Running a small or medium enterprise (SME) in 2025 is no small feat. Between managing vendors, keeping up with GST filings, handling payroll, and ensuring digital payments are reconciled, business owners are stretched thin.
The one thing that should be helping — not hindering — this hustle is the current account. And yet, many SMEs still operate with outdated account setups that offer little more than transaction records.
Today, a current account is a full-fledged financial control center. As businesses become more tech-enabled and digitally fluent, banks are also rethinking their offerings.
Here's what every SME should look for in a current account in 2025 — because settling for the basics just isn’t enough anymore.
Digital Onboarding, Zero Paperwork
First things first — opening a business current account shouldn’t take days or a visit to the branch. In 2025, most forward-thinking banks offer fully digital onboarding.
From Aadhaar-based eKYC to GSTIN linking and video verification, the entire process can now be completed remotely. This is a game-changer for small businesses that don’t have time to chase paperwork.
Whether you're a sole proprietor or a startup, the ability to get started in under 24 hours is a baseline expectation — not a premium feature. Most modern banks, like Ujjivan SFB, now offer 100% digital onboarding using Aadhaar, PAN, and GST details, with video KYC.
UPI, QR Codes, and Payment Integrations
A modern SME receives money from all directions — UPI, NEFT, POS terminals, and sometimes through embedded payment gateways on websites or marketplaces. A good current account should help you manage incoming payments with the same ease as outgoing ones.
Look for features like dedicated business UPI IDs, custom QR codes, and the ability to tag or categorize each payment. Some digital-first banks now even offer collection dashboards where you can view which client has paid, how much, and when.
Bulk Payments and Payout Tools
One of the biggest pain points for SMEs is making multiple payments — salaries, vendor dues, commissions — all while ensuring records are accurate. That’s where bulk payment tools come in.
These allow you to make hundreds of transfers at once, with options to assign approval roles to your team.
Better still, some current accounts now offer integration for seamless syncing of payments with your accounting software.
Real-Time Cash Flow Insights
You shouldn't have to wait till the month-end to figure out how your business is doing.
The best current accounts now come with real-time dashboards that show incoming vs. outgoing funds, pending invoices, and even projected shortfalls.
Some also offer features like auto-categorization of expenses, GST summary generation, and vendor-wise payment reports — all from within the banking app.