Reporting Jim Donovan
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –Do you get a lot of credit card offers in the mail? If you’re a small business owner, you may see even more of them coming your way.
Small business owners are increasingly relying on credit cards to fund their companies. In fact, 40 percent of small business owners carry a credit card balance, and banks are taking notice. While small business credit cards generally have higher credit limits, richer rewards and better tracking systems, 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan warns that they don’t offer the same protections as consumer credit cards.
Before signing on the dotted line for a small business credit card, you’ll want to find one that applies all or most of the provisions of The Card Act to small business cards. Under The Card Act, issuers cannot raise your interest rate unless you’ve had late payments over two months on existing balances. According to a study by Cardhub.com, issuers like Bank of America and Capital One have extended most or all of The Card Act provisions.
Next, know what you’re signing up for. Your personal credit score could be damaged if you miss a payment on your small business credit card. That’s because the business owner who signs up for the card is personally liable for the loan.
Finally, you may want to mix your plastic. In other words, use your personal credit card for business transactions where you plan on carrying a balance, and then use a business credit card for business purchases that you know you can pay off in full each month.
Cardhub.com finds that some of the best business rewards cards are Capital One Spark Cash, Ink Cash from Chase, and Amex Small Business.
For more information on those cards and others, click here.
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