I have to say, Bank of America was a great bank for my startup. We wouldn't have gotten a bridge loan with them or anything like that but for operating cash management there was never an issue.

More importantly, they know how to offer credit to them.

do a lot of VC-backed startups rely on credit?

Convertible debt instruments have become significantly more popular over the last few years.

Uhhh yes. Most commercially viable businesses at scale rely in credit. If you're making serious money (call it $10M+ in revenue), you very likely have some credit facility with your bank. Whether you use that credit or not, is another thing.

They understand it perfectly well, it really isn’t that complex. You are repeating SVB marketing. Bank of America works with thousands of start ups and I’m sure all the other large banks do as well.

> Big banks do not understand the cashflow situation of startups. They flag standard fundraising as fraud, drug money, or money laundering (or simply won't open an account in the first place).

It's not like they blacklist you the moment your attempt to open an account raises an eyebrow. Show up to BofA or Chase with a copy of your contract with your VC, in addition to their check, and it would be odd for them to refuse you an account.