Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 263 AI responses from ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
If you need collaborative, multi-owner banking, pick Relay for its team-first controls and clear per-card limits. If you’re a tech-forward agency that needs developer-friendly, granular roles and approval workflows, pick
Mercury. If you’re scaling fast and want strict spend and virtual-card controls, pick
Brex.
Brands AI recommends here
Named in 68% of answers
Best when your agency prioritizes collaborative multi-owner banking: Relay emphasizes multiple logins, granular roles, per-card spending limits, sub-accounts, and approval workflows—ideal for teams that need clear operational control.
Named in 67% of answers
Best for tech-forward or growth-oriented agencies that want developer-friendly, highly customizable role permissions and multi-admin approval policies for payments—Mercury is repeatedly noted for granular, digital-first team controls.
Named in 51% of answers
Best for agencies that are scaling quickly and need advanced spend management: Brex offers robust card controls, role-based approvals, and multi-entity spend features—suited to growth-stage teams focused on tight expense governance.
Named in 24% of answers
For a small agency with multiple owners, I would focus less on “digital bank” branding and more on four capabilities: 1. **Custom roles** (not just Admin/User) 2. **Account-level access restrictions** (who can see which accounts)
For a small agency with multiple owners, I would focus less on “digital bank” branding and more on four capabilities:
Based on current features, these are the strongest options:
| Bank | Custom Roles | Account-Level Access | Approval Workflows | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Excellent | Excellent | Strong | Most agencies |
| Relay | Strong | Excellent | Strong | Agencies managing multiple budgets/accounts |
| Brex | Excellent | Strong | Excellent | Larger or fast-growing agencies |
| Revolut Business | Strong | Good | Strong | International teams |
| Novo | Limited | Limited | Basic | Solo founders/small teams |
Mercury has become one of the most flexible options for SMBs. It offers:
For a 5–30 person agency, a common setup would be:
Relay is particularly attractive for agencies because many firms maintain separate accounts for:
Relay supports multiple permission levels and advisor/bookkeeper roles. It is known for letting businesses limit access to specific accounts rather than exposing the entire banking dashboard.
If your partners want visibility into everything while staff only see certain budgets or client funds, Relay is often the cleanest solution.
Brex offers:
For agencies with:
Brex is usually the most sophisticated option.
If you have 2–5 partners and under 25 employees:
If client funds or project budgets need strict separation:
If you're scaling toward a finance team and formal approvals:
If you tell me:
I can suggest a specific role-and-permission structure that fits your agency.
For a small agency with multiple partners and employees, **Relay Financial** and **Mercury** offer the most flexible and advanced user permissions and access control systems among digital banking…
For a small agency with multiple partners and employees, Relay Financial and Mercury offer the most flexible and advanced user permissions and access control systems among digital banking platforms.
These platforms move far beyond the basic "all-or-nothing" access of traditional banks, allowing you to delegate financial tasks without sacrificing oversight or security.
Top Digital Banks Ranked by Permission Flexibility
Core Comparison of Features
| Feature[1][2][3][4][5] | Relay Financial | Mercury | Brex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Sub-Accounts | 20 checking accounts | Unlimited digital wallets | Not applicable |
| Approval Workflows | Draft-only role available | Multi-admin approval rules | Multi-layer manager approval |
| Accountant Access | Dedicated portal access | Read-only & custom ledger view | Integrates directly with ledger |
| Card Control | Individual employee limits | Card-specific budget limits | Real-time policy enforcement |
Important Blind Spots to Consider
To help narrow down the best platform, how many partners and staff members need access, and do you require the ability to set custom dollar limits for specific employee debit cards?
For a small agency with multiple partners and staff, **Mercury** and **Relay Financial** stand out as the top digital banking platforms offering the most flexible, granular user permissions and multi-owner…
For a small agency with multiple partners and staff, Mercury and Relay Financial stand out as the top digital banking platforms offering the most flexible, granular user permissions and multi-owner controls.
