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3 Replies Last post: Jul 5, 2008 6:13 AM by VishSastry

a new business credit card?

Jul 4, 2008 6:06 PM

Click to view elochka's profile Authority elochka 15 posts since
Jul 2, 2008
If you apply for a business credit card at startup, how do they figure the starting limit, also do they ask you for more details about your business after you apply?
(I was thinking this would be useful to get another couple thousand to use for startup and also to have a seperate card for business purchases.)
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Click to view Lighthouse24's profile Mogul Lighthouse24 2,396 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
1. Re: a new business credit card? Jul 4, 2008 7:03 PM
If it's a new business and you're the sole owner/officer, your personal credit is going to be the biggest factor in deciding the terms and credit limit you initially receive on a business credit card from a bank. You probably won't have to provide any more info about the business than you would when opening a business checking account, but you will likely have to provide your SSN and personal guarantee (that if the business doesn't pay its bills, they can come after you for the money).
Click to view mademan24's profile Mogul mademan24 84 posts since
Jun 14, 2008
2. Re: a new business credit card? Jul 5, 2008 2:56 AM
Elochka --There is a way to get the type of business lines of credit or cash lines that you will need for your business. It takes about 80 days and costs a few bucks but it is well worth it in the long run.


Cheers,

T.Michael

619-518-9985

Click to view VishSastry's profile Authority VishSastry 9 posts since
Jul 4, 2008
3. Re: a new business credit card? Jul 5, 2008 6:13 AM

elochka,


Your personal credit will be the driver of your credit limit. In addition, many credit companies use one year in business as a credit criteria so you may get declined or at least have a higher score cut off.


While on average business credit cards may actually give you a higher limit, this is often dependent on your business credit score being there. As a start up, your business may not have a track record.

All that said, getting a business credit card is a great idea because

a) You start building a credit history for your business
b) You separate business and personal expenses and make accounting easier
c) Many cards offer administrative features to make tracking and adminsitrative stuff easier
d) You get rewards for all your business spend

Have worked in the business credit card industry for many years so if you want more advice, feel free to reach out to Vish.Sastry@smallbizexpress.com- can definitely recommend a card that works with you based on what you are looking for.