The Big Opportunity in Small Business Banking — and Why Banks Must Move Now

Let’s Recap: The Small Business Banking Opportunity

Missed our latest Autobooks webinar? No worries — we’ve got you covered. 

This post serves as your study guide to the key points we discussed, along with data-backed insights to help you take action at your financial institution. Whether you’re just beginning to explore embedded banking or looking to deepen your small business strategy, this summary highlights what matters most — and why now is the time to act. 

Watch the full webinar replay

We Learn (and Laugh) Together 

We keep things informative — and a little fun.  
 

Slide 1–3: The Small Business Struggle 

Why do business owners start a business? 
For many, it’s about freedom or passion. But once they’re up and running, most are overwhelmed with the back-office reality: invoicing, payment processing, bookkeeping, and cash flow management. 

“They’re cobbling together Square, QuickBooks, Venmo — it’s messy, and expensive. And none of those help build a relationship with their bank.” 

These aren’t fringe tools. They’re the financial infrastructure for millions of small businesses — and they’re happening outside your bank. 

Slide 6–7: The Threat from Non-Bank Providers 

One bank’s cohort analysis told the story best: 

• 31 small businesses were depositing $80,000/month via third-party apps. 

• After adopting Autobooks through their bank, those same businesses began depositing $580,000/month. 

• That’s a 525% increase — without switching core accounts or branches. 

“Every $1 that came back from a third-party app brought $7 in deposits that stayed in the bank.” 

This isn’t just a product win — it’s a relationship win. 

Slide 8–10: What Banks Are Missing 

Check usage is down. Third-party platforms dominate merchant acquiring. And digital-first SMBs are shifting their financial behaviors away from the bank. 

“We don’t need to out-market Square. We just need to make our channels more useful than Square.” 

Embedded payment tools, invoicing, and reporting — all inside digital banking — help make that happen. 

Slide 11+: Embedded Banking in Action 

With Autobooks, business customers can: 

• Send professional invoices 

• Accept payments by card or ACH 

• Track cash flow 

• View financial reports 

• Do it all from online or mobile banking 

And banks benefit in turn: 

• Higher deposit growth 

• Deeper engagement 

• More primary financial relationships 

“You already have the account. Let’s help you become the hub.” 

TL;DR: Don’t Lose the Relationship 

If you’re a banker, here’s your homework: 

• Check how many of your SMB accounts receive deposits from PayPal, Square, or Venmo. 

• Imagine if even 10% of that activity moved back through your channels. 

• Consider what’s stopping that from happening today. 

Up Next: From Tools to Transformation 

In Part 2, we’ll walk through how Autobooks turns those tools into outcomes — and what financial institutions can do to start today. 

Stay tuned. Or connect with our team to get started now.