• Banking

Banks vs Zeller: Which is the Best Business Savings Account For You?

5 min. read11.03.2025
By Team Zeller

Growing a business isn’t just about making more money, it’s also about making your hard-earned work hard for you – and a great way to do that is with the best business savings account in Australia.

The elements of what makes an ideal business savings account are rather simple. It should:

  • Help your funds grow with a strong interest rate

  • Be easy to open with no lengthy application processes or forms

  • Have zero fees eating up your savings account balances

  • Have no minimum balance requirement to earn the best interest rate

  • Allow for easy access to your funds when you need it

Seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? Well, you might be surprised to learn that such accounts are actually quite rare in Australia.

That’s why we created Zeller Savings Account – to offer Australian businesses flexibility, transparency and competitive interest rates on savings balances that the big-4 simply can’t (or don’t want to) match.

How Zeller Savings Account stacks up against the big-4.

Customers are eligible to earn up to 2% p.a. standard variable rate on funds saved in an active Zeller Savings Account until 31 May 2025 (AET). Terms apply. Interest rates accurate as at 31 March 2025.

It pays to switch away from the big-4 business savings accounts.

As you can see from the table above, the big-4 banks’ business savings rates are disappointingly low, and you should note that the figures in the table are their maximum savings rates.

For example, to qualify for 1.15% p.a. from Commonwealth Bank, a business must deposit a whopping $1 million dollars into the account. Needless to say, most Aussie businesses do not have that kind of cash just sitting around.

For balances under $50k, with Commonwealth Bank, you’d earn a tiny interest rate of just 0.25% p.a. Contrast that with Zeller’s 2% p.a. and it’s clear Zeller is the vastly better option.

How much extra could you be earning?

Use the tool below to see how much extra cash your business could save every year with a Zeller Savings Account.

Calculate what you could earn.

See how your savings could grow over 12 months with our high-interest savings account.

Zeller interest rate
2.00% p.a.

Want to start earning more?

Learn more about how a Zeller Savings Account can help your business grow.

This calculator is for guidance purposes only and is based on information you provided, actual figures may vary. The information provided on this savings calculator is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice that takes into account your business needs and objectives. If you are unsure, seek the advice of a qualified accountant or financial service advisor before deciding whether a Zeller Savings Account is right for your business. Please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement, Target Market Determination and Part C of the Zeller Terms of Service here.

These calculations assume that the interest will not change during your chosen time period which may not be the case, actual figures may vary based on factors including number of calendar days in each month and any rounding. The indicative total amount at the end of your chosen period assumes no withdrawals or transfers from Zeller Savings Account.

Why should you have a business savings account?

Whether you’re just starting out or have already amassed a large savings balance, a business savings account is an excellent financial tool. Here’s why:

1. Clear separation of funds

Mixing your savings with your operating account can make financial management messy. A dedicated savings account keeps your reserve cash separate, ensuring that funds meant for growth, emergencies, or future expenses remain untouched until needed.

2. Earn more on your business savings

In business, every dollar counts. With a 2% p.a interest rate, Zeller Savings Account makes your money hard for your business instead of sitting idly in an account that pays next to nothing.

3. Financial stability and preparedness

Unexpected expenses are part of running a business. Whether it’s replacing essential equipment, handling a cash flow shortfall, or taking advantage of an unexpected growth opportunity, having funds readily available ensures your business remains financially resilient.

4. Building a habit of saving

Even depositing a small amount regularly can help create a healthy financial habit for your business. With a Zeller Savings Account, there’s no minimum balance required to earn maximum interest, so you’ll watch your business savings grow with daily interest calculations, paid monthly to your Zeller Savings Account, while earning our highest interest-rate from the first dollar you deposit.

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Why open a Zeller Business Savings Account?

In addition to offering a much higher interest rate than the big-4, a Zeller Savings Account provides instant access to your funds, ensuring your money is both secure and easily available when needed.

But there’s another big benefit that isn’t immediately obvious – having a Zeller Savings Account means you’ll also have access to a Zeller Business Transaction Account.

With both accounts working together, you’ll get:

  • High-interest savings · Earn 2% p.a. on your business savings.

  • No monthly account fees · Or any other fees, for that matter.

