Tellus Partners with Central Bank of Kansas City for FDIC-Insured Accounts

The new deposit account requires a minimum opening balance of $100 and carries no associated fees, according to the Silicon Valley-based firm. While Tellus provides the application interface for account management, the actual funds reside at the Kansas City-based institution, granting customers access to FDIC insurance coverage. This move marks a strategic shift for Tellus, which traditionally focused on real estate-backed cash accounts that do not carry federal deposit insurance.

Central Bank of Kansas City, which has maintained its CDFI certification since 1998, intends to use the partnership to extend its community development reach beyond its physical branch network. For the bank, the initiative represents a blend of legacy banking stability and modern digital accessibility. Jeromee Johnson, President of Tellus, noted that the bank’s history of lending to underserved housing markets aligns with his company's own real estate focus. The accounts are currently available to eligible U.S. customers through the latest version of the Tellus app.