Looking for a business bank in Texas? In this guide, we compare Relay, an online banking platform, and Stellar Bank, a traditional bank.
Traditional banks, like Stellar Bank (formerly Allegiance Bank), offer a blend of in-person and online services, and modern platforms, like Relay, provide a fully digital banking experience tailored for businesses. Let's delve deeper into what each institution brings to the table to help you make the best decision for your business.
In this article:
What is Relay?
Relay is an efficient online banking and money management platform that simplifies the process of tracking your small business finances. We offer more than just the basics of small business checking; we're here to help you make smart decisions for your business.
At Relay, our goal is to solve the most problematic aspects of small business banking like high account fees, unclear pricing, disorganized banking data, limited cash flow visibility, and inadequate customer support.
As an all-in-one banking solution, we allow you to open up to 20 free business checking accounts, each with a distinct account and routing number. Plus, you can issue up to 50 virtual or physical debit cards to your team and accelerate your back-office workflows with seamless integrations into your accounting software.
We take pride in our 4.5 Trustpilot-rated customer support, which is available by email and phone. Our team of specialists is committed to understanding your business's unique needs and helping you reach your financial goals. With Relay, you can be assured that you have access to customized support whenever you need it.
What is Stellar Bank?
In 2023, Allegiance Bank and Community Bank of Texas merged to become Stellar Bank. Now, Stellar Bank is a community bank and parent company that primarily serves the Houston, Texas metropolitan area including Katy with key locations at Greenway Plaza and West Belt’s Sam Houston Parkway. Its executive chairman is Steve Retzloff.
It focuses on providing a range of financial services to small to medium-sized businesses, professionals, and individuals. As a community bank, Stellar Bank often emphasizes local decision-making, personalized service, and community involvement.
Bank locations can be found across Southwestern Texas, including Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Beaumont, Baytown, Port Arthur, and Dallas.
Relay vs. Stellar Bank comparison chart
Features/Services | Stellar Bank | Relay |
Open Account Online | ✅ | ✅ |
Online Banking | ✅ Web, Apple iOs and Android Mobile Apps | ✅ Web, Apple iOs and Android Mobile Apps |
Monthly Account Fees | $0-$15 | $0 |
Minimum Opening Deposit | From $200 | None |
Minimum Balance Requirement | $0-$2,500 | None |
Overdraft Fees | $30 | $0 |
Money Movement | Wire Transfer: Not specified ACH Payments: Not specified | Wire Transfer: $5 domestic, $10 international (Free with Relay Pro) ACH Payments: Free |
ATM Access | Not specified | 55,000+ |
Branch Locations | 54 | Online-only |
Interest-bearing accounts | ✅Varies by account | ✅ 1-3% APY on savings depending on balance |
Business Credit Cards | ✅ | ⛔️ |
Online Reviews |
Relay’s business banking features
Relay offers business checking accounts tailored to meet the needs of business owners so that you and your team can efficiently manage your finances. Wave goodbye to worries about fees, administrative hassles, or in-person visits to a branch—we've got you covered with a suite of convenient online banking features.
Instead of dividing up accounts for different banking functions, Relay empowers you to customize your account to fit your preferences. Here's a summary of what you can expect:
Streamline your revenue, expenses, and reserves across 20 accounts, including two savings accounts with competitive 1-3% APY* rates.
Get up to 50 physical or digital Visa® debit cards for your team.
Easily handle ACH transfers, wire transactions, and check processing.
Deposit and withdraw cash at Allpoint+ ATMs throughout the United States.
Accept payments seamlessly via platforms like Stripe, Square, and Shopify.
Set up automatic transfer rules to effortlessly move funds between accounts.
Provide secure banking access to team members and financial advisors with role-based permissions.
Talk to our dedicated customer support team via email or phone.
Rest assured with FDIC insurance covering every Relay account up to $250,000 through Thread Bank, and enjoy the added protection of the Visa® Zero Liability Protection Policy.
