Unable to open a business checking account for a sole proprietorship because banks require articles of incorporation, which don't exist for unregistered sole proprietors.

Business bank account applications assume all businesses have articles of incorporation, leaving unregistered sole proprietors without a straightforward application path.

Severity

3Medium

Willingness to Pay

implied

Added

May 31, 2026

Workarounds Described

Attempted to use American Express but application rejected due to missing articles of incorporation

Implied Software Gaps

Business banking service that accepts sole proprietors without incorporation documents

App Concept

SoloCheck

A digital-first business bank account built specifically for unregistered sole proprietors and freelancers. Accepts EIN or SSN, no incorporation documents needed. Seamless integration with trust and personal accounts.

Key Features

No articles of incorporation required
Apply with EIN or SSN only
Separate account for trust properties
No monthly fees for low revenue accounts
Mobile deposit and online bill pay

Target Users: Unregistered sole proprietors (e.g., cottage rental owners, freelancers, gig workers) in the U.S. with low annual revenue.

Revenue Model: Freemium: free account with limited transactions; $9/mo premium plan with unlimited transactions and additional features.

Existing Solutions Mentioned

American Express business checking

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