In [LZn(C6H5CO2)]BF4.CH3OH [L is tris(benzimidazolylmethyl)amine, C24H21N7], the ligand L is tetradentate (N-4 donor set); the benzoate acts as a monodentate co-ligand and the methanol is not coordinated to the metal. The geometry at the zinc(II) centre is very close to trigonal bipyramidal.