Relay vs. Falcon International Bank: a business banking comparison

Looking for a business bank in Texas? In this guide, we compare Relay, an online banking platform, and Falcon International Bank, a traditional community bank.

Both Relay and Falcon International Bank offer a range of services tailored to the needs of businesses. Traditional banks, like Falcon International Bank, offer a blend of in-person and online services, and modern platforms, like Relay, provide a fully digital banking experience tailored for businesses. Here's how the two compare on fees, accounts, money movement, and the kind of business each one fits.

In this article:

• What is Relay?

• What is Falcon International Bank?

• Relay vs. Falcon International Bank comparison chart

• Community bank or online platform: which fits your business?

• Profit First banking

• Monthly fees and balance requirements

• Customer support

• Verdict: which banking partner is best for your business?

• Frequently asked questions

What is Relay?

Relay is a modern, digital-first banking platform designed specifically for the needs of businesses. Unlike traditional banks, Relay focuses on providing a smooth online banking experience tailored to the unique challenges and requirements of today's entrepreneurs and small businesses.

With features such as Profit First integration, multiple checking accounts, and integrations with popular accounting tools, Relay aims to simplify and enhance the banking process.

The platform is built with the understanding that businesses require more than just a place to store money; they need a banking partner that can support their growth, provide financial insights, and connect with their operational workflows.

Whether you're a sole proprietor, an LLC, or a corporation, Relay offers solutions that are both efficient and effective.

What is Falcon International Bank?

Falcon International Bank is a Hispanic-owned, Laredo-based community bank. It is not a credit union. It was founded in 1986 and primarily focuses on South Texas, with branches in Zapata, San Antonio, McAllen, Austin, Buda, Del Rio, Brownsville, Eagle Pass, and more.

There are even representative offices in Mexico, in cities like Guadalajara and Monterrey. It remains privately held by the Gutierrez family, which acquired the bank in 1995, and today holds roughly $2.25 billion in assets (DepositAccounts). The website is available in Spanish for native Spanish speakers.

It is FDIC-insured and offers financial services including business banking like business checking accounts and savings accounts, commercial loans, real estate development loans, and more in addition to certificates of deposit and foreign exchange services.

¹For Relay Subscription Plans with an interest-bearing deposit account, the interest rate and Annual Percentage Yield on your account are accurate as of 5/1/2026 and are variable and subject to change based on the target range of the Federal Funds rate. Fees may reduce earnings: When you are subscribed to the Starter Plan, the interest rate on your savings accounts is 1.10% with an APY of 1.11%. When you are subscribed to the Grow Plan, the interest rate on your savings accounts is 1.74% with an APY of 1.75%. When you are subscribed to the Scale Plan, the interest rate on your savings accounts is 2.96% with an APY of 3.00%.

⁴The Relay Visa® Credit Card is issued by Thread Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc and may be used anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.

⁵International payment services are provided by Community Federal Savings Bank ("CFSB"), a federal savings bank chartered in the United States. These services are facilitated by Nium, Inc., which operates under a program sponsored by CFSB. Relay provides access to these payment services through its platform.

Community bank or online platform: which fits your business?

The real choice here isn't Relay versus one specific bank—it's whether a local Texas community bank or a nationwide online platform fits how your business runs. Falcon International Bank is a good fit if you value in-person, Spanish-language service in South Texas, want a local lending relationship, or need branch services like cash handling and certificates of deposit. Relay is a fit if you'd rather manage everything online: open your account without a branch visit, spin up multiple checking accounts to separate income, taxes, and profit, automate transfers between them, and connect QuickBooks or Xero. One is rooted in a place; the other goes wherever your business does. Because Relay serves businesses across the United States, it's an option whether or not you're near a Falcon branch.

Profit First banking

Relay recognizes the importance of the Profit First methodology for businesses aiming to prioritize profitability and financial health. Our platform is designed to work with the Profit First system. With the ability to create up to 20 individual checking accounts with unique account and routing numbers, businesses can easily allocate funds to different accounts, such as profit, owner's pay, tax, and operating expenses.

