Can the resolution be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the signature demonstrates intent, consent, attribution, and record retention capability.

Does the bank require notarization?

It depends on the bank and state. Some banks accept a certified corporate secretary signature; others request notarization. Check the bank's onboarding checklist.

What supporting documents are needed?

Banks typically request Articles of Incorporation/Organization, EIN confirmation letter, current bylaws or operating agreement, and government ID for authorized signers.

Who should certify the resolution?

The corporate secretary or another authorized officer should sign a certification block attesting that the resolution was duly adopted and remains in effect.

How long will account setup take?

Allow 2–10 business days for routine accounts; expect longer for escrow, trust, or high-risk accounts requiring enhanced due diligence.

How do I revoke signer authority?

Adopt a board or member resolution revoking prior authority, certify it, and provide the certified revocation to the bank and internal treasury immediately.

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Resolution to Open Bank Accounts

Resolution to Open Bank Accounts

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

What a Resolution to Open Bank Accounts Is and when it's used

A Resolution to Open Bank Accounts is an internal corporate record documenting that an entity's governing body (board of directors, managers, or members) has authorized one or more individuals to open and manage bank accounts on the entity's behalf. The resolution typically names the authorized signers, specifies permitted account types and transaction limits, and authorizes the organization to provide the bank with a copy of the corporate charter, EIN, and identification for signers. Banks use the resolution to verify corporate authority before accepting account applications and executing signature cards or ACH authorizations.

Why preparing a clear resolution matters

A precise resolution clarifies who can legally bind the company at financial institutions, reduces onboarding friction with banks, and limits personal liability for signers. Accurate documentation supports compliance with bank Know Your Customer requirements and helps preserve corporate formalities required for limited liability protection.

Who typically prepares and signs this resolution

Ensure the document reflects your entity type (corporation, LLC, partnership) and any state-specific formalities before presenting it to a bank.

Board of Directors — approves authorization language and delegates signer authority for corporate accounts.
Corporate Secretary — prepares minutes, certifies the resolution, and attaches corporate records.
Authorized Signers — executives or employees assigned to sign checks, open accounts, or manage ACH.

Essential components to include in a professional resolution

Include standardized clauses to ensure a bank will accept the resolution without further negotiation. Clear, concise language and precise signer details reduce requests for supplemental documentation.

Title

A descriptive title (e.g., 'Resolution to Open Bank Accounts') and the entity's legal name exactly as registered with the Secretary of State.

Authority Clause

A clause stating the board or members authorize opening accounts, referencing the governing instrument (bylaw or operating agreement) when applicable.

Authorized Signers

Full legal names, titles, and signature authority limits for each person authorized to open accounts, sign checks, or enter ACH agreements.

Account Types

Specify permitted account types (checking, savings, merchant, escrow) and any restrictions on cash or wire transfers.

Certification

A certification block by the corporate secretary or authorized officer confirming the resolution is in effect and has not been revoked.

Effective Terms

Effective date, duration or revocation mechanics, and instructions for providing certified copies to banks and third parties.

Required information commonly requested by banks

Entity Name: Legal name as filed

EIN: Employer Identification Number

State of Formation: State and entity ID

Authorized Signers: Names and titles

Resolution Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

Certifier: Name and title of certifying officer

Step-by-step: preparing and delivering the resolution

Follow these practical steps to create, approve, and deliver a bank-ready resolution with minimal back-and-forth.

01

Draft: Prepare text with entity name, signer list, and account permissions.
02

Approve: Board or members adopt the resolution at a meeting or by written consent.
03

Certify: Corporate secretary or authorized officer signs and dates the certification block.
04

Deliver: Provide a certified copy to the bank with required corporate records and IDs.

Configuring an online workflow for completing the resolution

If you prepare the resolution digitally, set up a workflow that enforces approvals, captures signatures, and stores a certified copy for bank submission.

Field	Configuration
Entity Name Field	Required text field; auto-validate against state ID
Signer Blocks	Repeatable fields for name, title, and signature
Meeting Checkbox	Select to record meeting or written consent
Certification Stamp	Read-only certifier name and date field

Where to send the resolution and related documents

Banks and financial institutions typically accept certified copies along with identification, EIN confirmation, and corporate formation documents; route documents according to the bank's onboarding process.

Primary Bank Contact: Submit certified resolution to the onboarding officer or branch manager.
Compliance Team: Deliver copies for KYC/AML review when requested.
Treasury Department: Provide electronic copies to internal treasury for account setup.
Registered Agent: Retain a certified copy with corporate records and minute book.

