Oxygen Business Banking Review 2024

Is It the Best Bank for Your Startup?

Oxygen Business Banking Review image - 3.7/5

Oxygen is a financial technology company that is focused on mobile banking. Its primary offerings include personal and business checking accounts, which can be accessed through the Oxygen app. In fact, the company won awards for Best Digital Bank and Best Overall Mobile App at the Fintech Breakthrough Awards in 2021. 

The Oxygen business account is particularly advantageous for small-business owners seeking an economical approach to segregating their personal and business finances and managing them while on the move, as it has no monthly fees and allows for unlimited fee-free transactions. 

Oxygen’s core product is its Business Deposit Account, and its Visa debit card earns users cash back and other rewards linked to its loyalty program. What’s more, the company even provides incorporation services. 

With all of this in mind, let’s take a closer look at what Oxygen offers, its pros and cons, and how it compares to similar banks to see if it’s the best startup bank for your needs.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Startups review to find the right bank or online banking platform for your company’s specific needs.

Oxygen Bank Eligibility Requirements

At present, to be eligible to be approved for an Oxygen Business Account, you need to be residing and conducting business within the United States. However, Oxygen is actively striving to expand its services to foreign individuals and businesses in the near future. 

Your business can be of any age as long as it is currently active and in good standing with the state where it is located. Approval to open an Oxygen Business Deposit Account does not depend on a personal credit check. 

To form an LLC, S corporation, or C corporation through Oxygen’s partner CorpNet Inc., you'll need to apply for a Personal Oxygen Deposit Account (i.e., not a Business Deposit Account). 

Once you create your new login, you may need to provide certain documentation, such as:

  • Articles of Incorporation (corporation) or Articles of Organization (LLC)
  • Resolution of Authority specifying the individual(s) authorized to act for the entity
  • Operating agreement (LLCs)
  • Business license 
  • Certificate of Good Standing 
  • Assumed Name Certificate (if applicable) 

For established businesses, notification regarding the status of your application will be provided within five business days. For new businesses that need to undergo formation as an LLC or corporation, the application process may take two to four weeks.

If your business is a sole proprietorship, and you wish to establish a formal business entity such as an LLC, S corp, or C corp, choose the "New Business" option in the Oxygen app or website. You'll need to pay the account formation fee of $199.20 plus state filing fees, which vary by state. 

Oxygen cannot open accounts for the following types of businesses:

  • Financial services
  • Insurance business and services
  • Marijuana-related business and services
  • Gambling businesses and services

Pros and Cons of Oxygen Bank

Pros of Oxygen Bank

  • No monthly fees
  • No minimum amount required to start an account
  • No requirement to maintain a minimum balance
  • Unlimited no-fee transactions
  • No-fee ATM access through the Allpoint network
  • Cash deposits possible through Green Dot network
  • Oxygen Visa Business Debit Card pays cash backs
  • Travel perks and other rewards

Cons of Oxygen Bank

  • Service fee of up to $4.95 for each cash deposit
  • Cannot send domestic or international wire transfer of funds 
  • Cannot receive international wire transfers of funds 
  • Does not facilitate multi-user accounts

Oxygen Bank Products, Pricing and Features

Oxygen Business Checking Account Features

The Oxygen Business Checking Account is one that many small business owners will find suitable, since eligibility requirements are at a minimum: mostly, your business just needs to be based in the US. 

Additionally, the account comes with few fees; there are no monthly charges and no charges on transactions, regardless of volume. There is also no minimum amount required to start an account nor any requirement to maintain a minimum balance. 

Cash Management
The Oxygen Checking Account only facilitates electronic transactions. You won’t be able to write checks. But there are other benefits, such as online bill pay, early direct deposits, person-to-person transfers with other Oxygen account holders, and the capability to deposit checks using the app.

Cash deposits can be made through the Green Dot network. Withdrawals can be made fee-free through the Allpoint network.

Debit Cards
Add-ons for the online and mobile environments include the capability to generate temporary or reusable virtual cards. These cards are linked to your account and can be used to make purchases online or over the phone without presenting your physical business debit card. Up to 10 virtual cards, with a $1,000 limit on each card, can be created and be active at any one time. 

