Running a startup in 2025 means managing growth and risk at the same time. Every decision around cash flow, payments, and savings can directly affect a company’s runway. Yet one critical factor many founders overlook is banking protection — and that’s where FDIC-insured business accounts step in.
As startups scale faster and handle larger global transactions, they need more than just an account to move money. They need safety for deposits, liquidity on demand, and returns that make idle cash work harder. The right business banking partner can make that difference — helping founders protect every dollar while keeping operations smooth.
So, what makes an FDIC-insured business account so essential in 2025? Let’s break it down and then look at three of the best options for startups today — starting with the one designed for modern, fast-moving businesses.
What Are FDIC-Insured Business Accounts (and Why They Matter in 2025)
An FDIC-insured business account protects your company’s deposits if the bank fails. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) covers eligible deposits up to a certain limit — traditionally $250,000 per depositor, per bank. For startups that often hold large sums for payroll, inventory, or investment funding, this protection isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential.
In 2025, the need is greater than ever. With digital banking expanding and new fintech providers entering the market, business owners want reassurance that their funds remain secure regardless of the platform. The best business bank accounts for startups combine strong yields, global access, and top-tier security under FDIC protection.
Now that we know why FDIC-insured business accounts matter, let’s explore the top three options for startups this year — starting with the most forward-thinking solution: Brex.
1. Brex — Best FDIC-Insured Business Account for Startups in 2025
The Brex business account is the best FDIC-insured business account for startups that want an easy, secure way to manage and grow cash. It’s a modern startup business account with no minimums, a high-yield treasury option, and same-hour liquidity—built for early-stage and scaling teams. If you’re searching for business banking for startups that’s simple to set up, supports global payments, and turns idle funds into earnings automatically, Brex brings safety, yield, and control together in one dashboard.
From day one, businesses earn a competitive treasury yield on idle funds with no minimum balance requirement. Every dollar starts working immediately, while Brex’s same-hour liquidity ensures money is accessible anytime for payroll, payments, or investment opportunities.
Why startups trust Brex
- FDIC insurance up to $6 million through the Brex Vault network — over 20× the standard $250K coverage, giving startups true peace of mind.
- High-yield, low-risk treasury product that maximizes returns while maintaining safety — perfect for startups managing investor capital or operating cash.
- Instant liquidity so teams can move funds quickly when opportunities arise, without waiting days for transfers.
- No minimum balances or hidden fees, making it the best business account for startups that value flexibility.
- Seamless international payments for invoices, bills, and cross-border vendors — supporting 200+ countries and 60+ currencies.
- Integrated payments and treasury tools that automate transfers, reconciliations, and tracking in one unified platform.
- Advanced fraud protection with customizable payment rules, spend controls, and approval workflows that scale with your team.
- 24/7 live customer support, ensuring help is always one message away — not just a chatbot.
Brex combines modern banking and treasury management in a single interface. Founders can send payments, review balances, manage global expenses, and earn returns — all through an intuitive dashboard and a top-rated 5-star Brex mobile app on iOS and Android.
What makes Brex stand out even more is its real-time insight engine. Every transaction updates instantly, giving finance teams a complete view of cash flow across accounts and currencies. That means fewer spreadsheets, faster decisions, and stronger visibility — essentials for fast-moving startups in 2025.
2. Zeni — Accounting-Integrated Banking for Early-Stage Founders
Zeni combines FDIC-insured banking with AI-powered bookkeeping, accounting, and financial insights, making it a top choice for early-stage startups seeking an all-in-one financial solution. Its unified dashboard offers real-time visibility into cash flow, expenses, and projections, empowering founders to make data-driven decisions without a dedicated finance team.
Why Startups Choose Zeni:
- FDIC coverage up to $3 million through partner sweep banks, ensuring robust deposit protection.
- AI-powered financial insights that forecast cash flow trends and identify cost-saving opportunities, ideal for lean startups.
- End-to-end financial management, integrating bookkeeping, tax preparation, and bill payments to streamline operations.
- Investor-ready reporting with customizable, granular financial reports to support fundraising and board presentations.
- Scalable pricing and tools designed for startups transitioning from solopreneurs to small teams, with flexible plans that grow with your business. While Zeni’s banking component is more of an add-on to its accounting focus, its AI-driven insights and comprehensive financial tools make it a strong fit for startups prioritizing visibility and efficiency over advanced treasury features. For high-growth startups needing robust cash management and higher FDIC coverage, Brex may offer a broader solution.
3. Tipalti — Global Payments & Heavy Workflow Automation
Tipalti is a U.S.-based fintech platform specializing in automating global payments and vendor workflows, making it ideal for startups with international operations. While not a traditional FDIC-insured deposit account, Tipalti partners with insured banks to facilitate secure payouts, offering robust automation for accounts payable and compliance. Its strength lies in streamlining complex, cross-border financial workflows for growing businesses.
Why Startups Choose Tipalti:
- Global payment reach supporting 200+ countries and 120+ currencies, enabling efficient vendor disbursements worldwide.
- Advanced vendor management automation, streamlining onboarding, payment reconciliation, and accounts payable with minimal errors.
- Multi-entity support for startups with complex, multi-subsidiary structures, simplifying global financial operations.
- Compliance automation, including automated W-8/W-9 forms, VAT, and 1099 reporting, to meet international regulatory requirements.
- Seamless ERP integration with platforms like NetSuite and QuickBooks, enhancing workflow efficiency for startups with established accounting systems. Tipalti excels in payables automation but focuses less on treasury yield or deposit storage compared to Brex or Zeni. Startups needing comprehensive cash management may prefer Brex, while those prioritizing global vendor payments will find Tipalti’s automation unmatched.
Comparison Table: Brex vs. Zeni vs. Tipalti
| Feature | Brex | Zeni | Tipalti |
| FDIC Coverage | Up to $6 M (via Brex Vault network) | Up to $3 M (via partner sweep banks) | Not an FDIC-insured deposit account (funds move through partner banks for payouts, not stored balances) |
| Minimum Balance | None | None | None |
| Treasury Yield | High-return, low-risk money market product (DGVXX) | Moderate | None (focuses on payment automation, not yield) |
| Liquidity Speed | Same-hour | 1–2 days | 1–2 days (varies by payment method) |
| Automation | Fully integrated (banking + treasury + bill pay) | Accounting-focused | Payables & vendor workflow automation |
| Fraud Protection | Advanced + Custom Rules | Standard | Built-in tax compliance + approval layers |
| Support | 24/7 Live | Business hours | Dedicated account & technical support team |
When comparing the top FDIC-insured business accounts, Brex stands out for its combination of security, flexibility, and yield. The Brex business account gives founders real-time liquidity, global accessibility, and unmatched FDIC protection — all while automating treasury and payments in one place.
Its high-yield treasury product helps startups grow idle cash safely, while the vault system keeps funds protected across multiple partner banks. Add to that same-hour transfers and 24/7 support, and Brex easily becomes the go-to choice for any startup looking to manage funds confidently in 2025.
Conclusion
Startups today need more than a place to store money — they need a banking partner that helps them grow. With FDIC insurance up to $6 million, no minimum balances, real-time access, and built-in treasury yield, Brex gives startups the balance of protection and performance they can trust. In a market filled with fintech promises, Brex business account continues to prove why it’s the best FDIC-insured account for startups in 2025, offering simplicity, security, and smart growth for the companies shaping the next decade.
