The US business credit card. How issuers decide.

In brief

The issuer decides whether to issue a US business credit card. For a young company it mainly checks the owner’s personal credit history in the US, income, business and documents, and it generally requires the owner’s personal guarantee. An introductory period without debit interest ends on a fixed date; after that the standard interest rate applies to the outstanding balance. Because most consumer protection rules do not apply to business credit cards, it pays to read the terms closely — and to be wary of anyone who promises limits.

What an issuer checks

A new company has no history, no balance sheet, no revenue over several years. The issuer therefore looks at what it can check: Without a personal US history, the routes are narrower: some issuers consider applications with an ITIN, some only with an SSN, some require an existing account with them. Which issuers these are changes over time — and each issuer decides this for itself.

• the owner’s personal credit history in the US — via SSN or ITIN
• the owner’s income and the company’s revenue, where there is any
• the documents: formation, EIN, address, phone number, account
• the business: what the company does and whether it matches the information given
• the number of applications and new accounts in recent months

Personal guarantee: what you sign

With almost every business credit card for a young company, the owner signs a personal guarantee: if the company does not pay, the owner is personally liable. The limited liability of the LLC then offers no protection. That is no argument against the card, but it is an argument for treating it like a personal loan: spend only what the company can safely repay.

The introductory period without debit interest

Many US business credit cards offer new customers an introductory period without debit interest on purchases. That is credit for a limited time, not free money: the period ends on a fixed date, after which the standard interest rate applies to the outstanding balance — for cards, usually a double-digit rate. Anyone using an introductory period therefore needs a plan for when it ends: repayment from the business, not from the next card. Fees, for example for cash withdrawals or for balance transfers from other cards, are often not covered by the introductory period and cost money from day one.

Personal card and business credit card: the difference in protection

Based on 12 CFR 1026.3 and 1026.12 (Regulation Z) with the official commentary; simplified overview.

• Rules of the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) · Card for personal purposes: apply in full · Card for business purposes: apply only to the issuance of the card and to liability for unauthorised use
• Protection under the CARD Act, e.g. on interest rate increases · Card for personal purposes: yes · Card for business purposes: generally no
• Liability for unauthorised use · Card for personal purposes: limited by law · Card for business purposes: limited by law; may be agreed differently where a business has ten or more cards
• Who sets the terms · Card for personal purposes: law and contract · Card for business purposes: mainly the contract

“Card stacking” — and an FTC case

A model advertised online applies for several cards with introductory periods at once and sells this as “financing” — for high fees. The risk lies entirely with the business owner: many enquiries at once, high utilisation, a personal guarantee for every card and all introductory periods ending at the same time. A case brought by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shows how this can end: in November 2025 a provider and its chief executive were permanently banned from offering financing to business owners. The provider had promised loans and lines of credit and instead, for fees of several thousand dollars, applied for credit cards; the court regarded this as deception. The settlement is for US$48.28 million, partly suspended because the defendants are unable to pay.

Six warning signs in a provider

• Warning sign — A limit is promised: The issuer decides on every limit. Anyone who promises an amount is promising something they cannot deliver.
• Warning sign — Fees as a percentage of the limit: Anyone who earns from the limit earns from every further application — even if it harms you.
• Warning sign — A “loan” that is a card: Cards are cards. Anyone who talks of loans or a line of credit and means card applications is deceiving you.
• Warning sign — Many applications in one day: A series of applications weighs on your history and makes every further decision harder.
• Warning sign — Not a word about liability: Anyone who does not mention the personal guarantee is concealing the most important thing about any business credit card.
• Warning sign — Reviews prohibited: Clauses that prohibit customers from posting negative reviews are not permitted in the US — and a clear signal.

How FIAON Global guides you to your first card — and beyond

FIAON Global turns the card application into a plan instead of a gamble. We lay the foundation — company, EIN, ITIN, address, phone number, account — choose the first issuer to suit your history, prepare the application in full and plan the card ladder: further issuers in the right order, with gaps between applications, supported in a monthly review. We work at a fixed price that is set before the engagement — with no fee based on the limit and no share of the capital. The issuer decides on every limit; the capital range of your package is your goal, not a promise. The capital is not tied to the US: your company can transfer funds to Europe or invest them in Europe — within the terms of the institution concerned. Our partner tax adviser clarifies with you in advance how transfers and investments are treated for tax purposes.

The card ladder in one package

First card, planned follow-up applications, monthly review — Global Banking at a fixed price.

What you need to know

• US business credit cards generally require a personal guarantee from the owner. The institution alone decides on the account, the card and the limit.
• An introductory period without debit interest ends on a fixed date; after that the issuer’s standard interest rate applies.
• FIAON is not a bank, does not lend and does not broker credit.

Frequently asked questions

Can my LLC apply for a US business credit card?

Yes. Whether a card is issued is decided by the issuer: with young companies it mainly checks the owner’s personal history in the US and requires the owner’s personal guarantee. Without an SSN or ITIN, the routes are narrow.

Am I personally liable for my LLC’s business credit card?

As a rule, yes. With young companies, almost all issuers require a personal guarantee from the owner; the LLC’s limited liability then does not apply.

What happens when the introductory period without debit interest ends?

It ends on a fixed date. After that, the issuer’s standard interest rate applies to the outstanding balance — for cards, usually a double-digit rate.

Does US consumer protection apply to business credit cards?

Only to a limited extent. For cards used for business purposes, the rules of Regulation Z that apply are mainly those on the issuance of the card and on liability for unauthorised use; the protections of the CARD Act, for example on interest rate increases, generally do not apply.

How do I spot dubious business credit card providers?

Watch for promised limits, fees as a percentage of the limit, “loans” that turn out to be card applications, many applications at once and contracts that prohibit reviews.