Business Credit Cards for Fair Credit and Secured Business Cards

Most bank business cards are aimed at good to excellent personal credit. If your score is in the fair range (roughly 580–669) or you are rebuilding, you still have three paths.

Path 1: a business card for fair credit

Capital One Spark 1% Classic is listed by Capital One for fair credit. When we checked it had no annual fee and 1% cash back, with a high variable APR (29.24%). Sole proprietors can apply with their Social Security number. It is a real unsecured business card, so on-time use helps you move up to better cards.

Path 2: a secured business card

You put down a refundable deposit, and the deposit usually sets your credit limit.

Card	Deposit	Annual fee	Rewards
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured	$1,000 minimum, refundable	$0	1.5% cash back
Valley Visa Secured Business (FL, NJ, NY, AL, CA branches)	Account funded at 110% of your limit	$0	1% (per third-party reviews)
FNBO Business Edition Secured	$2,000 to $10,000; the deposit earns interest	$39	None

Bank of America says the secured card may graduate to an unsecured one. Ask any issuer how and when they review that.

Path 3: corporate cards that don’t use personal credit

If your business has money in the bank, corporate cards approve on that instead of your score. BILL Divvy uses a soft credit pull and its official pages say flexible underwriting may be available with poor credit. Ramp and Mercury IO don’t check personal credit, but Ramp needs $25,000 in the bank and Mercury needs a Mercury account. See corporate vs. bank cards.

Watch out

• Very high APRs. Some cards that approve lower scores charge far more if you carry a balance. Capital on Tap, for example, lists APRs up to 86.49%. Pay in full.
• Fees for “guaranteed approval.” Legitimate secured cards don’t charge an upfront fee to apply.
• Applying everywhere. Each bank application is usually a hard inquiry. Pick one card and apply once.

Meanwhile, raise your score

Pay every bill on time, keep balances under about 30% of your limits, and dispute errors on your reports. See how to raise your credit before applying. In 6 to 12 months, you may qualify for no-fee cards with welcome bonuses.

Filter for your situation in our list of business cards for fair credit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a business credit card with fair credit?

Yes. Capital One lists its Spark 1% Classic for fair credit, and secured business cards are another option.

What is a secured business credit card?

A card backed by a refundable deposit, which usually becomes your credit limit. It helps you build or rebuild credit.

Can I get a business card without a personal credit check?

Some corporate cards approve based on your business bank balance instead, but they usually require a registered company and cash in the bank.