Sponsor Banks, FBO Accounts and Banking Access for Fintechs and MSBs
Getting and keeping a bank account as a payment company, money service business, crypto firm or other high-risk business; sponsor banks, FBO accounts, de-risking
Bank Onboarding for Regulated FirmsBanking AccessBusiness Profile for Bank ReviewClient Money AccountsCrypto Banking RelationshipsDe-BankingFintech Banking RelationshipsMSB Bank AccountsPartner BanksPooled AccountsSegregated AccountsSponsor Banks
Why Does a Solution Provider Want an MSA Signed Before the Bank Approves Me?Oct 19, 2026Banking AccessAs a fresh startup, what is the probability of being sponsored by a bank or an exchange company?Oct 17, 2025Fintech Banking RelationshipsCan we get the US multi-currency accounts without being licensed in the US yet?Feb 15, 2023Banking AccessHow are US money transmitters surviving “de-risking” (loss of banking relationships), and what workarounds do they use?Jun 6, 2020Banking AccessWhat could be the biggest implications for Pakistani startups and SMBs if Pakistan is placed on FATF’s grey list or black list?Dec 2, 2019Fintech Banking RelationshipsIs it legal for banks to block or limit transfers to cryptocurrency exchanges?Oct 1, 2019Crypto Banking RelationshipsHow can I start a cryptocurrency exchange if banks won’t open accounts tied to Bitcoin?Apr 2, 2019Crypto Banking RelationshipsWhere does PayPal actually hold and deposit users’ funds?Jan 11, 2019Fintech Banking RelationshipsWhich banks are willing to provide accounts and payments services to crypto exchanges (for deposits and transfers)?Aug 5, 2018Crypto Banking RelationshipsWhich provider does Venmo use for ACH payouts, and do they have special banking relationships for faster transfers?May 5, 2017Fintech Banking RelationshipsWhy are banks like Westpac exiting FX and money-services businesses, and how likely is it that others will follow?Apr 1, 2017De-BankingWhich banks are willing to open accounts for licensed money services businesses considered high-risk?Mar 9, 2016MSB Bank AccountsFrom a technical standpoint, how was PayPal originally built, and how did the founders gain bank access to move funds between accounts?Mar 9, 2016Fintech Banking RelationshipsAre there Canadian banks willing to open accounts for money services businesses despite tighter MSB policies?Mar 6, 2016MSB Bank AccountsDoes PayPal operate a single large bank account to manage all user deposits and withdrawals?Sep 9, 2015Client Money AccountsHow did PayPal handle regulatory and financial scrutiny in its early years?Sep 9, 2015Fintech Banking RelationshipsWhy do acquiring banks for card processing avoid serving money-transfer and remittance businesses, and which acquirers do work with companies like Remitly and WorldRemit?Apr 8, 2015Bank Onboarding for Regulated FirmsHow did firms like Simple and PayPal initially gain trust as places for customers to store their money?Jan 1, 2015Fintech Banking RelationshipsDoes TransferWise build direct banking relationships in each country or rely on backend networks like Earthport?Dec 3, 2014Fintech Banking RelationshipsWhich U.S. bank is best for a startup offering money transmission services like PayPal?Oct 6, 2014Fintech Banking RelationshipsWhy are money transmitters in the U.S. often treated harshly or cautiously by financial institutions?Jul 4, 2014Bank Onboarding for Regulated FirmsWould a payments company benefit from maintaining checking accounts at multiple banks?Dec 2, 2013Fintech Banking RelationshipsWhy are many institutions reluctant to partner with Bitcoin-related businesses?Feb 12, 2013Crypto Banking Relationships