
Business prepaid credit cards offer a range of features that can benefit businesses of all sizes. Some cards offer no credit checks, making them accessible to businesses with poor credit.
You can load funds onto a business prepaid credit card, which can be used to make purchases, pay bills, and even give employees spending money. Some cards even offer rewards programs, such as cashback or points.
Business prepaid credit cards often come with spending limits, which can help prevent overspending and reduce financial risk. You can also set up alerts and notifications to track card activity and stay on top of expenses.
Some business prepaid credit cards offer alternative payment methods, such as mobile payments or online bill pay. These features can make it easier to manage finances and reduce paperwork.
Getting a Business Prepaid Credit Card
You can get a business prepaid credit card even with poor or bad credit, as long as you don't have any delinquent or defaulted accounts.
To apply for a prepaid business credit card, you'll need to provide your personal information, such as your address, date of birth, and Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number.
You'll also need to provide information about your company, including your company name, job title, phone number, and the number of employees.
Some prepaid card issuers require you to link your card to a checking account, and you may also be asked to provide your projected business revenue, expenses, and profits.
Fortunately, prepaid cards don't require a credit check to obtain, making them a good option for businesses with limited credit history.
You can qualify for a prepaid business card even if you have credit problems or a poor credit history, as long as you're not currently experiencing a bankruptcy or foreclosure.
Features and Options
Business prepaid credit cards offer two types of accounts: secured cards that require a refundable security deposit and prepaid cards that allow you to place money on deposit.
Secured credit cards are a great way to establish business credit, as they report your balance and payment history to business credit bureaus.
Prepaid business credit cards can also report your balance and payment history to business credit bureaus, making them a great way to establish business credit.
You can set spending limits for each prepaid card to help prevent overspending and manage expenses more efficiently.
Business prepaid cards work like debit cards, deducting the purchase amount from the card's balance, but they're pre-loaded with a set amount from the business.
You can reload the card with additional funds when the balance runs low or runs out.
Employers can set spending limits on the card, monitor employee spending, and receive detailed reports of all transactions.
This makes it easier to manage expenses and keep track of company spending.
Alternatives and Similarities
Alternatives to prepaid business credit cards include business credit cards for fair credit, which can help build credit without a security deposit. These cards come with higher interest rates and modest rewards.
Using a personal card for business purposes is another option, but it won't offer business features like expense tracking and reporting. Subprime and secured cards are available for personal use, but they often come with high interest rates and fees.
Prepaid business debit cards don't require a credit check and won't affect your credit score. They can be used at ATMs and are reloadable, but many come with fees like monthly fees, ATM fees, and transaction fees.
Disadvantages of
Using a prepaid business card can limit your business's ability to build credit, as it doesn't involve borrowing or making repayments that are reported to credit bureaus.
Prepaid cards can be inflexible when it comes to funding limits, often requiring funds to be preloaded upfront and tying up business capital.
The maximum amount that can be preloaded onto a prepaid card is often lower than the credit limits offered by conventional business credit cards.
Prepaid cards generally don't offer rewards for spending, which can be a major drawback for small business owners who value cashback or rewards programs.
Alternatives
If you're not sold on prepaid business credit cards, there are several alternatives to consider. Business credit cards for fair credit are a good option for those who have had credit problems but don't have bad credit.
These cards come with higher standard interest rates and modest rewards like cash back. But they're a great way to build your credit without needing to submit a security deposit.
Using a personal card for business purposes is another alternative, but be aware that these cards won't offer business features like expense tracking and reporting. You should also expect high interest rates and fees on subprime cards.
Prepaid business debit cards are a fee-free option that don't require a personal credit history or credit check. They work similarly to debit cards from checking and savings accounts and can be used at ATMs.
Business debit cards link directly to your business's savings or checking account and offer another way to track and manage business expenses without debt or interest. They don't help build credit, but they're useful for businesses that prefer spending only existing funds.
Corporate business credit cards allow purchases to be made and a balance accrued up to a flexible spending limit, which must be paid in full at the end of each billing cycle. They come with added features like expense management tools and finer controls for employee spending.
Similarities

Prepaid business cards and secured business credit cards share some similarities. They both require a security deposit to determine the spending limit.
Both prepaid and secured business credit cards have a balance that must be replenished when it runs out to continue making purchases.
Secured business credit cards report to the business credit bureaus, which is a great option for building up credit score, just like prepaid business cards won't build business credit.
In both cases, the spending power is determined by the amount deposited, whether it's a personal bank account for prepaid cards or a security deposit for secured credit cards.
Reduced Fraud Risk
Business prepaid cards can be more secure than cash or traditional credit cards because they can be easily deactivated if lost or stolen, reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions.
Using a business prepaid card can give you an added layer of security, especially when traveling or in situations where your card might be compromised.
Business prepaid cards can be easily reactivated if they're temporarily frozen, ensuring you don't miss out on important transactions.
This added security feature is a major advantage over traditional credit cards, which can be more difficult to cancel if they're lost or stolen.
Business prepaid cards can also help you keep track of your expenses, making it easier to stay within budget and avoid overspending.
Benefits for Business
Using a prepaid business credit card can be a game-changer for your company's finances. You can easily control employee spending by setting spending limits for each major milestone, keeping expenses within set parameters.
This setup is especially helpful for managing cash flow for sales teams or marketing departments. Every card can be issued with a specific amount to keep expenses in check.
With a prepaid card, there's no lengthy reimbursement process for employees. They can simply use their card for expenses, and the company funds will cover it.
Using prepaid business credit cards also contributes to cleaner accounting records for tax filings. Each transaction is automatically recorded and categorized, simplifying the business expense tracking process.
By partnering with a full stack issuing provider, you can move money quickly and easily through a single platform via your virtual prepaid card. This streamlines your costs and makes it easier to reconcile transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest business credit card to obtain?
For businesses with limited or no credit history, consider the Brex Business Card, designed for start-ups without a credit score, or the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card for those with bad credit.
Can I put $2000 on a prepaid card?
Yes, the maximum card balance for a prepaid card is $2,000. You can load up to this amount, with no minimum required.
Sources
- https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/business/overview/cards/business-prepaid-mastercard-credit.html
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/prepaid-business-credit-cards-2140684628/
- https://www.nav.com/blog/prepaid-business-credit-cards-1313122/
- https://www.dailygazette.com/life_and_arts/stacker/a-guide-to-prepaid-business-cards/collection_c3801107-5f2e-52bf-b134-960b538afd88.html
- https://www.checkout.com/blog/business-prepaid-cards
Featured Images: pexels.com