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Best Business Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of 2025

Updated: Jan 3, 2025, 12:46pm
Written By
Credit Cards Writer
Fact Checked
Lead Editor, Credit Cards & Travel Rewards
& 1 other
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Poor credit can make qualifying for most business credit cards—or any credit cards, for that matter—difficult. There are options for businesses without great credit, but most require a deposit, so be prepared to opt for a secured card.

If you’re convinced you need a business credit card, but your credit isn’t getting you the offers you want, there are options. Secured cards provide a stepping stone to begin building or repairing your credit, plus some cards even earn rewards. Others may offer upgrades to unsecured versions for good credit behavior.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our credit card editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Advertisers do not and cannot influence our ratings. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below.

  • Unbiased editorial team
  • No AI writing
  • 400+ credit cards rated
  • 65 years of industry experience

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Show Summary

Best Business Credit Cards For Bad Credit

Top Business Cards

N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Here’s a Summary of the Best Business Credit Cards for Bad Credit

CREDIT CARD OUR Rating & DETAILS
5.0

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Credit Score

Bad/Poor

Annual Fee

$0

4.6

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Credit Score

Limited, Bad

Annual Fee

$0

3.6

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Credit Score

Bad/Poor

Annual Fee

$39

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
N/A
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
N/A
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
N/A
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Best Business Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of 2025

Best for Business Travel Benefits

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card *

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

1.5% Reward Rate

Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

27.49% variable APR

Credit Score

Bad/Poor (0 - 649)

Our Expert Take

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card* offers rewards, has a $0 annual fee and a few modest travel benefits and purchase protections while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Why We Like It

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card* offers a few convenience benefits including automatic payments and the ability to download transactions right into Quickbooks.

The card’s travel benefits are where it takes you the extra mile: $100,000 in travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, emergency ticket replacement, lost-luggage assistance and legal and medical referrals when away from home. Beyond $0 fraud liability, you’ll also enjoy purchase and extended warranty protections, perks not so common to secured cards.

Bank of America will periodically review your account to see if you qualify to graduate to an unsecured card. With Business Advantage 360, you can view your Dun and Bradstreet business credit score for free to monitor your credit building progress. You’re able to redeem your cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit into your Bank of America account or a check.

What We Don’t Like

As a secured card, it requires a $1,000 minimum security deposit and doesn’t include a welcome offer. It also charges a foreign transaction fee and a balance transfer fee, both of which can be frustrating for small business owners. Of course, the balance transfer fee may prove less frustrating, since there are no intro APR offers.

Who It’s Best For

If you want to earn unlimited cash back and can afford the security deposit, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card* is an attractive option, especially for business owners who regularly travel for work.

Pros & Cons
  • No annual fee
  • Solid rewards for a secured card
  • Potential to graduate to an unsecured version
  • Deposit required
  • Foreign transaction fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction
  • Balance transfer fee: 4% of each transaction
Card Details
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • Rewards have no annual cap and don’t expire
  • Open your account with a security deposit (minimum $1,000). Upon approval your credit line will be equal to your deposit account
  • No annual fee
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Low Intro APR Period

Valley Visa® Secured Business Credit Card *

Valley Visa® Secured Business Credit Card
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

1X Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

15.20% - 26.50% variable

Credit Score

Limited, Bad (0 - 649)

Editor's Take

The Valley Visa® Secured Business Credit Card* allows cardholders to earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases and take advantage of an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers.

Why We Like It

There’s no annual fee, and you can put down up to $25,000 as a security deposit, which is significantly higher than many other secured cards. While there is a foreign transaction fee, it’s a bit lower than the national average.

What We Don’t Like

The card requires a security deposit of 110% of your desired credit limit. The other secured cards on this list use the deposit as your credit limit, but this card makes you put down 10% more. In addition to a foreign transaction and a balance transfer fee, you will be charged $0.50 in each billing cycle where there is a balance transfer balance. This might not sound like much, but it could add up if you don’t pay off your balance quickly.

Who It’s Best For

The Valley Visa Secured Business card is best for any business owner who wants to spread out a large purchase over a few months without paying interest or an annual fee.

Pros & Cons
  • No annual fee
  • Introductory APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
  • Attractive rewards for a secured card
  • Maximum credit limit is $25,000
  • Deposit must be 110% of your desired credit limit
  • Foreign transaction fee
Card Details
  • Earn unlimited 1% cash back
  • Introductory APR offer on purchases
  • Online and mobile banking to track spending and make payments
  • Security deposit of 110% of your desired credit limit, up to $25,000 is required
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Large Credit Limits

Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card *

Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card
3.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

No Rewards

The Business Edition® Secured Visa® Credit Card does not offer rewards on purchases.

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$39

Regular APR

25.99% variable

Credit Score

Bad/Poor (0 - 649)

Our Expert Take

The Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card* is another secured card for small businesses with some unique quirks. It lets you choose your own credit limit, subject to approval, up to $10,000, but it doesn’t earn rewards and has a $39 annual fee.

Why We Like It

As a secured card, it requires a deposit, but unlike most other secured cards, you can earn interest on said deposit. The card does not have much in the way of additional perks, but does provide zero liability protection and auto rental insurance. The card allows you to request your own credit limit between $2,000 and $10,000 when you apply, subject to credit approval. Business owners can take advantage of some minimal business benefits, like cash flow and mobile receipt management.