Unlike entry-level digital banks that only offer "all-or-nothing" full administrative access, these platforms allow you to precisely separate owner-level privileges from day-to-day employee operations.
| Digital Bank[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] | Access Control Flexibility | Best Used For | Key Advantage for Agencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Exceptional (Fully customizable roles & rule-based approval workflows) | Tech-forward agencies, VC-backed startups, complex structures | Dual-admin approvals for high-value movement and custom checking account visibility. |
| Relay Financial | Very High (6 defined roles + account-specific mapping) | Traditional agencies, heavy bill-pay operations, cash-flow systems | Up to 20 individual checking accounts with the ability to map staff only to specific sub-accounts. |
| Novo | Poor (All-or-nothing full access) | Solo freelancers or single-owner agencies | Every invited user gets full owner privileges, meaning they can withdraw all funds. Avoid for multiple owners. |
Mercury provides the most sophisticated user control architecture on the market for small-to-mid-sized businesses.
Relay Financial relies on a hyper-structured role-based system that integrates cleanly with agency operations like accounts payable and payroll.
To optimize control and safety among multiple partners, execute the following configuration strategy during setup:
To help tailor a recommendation, how many partners need admin control, and how many staff members require access? If you use specific accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero , sharing that can help narrow down the best choice.
For a small agency with multiple owners, choosing a digital bank that offers **flexible user permissions** is crucial. You want to be able to manage who can see what, who can spend, and who can approve transactions without giving everyone full access. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top options tailored for small…
For a small agency with multiple owners, choosing a digital bank that offers flexible user permissions is crucial. You want to be able to manage who can see what, who can spend, and who can approve transactions without giving everyone full access. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top options tailored for small businesses and agencies:
Best for: Tech-savvy small businesses with multiple stakeholders.
Strengths:
Limitations:
Best for: Agencies needing corporate cards with controlled spending.
Strengths:
Limitations:
Best for: Agencies that handle international payments.
Strengths:
Limitations:
Best for: Agencies needing multi-currency accounts and cards.
Strengths:
Limitations:
Best for: European agencies and startups.
Strengths:
Limitations:
When deciding, focus on:
💡 Recommendation:
For a U.S.-based small agency, Mercury is extremely flexible for multiple owners and team members. If you operate in Europe or internationally, Qonto or Wise Business provide excellent control over permissions and cross-border access.
If you want, I can make a side-by-side table comparing Mercury, Brex, Wise, Revolut, and Qonto specifically for multiple owners and staff permissions, which will make it much easier to see which fits your agency workflow best.
Do you want me to do that?
No sources cited
For small agencies with multiple owners, digital banks that provide granular, role-based access controls—allowing distinct permissions for partners, accountants, and staff—are essential. The top digital banks for this requirement, based on flexible user permissions, include **Relay** , **Mercury** , and **Slash**. Top…
For small agencies with multiple owners, digital banks that provide granular, role-based access controls—allowing distinct permissions for partners, accountants, and staff—are essential. The top digital banks for this requirement, based on flexible user permissions, include Relay , Mercury , and Slash.
Top Digital Banks for Flexible Permissions
Key Features for Agency Owners
When selecting a digital bank, prioritize those that offer:
Comparison of Top Picks
| Digital Bank | Best For | Key Permission Features |
|---|---|---|
| Relay | Small teams & Cash Flow Management | Role-based permissions, up to 20 checking accounts, specific team member permissions |
| Mercury | Tech & Growth Agencies | Granular user permissions, read-only access, custom payment permissions |
| Slash | Multi-Entity / Complex Structure | Multi-step approval chains, per-entity access controls, unified dashboard |
| Bluevine | High-Yield / Simple Operations | Team access controls, sub-accounts for budgeting |
For agencies looking to automate expense management and streamline permissions, Relay and Mercury are generally considered the strongest, most intuitive choices.
For a small agency with multiple owners and staff, the key differentiator among “digital banks” (really fintech business banking platforms) is **granular role-based access control** —not just sub-accounts or cards. You want platforms that support: * Multiple admin roles (owner, finance, approver, bookkeeper) *…
For a small agency with multiple owners and staff, the key differentiator among “digital banks” (really fintech business banking platforms) is granular role-based access control —not just sub-accounts or cards. You want platforms that support:
Multiple admin roles (owner, finance, approver, bookkeeper)
Card-level permissions (limits, merchant categories, approval flows)
Account segmentation (sub-accounts / envelopes)
Audit trails + approvals
External accountant access without full admin rights
Below are the strongest options in practice right now.
