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A personal credit score can help you get more financing, but your company will have access to more capital if it has a good business credit score. Opening a business credit card can help you build credit with on-time payments and by maintaining a low credit utilization ratio. 

Business credit cards function like regular credit cards when it comes to building credit, but there’s a catch. Your company may not have any business credit, and that can make it very difficult to obtain a traditional business credit card. Luckily, companies can choose from many secured business credit cards. These cards require security deposits but are easier to get approved for, even if you have no business credit.

You can choose from many cards, but these are some of the best secured business credit cards to consider.

Best secured business credit cards

Here’s a shortlist of the best secured business credit cards:

  • Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard Secured
  • Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Truist Enjoy Cash Secured Credit Card
  • Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card
  • First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition Secured Mastercard
  • Platinum Secured Mastercard

All require a deposit to establish a credit line, but they differ in rewards programs (cashback percentages and categories), fees (annual fees and other charges), and specific features like introductory APRs or upgrade options.Here are some more details about each of the best secured business credit cards.

Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard Secured

The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard Secured card offers a $1,000 minimum security deposit and unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases. Cardholders can qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured business credit card and enjoy no annual fees. The card also provides access to cash flow management tools, travel and emergency services, and Balance Connect for overdraft protection.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases with a minimum security deposit of $200. Potential cardholders can check for pre-approval without impacting their credit score. The card features automatic credit line reviews every six months, no hidden fees, and the ability to raise the credit limit with additional deposits. Cardholders can also upgrade to an unsecured Quicksilver card by building a positive payment history.

Truist Enjoy Cash Secured Credit Card

The Truist Enjoy Cash Secured Credit Card offers a tiered cashback rewards system, earning 3% on gas and EV charging purchases, 2% on utilities and groceries, and 1% on all other purchases. The card carries a $19 annual fee and provides Zero Liability protection. Cardholders can also benefit from a Loyalty Cash Bonus. The variable APR for purchases and balance transfer fees is 24.49%.

First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition Secured Mastercard

The First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition Secured Mastercard allows cardholders to request their own credit limit with a security deposit between $2,000 and $10,000. The card has a $39 annual fee and a variable 25.99% APR on purchases and balance transfers. Benefits include auto rental insurance, cash flow management tools, and mobile receipt management.

Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card

The Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first six months, along with unlimited 1% cashback rewards. There is no annual fee, and the maximum security deposit is $25,000. A security deposit equal to 110% of the desired credit limit is required. The card also features a 2% foreign transaction fee and a $0.50 activity fee in any billing cycle with a cash advance or balance transfer.

Platinum Secured Mastercard

The Platinum Secured Mastercard offers flexible security deposit options of $49, $99, or $200 with no annual fee. Cardholders benefit from automatic credit line reviews, no hidden fees, and a refundable deposit with upgrade opportunities. The card also includes zero fraud liability and allows potential cardholders to check for pre-approval without impacting their credit score.

How does a secured business credit card work?

A secured business credit card offers an easier path to building credit for your company. You will have to provide a security deposit to open your card, and that deposit will become your credit limit. For instance, if you make a $200 security deposit, your credit balance cannot exceed that amount. 

You can find secured credit cards with minimum deposits as low as $49. However, other secured business credit cards may require at least $1,000 to open a business checking account. A higher security deposit can be worth it if the card has better rewards and an easier path to an upgrade.

FAQ
Can I use my EIN to get a credit card?
Yes, you can use your EIN (Employer Identification Number) to apply for a business credit card. Lenders use your EIN to identify your business entity and assess its creditworthiness, separate from your personal credit history. Having an EIN is essential for building business credit.

The credit card issuer reports your payment history to the major credit bureaus. A good payment history will boost your business credit over time, just as a good payment history for a personal credit card improves your FICO score. 

Some secured credit cards have rewards, but they are hard to find. Secured business credit cards are starter cards rather than the final destination. You can eventually upgrade to an unsecured credit card that will come with better rewards and a higher credit limit. When you upgrade your secured credit card or close it after receiving your unsecured business card, you will receive your security deposit back.

