Relay vs. Tri Counties Bank: A Small Business Banking Comparison

Should your business choose an online or traditional bank? In this guide we compare Relay and Tri Counties Bank so you can make an informed decision when selecting a business bank in California.

In this article:

• What is Relay?

• What is Tri Counties Bank?

• Relay vs. Tri Counties Bank comparison chart

• Additional financial services from Tri Counties Bank

• Additional banking features from Relay

• Relay vs. Tri Counties Bank: What’s best for your business?

What is Relay?

Relay, an online platform for business banking and financial management, is dedicated to aiding small businesses in transparently managing their cash flow, free from hidden fees. Its diverse range of features includes:

• Organizing income, expenses, and reserves through up to 20 different checking accounts and two savings accounts, featuring an APY of 1-3%.

• Issuing up to 50 virtual or physical Visa® debit cards.

• Facilitating ACH transfers and wire transfers.

• Enabling cash deposits and withdrawals through Allpoint ATMs across the U.S.

• Collecting payments from various platforms such as Stripe, Square, Shopify, and more.

• Automating cash transfers between accounts via auto-transfer rules.

• Providing role-based banking access for financial advisors and team members to enhance security.

• Offering personalized customer support through both email and phone.

Furthermore, Relay ensures the complete FDIC insurance of each account through Thread Bank and Evolve Bank & Trust. Additionally, accounts benefit from coverage under the Visa® Zero Liability Protection Policy.

What is Tri Counties Bank?

Established in 1975, Tri Counties Bank, based in Chico, California, operates as a subsidiary of TriCo Bancshares (NASDAQ:TCBK), serving customers statewide through its extensive branch network and online/mobile banking platforms. The bank provides a comprehensive range of personal, small business, and commercial banking services. Customers enjoy access to approximately 40,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide for convenient withdrawals and deposits.

For over 45 years, Tri Counties Bank has been a key player in offering tailored small business and commercial banking solutions to California companies. These solutions include advanced technologies for managing daily cash flow and a variety of loan options for securing working capital and equipment. The bank's Relationship Managers collaborate closely with businesses, understanding their goals and delivering customized products and services to support growth at different stages—an approach characterized as Service With Solutions®, reflecting the bank's commitment to relationship banking.

Relay vs. Tri Counties Bank comparison

More banking services from Tri Counties Bank

💼 Treasury Management: Tri Counties offers services to streamline your cash management, payables, receivables, and information reporting processes to improve your financial oversight.

📅 Term Loans: Term loans provide your business with a one-time lump sum of money for a specific need, to be paid back over a set period with consistent interest payments.

💳 Business Lines of Credit: Take advantage of a revolving credit line for financing short-term operational costs and enhancing cash flow management, borrowing as needed for your business.

🌐 Online Wire Transfers: You can send wire transfers via Tri Counties Bank’s online banking platform at tcbk.com. Online wires come with lower fees than those completed in-branch.

✅ Secure Online Check Ordering: Reorder personal or business checks through Tri Counties Bank online banking via Harland Clarke®.

🌾 Agriculture Solutions to Maximize Growth: The bank provides assistance with loans for various agricultural needs including crop production, capital improvements, acquisition or expansion, real estate, refinancing, and equipment financing.

💳 Small Business Credit Cards: Tri Counties Bank offers several Visa business credit cards.

💰 Certificates of Deposit: Save business funds with a Tri Counties Bank Certificate of Deposit (CD), which is federally insured by the FDIC up to the maximum allowable limit. The rate is guaranteed for the full term, and upon redemption of the CD, you receive the money you originally invested plus any accrued interest.

More banking platform features from Relay

At Relay, we're committed to pioneering the digital banking era. Our exclusive attention is on developing online business banking accounts to streamline your business financial operations. Explore the unique features that differentiate us: 

📊 Transaction Insights: Gain a holistic view of your cash flow with Relay. It offers extensive details about vendors, payments, and customers, making purchase verification and account reconciliation more efficient. 

🌎 Various Payment Options: With Relay Pro, enjoy the benefits of same-day ACH payments and unlimited wire transfers, both domestically and internationally, with transparent fees. Relay also enables wire transfers in your recipient's local currency, reducing foreign exchange expenses. 

📜 Security Measures: Although Relay is a tech platform and not an FDIC-insured bank, we prioritize the safety of your funds. Each business account is insured by FDIC through our partner banks like Thread Bank and Evolve Bank and Trust. Additionally, Visa's Zero Liability Protection provides extra security against card theft. 

👨‍💻 Digital Sign-Up: Experience hassle-free account creation with our online contemporary banking platform, a stark contrast to traditional banks. 

🧾 Effortless Software Integration: Relay seamlessly merges with QuickBooks Online, Gusto, and Xero, ensuring efficient and accurate account management for your accounting team. 

✅ Consolidated Account Access: Manage multiple business accounts effortlessly under a single login with Relay, ensuring smooth account transitions. 

💷 Profit-First Approach: Relay simplifies the setup of Profit First accounting, particularly the zero-balance method. We understand the conventional challenges and offer tools to transform your financial management. With Relay, gain instant insights into your business’s finances. 

🖥️ Automated Transfers: Set up auto-transfer rules with Relay to automatically distribute funds among your various accounts based on your preferences. 

🔒 Enhanced Security Features: Relay offers role-based permissions, allowing you to assign team member access levels, establish spending limits, and oversee account activities remotely.

Relay vs. Tri Counties Bank: Which banking is best for your business?

Choosing the right banking partner is crucial for your business's growth and financial well-being. Relay, with its digital-first approach, offers a suite of tools tailored for modern small businesses, emphasizing transparency, ease of use, and seamless integrations. Its commitment to revolutionizing the banking experience is evident in features like real-time transaction insights and a profit-first approach.

In contrast, Tri Counties Bank, rooted in California with a rich history, provides a mix of traditional and modern banking services. Their emphasis on relationship banking, offering a wide range of services from treasury management to agricultural solutions, demonstrates their dedication to diverse business needs.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your business's specific requirements. If you prioritize a digital-centric platform with clarity and automation, Relay may be the ideal match. On the other hand, if you value a combination of traditional banking with a touch of modernity and a localized presence, Tri Counties Bank could be the right choice.

Banking Built for Business Owners

No account fees or minimums; 20 checking accounts; 2 savings accounts with 1.00%-3.00% APY; 50 virtual + physical debit cards. Open account 100% online.

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Still unsure which banking platform to choose? Check out some of our other comparisons to see how Relay stacks up against Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America.