  • Unlimited free debit cards · Issue as many physical or virtual debit cards as you like.

  • Xero integration · Automatically reconcile settlements with your accounting system.

  • Clear statements · Easily see all deposits and withdrawals, plus when interest is paid into your account.

  • Real-time visibility · Track all transactions, expenses, and income with live cash flow reporting.

  • Instant access · Withdraw your funds anytime with no penalties or hassles.

  • Excellent security · All funds are held with a fully licensed, APRA-regulated Australian bank, and two-factor authentication is enabled on all Zeller Accounts.

These features go beyond just savings, they make managing your business finances easier and more efficient.

Stop letting the big-4 banks hold you back.

The days of being forced to use an outdated business bank are over. Thankfully, Australian businesses no longer need to settle for subpar savings accounts with low interest rates and strict conditions.

If you’re currently banking with one of the big-4, ask yourself:

  • Are you earning the best return on your business savings?

  • Does your bank offer instant access to your funds with no restrictions?

  • Are you happy with the limited reporting functions of your current business account?

If the answer to any of these is "no", then it’s time to make the switch to Zeller.

Save more with Zeller Savings Account.

With an interest rate of 2% p.a. and full access to your funds, Zeller Savings Account offers the perfect blend of features and flexibility to help your business grow.

Learn more

5 Reasons a Savings Account Might Be Good for Your Business

Zeller already helped you grow your business, now we’re helping you grow your account balance. Whether you’re an established business owner or are just about to launch your new venture, there’s never a bad time to reassess how your business finances are organised. By now you will most likely have  opened a business transaction account but have you considered a business savings account? With a better interest rate than the big-4 banks, a Zeller Savings Account can help you grow your business savings faster. You'll earn an amazing 2% p.a. interest rate with a Zeller Savings Account . Whether you’re looking to upgrade your coffee machine, give your shop a new fit out, or purchase a new delivery vehicle, a savings account will help get you there. Read on to discover five ways a business savings account can help bolster your business. 1. It can serve as an emergency fund If COVID-19 taught us anything, it’s that you never know what’s around the corner. If you want your business to be able to better survive unexpected events, it’s very important that your business has a cash reserve. By adding funds regularly to a savings account that earns interest, you are building a buffer that your business can use through unforeseen expenses, such as an important piece of equipment breaking down, a legal battle, a sudden increase in operational costs or an economic downturn, for example. 2. It can help manage poor cash flow According to The Invoice Market’s research , cash flow is the number one issue affecting small to medium businesses across Australia, with more than a third of them having to dip into their own personal savings to keep their business afloat. By moving funds into a savings account, you can contribute to building your businesses' resilience. Late payments, rising overheads, overstocked inventory or seasonal fluctuations are all common causes of poor cash flow; having some extra funds to see you through these leaner times will help give your business more stability. 3. It can help you avoid tax stress As a business owner, it is your responsibility to manage your tax obligations. If you do not have an organised approach to earmarking tax funds and declaring your turnover, you may end up with an unforecasted tax bill that could cripple your business. One great way of managing funds for not yet paid tax obligations is to put them into an interest-earning account before you need to pay the tax office. Not only will you have set aside cash to meet your tax obligations, but you will also have earned interest on it. 4. It can improve your position to borrow Even if you’re not currently planning on taking out a business loan, it might be something you choose to do in the future – so it’s important to consider your credit rating. When a lender is assessing whether or not to lend you money, they look at how much risk they are taking on. This ‘risk’ is what is known as your credit rating. In ascertaining your credit rating, they might assess your cash flow and your cash on hand. A savings account can therefore assist in providing this context to a lender. 5. It can help finance future investments Interest rates on savings accounts may not be very high, but they still offer a way to earn some passive income on idle funds. The extra cash that you earn from interest can be invested back into your business: whether you use it for purchasing new equipment, upgrading your technology, or helping to fund an advertising campaign, over time, these purchases can make a considerable difference to your business. While the day-to-day running of your business can be all consuming, making a contribution each week to a savings account can set you up for future expansion by earning you money in the background. How does a Zeller Savings Account compare to the big-4 banks? COMPARE BUSINESS SAVINGS ACCOUNTS *Interest rates current at 10 June 2025. Terms apply . Don’t let your business savings sit in a big-4 bank account. With Zeller’s competitive interest business savings account , not only will you earn a better return on your savings without a minimum balance requirement, but you will also benefit from a whole ecosystem of financial services and business products. From securely holding your money to accepting payments, managing expenses and tracking your cash flow, Zeller’s suite of financial tools lets you tailor your solution to your business needs. With everything consolidated into one reliable platform, you can accept, settle, spend, and track your funds faster, leaving you more time to run your business. Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice that takes into account your business needs and objectives. If you are unsure, seek the advice of a qualified accountant or financial service advisor before deciding whether a savings account is right for your business.