App Management
Managing your account is a cinch through the app. You can set a monthly limit on expenditures, authorize vendors or remove their authorization, and freeze or cancel virtual cards. Versions of the Oxygen mobile app are available for both iOS and Android devices. And the software is compatible with most mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Incorporation Services
For the Oxygen Checking Account, the icing on the cake is the collaboration with CorpNet, Inc. which allows users to create and register a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation through the app. This may be done before actually opening an Oxygen account. Creating a formal business entity is a sure way to signal your readiness to do serious business. 

Rewards Program Benefits

Oxygen Bank’s rewards program comes in four tiers: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. Each loyalty tier carries a different level of cost and benefits. Costs range from a $0 annual fee for Earth membership to a $199.99 annual fee for Fire membership. Some notable features are:

  • Cash back of up to 6%
  • Savings APY of up to 3%
  • Travel Benefits

The rewards and benefits of the Oxygen Account are quite lavish. For the biggest spenders — subscribers to Oxygen’s Fire Program, which means an annual expenditure of $12,000 and an annual fee of $199.99 — the cash back for using the Visa debit card is 6%, and the APY on the savings account is a whopping 3%.

Purchases earn the 6% cash back at the following vendors: Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Uber, Lyft, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, PSN, Xbox, Nintendo Store, GameStop, and at all gas stations. For coffee lovers, there’s a dollar off on every cup you purchase at Starbucks. 

Travel benefits include an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, insurance on baggage delay, lost luggage, and hotel theft, as well as a PriorityPassTM that gives access to hundreds of airport lounges and Global Entry/TSA Precheck that will get you through security quickly. 

Other benefits include cell phone insurance, as well as Netflix and Peloton Digital reimbursements.

Interest Rates

  • Savings Account APY: 3% 
  • Checking Account: 0.25% on balances of $20,000 or below

Fees

Fees on the Oxygen Business Deposit Account are next to nothing. Notably, the only transaction fee is for international transfers. 

  • Card Replacement Expedited Shipping Fee: $50
  • International Transaction Fee: 1%

Customer Reviews

In general, Oxygen has received favorable reviews from business owners. Here’s why: 

  • No monthly fees: Oxygen Bank does not charge monthly fees for their basic checking account.
  • Cashback rewards: Oxygen Bank offers cashback rewards on select purchases made with their debit card.
  • Mobile app: Oxygen Bank's mobile app is highly rated and offers a variety of features, including mobile check deposit, bill pay, and budgeting tools, which is convenient for those who prefer to manage their finances on the go.
  • No overdraft fees: Oxygen Bank does not charge overdraft fees, which is beneficial for those who occasionally overdraw their account.
  • Partnership benefits: Oxygen Bank has partnered with a variety of companies to offer additional perks and discounts to their customers, such as discounts on cell phone bills and gym memberships.

How Does Oxygen Bank Compare?

Despite its many attractive features, the Oxygen Business Deposit Account may not be the best for all small businesses. A good alternative is fintech company Lili, which also caters to startups and young businesses. 

Oxygen

No monthly fees or minimum account amount

Offers LLC formation service alongside its Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) suite.

Best for: Young, smaller businesses who may be looking to incorporate. 

Lili

No fees and unlimited free transactions

Tailor-made to help freelancers manage their money. 

Best for: Freelancers or solopreneurs who don’t need to deposit or move a lot of money each month. 

Final Thoughts on Oxygen Bank

Oxygen Bank is a digital bank that offers various financial services to individuals and businesses. It operates entirely online, allowing customers to manage their accounts and access financial services using their mobile devices or desktop computers. 

The bank offers mobile check deposits, budgeting tools, sub-accounts, cashback rewards on debit card purchases, and fee-free overdraft protection. This provides customers with greater flexibility and control over their finances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oxygen bank a real bank?

Oxygen is a financial technology company, not a bank. The banking services that Oxygen offers are provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A.

What bank does Oxygen work with?

Fintech company Oxygen works with Bancorp Bank, through which its banking services, such as deposit accounts, are provided. 

Is Oxygen Bank worth it?

Oxygen is a bona fide financial technology firm that offers banking services through an FDIC-insured bank. Banking transactions are conducted exclusively through an app instead of a physical branch. Oxygen business accounts offer several benefits, including cash-back rewards, although there are associated fees. If you're seeking a substitute for traditional banking institutions, consider trying Oxygen.