Startups Flock to Too-Big-To-Fail Banks

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May 25, 2023, 08:37 ET

According to data from Kruze Consulting, the percent of startups with too-big-to-fail bank accounts went from 9% in February to 72% in April

SAN FRANCISCO, May 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on data from 160+ venture fund startups and more than $2 billion in cash, startups have been flocking to the major banks like JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America. In addition to new bank accounts, startups have also been moving cash into less risky vehicles like sweep and treasury accounts.

Percentage of startups with a funded banking relationship

In February of this year, only 9% of startups-maintained bank accounts at the major banks, but by April that number skyrocketed to 72%. Additionally, JP Morgan had basically no presence in the startup banking world but after the FRB took over JP Morgan now commands a 60% market share of startup bank accounts. Startups have also been changing the way they hold cash in the bank. At the end of February $1.5 billion of startup cash was held in checking and other "risky" accounts. By the end of March, that number declined by $400 million and has continued over the following months as startups move cash into sweep and treasury bond products.

"The banking landscape after SVB and FRB declines has not only impacted where startups bank, but also what accounts they hold it in. Recently, we've been seeing term sheets that require startups to maintain two banking relationships," said Healy Jones, VP at Kruze Consulting. "While these measures have insulated startups from future banking failures, they also make it very easy for startups to move cash quickly between banks - making the possibility of mass withdrawals easier - since our data shows that the median startup now has two banking relationships today versus only one in February."

The startup and venture ecosystem has adapted quickly to the recent volatility in the banking sector. Startups have positioned themselves wisely in order to minimize the impact of future banking failures, but their new capital deployment strategies have made it easier for startups to move cash quickly between banks which could make it harder for bank regulators to contain crises.

About Kruze Consulting
Kruze provides Startup CFO Consulting to over 800+ startups in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, New York, and other major startup hubs. To date, Kruze's clients have raised over $12 billion in venture capital and are market-leading Saas, software, eCommerce, eHealth and FinTech startups. Founded in 2012 by Vanessa Kruze, a Big Four alum, startup controller and CPA, the firm handles all things accounting, tax, finance, and HR. Everything including interim CFO Consulting, financial modeling, startup tax returns, venture debt consulting, 409A valuations, bookkeeping, AR/AP, and Seed/Series A/B Fundraising Preparation can be seamlessly handled by the professionals at Kruze. Visit https://kruzeconsulting.com/ to learn more.

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SOURCE Kruze Consulting