FAQ
Can you use a personal secured credit card for business?
While you can technically use a personal secured credit card for business expenses, it's generally not recommended and often against the card's terms of service. Mixing personal and business finances makes accounting and tax preparation a nightmare.

Do secured business credit cards build business credit?

Yes, but a secured business credit card will not build your credit overnight. It can take a few months to see a noticeable impact on your credit. Each payment adds up, and keeping your card active can result in a higher business credit score over time.

When you use a secured business credit card responsibly—making on-time payments and keeping your credit utilization low—the card issuer reports this positive payment history to Dun and Bradstreet. This helps your business establish a positive credit profile with D&B.

How much money should you put on a secured credit card?

You can open a secured credit card with as little as $200, but that amount won’t leave you with many options. You will have to deposit more funds into your credit card before making a purchase that costs more than $200. Putting down a $500 to $2,000 security deposit will give you more room for your budget and result in a more attractive credit utilization ratio.

FAQ
What is the easiest business credit card to be approved for?
Generally, secured business credit cards are the easiest to get approved for. These require a security deposit, which usually becomes your credit limit, making them less risky for lenders. This is a great option if you're just starting out or have less-than-perfect credit.

Alternatives to secured credit cards

It’s helpful to understand all of your options so you can make the right choice for your business. Beyond secured credit cards, your company might consider these alternatives.

  • Unsecured business credit cards: If your business has strong revenue or you have a good personal credit score, you might qualify for an unsecured business credit card. These don't require a security deposit and often come with better rewards programs.  
  • Business lines of credit: A business line of credit offers more flexibility than a credit card. You can withdraw funds as needed and only pay interest on what you borrow.  
  • Small business loans: If you need a larger sum of money for a specific purpose, a small business loan might be a good option. These usually have fixed interest rates and repayment terms.  
  • Invoice financing: If your business struggles with slow-paying clients, invoice financing can provide immediate cash flow by advancing you a percentage of your outstanding invoices.  
  • Merchant cash advances: This option provides an advance based on your future credit card sales. It can be quick to obtain but can be expensive due to high interest rates.

TIP
Consider Ramp Corporate Cards instead
Ramp is a corporate card designed for businesses with established revenue and strong financial standing, while secured business cards are for businesses with limited credit history or those looking to rebuild their credit. Ramp doesn't require a security deposit (is unsecured), and your credit limit is based on business performance (revenue, cash flow, and spending patterns). Its credit limits can be significantly higher than those of secured cards.

» Learn more: Secured vs. unsecured business credit cards

Are secured business credit cards worth it?

Secured business credit cards can be worthwhile for businesses with limited credit history or those looking to rebuild their credit. They offer a way to establish or improve creditworthiness while providing access to a line of credit for business expenses. 

However, they require a security deposit, which can tie up capital, and may offer fewer rewards compared to unsecured cards or corporate charge cards. Ultimately, their value depends on the individual business's financial situation and goals.

Build business credit with the Ramp Business Credit Card

Secured business credit cards can get you on the path to a higher credit score. While those cards are useful, you can also build credit with the Ramp Business Credit Card. You’ll receive cashback on purchases and won’t have to worry about annual fees. Ramp doesn’t do any personal credit checks and also doesn’t require any personal guarantee.

You can create as many employee cards as you desire and monitor them from one dashboard. Business owners and their selected account managers can adjust spending limits and lock employee cards at any time. Ramp also has several expense management tools that help you stay on top of where your money goes.

Want to see if Ramp is right for your business? You can start a free demo today and see why the Ramp corporate card has become the go-to resource for many business owners.

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CPFC, Finance Contributor
Marc Guberti is a certified personal finance counselor and a freelance writer. His work has been featured in US News & World Report, Newsweek, Fox Business, and other publications.
Ramp is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes make informed decisions. We adhere to strict editorial guidelines to ensure that our content meets and maintains our high standards.

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