BOA in Centreville,VA will register your company for free

While it's probably not a great idea to do this - the bank just wants to get you signed up for the account and doesn't likely care too much that your company is set up just right - I think it demonstrates one of the advantages the US has over places like much of continental Europe: it's mostly very easy and cheap to register an LLC or even an Inc. Of course, you can spend a lot of money on lawyers, but nothing says you must do so.

Registering an Srl in Italy costs at least something like 2500 Euro, and you're really supposed to have more in the bank. Together with some other people, I've been promoting a reform ( http://www.srlfacile.org ) but in the end what got through is fairly weak stuff, and we'll have to keep fighting. (I did, however, get to speak very briefly at the press room at the Italian equivalent of the White House, which was an interesting experience which I'll write up some day).

Incorporating a business is more than just "get it done". The inc docs are the easy part, running and maintaining it are much more difficult. The inc docs should involve a lot more thought and effort. Seeking the help of a lawyer is often required. Who knows what BOA has in their cookie cutter documents. Beware!

Getting an EIN is about 4 minutes on the IRS website and is free. The other stuff, yeah, it might save you some time/money, but probably not very much, unless VA is more cumbersome than other states.

> Now I asked the guy if this is offered at every BOA branch, but he said this service is offered at that particular branch only.

The title is misleading

Starting a business is extremely simple and very cheap (except CA, where it's $800 minimum per year, which is ridiculous). Look at Nolo Press books for legal questions you might have, or pay for lawyer consultation.

Keep in mind that if you like in, say, CA, and start your business in VA, you 1) are on the hook for CA taxes so long as nexus is established (primarily, if you live in CA) and 2) have to register as a foreign entity in any state in which you conduct any business beyond sales, otherwise you lose the legal protection of a corporation.

I always point these out to people because so many start companies in NV or DE, but it's all pointless once examine the legal implications. Unless you're a big enough company to have staff lawyers, you almost certainly don't want to incorporate outside your home state.