Powering the next generation of startups with modern banking.
It’s an exciting time to launch a startup, and we’re investing in a founder-friendly banking experience built for growth.
Powering the next generation of startups with modern banking.
It’s an exciting time to launch a startup, and we’re investing in a founder-friendly banking experience built for growth.
Who you bank with matters more than ever.
It’s a jungle out there for startups trying to raise money, and founders are fighting hard for every dollar they raise. So why isn’t your bank doing all it can to help you protect and optimize that cash?
Today’s startups need quick access to flexible bank accounts, high credit limits, 24/7 global service, and faster payment services from a provider they can trust. Instead, founders are met with lengthy account opening processes, limited support, and slow transfers from legacy banking providers.
Choosing the right financial partner is one of the most important decisions a founder can make. Any bank can offer a checking account with minimal yield and basic payment services. The right financial partner, however, understands how critical cash is to a startup and actively helps you protect and grow that cash — and your business.
According to CB Insights, nearly 40% of startups fail because they run out of cash. For the ones that do gain traction, it takes about four years to become profitable. With cash being one of the most important factors for startup success, reliable cash management services are vital.
That’s why we built a modern operating account with everything startups need to instantly open a bank account, protect more of their cash, earn industry-leading yield, and extend their runway. And with our Stripe Atlas partnership, founders can apply for these benefits the moment they incorporate, even before the IRS issues an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Introducing the new Brex business account.
We are proud to introduce the next iteration of the Brex business account, which includes a full-featured checking account provided through Column N.A., Member FDIC, as well as expanded Treasury and Vault services.
The idea is simple: The capital you raised is hard-fought, and we want to ensure you get the most out of it.
Here’s why a Brex business account will set you up for success from Day 1, beginning with a powerful banking experience tailored to startups.
Startup banking built by founders, for founders.
The opportunity to start something new has never been greater. AI is speeding up every aspect of startup development, new and established startup ecosystems are thriving across the U.S., and available tech talent abounds.
Accessible banking services play a critical role in helping founders open accounts, pay bills, and start building. But today’s founders have fewer options. The collapses of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and First Republic Bank have diminished trust in banking institutions, and there’s currently heightened regulatory scrutiny for fintechs serving startups with international ties.
Today’s global founders are looking for trusted financial partners who can provide instant access, enhanced security and stability, and cash optimization, especially as funding continues to slow.
Our own founders, Pedro Franceschi and Henrique Dubugras, started Brex after moving from Brazil to the Bay Area and seeing firsthand the uphill financial battle founders face. Traditional banking is too slow, and even "founder-friendly" neobanks still charge hidden fees and lack global support.
Our founders set out to build better financial solutions for startups. One of those, the Brex business account, launched in October 2019 and enabled founders to open operating accounts and manage finances from anywhere without ever stepping foot in a bank branch.
However, when SVB collapsed in early 2023, it was clear that Brex — and our business account — could help founders in new ways. During the height of the collapse, we:
Partnered with 20+ program banks to increase FDIC insurance available through Brex business accounts
Secured an emergency bridge loan to help affected businesses fund short-term payroll and other operational obligations
Maintained credit limits for the majority of SVB customers to ensure business continuity
The feedback from startups was overwhelmingly positive, and we ultimately felt a clear call to action to be the comprehensive banking and financial partner for startups, from inception to IPO.
What modern banking for startups looks like.
As a next step, we took months to rebuild our Know Your Customer (KYC), onboarding, and compliance processes to ensure we are working with the best startups in the world. We also spoke to over 50 startup customers to discover how to better serve their needs. Time and again, founders told us they want complete visibility into their financial picture and bank accounts that make it easier to optimize their cash.
Brex, however, is a technology company, not a bank, so we sought a trusted, reliable partner to help build out banking services that can move at the speed of today’s startups. We formed a relationship with Column N.A., Member FDIC, to help founders facilitate all their banking operations through Brex.
“Banking is highly complicated and heavily regulated, but Column built a new type of bank from the ground up and redefined what a bank could be,” said Brex Head of Startups Jason Mok. “We partnered with Column because their unique approach to banking provides the speed, flexible account model, and API-first approach that no one else can. These aspects are essential to building banking products that power our customers’ growth.”
This work culminated in the next iteration of the Brex business account, now with banking. Here’s what’s new and how it benefits you:
Checking (new!): Easily open a bank account.
With Checking, offered through Column N.A., you can confidently send money worldwide with fast ACH transfers, checks, domestic wires, and international wires in over 40 currencies, including the Chinese yuan and Indian rupee. Setting up an account is easy and can be done entirely online. Plus, manage your finances directly from the Brex mobile app and get 24/7 support anytime, anywhere through the app, by phone, or through WhatsApp.
Treasury: Earn yield and extend your runway.
We reimagined our money-market fund product into a fully integrated Treasury account, designed to help companies expand their spending power. Brex business account customers benefit from industry-leading yields and features like recurring automatic transfers. Our Treasury account does not have transaction fees, minimum balance requirements, liquidity restrictions, or waiting periods, ensuring customers can earn yield and optimize their finances from Day 1 on Brex.
Vault: Protect more of your cash.
Vault is the account for safeguarding your company's capital. Diversify investments across more than 20 program banks for up to $6M of total FDIC insurance, for enhanced protection that is 20x the industry average. Vault will also clearly tell you how much of your money is protected.
The Brex business account also offers a suite of advanced security features, including comprehensive fraud protection, built-in payment approval flows, and sophisticated authentication tools, for additional peace of mind.
Banking + spend management for scaling businesses.
With Brex, startups of all sizes get Day 1 access to a global financial suite, including bill pay and corporate credit cards seamlessly integrated with their Brex business account and accounting tools for effortless reconciliation.
Corporate credit card
Brex continues to revolutionize the business credit landscape by basing credit limits on the company's financials rather than a founder's personal credit score. Companies can also significantly increase their spending power — with up to 40x higher limits — when funds are held in a Brex business account. Additionally, the Brex business account facilitates instant payoff of the Brex card, enabling businesses to maintain spending power. This approach ensures that even companies can scale operations efficiently while optimizing their financial flexibility.
Automated bill pay
Automate accounts payable processes and pay vendors faster with Brex’s bill pay. Integrated with the Brex business account, Brex bill pay enables businesses to streamline invoice capture (by forwarding and email), payments, approvals, and reconciliation, all within Brex. Track and manage cash flow effortlessly while settling bills up to 5 days faster than traditional methods, without incurring any additional fees.
Global capabilities
Brex offers a robust global spend management solution to empower founders looking to make a global impact. Our platform includes local-currency cards, streamlined reimbursements, efficient billing with VAT tracking, and multi-currency expense policies. This comprehensive suite simplifies the financial complexities faced by businesses operating across borders.
ERP integration
Brex offers native ERP integrations with leading solutions like NetSuite, QuickBooks Online, and Sage Intacct to help you automate manual work and simplify reconciliation, so you can close your books faster.
Better banking through Brex.
Today, Brex serves one in three startups in the US with scalable financial services that eliminate complexity and enable growth. See why the Brex business account integrated into a global spend management platform is an indispensable tool for startups looking to access modern banking, optimize their cash management, and grow their business.
* Market share of customers activated on Brex out of all US-headquartered startups with <50 employees and have raised a professionally invested round in the last 8 quarters.
Brex is a financial technology company, not a bank. Checking accounts and banking services provided by Column N.A., Member FDIC.
Treasury and Vault are offered by Brex Treasury LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC. Vault accounts allow customers to sweep cash into program banks. Brex Treasury is not a bank nor an investment adviser. Yield is variable.