American Express Business Blueprint line of credit review (previously Kabbage)

Our verdict

Our verdict

The Business Blueprint from American Express, formerly Kabbage Funding, offers a line of credit for small businesses. It features a quick, doc-free application if you can link your business accounts. Each draw on your American Express line of credit for business becomes a short-term installment loan, and instead of interest, these loans come with a flat monthly fee. But it requires a personal guarantee, meaning you'll have to repay the loan from your personal accounts if the business defaults. Its repayment terms are fairly short, with a maximum of only 18 months, and its fee structure makes it difficult to compare against other lenders.

Best for: Fair credit borrowers in need of a no-doc business line of credit.

Pros

• Considers credit scores as low as 660
• Straightforward application with minimal paperwork
• No prepayment penalties or origination fees

Cons

• Requires a personal guarantee
• Complex fee structure
• Limited customer reviews and feedback

4.4

★★★★★

Finder rating

American Express Business Blueprint is not currently available on Finder

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Min. Amount

$2,000

Max. Amount

$250,000

APR

3% to 27%

What is the American Express Business Blueprint?

The American Express Business Blueprint is a line of credit for businesses that want ongoing access to a source of funds rather than a lump-sum payment as with a traditional business loan.

With Business Blueprint, you’re approved for a borrowing limit of up to $250,000. Simply withdraw your desired amount and repay it over a set term, either 6, 12 or 18 months. In other words, each withdrawal becomes its own short-term loan.

Rates and fees

The American Express line of credit for business has few fees compared to other business loans, including no origination fees and no prepayment penalties. However, its interest rate structure is a little more complicated than most competitors.

Your interest rate can range from 3% to 27%, depending on how much you borrow and for how long. And a max term of 18 months is on the short side for most business funding.

In fact, the American Express line of credit for business now costs less than similar lenders like OnDeck and BlueVine.

American Express Business Blueprint customer reviews and complaints

The majority of reviews for American Express focus on their credit cards and suite of other products. Since the Business Blueprint line of credit is a newer offering, reviews specifically mentioning it are sparse.

A few customers on Reddit have claimed that Amex closed their former Kabbage accounts without any support to transfer to the new Business Blueprint format, costing them many hours of administrative work.

American Express Business Blueprint eligibility requirements

The minimum requirements for the American Express line of credit for business include:

• Be 18 years old
• Have one year in business
• Have a FICO score of 660 or higher
• Have $3,000 in monthly revenue

However, American Express states that each business is unique, and other requirements may apply depending on your specific situation.

How the application works

Follow these steps to apply for the American Express line of credit for business:

1. Create an account if you’re new to American Express, or log in with your existing credentials if you’re already a customer.
2. Connect your business checking account and any additional accounts to the platform.
3. Complete the application by providing your personal and business information.
4. Consent to a hard inquiry on your personal and business credit.
5. Wait for a decision from American Express.
6. Review and sign the loan agreement if approved.

Funds typically arrive in your account within three business days of signing the loan agreement.

Amex requires a personal guarantee, and you need to secure your loan with business assets. It also does a “hard pull” on your credit file during the application, so your credit score may lower slightly after applying.

Amex verifies your business and revenue by connecting to your business’s bank accounts digitally. This means you’ll need to share your login information for your accounts, but this process also saves time and paperwork since you won’t need to upload or submit bank statements.

Is American Express legit?

Yes, American Express is a global leader in credit cards and other financial products. Its business lines of credit are issued by American Express National Bank, which is recognized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

It employs advanced fraud protection systems and smart technology to help protect its customers and offers 24/7 emergency phone assistance.

However, it hasn’t been without its issues. In 2012, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Amex to pay more than $85 million to customers harmed by its illegal credit card practices across three subsidiaries.

Alternatives to American Express Business Blueprint

If the personal guarantee and short repayment terms of the American Express line of credit for business doesn’t work for you, you may want to consider other options. Use our table to compare rates, requirements and loan amounts for these alternatives to Amex.

Or read our guide to small business financing to learn about more traditional and nontraditional options.

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CompareClear

American Express Business Blueprint is not currently available on Finder

Have you considered National Business Capital business loans?

Get high loan amounts at competitive rates. Plus, advisors are on standby to help you through the process.

• No restriction on industry
• Specialized funding for cannabis-based businesses
• Quick turnaround of one to three business days
• Large suite of additional business services

Learn more

No thanks, compare other business loan options.