Business banking account recommendations: credit union or bank?

[Natalie Lee]

Hi, we live in Northern California and are investing in Phoenix. Which bank do you recommend setting up our business banking account for the rental properties with? We could go with the big banks like Chase or Bank of America, but I thought that it might be better to develop a personal relationship with a smaller bank or credit union to be able to use them as a potential source for home loans/refinancing in the future? If we go with a credit union, would you recommend one local to the properties your are investing in, or close to your home? Ideally I would like one with easy online banking, since we will be managing out of state rentals. Also, is it important to keep your business accounts at a different bank than your personal accounts, or is it better to keep them the same for ease of bookkeeping? Thanks!