Building business credit creates more financial opportunities. Banks, lenders, and suppliers rely on business credit reports to assess your company’s creditworthiness. 46 percent of businesses use personal credit cards for expenses, failing to separate business and personal finances and establish business credit.
Business credit acts as your business’s financial reputation. If you can borrow money as an individual, why borrow in the name of your business?
Here are reasons why business credit cards are better than personal ones:
1. Business credit cards separate personal and business finances. Borrowing or applying for credit requires personal information, which links business problems to personal credit reports and makes personal purchases difficult.
2. Business credit cards establish a credible professional profile, impressing future customers, vendors, and helping secure business loans.
3. Use business credit cards with discipline to build your business’s credit scores. Good habits and low utilization open doors to better terms, financing, rewards, and repayment options.
4. Business credit cards offer higher credit limits than personal ones, accommodating expenses like taxes, rent, equipment, supplies, insurance, and salaries.
5. Business credit cards provide rewards, discounts, and benefits tailored to specific categories like business travel or expenses.
6. Business credit cards offer additional benefits like merchandise discounts, purchase protection, extended warranties, and travel insurance. Consider interest rates and paying off your card in full monthly.
Understanding your business credit scores is important. Experian, Dun & Bradstreet, and Equifax calculate scores differently, with common factors including trade experiences, outstanding balances, payment habits, credit utilization, demographics, and business size.
To build your business credit:
1. Incorporate your business to establish its profile and separate personal assets and liabilities.
2. Obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS to separate your personal and business credit profiles.
3. Register with Dun & Bradstreet to establish your business credit.
4. Open a business credit card, checking, and savings accounts to establish a credit base in your business’s name. Use your EIN and DUNS number.
5. Manage your finances responsibly by making payments on time and in full, keeping credit utilization low, and using a variety of credit.
Business owners must establish and build credit to secure financial stability. Business credit cards help build credit scores and provide rewards and benefits while separating personal and business expenses. Use these cards with discipline to avoid overspending and financial difficulties.
Hello!
I’m Andrew Brooks, a seasoned finance consultant from the USA and the mind behind phonenumber247.com.
My career is built on a foundation of helping individuals and businesses thrive financially in an ever-changing economic landscape. At phonenumber247.com, my aim is to demystify the complex world of finance, providing clear, actionable advice that can help you navigate your financial journey with confidence. Whether it’s personal finance management, investment strategies, or understanding the nuances of market dynamics, I’m here to share insights and tools that can propel you towards your financial goals.
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