How to Open a Small Business Account

Thank you for choosing CIBC as your business banking partner. Opening a CIBC Business Banking Account is a quick and easy process.

We offer a choice of three accounts to meet the needs of your business:

CIBC Business Operating Account™, Additional Option – a Canadian dollar account for the day-to-day operation of your business
CIBC Business Interest Account® – a tiered investment savings account for business clients, available only in Canadian dollars
CIBC US Dollar Current Account – an operating account for businesses that is designed to meet your U.S. business needs

Step 1 - Getting started

Complete the Small Business Account Application (700 KB)
Use our Branch Locator to find details of the CIBC branch closest to you. Contact the branch to schedule an appointment. You may be asked to provide an application in advance to ensure that the appointment is quick and convenient.

Please note: You can also choose to visit a CIBC branch that is convenient for you. If you and the other principals or signing officers are present with the required business documents, a CIBC advisor may be able to open the account at that time.

If you require assistance, please call CIBC Telephone Banking at 1-800-465-2422.

Step 2 - Preparing for your appointment

In order to ensure that your appointment is quick and easy, all principals and signing officers for the business should attend. Please bring the following:

Your completed Small Business Account Application (unless you have been asked to provide this before your appointment)
Two pieces of original identification (including one with a photo) for each principal and signing officer
Documentation specific to your business type, as outlined below:

Business Structure	Required Documents
Sole Proprietor	Original business name registration (if you are using a business name)
Partnership	Original partnership registration (or, where provincial law does not require registration, your partnership agreement)
Corporation	Original articles or certificate of incorporation Most recent filing with your incorporating jurisdiction listing your directors Trade Name Registration (if applicable) If your corporation has been in existence for more than one year, one of the following documents, issued within the last year: Certificate of Corporate Status Certificate of Existence Company's Annual Report for past fiscal year Company's most recent Notice of Assessment Current business license or vendor permits Current health or safety certificates Current liquor license
Unincorporated Association	Association's original constitution and bylaws

Additional documentation may be required at the time your application is reviewed by a CIBC advisor.

™ Trademark of CIBC
® Registered Trademark of CIBC
† "Adobe", "Acrobat", and "Acrobat Reader" are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

The information in this article is general only; it is not intended as specific investment, financial, accounting, legal or tax advice for any individual.