Best Business Debit Cards in Australia for 2025

Business spending and tracking should be simple, yet many traditional banks’ business debit cards lack important features while also having unnecessary fees and restrictions. In this article we compare the best business debit cards in Australia for 2025, including those issued by the big-4 banks, and the Zeller Debit Card – our smarter, modern alternative that’s designed to help you better manage your business spending. Compare Zeller Debit Card to the big-4 banks. Say goodbye to monthly debit card fees. Traditional banks may charge account fees of up to $10 per month, just for the benefit of managing your own money the way you want. With Zeller, there are no hidden fees attached to our transaction accounts or business debit cards – just seamless spending online and in-store with a fully featured, cost-free business debit card. Effortless money management via Zeller Dashboard and Zeller App. Unlike traditional banking apps which can be clunky and outdated, Zeller’s intuitive dashboard and app give you full control over your spending. View and manage cards, check balances, track purchases, lock cards and manage security, and set spending limits across multiple Zeller accounts in real-time with ease from either Zeller Dashboard or Zeller App . Powerful reporting and analytics. Unlike traditional banks that provide only basic transaction summaries, Zeller lets you delve deep into your business debit card spending for useful insights into your cash flow. Get an overview across all your cards and filter or export transactions by date, amount, category, vendor, transaction status, and more, giving you a clear financial picture to plan ahead for your business. Advanced security and fraud protection. With scams on the rise, you can put your mind at ease knowing that Zeller Debit Card transactions are processed with multiple layers of secure encryption and authorisation, including multi-factor authentication. Instantly lock or report lost or stolen cards via the Zeller Dashboard or Zeller App, ensuring your funds remain secure. Transaction tracking and reconciliation made easy. Business expenses vary, from buying the essentials like office supplies to recurring payments to suppliers and more. With Zeller, you can attach customer, supplier or vendor profiles to transactions, build a contact directory , attach receipts, and streamline your bookkeeping with direct integration to Xero Bank Feeds, eliminating the need to manually import transaction details. Instantly issue unlimited business debit cards. Many traditional banks limit the number of business debit cards you can have per account or have restrictive requirements when you’re ordering additional cards. With Zeller, you can issue unlimited physical and virtual business debit cards instantly from the Zeller Dashboard or Zeller App. This is perfect for businesses looking to streamline expense management, empower employees with controlled spending, and ensure fast access to funds without needing reimbursements or petty cash. Virtual business debit cards for modern businesses. Once you’ve ordered a new virtual card, you can add it to your Apple or Google Wallet and start spending online or in-store immediately. Using virtual cards adds another level of financial protection because the technology disguises sensitive card data and ensures that your actual card information cannot be used or stored by the payment processor. Managing a large team? Try Zeller Corporate Cards. For businesses with multiple employees, Zeller Corporate Cards provide a streamlined way to manage spending. Issue individual or project-based cards, set custom spending limits, and automate budgets. No manual staff reimbursements, just real-time cash flow tracking. Try it free for 60 days, then it’s just $9 per active card per month thereafter. No more tedious bank visits. Issuing Zeller Debit Cards and opening a Zeller Transaction Account is free, fast and can be completed online in minutes – no need to wait in line at a bank or fill out lengthy paperwork. Plus, Zeller’s 24/7 support team is always available if you ever need some extra help. Say goodbye to your outdated business bank debit card and hello to cost savings and powerful features the big-4 banks simply can’t match. Switch to Zeller Debit Card today. It’s completely free to open a new account and start using Zeller Debit Card. Say goodbye to your outdated business bank debit card and hello to cost savings and powerful features the big-4 banks simply can’t match.

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