Plus, with Relay's savings accounts, your funds are always active and productive. Our auto-transfer rules ensure that surplus cash is regularly transferred from your operating accounts.
The best part? You can enjoy peace of mind without the burden of monthly fees, hidden charges, or minimum balance requirements—Relay has absolutely no account fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance restrictions. Plus, interest is paid out to you monthly. It's that simple.
Stellar Bank’s business banking features
Stellar Bank offers a variety of business banking features. Here’s an overview of what they offer:
Same-Day ACH: The bank provides the convenience of same-day ACH transactions for faster fund transfers.
ATM Access: Access your cash needs through a network of 54 ATMs offered by the bank.
Interest-Bearing Savings Accounts for Businesses: The bank offers specialized interest-bearing and savings accounts tailored to businesses.
Customer Support: Access different customer support options, including by phone, email, and in-person.
FDIC Insurance: Rest easy with FDIC insurance coverage for your deposits, ensuring the safety of your funds through the bank.
Online Banking: Stellar Bank also offers online banking, so you won’t need to visit a branch for many of your banking services.
Differences between Relay vs. Stellar Bank
The main difference between Relay and Stellar Bank is that Relay is a fully digital banking and money management platform tailored for small businesses, while Stellar Bank is a community bank primarily serving the Houston metropolitan area with banking for both businesses and individuals. A
s a community bank, Stellar Bank has a specialized focus on Texas communities and their needs. Relay, on the other hand, is designed for businesses nationwide.
Opening an account
Applying for a business banking account with Relay is quick and straightforward, taking up to 10 minutes if you have all the necessary documents at hand. Once you have an account, all of your banking tasks, such as wire transfers, can be performed online without the need to visit a physical branch like with traditional banks.
To enroll in Stellar Bank's Business Online Banking, you must visit the enrollment page and input all the necessary details in the provided form. Once you've submitted the form, be aware that the enrollment process might take up to five business days to complete.
Accounts payable management
If accounts payable management is especially important to your business, there are some differences between Relay and Stellar Bank you’ll want to keep in mind.
Relay streamlines accounts payable by directly integrating with accounting software including QuickBooks Online, Xero, Gusto, Plaid, Freshbooks, and Yodlee. With Relay Pro, you can import bills automatically from QuickBooks Online or Xero and manage them efficiently. You can also easily review, approve, and pay all bills from one dashboard.
Automate single or multi-step approval rules for bill payments, pay multiple bills to the same vendor in a single batch, pay multiple bills to different vendors in one workflow, and auto-sync paid bills as “paid” back to your general ledger. Plus, with Relay Pro, you get 50 same-day ACH transfers per month.
By contrast, Stellar Bank offers outsourced payroll management services for an additional fee. These services include electronic filings and deposits, managing payroll tax compliance, responding to payroll-related requests from the Internal Revenue Service, tracking time off requests, approvals and vacations, and Human Resources support.
Cashback and rewards
Relay does not offer a cashback and rewards credit card. Instead, our business checking and savings accounts are specifically designed to help you grow your capital. Our automated savings can help you earn 1-3% APY on idle cash.
Plus, our Profit First banking lets you set up auto-transfer rules so that excess funds are automatically transferred from your operating accounts into your savings, where you can earn that extra interest on every extra dollar.
Stellar Bank offers businesses cash back and rewards options on their credit cards. With Stellar Bank’s VOX® Business Visa® Card, you can earn and redeem points for travel, cash back, merchandise, or gift card rewards. However, Stellar Bank’s checking accounts do not require rewards or cash back.
Verdict: Which banking partner is right for your business?
Choosing the right banking partner is crucial for the success and growth of your business. Both Relay and Stellar Bank offer unique features tailored to support business needs.
While Relay provides a digital-first approach with seamless integrations and no monthly fees, Stellar Bank offers a Texas-focused blend of community and online banking.
To find the right fit for your business, consider your goals and the type of support you need. Then, choose the banking platform that aligns with your business plan. And if you're ready to sign up for Relay, you can get started entirely online here!
