Deep Dive Data Drop: Zelle® Unveils First-Ever Small Business Report - Here's What it Reveals

New data demonstrates how small business use of Zelle is growing, helping small businesses across the country do more, faster

NEW YORK, April 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Main Street makes the American economy move, and Zelle^® today released never-before published data that provides new insight into when, where, and how U.S. small businesses rely on the payment tool's unique features to help boost growth and unlock opportunities.

The new data, released ahead of National Small Business Month in May, underscores the growing role Zelle plays in helping reduce uncertainty for America's Main Street economy:

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• Almost seven million small businesses are enrolled to use Zelle and use of Zelle to pay small businesses has tripled in the past three years. Zelle also plays a meaningful role in the financial lives of an additional estimated 3-4 million individuals who use it to receive payments tied to independent or self-directed work.
• Zelle is most popular with small businesses in critical commercial markets across the country. In these areas, small businesses are getting paid with Zelle in ways as unique as the cities they're in — like surf lessons in Los Angeles, local souvenirs in Orlando, livestock grooming during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, or grabbing a hot dog from a cart in New York City. On average, small businesses received about $465 per transaction in 2024.
• Zelle is used by small businesses owners to send payments in key moments when speed and reliability matter most — like ensuring payroll is met and vendors are paid. In fact, the average payment sent by a small business was around $630 in 2024 — that's about the monthly cost of vendor space at the Ft. Myers Beach Market in Florida or a bi-weekly space at the Union Square Farmers Market in Massachusetts.

What They're Saying:

• "Small businesses power the U.S. economy — and Zelle helps them thrive," said Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle. "By enabling fast, reliable payments, Zelle helps lower costs and builds confidence. It's a game-changer for how small businesses run and stimulate growth in local economies nationwide."
• "I've been using Zelle for about seven years to accept payments from clients on a weekly and monthly basis. I find it's pretty seamless—easier than some of the other services out there," said Michael B., who owns a dog walking service in New York. "It's just really easy to set up. Payments go right into my bank account. I don't have to go through a third party. I have access to the money immediately."

Where Small Businesses Rely on Zelle¹ 

Zelle is available from financial institutions in all 50 states — from South Carolina to Michigan, from New Hampshire to Iowa, and from Wisconsin to Nevada. In fact, 95% of the banks and credit unions that offer Zelle are community financial institutions — and according to a recent survey of Zelle users, 3 out of 5 small businesses say Zelle helps them build a deeper and more trusted relationship with their bank or credit union.²

Small businesses in economic centers across the country are also relying on Zelle to help them succeed. Below are the top areas of the country where small businesses are using Zelle:

1. Los Angeles, Calif.
2. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
3. New York, N.Y.
4. Chicago, Ill.
5. Houston, Texas
6. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
7. Atlanta, Ga.
8. Washington, D.C.
9. Phoenix, Ariz.
10. Orlando, Fla.

When Small Businesses Use Zelle³

Whether paying contractors, managing overhead, or receiving customer payments, Zelle supports economic empowerment and enables real-time cash flow. The Zelle network is built for reliability around the clock — and while small businesses count on it every day, the data reveals key moments when speed and dependability matter most:

• March Momentum: March is the busiest month for payments received by small businesses on Zelle. Why? March is typically tied to increased consumer spending from bonuses and tax refunds.
• Summer Surge: May through August have a high volume of payments sent by small businesses. This is typically when seasonal industries ramp up staffing and there is an increase in tourism, food service, recreation, landscaping, and construction.
• From Payday to Rent Pay: Fridays and the first of each month are consistently the busiest days for transactions. Both are days where businesses are often paying their employees and sending rent payments to landlords.

These patterns reflect the real-time nature of small business operations and the growing reliance on trusted payment tools like Zelle.

The benefits of Zelle to small businesses are clear and the increasing use of Zelle by small business owners reflects a broader digital shift as entrepreneurs seek payment tools that are more flexible and immediate. Zelle helps reduce uncertainty and helps small business owners focus on what matters most: running and growing their business.

About Zelle®

Zelle® is transforming how money moves, with more than five billion digital payments sent since its launch in 2017. The Zelle^® network connects over 2,200 banks and credit unions of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send digital payments to people and businesses they know and trust with an eligible bank account in the U.S. Money is available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle^®. To learn more about Zelle^® and participating financial institutions in the Zelle^® network, visit www.zellepay.com. 

¹Based on 2024 enrollment and 90-day use data.

²This consumer research was conducted by Nonfiction Research in partnership with Early Warning Services, LLC and Pereira O'Dell. The data and quotes featured were obtained via Qualitative Interviews (N=24) and Quantitative Surveys (N=1007) from July 2024 through August 2024. Participants were compensated for their time.

³Based on limited available and self-reported 2024 memo field data.

SOURCE Early Warning Services, LLC