Having a credit card purposely for your business is very useful but getting a business credit card with no credit history can at times be of a little challenge. Almost every successful small business owner would attest to the importance of keeping family and personal finances separate from the business’ finances.
It is important not to mix purchases made for the business with those of the family or for yourself. This is the reason why it is important to get a business credit card that will be used solely for making purchases meant for the business’ daily operations.
So why is that most small business or family business owners find it a lot more difficult to obtain credit card financing? The reason is quite simple indeed. When a bank for instance loans you or your business money in the form of a credit card, they must be sure that you can pay back the money, with any interests that accrue.
And the only way they can make this decision correctly is from your credit score or rating. Now most small business owners do not have a credit history for their business. So it becomes difficult for lenders to approve a credit card in the name of your business. However, it does not mean you cannot get a business credit for your business – it is just a little more difficult. So follow these 4 steps to get a card for your business approved quickly and start building an excellent credit rating for your business.
1. Start from the local bank or credit union
Go to the local bank or credit union where your business has an account at. Most small banks are willing to offer a business credit card to new businesses that have accounts with them, albeit without a credit history. If they approve the card for you, it is an excellent opportunity you can build on and get a good credit rating for your business. After that it will be a lot easier to get any card you want for your business.
2. What if the first option fails?
If it does not work out with the banks or credit union, you can turn to large online or e-commerce retailers such as PayPal or Amazon. If for instance you have a PayPal merchant account, you can apply for a card from them that will help you manage your business’ finances well. So if this applies to you, consider making an application with them and see if it will be approved.
3. What about a secured credit card?
A secured credit card, registered in your business’ name may your next and best option about getting a card for your business. Most banks will give you this card if you have a savings or checking account with them. You simply deposit money into the account. The bank will then give you a card secured on the account.
Every purchase you make will come straight from the checking account. But the card has every feature and capability you would otherwise expect to have on a regular unsecured card. This way, like we stated in earlier, the bank is able to monitor your credit behavior or how you run the business’ finances. If over a period of 9 months, the bank feels your credit behavior is satisfactory, they may upgrade it to a normal credit card.
This is one of the best ways many business owners have been able to get a credit card for their businesses and have built excellent credit ratings for their businesses, and you can do same.
4. This is important and closely related to step 3 above. Ensure that any card you secure for your business is reported to the credit reference bureaus under your business name. Some credit card firms do not report secured business credit cards. And if it is not reported, you cannot build the good credit rating you need. This way you can begin to build a credit history for your business.