Brex
Brex is widely considered the most mature for role-based access + enterprise-grade controls , even for small teams that expect to grow.
Why it stands out for agencies:
Very granular role system (admin, AP clerk, bookkeeper, employee, custom roles)
Strong approval workflows for payments and card spend
Detailed visibility controls (what each user can see/do)
Dedicated card management permissions (issue, freeze, limit cards per user/team)
Clean separation between finance ops vs general employees
It’s especially good if you have:
Multiple partners needing oversight
Staff issuing ad spend / vendor payments
A bookkeeper or fractional CFO who should not have full control
Tradeoff: slightly more “startup/tech-oriented” and less simple than others.
Relay
Relay is probably the most practical option for small agencies that want simple but powerful permissioning without enterprise complexity.
Key strengths:
Up to ~20 checking accounts (great for splitting revenue, taxes, client funds)
Multiple team members with controlled access
Role separation (owners vs bookkeepers vs employees)
Debit cards with spend limits and category controls
Easy onboarding for non-finance users
Why agencies like it:
You can mirror your agency structure (clients, departments, projects)
Partners can each manage areas without seeing everything
Staff can only spend within assigned limits
Tradeoff: fewer advanced approval workflows than Brex.
Ramp
Ramp is less a “bank” and more a spend management + corporate card platform with banking-like features.
Best for:
Agencies with heavy ad spend (Meta, Google, SaaS tools)
Strict approval flows before spending happens
Department-level budgets and controls
Access control strengths:
Role-based permissions (approvers vs cardholders vs finance)
Very strong spend policies (per vendor, category, employee)
Real-time enforcement of rules (not just reporting)
Tradeoff: less “bank account structure” flexibility than Relay.
Mercury
Clean UI, solid for startups
Has team access and permissions
But fewer granular controls compared to Brex or Ramp Source 1 Best if you want simplicity over control depth.
Bluevine
Grasshopper Bank
More basic role access
Less sophisticated permissions and workflows
Better for straightforward checking accounts than structured teams
Best overall control + scalability: Brex
Best balance of simplicity + multi-owner structure: Relay
Best for spend-heavy agencies (ads, SaaS tools): Ramp
Simplest “good enough” option: Mercury
Tell me:
number of owners + staff
whether you run paid ads / client billing / payroll through the account
whether you need client-by-client separation
I can map a specific setup (e.g., “Relay + Ramp combo” or “Brex-only structure”) that fits your workflow.
For small agencies and consultancies with **multiple owners, contractors, and staff** , the key differentiator in digital banking is not interest rates or UX—it’s **role-based access control (RBAC)** : how granularly you can separate _ownership, approvals, payments, cards, and reporting visibility_ across users. Below…
For small agencies and consultancies with multiple owners, contractors, and staff , the key differentiator in digital banking is not interest rates or UX—it’s role-based access control (RBAC) : how granularly you can separate ownership, approvals, payments, cards, and reporting visibility across users.
Below are the digital banking platforms that currently stand out for flexible permissions and multi-user controls , especially for small businesses.
Mercury
Mercury is one of the strongest options for startups and agencies that need clean, structured access control without enterprise banking complexity.
Why it stands out:
Multiple user roles (Admin, Accountant, Employee-style access)
Ability to restrict:
ACH/wire initiation
Bill pay approvals
Card issuance and limits
Clear separation between view-only vs. payment-capable users
Easy onboarding/offboarding for contractors or part-time staff
Best for: agencies that want simple-but-real RBAC without heavy configuration overhead.
Relay Financial
Relay is designed specifically around multi-user financial workflows , which makes it especially strong for agencies and partnerships.
Key strengths:
Multiple checking accounts under one structure (useful for clients/projects)
Up to 20+ users depending on plan
Highly granular permissions:
Who can create payments
Who can approve payments (dual control workflows)
Who can only view transactions
Built-in approval flows (useful for partners or co-founders)
Best for: agencies with partner approval workflows or client-by-client budgeting.
