weeks for your Lili Visa business debit card to arrive, a digital version of the card will be accessible through the Lili app. The app’s main screen will also display the progress of your physical card delivery.
After receiving your card in the mail, you must activate it within the app before using it.
READ MORE: Best Chase Bank Bonuses Currently Available
Opening A Lili Account: Required Information And Documentation
To apply for a Lili account, you must be prepared to supply the following details and documents:
Personal Information: This includes your name, mobile phone number, date of birth, home address, and Social Security number. Note that this information is mandatory for anyone with 25% or more ownership in the company.
Business Information: You’ll need to provide details about your industry, business entity type, physical mailing address (P.O. boxes are not accepted), the state where your business is registered, and your employer identification number (EIN), if applicable.
Depending on your business type, you may also need to submit additional documents, such as your IRS EIN letter, articles of organization, or partnership agreement.
READ MORE: Bank of America Checking Account Bonus Offer
Lili Business Checking: Key Features And Advantages
Lili business checking stands out in several ways, including:
- Minimal fees: With Lili, you’ll encounter no monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, minimum opening deposits, or transaction fees (except for cash deposits). They don’t charge for returned items or stop payments, and there’s no foreign exchange rate adjustment fee for debit card purchases made outside the U.S. However, fees apply for using out-of-network ATMs ($2.50 domestically at non-MoneyPass ATMs and $5 internationally).
- Integrated tools for expenses and taxes: The Lili app offers tools to manage expenses and plan for taxes. You can categorize expenses by swiping left for personal or right for business. You can also edit preselected expense categories, add receipts to transactions, download expense reports, and track spending insights in real-time.
- Tax Bucket feature: Lili allows you to set aside a predetermined percentage of funds whenever you get paid. Use the tax estimation tool to determine how much you should save, and manually add or remove funds from your Tax Bucket as needed.
- Emergency Bucket: Save for emergencies by setting aside a fixed daily amount in the Emergency Bucket.
- Faster access to ACH payments: Lili enables you to receive select funds up to two days earlier than with a traditional bank. This early payment feature applies to direct deposits, ACH transfers, and transfers from Cash App when linked to your Lili account.
- Free overdraft protection: Lili Pro users can qualify for up to $200 in free overdraft protection through the BalanceUp program (terms apply). To qualify, you need at least $500 in qualifying monthly deposits. Overdraft coverage applies only to debit card purchases, and any negative balance must be resolved within 30 days.
READ MORE: Chase Total Checking® Account Welcome Bonus
Lili Business Checking: Areas For Improvement
While Lili business checking offers various advantages, there are some areas where it falls short:
- Limited business-related features: Despite offering many useful tools, Lili lacks certain basic features that competitors provide. Shortcomings include:
- No joint accounts or multiple business debit cards.
- Inability to pay by check or send/receive wire transfers.
- Limited weekend support: Lili’s customer support is available by phone and email on weekdays (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time), but only email support is provided on weekends.
- Deposit fees and limits: Lili has certain restrictions and fees related to deposits, including:
- Cash deposits at Green Dot locations are limited to $1,000 per day and $9,000 per month, with a $4.95 fee per deposit.
- Mobile check deposits via the Lili app are restricted to two checks per day (15 per month) and a maximum of $5,000 per day ($50,000 per month).
For businesses that require features such as wire transfers or multiple debit cards, consider alternatives like Mercury Business Bank Account.
If accessible customer support is crucial, Axos Basic Business Checking (bonus available) offers 24/7 support.
Lastly, for higher mobile check deposit limits, consider options like Bluevine Business Checking or Axos Business Checking.
READ MORE: Seeking Alpha Limited-Time Promo Discount
Bottom Line
As you consider Lili business banking, it’s important to weigh both the positives and negatives to determine if it’s the right fit for your business.
On the positive side, Lili offers minimal fees, integrated tools for expense and tax management, and the added convenience of faster access to ACH payments. The Tax Bucket and Emergency Bucket features can be especially beneficial to small-business owners looking to stay organized and prepared for unforeseen expenses.
However, it’s also essential to recognize that Lili has some limitations, such as limited business-related features and weekend support. For some businesses, the absence of joint accounts, multiple debit cards, and wire transfer capabilities might be deal-breakers. Additionally, the deposit limits and fees might not be suitable for businesses that handle large volumes of cash or check transactions.
In conclusion, Lili business banking could be an excellent choice for small-business owners who want a user-friendly platform with integrated tools to help manage expenses and save for taxes. However, if your business requires more advanced features or more comprehensive customer support, you might want to explore other options.
By evaluating the pros and cons based on your specific business needs, you can select a banking solution that best supports your growth and success.
READ MORE: SEE THE BEST BANK BONUSES HERE AND THE BEST INVESTING BONUSES HERE.
Hey, if you join Lili, we will both earn $100!
Earn $100 for every friend who joins and receives a qualifying direct deposit* of at least $250 within the first 45 days.
https://get.lili.co/referral?r=JeffreyChiu
Hey, if you join Lili, we will both earn $100! I use it and I really recommend it – it’s a bank account designed specifically for freelancers like us! https://get.lili.co/referral?r=GeorgePeterson
my phone can’t get app’s. any idea if this account be opened with a laptop ?
https://get.lili.co/referral?r=ScottDenton
$100 – just spend $250 on the virtual debit card (cashapp loads count)
Great Deal! Use this referral link to get your extra $50. You can also get an extra $70 by going through the Drop app. Use Lili link: https://get.lili.co/referral?r=ConnerJohnson
Don’t forget to spend $250 on the debit card in the first 45 days!
PS: If you go through the Drop app, make sure to enter the code “ConnerJohnson” instead of following this link, as that will ensure you stack the $70 from drop with the $50 referral.
Hey!
I think you’d love Lili – a new bank account designed for freelancers! If you use this code when you create your account, you’ll receive a $50 sign up bonus when you start using your card! https://get.lili.co/referral?r=506caz
Refferal code: 506caz
Used Marco’s link below, I’d be really grateful if you can use mine! 🙂
https://get.lili.co/referral?r=5060vq
You can alternatively enter the code “5060vq” during registration.
Just to make it clear, you need to sign up using the link/code above and spend $250 using the debit card to get the $50 bonus. Thanks a bunch once again
Hello;
Use my referral link for the $50 bonus.
https://get.lili.co/referral?r=505Zwk
Hey!
I think you’d love Lili – a new bank account designed for freelancers! If you use this code when you create your account, you’ll receive a $50 sign up bonus when you start using your card!
Referral code for $50 signup! https://get.lili.co/referral?r=505hr7
I think you’d love Lili – a new bank account designed for freelancers! If you use this code when you create your account, you’ll receive a $25 sign up bonus when you start using your card! https://get.lili.co/referral?r=504TAS
I dont think they offer this any more
They offer this one
https://get.lili.co/referral?r=504TAS