Choosing the right financial relationship truly matters to the life of a small business. The support from a financial institution can help enormously to enable businesses to reach their full growth potential. The right fit is not just about the financial products and services; the insights and guidance that bankers can offer are often an important way to help steer a business owner to success.
Here are four tips from Chris Ward, Head of Small Business Banking at TD Bank U.S., to help business owners find the best banking match to meet the needs of their small business.
- Find a bank that genuinely cares about you as an individual business (this is most important). Every small business is unique, so seek out a bank that really sees you as more than just a number. At TD, we have a level of customer service and expertise for every size business to meet their specific needs.
- Make sure the bank has dedicated experts who are specifically trained to understand small businesses' challenges and goals, along with what it takes to succeed in multiple industries. Make sure you can have easy access to these professionals, both in-person and virtually, so you can speak to them as questions and concerns arise instead of waiting for a quarterly or annual business check-in.
- Open communication with your relationship manager about the state of the business is essential. When owners don't feel comfortable talking about the highs and lows of their business, they may miss out on valuable products and guidance that could help the business succeed.
- Find a bank that has deep ties in the communities where they operate. Small businesses are invested locally and can benefit enormously from working with a bank that has community relationships and can recommend resources or connections to the business owner.
We hope you found this helpful. This article is for informational purposes only and is based on information available as of February 2026 and is subject to change. This content is not intended to be used or acted upon with respect to any client's specific circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with your qualified professionals.
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