Choosing the right banking partner is a big decision for any small business owner. Both Holdings and Mercury are modern, digital-first platforms designed to help SMBs manage money, automate finances, and grow with confidence. But they take very different approaches to features, integrations, and who they serve best. Here’s a side-by-side look at what each offers, who they’re best for, and how Holdings stacks up against other top business banking competitors.
Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Holdings | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
Interest/APY | Tiered: up to 3.0% APY for large balances | 0% on checking; up to 4.46% (Treasury, $500K+) |
Monthly Fees | None | None |
Wire/ACH Fees | Unlimited free wires and ACH | Free domestic/international USD wires |
Cash Deposits | Supported | Not supported |
Accounting Integration | Built-in, automated, plus QuickBooks integration | Integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite |
Bookkeeping | Optional full-service bookkeeping | Not included |
Invoicing & Bill Pay | Unlimited, included | Bill pay included, invoicing via Stripe (fee) |
API Access | Not offered | Included with all accounts |
ATM Access | Fee-free at Allpoint, cash deposit options | Unlimited domestic ATM fee refunds |
FDIC Insurance | Up to $3M | Up to $5M (via sweep network) |
Ideal For | SMBs, service businesses, digital-first teams | Startups, tech companies, global businesses |
What Makes Holdings Stand Out?
High-Yield, Tiered APY: Earn up to 3.0% APY on large balances—no need to move money into a separate treasury account or meet high minimums.
Truly Fee-Free: No monthly fees, no transaction fees, no wire/ACH fees, and no minimum balance requirements.
All-in-One Financial Platform: Banking, accounting, invoicing, bill pay, and even optional full-service bookkeeping—no more juggling disconnected tools.
Cash-Friendly: Deposit cash at supported locations, a feature Mercury doesn’t offer.
Automation for Busy Owners: Automated reporting, reconciliation, and financial management built right in.
Ideal for SMBs: Designed for small and mid-sized businesses, not just startups or tech companies.
Where Mercury Shines
API Access: Mercury’s open API lets developers automate banking, build custom dashboards, and streamline payments—perfect for tech-forward teams.
Global Payments: Free domestic and international USD wire transfers, with a flat 1% FX fee for non-USD wires.
High FDIC Insurance: Up to $5M in coverage via sweep networks—great for companies with large cash reserves.
Unlimited ATM Refunds: Get all domestic ATM fees reimbursed, no matter which ATM you use.
Startup Ecosystem: Mercury is a favorite among startups and VC-backed companies, with perks like investor networks and partner discounts.
No Fees, No Minimums: No monthly fees, no minimum balance, no overdraft fees, and no transaction fees.
Who Should Choose Which?
Holdings is best for:
SMBs and entrepreneurs who want to maximize interest on their deposits with tiered rates up to 3% APY
Businesses seeking a truly fee-free, all-in-one banking and accounting solution
Companies that need cash deposits, unlimited free wires/ACH, and integrated invoicing
Owners who value automation and optional full-service bookkeeping
Teams that want to keep things simple and scalable as they grow
Mercury is best for:
Startups, tech companies, and global businesses that want advanced API access and automation
Companies with large cash reserves seeking up to $5M in FDIC insurance and treasury yields (with $500K+)
Businesses that don’t need to deposit cash or require in-person banking
Teams that want unlimited ATM fee refunds and global payment capabilities
What About Fees and Limits?
Holdings: No monthly fees, no transaction fees, no wire/ACH fees, unlimited free money movement, and no minimum balance requirements. Optional subscription for advanced accounting and bookkeeping.
Mercury: No monthly fees, no minimums, no transaction or wire fees. No cash deposits. Treasury yields require $500K+ in balances. 1% FX fee for non-USD international wires.
Compare Holdings to Other Top Business Banks
Curious how Holdings stacks up against other leading business banking solutions? Explore these in-depth comparisons:
The Bottom Line
Both Holdings and Mercury offer powerful, digital-first banking for small businesses—but they serve different needs. Holdings is ideal for SMBs that want a truly fee-free, high-yield, all-in-one banking and accounting solution with cash deposit support and automation. Mercury is a top choice for startups and tech companies that want advanced API access, global payments, and high FDIC insurance.
Ready to see how Holdings can help your business grow? Explore our full suite of comparisons above, or get started today