Establishing Business Credit - Secured Business Credit Cards
By: David Gass
Many businesses now use corporate credit cards to pay their bills, particularly those between their suppliers or vendors and themselves. There are a number of products on the market that can meet these needs. They include the traditional credit card that accumulates a balance monthly and requires only a minimum monthly payment to keep the account up to date as well as procurement cards that are used by many companies to purchase small items or supplies. An example of a procurement card might be a gas card that allows employees to fill up the company vehicles.But another form of credit card used by businesses is called a secured business credit card. The difference between a traditional credit card and a secured business credit card is that the latter requires a business to open and maintain a savings account that provides a backup to the creditor in the case of any defaults or missed payments by the borrower.
A secured business credit card can be used to pay for all the same services as a regular business card and in order to open one a bank or credit card company will require a savings deposit that can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The business is then allowed to use the secured business credit card up to the level of this deposit, although some lenders put additional restrictions on the borrowing amounts depending on the credit rating of the business.
In addition there are normally application and processing fees for a secured business credit card that will cover the administrative costs of the application including any credit or reference checks that the lending institution may wish to carry out. These fees vary from lender to lender. A secured business credit card is also usually more expensive to use than a conventional credit card and often has an annual fee and carries a higher rate of interest than a traditional credit card.
The advantages of a secured business credit card are that it allows the business to continue to access the convenience of using a credit card, even if their overall credit rating or credit score is not that great. Even companies and individuals that have faced serious financial problems like loan defaults and bankruptcies are eligible to apply for a secured business credit card. Sometimes a secured business credit card can make the difference between business survival and their downfall because it lets the business pay vendors who are reluctant to advance any more supplies unless they have a guarantee of cash or a secured business credit card in their hands.
The other major advantage of a secured business credit card is that it allows a business to build or restore their business credit rating. Many financial reporting agencies look at the successful use of a secured business credit card as a step on the road to rehabilitating poor credit scores and in the long term can assist a business to recover its credit rating and its reputation.
About: David Gass is President of Business Credit Services, Inc. His company publishes a weekly e-newsletter on Starting and Growing a Small Business at http://www.smallbusinessconsulting.com You can sign up for their free newsletter by visiting http://www.smallbusinessconsulting.com
Source: Ezinearticles.com
Four Things You Need To Know About Secured Business Credit Cards
By: Max Anderson
If you are one of the business owners who hasn't considered what secured business credit cards can do for your business, you're not alone. Many entrepreneurs overlook the benefits of secured business credit cards. If your business's creditworthiness isn't as appealing to lenders as you would like it to be, you should consider these five facts.1. Secured Business Credit Cards Aren't a Stigma
Some people think that applying for a secured card means lowering themselves to a lesser financial standard. What many people fail to realize is that secured cards aren't just for people with damaged credit, these cards are also for people who have not yet been able to build a credit history at all. This applies to secured business credit cards too.
Applying for secured business credit cards doesn't mean that your business has failed in any way whatsoever. What it means is that your business is in the infancy stages of building a solid financial history. Secured business credit cards can play an important role in this stage of your business.
2. Secured Business Credit Cards Aren't a Rip-Off
Yes, it's true that some secured credit cards abuse their card holders and charge ridiculous interest rates and unwarranted fees. However, not all secured cards are alike. There are many secured business credit cards that charge nominal annual fees and reasonable interest rates. It's just a matter of shopping around and finding the one that's right for you.
3. It's Your Little Secret
If you're afraid that you'll be embarrassed when you pay for business purchases with a secured card, you'll be relieved to know that secured business credit cards aren't really decipherable from unsecured cards. It's not like the credit card companies put "Secured" in big bold type across the front of the card.
Secured business credit cards are actually quite discreet. The only people who will know your business credit card is a secured card are you and your credit card company.
4. It's Not The End
While secured business credit cards may not be your idea of an ideal financial tool for your business, you have to understand that they are a means to an end, not the end itself.
When considering secured business credit cards, it is important to remember that they are the beginning of the road, not the end of it. Your business will only need a secured card until your credit history is established. Depending on the growth of your business and the industry it is in, it may only be six to twelve months before your business qualifies for an unsecured credit card.
About: For more tips on getting the best business credit cards, saving money and avoiding getting taken, check out http://www.CreditCardTipsEtc.com, a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources. Source: Ezinearticles.com
