American Express® Business Line of Credit review (previously Kabbage)
- Min. Amount
- $2,000
- Max. Amount
- $250,000
- APR
- N/A
Our verdict
Enjoy minimal paperwork and a straightforward application as Amex introduces its line of credit for business and retires its former branding with Kabbage.
Business funding 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 business line of credit 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
Details
Product details
| Min. Amount | $2,000 |
| Max. Amount | $250,000 |
| Loan term | 3-9% 6-months 6-18% 12-months 9-27% 18-months 12-18% 24-months |
| Min. Credit Score | 660 |
| APR | N/A |
| Financing fee | 3-9% 6-months 6-18% 12-months 9-27% 18-months 12-18% 24-months |
| Requirements | 1+ years in business, 660 minimum credit score, a valid checking account and $3,000 minimum monthly revenue. (All businesses are unique and are subject to review and approval) |
What is the American Express business line of credit?
The American Express business line of credit is for businesses that want ongoing access to a source of funds rather than a lump-sum payment as with a traditional business loan.
With this line of credit, 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 business line of credit 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 business line of credit now costs less than similar lenders like OnDeck and BlueVine.
| Loan amount | $2,000 to $250,000 |
| Term length | 6, 12 or 18 months |
| Repayment schedule | Monthly |
| Fees |
No origination fees, application fees, annual fees, maintenance fees or prepayment penalties. |
| Turnaround time |
Some applications or funding may take longer if additional paperwork is required. |
| Availability | All 50 states and US territories |
American Express business line of credit customer reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | Not accredited |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.07 out of 5 stars, based on 298 customer reviews |
| BBB customer complaints | 4,052 customer complaints |
| Trustpilot Score | 1.5 out of 5 stars, based on 3,389 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 06 July 2023 |
The majority of reviews for American Express focus on their credit cards and suite of other products. Since the business 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 format, costing them many hours of administrative work.
American Express business line of credit eligibility requirements
The minimum requirements for the American Express business 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 business line of credit:
- Create an account if you’re new to American Express, or log in with your existing credentials if you’re already a customer.
- Connect your business checking account and any additional accounts to the platform.
- Complete the application by providing your personal and business information.
- Consent to a hard inquiry on your personal and business credit.
- Wait for a decision from American Express.
- 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.
American Express® Business Line of Credit is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered Lendio business loans?
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- Large network of 75+ lenders
- Quick online application
- Funding as quick as 24 hours
- Required time in business: 6 months
- Required monthly revenue: $20k
- Min credit score: 550
Your reviews
Holly Finder
Editor
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