What We Don’t Like

The secured deposit must be a single deposit of at least $2,000, which can be difficult for some to come up with. There also isn’t an option to graduate to an unsecured version of the card, so you won’t get your security deposit back unless you close your account, which can take up to 60 days. The interest earned on the deposit is minimal and likely won’t cover the annual fee.

Who It’s Best For

If you have the cash to cover a large security deposit, the Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card* could be a good way to build your business credit score while earning a bit of interest on your deposit.

Pros & Cons
  • Maximum $10,000 credit limit (requires a corresponding deposit)
  • Earn interest on security deposit
  • Build business credit
  • $39 annual fee
  • No option to graduate to an unsecured version of the card
Card Details
  • Request your credit limit between $2,000 and $10,000 (multiples of $100), when you apply. Subject to credit approval and a security deposit
  • $39 annual fee
  • Earn interest on your security deposit
  • Free management reporting and cash flow management tools
  • TurboTax and QuickBooks discounts
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Methodology

Forbes Advisor evaluated multiple credit cards to find and rank the best business cards for bad credit. For each credit card, we considered information that potential cardholders would use in their decision-making process, including:

  • Earnings rates
  • Business benefits
  • Ability to upgrade to an unsecured card
  • Welcome bonus
  • Introductory APR
  • Fees
  • Consumer benefits

Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case (the card rating you see on a specific “Best” list). The rating for each card changes on different “Best” lists according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre on a list of rewards cards could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.

Forbes Advisor re-evaluates each credit card list at least every 12 months to determine if any cards need to be added and/or removed. However, a list could be updated sooner if significant changes are made to the mentioned cards or if a new credit card is announced that’s likely to impact the category.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.


Other Cards To Consider

There are numerous business credit cards that offer benefits that far outpace the cards on this list. However, those cards usually come with more stringent approval requirements. If you think you can qualify for a non-secured business card, those cards will likely net you better returns, assuming you can meet the increased financial obligations that follow.

Check out our list of best business cards and best cards for new businesses for more details.


How To Pick a Business Credit Card for Bad Credit

Finding the best business credit card for your needs can be overwhelming. Before applying, carefully weigh your options. Here are some things to consider:

  • Annual fees. Some secured or bad credit business credit cards charge an annual fee, so we suggest first looking at secured cards that don’t charge any fees. Upfront fees eat away at initial credit limits by reducing your available credit.
  • With secured cards, check minimum and maximum deposit amounts. A security deposit may be held indefinitely, so ensure you have the cash to make the deposit. Ideally, you shouldn’t charge more than 30% of your credit limit, if you only have the one card. The goal is to avoid high credit utilization and the resulting negative impact on your credit score. Verify that the maximum deposit amount won’t become a limiting factor on spending, even if you plan to exceed the recommended 30% credit utilization.
  • Ensure the card reports to all three credit bureaus. The real value of a secured credit card is the opportunity to build credit, so make sure your card reports your credit activity to the three credit bureaus. The cards on this list report your payments and balances to the credit bureaus.
  • Check for fees. Read the fine print. Make sure to check the fine print for any hidden fees. Some secured credit cards charge an application fee and an annual fee and many charge a monthly maintenance fee. The cards on this list are free of hidden ownership fees which is a big part of why we rated them highly.
  • Rebuild your personal credit first. It often makes more sense to work on improving personal credit before applying for a business credit card. More (and better) personal secured card options exist for building credit. Consider the best business credit cards after building your credit so you can earn better rewards and score better perks.

Best Business Credit Cards 2025

Find the best business card for you & identify which factors matter for your business


How To Get a Business Credit Card With Bad Credit

The process for getting a business card with bad credit is the same as applying for any credit card. Once you find the card that you want, you can reach out to the issuer either online, over the phone or in person. You will need to provide some personal information such as your address, Social Security number and proof of income. Since this is a business card you may also need the signature of each business owner. If you are applying for a secured card, you’ll need to provide an upfront deposit, as well.

Many of the best business credit cards require higher credit scores. It may be worth your while to take some time to improve your credit score before applying for a card. This may take extra time but will benefit you in the long run if you can qualify for a card that offers more and better meets your needs.


Bottom Line

If you have bad credit and need financing for your business, you can consider these cards. At the same time, you can work on improving your personal credit so you eventually qualify for more lucrative business cards. You can also consider business or personal loans to get the credit you need if you don’t have enough cash flow to make a security deposit. Be sure to carefully read the terms and conditions before applying for any business card for bad credit.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do business credit cards check personal credit?

Yes. Issuers will likely check your personal credit when you apply for a business card, especially if you have little or no business credit history. This is a way for the issuer to determine your creditworthiness, so you’ll want to ensure that your personal credit is healthy before applying for any card.

What is the best business credit card for bad credit?

Admittedly, there are few options in this category. Carefully evaluate your options, spending habits and needs before choosing a business credit card.

Do I need to use my SSN to apply for a business credit card?

Not always, but in most cases, you will. A few card issuers do not require a business owner to provide a SSN, but many do because they require a personal guarantee against the line of credit provided. Businesses with sufficient assets, income or credit may be able to avoid the owner’s provision of a SSN.

Can I get a corporate credit card with bad credit?

Yes. While business cards require a personal credit check in most cases, corporate cards generally do not require a personal guarantee and usually do not run a personal credit check. So, if your company can demonstrate solid revenue and/or good business credit, you stand a good chance of approval—even if your personal credit is subpar.


Next Up In Credit Cards

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card, Valley Visa® Secured Business Credit Card, Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
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