Business credit cards
A business credit card is revolving credit for everyday spending, billed each statement cycle, and can help build business credit.
It suits regular, smaller purchases such as supplies, software, fuel and travel, and it keeps business spending apart from personal spending. Each issuer sets its own limit, rates, fees and rewards, so compare cards by their terms, not just the rewards.
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How a business credit card works
An issuer opens a card account for your business with a credit limit, usually with the owner's personal guarantee.
You, and any employees you give cards to, make purchases wherever the card is accepted.
Purchases add up over each statement cycle.
When the statement is due, paying the balance in full usually avoids interest on purchases. Paying less carries the rest over, and it accrues interest.
Whatever you pay down becomes available to spend again.
When it fits, and when it doesn't
Where it fits
- You have regular, smaller costs, such as supplies, software, fuel or travel.
- You want to keep business spending separate from personal spending.
- You can pay the balance in full most months.
- You want to build a credit history for your business, with an issuer that reports to business credit bureaus.
Reasons to think twice
- You would carry a balance from month to month. That can make a card an expensive way to borrow.
- You need cash for payroll, rent or suppliers who don't take cards. A line of credit puts money in your bank account.
- Most business cards need a personal guarantee, so you're personally responsible if the business can't pay.
- Many of the protections federal law gives consumer cards don't apply to business cards. Read the terms.
What lenders usually look at
- The owner's personal credit history, which many issuers weigh heavily
- Business revenue
- How long the business has been operating
- Existing debt
- The business's own credit history, if it has one
What they weigh, and how much, differs from one to the next and by product. No single number decides it.
Documents you may be asked for
- Basic details about the business and its owner
- Annual business revenue
- Recent bank or financial statements, for a higher limit
Each lender or funder tells you what it needs for your application, and you can upload documents in your 37Lend account.
Also called
- Small business credit card
- Company credit card
- Business charge card (paid in full each cycle)
- Corporate card (usually for larger companies)
Compare with
Line of credit
A business line of credit lets you draw funds as you need them, up to a limit, and pay interest only on what you use.
Term loan
A term loan is a lump sum you repay in fixed installments over a set term, for a one-time cost with a clear payback.
Business credit card questions
Does a business credit card affect my personal credit?
It can. Most business cards need a personal guarantee, and the issuer checks your personal credit before it opens the account. Some issuers also report the account, or only missed payments, to personal credit bureaus, so ask how an issuer reports before you accept. Checking your options with 37Lend uses a soft inquiry; a lender may run a hard inquiry only if you accept its offer.
Can a business credit card help build business credit?
It can, if the issuer reports the account to business credit bureaus and you pay on time. Not every issuer does, so ask before you accept a card.
Can I get a business credit card without a personal guarantee?
It is uncommon for a small business. Cards without a personal guarantee are usually corporate cards for larger companies. Most small-business cards ask the owner to guarantee the balance.
Do business credit cards charge interest?
On a balance you carry past the due date, yes, and cash advances usually accrue interest right away. Paying the statement balance in full by the due date usually avoids interest on purchases. Each card's terms set out its rates and fees.
Want to talk it through first? Book a call with a funding advisor.