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Black Founders Banking Survey
A joint initiative of Fictive Ventures + Carver State Bank
Your answers will directly shape the banking products and programs offered to Black founders in Atlanta and beyond.
Section 1 — About You
1. What stage is your startup?
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2. What industry are you in?
(Select all that Apply)
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3. How long have you been operating?
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Section 2 — Your Current Banking
4. Where does your business primarily bank?
(Select all that apply)
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5. How did you first learn about your current bank?
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6. Why did you choose your current bank?
(Select top 2)
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7. How many business bank accounts do you currently have?
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8. What does your bank do well for your business?
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9. What frustrates you most about your current banking situation?
(Select all that apply)
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Section 3 — The Relationship Factor
10. Do you know the name of a specific person at your bank you could contact directly if you needed something?
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11. Has anyone at your bank ever worked with you one-on-one on a financial process — applying for a loan, setting up merchant services, building credit, planning cash flow, anything like that?
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12. How would you describe your relationship with your bank?
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Section 4 — Technology & Tools
13. Which of the following do you rely on for your business finances?
(Select all that apply)
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14. How well does your current bank integrate with the tools you use?
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15. Have any of these issues caused you not to bank with a particular institution? If so, which?
(Select all that apply)
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16. If another bank matched the technology and features you rely on today, how likely would you be to consider switching your business banking?
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16a. Beyond technology, what factors would matter most in that decision?
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Section 5 — Credit, Lending & Financial Health
17. Have you ever applied for a business loan or line of credit?
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18. Does your business have any credit in its own name?
(Select all that apply)
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19. On a scale of 1–5, how well does your current bank understand the financial realities of a Black-owned startup?
(1 = Doesn't understand at all → 5 = Gets it completely)
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Section 6 — Black-Owned Banks
20. Are you currently banking with a Black-owned bank for any of your accounts (personal or business)?
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Section 7 — Back Office & Shared Services
21. Which of the following back-office challenges slow your business down most?
(Select top 2)
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Section 8 — Optional Follow-Up
22. Would you be willing to participate in a 20-minute follow-up conversation about your banking experience?
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Submit