Digital signing and submission considerations

Choose a signing and delivery workflow that preserves signer attribution and produces a tamper-evident record acceptable to your bank and auditors.

Authentication: Use multi-factor or bank-preferred ID verification for signers.
File Formats: Provide PDF/A or PDF files for archival and bank compatibility.
Audit Trail: Keep a timestamped audit log for each signer action.

Typical timing and bank processing expectations

Processing times vary by bank and whether additional verification is needed; plan ahead to avoid delays when opening or changing accounts.

Document Preparation Time:

1–3 business days to draft and certify a resolution

Bank Review Window:

2–10 business days for KYC and account setup

Notary or Certification:

Same-day to 2 business days depending on availability

ACH/Wire Activation:

1–3 business days after account verification

High-Risk Reviews:

2–6 weeks if enhanced due diligence is required

Common mistakes that slow or block account setup

Using an informal or unsigned resolution; banks require a certified resolution or corporate secretary certification for many entities.
Mismatched entity name or EIN between the resolution and bank application, which triggers identity verification failures and delays.
Leaving signer details vague (titles without full names or missing signature authority), prompting banks to request supplemental documentation.
Failing to supply required formation documents (articles of incorporation/organization) or current certified copies of bylaws and EIN confirmation.

Risks and consequences of an incorrect or missing resolution

Account Denial: Bank may refuse to open the account

Operational Delay: Vendor payments and payroll may be disrupted

Personal Liability: Signers could be personally questioned in disputes

Regulatory Exposure: KYC failures can trigger enhanced scrutiny

Extra Costs: Notary, certified-copy, or attorney fees increase expenses

Recordkeeping Gaps: Insurance and audit issues from missing documentation

Who typically has authority to sign the resolution

Board Chair

The board chair often signs to confirm the minutes and that the resolution was duly adopted; this signature certifies the board-level authorization and is commonly accepted by banks as controlling authority.

Corporate Secretary

The corporate secretary or equivalent certifies that the copy of the resolution is true and in effect, attaches meeting minutes, and provides formation documents when requested by the bank.

Real-world examples of resolutions in practice

These short examples show how organizations use resolutions to open accounts and speed bank onboarding.

Optica Ventures LLC

A small investment firm formalized signer authority for treasury management

Authorized two signers for wire transfers only
The certified resolution and supporting minutes enabled the bank to complete account setup within three business days and avoid repeated identity checks.

Martin Properties

A property management company needed an escrow account for tenant security deposits

Appointed the CFO and property manager as co-signers
Using a certified resolution with clear account permissions reduced setup time and simplified monthly reconciliation.

Practical tips to ensure a smooth resolution process

Follow these practices to reduce bank follow-up and preserve corporate protections when authorizing account signers.

Match Public Records

Use the exact legal entity name and state entity ID as listed on the Secretary of State website to avoid verification delays and bank rejection.

Be Specific About Authority

Limit or define signing limits, wire authority, and ACH permissions to reduce risk and prevent unintended authorizations by signers.

Keep Certified Copies

Maintain certified copies and minutes in the corporate minute book and provide bank-certified copies rather than unsigned originals.

Use Secure eSigning

When collecting electronic signatures, use a platform that provides a tamper-evident PDF and an audit trail documenting signer identity and timestamp.

eSignature provider comparison for executing the resolution

Compare basic pricing and feature indicators for common eSignature vendors. signNow is listed first per comparison conventions; verify plan details on vendor sites before purchase.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	Yes, 7-day trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA available)	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about the Resolution to Open Bank Accounts

Answers to common questions about execution, notarization, e-signing, and bank acceptance for corporate resolutions.

Need help? Contact support

Can the resolution be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the signature demonstrates intent, consent, attribution, and record retention capability.
Does the bank require notarization?
It depends on the bank and state. Some banks accept a certified corporate secretary signature; others request notarization. Check the bank's onboarding checklist.
What supporting documents are needed?
Banks typically request Articles of Incorporation/Organization, EIN confirmation letter, current bylaws or operating agreement, and government ID for authorized signers.
Who should certify the resolution?
The corporate secretary or another authorized officer should sign a certification block attesting that the resolution was duly adopted and remains in effect.
How long will account setup take?
Allow 2–10 business days for routine accounts; expect longer for escrow, trust, or high-risk accounts requiring enhanced due diligence.
How do I revoke signer authority?
Adopt a board or member resolution revoking prior authority, certify it, and provide the certified revocation to the bank and internal treasury immediately.

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