Early on, a small business may not be eligible for a small business credit card. Later on, the credit score for the small business may be a hindrance to obtaining a business credit card. A secured business credit card requires that you pay a specified amount of cash on the account before you can use it. You then use the business credit card as you would any other business credit card, sending the payment with your monthly statement. The initial deposit you made on the account is not used to pay the balance of the business credit card unless you default on the payments. Specific secured business credit cards exist to help a small business build or repair its small business credit score.

However, some companies out there offer “business” credit cards which they require a person guarantee for. These institutions will often ask for a personal guarantee, and will almost always ask for a social security number from the person applying for the business credit card. If this is the case, the credit card is not a business credit card, but is simply a personal credit card which is used for the business. The business is not liable for bills and debts – you are.