Bank Documentation Guide
Everything You Need to Open Business Banking for ThinkMakes
Complete checklist and preparation guide for meeting with banks
🏦 What You're Applying For
Immediate (Easy)
- ✅ Business Checking
- ✅ Business Savings
- ✅ Debit Card
After 6-12 Months
- ⏳ Business Credit Card
- ⏳ Small Line of Credit
After 2+ Years
- 🎯 Business Term Loans
- 🎯 Equipment Financing
- 🎯 SBA Loans
📋 Essential Documents Checklist
🎓 ThinkMakes-Specific Documentation
Elevator Pitch (30 seconds)
"ThinkMakes is an innovation platform where students and creators build real projects, file patents, and launch businesses. We partner with schools to provide hands-on entrepreneurship education, and we monetize through transaction fees, school licensing, and a built-in trading exchange for innovation assets."
Revenue Streams
Market Size
K-12 education market: $721 billion. EdTech market: $181 billion globally. Innovation/patent market: $40+ billion.
Competitive Advantage
No direct competitor combines education + marketplace + banking + innovation exchange. We're creating a new category.
Current Traction
500+ school partnerships, 50,000+ users, $12M in student earnings processed (example metrics)
🏦 Banking Products & Requirements
- • Low documentation
- • Can open immediately
- ✓ Accept payments
- ✓ Pay bills
- ✓ Debit card
- ✓ No credit check
- • Checking account first
- • Minimum deposit varies
- ✓ Earn interest
- ✓ Emergency fund
- ✓ Separate funds
- • 1+ year in business (usually)
- • Good personal credit
- • Business revenue proof
- ✓ Build business credit
- ✓ Cash back/rewards
- ✓ Separate business expenses
- • Strong credit
- • 2+ years in business
- • Solid revenue
- ✓ Flexible borrowing
- ✓ Only pay interest on what you use
- ✓ Cash flow management
- • Comprehensive business plan
- • Strong financials
- • Collateral may be required
- ✓ Large capital amount
- ✓ Fixed payments
- ✓ Expansion funding
Schedule in Advance
Call ahead and ask for a business banking specialist. Schedule 45-60 minutes.
Bring Everything Organized
Use folders or binders. Label everything clearly. Bring digital copies on USB/laptop too.
Know Your Numbers
Be ready to answer: monthly revenue, monthly expenses, profit margin, growth rate.
Dress Professionally
First impressions matter. Business casual at minimum.
Be Honest & Realistic
Banks appreciate honesty. Don't exaggerate numbers or make unrealistic promises.
Ask Questions
What are fees? Minimum balances? How long for approval? What additional docs might you need?
✅ Next Steps
Pro tip: Print this page and check items off as you gather them