Brex
Brex is widely used in venture-backed startups and agencies with structured spend management.
Key strengths:
Very granular card-level permissions
per employee
per department
per vendor/category
Approval chains for expenses
Spend limits and policy controls
Admin hierarchy (Owner → Admin → Cardholder-style roles)
Limitations:
More spend-management focused than full banking flexibility
Some features optimized for venture-backed companies
Best for: agencies that care more about expense control than full banking workflows.
Revolut Business
Revolut is one of the more mature platforms for multi-user permissions with international teams.
Key strengths:
Role-based permissions (Admin, Finance Manager, Employee, Read-only, etc.)
Ability to restrict:
payments
FX transfers
card usage
Approval workflows for outgoing payments
Good for distributed teams and contractors abroad
Best for: agencies operating internationally or with remote teams.
Novo
Novo is popular with freelancers and very small agencies.
Key strengths:
Basic multi-user access
Simple permissions (mostly “view vs transact”)
Integrates with tools like QuickBooks
Limitations:
Best for: very small agencies (2–5 people) without complex approval needs.
| Platform | Permission depth | Approval workflows | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Medium–High | Basic | Clean startup banking |
| Relay | Very high | Strong dual approval flows | Agencies & partnerships |
| Brex | High (spend-focused) | Strong | Expense control + cards |
| Revolut Business | High | Medium | International teams |
| Novo | Low | Minimal | Simple small teams |
If your structure includes multiple owners + staff + contractors , the decision usually breaks down like this:
Need real financial governance (approvals, partner controls) → 👉 Relay Financial
Need simple clean banking with decent roles → 👉 Mercury
Need tight spending control + cards per employee → 👉 Brex
Need international teams + FX control → 👉 Revolut Business
If you want, I can map this specifically to your agency structure (e.g., “2 owners + 3 staff + contractors + client funds”) and suggest the best setup pattern for permissions and accounts.
No sources cited
For a small agency with multiple owners, staff, and contractors, the digital banks that offer the most flexible user permissions and granular access controls are **Relay** , **Mercury** , and **Brex**. These platforms allow for specific, role-based access, enabling partners and staff to have tailored permissions…
For a small agency with multiple owners, staff, and contractors, the digital banks that offer the most flexible user permissions and granular access controls are Relay , Mercury , and Brex. These platforms allow for specific, role-based access, enabling partners and staff to have tailored permissions without full administrative control.
Top Digital Banks for Flexible Permissions
Other Notable Options
Key Considerations for Agencies
Disclaimer: Mercury and Brex are financial technology companies, not banks. Banking services are provided by partner banks.
For a small agency with multiple partners, the difference between “basic multi-user access” and **truly flexible permissions** comes down to three things: * **Granularity** (can you control actions like payments vs. view-only vs. approvals?) * **Role customization** (pre-set roles vs. fully custom roles)
For a small agency with multiple partners, the difference between “basic multi-user access” and truly flexible permissions comes down to three things:
Granularity (can you control actions like payments vs. view-only vs. approvals?)
Role customization (pre-set roles vs. fully custom roles)
Approval workflows & limits (e.g., dual approval, spending caps)
Here’s a grounded look at digital banks/fintechs that are consistently considered strong on this—plus where each one actually shines or falls short.
Best overall for startups/agencies needing clean role control + UI
Multiple users with customizable permissions per account and per action
Granular controls like:
Who can initiate vs. approve payments
Card-level controls (spend limits, vendor locking)
मजबूत audit trails and activity logs
👉 Why it stands out:
Mercury balances ease of use + real control , which many traditional banks fail at.
👉 Limitation:
Not fully “enterprise-grade” RBAC (role-based access control) like a treasury system.
Best for budgeting + role-based access by account (“envelope-style”)
Create multiple accounts and assign user access per account
Roles include:
Admin
Bookkeeper (read + limited actions)
Employee (card-only access)
Strong separation between partners vs. staff
👉 Why it’s powerful:
You can segment money + permissions together , which is ideal for agencies managing client budgets.
