Yes. In 2015, Safe Harbor launched the first fully compliant cannabis banking program in the United States. We worked closely with regulators and auditors to create a real solution for operators who previously had no safe or legal way to manage their finances.
The First Name in Cannabis Banking
Safe Harbor built and launched the first fully compliant cannabis banking platform in the United States in 2015. It took years of hard work, constant collaboration with regulators and auditors, and an unwavering belief that cannabis operators deserved better. The result changed the industry and continues to guide everything we do today.
The Early Days
In the early days of legal cannabis, operators were running real businesses with no access to banking, forced to stash cash in vaults, carry duffel bags to pay taxes, and operate in the shadows of an otherwise legal industry. It was dangerous. Unsustainable. And unacceptable.
SO WE BUILT A SOLUTION
In 2015, Safe Harbor launched the first fully compliant cannabis banking program in the United States. Not a workaround. A real system built in partnership with regulators, auditors, and industry leaders who understood what was at stake. Our founder, Sundie Seefried, now serving on our Board of Directors, led this effort with a mission to normalize banking for the cannabis industry while helping law enforcement and federal agencies combat illicit activity and protect the financial system. We even wrote the book on it,
Since then, we have processed over $25 billion in cannabis-related funds, expanded to 41 states and territories, and helped thousands of operators gain not just banking, but control over their finances.
We have been here from the start and we are still here, evolving what cannabis finance can be. Today, Safe Harbor is a full financial platform built for cannabis, supporting cash flow, compliance, growth, and operator success at every stage.
The Story Continues
Today, we hear from cannabis operators every day who need more than banking. The industry has grown, and so have its challenges. Managing cash flow, staying compliant, preparing for growth, or getting ready to sell requires more than a bank account.
We realized the specialized focus needed to solve these challenges often felt out of reach and too expensive for most operators to access. So we built a way to make essential financial services and specialized experience affordable and accessible to the entire industry.
Safe Harbor has expanded beyond banking into a full financial platform built for cannabis. From bookkeeping and accounts payable and receivable to financial clarity for investors, lenders, or buyers, we help operators plan and act with confidence for what is next.
Whether you need a loan, are preparing for expansion, or are considering a sale, Safe Harbor is here to help you move forward with confidence.
OUR MISSION
To strengthen the financial health of cannabis operators by giving them access to secure banking plus the specialized services and support they need to grow with clarity and control.
Was Safe Harbor the first to offer banking for cannabis in the U.S.?
How has Safe Harbor evolved since then?
We began with banking but have grown into a full financial platform for cannabis operators. Today, in addition to compliant banking and cash management, we offer financial services such as bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, and reporting. We have also built partnerships with trusted industry suppliers, giving our clients access to tools and discounts that support their growth and success.
Do you only serve cannabis businesses?
Yes. Safe Harbor is exclusively focused on cannabis. Our singular focus allows us to anticipate the unique compliance and financial challenges cannabis operators face and build solutions tailored to this industry alone.
What makes Safe Harbor different from other cannabis banking providers?
Dedicated focus, experience, and scale. We pioneered the first cannabis banking program in the U.S., have processed over $25 billion in funds, and now serve 41 states and territories. Our exclusive commitment to cannabis gives us unmatched insight into operator challenges and how to solve them.
Why is a full financial platform better than banking alone?
Cannabis operators face more than just banking challenges. Managing cash flow, staying compliant with state and federal reporting, and preparing for growth or future opportunities all require specialized financial experience. Safe Harbor’s platform combines banking with financial services, giving operators clarity, control, and room to grow.
Is Safe Harbor still innovating?
Yes. Our story started with solving access to banking, but it continues as we develop new services, improve technology, and expand partnerships. We are constantly adapting to the evolving needs of cannabis operators and the changing regulatory landscape.