Innovating fintech products for micro businesses owners isn’t just possible—it’s critical.

While corporate giants and big brands often grab headlines, it’s micro business owners that are increasingly providing the heartbeat of our economy—from freelancers and family-owned shops to independent electricians and food truck owners.

Despite the growth of micro businesses—fewer than 10 employees and up to $1M in revenue—many banks have deprioritized or even disregarded this sector as a viable revenue source due to a prevailing myth: that micro businesses shy away from business banking primarily due to fee aversion. 

However, our research and experience tells a different story. Micro business owners are not inherently opposed to fees; they're opposed to inadequate value for their small companies or bloated solutions that would be better suited to larger SMBs.

The challenge lies not in convincing them to pay but in offering solutions that genuinely meet their unique needs and challenges. By addressing these concerns, banks can unlock new revenue streams, increase engagement, and foster loyalty, demonstrating a tangible commitment to their micro business owners’ success.

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Busting the Myth That Micro Businesses Won’t Pay Bank Fees

On average 13-35% of a financial institutions’ consumer accounts are used to run small businesses. Because micro business owners are cost-conscious, banks often cite fees as the reason these owners stick to their consumer accounts. But it’s not just because of fees. 

Our research reveals a vast market of savvy but time-starved entrepreneurs wanting more than just basic banking. Along with the focusing on the craft of their business, they’re facing fluctuating incomes, seasonal changes, cashflow challenges. Left with limited mental space to consider new banking solutions, many owners let inertia take over, settling for consumer banking accounts by default—not for a lack of interest in better alternatives, but due to a lack of awareness and a dearth of compelling reasons to switch.

Envision banking solutions that adapt to the ebb and flow of a micro business's cash flow, provide instant access to funds, and offer strategic insights to propel growth. They’re ready to invest in services that offer tangible benefits and cater to their unique operational rhythms, from enhanced cash flow management to simplified tax preparation.

This isn't just a service upgrade; it's a revolution in small business banking—a transformation from being viewed merely as a provider to being experienced as a partner.

5 Types of Banking and Account Features Micro Businesses Will Pay For

Micro business owners prioritize cost-efficiency, time-saving features, and growth. Financial institutions stand to make significant inroads in the fintech arena by tailoring offerings to these priorities, thereby positioning themselves as indispensable allies to micro businesses and serving them in ways previously unimagined.

Here’s how:

1. Integrated Financial Management 

For a micro business owner, there really aren’t enough hours in the day. A cohesive—but not overly complex—platform that simplifies financial oversight, from invoicing and payment processing to cash flow analytics is a slam dunk. Micro business owners benefit from:

• A comprehensive suite for finance management, suited to micro business workflows
• Seamless integrations with essential software for accounting, CRM, and business operations
• Automation of routine tasks using AI, enhancing efficiencies from bookkeeping and tax prep to pricing and inventory management

2. Next-Gen Support + Access to Capital

Supporting your business customers is no longer just about phone calls or chat bots. Accessibility to funds, credit, customer support, and business knowledge when needed most has become non-negotiable for micro business banking. Getting paid instantly after invoicing clients, riding cash flow fluctuations with auto-approved credit lines, and immediate assistance troubleshooting myriad headaches are all part of empowering business owners to overcome common challenges that would otherwise stifle progress.

• Immediate access to funds 
• Credit solutions tailored to the unique financial rhythms of micro businesses
• 24/7 customer support
• In-context business insights and education

3. Payments the Micro Business Way

Feedback from micro business owners highlights a strong desire for adaptable payment systems that mitigate the unpredictability of transaction fees and offer real value. Transaction-based fees are seen as particularly burdensome or even punitive, especially during times of profit, which deters owners from considering your business banking products. Overcoming this barrier opens them up.

• Adaptable payment systems tailored to various businesses some text
  • For example, a food truck owner benefits from swift, straightforward payment methods like Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, and Apple Pay. A graphic designer values seamless integration with invoicing and customizable communication options. Personal service providers, such as dog walkers and tutors look for the convenience of recurring payments and automatic billing features.
• Transparent fee structures with fixed monthly charges to eliminate unpredictability
• Secure and professional payment technologies that business owners and their customers can trust

4. Enhanced Branding Tools and Customer Loyalty Programs

Empowering micro businesses to elevate their brand and foster customer loyalty is crucial for their competitive edge. Banks can support this with customizable billing tools, automated reminders, and loyalty programs that incentivize repeat business, cross sell, and word-of-mouth referrals. As a bonus, the cost to owners is minimal compared to traditional customer-acquisition methods.

• Customizable receipts and invoices
• Automated Accounts Receivable (AR) reminders
• SMS and email reminders
• Verified business status
• Statement credits, cash back offers, and other loyalty perks
• Tiered end-customer benefits personalized by vertical    

5. Security and Fraud Protection

Business owners have enough to worry about -- they don’t need to be distracted wondering if their data and privacy are secure. They need seamless, active safeguarding while allowing easy visibility into protection mechanisms. And they need the same assurance that their customers’ info is safe and secure.

• Multi-factor authentication
• AI fraud detection and response
• Automated security reports

Break Customer Inertia With Innovation

The choice to run business finances through consumer accounts isn’t always an owner’s active decision. It’s often more about transaction-related fees and apathy. They don’t have time to research, evaluate, and move to small-business banking. With open banking taking off, you can dream up flexible, customized offerings that help micro businesses succeed while also building loyal, long-term banking relationships.

Make your offerings attractive based on what your bank does best. Increase adoption by thoughtfully integrating must-have features into a smooth transition bundle. So, your mom’s favorite local florist can now keep her high-value repeat customers coming back for more mums, price her event bouquets more profitably, streamline end-of-the-month tracking, and still have time to enjoy the blossoming of her business.

Building on Your Organizational Strengths

So, what’s next? As you evaluate the most promising features your bank is best equipped to build, the next step is rallying your team and aligning on offerings best matched to your organization’s strengths. 

As you strategize and execute, we'd love to hear how it's going. If you'd like help making it happen, we're here to lead the way and go on the journey together. We combine product strategy and visioning to help you translate pioneering product potential into customer-focused solutions.

Want to make products that help micro business owners sleep easier at night? Let’s do it together.