Zelle highlights its growing impact on U.S. small businesses

With the May 1 kickoff of National Small Business Month approaching, Zelle released its first-ever report detailing how millions of small businesses nationwide are using the payment platform to power daily operations, manage cash flow and stimulate local economies.

The newly published data revealed that almost 7 million small businesses are now enrolled with Zelle, with usage tripling over the past three years. An additional estimated 3 million to 4 million individuals rely on Zelle to receive payments tied to independent or freelance work, which highlights the platform's expanding role in supporting America's entrepreneurial spirit.

A game-changing tool

"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."

According to Zelle's findings, small businesses are using the platform in a variety of ways unique to their industries and regions. From surf lessons in Los Angeles and livestock grooming during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to grabbing a hot dog at a New York City cart, small business transactions via Zelle have become embedded in everyday American commerce. In 2024, small businesses received an average of $465 per transaction through Zelle.

Zelle noted that business owners also turned to it for timely vendor and payroll payments. The average amount sent by a small business was around $630 last year—roughly equivalent to a month's vendor space at Florida's Ft. Myers Beach Market or a bi-weekly spot at the Union Square Farmers Market in Massachusetts.

A good fit for entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs like Michael B., who operates a dog-walking service in New York, Zelle has become an indispensable part of daily business. "I've been using Zelle for about seven years to accept payments from clients on a weekly and monthly basis," he said. "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."

Zelle pointed out that its reach is broad, with availability through financial institutions across all 50 states. Notably, 95 percent of the banks and credit unions that offer Zelle are community-based institutions. Zelle found that three out of five small businesses using Zelle said in a survey that it helped them build stronger, more trusted relationships with their banks or credit unions.

The new data also pinpoints when businesses rely most heavily on Zelle. March stands out as the busiest month for incoming payments, likely driven by tax refunds and employee bonuses. Outgoing payments peak between May and August, coinciding with the seasonal surge in tourism, construction, landscaping and recreation. Fridays and the first of the month are the busiest days overall, reflecting payroll and rent payment schedules.

With more than 5 billion payments sent since its 2017 launch, Zelle continues to transform how money moves in the U.S. economy, the company stated, adding that as small businesses increasingly adopt digital solutions to manage operations, tools like Zelle offer critical speed, flexibility and trust.

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