Best for advanced permissions + spend control (especially with cards)
Highly granular permissions:
Department-level budgets
Employee-specific card rules
Built-in approval workflows for spend
Deep integration with accounting tools
👉 Why it stands out:
Closer to a finance operations platform than just a bank.
👉 Limitation:
Less flexible if you want simple banking without the spend-management layer.
Best for automation + approval chains
Fine-grained permissions for:
Bill pay approvals
Vendor payments
Expense categories
Automated approval flows and policy enforcement
👉 Why it’s useful:
Great if your agency has multiple partners approving expenses or invoices.
Best for international teams with decent (not best-in-class) permissions
Multi-user access with roles like:
Admin
Standard user
Good visibility + audit logs
👉 Tradeoff:
Permissions are simpler and less customizable than Mercury/Brex.
Best for highly customizable roles (especially outside the US)
Advanced role system:
Custom roles
Approval workflows
Spending limits per user
Can scale from small teams to larger orgs
👉 Why it’s notable:
One of the few fintechs offering near enterprise-level role customization.
Across modern digital banking platforms, the strongest setups include:
Role-based access (Owner, Admin, Read-only, Cardholder)
Ability to:
Separate view vs. transact vs. approve
Set transaction limits per user
Restrict access to specific accounts only
Full audit logs of user activity
Easy ability to add/remove users instantly
The gap between average and best platforms is how customizable those roles are.
| Platform | Granularity | Custom roles | Approval workflows | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | High | Medium | Basic–Moderate | Startups/agencies |
| Relay | Medium | Low | Basic | Budget segmentation |
| Brex | Very High | High | Advanced | Spend-heavy teams |
| Ramp | Very High | Medium | Advanced automation | Finance ops |
| Wise | Medium | Low | Basic | International use |
| Revolut | High | High | Advanced | Custom structures |
For a small agency with multiple owners + staff , I’d narrow it down to:
Mercury → best balance of simplicity + control
Relay → best if you want clean separation of funds by team/client
Brex or Ramp → best if approvals + expense governance matter heavily
Revolut Business → best if you want maximum customization (especially globally)
If you want, tell me:
team size
how many partners
whether approvals are required (e.g., 2 signatures)
I can suggest a tighter stack (or even a combo of bank + expense tool) that fits your exact workflow.
For a small agency with multiple owners, the top digital banks offering flexible user permissions, granular access controls, and robust team management are **[Relay Financial](https://relayfi.com/)** , **Mercury** , and **Ramp**. These platforms allow for distinct roles, such as accountants, partners, and employees,…
For a small agency with multiple owners, the top digital banks offering flexible user permissions, granular access controls, and robust team management are Relay Financial , Mercury , and Ramp. These platforms allow for distinct roles, such as accountants, partners, and employees, with customizable spending limits and approval workflows.
Here are the best digital banks based on flexible user permissions:
1. Relay Financial (Best for Granular Control)
Relay is particularly noted for its high-level control over team access and multi-account organization, making it ideal for agencies with multiple partners.
2. Mercury (Best for Tech/Growth-Focused Agencies)
Mercury offers a sophisticated, tech-forward platform tailored to fast-moving startups and agencies that require virtual cards and high-level financial oversight.
3. Ramp (Best for Spend Management & Staff)
While technically a spend management platform with integrated banking, Ramp is excellent for agencies needing tight controls over staff spending and expense automation.
4. Chase Business Complete Banking (Best Hybrid Option)
If your agency needs to combine digital flexibility with physical branch access, Chase is a strong contender.
Summary of Key Features for Agencies
| Digital Bank | Best For | Key Permissions Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Relay | Multi-partner/Cash Flow | Up to 50 cards, granular role-based access |
| Mercury | Tech/Growth | Granular team permissions, virtual cards |
| Ramp | Staff Expenses | Advanced approval workflows, spend controls |
| Chase | Hybrid/Branch Access | Detailed user role customization |
Important Note: NorthOne, while mentioned in some 2025 lists, may not be suitable for multiple-owner agencies as it historically did not offer granular user permissions (any added user got full admin access).
I can help you narrow this down if you let me know: