Business credit cards for no credit

Even without a personal or business credit score, you can still get a business credit card for your business. You could get secured cards and credit cards for startups, for example. You could also look into loans or have a business partner apply. Still, your best bet is likely a secured business card. You’ll need to put down a security deposit before you can open an account, but it may give your provider the confidence to extend credit to you.

Consider these business credit cards for no credit

If you don’t have a business credit score but you do have strong personal credit, you may qualify for a solid unsecured business card. When you apply, the provider will look at your personal credit.

Consider these cards if you have no business or personal credit, or if your personal credit isn’t where you want it to be.

Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card

BBVA Secured Visa® Business Credit Card

The Kabbage Card

How to get a business credit card with no credit

If you’re worried you can’t get a business card with no or bad credit, first be clear on which type of credit you lack — personal or business credit.

No business credit score

You can likely still get an unsecured business credit card without a business credit score. A provider will look at your personal credit score when deciding whether or not to approve you.

No personal credit score

It’s more difficult to get an unsecured business card without a personal credit score or with bad credit. A provider might not check your personal credit if you have strong business credit.

If you don’t immediately need a business credit card, start building your personal credit with a credit-building card. Once you improve your personal credit score, you can apply for most business credit cards.

Can I get a business credit card without a Social Security number?

It’s difficult to get a business card without a Social Security number, but it’s not impossible. Here’s how to do it:
1. Get an ITIN — an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
2. With your ITIN, you can get an EIN — an Employer Identification Number.
3. Look for a business card you can apply for with your EIN instead of your Social Security number.

Are there any small business cards with no credit check?

A majority of business credit cards will check your personal or business credit before you can qualify. However, the Brex for Startups card is a new card that won’t check your personal credit. Instead, this card checks your personal income and other financial factors to determine eligibility.

How to compare business credit cards for no credit

• Look at what type of credit you’re missing.
  If you don’t have business credit, it might not be an issue as long as you have strong personal credit. If you have neither type of credit, consider building your personal credit first.
• Annual fee.
  Secured business credit cards typically have annual fees between $30 and $50. You have more choices if you want a secured personal card with no annual fee.
• Credit line.
  A secured business card will likely offer a much higher maximum deposit, and therefore a higher credit limit than a secured personal card. With a line of credit, you may have an even higher credit limit.
• Rewards.
  See if your business spends in a card’s bonus rewards categories. If your business spends relatively evenly across many categories, you might like a flat-rate rewards card.
• Employee cards.
  Some providers offer free employee cards, while others charge for them.

Compare secured business cards

Bottom line

A lack of a personal credit score or a bad credit doesn’t have to hold you back from getting a business credit card — just understand your options will be limited at first. As you build credit, you’ll qualify for better cards. When you get there, you can compare your full range of business cards.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I ever get my security deposit back after I open a secured credit card?

  Yes. You’ll get it back once you close your account as long as you close it with a zero balance. With responsible credit use, your provider may also return your deposit early and let you keep using your card.

• How do I build my credit?

  The most effective ways are to consistently make on-time payments and keep balances low. There are other factors that will affect your credit.

• Why does a provider require a security deposit?

  A security deposit guarantees your provider will be repaid if you fail to pay your debt.