These are the 10 best banks for startups, according to founders and VCs

"Hiring the right commercial and investment banks can be critical for a startup's success. We asked 15 startup founders and investors to name the best banks they've worked with. Their picks ranged from early-stage commercial banking partners to IPO-focused heavyweights. From a startup's earliest stages through its hopeful exit, founders need banks - to manage the company's money, negotiate favorable deals, and minimize financial headaches along the way. Business Insider asked 15 investors and founders to nominate the best banks doing business with startups in 2025. Most of the people asked to remain anonymous to preserve their existing banking relationships."

"Some VCs said that when working with a bank on discreet transactions, especially for small to midsize M&A, choosing a highly specialized individual banker should be the top priority. "You want to hire a banker who really knows your industry," said Micah Rosenbloom, a managing partner at Founder Collective. "In a lot of these cases, the 'who' matters more than the firm." For other aspects of banking, however, from managing checking accounts to negotiating a public listing, a bank's broader practice and client network can often take precedent. More banks have been stepping up to provide high-touch services to startups and venture funds, especially after Silicon Valley Bank's 2023 collapse."

Fifteen startup founders and investors identified top banks for startups in 2025, spanning early-stage commercial partners to IPO-focused firms. Founders rely on banks to manage cash, negotiate favorable deals, and reduce financial friction from founding through exit. VCs emphasized that for discreet transactions, especially small-to-midsize M&A, the individual banker’s industry expertise can outweigh firm reputation. For operational banking and public listings, a bank's broader practice, client network, and high-touch capabilities matter. The 2023 Silicon Valley Bank collapse prompted many banks to hire SVB alumni and expand services to venture-backed clients.

Read at Business Insider