This feature simplifies the process of managing and distributing funds according to the Profit First percentages, ensuring businesses can effortlessly prioritize their profits and maintain financial discipline.

While Falcon International Bank offers a range of banking services tailored to businesses, there isn't specific information available about their adoption or implementation of the Profit First methodology. Businesses interested in this approach might need to set up and manage their Profit First system manually when banking with Falcon International Bank.

Monthly fees and balance requirements

Relay believes in transparent and straightforward banking. That's why our platform charges no monthly maintenance fees. We understand the importance of minimizing costs for businesses, and by eliminating monthly maintenance fees, we aim to provide a more accessible and cost-effective banking solution for our users.

One of the standout features of Falcon International Bank is its no-monthly-fee business checking. This means businesses don't have to worry about monthly maintenance fees eating into their funds. Additionally, there's no minimum balance requirement, giving businesses the flexibility to manage their funds without any constraints.

Customer support

At Relay, we prioritize our customers' needs and concerns. Our dedicated customer support team is always ready to assist, ensuring that businesses have a smooth and hassle-free banking experience.

With various support channels available, including in-app chat and email, we ensure that our users receive timely responses and solutions to their queries. Our commitment to excellence in customer service sets us apart in the digital banking landscape.

Customer support is a cornerstone of Falcon International Bank's commitment to its clients. They offer multiple channels of communication, including phone, email, and in-person assistance, ensuring that businesses have access to timely and effective support when they need it.

Their team is trained to address a wide range of banking inquiries, ensuring that clients receive the guidance they need.

Verdict: which banking partner is best for your business?

Choosing the right banking partner is crucial for the success and growth of your business. Both Relay and Falcon International Bank offer unique features tailored to support business needs.

While Relay provides a digital-first approach with direct accounting integrations and no monthly maintenance fees, Falcon International Bank offers a traditional banking experience with a local South Texas touch.

To find the right fit for your business, consider your goals and the type of support you need. If you want in-person, local banking in South Texas, Falcon may suit you. If you'd rather run everything online—up to 20 checking accounts, automated percent-based transfers, and no monthly maintenance fees—open a Relay account to get started entirely online.

Frequently asked questions

Is Relay available to businesses in Texas?

Yes. Relay serves small businesses across the United States, including everywhere in Texas, and it's online-only, so there are no branch or regional limits. Falcon International Bank, by contrast, is a Texas community bank concentrated in South Texas, with representative offices in Mexico.

Can you open a business bank account online?

With Relay, you can open a business account entirely online in minutes, with no minimum opening deposit and no branch visit. Falcon International Bank also offers online account opening, though as a branch-based community bank it pairs that with in-person service across its South Texas locations.

Does Relay offer a business credit card?

Yes. Relay offers the Relay Visa® Credit Card⁴ with cash back on spend, alongside its checking and savings accounts and debit cards—so you can run banking and card spend on one platform.

Is Relay FDIC insured?

Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank; banking services are provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC. Deposits are eligible for FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per program bank, and up to $3 million through Thread Bank's deposit sweep network.² Falcon International Bank is itself an FDIC-insured bank, so its deposits are insured up to the standard $250,000 per depositor.

⁴The Relay Visa® Credit Card is issued by Thread Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc and may be used anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.

²Your deposits qualify for up to $3,000,000 in FDIC insurance coverage when Thread Bank places them at program banks in its deposit sweep program. Your deposits at each program bank become eligible for FDIC insurance up to $250,000, inclusive of any other deposits you may already hold at the bank in the same ownership capacity. You can access the terms and conditions of the sweep program at https://thread.bank/sweep-disclosure/ and a list of program banks at https://thread.bank/program-banks/. Please contact customerservice@thread.bank with questions on the sweep program. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply.